Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vornado and the Operating Partnership and their consolidated subsidiaries. All inter-company amounts have been eliminated. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Literature

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update (“ASU 2014-09”) establishing Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASU 2014-09, as amended by subsequent ASUs on the topic, establishes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition guidance. This standard, which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2017, requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and also requires certain additional disclosures. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach, which requires applying the new standard to all existing contracts not yet completed as of the effective date and recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We have completed our evaluation of the standard’s impact on our revenue streams. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2016-01”) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities to ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-01 amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. While the adoption of this standard requires us to continue to measure “marketable securities” at fair value at each reporting date, the changes in fair value will be recognized in current period earnings as opposed to “other comprehensive income (loss).” As a result, on January 1, 2018 we will record an increase to retained earnings of $109,553,000 to recognize the unrealized gains previously recorded within “accumulated other comprehensive income”. Subsequent changes in the fair value of our marketable securities will be recorded to “interest and other investment income, net”.


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Recently Issued Accounting Literature - continued

In February 2016, the FASB issued an update ("ASU 2016-02") to ASC Topic 842, Leases, which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase. Lessees are required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. Lessees will recognize expense based on the effective interest method for finance leases or on a straight-line basis for operating leases. The accounting applied by the lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under the existing lease standard. We are currently evaluating the overall impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements and believe that the standard will more significantly impact the accounting for leases in which we are a lessee. We have a number of ground leases for which we will be required to record a right-of-use asset and lease liability equal to the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments, and will continue to recognize expense on a straight-line basis upon adoption of this standard. Under ASU 2016-02, initial direct costs for both lessees and lessors would include only those costs that are incremental to the arrangement and would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained. As a result, we may no longer be able to capitalize internal leasing costs and instead may be required to expense these costs as incurred. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and will elect to use the practical expedients provided by this standard.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2016-09”) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting to ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. ASU 2016-09 amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this update as of January 1, 2017 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2016-15”) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments to ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows. ASU 2016-15 clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows to reduce diversity in practice with respect to (i) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (ii) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, (iii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (iv) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (v) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, (vi) distributions received from equity method investees, (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2017, with retrospective application to our consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 impacted our classification of distributions received from equity method investees and debt extinguishment costs. We selected the nature of earnings approach for classifying distributions. Under this approach, the distributions from equity method investees are classified on the basis of the nature of the activity of the investee that generated the distribution. The retrospective application of ASU 2016-15 resulted in (i) the reclassification of certain distributions between distributions of income from partially owned entities and distributions of capital from partially owned entities, and (ii) the reclassification of debt extinguishment costs as a financing cash outflow, which reduced net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in investing activities by $2,668,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and increased net cash provided by operating activities by $1,801,000, reduced net cash used in investing activities by $13,199,000 and reduced net cash provided by financing activities by $15,000,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

In November 2016, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2016-18”) Restricted Cash to ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows. ASU 2016-18 requires that a 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. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period balances on the statement of cash flows upon adoption of this standard. ASU 2016-18 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt ASU 2016-18 effective January 1, 2017, with retrospective application to our consolidated statements of cash flows. Accordingly, the consolidated statements of cash flows present a reconciliation of the changes in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Restricted cash primarily consists of security deposits, cash restricted for the purposes of facilitating a Section 1031 Like-Kind Exchange, cash restricted in connection with our deferred compensation plan and cash escrowed under loan agreements for debt service, real estate taxes, property insurance and capital improvements.


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Recently Issued Accounting Literature - continued

In February 2017, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2017-05”) Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets to ASC Subtopic 610-20, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU 2017-05 clarifies the scope of recently established guidance on nonfinancial asset derecognition, as well as the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. This update conforms the derecognition guidance on nonfinancial assets with the model for transactions in ASC 606. ASU 2017-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2018 is not expected to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2017-09”) Scope of Modification Accounting to ASC 718. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC 718. ASU 2017-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2018 is not expected to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2017-12”) Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities to ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). ASU 2017-12 amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815. The update 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 hedge programs. ASU 2017-12 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 on our consolidated financial statements, but do not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Real Estate

Real Estate: Real estate is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Betterments, major renewals and certain costs directly related to the improvement and leasing of real estate are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. For redevelopment of existing operating properties, the net book value of the existing property under redevelopment plus the cost for the construction and improvements incurred in connection with the redevelopment are capitalized to the extent the capitalized costs of the property do not exceed the estimated fair value of the redeveloped property when complete. If the cost of the redeveloped property, including the net book value of the existing property, exceeds the estimated fair value of the redeveloped property, the excess is charged to expense. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives which range from 7 to 40 years. Tenant allowances are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related leases, which approximate the useful lives of the assets. Additions to real estate include interest and debt expense capitalized during construction of $48,231,000 and $30,343,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Upon the acquisition of real estate that meets the criteria of a business under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), we assess the fair value of acquired assets (including land, buildings and improvements, identified intangibles, such as acquired above and below-market leases, acquired in-place leases and tenant relationships) and acquired liabilities and we allocate the purchase price based on these assessments which are on a relative fair value basis. We assess fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions. We record acquired intangible assets (including acquired above-market leases, acquired in-place leases and tenant relationships) and acquired intangible liabilities (including below–market leases) at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. We amortize identified intangibles that have finite lives over the period they are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business acquired.

Our properties, including any related intangible assets, are individually reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment exists when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the aggregate projected future cash flows over the anticipated holding period on an undiscounted basis. An impairment loss is measured based on the excess of the property’s carrying amount over its estimated fair value. Impairment analyses are based on our current plans, intended holding periods and available market information at the time the analyses are prepared. If our estimates of the projected future cash flows, anticipated holding periods, or market conditions change, our evaluation of impairment losses may be different and such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements. The evaluation of anticipated cash flows is subjective and is based, in part, on assumptions regarding future occupancy, rental rates and capital requirements that could differ materially from actual results. Plans to hold properties over longer periods decrease the likelihood of recording impairment losses.

The Fund is accounted for under ASC 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) and its investments are reported on its balance sheet at fair value, with changes in value each period recognized in earnings. We consolidate the accounts of the Fund into our consolidated financial statements, retaining the fair value basis of accounting.

The Crowne Plaza Joint Venture is also accounted for under ASC 946 and we consolidate the accounts of the joint venture into our consolidated financial statements, retaining the fair value basis of accounting.

Partially Owned Entities

Partially Owned Entities: We consolidate entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. In determining whether we have a controlling financial interest in a partially owned entity and the requirement to consolidate the accounts of that entity, we consider whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and whether we are the primary beneficiary. We are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We generally do not control a partially owned entity if the entity is not considered a VIE and the approval of all of the partners/members is contractually required with respect to decisions that most significantly impact the performance of the partially owned entity. This includes decisions regarding operating/capital budgets, and the placement of new or additional financing secured by the assets of the venture, among others. We account for investments under the equity method when the requirements for consolidation are not met, and we have significant influence over the operations of the investee. Equity method investments are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for our share of net income or loss and cash contributions and distributions each period. Investments that do not qualify for consolidation or equity method accounting are accounted for under the cost method.

Investments in partially owned entities are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount of an investment over its estimated fair value. Impairment analyses are based on current plans, intended holding periods and available information at the time the analyses are prepared.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities. The majority of our cash and cash equivalents consists of (i) deposits at major commercial banks, which may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit, (ii) United States Treasury Bills, and (iii) Certificate of Deposits placed through an Account Registry Service (“CDARS”).

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash: Restricted cash consists of security deposits, cash restricted for the purposes of facilitating a Section 1031 Like-Kind exchange, cash restricted in connection with our deferred compensation plan and cash escrowed under loan agreements for debt service, real estate taxes, property insurance and capital improvements.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: We periodically evaluate the collectability of amounts due from tenants and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of tenants to make required payments under the lease agreements. We also maintain an allowance for receivables arising from the straight-lining of rents. These receivables arise from earnings recognized in excess of amounts currently due under the lease agreements. Management exercises judgment in establishing these allowances and considers payment history and current credit status in developing these estimates.

Deferred Charges

Deferred Charges: Direct financing costs are deferred and amortized over the terms of the related agreements as a component of interest expense. Direct costs related to successful leasing activities are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related leases. All other deferred charges are amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest rate method, in accordance with the terms of the agreements to which they relate.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: We have the following revenue sources and revenue recognition policies:

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Base Rent — income arising from tenant leases. These rents are recognized over the non-cancelable term of the related leases on a straight-line basis which includes the effects of rent steps and rent abatements under the leases. We commence rental revenue recognition when the tenant takes possession of the leased space and the leased space is substantially ready for its intended use. In addition, in circumstances where we provide a tenant improvement allowance for improvements that are owned by the tenant, we recognize the allowance as a reduction of rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.


•	Percentage Rent — income arising from retail tenant leases that is contingent upon tenant sales exceeding defined thresholds. These rents are recognized only after the contingency has been removed (i.e., when tenant sales thresholds have been achieved).


•	Hotel Revenue — income arising from the operation of the Hotel Pennsylvania which consists of rooms revenue, food and beverage revenue, and banquet revenue. Income is recognized when rooms are occupied. Food and beverage and banquet revenue are recognized when the services have been rendered.


•	Trade Shows Revenue — income arising from the operation of trade shows, including rentals of booths. This revenue is recognized when the trade shows have occurred.


•	Expense Reimbursements — revenue arising from tenant leases which provide for the recovery of all or a portion of the operating expenses and real estate taxes of the respective property. This revenue is recognized in the same periods as the expenses are incurred.


•	Management, Leasing and Other Fees — income arising from contractual agreements with third parties or with partially owned entities. This revenue is recognized as the related services are performed under the respective agreements.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our derivative instruments consisted of three interest rate swaps. We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (loss) (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. We assess the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in fair value or cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in fair value or cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: Vornado operates in a manner intended to enable it to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856‑860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under those sections, a REIT which distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income as a dividend to its shareholders each year and which meets certain other conditions will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income which is distributed to its shareholders. Vornado distributes to its shareholders 100% of its taxable income and therefore, no provision for Federal income taxes is required. Dividends distributed for the year ended December 31, 2017, were characterized, for federal income tax purposes, as ordinary income. Dividends distributed for the year ended December 31, 2016, were characterized, for federal income tax purposes, as 83.5% ordinary income and 16.5% long-term capital gain. Dividends distributed for the year ended December 31, 2015, were characterized, for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain income.

The Operating Partnership’s partners are required to report their respective share of taxable income on their individual tax returns. We have elected to treat certain consolidated subsidiaries, and may in the future elect to treat newly formed subsidiaries, as taxable REIT subsidiaries pursuant to an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that became effective January 1, 2001. Taxable REIT subsidiaries may participate in non-real estate related activities and/or perform non-customary services for tenants and are subject to Federal and State income tax at regular corporate tax rates. Our taxable REIT subsidiaries had a combined current income tax expense of approximately $7,202,000, $7,946,000 and $8,322,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and have immaterial differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities.

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, our taxable REIT subsidiaries had deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards of $66,535,000 and $98,013,000, respectively, which are included in “other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Prior to the quarter ended June 30, 2015, there was a full valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets because we had not determined that it is more-likely-than-not that we would use the net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income. In our quarter ended June 30, 2015, based upon residential condominium unit sales, among other factors, we concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize these deferred tax assets. Accordingly, in the year ended December 31, 2015, we reversed $90,030,000 of the allowance for deferred tax assets and recognized an income tax benefit in our consolidated statements of income. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") was signed into law. The Act includes numerous changes in existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The rate reduction takes effect on January 1, 2018. As a result of the reduction of federal corporate income tax rates, we decreased the value of our taxable REIT subsidiaries' deferred tax assets which resulted in additional income tax expense of $34,800,000 in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable noncontrolling interests on Vornado’s consolidated balance sheets and redeemable partnership units on the consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership are primarily comprised of Class A Operating Partnership units held by third parties and are recorded at the greater of their carrying amount or redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the value from period to period are charged to “additional capital” in Vornado’s consolidated statements of changes in equity and to “partners’ capital” on the consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership. Class A units may be tendered for redemption to the Operating Partnership for cash; Vornado, at its option, may assume that obligation and pay the holder either cash or Vornado common shares on a one-for-one basis. Because the number of Vornado common shares outstanding at all times equals the number of Class A units owned by Vornado, the redemption value of each Class A unit is equivalent to the market value of one Vornado common share, and the quarterly distribution to a Class A unitholder is equal to the quarterly dividend paid to a Vornado common shareholder.

Stockholders' Equity

Class A Units (Vornado Realty L.P.)

As of December 31, 2017, there were 189,983,858 Class A units outstanding that were held by Vornado. These units are classified as “partners’ capital” on the consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2017, there were 12,528,899 Class A units outstanding, that were held by third parties. These units are classified outside of “partners’ capital” as “redeemable partnership units” on the consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership (See Note 9 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests/Redeemable Partnership Units). During 2017, the Operating Partnership paid an aggregate of $496,490,000 of distributions to Vornado comprised of quarterly common distributions of $0.71 per unit in the first and second quarter and $0.60 per unit in the third and fourth quarter.

Fair Value Measurement

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.