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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

The consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of the Company, the Operating Partnership, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and any interests in variable interest entities ("VIEs") where the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. Such estimates are based on management’s historical experience and best judgment after considering past, current, and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates.

Segments

Segment information is prepared on the same basis that management reviews information for operational decision-making purposes. Management evaluates the performance of each of the Company’s properties individually and aggregates such properties into segments based on their economic characteristics and classes of tenants. The Company operates in four business segments: (i) office real estate, (ii) retail real estate, (iii) multifamily residential real estate, and (iv) general contracting and real estate services. The Company’s general contracting and real estate services business develops and builds properties for its own account and also provides construction and development services to both related and third parties.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts previously reported in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period's presentation.

Revenue Recognition

Rental Revenues

The Company leases its properties under operating leases and recognizes base rents when earned on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rental revenues include $2.7 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million of straight-line rent adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The Company begins recognizing rental revenue when the tenant has the right to take possession of or controls the physical use of the property under lease. The extended collection period for accrued straight-line rental revenue along with the Company’s evaluation of tenant credit risk may result in the nonrecognition of all or a portion of straight-line rental revenue until the collection of such revenue is probable. The Company recognizes contingent rental revenue (e.g., percentage rents based on tenant sales thresholds) when the sales thresholds are met. Contingent rents included in rental revenues were $0.3 million, $0.4 million, and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The Company recognizes leasing incentives as reductions to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leasing incentive amortization was $0.7 million, $0.8 million, and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The Company recognizes fair value adjustments recorded at the time of lease assumption in rental income on a straight line basis as a reduction to revenue over the remaining life of the lease or any renewal periods for which the Company determines have value at the time of acquisition. The Company recognizes cost reimbursement revenue for real estate taxes, operating expenses, and common area maintenance costs on an accrual basis during the periods in which the expenses are incurred. The Company recognizes lease termination fees either upon termination or amortizes them over any remaining lease term.

General Contracting and Real Estate Services Revenues

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new standard that provides a single, comprehensive model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. While the new standard does not supersede the guidance on accounting for leases, it changes the way the Company recognizes revenue from construction and development contracts with third party customers. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method, applying this standard to all contracts not yet completed as of that date. In applying the standard to the Company’s future construction contracts, certain pre-contract costs incurred by the Company are now deferred and amortized over the period during which construction obligations are fulfilled. Previously, these costs were immediately recorded as general contracting expenses upon commencement of construction, with the corresponding general contracting revenue also recorded. Applying the standard to the Company’s uncompleted contracts as of January 1, 2018 did not result in material differences to these contracts in aggregate, and no cumulative adjustment to distributions in excess of earnings was recorded as of January 1, 2018.

The Company recognizes general contracting revenues as a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. For each construction contract, the Company identifies the performance obligations, which typically include the delivery of a single building constructed according to the specifications of the contract. The Company estimates the total transaction price, which generally includes a fixed contract price and may also include variable components such as early completion bonuses, liquidated damages, or cost savings to be shared with the customer. Variable components of the contract price are included in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur. The Company recognizes the estimated transaction price as revenue as it satisfies its performance obligations; the Company estimates its progress in satisfying performance obligations for each contract using the input method, based on the proportion of incurred costs relative to total estimated construction costs at completion. Construction contract costs include all direct material, direct labor, subcontract costs, and overhead costs directly related to contract performance. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, are all significant judgments that may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recognized immediately in the period in which such losses are determined. The Company defers precontract costs when such costs are directly associated with specific anticipated contracts and their recovery is probable.

The Company recognizes real estate services revenues from property development and management as it satisfies its performance obligations under these service arrangements.

The Company assesses whether multiple contracts with a single counterparty may be combined into a single contract for the revenue recognition purposes based on factors such as the timing of the negotiation and execution of the contracts and whether the economic substance of the contracts was contemplated separately or in tandem.

Real Estate Investments

Income producing property primarily includes land, buildings, and tenant improvements and is stated at cost. Real estate investments held for development include land and capitalized development costs. The Company reclassifies real estate investments held for development to construction in progress upon commencement of construction. Construction in progress is stated at cost. Direct and certain indirect costs clearly associated with the development, redevelopment, construction, leasing, or expansion of real estate assets are capitalized as a cost of the property. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

The Company capitalizes direct and indirect project costs associated with the initial development of a property until the property is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalized project costs include preacquisition, development, and preconstruction costs including overhead, salaries, and related costs of personnel directly involved, real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, ground rent, and interest. Interest capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $5.0 million, $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Overhead, salaries and related personnel costs capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $3.1 million, $2.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

The Company capitalizes preacquisition development costs directly identifiable with specific properties when the acquisition of such properties is probable. Capitalized preacquisition development costs are presented within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Capitalized preacquisition development costs as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $1.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Costs attributable to unsuccessful projects are expensed.

Income producing property is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:



Buildings	39 years
Capital improvements	5—20 years
Equipment	3—7 years
Tenant improvements	Term of the related lease
	(or estimated useful life, if shorter)

Operating Property Acquisitions

In connection with operating property acquisitions, the Company identifies and recognizes all assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values or relative fair values subsequent to the adoption of the new accounting guidance discussed below, as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocations to tangible assets, such as land, site improvements, and buildings and improvements are presented within income producing property in the consolidated balance sheets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Acquired lease intangibles are presented within other assets and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized over their respective lease terms. The Company amortizes in-place lease assets as depreciation and amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the related leases. The Company amortizes above-market lease assets as reductions to rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the related leases. The Company amortizes below-market lease liabilities as increases to rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the related leases. The Company amortizes below-market ground lease assets as increases to rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the related leases. Prior to October 1, 2016, the Company expensed all costs incurred related to operating property acquisitions. On October 1, 2016, the Company adopted newly issued accounting guidance that allows capitalization of costs related to operating property acquisitions that do not meet the definition of a business under the new guidance discussed below under "Recent Accounting Pronouncements".

The Company values land based on a market approach, looking to recent sales of similar properties, adjusting for differences due to location, the state of entitlement, as well as the shape and size of the parcel. Improvements to land are valued using a replacement cost approach. The approach applies industry standard replacement costs adjusted for geographic specific considerations and reduced by estimated depreciation. The value of buildings acquired is estimated using the replacement cost approach, assuming the buildings were vacant at acquisition. The replacement cost approach considers the composition of the structures acquired, adjusted for an estimate of depreciation. The estimate of depreciation is made considering industry standard information and depreciation curves for the identified asset classes. The value of acquired lease intangibles considers the estimated cost of leasing the properties as if the acquired buildings were vacant, as well as the value of the current leases relative to market-rate leases. The in-place lease value is determined using an estimated total lease-up time and lost rental revenues during such time. The value of current leases relative to market-rate leases is based on market rents obtained for market comparables. Given the significance of unobservable inputs used in the valuation of acquired real estate assets, the Company classifies them as Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company values debt assumed in connection with operating property acquisitions based on a discounted cash flow analysis of the expected cash flows of the debt. Such analysis considers the contractual terms of the debt, including the period to maturity, credit characteristics, and other terms of the arrangements, which are Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Real Estate Sales and Real Estate Investments Held for Sale

Real Estate Sales

The Company accounts for the sale of real estate assets and any related gain in accordance with the accounting guidance applicable to sales of real estate, which establishes standards for recognition of profit on all real estate sales transactions other than retail land sales. The Company recognizes the sale and associated gain or loss once it transfers control of the real estate asset and the Company does not have significant continuing involvement.

Real Estate Investments Held for Sale

Real estate assets classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or their fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Once a property is classified as held for sale, it is no longer depreciated. A property is classified as held for sale when: (i) senior management commits to a plan to sell the property, (ii) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to conditions usual and customary for such sales, (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell have been initiated, (iv) the sale is expected to be completed within one year, (v) the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and (vi) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets

The Company evaluates its real estate assets for impairment on a property by property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If such an evaluation is necessary, the Company compares the carrying amount of any such real estate asset with the undiscounted expected future cash flows that are directly associated with, and that are expected to arise as a direct result of, its use and eventual disposition. If the carrying amount of a real estate asset exceeds the associated estimate of undiscounted expected future cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the real estate asset’s carrying value to its fair value. The impairment charges recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily relate to the $1.5 million impairment of Waynesboro Commons, which was classified as of held for sale as of December 31, 2018. Impairment charges recognized during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 represent unamortized leasing or acquired intangible assets related to vacated tenants.

Interest Income

Interest income on notes receivable is accrued based on the contractual terms of the loans and when it is deemed collectible. Many loans provide for accrual of interest that will not be paid until maturity of the loan. Interest is recognized on these loans at the accrual rate subject to the determination that accrued interest is ultimately collectible, based on the underlying collateral and the status of development activities, as applicable. If this determination cannot be made, recognition of interest income may be fully or partially deferred until it is ultimately paid.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits, investments in money market funds, and investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents amounts held by lenders for real estate taxes, insurance, and reserves for capital improvements.

Accounts Receivable, net

The Company’s evaluation of the collectability of accounts receivable and the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based primarily upon evaluations of individual receivables, current economic conditions, historical experience, and other relevant factors. The Company establishes reserves for tenant receivables outstanding over 90 days. For all such tenants, the Company also reserves any related accrued straight-line rental revenue. Additional reserves are recorded for more current amounts, as applicable, when the Company has determined collectability to be doubtful.

Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts receivable include amounts from tenants for base rents, contingent rents, and cost reimbursements as well as accrued straight-line rental revenue.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable represent financing to third parties in the form of mortgage or mezzanine loans for the development of new real estate. The Company's mezzanine loans are typically made to borrowers who have little or no equity in the underlying development projects. Mezzanine loans are secured, in part, by pledges of ownership interests of the entities that own the underlying real estate. The loans generally have junior liens on the respective real estate projects. The Company evaluates the collectability of both the interest on and principal of each of its notes receivable based primarily upon the financial condition of the individual borrowers. The Company considers factors such as the progress of development activities, including leasing activities, projected development costs, and current and projected loan balances. A loan is determined to be impaired when, based upon then-current information, it is no longer probable that the Company will be able to collect all contractual amounts due from the borrower. The amount of impairment loss recognized is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the loan and its estimated realizable value.

Guarantees

The Company measures and records a liability for the fair value of its guarantees on a nonrecurring basis upon issuance using Level 3 internally-developed inputs. These guarantees typically relate to payments that could be required of the Company to senior lenders on its mezzanine loan investments. The Company bases its estimated fair value on the market approach, which compares the guarantee terms and credit characteristics of the underlying development project to other projects for which guarantee pricing terms are available. The offsetting entry for the guarantee liability is a premium on the related loan receivable. The liability is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the guarantee. On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses the likelihood of a contingent liability in connection with these guarantees and will record an additional guarantee liability if the unamortized guarantee liability is insufficient.

Leasing Costs

Commissions paid by the Company to third parties to originate a lease are deferred and amortized as depreciation and amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease. Leasing costs are presented within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Leasing Incentives

Incentives paid by the Company to tenants are deferred and amortized as reductions to rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease. Leasing incentives are presented within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Debt Issuance Costs

Financing costs are deferred and amortized as interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt. Debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company may enter into interest rate derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate risks. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company recognizes derivative financial instruments at fair value and presents them within other assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives that are neither designated nor qualify as hedging instruments are recognized within the change in fair value of interest rate derivatives caption in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. For derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures the compensation cost of restricted stock awards based on the grant date fair value. The Company recognizes compensation cost for the vesting of restricted stock awards using the accelerated attribution method. Compensation cost associated with the vesting of restricted stock awards is presented within either general and administrative expenses or general contracting and real estate services expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For continued qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to pay distributions to stockholders of at least 90% of annual taxable income, excluding net capital gains. As a REIT, the Company generally is not subject to income tax on net income distributed as dividends to stockholders. The Company is subject to state and local income taxes in some jurisdictions and, in certain circumstances, may also be subject to federal excise taxes on undistributed income. In addition, certain of the Company’s activities must be conducted by subsidiaries that have elected to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) subject to both federal and state income taxes. The Operating Partnership conducts its development and construction businesses through the TRS. The related income tax provision or benefit attributable to the profits or losses of the TRS and any taxable income of the Company is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company uses the liability method of accounting for deferred income tax in accordance with GAAP. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the statutory rates expected to be applied in the periods in which those temporary differences are settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period of the change. A valuation allowance is recorded on the Company’s deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of the Company’s deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is evaluated. Items considered in this analysis include the ability to carry back losses, the reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and expectations of future earnings.

Under GAAP, the amount of tax benefit to be recognized is the amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Management analyzes its tax filing positions in the U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns for all open tax years. If, based on this analysis, management determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in the provision for income taxes. If recognized, the entire amount of unrecognized tax positions would be recorded as a reduction to the provision for income taxes.

Discontinued Operations

Disposals representing a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results are reported as discontinued operations.

Net Income Per Share and Unit

The Company calculates net income per share and unit based upon the weighted average shares and units outstanding. Diluted net income per share and unit is calculated after giving effect to all significant potential dilutive shares outstanding during the period. Potential dilutive shares outstanding during the period include nonvested restricted stock awards.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued a new lease standard that requires lessees to recognize most leases in their balance sheets as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. The new standard also makes targeted changes to lessor accounting. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented, with an option to use certain transition relief. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is the lessee on certain long-term ground leases, which represents a majority of the Company's current operating lease payments, and expects to record lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets totaling between $30.0 million and $45.0 million for these leases under the new standard. The Company anticipates utilizing certain transition relief under the new standard that will allow the Company not to reassess the classification of any expired or existing leases, the treatment of initial direct costs relating to these leases, and any lease components of existing service contracts. Additionally, the Company, as lessor, anticipates utilizing a practical expedient allowing the Company to not allocate the consideration in a lease to a separate lease component and a nonlease component (relating to certain common area maintenance activities).

On January 5, 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that modifies the definition of a business. Under this new guidance, many real estate acquisitions will now be considered asset acquisitions, allowing costs associated with these acquisitions to be capitalized. The Company adopted this guidance on October 1, 2016, resulting in the capitalization of approximately $0.7 million of acquisition costs related to two acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2016. If the Company had adopted this guidance on January 1, 2016, approximately $1.4 million in acquisition costs would have been capitalized.

On February 22, 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that clarifies the scope and application of guidance on sales or transfers of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets to customers, including partial sales. The new guidance applies to all nonfinancial assets, including real estate, and defines an in substance nonfinancial asset. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

On August 28, 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies some of the requirements relating to accounting for derivatives and hedging. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness for a highly effective hedge and also simplifies certain documentation and assessment requirements relating to the determination of hedge effectiveness. The Company adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2018. The application of this guidance to hedging relationships generally eliminates the gains and losses that would otherwise be recorded for these derivative instruments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value measurements are based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value is as follows:

Level 1 Inputs—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 Inputs—observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

Level 3 Inputs—unobservable inputs

Except as disclosed below, the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments approximate their fair values. Financial assets and liabilities whose fair values are measured on a recurring basis using Level 2 inputs consist of interest rate swaps and caps. The Company measures the fair values of these assets and liabilities based on prices provided by independent market participants that are based on observable inputs using market-based valuation techniques.

Financial assets and liabilities whose fair values are not measured at fair value but for which the fair value is disclosed include the Company's notes receivable and indebtedness. The fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument at estimated market rates consistent with the maturity, credit characteristics, and other terms of the arrangements, which are Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. For disclosure purposes, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Considerable judgment is used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments. The estimates of fair value presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized upon disposition of the financial instruments.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is from time to time involved in various disputes, lawsuits, warranty claims, environmental and other matters arising in the ordinary course of its business. Management makes assumptions and estimates concerning the likelihood and amount of any potential loss relating to these matters.

The Company currently is a party to various legal proceedings, none of which management expects will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. Management accrues a liability for litigation if an unfavorable outcome is determined to be probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If an unfavorable outcome is determined by management to be probable and a range of loss can be reasonably estimated, management accrues the best estimate within the range; however, if no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount within the range is accrued. Legal fees related to litigation are expensed as incurred. Management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations; however, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties.

Under the Company’s leases, tenants are typically obligated to indemnify the Company from and against all liabilities, costs, and expenses imposed upon or asserted against it as owner of the properties due to certain matters relating to the operation of the properties by the tenant.