Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Rent and Other Receivables—Receivables consist principally of trade receivables from customers, are generally unsecured and are due within 30 to 120 days. Unbilled receivables arise from services rendered but not yet billed. Expected credit losses associated with trade receivables are recorded as an allowance for uncollectible accounts. The allowance for uncollectible accounts is estimated based upon historic patterns of credit losses for aged receivables as well as specific provisions for certain identifiable, potentially uncollectible balances. When internal collection efforts on accounts have been exhausted, the accounts are written off and the associated allowance for uncollectible accounts is reduced.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates—Preparation of the consolidated and combined financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions that we may undertake in the future. Estimates are used in determining the fair value of leased real estate, the useful lives of real estate and other long-lived assets, future cash flows associated with goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment testing, deferred tax assets and liabilities and loss contingencies. Estimates were also utilized in the determination of historical allocations of shared employees’ payroll, benefits and incentives and management fees. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Investments in Real Estate

Investments in Real Estate—Investments in real estate consist of land, buildings, improvements and integral equipment utilized in our data center operations. Real estate acquired from third parties has been recorded at its acquisition cost. Real estate acquired from CBI and its affiliates has been recorded at its historical cost basis. Additions and improvements which extend an asset’s useful life or increase its functionality are capitalized and depreciated over the asset’s remaining life. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

When we are involved in the construction of structural improvements to leased property, we are deemed the accounting owner of the leased real estate. In these instances, we bear substantially all the construction period risk, including managing or funding construction. These transactions generally do not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting due to our continued involvement in these data center operations. At inception, the fair value of the real estate, which generally consists of a building shell and our associated obligation is recorded as construction in progress. As construction progresses the value of the asset and obligation increases by the fair value of the structural improvements. When construction is complete, the asset is placed in service and depreciation commences. Leased real estate is depreciated to the lesser of (i) its estimated fair value at the end of the term or (ii) the expected amount of the unamortized obligation at the end of the term. The associated obligation is presented as other financing arrangements in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

When we are not deemed the accounting owner, we further evaluate leased real estate to determine whether the lease should be classified as a capital or operating lease. One of the following four characteristics must be present to classify a lease as a capital lease: (i) the lease transfers ownership of the property to the lessee by the end of the lease term, (ii) the lease contains a bargain purchase option, (iii) the lease term is equal to 75% or more of the estimated economic life of the leased property or (iv) the net present value of the lease payments are at least 90% of the fair value of the leased property.

Construction in progress includes direct and indirect expenditures for the construction and expansion of our data centers and is stated at its acquisition cost. Independent contractors perform substantially all of the construction and expansion efforts of our data centers. Construction in progress includes costs incurred under construction contracts including project management services, engineering and schematic design services, design development, construction services and other construction-related fees and services. Interest, property taxes and certain labor costs are also capitalized during the construction of an asset.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Useful lives range from 9 to 48 years for buildings, 3 to 25 years for building improvements, and 3 to 5 years for equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the asset’s useful life or the remaining lease term, including renewal options which are reasonably assured.

Management reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite lives, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Examples of such indicators may include a significant adverse change in the extent to which or manner in which the property is being used, an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for acquisition or development, or a history of operating or cash flow losses. When such indicators exist, we review an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset (or group of assets) and its eventual disposition and compare such amount to its carrying amount. We consider factors such as future operating income, leasing demand, competition and other factors. If our undiscounted net cash flows indicate that we are unable to recover the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.

Impairment exists when the Company's net book value of real estate assets is greater than the estimated fair value. No such impairments were recognized for any period presented.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include all non-restricted cash held in financial institutions and other non-restricted highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities at acquisition of three months or less.

Goodwill

Goodwill—Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions. We perform impairment testing of goodwill, at the reporting unit level, on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist.

The fair value of our reporting unit was determined using a combination of market-based valuation multiples for comparable businesses and discounted cash flow analysis based on internal financial forecasts incorporating market participant assumptions. There were no impairments recognized for any of the periods presented.

Long-Lived and Intangible Assets

Long-Lived and Intangible Assets—Intangible assets represent purchased assets that lack physical substance, but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged, either on its own or in combinations with a related contract, asset, or liability. Intangible assets with finite lives consist of trademarks, customer relationships, and a favorable leasehold interest.

There were no impairments recognized for any of the periods presented.

Deferred Costs

Deferred Costs—Deferred costs include both deferred leasing costs and deferred financing costs. Deferred costs are presented with other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined balance sheets. Leasing commissions incurred at the commencement of a new lease are capitalized and amortized over the term of the customer lease. Amortization of deferred leasing costs is presented with depreciation and amortization in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of operations. If a lease terminates prior to the expected term of the lease, the remaining unamortized cost is written off to amortization expense.

Deferred financing costs include costs incurred in connection with issuance of debt and the Credit Agreement (as defined below). These financing costs are capitalized and amortized over the term of the debt or Credit Agreement and are included as a component of interest expense.

Other Financing Arrangements

Other Financing Arrangements—Other financing arrangements represent leases of real estate where we are involved in the construction of structural improvements to develop buildings into data centers. When we bear substantially all the construction period risk, such as managing or funding construction, we are deemed to be the accounting owner of the leased property and, at the lease inception date, we are required to record at fair value the property and associated liability on our condensed consolidated and combined balance sheet. These transactions generally do not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting due to our continued involvement in these data center operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition—Colocation rentals are generally billed monthly in advance, and some contracts have escalating payments over the term of the contract. If rents escalate without the lessee gaining access to or control over additional leased space or power, and the lessee takes possession of, or controls the physical use of the property (including all contractually committed power) at the beginning of the lease term, the rental payments by the lessee are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. If rents escalate because the lessee gains access to and control over additional leased space or power, revenue is recognized in proportion to the additional space or power in the years that the lessee has control over the use of the additional space or power. The excess of revenue recognized over amounts contractually due is recognized in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined balance sheets.

Some of our leases are structured on a full-service gross basis in which the customer pays a fixed amount for both colocation rental and power. Other leases provide that the customer will be billed for power based upon actual usage which is separately metered. In both cases, this revenue is presented as revenue in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of operations. Power is generally billed one month in arrears, and an estimate of this revenue is accrued in the month that the associated costs are incurred. We generally are not entitled to reimbursements for real estate taxes, insurance or other operating expenses.

Revenue is recognized for services or products that are deemed separate units of accounting. When a customer makes an advance payment, which is not deemed a separate unit of accounting, deferred revenue is recorded. This revenue is recognized ratably over the expected term of the lease, unless the pattern of service suggests otherwise.

Certain customer leases require specified levels of service or performance. If we fail to meet these service levels, our customers may be eligible to receive credits on their contractual billings. These credits are recognized against revenue when an event occurs that gives rise to such credits.

Sales and Marketing Expense Policy [Policy Text Block]

Sales and Marketing Expense—Sales and marketing expense is comprised of compensation and benefits associated with sales and marketing personnel as well as advertising and marketing costs.

Property Operating Expenses

Property Operating Expenses—Property operating expenses generally consist of electricity, salaries and benefits of data center operations personnel, real estate taxes, security, rent, insurance and other site operating and maintenance costs.

General and Administrative Expense

General and Administrative Expense—General and administrative expense consist of salaries and benefits of senior management and support functions, legal costs and consulting costs.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and Amortization Expense—Depreciation expense is recognized over the estimated useful lives of real estate applying the straight-line method. The useful life of leased real estate and leasehold improvements is the lesser of the economic useful life of the asset or the term of the lease, including optional renewal periods if renewal of the lease is reasonably assured. The residual value of leased real estate is estimated as the lesser of (i) the expected fair value of the asset at the end of the lease term or (ii) the expected amount of the unamortized liability at the end of the lease term. Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed.

Amortization expense is recognized over the estimated useful lives of finite-lived intangibles. An accelerated method of amortization is utilized to amortize our customer relationship intangible, consistent with the benefit expected to be derived from this asset. We amortize trademarks, favorable leasehold interests, deferred leasing costs and deferred sales commissions over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life of trademarks and customer relationships is eight to 15 years. In addition, we have a favorable leasehold interest related to a land lease that is being amortized over the remaining lease term of 56 years.

Transaction-related Compensation

Transaction-Related Compensation —During the period ended January 23, 2013, the Company received an allocated compensation charge from CBI of $20.0 million for the settlement of its long-term incentive plan associated with the completion of the IPO. The amount was determined by CBI and allocated to CyrusOne Inc. on January 23, 2013, and reflected as expense and contributed capital in the respective period.

Transaction Costs

Transaction Costs—Transaction costs represent legal, accounting and professional fees incurred in connection with the formation transactions, our qualification as a real estate investment trust, or REIT and potential business combinations. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—The Company was included in CBI’s consolidated tax returns in various jurisdictions for the Predecessor period. In the accompanying financial statements, the Predecessor period reflects income taxes as if the Company was a separate stand-alone company. The income tax provision consists of an amount for taxes currently payable and an amount for tax consequences deferred to future periods. CyrusOne Inc. will elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, as amended, by making our REIT election upon the filing of our 2013 REIT federal income tax return. Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT and continue to meet the various qualification tests mandated under the Code, we are generally not subject to corporate level federal income tax on the earnings distributed currently to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, our taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates and any applicable alternative minimum tax.

While CyrusOne Inc. and the Operating Partnership do not pay federal income taxes, we are still subject to foreign, state and local income taxes in the locations in which we conduct business. Our taxable REIT subsidiaries (each a “TRS”) are also subject to federal and state income taxes to the extent there is taxable income.

Deferred income taxes are recognized in certain entities. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the bases between financial statement and income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are recalculated annually at rates then in effect. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends upon our ability to generate future taxable income during the periods in which basis differences and other deductions become deductible and prior to the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as various foreign, state and local jurisdictions.  The Company's previous tax filings are subject to normal reviews by regulatory agencies until the related statute of limitations expires.  With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U. S. federal, state or local examinations for years prior to 2010 and we have no liabilities for uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2014.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Comprehensive income (loss) represents the change in net assets of a company from transactions and other events from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income (loss) comprises all components of net income and all components of other comprehensive income. As components of other comprehensive income (loss) were immaterial for all periods presented, comprehensive income (loss) is not presented.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation—In conjunction with the IPO, our Board of Directors adopted the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). The LTIP is administered by the Board of Directors, or the plan administrator. Awards issuable under the LTIP include common stock, restricted stock, stock options and other incentive awards. The awards under the LTIP include the following:

• Restricted Shares - On January 24, 2013, CyrusOne Inc. issued approximately 1 million restricted shares to its employees, officers and members of the Company's Board of Directors in conjunction with CyrusOne's IPO. These restricted shares generally vest over three years. The per share grant date price was $19.00. In addition, from time to time, new employees have been issued restricted shares. These restricted shares are issued at a price equal to share price on the grant date.

• Performance and Market Based Awards - On April 17, 2013 and February 7, 2014, the Company issued performance and market based awards in the form of options and/or restricted stock to certain employees and officers of the Company. Fifty percent of the restricted shares and stock options will vest annually based upon achieving certain performance criteria. The other fifty percent of the restricted shares and stock options will vest at the end of three years if certain market conditions are met. The fair value of these awards were determined using the Black-Scholes or Monte-Carlo model which use assumptions such as volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected term of the awards. See Note 10 for additional details relating to these awards.

• Compensation expense for these awards is recognized over the vesting periods.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements—Fair value measurements are utilized in accounting for business combinations and testing of goodwill and other long-lived assets for impairment and disclosures. Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows:

Level 1—Observable inputs for identical instruments such as quoted market prices;

Level 2—Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs); and

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that reflect our determination of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are developed based on the best information available, including our own data.

Business Segments

Business Segments—Business segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly viewed by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources. Our chief operating decision maker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis. Furthermore, our data centers have similar economic characteristics and customers across all geographic locations, our service offerings have similar production processes, deliver services in a similar manner and use the same types of facilities and similar technologies. As a result, we have concluded that we have one reportable business segment.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share—For all periods subsequent to January 23, 2013, we present earnings per share (“EPS”) data. Basic EPS includes only the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and share unit awards and convertible subordinated notes outstanding during the period, when such instruments are dilutive.

All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are treated as participating in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS must be applied.