Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

12. Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value. The objective of fair value is to determine the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three levels: Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities; Level 2 – observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted in active markets, but corroborated by market data; and Level 3 – unobservable inputs that are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible, as well as consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret Level 2 and 3 inputs in determining the fair value of our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, our fair value estimates, which are made at the end of each reporting period, may be different than the amounts that may ultimately be realized upon sale or disposition of these assets.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets consist of (i) marketable securities, (ii) real estate fund investments, (iii) the assets in our deferred compensation plan (for which there is a corresponding liability on our consolidated balance sheet), (iv) mandatorily redeemable instruments (Series G-1 through G-4 convertible preferred units and Series D-13 cumulative redeemable preferred units), and (v) interest rate swaps. The tables below aggregate the fair values of these financial assets and liabilities by their levels in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

(Amounts in thousands)		As of December 31, 2016
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Marketable securities		$	203,704	$	203,704	$	-	$	-
Real estate fund investments			462,132		-		-		462,132
Deferred compensation plan assets (included in other assets)			121,374		63,930		-		57,444
Interest rate swaps (included in other assets)			21,816		-		21,816		-
	Total assets	$	809,026	$	267,634	$	21,816	$	519,576

Mandatorily redeemable instruments (included in other liabilities)		$	50,561	$	50,561	$	-	$	-
Interest rate swap (included in other liabilities)			10,122		-		10,122		-
	Total liabilities	$	60,683	$	50,561	$	10,122	$	-

(Amounts in thousands)		As of December 31, 2015
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Marketable securities		$	150,997	$	150,997	$	-	$	-
Real estate fund investments			574,761		-		-		574,761
Deferred compensation plan assets (included in other assets)			117,475		58,289		-		59,186
	Total assets	$	843,233	$	209,286	$	-	$	633,947

Mandatorily redeemable instruments (included in other liabilities)		$	50,561	$	50,561	$	-	$	-
Interest rate swaps (included in other liabilities)			19,600		-		19,600		-
	Total liabilities	$	70,161	$	50,561	$	19,600	$	-

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis - continued

Real Estate Fund Investments

At December 31, 2016, we had six real estate fund investments with an aggregate fair value of $462,132,000, or $153,197,000 in excess of cost. These investments are classified as Level 3. We use a discounted cash flow valuation technique to estimate the fair value of each of these investments, which is updated quarterly by personnel responsible for the management of each investment and reviewed by senior management at each reporting period. The discounted cash flow valuation technique requires us to estimate cash flows for each investment over the anticipated holding period, which currently ranges from 1.0 to 4.0 years. Cash flows are derived from property rental revenue (base rents plus reimbursements) less operating expenses, real estate taxes and capital and other costs, plus projected sales proceeds in the year of exit. Property rental revenue is based on leases currently in place and our estimates for future leasing activity, which are based on current market rents for similar space plus a projected growth factor. Similarly, estimated operating expenses and real estate taxes are based on amounts incurred in the current period plus a projected growth factor for future periods. Anticipated sales proceeds at the end of an investment’s expected holding period are determined based on the net cash flow of the investment in the year of exit, divided by a terminal capitalization rate, less estimated selling costs.

The fair value of each property is calculated by discounting the future cash flows (including the projected sales proceeds), using an appropriate discount rate and then reduced by the property’s outstanding debt, if any, to determine the fair value of the equity in each investment. Significant unobservable quantitative inputs used in determining the fair value of each investment include capitalization rates and discount rates. These rates are based on the location, type and nature of each property, and current and anticipated market conditions, industry publications and from the experience of our Acquisitions and Capital Markets departments. Significant unobservable quantitative inputs in the table below were utilized in determining the fair value of these real estate fund investments at December 31, 2016.

			Weighted Average
			(based on fair
Unobservable Quantitative Input		Range	value of investments)
	Discount rates	10.0% to 14.9%	12.6%
	Terminal capitalization rates	4.3% to 5.8%	5.3%

The above inputs are subject to change based on changes in economic and market conditions and/or changes in use or timing of exit. Changes in discount rates and terminal capitalization rates result in increases or decreases in the fair values of these investments. The discount rates encompass, among other things, uncertainties in the valuation models with respect to terminal capitalization rates and the amount and timing of cash flows. Therefore, a change in the fair value of these investments resulting from a change in the terminal capitalization rate, may be partially offset by a change in the discount rate. It is not possible for us to predict the effect of future economic or market conditions on our estimated fair values.

The table below summarizes the changes in the fair value of real estate fund investments that are classified as Level 3, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

(Amounts in thousands)	For The Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015
Beginning balance	$	574,761	$	513,973
Purchases		-		95,010
Dispositions/distributions		(71,888)		(91,450)
Net unrealized (loss) gain		(41,162)		54,995
Net realized gain		507		2,757
Other, net		(86)		(524)
Ending balance	$	462,132	$	574,761

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis - continued

Deferred Compensation Plan Assets

Deferred compensation plan assets that are classified as Level 3 consist of investments in limited partnerships and investment funds, which are managed by third parties. We receive quarterly financial reports from a third-party administrator, which are compiled from the quarterly reports provided to them from each limited partnership and investment fund. The quarterly reports provide net asset values on a fair value basis which are audited by independent public accounting firms on an annual basis. The third-party administrator does not adjust these values in determining our share of the net assets and we do not adjust these values when reported in our consolidated financial statements.

The table below summarizes the changes in the fair value of deferred compensation plan assets that are classified as Level 3, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

(Amounts in thousands)	For The Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015
Beginning balance	$	59,186	$	63,315
Purchases		5,355		9,062
Sales		(9,354)		(13,252)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses)		344		(501)
Other, net		1,913		562
Ending balance	$	57,444	$	59,186

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis

There were no assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis on our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

(Amounts in thousands)

As of December 31, 2016

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Skyline properties

Financial Assets and Liabilities not Measured at Fair Value

Financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets include cash equivalents (primarily money market funds, which invest in obligations of the United States government), and our secured and unsecured debt. Estimates of the fair value of these instruments are determined by the standard practice of modeling the contractual cash flows required under the instrument and discounting them back to their present value at the appropriate current risk adjusted interest rate, which is provided by a third-party specialist. For floating rate debt, we use forward rates derived from observable market yield curves to project the expected cash flows we would be required to make under the instrument. The fair value of cash equivalents and borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facilities and unsecured term loan are classified as Level 1. The fair value of our secured debt and senior unsecured debt are classified as Level 2. The table below summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair value of these financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

(Amounts in thousands)			As of December 31, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Cash equivalents			$	1,307,105	$	1,307,000	$	1,295,980	$	1,296,000
Debt:
	Mortgages payable		$	9,374,297	$	9,356,000	$	9,614,838	$	9,306,000
	Senior unsecured notes			850,000		899,000		850,000		868,000
	Unsecured term loan			375,000		375,000		187,500		187,500
	Unsecured revolving credit facilities			115,630		116,000		550,000		550,000
		Total	$	10,714,927	$	10,746,000	$	11,202,338	$	10,911,500

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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