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Basis of Presentation (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements reflect all of our accounts, including those of our controlled subsidiaries and our tenancy-in-common interests as described below. The portion of equity in a consolidated subsidiary that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us is presented as noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

We have investments in tenancy-in-common interests in various domestic and international properties. Consolidation of these investments is not required as such interests do not qualify as VIEs and do not meet the control requirement required for consolidation. Accordingly, we account for these investments using the equity method of accounting. We use the equity method of accounting because the shared decision-making involved in a tenancy-in-common interest investment provides us with significant influence on the operating and financial decisions of these investments.

Additionally, we own interests in single-tenant net-leased properties leased to companies through noncontrolling interests in partnerships and limited liability companies that we do not control but over which we exercise significant influence. We account for these investments under the equity method of accounting. At times, the carrying value of our equity investments may fall below zero for certain investments. We intend to fund our share of the jointly-owned investments’ future operating deficits should the need arise. However, we have no legal obligation to pay for any of the liabilities of such investments nor do we have any legal obligation to fund operating deficits.
 
We apply accounting guidance for consolidation of VIEs to certain entities in which the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. Fixed price purchase and renewal options within a lease as well as certain decision-making rights within a loan can cause us to consider an entity a VIE.

Equity Method Investments
We own equity interests in net-leased properties that are generally leased to companies through noncontrolling interests (i) in partnerships and limited liability companies that we do not control but over which we exercise significant influence or (ii) as tenants-in-common subject to common control. Generally, the underlying investments are jointly-owned with affiliates. We account for these investments under the equity method of accounting. Earnings for each investment are recognized in accordance with each respective investment agreement and where applicable, based upon an allocation of the investment’s net assets at book value as if the investment were hypothetically liquidated at the end of each reporting period. Investments in unconsolidated investments are required to be evaluated periodically. We periodically compare an investment’s carrying value to its estimated fair value and recognize an impairment charge to the extent that the carrying value exceeds fair value and such decline is determined to be other than temporary. Additionally, we provide funding to developers for the acquisition, development and construction of real estate, or ADC Arrangement. Under ADC Arrangements, we have provided two loans to third-party developers of real estate projects, which we account for as equity investments.

Intangible Assets and Liabilities
In connection with our acquisitions of properties, we have recorded net lease intangibles that are being amortized over periods ranging from one year to 53 years. In addition, we have several ground leases that are being amortized over periods of up to 94 years. In-place lease intangibles are included in In-place lease intangible assets, net in the consolidated financial statements. Tenant relationship, above-market rent, below-market ground lease (as lessee) intangibles, and goodwill are included in Other intangible assets, net in the consolidated financial statements. Below-market rent and above-market ground lease (as lessor) intangibles are included in Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net in the consolidated financial statements.
Amortization of below-market rent and above-market rent intangibles is recorded as an adjustment to Lease revenues, amortization of below-market ground lease intangibles is included in General and administrative expenses, and amortization of in-place lease, above-market ground lease, and tenant relationship intangibles is included in Depreciation and amortization.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of an asset is defined as the exit price, which is the amount that would either be received when an asset is sold or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers are: Level 1, for which quoted market prices for identical instruments are available in active markets, such as money market funds, equity securities, and U.S. Treasury securities; Level 2, for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the instrument, such as certain derivative instruments including an interest rate cap and swaps; and Level 3, for securities and other derivative assets that do not fall into Level 1 or Level 2 and for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring us to develop our own assumptions.
Derivative Assets — Our derivative assets, which are included in Other assets, net in the consolidated financial statements, are comprised of an interest rate cap, interest rate swaps, foreign currency collars, foreign currency forward contracts, stock warrants, embedded derivatives, and a swaption (Note 9). The interest rate cap, interest rate swaps, foreign currency collars, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaption were measured at fair value using readily observable market inputs, such as quotations on interest rates, and were classified as Level 2 as these instruments are custom, over-the-counter contracts with various bank counterparties that are not traded in an active market. The stock warrants and embedded derivatives were measured at fair value using internal valuation models that incorporate market inputs and our own assumptions about future cash flows. We classified these assets as Level 3 because these assets are not traded in an active market.

Derivative Liabilities — Our derivative liabilities, which are included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated financial statements, are comprised of interest rate swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, and embedded derivatives (Note 9). These interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts were measured at fair value using readily observable market inputs, such as quotations on interest rates, and were classified as Level 2 because they are custom, over-the-counter contracts with various bank counterparties that are not traded in an active market. The embedded derivatives were measured at fair value using internal valuation models that incorporate market inputs and our own assumptions about future cash flows. We classified these liabilities as Level 3 because these liabilities are not traded in an active market.
Derivatives
We measure derivative instruments at fair value and record them as assets or liabilities, depending on our rights or obligations under the applicable derivative contract. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. For a derivative designated and that qualified as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recognized in Other comprehensive (loss) income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. For a derivative designated and that qualified as a net investment hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value and/or the net settlement of the derivative are reported in Other comprehensive loss as part of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment. Amounts are reclassified out of Other comprehensive (loss) income into earnings when the hedged investment is either sold or substantially liquidated. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of any derivative is recognized directly in earnings.
Discontinued Operations
From time to time, we may decide to sell a property. We have an active capital recycling program in which we extend the average lease term through reinvestment, improve portfolio credit quality through dispositions and acquisitions of assets, increase the asset criticality factor in our portfolio and execute strategic dispositions of assets. We may make a decision to dispose of a property when it is vacant as a result of tenants vacating space, tenants electing not to renew their leases, tenant insolvency, or lease rejection in the bankruptcy process. In such cases, we assess whether we can obtain the highest value from the property by selling it, as opposed to re-leasing it. We may also sell a property when we receive an unsolicited offer or negotiate a price for an investment that is consistent with our strategy for that investment. For those properties sold prior to January 1, 2014, the current and prior period results of operations of the property have been reclassified as discontinued operations under current accounting guidance (Note 2).
Recent Accounting Requirements

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 does not apply to our lease revenues, but will apply to reimbursed tenant costs and revenues generated from our operating properties. Additionally, this guidance modifies disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.   ASU 2014-09 is effective beginning in 2017, and early adoption is not permitted. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.

ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360). ASU 2014-08 changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. A discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity, or a business. Under this new guidance, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a “strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results.” The new guidance also requires disclosures including pre-tax profit or loss and significant gains or losses arising from dispositions that represent an “individually significant component of an entity,” but do not meet the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations under ASU 2014-08. In the ordinary course of business, we sell properties, which, under prior accounting guidance, we generally reported as discontinued operations; however, under ASU 2014-08 such property dispositions typically would not meet the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. We elected to early adopt ASU 2014-08 prospectively for all dispositions after December 31, 2013. Consequently, individually significant properties that were sold during 2014 were not reclassified to discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income, but are disclosed in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. By contrast, and as required by the new guidance, the consolidated statements of income for the prior year periods reflect all dispositions through December 31, 2013 as discontinued operations, which were deemed discontinued operations under the prior accounting guidance. This ASU did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations for any of the periods presented.

ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit when a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit relating to a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward as a reduction to a deferred tax asset except in certain situations. To the extent the net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward is not available as of the reporting date under the governing tax law to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of the tax position, or the governing tax law does not require the entity to use and the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and should not net with a deferred tax asset. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for us at the beginning of 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.