Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Our consolidated financial statements reflect all of our accounts, including those of our controlled subsidiaries and our tenancy-in-common interest, as described below. The portions of equity in consolidated subsidiaries that are not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us are presented as noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Variable Interest Entity

When we obtain an economic interest in an entity, we evaluate the entity to determine if it should be deemed a variable interest entity, or VIE, and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary and are therefore required to consolidate the entity. 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 or joint-venture agreement, can cause us to consider an entity a VIE. Limited partnerships and other similar entities that operate as a partnership will be considered a VIE unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participation rights. Significant judgment is required to determine whether a VIE should be consolidated. We review the contractual arrangements provided for in the partnership agreement or other related contracts to determine whether the entity is considered a VIE, and to establish whether we have any variable interests in the VIE. We then compare our variable interests, if any, to those of the other variable interest holders to determine which party is the primary beneficiary of the VIE based on whether the entity (i) has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The liabilities of these VIEs are non-recourse to us and can only be satisfied from each VIE’s respective assets.

At both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we considered 21 entities VIEs, nine of which we consolidated as we are considered the primary beneficiary and one of which we accounted for as a loan receivable. The following table presents a summary of selected financial data of the consolidated VIEs, included in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):



	June 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Real estate — Land, buildings and improvements	$	98,620		$	109,426
Operating real estate — Land, buildings and improvements	88,167			80,658
Net investments in direct financing leases	311,466			312,234
In-place lease intangible assets	8,501			8,650
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(22,883		)	(26,395		)
Assets held for sale, net	3,189			—
Accounts receivable and other assets, net	65,752			73,620
Total assets	559,152			567,929

Mortgage debt, net	$	102,979		$	104,213
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	11,916			12,693
Deferred income taxes	10,251			12,374
Total liabilities	125,509			129,662

At both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had 11 unconsolidated VIEs, all of which we account for under the equity method of accounting. We do not consolidate these entities because we are not the primary beneficiary and the nature of our involvement in the activities of these entities allows us to exercise significant influence on, but does not give us power over, decisions that significantly affect the economic performance of these entities. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the net carrying amount of our investments in these entities was $275.4 million and $282.0 million, respectively, and our maximum exposure to loss in these entities was limited to our investments.

Equity Method Investments

Distributions from Equity Method Investments — We classify distributions received from equity method investments using the cumulative earnings approach. Distributions received are considered returns on the investment and classified as cash inflows from operating activities. If, however, the investor’s cumulative distributions received, less distributions received in prior periods determined to be returns of investment, exceeds cumulative equity in earning recognized, the excess is considered a return of investment and is classified as inflows from investing activities.

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.

As required by current authoritative accounting guidance, 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 ADC Arrangements, under which we have provided loans to third-party developers of real estate projects, which we account for as equity investments as the characteristics of the arrangement with the third-party developers are more similar to a jointly owned investment or partnership rather than a loan.

Reclassification

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash — In connection with our adoption of Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, as described below, we revised our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to include restricted cash when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period cash amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. As a result, we retrospectively revised prior periods presented to conform to the current period presentation. Restricted cash primarily consists of security deposits and amounts required to be reserved pursuant to lender agreements for debt service, capital improvements and real estate taxes.

Recent Accounting Requirements

Pronouncements Adopted as of June 30, 2018

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued 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, which constitute a majority of our revenues, but will primarily apply to revenues generated from our operating properties. We adopted this guidance for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method applied to any contracts not completed as of that date. There were no changes to the prior period presentations of revenue. Results of operations for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606. The adoption of Topic 606 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue is recognized when, or as, control of promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. At contract inception, we assess the services promised in our contracts with customers and identify a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a good or service (or bundle of goods or services) that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, we consider all of the services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.

Revenue from contracts with customers primarily represents Operating real estate income of $11.8 million and $9.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $24.0 million and $18.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Operating real estate income is primarily comprised of revenues from our self-storage portfolio as well as room rentals and food and beverage services at our hotel. We identified a single performance obligation for each distinct service. Performance obligations are typically satisfied at a point in time, at the time of sale, or at the rendering of the service. Fees are generally determined to be fixed. Payment is typically due immediately following the delivery of the service.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 requires all equity investments (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. We adopted this guidance for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 intends to reduce diversity in practice for certain cash flow classifications, including, but not limited to (i) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (ii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (iii) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and (iv) distributions received from equity method investees. We retrospectively adopted this guidance for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018. As a result, we reclassified debt extinguishment costs from net cash provided by operating activities to net cash used in financing activities on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. ASU 2016-18 intends to reduce diversity in practice for the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-18 on January 1, 2018 and have retrospectively applied this standard to our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. See Restricted Cash above for additional information.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income — Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20). ASU 2017-05 clarifies that a financial asset is within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 if it meets the definition of an in substance nonfinancial asset. The amendments define the term “in substance nonfinancial asset,” in part, as a financial asset promised to a counterparty in a contract if substantially all of the fair value of the assets (recognized and unrecognized) that are promised to the counterparty in the contract is concentrated in nonfinancial assets. If substantially all of the fair value of the assets that are promised to the counterparty in a contract is concentrated in nonfinancial assets, then all of the financial assets promised to the counterparty are in substance nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20. This amendment also clarifies that nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 may include nonfinancial assets transferred within a legal entity to a counterparty. For example, a parent company may transfer control of nonfinancial assets by transferring ownership interests in a consolidated subsidiary. We adopted this guidance for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018 and applied the modified retrospective transition method (applicable to any contracts not completed as of that date). Results of operations for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018 are presented under Subtopic 610-20, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.

As of January 1, 2018, there was one open contract, which was related to the I-drive Property disposition and I-drive Wheel restructuring (Note 13). On March 17, 2017, the developer exercised its purchase option and acquired the entertainment complex, which we refer to as the I-drive Property. The gain on sale was deferred during the first quarter of 2017 and was expected to be recognized in income upon recovery of the cost of the I-drive Property through the receipt of principal payments received on the mezzanine loan. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-05, we recognized a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of stockholders’ equity and a reduction to Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities as of January 1, 2018 equal to the total gain on sale of the Property of $2.1 million that was previously deferred.

In addition to the sale of the I-drive Property, we restructured the $50.0 million loan, referred to as the I-drive Wheel Loan, to fund the construction of an observation wheel, which we refer to as the I-drive Wheel. This resulted in the elimination of our participation in the expected residual profits, with the loan no longer qualifying as an acquisition, development and construction of real estate arrangement, or ADC Arrangement, pursuant to the equity method of accounting. The gain recognized upon restructuring of the I-drive Wheel Loan of $16.4 million was deferred during 2017. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-05, the loan restructuring is now recognized as a receivable purchased at a discount of $18.6 million (which represents the carrying value of the ADC Arrangement upon restructuring on March 17, 2017) and will accrete up to the fair value of the loan in the amount of $35.0 million until maturity in December 2018. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2018, we recognized (i) a reduction of $16.4 million to Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, (ii) a reduction of $10.4 million to Accounts receivable and other assets, net and (iii) an adjustment to the opening balance of stockholders’ equity for the accretion of the loan related to prior periods, using the effective interest method, of $6.0 million.

Pronouncements to be Adopted after June 30, 2018

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 modifies the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract, the lessee and the lessor. ASU 2016-02 provides new guidelines that change the accounting for leasing arrangements for lessees, whereby their rights and obligations under substantially all leases, existing and new, would be capitalized and recorded on the balance sheet. For lessors, however, the accounting remains largely equivalent to the current model, with the distinction between operating, sales-type, and direct financing leases retained, but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard. ASU 2016-02 also replaces existing sale-leaseback guidance with a new model that requires symmetrical accounting between the seller-lessee and buyer-lessor. Additionally, ASU 2016-02 requires lessors to record costs paid directly by a lessee on behalf of a lessor (e.g., real estate taxes and insurance costs) on a gross basis and will require extensive quantitative and qualitative disclosures.

Early application is permitted for all entities. ASU 2016-02 provides two transition methods. The first transition method allows for application of the new model at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. Under the second transition method, comparative periods would not be restated, with any cumulative effect adjustments recognized in the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. In addition, a practical expedient was recently issued by the FASB, which allows for lessors to combine non-lease components with related lease components if certain conditions are met. Further, in March 2018, the FASB approved, but has not yet finalized or issued, an update to allow lessors to make a policy election to record certain costs (e.g., insurance) paid directly by the lessee net, if the uncertainty regarding these variable amounts is not expected to ultimately be resolved. We will adopt this guidance for our interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2019 and expect to use the second transition method. ASU 2016-02 is expected to impact our consolidated financial statements as we have certain operating office and land lease arrangements for which we are the lessee and also certain lease arrangements that include common area maintenance services (non-lease components) where we are the lessor. We are evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-02 and have not yet determined if it will have a material impact on our business or our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses. ASU 2016-13 introduces a new model for estimating credit losses based on current expected credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including loans receivable, held-to-maturity debt securities, and net investments in direct financing leases, amongst other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for losses. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application of the guidance permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. ASU 2017-12 will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess hedge effectiveness. It is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. ASU 2017-12 will be effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2017-12 on our consolidated financial statements, and expect to adopt the standard for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019.

Intangible Assets and Liabilities

Amortization of below-market rent and above-market rent intangibles is recorded as an adjustment to Rental income; amortization of below-market ground lease and other and above-market ground lease intangibles is included in Property expenses; and amortization of in-place lease intangibles is included in Depreciation and amortization expense on our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Derivative Assets — Our derivative assets, which are included in Accounts receivable and other assets, net in the consolidated financial statements, are comprised of interest rate caps, interest rate swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, stock warrants, and foreign currency collars (Note 9). The interest rate caps, interest rate swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency collars 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 were measured at fair value using internal valuation models that incorporated market inputs and our own assumptions about future cash flows. We classified these assets as Level 3 because they 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 and foreign currency collars (Note 9). These derivative instruments 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 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 interest rate caps, interest rate swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency collars; 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.

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 is reported in Other comprehensive (loss) income as part of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of any derivative is immediately recognized in earnings.

All derivative transactions with an individual counterparty are governed by a master International Swap and Derivatives Association agreement, which can be considered as a master netting arrangement; however, we report all our derivative instruments on a gross basis on our consolidated financial statements.