XML 109 R14.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block]
INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
Listed below are the unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has a noncontrolling interest. The Company receives fees from these joint ventures for services it provides. These services include property management, leasing, development and administration. These fees are included in interest and other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company may also receive a promoted interest if certain return thresholds are met. The accounting policies for the unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has a noncontrolling interest are the same as those for the Company.
Liberty Venture I, LP
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a 25% interest in Liberty Venture I, LP, an entity engaged in the ownership of industrial properties in New Jersey. This joint venture is part of the Company's New Jersey reportable segment.
As of December 31, 2014, the joint venture owned 27 industrial properties totaling 3.9 million square feet and 93 acres of developable land.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the joint venture acquired three properties comprising 603,000 square feet and 51 acres of land from the Company for $43.0 million.
The Company recognized $1.4 million, $578,000 and $619,000 in fees for services during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Kings Hill Unit Trust
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a 20% interest in Kings Hill Unit Trust, an entity engaged in the ownership of office and industrial properties in the County of Kent, United Kingdom. This joint venture is part of the Company's United Kingdom reportable segment.
As of December 31, 2014, the joint venture owned three industrial properties and 11 office properties totaling 490,000 square feet.
The Company had notes receivable from Kings Hill Unit Trust for an aggregate of $18.1 million and $18.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The notes receivable bear interest at rates of 2% to 10% and are due in February 2016. These related party receivables are reflected in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The Company had a receivable from Kings Hill Unit Trust for $267,000 and $133,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This related party receivable is reflected in accounts receivable in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The Company had prepaid rent with Kings Hill Unit Trust for $47,000 as of December 31, 2013.
Income from fees was $285,000, $237,000 and $333,000 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Liberty Illinois, LP
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a 25% interest in Liberty Illinois, LP, an entity primarily engaged in the ownership of industrial properties in Illinois. This joint venture is part of the Company's Chicago/Milwaukee reportable segment.
As of December 31, 2014, the joint venture owned 15 industrial properties totaling 5.1 million square feet and 248 acres of developable land. The joint venture also had one property under development, which is expected to comprise, upon completion, 430,000 square feet and is expected to represent a Total Investment of $24.4 million.
The Company recognized $1.0 million, $952,000 and $655,000 in fees for services during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Blythe Valley JV Sarl
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had a 20% interest in Blythe Valley JV Sarl, an entity engaged in the ownership of office properties in the West Midlands, United Kingdom. This joint venture was part of the Company's United Kingdom reportable segment.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the joint venture recorded an impairment charge, the Company's share of which was sufficient to bring the Company's investment in the joint venture to zero. The Company's share of this impairment charge was $4.6 million and is reflected in equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company no longer holds an interest in this joint venture.
The Company recognized $33,000 and $355,000 in fees for services during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Liberty Washington, LP
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a 25% interest in Liberty Washington, LP, an entity engaged in the ownership of office properties in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. This joint venture's properties are part of the Company's Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. reportable segments.
As of December 31, 2014, the joint venture owned 21 office properties totaling 2.4 million square feet and six acres of developable land.
The Company had a receivable from Liberty Washington, LP for $470,000 and $523,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This related party receivable is reflected as prepaid expenses and other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the Company had a receivable from Liberty Washington, LP for $98,000 as of December 31, 2013. This related party receivable is reflected in accounts receivable in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company concluded that certain of the properties owned by this joint venture were impaired and the joint venture recorded an impairment charge of $172.7 million. The Company was not required to record its share of this impairment charge through equity in earnings (loss) as this amount was previously recognized through an other-than-temporary impairment charge related to this joint venture that was recorded in 2009.
The Company recognized $4.4 million, $4.9 million and $4.5 million in fees for services during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Liberty/Commerz 1701 JFK Boulevard, LP
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a 20% interest in Liberty/Commerz 1701 JFK Boulevard, LP ("Liberty/Commerz"), an entity engaged in the ownership of a 1.25 million square foot office tower in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This joint venture is part of the Company's Philadelphia reportable segment.
The Company had a payable to this joint venture for $59,000 as of both December 31, 2014 and 2013. This related party payable is reflected in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The Company had a receivable from this joint venture for $409,000 and $323,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This related party receivable is reflected in prepaid expenses and other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the Company had a receivable from this joint venture for $135,000 as of December 31, 2013. This related party receivable is reflected in accounts receivable in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The Company recognized $2.4 million, $2.2 million and $2.2 million in fees for services during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively.
Liberty Property 18th & Arch LP and Liberty Property 18th & Arch Hotel, LP
On June 30, 2014, the Company entered into two joint ventures for the purpose of developing and owning the Comcast Innovation & Technology Center (the "Project") located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of a mixed-use development. The 59-story building will include 1.3 million square feet of rentable office space (the "Office") and a 222-room Four Seasons Hotel (the "Hotel"). Completion of the first phase of the Project is anticipated to be in the third quarter of 2017. Project costs for the development of the Project, exclusive of tenant-funded interior improvements, are anticipated to be approximately $921 million.  The Company's investment in the project is expected to be approximately $184 million with 20% ownership interests in both joint ventures. As of December 31, 2014, the Company's investment in these joint ventures was $21.3 million and is reflected in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company began development on the building during 2014 and as of December 31, 2014, the total development in progress for the Project was $111.2 million. These joint ventures are part of the Company's Philadelphia reportable segment.
The two joint ventures have engaged the Company as the developer of the Project pursuant to a Development Agreement by which the Company agrees, in consideration for a development fee, to be responsible for all aspects of the development of the Project and to guarantee the timely lien-free completion of construction of the Project and the payment, subject to certain exceptions, of any cost overruns incurred in the development of the Project. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized $1.8 million in developer and other fees related to the project. These fees are included in other income in the Company's consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
The Company had a payable to this joint venture of $554,000 as of December 31, 2014. This payable is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The Company will manage and lease the Office and Four Seasons Hotels Limited will manage the Hotel.
Other Joint Ventures
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a 50% ownership interest in four additional unconsolidated joint ventures. One of these joint ventures has four operating properties and an investment in land held for development and is part of the Orlando reportable segment. This joint venture also had two properties under development, which are expected to comprise, upon completion, 369,000 square feet and are expected to represent a Total Investment of $20.5 million. One of these joint ventures has one operating property and an investment in land held for development and is part of the Company's United Kingdom reportable segment. One of these joint ventures owns one acre of developable land and is part of the Company's Philadelphia reportable segment. The final joint venture has a leasehold interest and does not operate or own operating properties and is part of the Company's United Kingdom reportable segment. The Company had a note payable due to this joint venture of $2.9 million and $3.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The note payable is interest free and is due upon written notice from the joint venture. This related party payable is reflected in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The Company's share of each of the joint venture's earnings is included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Summary Financial Data
The condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and condensed statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 for Liberty Venture I, LP, Kings Hill Unit Trust, Liberty Illinois, LP, Blythe Valley JV Sarl (no remaining interest as of December 31, 2013), Liberty Washington, LP, Liberty/Commerz, Liberty Property 18th & Arch and the other unconsolidated joint ventures are as follows (in thousands):
Condensed Balance Sheets:
 
December 31, 2014
 
Liberty
 
Kings Hill
 
Liberty
 
Liberty
 
Liberty/
 
Liberty Property
 
 
 
 
 
Venture I, LP
 
Unit Trust
 
Illinois, LP
 
Washington, LP
 
Commerz
 
18th & Arch (3)
 
Other
 
Total
Real estate assets
$
173,346

 
$
173,707

 
$
260,988

 
$
603,413

 
$
494,678

 
$

 
$
69,041

 
$
1,775,173

Accumulated depreciation
(32,752
)
 
(26,494
)
 
(48,191
)
 
(35,384
)
 
(97,189
)
 

 
(9,651
)
 
(249,661
)
   Real estate assets, net
140,594

 
147,213

 
212,797

 
568,029

 
397,489

 

 
59,390

 
1,525,512

Development in progress

 

 
17,973

 

 

 
111,244

 
4,366

 
133,583

Land held for development
14,108

 

 
28,362

 
2,000

 

 

 
39,438

 
83,908

Other assets
15,523

 
14,928

 
20,182

 
50,657

 
52,393

 
1,306

 
38,215

 
193,204

   Total assets
$
170,225

 
$
162,141

 
$
279,314

 
$
620,686

 
$
449,882

 
$
112,550

 
$
141,409

 
$
1,936,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt
$
78,748

 
$
91,356

 
$
145,752

 
$
318,367

 
$
317,934

 
$

 
$
43,114

 
$
995,271

Other liabilities
5,215

 
94,504

 
13,812

 
12,022

 
9,657

 
13,398

 
14,306

 
162,914

Equity
86,262

 
(23,719
)
 
119,750

 
290,297

 
122,291

 
99,152

 
83,989

 
778,022

   Total liabilities and equity
$
170,225

 
$
162,141

 
$
279,314

 
$
620,686

 
$
449,882

 
$
112,550

 
$
141,409

 
$
1,936,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company's net investment in unconsolidated joint ventures (1)
$
20,010

 
$
11,663

 
$
18,692

 
$
69,230

 
$
23,153

 
$
21,292

 
$
44,792

 
$
208,832


 
December 31, 2013
 
Liberty
 
Kings Hill
 
Liberty
 
Liberty
 
Liberty/
 
 
 
 
 
Venture I, LP
 
Unit Trust
 
Illinois, LP
 
Washington, LP
 
Commerz
 
Other
 
Total
Real estate assets
$
129,354

 
$
182,220

 
$
261,375

 
$
887,452

 
$
494,150

 
$
70,274

 
$
2,024,825

Accumulated depreciation
(32,617
)
 
(25,006
)
 
(43,304
)
 
(131,064
)
 
(83,461
)
 
(8,456
)
 
(323,908
)
   Real estate assets, net
96,737

 
157,214

 
218,071

 
756,388

 
410,689

 
61,818

 
1,700,917

Development in progress
2,226

 

 

 



 

 
2,226

Land held for development
2,842

 

 
42,770

 
2,000

 

 
47,549

 
95,161

Other assets
11,531

 
20,173

 
20,346

 
58,701

 
50,680

 
15,911

 
177,342

   Total assets
$
113,336

 
$
177,387

 
$
281,187

 
$
817,089

 
$
461,369

 
$
125,278

 
$
1,975,646

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt
$
72,121

 
$
97,091

 
$
140,400

 
$
319,856

 
$
321,401

 
$
43,151

 
$
994,020

Other liabilities
4,032

 
100,112

 
7,936

 
15,012

 
9,544

 
9,846

 
146,482

Equity
37,183

 
(19,816
)
 
132,851

 
482,221

 
130,424

 
72,281

 
835,144

   Total liabilities and equity
$
113,336

 
$
177,387

 
$
281,187

 
$
817,089

 
$
461,369

 
$
125,278

 
$
1,975,646

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company's net investment in unconsolidated joint ventures (1)
$
8,551

 
$
12,772

 
$
21,688

 
$
72,981

 
$
24,740

 
$
38,923

 
$
179,655




Condensed Statements of Operations (2):
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Liberty
 
Kings Hill
 
Liberty
 
Liberty
 
Liberty/
 
Liberty Property
 
Other
 
 
 
Venture I, LP
 
Unit Trust
 
Illinois, LP
 
Washington, LP
 
Commerz
 
18th & Arch (3)
 
(4)
 
Total
Total revenue
$
19,277

 
$
13,221

 
$
25,181

 
$
72,824

 
$
63,580

 
$

 
$
8,923

 
$
203,006

Operating expense
6,398

 
5,387

 
8,965

 
28,349

 
23,557

 
199

 
2,897

 
75,752

 
12,879

 
7,834

 
16,216

 
44,475

 
40,023

 
(199
)
 
6,026

 
127,254

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Interest
(5,078
)
 
(6,110
)
 
(7,932
)
 
(18,612
)
 
(20,179
)
 

 
(3,415
)
 
(61,326
)
Depreciation and amortization
(5,757
)
 
(4,135
)
 
(7,380
)
 
(27,112
)
 
(14,591
)
 

 
(1,891
)
 
(60,866
)
Other income/(expense)
(17
)
 
208

 
39

 
375

 
(278
)
 
(13
)
 
9,090

 
9,404

Gain (loss) on sale/impairment

 

 
187

 
(172,691
)
 

 

 

 
(172,504
)
Net income (loss)
$
2,027

 
$
(2,203
)
 
$
1,130

 
$
(173,565
)
 
$
4,975

 
$
(212
)
 
$
9,810

 
$
(158,038
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Company's equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures
$
788

 
$
(288
)
 
$
824

 
$
2,251

 
$
1,633

 
$
(33
)
 
$
5,139

 
$
10,314

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Liberty
 
Kings Hill
 
Liberty
 
Liberty
 
Liberty/
 
 
 
 
 
Venture I, LP
 
Unit Trust
 
Illinois, LP
 
Washington, LP
 
Commerz
 
Other
 
Total
Total revenue
$
16,238

 
$
12,701

 
$
24,455

 
$
75,821

 
$
62,411

 
$
8,415

 
$
200,041

Operating expense
5,248

 
4,187

 
8,353

 
27,549

 
23,074

 
2,636

 
71,047

 
10,990

 
8,514

 
16,102

 
48,272

 
39,337

 
5,779

 
128,994

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
(5,318
)
 
(5,133
)
 
(8,348
)
 
(18,946
)
 
(20,391
)
 
(2,933
)
 
(61,069
)
Depreciation and amortization
(4,414
)
 
(3,829
)
 
(7,382
)
 
(28,392
)
 
(14,734
)
 
(1,870
)
 
(60,621
)
Other income/(expense)
53

 
71

 
38

 
122

 
(233
)
 
(37
)
 
14

Loss from discontinued operations

 
(5,647
)
 

 
(8,731
)
 

 

 
(14,378
)
Net income (loss)
$
1,311

 
$
(6,024
)
 
$
410

 
$
(7,675
)
 
$
3,979

 
$
939

 
$
(7,060
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company's equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures
$
530

 
$
(908
)
 
$
618

 
$
3,748

 
$
1,406

 
$
673

 
$
6,067


 
Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
Liberty
 
Kings Hill
 
Liberty
 
Blythe Valley
 
Liberty
 
Liberty/
 
 
 
 
 
Venture I, LP
 
Unit Trust
 
Illinois, LP
 
JV Sarl
 
Washington, LP
 
Commerz
 
Other
 
Total
Total revenue
$
15,328

 
$
15,642

 
$
22,156

 
$
14,278

 
$
81,128

 
$
62,484

 
$
7,481

 
$
218,497

Operating expense
5,277

 
4,237

 
8,093

 
3,921

 
27,901

 
22,935

 
2,392

 
74,756

 
10,051

 
11,405

 
14,063

 
10,357

 
53,227

 
39,549

 
5,089

 
143,741

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
(5,402
)
 
(6,520
)
 
(8,348
)
 
(12,130
)
 
(21,260
)
 
(20,501
)
 
(2,989
)
 
(77,150
)
Depreciation and amortization
(3,930
)
 
(3,731
)
 
(7,395
)
 
(4,148
)
 
(28,749
)
 
(15,411
)
 
(1,885
)
 
(65,249
)
Other income/(expense)
40

 
(160
)
 
31

 
211

 
149

 
(80
)
 
21

 
212

Impairment

 

 

 
(77,026
)
 

 

 

 
(77,026
)
Net income (loss)
$
759

 
$
994

 
$
(1,649
)
 
$
(82,736
)
 
$
3,367

 
$
3,557

 
$
236

 
$
(75,472
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company's equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures
$
306

 
$
352

 
$
106

 
$
(5,610
)
 
$
3,243

 
$
1,304

 
$
(382
)
 
$
(681
)


(1)
Differences between the Company's net investment in unconsolidated joint ventures and its underlying equity in the net assets of the venture are primarily a result of impairments related to the Company's investment in unconsolidated joint ventures, the deferral of gains associated with the sales of properties to joint ventures in which the Company retains an ownership interest and loans made to the joint ventures by the Company. These adjustments have resulted in an aggregate difference increasing the Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures by $3.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and reducing the Company's investment in unconsolidated joint ventures by $41.7 million as of December 31, 2013. Differences between historical cost basis and the basis reflected at the joint venture level (other than loans) are typically depreciated over the life of the related asset.
(2) The year ended December 31, 2012 has not been restated for discontinued operations.
(3) Represents the combined results of two joint ventures related to the property at 18th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia.
(4) Other income/(expense) for this group of joint ventures reflects gains related to the sales of land leasehold interests totaling $9.1 million.