Commercial Group Land Sales

6 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2012

Real Estate [Abstract]

Commercial Group Land Sales

Commercial Group Land Sales

On January 31, 2011, the Company closed on the sale of two parcels of land, with air rights, to Rock Ohio Caesars Cleveland, LLC for development of a casino in downtown Cleveland. The land is adjacent to the Company’s Tower City Center mixed-use complex. The sales price for one parcel, an approximate 6 acre land parcel and air rights (“Parcel #1”), was $45,000,000. The sales price for the second parcel, an approximate 10 acre land parcel and air rights (“Parcel #2”), was $40,000,000.

At January 31, 2011, the Company received a cash deposit of $8,550,000 on Parcel #1. During the three months ended April 30, 2011, the Company received an additional $33,950,000 of the Parcel #1 purchase price. With the receipt of this payment, the buyer’s initial and continuing investment on the sale of Parcel #1 was adequate for gain recognition under the full accrual method in accordance with accounting guidance for sales of real estate. As such, the entire sales price is included in revenues from real estate operations and the related cost of land is included in operating expenses, resulting in a gain on sale of $42,622,000 during the six months ended July 31, 2011. The final $2,500,000 of the Parcel #1 purchase price was received during the three months ended October 31, 2011.

As of January 31, 2012, the Company received total cash deposits of $7,000,000 of the Parcel #2 purchase price. The minimum initial investment related to Parcel #2 still had not been met and accordingly, the cash deposits were recorded as a deposit liability under the deposit method in accordance with accounting guidance for sales of real estate and included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities at January 31, 2012.

During the three months ended April 30, 2012, the Company received cash proceeds of $33,000,000 representing the remaining Parcel #2 purchase price. With receipt of this payment, the buyer’s initial and continuing investment on the sale of Parcel #2 was adequate for gain recognition under the full accrual method in accordance with accounting guidance for sales of real estate. As such, the entire sales price is included in revenues from real estate operations and the related cost of land is included in operating expenses, resulting in a gain on sale of $36,484,000 during the six months ended July 31, 2012.