As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 19, 2013
Registration Statement No. 333-179485
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 7
TO
FORM S-11
FOR REGISTRATION
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its governing instruments)
One Grand Central Place
60 East 42 nd Street
New York, New York 10165
(212) 953-0888
(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
Anthony E. Malkin
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
c/o Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
One Grand Central Place
60 East 42nd Street
New York, New York 10165
(212) 953-0888
(Name, Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Larry P. Medvinsky, Esq. Jason D. Myers, Esq. Clifford Chance US LLP 31 West 52 nd Street New York, New York 10019 Tel: (212) 878-8000 Fax: (212) 878-8375 |
Stuart A. Barr, Esq. Hogan Lovells US LLP 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 Tel: (202) 637-5600 Fax: (202) 637-5910 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public : As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement. ¨
If any of the Securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box: ¨
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller Reporting Company | ¨ |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is declared effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus, dated September 18, 2013
PROSPECTUS
71,500,000 Shares
Class A Common Stock
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. is a Maryland corporation organized to qualify as a real estate investment trust that owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area.
This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our Class A common stock. We are offering shares of our Class A common stock as described in this prospectus. All of the shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus are being sold by us. We currently expect the initial public offering price to be between $13.00 and $15.00 per share of our Class A common stock. Our Class A common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, under the symbol ESRT.
Shares of our common stock are subject to ownership limitations that are intended to, among other purposes, assist us in qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our common stock, including, subject to certain exceptions, a 9.8% ownership limit for all stockholders. See Description of SecuritiesRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer beginning on page 284 of this prospectus.
Investing in our Class A common stock involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page 31 of this prospectus for a discussion of certain risk factors that you should consider before investing in our Class A common stock.
Per Share | Total | |||||||
Public offering price |
$ | $ | ||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1) |
$ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ | $ |
(1) |
See Underwriting for additional disclosure regarding the underwriting discounts and expenses payable to the underwriters by us. |
We have granted the underwriters the option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock for 30 days after the date of this prospectus on the same terms and conditions set forth above if the underwriters sell more than 71,500,000 shares of Class A common stock in this offering.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of our Class A common stock on or about , 2013.
Joint Book-Running Managers
Goldman, Sachs & Co. |
BofA Merrill Lynch |
Barclays | Citigroup | Deutsche Bank Securities | Wells Fargo Securities |
Capital One Securities |
HSBC |
KeyBanc Capital Markets | PNC Capital Markets LLC | RBS | Stifel |
Lebenthal Capital Markets | Loop Capital Markets | Ramirez & Co., Inc. |
The date of this prospectus is , 2013.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P. |
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS |
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us or information to which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by us is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates which are specified in these documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references in this prospectus to we, our, us and our company refer to (i) Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, Inc.), a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Empire State Realty OP, L.P. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, L.P.), a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to in this prospectus as our operating partnership, after giving effect to the formation transactions described in this prospectus and (ii) our predecessor before giving effect to the formation transactions described in this prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, the information contained in this prospectus assumes (i) the formation transactions, as described under the caption Structure and Formation of Our Company beginning on page 258 have been completed; (ii) the 71,500,000 shares of Class A common stock to be sold in this offering are sold at $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus; (iii) no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock; (iv) the Series PR operating partnership units, the Series ES operating partnership units, the Series 60 operating partnership units and the Series 250 operating partnership units to be issued in the formation transactions are valued at $14.00 per unit; (v) the Class B common stock to be issued in the formation transactions is valued at $14.00 per share; (vi) our independent directors and executive officers will receive LTIP Units and certain other employees will receive restricted shares of our Class A common stock in connection with the grants that will be made upon completion of this offering; and (vii) all property information is as of June 30, 2013. In addition, all references to ownership percentages in this prospectus with respect to the exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock assume that up to approximately $77.9 million of the net proceeds from the issuance of such shares will be used to repurchase the remaining Class A common stock owned by the Helmsley estate following the completion of this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom (5,563,466 shares of our Class A common stock based on the mid-point of the price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus) at a per share price equal to the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount and commission.
Market Data
We use market data and industry forecasts and projections throughout this prospectus, and in particular in the sections entitled Economic and Market Overview and Business and Properties. We have obtained all of this information from a market study prepared for us by Rosen Consulting Group, or RCG, a nationally recognized real estate consulting firm in June 2013. We have paid RCG a fee for such services. Such information is included herein in reliance on RCGs authority as an expert on such matters. See Experts. We believe the data prepared by RCG is reliable, but we have not independently verified this information. Any forecasts prepared by RCG are based on data (including third party data), models and experience of various professionals, and are based on various assumptions, all of which are subject to change without notice. There is no assurance that any of the forecasts will be achieved.
We own, manage, operate, acquire and reposition office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. We refer to our properties in Manhattan as our Manhattan properties. We use the term greater New York metropolitan area to refer only to Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester
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County, New York. We refer to our office and retail properties collectively as our portfolio. Our targeted office markets as defined by RCG include the Midtown Manhattan market, which spans from 30 th Street north to Central Park (59 th Street) and includes the Penn Station, Times Square South, Grand Central and West Side submarkets, and the Westchester County and Fairfield County markets. Our targeted retail markets as defined by RCG include Midtown Manhattan, Union Square (where Park Avenue meets 14 th Street), the Upper East Side and Fairfield County. The manner in which we define our property markets and submarkets differs from how RCG has done so in its market study included herein. Further, RCGs definition of the New York metropolitan area differs from our definition of the greater New York metropolitan area. RCGs definition includes Putnam County and Rockland County in New York and Bergen County, Hudson County, and Passaic County in Northern New Jersey and excludes Fairfield County in Connecticut.
Predecessor Definition
Our predecessor is not a legal entity but rather a combination of (i) controlling interests in (a) 16 office and retail properties, (b) one development parcel, and (c) certain management companies, which are owned by certain entities that the sponsors (Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin) own interests in and control, which we collectively refer to as the controlled entities, and (ii) non-controlling interests in four office properties (which include two of the 16 properties set forth in (i) above), held through entities we collectively refer to as the non-controlled entities, and are presented as uncombined entities in our combined financial statements. Specifically, the term our predecessor means (i) Malkin Holdings LLC, a New York limited liability company that acts as the supervisor of, and performs various asset management services and routine administration with respect to, certain of the existing entities (as described below), which we refer to as the supervisor; (ii) the limited liability companies or limited partnerships that currently (a) own, directly or indirectly and either through a fee interest or a long-term leasehold in the underlying land, and/or (b) operate, directly or indirectly and through a fee interest, an operating lease, an operating sublease or an operating sub-sublease, the 18 office and retail properties (which include non-controlling interests in four office properties for which Malkin Holdings LLC acts as the supervisor but that are not consolidated into our predecessor for accounting purposes) and entitled land that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage that we will own after the formation transactions described in this prospectus, which we refer to as the existing entities; (iii) Malkin Properties, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Manhattan, which we refer to as Malkin Properties; (iv) Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Westchester County, New York, which we refer to as Malkin Properties NY; (v) Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., a Connecticut corporation that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in the State of Connecticut, which we refer to as Malkin Properties CT; and (vi) Malkin Construction Corp., a Connecticut corporation that is a general contractor and provides services to certain of the existing entities and third parties (including certain tenants at the properties in our portfolio), which we refer to as Malkin Construction. The term our predecessors management companies refers to the supervisor, Malkin Properties, Malkin Properties NY, Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction, collectively. Our predecessor accounts for its investment in the non-controlled entities under the equity method of accounting.
Class A and Class B Common Stock and Operating Partnership Units
Following this offering, our company will have two classes of common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Operating partnership units have economic rights similar to the Class A common stock but do not have the right to vote on matters presented to holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The continuing investors that had an option to elect operating partnership units at the time they made their election of consideration in the formation transactions had an option to elect to receive one share of Class B common stock instead of one operating partnership unit for every 50 operating partnership units such continuing investor would otherwise receive in the consolidation. The Class B common stock provides its holder with a voting right that is no greater than if such holder had received solely Class A common stock in the consolidation.
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Each outstanding share of Class B common stock entitles the holder thereof to 50 votes on all matters on which Class A common stockholders are entitled to vote, including the election of directors, and holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class. Each share of Class B common stock has the same economic interest as a share of Class A common stock, and one share of Class B common stock and 49 operating partnership units together represent a similar economic value as 50 shares of Class A common stock. One share of Class B common stock may be converted into one share of Class A common stock at any time, and one share of Class B common stock is subject to automatic conversion into one share of Class A common stock upon a direct or indirect transfer of such share of Class B common stock or certain transfers of the operating partnership units held by the holder of Class B common stock (or a permitted transferee thereof) to a person other than a permitted transferee. Our Class A common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, under the symbol ESRT. Unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, the term common stock as used herein means both our Class A and Class B common stock. For a description of the material terms of our common stock, see Description of Securities.
Interests in our operating partnership are denominated in units of limited partnership interest. Following this offering and the formation transactions, our operating partnership will have two classes of limited partnership interestoperating partnership units and LTIP units. The operating partnership units will have four seriesSeries PR operating partnership units, Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units, which we refer either collectively, or with respect to one or more series, as the operating partnership units, as the context requires or indicates. Operating partnership units are redeemable for cash, or at our election, exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. As used herein, when we refer to our ownership interest in our operating partnership, we mean the percentage of all operating partnership units that are expected to be held by us. We will hold only Series PR operating partnership units. When we refer to operating partnership units to be held by the Malkin Group and continuing investors in the private existing entities, we mean Series PR operating partnership units, which will not be listed on a national securities exchange. When we refer to operating partnership units to be held by continuing investors in the public existing entities, we mean Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units, which has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, under the symbols ESBA, OGCP, and FISK, respectively.
The term fully diluted basis means all outstanding shares of our Class A common stock at such time plus shares of Class A common stock that may be issuable upon the exchange of operating partnership units on a one-for-one basis and shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis, which is not the same as the meaning of fully diluted under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. The term owns in respect of ownership of securities of our company means the direct beneficial ownership of such securities or the ability to control the vote or disposition of such securities.
IPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan
Upon completion of this offering, we expect to grant LTIP units and/or restricted shares of our Class A common stock to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees, which will be subject to time-based and/or performance-based vesting over a three to four year period. The aggregate number of LTIP units/shares we intend to grant to such individuals, including a total of 64,286 LTIP units which we intend to grant to our independent directors, will be in an amount equal to 1.5% of the gross proceeds raised in this offering (excluding proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock) divided by the initial public offering price. Assuming we receive gross proceeds from this offering of $1.0 billion (excluding proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock), which is based on an initial public offering price of $14.00 per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the front cover of this
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prospectus), the aggregate number of LTIP units and/or restricted shares of our Class A common stock we intend to grant to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees will be 1,072,500 units/shares and will have an aggregate dollar value of $15.0 million.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use non-GAAP financial measures in this prospectus. For definitions and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsNet Operating Income, Funds from Operations and EBITDA.
Miscellaneous
The term reposition means the strategic improvement of one or more of the following characteristics of a building: (i) tenant type, composition and credit quality, (ii) aggregate rentable square feet, (iii) average space leased per tenant, (iv) aggregate space leased, (v) lease term, (vi) average rent per square foot, (vii) aggregate rental revenue and/or (viii) branding and associated marketing efforts, and requires significant capital expenditures for physical improvements to the building and its amenities.
The term Malkin Group means all of the following, as a group: Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin and each of their spouses and lineal descendants (including spouses of such descendants), any estates of any of the foregoing, any trusts now or hereafter established for the benefit of any of the foregoing, or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin or any permitted successor in such entity for the benefit of any of the foregoing; provided, however that solely with respect to tax protection rights and parties who entered into the contribution agreements described in this prospectus, the Malkin Group shall also include the lineal descendants of Lawrence A. Wien and his spouse (including spouses of such descendants), any estates of the foregoing, any trusts now or hereafter established for the benefit of any of the foregoing, or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin for the benefit of the foregoing.
We refer to Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, David A. Karp, our Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer, Thomas P. Durels, our Executive Vice President and Chief of Property Operations and Leasing, and Thomas N. Keltner, Jr., our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, collectively as our senior management team.
The term the Helmsley estate means the interests of the estate of Leona M. Helmsley (including any interests in the existing entities transferred from the Helmsley estate to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust).
Enterprise Value
The term enterprise value means our total market capitalization based on the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, on a fully diluted basis, plus our pro forma total consolidated indebtedness less our pro forma cash and cash equivalents based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances.
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You should read the following summary together with the more detailed information regarding our company, including under the caption Risk Factors, as well as the historical and unaudited pro forma financial statements, including the related notes, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
We are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, that owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. We were formed to continue and expand the commercial real estate business of our predecessor Malkin Holdings LLC and its affiliates. Our primary focus will be to continue to own, manage and operate our current portfolio and to acquire and reposition office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area.
As of June 30, 2013, we owned 12 office properties (including one long-term ground leasehold interest) encompassing approximately 7.7 million rentable square feet of office space, which were approximately 83.5% leased (or 86.2% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date). Seven of these properties are located in the midtown Manhattan market and encompass in the aggregate approximately 5.9 million rentable square feet of office space, including the Empire State Building. Our Manhattan office properties also contain an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of premier retail space on their ground floor and/or lower levels. Our remaining five office properties are located in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York, encompassing in the aggregate approximately 1.8 million rentable square feet. The majority of square footage for these five properties is located in densely populated metropolitan communities with immediate access to mass transportation. Additionally, we have entitled land at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties, that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage, which we refer to herein as Metro Tower. As of June 30, 2013, our portfolio also included four standalone retail properties located in Manhattan and two standalone retail properties located in the city center of Westport, Connecticut, encompassing 204,452 rentable square feet in the aggregate. As of June 30, 2013, our standalone retail properties were 100% leased in the aggregate.
In addition, we have an option to acquire from affiliates of our predecessor two additional Manhattan office properties encompassing approximately 1.5 million rentable square feet of office space and 153,209 rentable square feet of retail space at the base of the buildings. These option properties were subject to recently resolved litigation and we have an option to acquire fee, long-term leasehold, sub-leasehold and/or sub-subleasehold interests in these two properties, as applicable, following the resolution of the recently resolved litigation. We do not intend to exercise the option for either of the interests in the option properties prior to closing of this offering. We refer to these properties as our option properties. For more information, please see Business and PropertiesDescription of Option Properties.
From 2002 through 2006, we gradually gained full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties (with the Helmsley estate holding certain approval rights at some of these properties as a result of its interest in the entities owning the properties). Helmsley-Spear, Inc. had provided property management services to our Manhattan office properties during the period from 2002 through 2006 prior to its removal as property manager. See Business and PropertiesHistory for more information regarding how we gained full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties. Since then, we have been undertaking a comprehensive renovation and repositioning strategy of our Manhattan office properties that has included the physical improvement through upgrades and modernization of, and tenant upgrades in, such properties. Since we
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assumed full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties beginning with One Grand Central Place in 2002 and through June 30, 2013, we have invested a total of approximately $384.0 million (excluding tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions) in our Manhattan office properties pursuant to this program. We currently intend to invest between $40.0 million and $70.0 million of additional capital through the end of 2013. We expect to complete substantially this program by the end of 2013, except with respect to the Empire State Building, which is the last Manhattan office property that began its renovation program. In addition, we currently estimate that between $95.0 million and $125.0 million of capital is needed beyond 2013 to complete substantially the renovation program at the Empire State Building, which we expect to occur by the end of 2016, due to the size and scope of our remaining work and our desire to minimize tenant disruptions at the property. We intend to fund these capital improvements through a combination of operating cash flow and borrowings.
These improvements, within our renovation and repositioning program, include restored, renovated and upgraded or new lobbies; elevator modernization; renovated public areas and bathrooms; refurbished or new windows; upgrade and standardization of retail storefront and signage; façade restorations; modernization of building-wide systems; and enhanced tenant amenities. These improvements are designed to improve the overall value and attractiveness of our properties and have contributed significantly to our tenant repositioning efforts, which seek to increase our occupancy; raise our rental rates; increase our rentable square feet; increase our aggregate rental revenue; lengthen our average lease term; increase our average lease size; and improve our tenant credit quality. We have also aggregated smaller spaces in order to offer larger blocks of office space, including multiple floors, that are attractive to larger, higher credit-quality tenants and to offer new, pre-built suites with improved layouts. This strategy has shown attractive results to date, as illustrated by the case studies which are described in Business and PropertiesRenovation and Repositioning Case Studies, and we believe has the potential to improve our operating margins and cash flows in the future. We believe we will continue to enhance our tenant base and improve rents as our pre-renovation leases continue to expire and be re-leased.
The Empire State Building is our flagship property and provides us with a significant and diversified source of revenue through its office and retail leases, observatory operations and broadcasting licenses and related leased space. On a pro forma basis, during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, we generated approximately $114.0 million and $240.8 million of revenue from the Empire State Building. The ongoing repositioning of the Empire State Building, which comprises 2,701,938 rentable square feet of office space and 167,788 rentable square feet of retail space, is representative of our strategic vision for our Manhattan office properties. To date, our renovation and repositioning efforts have enabled us to lease significant amounts of space at the Empire State Building to new higher credit-quality tenants, including: LF USA; Skanska; Coty, Inc.; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Funaro & Co.; Kaltex North America, Inc.; LinkedIn; Noven Pharmaceuticals; Peoples Daily Online USA; Shutterstock; Taylor Global; The Freeh Group; Turkish Airlines; and World Monuments Fund. We believe completing the repositioning program for the Empire State Building, as well as our other Manhattan office properties, represents a significant growth opportunity for our company.
We are led by Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, who has a strong reputation in the industry for quality management, repositioning and marketing expertise. Mr. Malkin, together with our senior management team, has developed our strategy with a focus on tenant and broker relationships and the cultivation of our brand to attract higher credit-quality tenants to our improved buildings and negotiate attractive rental terms. Mr. Malkin has approximately 25 years of real estate experience specifically in expanding, renovating, repositioning and managing this portfolio. Our senior management team has an average of approximately 30 years of experience covering all aspects of real estate, including asset and property management, leasing, marketing, acquisitions, construction, development, legal and finance, and Messrs. Malkin, Thomas P. Durels and Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. have worked together for our predecessor for approximately 23 years, with Messrs. Malkin and Durels being responsible for supervising the design and implementation of our renovation and repositioning program.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this Market Information section is derived from the market studies prepared by Rosen Consulting Group, or RCG, a national commercial real estate advisory company. Forecasts prepared by RCG are based on data (including third-party data), models and experience of various professionals, and are based on various assumptions, all of which are subject to change without notice. There is no assurance any of the forecasts will be achieved. We believe the data utilized by RCG that is contained in this section is reliable, but we have not independently verified this information.
Manhattan Office Market
Manhattans office market is by far the largest in the United States, measured by total square footage, with approximately 392 million square feet of office space. Manhattans sustained job growth, skilled labor force, excellent transportation access and broad range of service industries drive strong demand for office space through economic cycles. Correspondingly, the Manhattan office market commands the highest overall average gross asking rents of any market in the United States based on asking rents as of March 31, 2013. While the office tenant base is broad, several industries are more prominent than others, including financial services, legal services, media and publishing, advertising, communications, and fashion/apparel. As of March 31, 2013, RCGs outlook for Manhattans office market as a whole is positive, marked by an expected decrease in the vacancy rate through the end of 2016. The pace of recovery in the near term is not expected to match the early bounce-back period in 2010 and 2011 and improving fundamentals are expected to be more broad-based, driven by growing demand for Class B/C space. For a definition of Class B and Class C properties, see Economic and Market OverviewOffice MarketsManhattanDemand-Supply Analysis. Demand for office space in Manhattan continued its recovery in 2012 with office employment in the New York metropolitan area growing 1.5% year-over-year through March 2013, representing 21,900 new office jobs.
The trailing two-quarter leasing volume increased through the first quarter 2013 from a year-earlier with a total of 12.1 million square feet of space leased in the first half of 2012, a 2.2% increase over the two-quarter leasing volume through the first quarter 2012. The overall vacancy rate decreased to 9.1% through the first quarter of 2013 from 9.4% at year-end 2012 and was even with 9.1% from the first quarter of 2012. RCG expects this recovery to continue with average annual rent growth of 4.6% between 2013 and 2017. Through the near term, RCG expects the overall vacancy rate of midtown Manhattan office space, to trend slightly downward, reaching 8.3% by the end of 2017 from 9.4% in 2012.
New York City and Manhattan Retail Market
New Yorks retail market benefits from positive fundamentals, including favorable demographics, high average income, strong local demand base, significant barriers to entry, and a high volume of domestic and international visitors. RCGs outlook for the New York City and Manhattan retail markets is positive with sustained job growth, declining unemployment, stabilizing home values and improving consumer confidence. With a combined population approaching 20 million, New York City metropolitan region is by far the most populous in the country. In addition to the local population, domestic and international leisure travelers are drawn to New York City for its theaters, historical sites, museums, shopping and other cultural opportunities. A record high 50.9 million travelers visited New York City in 2011, according to NYC & Company, while direct visitor spending in New York City reached $34.5 billion in 2011, up from $14.7 billion in 1998.
The borough of Manhattan contains approximately 110 million square feet of retail space according to the Real Estate Board of New York. The main retail corridors have improved during the early stages of economic recovery as consumer spending has stabilized and tourism activity has rebounded. Spaces in prime corridors are among the most highly sought-after retail locations in the world and therefore command among the highest rents. Retail demand in Manhattan is driven by an affluent local population, commuters and a high concentration of business and leisure travelers.
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We believe that we distinguish ourselves from other owners and operators of office and retail properties as a result of the following competitive strengths:
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Irreplaceable Portfolio of Office Properties in Midtown Manhattan . Our Manhattan office properties are located in one of the most prized office markets in the world due to a combination of supply constraints, high barriers to entry, near-term and long-term prospects for job creation, vacancy absorption and rental rate growth. Management believes these properties could not be replaced today on a cost-competitive basis, if at all. As of June 30, 2013, we owned seven Manhattan office properties (including one long-term ground leasehold interest) encompassing approximately 5.9 million rentable square feet of office space, including the Empire State Building, our flagship property. |
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Expertise in Repositioning and Renovating Manhattan Office Properties . We have substantial expertise in renovating and repositioning Manhattan office properties, having invested a total of approximately $384.0 million (excluding tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions) in our Manhattan office properties since we assumed full control of the day-to-day management of these properties beginning with One Grand Central Place in November 2002 through June 30, 2013. We have successfully aggregated and are continuing to aggregate smaller spaces to offer larger blocks of space, including multiple floors, that are attractive to larger, higher credit-quality tenants and to offer new, pre-built suites with improved layouts. As part of this program, we converted some or all of the second floor office space of certain of our Manhattan office properties to higher rent retail space. We believe that the post-renovation high quality of our buildings and the service we provide also attract higher credit-quality tenants and allow us to grow cash flow. |
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Leader in Energy Efficiency Retrofitting . We have pioneered certain practices in energy efficiency at the Empire State Building where we have partnered with the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls Inc., Jones Lang LaSalle and the Rocky Mountain Institute to create and implement a groundbreaking, replicable process for integrating energy efficiency retrofits in the existing built environment. The reduced energy consumption reduces costs for us and our tenants, and we believe creates a competitive advantage for our properties. As a result of the energy efficiency retrofits, we currently estimate that the Empire State Building will save at least 38% of its energy use, resulting in at least $4.4 million of annual energy cost savings. Johnson Controls Inc. has guaranteed minimum energy cost savings of $2.2 million annually, from 2010 through 2025, with respect to certain of the energy efficiency retrofits which Johnson Controls Inc. was responsible for installing. In 2012, the actual energy cost savings for the energy efficiency retrofits which Johnson Controls Inc. was responsible for installing was $2.3 million. As a result of our efforts, the Empire State Building is now an Energy Star building and has been awarded LEED EBOM-Gold certification. We are currently underway with the design and specification process to implement energy efficiency retrofitting projects in our Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office properties based on our work at the Empire State Building. We believe that our portfolios attractiveness is enhanced by these practices and that this should result in higher rental rates, longer lease terms and higher quality tenants. |
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Attractive Retail Locations in Densely Populated Metropolitan Communities . As of June 30, 2013, our portfolio also included six standalone retail properties and retail space at the ground floor and/or lower levels of our Manhattan office properties. All of these properties are located in premier retail corridors with convenient access to mass transportation, a diverse tenant base and high pedestrian traffic and/or main destination locations. Our retail portfolio includes 623,634 rentable square feet located in Manhattan and 21,433 rentable square feet located in Westport, Connecticut. Our retail tenants cover a number of industries, including financial services, and include Allen Edmonds, Ann Taylor; AT&T; Bank of America; Bank Santander (Sovereign Bank); Best Buy Mobile; Charles Schwab; Chipotle; Duane Reade (a division of Walgreen Co.); Ethan Allen; FedEx/Kinkos; Food |
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Emporium; Gamestop; HSBC; JP Morgan Chase; Kate Spade (a division of Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc.); Loews Theatre; Lululemon; Mens Wearhouse; Nike; Panera Bread; Payless Shoesource; Potbelly Sandwich Works; Sprint; Starbucks; Theory; TJ Maxx; Urban Outfitters; and Walgreens. |
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Experienced and Committed Management Team with Proven Track Record . Our senior management team is highly regarded in the real estate community and has extensive relationships with a broad range of brokers, owners, tenants and lenders. We have substantial in-house expertise and resources in asset and property management, leasing, marketing, acquisitions, construction, development and financing and a platform that is highly scalable. Members of our senior management team have worked in the real estate industry for an average of approximately 30 years, and Messrs. Malkin, Durels and Keltner have worked together for our predecessor for approximately 23 years. Upon completion of this offering, our senior management team is expected to own 12.8% of our common stock on a fully diluted basis (including shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis as to which Anthony E. Malkin has the right to vote, but does not have a pecuniary interest), and therefore their interests are expected to be aligned with those of our stockholders, and they are incentivized to maximize returns for our stockholders. |
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Strong Balance Sheet Well Positioned For Future Growth . Upon completion of this offering, we expect to have pro forma total debt outstanding of approximately $1.16 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.04%, a weighted average maturity of 3.5 years and 72.6% of which is fixed-rate indebtedness. Additionally, we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). Upon completion of this offering and on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2012, we had a debt-to-earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, ratio of approximately 4.72x and our debt represented 25.2% of enterprise value. For the year ended December 31, 2012, our pro forma EBITDA and pro forma net income were approximately $236.3 million and $77.7 million, respectively. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will have, on a pro forma basis, no debt maturing in the remainder of 2013 and approximately $198.4 million maturing in 2014. |
Business and Growth Strategies
Our primary business objectives are to maximize cash flow and total returns to our stockholders and to increase the value of our properties through the pursuit of the following business and growth strategies:
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Lease-up Available Space at Manhattan Office Properties . As of June 30, 2013, our Manhattan office properties were approximately 82.0% leased (or 84.8% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and had approximately 1.1 million rentable square feet of available space (excluding leases signed but not yet commenced). This compares to an average of 89.9% leased in midtown Manhattan according to RCG as of March 31, 2013. We believe our renovation and repositioning program for our Manhattan office properties is a catalyst for additional lease-up. To date we believe these efforts have accelerated our ability to lease space to new higher credit-quality tenants, many of which have expanded the office space they lease from us over time. Examples of this include LF USA, Coty, Inc., the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Actimize which collectively have leases signed with us for over 1,397,250 rentable square feet that represent additional annualized base rent of $56,424,225 as of June 30, 2013. |
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Increase Existing Below-Market Rents . We believe we can capitalize on the successful repositioning of our Manhattan office portfolio and improving market fundamentals to increase rents. For example, we expect to benefit from the re-leasing of 9.3%, or approximately 547,362 rentable square feet (including month-to-month leases), of our Manhattan office leases expiring through December 31, 2014, which we generally believe are currently at below-market rates. These expiring leases represent a |
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weighted average base rent of $40.40 per square foot based on current measurements. As older leases expire, we expect to continue to upgrade certain space to further increase rents and we expect to increase the total rentable square footage of such space as a result of remeasurement and application of market loss factors to our space which we expect will generate additional rental revenue. |
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Complete the Redevelopment and Repositioning of Our Current Portfolio . We intend to continue to increase occupancy, improve tenant quality and enhance cash flow and value by completing the renovation and repositioning of our Manhattan office properties. We intend selectively to continue to allow leases for smaller spaces to expire or relocate smaller tenants in order to aggregate, demolish and re-demise existing office space into larger blocks of vacant space, which we believe will attract higher credit-quality tenants at higher rental rates. In addition, we are a leader in developing economically justified energy efficiency retrofitting and sustainability and have made it a portfolio-wide initiative. We believe this makes our properties desirable to high credit-quality tenants at higher rental rates and longer lease terms. |
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Pursue Attractive Acquisition and Development Opportunities . We will opportunistically pursue attractive opportunities to acquire office and retail properties, including the option properties. For more information regarding the option properties, please see Business and PropertiesDescription of Option Properties. We intend to focus our acquisition strategy primarily on Manhattan office properties and, to a lesser extent, office and multi-tenanted retail properties in densely populated communities in the greater New York metropolitan area and other markets we may identify in the future. Our strong balance sheet, access to capital, and ability to offer operating partnership units in tax deferred acquisition transactions should give us significant flexibility in structuring and consummating acquisitions. |
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Proactively Manage Our Portfolio . We believe our proactive, service-intensive approach to asset and property management helps increase occupancy and rental rates. We utilize our comprehensive building management services and our strong commitment to tenant and broker relationships and satisfaction to negotiate attractive leasing deals and to attract high credit-quality tenants. We proactively manage our rent roll and maintain continuous communication with our tenants. We believe long-term tenant relationships will improve our operating results over time by reducing leasing, marketing and tenant improvement costs and reducing tenant turnover. |
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As of June 30, 2013, our portfolio consisted of 12 office properties and six standalone retail properties totaling approximately 8.4 million rentable square feet and was approximately 83.3% leased, yielding approximately $307.2 million of annualized based rent. Giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of June 30, 2013, our portfolio was approximately 86.4% leased, which yields an annualized base rent of $323.5 million. In addition, we owned entitled land that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage (Metro Tower) at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties, as of June 30, 2013. The table below presents an overview of our portfolio and our option properties as of June 30, 2013.
Property Name |
Submarket |
Year
Built
/Renovated (1) |
Rentable
Square Feet (2) |
Percent
Leased (3) |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot (5) |
Net Effective
Rent Per Leased Square Foot (6) |
Number
of
Leases (7) |
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Manhattan Office Properties |
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The Empire State Building |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1931/ In
process |
$ | 44.70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office (8) |
2,701,938 | 77.8 | % | $ | 84,410,385 | $ | 40.16 | 222 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail (9) |
167,788 | 81.2 | % | $ | 14,761,780 | $ | 108.31 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
One Grand Central Place |
Grand Central |
1930/ In
process |
$ | 49.39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
1,175,268 | 77.3 | % | $ | 41,616,009 | $ | 45.82 | 294 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
68,005 | 92.9 | % | $ | 6,552,189 | $ | 103.75 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
250 West 57th Street |
Columbus Circle-
West Side |
1921/ In
process |
$ | 44.32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
476,691 | 87.7 | % | $ | 17,451,807 | $ | 41.74 | 156 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
49,459 | 75.3 | % | $ | 3,439,150 | $ | 92.30 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
501 Seventh Avenue |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1923/ In
process |
$ | 34.77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
453,716 | 88.3 | % | $ | 13,807,368 | $ | 34.45 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
35,502 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,802,707 | $ | 50.78 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1359 Broadway |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1924/In
process |
$ | 39.52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
439,881 | 93.8 | % | $ | 15,811,754 | $ | 38.31 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
27,618 | 28.7 | % | $ | 1,096,864 | $ | 138.34 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1350 Broadway (10 ) |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1929/ In
process |
$ | 56.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
366,415 | 84.1 | % | $ | 12,771,222 | $ | 41.44 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
30,925 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,736,131 | $ | 185.49 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1333 Broadway |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1915/ In
process |
$ | 43.96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
291,977 | 100.0 | % | $ | 12,229,288 | $ | 41.88 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
61,318 | 5.2 | % | $ | 760,000 | $ | 237.57 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-Total / Weighted Average Manhattan Office Properties |
6,346,501 | 81.2 | % | $ | 232,246,654 | $ | 45.04 | $ | 44.99 | 877 | ||||||||||||||||||
Office |
5,905,886 | 82.0 | % | $ | 198,097,833 | $ | 40.91 | 811 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
440,615 | 71.3 | % | $ | 34,148,821 | $ | 108.66 | 66 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Greater New York Metropolitan Area Office Properties |
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First Stamford Place (11 ) |
Stamford,
Connecticut (12 ) |
1986/2003 | 787,726 | 87.3 | % | $ | 26,560,443 | $ | 38.62 | $ | 38.98 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||
Metro Center |
Stamford,
Connecticut ( 12 ) |
1987/1999 | 279,385 | 99.5 | % | $ | 13,417,540 | $ | 48.26 | $ | 48.62 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
383 Main Avenue |
Norwalk,
Connecticut ( 13 ) |
1985/1996 | 257,925 | 77.8 | % | $ | 5,527,130 | $ | 27.55 | $ | 28.10 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||
500 Mamaroneck Avenue |
Harrison,
New York ( 14 ) |
1986/2004 | 289,772 | 92.1 | % | $ | 7,296,955 | $ | 27.35 | $ | 26.75 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||
10 Bank Street |
White Plains,
New York (15 ) |
1989/2001 | 228,994 | 86.9 | % | $ | 6,637,850 | $ | 33.35 | $ | 33.76 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
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Sub-Total / Weighted Average Greater New York Metropolitan Area Office Properties |
1,843,802 | 88.5 | % | $ | 59,439,918 | $ | 36.42 | $ | 36.65 | 160 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total / Weighted Average Office Properties |
7,749,688 | 83.5 | % | $ | 257,537,751 | $ | 39.78 | | 971 |
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Property Name |
Submarket |
Year
Built
/Renovated (1) |
Rentable
Square Feet (2) |
Percent
Leased (3) |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot (5) |
Net Effective
Rent Per Leased Square Foot (6) |
Number
of
Leases (7) |
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Standalone Retail Properties |
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10 Union Square |
Union Square | 1988/1997 | 58,005 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,190,376 | $ | 89.48 | $ | 90.23 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
1542 Third Avenue |
Upper East Side | 1993 (16 ) | 56,250 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,775,618 | $ | 49.34 | $ | 47.71 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
1010 Third Avenue |
Upper East Side | 1963/2007 (17 ) | 44,662 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,048,085 | $ | 68.25 | $ | 65.88 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
77 West 55th Street |
Midtown | 1962 ( 16 ) | 24,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,254,366 | $ | 93.53 | $ | 81.41 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
69-97 Main Street |
Westport,
Connecticut |
1922/2005 | 17,103 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,801,980 | $ | 105.36 | $ | 109.24 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
103-107 Main Street |
Westport,
Connecticut |
1900 (16 ) | 4,330 | 100.0 | % | $ | 400,653 | $ | 92.53 | $ | 89.37 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
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Sub-Total / Weighted Average Standalone Retail Properties |
204,452 | 100.0 | % | $ | 15,471,078 | $ | 75.67 | $ | 73.75 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total / Weighted Average Retail Properties ( 18 ) |
645,067 | 80.4 | % | $ | 49,619,899 | $ | 95.66 | | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||
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|
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Portfolio Total |
8,394,755 | 83.3 | % | $ | 307,157,650 | $ | 43.92 | $ | 43.89 | 1,066 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Option Properties |
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112-122 West 34th Street ( 19 ) |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1954/ In
process |
$ | 36.73 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
609,871 | 80.9 | % | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
133,437 | 98.1 | % | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1400 Broadway |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1930/ In
process |
$ | 37.87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
866,327 | 83.8 | % | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
19,772 | 65.0 | % | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
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Option Properties Total |
1,629,407 | 135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | For more information regarding the status of ongoing renovations at certain of our properties, see Business and PropertiesDescription of Our Properties. |
(2) | Office property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards; retail property measurements are based on useable square feet. Excludes (i) 147,391 square feet of space across our portfolio attributable to building management use and tenant amenities and (ii) 68,935 square feet of space attributable to our observatory. |
(3) | Based on leases signed and commenced as of June 30, 2013 and calculated as (i) rentable square feet less available square feet divided by (ii) rentable square feet. |
(4) | Annualized base rent for office properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements and free rent with respect to the office properties for leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $11,066,748. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements and free rent, for our office properties is $246,471,003. Annualized base rent for retail properties (including the retail space in our Manhattan office properties) is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent with respect to the retail properties (including the retail space in our Manhattan office properties) for leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $41,535. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent, for our retail properties is $49,578,364. Annualized base rent data for our office and retail properties is as of June 30, 2013 and does not reflect scheduled lease expirations for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. |
(5) | Represents Annualized Base Rent under leases commenced as of June 30, 2013 divided by leased square feet. |
(6) | Net effective rent per leased square foot represents (i) the contractual base rent for office and retail leases in place as of June 30, 2013, calculated on a straight-line basis to amortize free rent periods and abatements, but without regard to tenant improvement allowances and leasing commissions, divided by (ii) square footage under commenced leases as of June 30, 2013. |
(7) | Represents the number of leases at each property or on a portfolio basis. If a tenant has more than one lease, whether or not at the same property, but with different expirations, the number of leases is calculated equal to the number of leases with different expirations. |
(8) | Includes 85,842 rentable square feet of space leased by our broadcasting tenants. |
(9) | Includes 6,180 rentable square feet of space leased by Host Services of New York, a licensee of our observatory. |
(10) | Denotes a ground leasehold interest in the property with a remaining term, including unilateral extension rights available to us, of approximately 37 years (expiring July 31, 2050). |
(11) | First Stamford Place consists of three buildings. |
(12) | This submarket is part of the Stamford, Connecticutcentral business district (CBD) submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(13) | This submarket is part of the South Central Stamford, Connecticut submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(14) | This submarket is part of the Eastern Westchester County submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(15) | This submarket is part of the White Plains, New YorkCBD submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(16) | No major renovation activity was undertaken at this property. |
(17) | This property underwent major renovations in 2007 to coincide with the signing of a significant retail lease. |
(18) | Includes 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. |
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(19) |
112-122 West 34 th Street consists of two parcels having separate owners and ownership structures. The real property interests that we will acquire with respect to the parcel located at 112-120 West 34 th Street if the option is exercised consist of (i) a ground leasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C., one of the affiliates of our predecessor with whom we have entered into an option agreement and (ii) an operating leasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Company L.L.C., another affiliate of our predecessor with whom we have entered into an option agreement. The real property interests that we will acquire with respect to the parcel located at 122 West 34 th Street if the option is exercised consist of (i) a fee interest and a subleasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C. and (ii) an operating leasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Company L.L.C. |
Renovation and Repositioning Case Studies
The below table provides case study information regarding our renovation and repositioning efforts at two of our buildings, Empire State Building and 1333 Broadway. The data represents full floors where we have completed renovation and repositioning efforts, including 27 of the 76 office floors at the Empire State Building and eight of the ten non-retail floors at 1333 Broadway. These renovation activities are illustrative of the renovation efforts we have made which have allowed us to improve the overall value and attractiveness of our properties and have contributed significantly to our tenant repositioning efforts, which seek to increase our occupancy; raise our rental rates; increase our rentable square feet; increase our aggregate rental revenue; lengthen our average lease term; increase our average lease size; and improve our tenant credit quality. There can be no assurance that our renovation and repositioning program will be completed in its entirety in accordance with the anticipated timing or at the anticipated cost or that the results we expect to achieve will be accomplished. Accordingly, the information presented in the case studies should not be considered as indicative of our possible results and you should not rely on this information as an indication of our future performance.
The pre-renovation and repositioning statistics in the table below represent the leases existing on the applicable floor of the applicable building at a date within a three-year period prior to the commencement of tenant repositioning efforts which were implemented on such floor and which generally represented the highest occupancy for such floor during such period. The tenant repositioning efforts include the exercise of our rights to relocate tenants, negotiated relocations of tenants, the strategic expiration of existing leases to aggregate large blocks of space, including whole floors, as well as the implementation of marketing efforts in such space including the signing of significant tenants prior to the onset of the renovation work. Post-renovation and repositioning statistics in the table below represent full floors where we have completed our renovation and repositioning efforts and reflect leases signed for such space. In certain circumstances, certain tenants have signed leases where only a portion of their lease has commenced with the remainder of the lease to commence through 2013, except with respect to one tenant at the Empire State Building where such tenants leases will commence through 2014. The information in the table below presents statistics as if all such space under such leases have commenced.
Number of
Leases |
Total
Rentable Square Feet (1) |
Percent
Leased (2) |
Average
Rentable Square Feet per Leased Space |
Weighted
Average Lease Term (years) |
Annualized
Gross Rent (3) |
Weighted
Average Annualized Gross Rent per Leased Square Foot (4) |
Adjusted
Weighted Average Annualized Gross Rent per Leased Square Foot (5) |
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Empire State Building (completed floors) |
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Pre |
201 | 994,646 | 73.9 | % | 3,659 | 9.0 | $ | 25,794,316 | $ | 35.08 | $ | 25.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
20 | 1,287,762 | 99.1 | % | 63,837 | 14.6 | $ | 53,878,944 | (6) | $ | 42.20 | $ | 42.20 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(181 | ) | 293,116 | 25.2 | % | 60,178 | 5.6 | 108.9 | % | 20.3 | % | 68.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
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1333 Broadway (completed floors) |
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Pre |
59 | 216,622 | 52.0 | % | 1,909 | 4.6 | $ | 3,468,743 | $ | 30.80 | $ | 26.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
6 | 235,337 | 100.0 | % | 39,223 | 13.3 | $ | 9,854,310 | $ | 41.87 | $ | 41.87 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(53 | ) | 18,715 | 48.0 | % | 37,314 | 8.7 | 184.1 | % | 36.0 | % | 58.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | The change in total rentable square footage results from a combination of remeasurement of, and changes in loss factor applied to, the renovated spaces. Post-renovation and repositioning property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards. Includes leases that have been signed but have not yet commenced. |
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(2) | Percent leased is calculated as (a) rentable square feet less available square feet divided by (b) rentable square feet. |
(3) | Pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent represents the last annualized fully escalated gross rent prior to the start of the renovation and repositioning of the floor and post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent represents annualized contractual first monthly base rent (after free rent periods) for leases that have been signed and assumes the lease has commenced. Management believes that this is the most meaningful comparison of pre- and post- renovation and repositioning rental payments as it represents the last cash amount the tenants under the applicable leases were paying prior to the start of the renovation and repositioning program and the first cash payments by the tenants under the applicable leases following the renovation and repositioning program. |
(4) | Represents (a) annualized gross rent divided by (b) leased square feet. |
(5) | Adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents how management views the full impact that the renovation and repositioning activities had with respect to our rental rates by showing what the weighted average pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent per square foot would have been on a post-renovation and repositioning total rentable square feet basis. Pre-renovation and repositioning adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents (a) pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent divided by (b) post-renovation and repositioning total rentable square feet less pre-renovation and repositioning vacant square feet. Post-renovation and repositioning adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents (a) post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent divided by (b) post-renovation and repositioning leased square feet. Management believes this is an accurate representation of the impact of the renovation and repositioning activities on rental rates because it takes into consideration the increase in rentable square feet in addition to the change in annualized gross rent. |
(6) | 42.6% of post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent relates to one tenant at the Empire State Building where a portion of such tenants leases have commenced, with the remainder of the leases to commence through 2014. |
Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all the other information contained in this prospectus, before making an investment decision to purchase our Class A common stock. The occurrence of any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders, which could cause you to lose all or a significant part of your investment in our Class A common stock.
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All of our properties are located in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, in particular midtown Manhattan, and adverse economic or regulatory developments in this area could materially and adversely affect us. |
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Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions in general and in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area commercial office and retail markets in particular, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. |
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There can be no assurance that our renovation and repositioning program will be completed in its entirety in accordance with the anticipated timing or at the anticipated cost, or that we will achieve the results we expect from our renovation and repositioning program, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. |
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We may be unable to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space on favorable terms as leases expire, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. |
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We are exposed to risks associated with property redevelopment and development that could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. |
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We depend on significant tenants in our office portfolio, including LF USA, Coty, Inc., Legg Mason, Warnaco, a subsidiary of PVH Corp., and Thomson Reuters, which together represented approximately 22.2% of our total portfolios annualized base rent as of June 30, 2013. |
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Our dependence on rental income may materially and adversely affect our profitability, our ability to meet our debt obligations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. |
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Our option properties are subject to various risks, and we may not be able to acquire them. |
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Competition for acquisitions may reduce the number of acquisition opportunities available to us and increase the costs of those acquisitions, which may impede our growth. |
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The observatory operations at the Empire State Building are not traditional real estate operations, and competition and changes in tourist trends may subject us to additional risks, which could materially and adversely affect us. |
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The broadcasting operations at the Empire State Building are not traditional real estate operations, and competition and changes in the broadcasting of signals over air may subject us to additional risks, which could materially and adversely affect us. |
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Our outstanding indebtedness upon completion of this offering reduces cash available for distribution and may expose us to the risk of default under our debt obligations. |
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The continuing threat of a terrorist event may materially and adversely affect our properties, their value and our ability to generate cash flow. |
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There is currently litigation pending, and the potential for additional litigation, associated with the consolidation. We may incur costs from these litigations, which could materially and adversely affect us. For more information, please see Business and PropertiesLegal Proceedings. |
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We may assume unknown liabilities in connection with the formation transactions, which, if significant, could materially and adversely affect our business. |
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The departure of any of our key personnel could materially and adversely affect us. |
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Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President has outside business interests that will take his time and attention away from us, which could materially and adversely affect us. |
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Our operating performance and value are subject to risks associated with real estate assets and the real estate industry, the occurrence of which could materially and adversely affect us. |
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We have no operating history as a REIT or as a publicly-traded company, and our inexperience could materially and adversely affect us. |
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Certain provisions of Maryland law could inhibit changes in control of our company, which could negatively affect the market price of our shares. |
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The concentration of our voting power may adversely affect the ability of new investors to influence our policies. |
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There has been no public market for our Class A common stock prior to this offering and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained following this offering, which may negatively affect the market price of shares of our Class A common stock and make it difficult for investors to sell their shares. |
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Initial estimated cash available for distribution may not be sufficient to make distributions at expected levels. |
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You will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering. |
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Failure of our operating partnership to maintain its status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and/or our failure to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT would subject our operating partnership and/or us to U.S. federal income tax and applicable state and local taxes, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to holders of operating partnership units and/or our stockholders. |
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The REIT distribution requirements could require us to borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions or subject us to tax, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our stockholders. |
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Structure and Formation of Our Company
Prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, we will consummate the formation transactions, which consist of a series of contributions, mergers and other transactions and which are designed to:
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consolidate the ownership of our portfolio and our predecessors management companies into our operating partnership, which we refer to herein as the consolidation; |
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facilitate this offering; |
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enable us to raise capital on more favorable, flexible terms than typical mortgage financings or financings that otherwise previously have been available to us as a private company; |
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enable us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013; |
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defer the recognition of taxable gain by certain continuing investors (as defined below); and |
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enable continuing investors to obtain liquidity (after the expiration of applicable lock-up periods) for their investments. |
Pursuant to the formation transactions, the following have occurred or will occur prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering. All amounts are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. For a discussion of amounts based on other prices within the range, see Pricing Sensitivity Analysis.
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We were formed as a Maryland corporation on July 29, 2011. |
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Our operating partnership was formed as a Delaware limited partnership on November 28, 2011. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership. |
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We will acquire, prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, the assets and liabilities of our predecessor, and the holders of interests in our predecessor will receive operating partnership units, shares of our common stock and/or cash. We refer to holders of interests in our predecessor that will own operating partnership units and/or shares of our common stock following consummation of the formation transactions as predecessor continuing investors. The agreements relating to the consolidation are subject to customary closing conditions, including the closing of this offering. |
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We will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, the assets and liabilities of the entities through which our predecessor holds non-controlling interests in four properties, or the related properties, for which our predecessor acts as the supervisor but which are not combined into our predecessor for accounting purposes, and the holders of interests in such properties will receive operating partnership units, shares of our common stock and/or cash. We refer to holders of interests in these four properties that will own operating partnership units and/or shares of our common stock following consummation of the formation transactions as non-predecessor continuing investors. We refer to predecessor continuing investors and non-predecessor continuing investors collectively as the continuing investors. |
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We will jointly elect with ESRT Observatory TRS, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company, or Observatory TRS, which is the current lessee and operator of the observatory and which will be wholly owned by our operating partnership following the completion of this offering, for Observatory TRS to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary, or a TRS, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the completion of this offering. Observatory TRS will lease the Empire State Building observatory from the operating partnership pursuant to an existing lease that provides for fixed base rental payments and variable rental payments equal to certain percentages of Observatory TRSs gross receipts from the operation of the observatory. In addition, we will jointly elect with ESRT Holdings TRS, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability |
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company, or Holding TRS, that will be wholly owned by our operating partnership following the completion of this offering, for Holding TRS to be treated as a TRS under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the completion of this offering. Holding TRS and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries will provide certain construction services to third parties and will provide certain services to the tenants of our properties. |
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In consideration for the acquisition of our predecessor and the related properties, we expect to issue an aggregate of 148,839,571 operating partnership units (of which 29,356,799 units will be received by certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and 119,482,772 operating partnership units will be received by our other continuing investors), 17,715,085 shares of our Class A common stock (of which 210,274 shares will be received by certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and 17,504,811 shares will be received by our other continuing investors) and 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock (of which 597,179 shares will be received by certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and 532,827 shares will be received by our other continuing investors), and pay approximately $717.8 million in cash from the net proceeds of this offering (of which $63.3 million is expected to be paid to non-accredited investors, and none of which will be paid to members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons). The aggregate value of the consideration to be issued and paid by us in the consolidation will be approximately $3.1 billion (of which approximately $422.3 million will be paid to certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and approximately $2.7 billion will be paid to our other continuing investors). An increase in the actual public offering price will result in an increase in the value of the consideration paid to continuing investors, including certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons. Likewise, a decrease in the actual public offering price will result in a decrease in the value of the consideration paid to continuing investors. Investors who are not accredited investors, as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, will receive cash consideration rather than shares of our common stock or operating partnership units to ensure that the issuance of common stock and/or operating partnership units to accredited investors in the formation transactions can be effected in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) and Regulation D of the Securities Act. |
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The aggregate historical combined net tangible book value of our predecessor was a deficit of approximately $(126.3) million as of June 30, 2013. Net tangible book value measures the historical costs of tangible assets (net of accumulated depreciation) reduced by outstanding tangible liabilities and is reflective of the manner in which assets and liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet of a business enterprise under GAAP. Because the net tangible book value of our predecessor is based on the historical costs of tangible assets acquired and tangible liabilities incurred over more than 50 years of business activities, we do not believe that net tangible book value is reflective of the fair market value of the existing entities. |
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As a result of the formation transactions, we will assume approximately $1.16 billion of total debt (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances), and we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). |
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We will sell 71,500,000 shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock in full. We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for 71,500,000 operating partnership units (or 82,225,000 operating partnership units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). |
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We intend to grant to certain members of our senior management team (other than Anthony E. Malkin) a total of 545,000 LTIP units, and we intend to grant a total of 64,286 LTIP units to our independent directors, all of which LTIP units and shares will be subject to certain vesting requirements. See ManagementIPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan. |
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We have entered into a representation, warranty and indemnity agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and his siblings, Scott D. Malkin and Cynthia M. Blumenthal, pursuant to which they have made limited representations and warranties to us regarding the entities, properties and assets that we will own following the formation transactions for one year following the completion of this offering and agreed to indemnify us and our operating partnership for breaches of such representations subject to a $1,000,000 deductible and a cap of $25,000,000. Other than these individuals, none of the continuing investors, other owners of the existing entities or our predecessor will provide us with any indemnification. |
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We intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify the Malkin Group and one additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain tax liabilities if those tax liabilities result from (i) the operating partnerships sale, transfer, conveyance or other taxable disposition of four specified properties (First Stamford Place, Metro Center, 10 Bank Street and 1542 Third Avenue, which collectively represent approximately 2.7% of the total consideration to be issued in the consolidation) to be acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation, for a period of 12 years with respect to First Stamford Place and for the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of both of Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other properties, (ii) the operating partnership failing to maintain until maturity the indebtedness secured by these properties or failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to refinance such indebtedness upon maturity in an amount equal to the principal balance of such indebtedness, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible, or (iii) the operating partnership failing to make available to any of these continuing investors the opportunity to guarantee, or otherwise bear the risk of loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness meeting certain requirements, until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares such continuing investor received in the formation transactions. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million. We do not presently intend to sell or take any other action which would result in a tax protection payment with respect to the properties covered by the tax protection agreement. |
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We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay a loan in the amount of $3.6 million made in connection with 500 Mamaroneck Avenue to fund leasing costs at the property, of which approximately $1.2 million of such loan was made by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. |
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In addition, we expect to assume a loan, which we expect to repay shortly after the closing, in the amount of approximately $1.5 million made by an entity, which is controlled by and interests in which are held by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place. |
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Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we expect to enter into an agreement for an $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates, for which the lead arrangers have secured all commitments. We expect to use this secured revolving and term credit facility to, among other things, fund capital expenditures, potential acquisitions, general corporate matters and working capital. We expect that the secured revolving and term credit facility will include an accordion feature that would allow us to increase availability thereunder to $1.25 billion, under specified circumstances. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This OfferingSecured Revolving and Term Credit Facility. |
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We intend to enter into management and/or services agreements with the entities that own interests in the excluded properties and services agreements with certain of the excluded businesses or the managers thereof (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer). See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsExcluded Properties and Businesses. |
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We have executed option agreements with affiliates of our predecessor granting us the right to acquire long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties. Concurrently with the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into management and/or services agreements with respect to each of the option properties. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsOption Agreements. |
Consequences of This Offering and the Formation Transactions
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions (all amounts are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus):
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Our operating partnership will directly or indirectly own 100% of the fee simple, leasehold or other interests in all of the properties in our portfolio and the assets of our predecessors management companies. |
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Purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering are expected to own 78.7% of our outstanding common stock, or 29.8% on a fully diluted basis. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering will own 85.7% of our outstanding common stock, or 33.5% on a fully diluted basis. |
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Continuing investors will own 20.8% of our outstanding common stock, or 69.8% on a fully diluted basis. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, the continuing investors will own 13.8% of our outstanding common stock, or 66.1% on a fully diluted basis, while such continuing investors will have 50.8% of the voting power in our company (45.4% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). |
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Continuing investors that receive shares of our Class B common stock in the formation transactions will own 1.2% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.5% on a fully diluted basis (1.2% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.5% on a fully diluted basis, if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). |
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We are the sole general partner in our operating partnership. We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units. |
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We will own 37.8% of the operating partnership units and the continuing investors, including certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons, will own 62.2% of the operating partnership units. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional |
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10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, we are expected to own 39.1% of the operating partnership units and the continuing investors, including certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons, are expected to own 60.9% of the operating partnership units. |
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We will have an option to purchase each of the option properties. |
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We expect to be a party to management agreements with the entities that own long-term leasehold, sub-leasehold and/or sub-subleasehold interests in the option properties and management agreements and services agreements with the entities that own interests in and/or manage the excluded properties and the excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer). |
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Substantially all of the current employees of our predecessors management companies will become our employees. |
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We expect to have pro forma total consolidated indebtedness of approximately $1.16 billion, and we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of additional borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). |
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The following diagram depicts our ownership structure upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. For a discussion of amounts based on other prices within the range, see Pricing Sensitivity Analysis.
(1) | On a fully diluted basis, our public stockholders, our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and our directors, and our other continuing investors, as a group, are expected to own 30.0%, 12.8% and 57.2%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, on a fully diluted basis, our public stockholders, our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and our directors, and our other continuing investors, as a group, are expected to own 33.7%, 12.5% and 53.8%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock. |
(2) |
If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, we, certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and our directors, and our other continuing investors will own 39.1%, 12.2% and 48.7%, respectively, of the |
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outstanding operating partnership units. The Helmsley estate is expected to own 6.2% of our outstanding Class A common stock (or 0% if the underwriters exercise their option in full). Anthony E. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group, is expected to own 66.2% of our outstanding Class B common stock. |
(3) | We, the Malkin Group and the continuing investors in the private existing entities will hold only Series PR operating partnership units. Continuing investors in the public existing entities will hold Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units. |
Upon completion of this offering or in connection with the formation transactions, our senior management team, our directors and our continuing investors will receive material benefits, including the following. All amounts are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. For a discussion of amounts based on other prices within the range, see Pricing Sensitivity Analysis.
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Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, is expected to own 0.9% of our outstanding common stock, or 12.3% on a fully diluted basis (0.8% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 12.0% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $413.7 million represented by 210,274 shares of our Class A common stock, 586,822 shares of our Class B common stock and 28,754,258 operating partnership units. The Malkin Group, which includes Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin and their related parties and affiliates, is expected to own 1.3% of our outstanding common stock, or 16.2% on a fully diluted basis (1.2% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 15.8% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $543.2 million represented by 395,997 Class A common stock, 748,140 Class B common stock and 37,659,230 operating partnership units. |
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Peter L. Malkin, our Chairman Emeritus, is expected to own 0.1% of our outstanding common stock, or 2.5% on a fully diluted basis (0.1% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 2.4% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $84.1 million represented by 2,772 shares of our Class A common stock, 100,121 shares of our Class B common stock and 5,906,288 operating partnership units. |
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David A. Karp, our Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer, is expected to own 0.03% on a fully diluted basis (0.03% on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full), with a total value of $1.1 million represented by 81,786 LTIP units. |
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Thomas P. Durels, our Executive Vice President and Chief of Property Operations and Leasing, is expected to own 0.003% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.2% on a fully diluted basis (0.002% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 0.2% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $5.7 million represented by 2,370 shares of our Class B common stock, 121,122 operating partnership units and 282,643 LTIP units. |
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Thomas N. Keltner, Jr., our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, is expected to own 0.01% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.3% on a fully diluted basis (0.01% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 0.3% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $9.4 million represented by 7,987 shares of our Class B common stock, 481,420 operating partnership units and 180,571 LTIP units. |
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We intend to enter into (i) an employment agreement with Anthony E. Malkin, providing for salary, bonus and other benefits, including severance upon a termination of employment under certain circumstances and the issuance of equity awards as described under ManagementExecutive |
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Compensation and ManagementEmployment Agreement and (ii) change in control severance agreements with David A. Karp, Thomas P. Durels and Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. as described under ManagementChange in Control Severance Agreements. |
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We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors, executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties at the closing of this offering, providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against (i) our directors, executive officers and chairman emeritus and (ii) our executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties who are former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such. |
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We intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify the Malkin Group and one additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain tax liabilities if those tax liabilities result from (i) the operating partnerships sale, transfer, conveyance or other taxable disposition of four specified properties (First Stamford Place, Metro Center, 10 Bank Street and 1542 Third Avenue, which collectively represent approximately 2.7% of the total consideration to be issued in the consolidation) to be acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation, for a period of 12 years with respect to First Stamford Place and for the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of both of Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other properties, (ii) the operating partnership failing to maintain until maturity the indebtedness secured by these properties or failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to refinance such indebtedness upon maturity in an amount equal to the principal balance of such indebtedness, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible, or (iii) the operating partnership failing to make available to any of these continuing investors the opportunity to guarantee, or otherwise bear the risk of loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness meeting certain requirements, until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares such continuing investor received in the formation transactions. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million. We do not presently intend to sell or take any other action which would result in a tax protection payment with respect to the properties covered by the tax protection agreement. |
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We have entered into the option agreements with affiliates of our predecessor. |
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We intend to enter into management and/or service agreements with the entities that own long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties, which entities are owned in part by Anthony E. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsOption Agreements. |
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We intend to enter into management and/or service agreements with the entities that own interests in the excluded properties and services agreements with the managers of certain of the excluded businesses, which entities are owned in part by Anthony E. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsExcluded Properties and Businesses. |
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Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin will be released from or otherwise indemnified for liabilities arising under certain guarantees and indemnities with respect to approximately $1.3 billion of mortgage |
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loans (including currently undrawn amounts) on our properties, which will be assumed by us upon closing of the formation transactions in respect of obligations arising after the closing. The guarantees and indemnities with respect to mortgage loans of many of the existing entities, including the public existing entities, were undertaken by Messrs. Malkin and Malkin to meet a conventional lender requirement which became standard only long after such entities were formed. The guarantees and indemnities with respect to all of the indebtedness are, in most instances, limited to losses incurred by the applicable lender arising from acts such as fraud, misappropriation of funds, intentional breach, bankruptcy and certain environmental matters. In connection with our assumption of these mortgage loans, we will seek to have the guarantors and/or indemnitors released from these guarantees and indemnities and to have our operating partnership assume any such guarantee and indemnity obligations as replacement guarantor and/or indemnitor. To the extent lenders do not consent to the release of these guarantors and/or indemnitors, and they remain guarantors and/or indemnitors on assumed indebtedness following this offering, our operating partnership will enter into indemnification agreements with the guarantors and/or indemnitors pursuant to which our operating partnership will be obligated to indemnify such guarantors and/or indemnitors for any amounts paid by them under guarantees and/or indemnities with respect to the assumed indebtedness. We believe that since the mortgage loans relating to these guarantees and indemnities will be assumed by us upon closing of the formation transactions, and we will have greater financial resources than the individual property owning entities which are subject to the mortgage loans, it is appropriate, and consistent with market practice, for Messrs. Malkin and Malkin to be indemnified by our operating partnership if the lenders do not consent to the release of these guarantors and/or indemnitors. Under the organizational documents of the existing entities, Messrs. Malkin and Malkin are already generally entitled to indemnification from investors in the existing entities for liabilities incurred by them in good faith and not arising out of their own willful misconduct or gross negligence, including any such liabilities under these guarantees and indemnities. In addition, in connection with future mortgage loans that we would enter into in connection with future property acquisitions or refinancing of our properties, we intend to enter into any necessary guarantees directly and neither Messrs. Malkin and Malkin nor any of our other directors, executive officers or stockholders would be expected to enter into such guarantees. |
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As part of the contribution agreements, we will release (i) Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin from all claims, liabilities, damages and obligations against them related to their ownership of our predecessors management companies and interests in our predecessor and (ii) certain members of our senior management team from all claims, liabilities, damages and obligations against them related to their ownership in the existing entities and their employment with our predecessors management companies that exist at the closing of the formation transactions, other than breaches by them or entities related to them, as applicable, of the employment and non-competition agreement and the contribution agreements and the merger agreements entered into by them and these entities in connection with the formation transactions. |
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We intend to enter into a registration rights agreement with certain persons receiving shares of our common stock or operating partnership units in the formation transactions, including certain members of our senior management team and our other continuing investors. The registration rights agreement will provide for the registration of our shares of Class A common stock received in the formation transactions or that are issuable upon the redemption, conversion or exchange of shares of Class B common stock or operating partnership units. |
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We intend to grant an aggregate of 545,000 LTIP units, subject to certain vesting requirements, to our executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin). |
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We intend to grant an aggregate of 64,286 LTIP units, subject to certain vesting requirements, to our independent directors. |
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We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay a loan in the amount of $3.6 million made in connection with 500 Mamaroneck Avenue to fund leasing costs at the property, of which approximately $1.2 million of such loan was made by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. |
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In addition, we expect to assume a loan, which we expect to repay shortly after the closing, in the amount of approximately $1.5 million made by an entity, which is controlled by and interests in which are held by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place. |
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As part of the contribution agreements, we will reimburse $110.0 million of expenses incurred in connection with the formation transactions and this offering that have been paid by each applicable existing entity and the entities which own the option properties, or the option entities, and of which $12.0 million will be paid to the Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, in accordance to their ownership interests in our predecessor and each applicable existing entity. |
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The existing entities and our predecessors management companies will declare final distributions to the investors in such entities, including members of our senior management team and certain of our directors, in the amount of approximately $71.7 million in the aggregate, and of which $23.4 million will be paid to the Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, in accordance to their ownership interests in each applicable existing entity and predecessor management company. |
Under the operating partnership agreement, holders of operating partnership units do not have redemption or exchange rights and may not otherwise transfer their operating partnership units, except under certain limited circumstances, for a period of 12 months after consummation of this offering. In addition, each continuing investor, including members of our senior management team, and our independent directors will be required to execute a lock-up agreement that prohibits such person, subject to certain exceptions, for one year after the date of this prospectus, without the written consent of the representatives of the underwriters, from directly or indirectly, offering for sale, selling, pledging, or otherwise disposing of (or entering into any transaction or agreement which is designed to, or could be expected to have any such result) any operating partnership units or shares of our common stock. However, commencing on the date that is 180 days after the date of this prospectus, each continuing investor (other than the Malkin Group and members of our senior management team) may sell up to 50% of the shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock (including operating partnership units) held by it. In addition, each continuing investor that receives Series ES operating partnership units may, immediately following this offering, sell his or her pro rata portion of the greater of 1,100,000 Series ES operating partnership units and $40.0 million in value of Series ES operating partnership units (based on the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock) and each continuing investor that receives Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units may, immediately following this offering, sell up to the same percentage as the percentage of each continuing investors Series ES operating partnership units that can be sold immediately following this offering. In addition, our company has agreed with the representatives of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell or otherwise transfer or encumber any shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock (including operating partnership units) owned by it at the completion of this offering for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the representatives.
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Restrictions on Ownership of Our Capital Stock
To assist us in complying with the limitations on the concentration of ownership of a REIT imposed by the Code among other purposes, our charter generally prohibits, with certain exceptions, any stockholder from beneficially or constructively owning (taking into account applicable attribution rules under the Code), more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our capital stock. Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, waive (prospectively or retroactively) the 9.8% ownership limits with respect to a particular stockholder if it receives certain representations and undertakings required by our charter and is presented with evidence satisfactory to it that such ownership will not then or in the future cause it to fail to qualify as a REIT.
Our option properties consist of 112-122 West 34 th Street, an office property in midtown Manhattan that was 84.0% leased as of June 30, 2013 (or 84.8% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and that encompasses approximately 743,308 rentable square feet (inclusive of the retail space on the ground, first and lower floors), and 1400 Broadway, an office property in midtown Manhattan that was 83.4% leased as of June 30, 2013 (or 91.4% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and that encompasses approximately 886,099 rentable square feet (inclusive of the retail space on the ground floor). Our management team believes that, if acquired, 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway would be consistent with our portfolio composition and strategic direction. 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway will not be contributed to us in the formation transactions due to the recently resolved litigation related to these properties, but we have entered into agreements granting us the option to acquire the interests in the option properties following the resolution of the recently resolved litigation brought by the applicable ground lessor. Regarding the litigation relating to 112-122 West 34th Street, in September 2011, the court granted summary judgment dismissing the ground lessors claims. The ground lessor appealed, and in May 2012, the Appellate Division, First Department, unanimously affirmed the judgment. The ground lessor thereafter filed motions for leave to appeal in the Appellate Division, which was denied, and then in the Court of Appeals, which was denied, so the ground lessor now has no further ability to appeal. Regarding the litigation relating to 1400 Broadway, in June 2012, the court granted summary judgment dismissing the ground lessors claims. The ground lessor appealed and the Appellate Division, First Department affirmed the courts summary judgment. The ground lessor did not file a motion for leave to appeal the Appellate Division, First Departments affirmation of the courts summary judgment dismissing the ground lessors claims, so the ground lessor has no further ability to appeal. We do not intend to exercise the option for either of the interests in 112-122 West 34th Street or 1400 Broadway prior to closing of this offering. We may exercise the option to acquire the interests in either one of 112-122 West 34th Street or 1400 Broadway independently of each other. The purchase price for each of the option properties will be based on an appraisal by independent third parties, unless we and the owners of the properties, with the consent of the Helmsley estate, agree to a negotiated price and the investors in the entities owning the option properties will receive consideration in connection with the consolidation on the same basis as investors in other entities contributing properties in connection with the consolidation. We have agreed that Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiations and valuation process on our behalf. One or more of our independent directors will lead the appraisal or negotiation process on our behalf and a majority of our independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in each of our option properties. The purchase price is payable in a combination of cash, shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, but the Helmsley estate will have the right to elect to receive all cash. The Helmsley estate is estimated to receive 28.1% and 23.7% of the aggregate consideration for 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, respectively. The Malkin Group is estimated to receive 14.6% and 10.3% of the aggregate consideration for 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, respectively, if all of the options are exercised pursuant to override interests held by it. These estimated percentages are based on valuations of the
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option properties that were conducted by the independent valuer and are subject to change. Our option expires on the later of (i) March 19, 2014 with respect to 112-122 West 34th Street and July 29, 2014 with respect to 1400 Broadway (which dates are 12 months after the recently resolved litigation with respect to the properties) or (ii) five months after the completion of the independent valuation described above, which completion shall not be later than six months following the closing of this offering.
Our predecessors affiliates interests in our option properties, 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, are fee (in the case of a portion of the 112-122 West 34 th Street property), long-term leaseholds (in the case of both of the option properties) and sub-leasehold or sub-subleasehold (in the case of 112-122 West 34 th Street only) in the land and the improvements. Each of the Malkin Group and the Helmsley estate owns interests in the owners of these properties. Pursuant to management and/or service agreements with the owner of the long-term leasehold interest (in the case of 1400 Broadway) and the owner of the long-term sub-leasehold interest or sub-subleasehold interest, as applicable, in the case of 112-122 West 34 th Street, we will be designated as the asset manager for the option properties and we will receive a management fee for services rendered under the agreements.
Excluded Properties and Businesses
The Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, owns non-controlling interests in, and Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin control the general partners or managers of, the entities that own interests in six multi-family properties, five net leased retail properties, one former post office property in Greenwich, Connecticut which has recently commenced conversion into a single tenant property following the recent receipt of zoning authorization for such conversion, and a development parcel that is zoned for residential use. The Malkin Group also owns non-controlling interests in one Manhattan office property, two Manhattan retail properties and several retail properties outside of Manhattan, none of which will be contributed to us in the formation transactions. We refer to the non-controlling interests described above collectively as the excluded properties. In addition, the Malkin Group owns interests in six mezzanine and senior equity funds, two industrial funds, five residential property managers and a registered broker dealer, none of which will be contributed to us in the formation transactions, and which we refer to collectively as the excluded businesses. The Malkin Group owns certain non-real estate family investments that will not be contributed to us in the formation transactions. Other than the Greenwich retail property, we do not believe that the excluded properties or the excluded businesses are consistent with our portfolio geographic or property type composition, management or strategic direction. In addition, we will not acquire the name Malkin Holdings LLC. We have no plan to use this name for any purpose. Pursuant to management and/or service agreements with the owners of interests in those excluded properties and services agreements with the five residential property managers and the managers of certain other excluded businesses which historically were managed by affiliates of our predecessor, we will be designated as the manager of the excluded properties and will provide services to the owners of certain of the excluded properties and the five residential property managers and provide services and access to offices space to the existing managers of the other excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer). As the manager or service provider, we will be paid a management or other fee with respect to those excluded properties and excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer) where our predecessor had previously received a management fee on the same terms as the fee paid to our predecessor, and reimbursed for our costs in providing the management and other services to those excluded properties and businesses where our predecessor had not previously received a management fee. Our management of the excluded properties and the five residential property managers and the existing managers of the other excluded businesses will represent a minimal portion of our overall business. There is no established time period in which we will manage such properties or provide services to the owners of certain of the excluded properties and the five residential property managers and provide services and access to office space to the existing managers of the other excluded businesses and Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin expect to sell certain of these properties or unwind certain of these businesses over time. We are not precluded from acquiring all or certain interests in the excluded properties or businesses following this offering. If we were to attempt any such acquisition, we anticipate that Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not
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participate in the negotiation process on our behalf with respect to our potential acquisition of any of these excluded properties or businesses and the approval of a majority of our independent directors will be required to approve any such acquisition.
Following the completion of this offering, there will be conflicts of interest with respect to certain transactions between the holders of operating partnership units and our stockholders. In particular, the consummation of certain business combinations, the sale of any properties or a reduction of indebtedness could have adverse tax consequences to holders of operating partnership units, which would make those transactions less desirable to them. Certain members of our senior management team will hold operating partnership units, shares of our Class A common stock and shares of our Class B common stock upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions.
We did not conduct arms-length negotiations with the parties involved regarding the terms of the formation transactions. In the course of structuring the formation transactions, certain members of our senior management team and other contributors had the ability to influence the type and level of benefits that they will receive from us. Additionally, Anthony E. Malkin has a conflict of interest because we entered into agreements granting us the option to acquire long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties in which the Malkin Group controls and owns economic interests. As a result, an exercise of such options by us could economically benefit him. A majority of our independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in each of our option properties.
We have adopted policies designed to eliminate or minimize certain potential conflicts of interest, and the limited partners of our operating partnership have agreed that in the event of a conflict in the duties owed by us to our stockholders and the fiduciary duties owed by us, in our capacity as general partner of our operating partnership, to such limited partners, we will fulfill our fiduciary duties to such limited partners by acting in the best interests of our stockholders. See Policies with Respect to Certain ActivitiesConflict of Interest Policies and Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.Fiduciary Responsibilities.
We intend to make regular quarterly distributions to holders of shares of our common stock. We intend to pay a pro rata initial distribution with respect to the period commencing on the completion of this offering and ending December 31, 2013, based on $0.085 per share for a full quarter. On an annualized basis, this would be $0.34 per share, or an annual distribution rate of approximately 2.4% based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. We estimate that this initial annual distribution will represent approximately 65.2% of our estimated cash available for distribution to our common stockholders for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. Although we have not previously paid distributions, we intend to maintain our initial distribution rate for the 12-month period following completion of this offering unless actual results of operations, economic conditions or other factors differ materially from the assumptions used in our estimate. Actual distributions may be significantly different from the expected distributions.
Distributions declared by us will be authorized by our board of directors in its sole discretion out of funds legally available therefore and will be dependent upon a number of factors, including restrictions under applicable law, the capital requirements of our company and the distribution requirements necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT. We may be required to fund distributions from working capital or borrow to provide funds for such distributions or we may choose to make a portion of the required distributions in the form of a taxable stock dividend to preserve our cash balance. However, we currently have no intention to use the net proceeds from this offering to make distributions nor do we currently intend to make distributions using shares of our common stock.
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We intend to elect and to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013. We believe we have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our intended manner of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013 and thereafter. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the subsequent four taxable years following the year during which we lost our REIT qualification. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income or property. See U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
As of June 30, 2013, we had approximately 629 employees, 116 of whom were managers and professionals. Our principal executive offices are located at One Grand Central Place, 60 East 42 nd Street, New York, New York 10165. In addition, we have six additional regional leasing and property management offices in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. Our telephone number is (212) 953-0888. Our website address is www.empirestaterealtytrust.com. The information on, or otherwise accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
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Class A common stock offered by us |
71,500,000 shares (plus up to an additional 10,725,000 shares that we may issue and sell upon the exercise of the underwriters option in full) | |
Class A common stock to be outstanding after this offering |
89,678,299 shares (1) |
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Class B common stock to be outstanding after the formation transactions |
1,130,006 shares |
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Class A common stock, Class B common stock and operating partnership units to be outstanding after this offering and the formation transactions |
240,257,162 shares / units (1) (2) |
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Use of proceeds |
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering or the secured revolving and term credit facility to:
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pay $78.6 million to certain holders of interests (other than the Helmsley estate) in the existing entities that are non-accredited investors or who elect to receive cash for their equity interests in certain of the existing entities;
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pay $639.2 million to the Helmsley estate for equity interests in certain of the existing entities;
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pay fees of $6.3 million associated with the expected new secured revolving and term credit facility, using the proceeds of the secured revolving and term credit facility;
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pay fees of $10.0 million in connection with the assumption of indebtedness;
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pay expenses of $269.6 million incurred in connection with this offering, including underwriting discounts and commissions, and the formation transactions;
repay borrowings of $269.0 million (based on June 30, 2013 balance) under our $500.0 million term loan secured by the Empire State Building, using the proceeds of the secured revolving and term credit facility;
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repay a loan of $3.6 million that was made to one of the existing entities by certain of the investors in such entity;
repay a loan of $1.5 million (based on June 30, 2013 balance) that was made to one of the existing entities by an entity, which is controlled by and interests of which are held by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, using the proceeds of the secured revolving and term credit facility; and
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apply the remaining amounts for general working capital purposes, if any, and to fund potential future acquisitions. |
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Risk Factors |
Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and consider the information set forth under the heading Risk Factors beginning on page 31 and other information included in this prospectus before investing in our Class A common stock. | |
Proposed New York Stock Exchange symbol |
ESRT |
(1) |
Includes 463,214 shares of our restricted Class A common stock to be granted by us concurrently with this offering to certain employees and 17,715,085 shares of our Class A common stock to be issued in connection with the formation transactions. Assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock. Excludes 10,886,733 shares of our Class A common stock available for future issuance under our equity incentive plan. |
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(2) | Includes (i) 69,231,160 Series PR operating partnership units not owned by us and 56,339,612 Series ES operating partnership units, 15,395,883 Series 60 operating partnership units and 7,872,916 Series 250 operating partnership units not owned by us expected to be outstanding following the consummation of the formation transactions; (ii) 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock expected to be outstanding following the consummation of the formation transactions; and (iii) 545,000 LTIP units to be granted by us concurrently with this offering to our independent directors and executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin). The operating partnership units may, subject to the limits in the operating partnership agreement, be exchanged for cash or, at our option, shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis generally commencing 12 months after the date of this prospectus. Shares of Class B common stock are subject to automatic conversion into an equal number of shares of our Class A common stock upon a direct or indirect transfer of Class B common stock or certain operating partnership units held by the holder of such Class B common stock to a person other than a qualified transferee (as defined in our charter). |
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Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial and Other Data
The following table sets forth summary financial and other data on (i) a combined historical basis for our predecessor beginning on page F-42 and (ii) a pro forma basis for our company giving effect to this offering and the formation transactions, the related use of proceeds thereof and the other adjustments described in the unaudited pro forma financial information beginning on page F-3. We have not presented historical information for Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. because we have not had any corporate activity since our formation other than the issuance of shares of common stock in connection with the initial capitalization of our company and because we believe a discussion of the results of our company would not be meaningful.
Our predecessors combined historical financial information includes:
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Our predecessors management companies, including their asset management, leasing, administrative, construction and development operations; and |
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the real estate operations for the existing entities excluding the four office properties for which Malkin Holdings LLC acts as the supervisor but that are not consolidated into our predecessor for accounting purposes except for our predecessors non-controlling interests in such properties. |
You should read the following summary financial data in conjunction with our combined historical and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The summary historical combined balance sheet information as of December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 of our predecessor and summary combined statements of operations information for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 of our predecessor have been derived from the audited historical combined financial statements of our predecessor. The historical combined balance sheet information as of June 30, 2013 and combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 have been derived from the unaudited combined financial statements of our predecessor. The summary historical combined balance sheet information as of December 31, 2008 have been derived from the unaudited combined financial statements of our predecessor. Our results of operations for the interim period ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be obtained for the full fiscal year.
Our unaudited summary pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and operating information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012 assumes completion of this offering, the formation transactions and the other adjustments described in the unaudited pro forma financial information beginning on page F-3 as of January 1, 2012 for the operating data and as of the stated date for the balance sheet data.
Our unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial position and results of operations would have been as of the date and for the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent our future financial position or results of operations.
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Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Summary Financial Data
(amounts in thousands except for shares and per share data)
Six Months Ended June 30, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma
Consolidated |
Historical Combined
(Predecessor) |
Pro Forma
Consolidated |
Historical
Combined
(Predecessor) |
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2013 | 2013 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
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Revenue: |
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Rental revenue |
$ | 160,602 | $ | 88,905 | $ | 86,268 | $ | 312,306 | $ | 196,187 | $ | 198,494 | $ | 166,159 | $ | 167,556 | $ | 162,194 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
25,727 | 13,634 | 14,681 | 61,009 | 29,483 | 31,063 | 32,721 | 36,309 | 35,684 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
3,662 | 4,183 | 3,170 | 3,060 | 5,103 | 5,626 | 3,750 | 4,296 | 5,916 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction revenue |
12,400 | 12,400 | 8,144 | 18,902 | 18,902 | 47,560 | 27,139 | 15,997 | 56,561 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Observatory income (1)(2) |
44,196 | | | 92,156 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
4,122 | 2,867 | 4,983 | 23,833 | 10,619 | 12,045 | 16,776 | 8,157 | 8,442 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Revenues |
250,709 | 121,989 | 117,246 | 511,266 | 260,294 | 294,788 | 246,545 | 232,315 | 268,797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Expenses |
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Operating expenses |
62,933 | 25,958 | 28,185 | 138,930 | 55,707 | 57,102 | 60,356 | 58,850 | 55,291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing, general, and administrative expenses |
21,700 | 13,174 | 7,575 | 34,001 | 20,963 | 15,688 | 13,924 | 16,145 | 17,763 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Observatory expenses (2) |
10,723 | | | 20,709 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction expenses |
12,789 | 12,789 | 8,700 | 19,592 | 19,592 | 46,230 | 27,581 | 17,281 | 56,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
| 3,000 | 723 | | 2,247 | 2845 | 807 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
34,932 | 15,787 | 14,699 | 65,094 | 30,406 | 29,160 | 27,585 | 28,937 | 24,863 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
50,737 | 25,267 | 20,877 | 101,118 | 42,690 | 35,513 | 34,041 | 29,327 | 26,838 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Operating Expenses |
193,814 | 95,975 | 80,759 | 379,444 | 171,605 | 186,538 | 164,294 | 150,540 | 180,835 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Income from Operations before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
56,895 | 26,014 | 36,487 | 131,822 | 88,689 | 108,250 | 82,251 | 81,775 | 87,962 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
27,659 | 28,911 | 26,488 | 54,156 | 54,394 | 54,746 | 52,264 | 50,738 | 48,664 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Income (loss) from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
29,236 | (2,897 | ) | 9,999 | 77,666 | 34,295 | 53,504 | 29,987 | 31,037 | 39,298 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities (2) |
| 7,898 | 7,586 | | 14,348 | 3,893 | 15,324 | 10,800 | 13,422 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Net Income |
$ | 29,236 | $ | 5,001 | $ | 17,585 | $ | 77,666 | $ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | $ | 41,837 | $ | 52,720 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Other Data |
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Funds from Operations |
$ | 79,633 | $ | 33,813 | 41,752 | $ | 178,080 | $ | 97,943 | $ | 99,761 | $ | 85,020 | $ | 75,458 | $ | 83,513 | |||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 110,843 | $ | 64,955 | 70,428 | $ | 236,348 | $ | 156,599 | $ | 158,647 | $ | 141,283 | $ | 129,591 | $ | 134,269 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from: |
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Operating activities |
$ | 44,397 | $ | 66,746 | $ | 94,353 | $ | 47,682 | $ | 73,574 | $ | 58,509 | $ | 75,410 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investing activities |
$ | (33,420 | ) | $ | (63,109 | ) | $ | (108,281 | ) | $ | (60,527 | ) | $ | (34,837 | ) | $ | (38,617 | ) | $ | (13,768 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Financing activities |
$ | 18,040 | $ | (26,077 | ) | $ | (20,889 | ) | $ | 11,130 | $ | (44,793 | ) | $ | (5,035 | ) | $ | (65,824 | ) |
(footnotes on next page)
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Six Months Ended
June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma
Consolidated |
Historical
Combined (Predecessor) |
Historical
Combined
(Predecessor) |
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2013 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (at period end): |
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Net real estate |
$ | 1,286,198 | $ | 713,900 | $ | 682,239 | $ | 632,132 | $ | 590,466 | $ | 582,904 | $ | 567,404 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 2,773,227 | $ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,052,553 | $ | 1,004,971 | $ | 910,743 | $ | 890,598 | $ | 857,796 | ||||||||||||||
Notes and loans payable |
$ | 1,163,769 | $ | 1,045,494 | $ | 996,489 | $ | 939,705 | $ | 869,063 | $ | 871,636 | $ | 828,150 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 1,408,187 | $ | 1,123,146 | $ | 1,063,412 | $ | 1,003,677 | $ | 922,308 | $ | 908,856 | $ | 872,736 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders/owners equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,365,040 | $ | (29,373 | ) | $ | (10,859 | ) | $ | 1,294 | $ | (11,565 | ) | $ | (18,258 | ) | $ | (14,940 | ) | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders/owners equity (deficit) |
$ | 2,773,227 | $ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,052,553 | $ | 1,004,971 | $ | 910,743 | $ | 890,598 | $ | 857,796 |
(1) | Observatory income includes $2,805 and $5,609 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, of rental revenue attributable to a retail tenant which operates the concession space in the observatory under a lease expiring in May 2020. |
(2) | For the historical combined periods, our proportionate share of the revenues and expenses of the Empire State Building, including the observatory, are included in Equity in net income of non-controlled entities. Upon completion of this offering, the revenues and expenses of the Empire State Building, including the observatory, will be presented on a consolidated basis. |
(3) | For a definition and reconciliation of funds from operations, or FFO, and a statement disclosing the reasons why our management believes that presentation of FFO provides useful information to investors and, to the extent material, any additional purposes for which our management uses FFO, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsFunds from Operations. |
(4) | For a definition and reconciliation of earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and a statement disclosing the reasons why our management believes that presentation of EBITDA provides useful information to investors and, to the extent material, any additional purposes for which our management uses EBITDA, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsEBITDA. |
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Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all the other information contained in this prospectus, including our historical and pro forma combined financial statements and the notes thereto, before making an investment decision to purchase our Class A common stock. The occurrence of any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows, liquidity, funds from operations, results of operations, share price, ability to service our indebtedness and ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders (including those necessary to maintain our REIT qualification) and could cause you to lose all or a significant part of your investment in our Class A common stock. Some statements in this prospectus, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. See the section entitled Forward-Looking Statements.
Risks Related to Our Properties and Our Business
All of our properties are located in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, in particular midtown Manhattan, and adverse economic or regulatory developments in this area could materially and adversely affect us.
All of our properties are located in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, in particular midtown Manhattan, as well as nearby markets in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. Seven of our 12 office properties are located in midtown Manhattan. As a result, our business is dependent on the condition of the New York City economy in general and the market for office space in midtown Manhattan in particular, which exposes us to greater economic risks than if we owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. We are susceptible to adverse developments in the New York City economic and regulatory environment (such as business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, relocations of businesses, increases in real estate and other taxes, costs of complying with governmental regulations or increased regulation). Such adverse developments could materially reduce the value of our real estate portfolio and our rental revenues, and thus materially and adversely affect our ability to service current debt and to pay dividends to stockholders. According to RCG, the Manhattan vacancy rate was 9.1% as of March 31, 2013. We could also be impacted by adverse developments in the Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York markets. We cannot assure you that these markets will grow or that underlying real estate fundamentals will be favorable to owners and operators of office or retail properties. Our operations may also be affected if competing properties are built in either of these markets.
Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions in general and in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area commercial office and retail markets in particular, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Our business may be affected by the volatility and illiquidity in the financial and credit markets, a general global economic recession and other market or economic challenges experienced by the real estate industry or the U.S. economy as a whole. Our business may also be materially and adversely affected by local economic conditions, as substantially all of our revenues are derived from our properties located in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, particularly in Manhattan, Fairfield County and Westchester County. Because our portfolio consists primarily of commercial office and retail buildings (as compared to a more diversified real estate portfolio) located principally in Manhattan, if economic conditions persist or deteriorate, then our results of operations, financial condition and ability to service current debt and to make distributions to our stockholders may be materially and adversely affected by the following, among other potential conditions:
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the financial condition of our tenants, many of which are financial, legal and other professional firms, may be adversely affected, which may result in tenant defaults under leases due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failures or other reasons; |
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significant job losses in the financial and professional services industries have occurred and may continue to occur, which may decrease demand for our office space, causing market rental rates and property values to be impacted negatively; |
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our ability to borrow on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, or at all, may be limited, which could reduce our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt, reduce our returns from both our existing operations and our acquisition and development activities and increase our future interest expense; |
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reduced values of our properties may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or to obtain debt financing secured by our properties and may reduce the availability of unsecured loans; |
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reduced liquidity in debt markets and increased credit risk premiums for certain market participants may impair our ability to access capital; |
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the value and liquidity of our short-term investments and cash deposits could be reduced as a result of a deterioration of the financial condition of the institutions that hold our cash deposits or the institutions or assets in which we have made short-term investments, the dislocation of the markets for our short-term investments, increased volatility in market rates for such investments or other factors; and |
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one or more counterparties to our derivative financial instruments could default on their obligations to us, increasing the risk that we may not realize the benefits of these instruments. |
These conditions may continue or worsen in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
There can be no assurance that our renovation and repositioning program will be completed in its entirety in accordance with the anticipated timing or at the anticipated cost, or that we will achieve the results we expect from our renovation and repositioning program, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Since we gradually gained full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties from 2002 through 2006, we have been undertaking a comprehensive renovation and repositioning program of our Manhattan office properties that has included the physical improvement through upgrades and modernization of, and tenant upgrades in, such properties. We currently intend to invest between $40.0 million and $70.0 million of additional capital through the end of 2013 on this program. We expect to complete substantially this program by the end of 2013, except with respect to the Empire State Building, which is the last Manhattan office property that began its renovation program. In addition, we currently estimate that between $95.0 million and $125.0 million of capital is needed beyond 2013 to complete substantially the renovation program at the Empire State Building, which we expect to occur by the end of 2016. These estimates are based on our current budgets (which do not include tenant improvements and leasing commissions) and may be less than our actual costs. We may also experience conditions which delay or preclude program completion. In addition, we may not be able to lease available space on favorable terms or at all. Further, our renovation and repositioning program may lead to temporary increased vacancy rates at our Manhattan office properties. There can be no assurance that our renovation and repositioning program will be completed in its entirety in accordance with the anticipated timing or at the anticipated cost, or that we will achieve the results we expect from our renovation and repositioning program, or that we will be able to achieve results similar to those presented in our case studies described under Business and PropertiesRenovation and Repositioning Case Studies, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on four properties for a significant portion of our revenue.
As of June 30, 2013, four of our properties, the Empire State Building, One Grand Central Place, First Stamford Place and 250 West 57 th Street, together accounted for approximately 63.4% of our portfolios annualized base rent, and no other property accounted for more than approximately 5.5% of our portfolios
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annualized base rent (which excludes revenues from our broadcasting licenses and related leased space). As of June 30, 2013, the Empire State Building individually accounted for approximately 32.3% of our portfolios annualized base rent. Our revenue and cash available for distribution to our stockholders would be materially and adversely affected if the Empire State Building, One Grand Central Place, First Stamford Place or 250 West 57 th Street were materially damaged or destroyed. Additionally, our revenue and cash available for distribution to our stockholders would be materially adversely affected if a significant number of our tenants at these properties experienced a downturn in their business which may weaken their financial condition and result in their failure to make timely rental payments, defaulting under their leases or filing for bankruptcy.
We may be unable to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-lease space on favorable terms or at all as leases expire, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
As of June 30, 2013, we had approximately 1.1 million rentable square feet of vacant office space and 69,615 rentable square feet of vacant retail space (in each case, excluding leases signed but not yet commenced). In addition, leases representing 2.7% and 4.9% of the square footage of the properties in our portfolio will expire in the remainder of 2013 (including month-to-month leases) and in 2014, respectively. Above-market rental rates at some of the properties in our portfolio may force us to renew some expiring leases or re-lease properties at lower rates. We cannot assure you expiring leases will be renewed or that our properties will be re-leased at net effective rental rates equal to or above the current average net effective rental rates. If the rental rates of our properties decrease, our existing tenants do not renew their leases or we do not re-lease a significant portion of our available space and space for which leases will expire, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders would be materially and adversely affected.
The actual rents we receive for the properties in our portfolio may be less than our asking rents, and we may experience a decline in realized rental rates from time to time, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
Throughout this prospectus, we make certain comparisons between our in-place rents and our asking rents, and between our asking rents and average asking rents in our markets. As a result of various factors, including competitive pricing pressure in our markets, a general economic downturn and the desirability of our properties compared to other properties in our markets, we may be unable to realize our asking rents across the properties in our portfolio. In addition, the degree of discrepancy between our asking rents and the actual rents we are able to obtain may vary both from property to property and among different leased spaces within a single property. If we are unable to obtain sufficient rental rates across our portfolio, then our ability to generate cash flow growth will be negatively impacted. In addition, depending on market rental rates at any given time as compared to expiring leases in our portfolio, from time to time rental rates for expiring leases may be higher than starting rental rates for new leases.
We are exposed to risks associated with property redevelopment and development that could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We have engaged, and continue to engage, in development and redevelopment activities with respect to our Manhattan office properties. In addition, we own entitled land at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut that can support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage. To the extent that we continue to engage in development and redevelopment activities, we will be subject to certain risks, including, without limitation:
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the availability and pricing of financing on favorable terms or at all; |
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the availability and timely receipt of zoning and other regulatory approvals; |
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the potential for the fluctuation of occupancy rates and rents at developed properties due to a number of factors, including market and economic conditions, which may result in our investment not being profitable; |
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start up, repositioning and redevelopment costs may be higher than anticipated; |
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the cost and timely completion of construction (including risks beyond our control, such as weather or labor conditions, or material shortages); |
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the potential that we may fail to recover expenses already incurred if we abandon development or redevelopment opportunities after we begin to explore them; |
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the potential that we may expend funds on and devote management time to projects which we do not complete; |
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the inability to complete construction and leasing of a property on schedule, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction or renovation costs; and |
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the possibility that developed or redeveloped properties will be leased at below expected rental rates. |
These risks could result in substantial unanticipated delays or expenses and, under certain circumstances, could prevent the initiation of development and redevelopment activities or the completion of development and redevelopment activities once undertaken, any of which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders.
We may be required to make rent or other concessions and/or significant capital expenditures to improve our properties in order to retain and attract tenants, which could materially and adversely affect us, including our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
To the extent there are adverse economic conditions in the real estate market and demand for office space decreases, upon expiration of leases at our properties and with respect to our current vacant space, we will be required to increase rent or other concessions to tenants, accommodate increased requests for renovations, build-to-suit remodeling and other improvements or provide additional services to our tenants. In addition, seven of our existing properties are pre-war office properties, which may require more frequent and costly maintenance to retain existing tenants or attract new tenants than newer properties. As a result, we would have to make significant capital or other expenditures in order to retain tenants whose leases expire and to attract new tenants in sufficient numbers. Additionally, we may need to raise capital to make such expenditures. If we are unable to do so or capital is otherwise unavailable, we may be unable to make the required expenditures. This could result in non-renewals by tenants upon expiration of their leases and our vacant space remaining untenanted, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Class A common stock. As of June 30, 2013, we had approximately 1.1 million rentable square feet of vacant office space and 69,615 rentable square feet of vacant retail space (in each case, excluding leases signed but not yet commenced), and leases representing 2.7% and 4.9% of the square footage of the properties in our portfolio will expire in the remainder of 2013 (including month-to-month leases) and in 2014, respectively.
We depend on significant tenants in our office portfolio, including LF USA, Coty, Inc., Legg Mason, Warnaco, a subsidiary of PVH Corp., and Thomson Reuters, which together represented approximately 22.2% of our total portfolios annualized base rent as of June 30, 2013.
As of June 30, 2013, our five largest tenants together represented 22.2% of our total portfolios annualized base rent. Our largest tenant is LF USA. As of June 30, 2013, LF USA leased an aggregate of 914,519 rentable square feet of office space at three of our office properties, representing approximately 10.9% of the total rentable square feet and approximately 11.4% of the annualized base rent in our portfolio. Our rental revenue
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depends on entering into leases with and collecting rents from tenants. General and regional economic conditions, such as the current challenging economic climate described above, may adversely affect our major tenants and potential tenants in our markets. Our major tenants may experience a material business downturn, weakening their financial condition and potentially resulting in their failure to make timely rental payments and/or a default under their leases. In many cases, we have made substantial up front investments in the applicable leases, through tenant improvement allowances and other concessions, as well as typical transaction costs (including professional fees and commissions) that we may not be able to recover. In the event of any tenant default, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment.
The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant also may adversely affect the income produced by our properties. If any tenant becomes a debtor in a case under the United States Bankruptcy Code, we cannot evict the tenant solely because of the bankruptcy. In addition, the bankruptcy court might authorize the tenant to reject and terminate their lease with us. The bankruptcy of a tenant or lease guarantor could delay our efforts to collect past due balances under the relevant leases, and could ultimately preclude collection of these sums. If a lease is rejected by a tenant in bankruptcy, we would have only a general unsecured claim for damages. Any unsecured claim we hold may be paid only to the extent that funds are available and only in the same percentage as is paid to all other holders of unsecured claims, and there are restrictions under bankruptcy laws that limit the amount of the claim we can make if a lease is rejected.
Our revenue and cash flow could be materially adversely affected if any of our significant tenants were to become bankrupt or insolvent, or suffer a downturn in their business, default under their leases or fail to renew their leases at all or renew on terms less favorable to us than their current terms. See Business and PropertiesTenant Diversification for a discussion of certain space which has been vacated or which we expect may be vacated by LF USA.
Competition may impede our ability to attract or retain tenants or re-let space, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and cash flow.
The leasing of real estate in the greater New York metropolitan area is highly competitive. The principal means of competition are rent charged, location, services provided and the nature and condition of the premises to be leased. We directly compete with all lessors and developers of similar space in the areas in which our properties are located as well as properties in other submarkets. Demand for retail space may be impacted by the recent bankruptcy of a number of retail companies and a general trend toward consolidation in the retail industry, which could adversely affect the ability of our company to attract and retain tenants. In addition, retailers at our properties face increasing competition from outlet malls, discount shopping clubs, electronic commerce, direct mail and telemarketing, which could (i) reduce rents payable to us, (ii) reduce our ability to attract and retain tenants at our properties and (iii) lead to increased vacancy rates at our properties, any of which could materially and adversely affect us.
Our office properties are concentrated in highly developed areas of midtown Manhattan and densely populated metropolitan communities in Fairfield County and Westchester County. Manhattan is the largest office market in the United States. The number of competitive office properties in the markets in which our properties are located (which may be newer or better located than our properties) could have a material adverse effect on our ability to lease office space at our properties, and on the effective rents we are able to charge.
If our tenants are unable to secure financing necessary to continue to operate their businesses and pay us rent, we could be materially and adversely affected.
Many of our tenants rely on external sources of financing to operate their businesses. The U.S. financial and credit markets continue to experience significant liquidity disruptions, resulting in the unavailability of financing for many businesses. If our tenants are unable to secure financing necessary to continue to operate their businesses, they may be unable to meet their rent obligations or be forced to declare bankruptcy and reject their leases, which could materially and adversely affect us.
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Our dependence on smaller businesses to rent our office space could materially and adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations.
The majority of the tenants in our properties (measured by number of tenants as opposed to aggregate square footage) are smaller businesses that generally do not have the financial strength of larger corporate tenants. Smaller companies generally experience a higher rate of failure than large businesses. There is a current risk with these companies of a higher rate of tenant defaults, turnover and bankruptcies, which could materially and adversely affect our distributable cash flow and results of operations.
Our dependence on rental income may materially and adversely affect our profitability, our ability to meet our debt obligations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
A substantial portion of our income is derived from rental income from real property. See Business and PropertiesTenant Diversification. As a result, our performance depends on our ability to collect rent from tenants. Our income and funds for distribution would be negatively affected if a significant number of our tenants, or any of our major tenants (as discussed in more detail below):
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delay lease commencements; |
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decline to extend or renew leases upon expiration; |
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fail to make rental payments when due; or |
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declare bankruptcy. |
Any of these actions could result in the termination of the tenants leases and the loss of rental income attributable to the terminated leases. In these events, we cannot be sure that any tenant whose lease expires will renew that lease or that we will be able to re-lease space on economically advantageous terms or at all. The loss of rental revenues from a number of our tenants and our inability to replace such tenants may adversely affect our profitability, our ability to meet debt and other financial obligations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We may not be able to control our operating costs, or our expenses may remain constant or increase, even if income from our properties decreases, causing our results of operations to be adversely affected.
Our financial results depend substantially on leasing space in our properties to tenants on terms favorable to us. Costs associated with real estate investment, such as real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs, generally are not reduced even when a property is not fully occupied, rental rates decrease or other circumstances cause a reduction in income from the property. As a result, cash flow from the operations of our properties may be reduced if a tenant does not pay its rent or we are unable to rent our properties on favorable terms. Under those circumstances, we might not be able to enforce our rights as landlord without delays and may incur substantial legal costs. The terms of our leases may also limit our ability to charge our tenants for all or a portion of these expenses. Additionally, new properties that we may acquire or redevelop may not produce significant revenue immediately, and the cash flow from existing operations may be insufficient to pay the operating expenses and principal and interest on debt associated with such properties until they are fully leased.
Our breach of or the expiration of our ground lease could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our interest in one of our commercial office properties, 1350 Broadway, is a long-term leasehold of the land and the improvements, rather than a fee interest in the land and the improvements. If we are found to be in breach of this ground lease, we could lose the right to use the property. In addition, unless we purchase the underlying fee interest in this property or extend the terms of our lease for this property before expiration on terms significantly comparable to our current lease, we will lose our right to operate this property and our leasehold interest in this property upon expiration of the lease or we will continue to operate it at much lower profitability,
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which would significantly adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, if we are perceived to have breached the terms of this lease, the fee owner may initiate proceedings to terminate the lease. The remaining term of this long-term lease, including unilateral extension rights available to us, is approximately 37 years (expiring July 31, 2050). Annualized base rent from this property as of June 30, 2013 was approximately $18.5 million.
Pursuant to the ground lease, we, as tenant under the ground lease, perform the functions traditionally performed by owners, as landlords, with respect to our subtenants. In addition to collecting rent from our subtenants, we also maintain the property and pay expenses relating to the property. We do not have a right, pursuant to the terms of our lease or otherwise, to acquire the fee interest in this property.
We will not recognize any increase in the value of the land or improvements subject to our ground lease, and we may only receive a portion of compensation paid in any eminent domain proceeding with respect to the property, which could materially and adversely affect us.
We have no economic interest in the land or improvements at the expiration of our ground lease at 1350 Broadway and therefore we will not share in any increase in value of the land or improvements beyond the term of our ground lease, notwithstanding our capital outlay to purchase our interest in the property. Furthermore, if the state or federal government seizes the property subject to the ground lease under its eminent domain power, we may only be entitled to a portion of any compensation awarded for the seizure. In addition, if the value of the property has increased, it may be more expensive for us to renew our ground lease.
We may be unable to identify and successfully complete acquisitions and even if acquisitions are identified and completed, including potentially the option properties, we may fail to operate successfully acquired properties, which could materially and adversely affect us and impede our growth.
Our ability to identify and acquire properties on favorable terms and successfully operate or redevelop them may be exposed to the following significant risks:
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even if we enter into agreements for the acquisition of properties, these agreements are subject to customary conditions to closing, including completion of due diligence investigations to our satisfaction and other conditions that are not within our control, which may not be satisfied, and we may be unable to complete an acquisition after making a non-refundable deposit and incurring certain other acquisition-related costs; |
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we may be unable to finance the acquisition on favorable terms in the time period we desire, or at all, including potentially the option properties; |
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we may spend more than budgeted to make necessary improvements or renovations to acquired properties; |
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we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage for new properties; |
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acquired properties may be located in new markets where we may face risks associated with a lack of market knowledge or understanding of the local economy, lack of business relationships in the area and unfamiliarity with local governmental and permitting procedures; |
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we may be unable to integrate quickly and efficiently new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of properties, into our existing operations, and as a result our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected; |
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market conditions may result in higher than expected vacancy rates and lower than expected rental rates; and |
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we may incur significant costs and divert management attention in connection with evaluating and negotiating potential acquisitions, including ones that we are subsequently unable to complete. |
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Any delay or failure on our part to identify, negotiate, finance and consummate such acquisitions in a timely manner and on favorable terms, or operate acquired properties to meet our financial expectations, could impede our growth and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Class A common stock.
Our option properties are subject to various risks and we may not be able to acquire them.
Our option properties consist of 112-122 West 34 th Street, an office property in midtown Manhattan that was 84.0% leased as of June 30, 2013 (or 84.8% giving effect to leases signed by not yet commenced as of that date) and that encompasses approximately 743,308 rentable square feet (inclusive of the retail space on the ground, first and lower floors) and 1400 Broadway, an office property in midtown Manhattan that was 83.4% leased as of June 30, 2013 (or 91.4% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and that encompasses approximately 886,099 rentable square feet (inclusive of the retail space on the ground floor). 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway will not be contributed to us in the formation transactions due to the recently resolved litigation related to these properties. 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C. and 1400 Broadway Associates L.L.C., the operating lessees of our option properties, are named as defendants in actions alleging that they undertook structural modifications to 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, respectively, without the required consent of the owner of the land on which 112 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway were constructed (or the ground lessee, in the case of the portion of the 112-122 West 34 th Street property that is owned by our predecessors affiliate and has been ground leased to such ground lessee and subleased to our predecessors affiliate). Although we do not intend to acquire 112-122 West 34 th Street or 1400 Broadway as part of the consolidation, we have entered into option agreements that allow us to acquire the interests in the option properties upon resolution of the recently resolved litigation. Our option properties are exposed to many of the same risks that may affect the other properties in our portfolio. The terms of the option agreements relating to the option properties were not determined by arms-length negotiations, and such terms may be less favorable to us than those that may have been obtained through negotiations with third parties. It may become economically unattractive to exercise our options with respect to the option properties. These risks could cause us to decide not to exercise our option to purchase these properties in the future.
Our predecessors affiliates interests in our option properties, 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, are fee (in the case of a portion of 112-122 West 34 th Street), long-term leaseholds (in the case of both of the option properties) and sub-leasehold or sub-subleasehold (in the case of 112-122 West 34 th Street only) of the land and the improvements. The remaining terms of these long-term leases, including unilateral extension rights available to us, are approximately 64 years (expiring June 10, 2077) and approximately 51 years (expiring December 31, 2063), respectively. Even if we exercise our option to purchase the option properties, unless we purchase the underlying fee interest in these properties or extend the terms of our leases for these properties before expiration on terms significantly comparable to our current leases, we will lose our right to operate these properties and our leasehold interest in these properties upon expiration of the leases or we may extend the leases on new terms that may result in reduced profitability, which may significantly adversely affect our results of operations at that time. The purchase price is payable in a combination of cash, shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, but the Helmsley estate will have the right to elect to receive all cash (and non-accredited investors are required to receive all cash), which may impact our ability to acquire the option properties.
Additionally, Anthony E. Malkin has a conflict of interest because he, together with the Malkin Group, controls and owns economic interests in the option properties. As a result, an exercise of such options by us could economically benefit him.
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Competition for acquisitions may reduce the number of acquisition opportunities available to us and increase the costs of those acquisitions, which may impede our growth.
We plan to continue to acquire properties as we are presented with attractive opportunities. We may face significant competition for acquisition opportunities in the greater New York metropolitan area with other investors, particularly private investors who can incur more leverage, and this competition may adversely affect us by subjecting us to the following risks:
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an inability to acquire a desired property because of competition from other well-capitalized real estate investors, including publicly traded and privately held REITs, private real estate funds, domestic and foreign financial institutions, life insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, pension trusts, commercial developers, partnerships and individual investors; and |
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an increase in the purchase price for such acquisition property, in the event we are able to acquire such desired property. |
The significant competition for acquisitions of commercial office and retail properties in the greater New York metropolitan area may impede our growth.
The observatory operations at the Empire State Building are not traditional real estate operations, and competition and changes in tourist trends may subject us to additional risks, which could materially and adversely affect us.
During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and year ended December 31, 2012, we derived approximately $44.2 million and $92.2 million of revenue, respectively, from the Empire State Buildings observatory operations, representing approximately 41.2% and 40.7% of the Empire State Buildings total revenue for these periods. Demand for our observatory is highly dependent on domestic and overseas tourists. In addition, competition from observatory operations in the new property currently under construction at One World Trade Center and, to a lesser extent, from the existing observatory at Rockefeller Center, could have a negative impact on revenues from our observatory operations. Adverse impacts on domestic travel and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also decrease demand in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
The broadcasting operations at the Empire State Building are not traditional real estate operations, and competition and changes in the broadcasting of signals over air may subject us to additional risks, which could materially and adversely affect us.
The Empire State Building and its broadcasting mast provides radio and data communications services and supports delivery of broadcasting signals to cable and satellite systems and television and radio receivers. We license the use of the broadcasting mast to third party television and radio broadcasters. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, we derived approximately $10.1 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of revenue from the Empire State Buildings broadcasting licenses and related leased space, representing approximately 9.5% and 9.3% of the Empire State Buildings total revenue for these periods. Competition from broadcasting operations in the planned property currently under construction at One World Trade Center and, to a lesser extent, from the existing broadcasting operations at Four Times Square, could have a negative impact on revenues from our broadcasting operations. Our broadcast television and radio licensees also face a range of competition from advances in technologies and alternative methods of content delivery in their respective industries, as well as from changes in consumer behavior driven by new technologies and methods of content delivery, which may reduce the demand for over-the-air broadcast licenses in the future. New government regulations affecting broadcasters, including the implementation of the FCCs National Broadband Plan, or the Plan, also might materially and adversely affect our results of operations by reducing the demand for broadcast licenses. Among other things, the Plan urges Congress to make more spectrum available for wireless broadband service providers by encouraging over-the-air broadcast licensees to relinquish spectrum through a
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voluntary auction process, which raises many issues that could impact the broadcast industry. At this time we cannot predict whether Congress or the FCC will adopt or implement any of the Plans recommendations or the rule changes as proposed, or how any such actions might affect our broadcasting operations. Any of these risks might materially and adversely affect us.
Acquired properties may expose us to unknown liability, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and the market value of our securities.
We may acquire properties subject to liabilities and without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, against the prior owners or other third parties with respect to unknown liabilities. As a result, if a liability were asserted against us based upon ownership of those properties, we might have to pay substantial sums to settle or contest it, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and the market value of our securities. Unknown liabilities with respect to acquired properties might include:
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liabilities for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination; |
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claims by tenants, vendors or other persons against the former owners of the properties; |
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liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business; and |
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claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties. |
We may acquire properties or portfolios of properties through tax deferred contribution transactions, which could result in stockholder dilution and limit our ability to sell such assets.
In the future we may acquire properties or portfolios of properties through tax deferred contribution transactions in exchange for partnership interests in our operating partnership, which may result in stockholder dilution. This acquisition structure may have the effect of, among other things, reducing the amount of tax depreciation we could deduct over the tax life of the acquired properties, and may require that we agree to protect the contributors ability to defer recognition of taxable gain through restrictions on our ability to dispose of the acquired properties and/or the allocation of partnership debt to the contributors to maintain their tax bases. These restrictions could limit our ability to sell an asset at a time, or on terms, that would be favorable absent such restrictions.
Should we decide at some point in the future to expand into new markets, we may not be successful, which could adversely affect our financial condition, result of operations, cash flow and trading price of our Class A common stock.
If opportunities arise, we may explore acquisitions of properties in new markets. Each of the risks applicable to our ability to acquire and integrate successfully and operate properties in our current markets is also applicable to our ability to acquire and integrate successfully and operate properties in new markets. In addition to these risks, we will not possess the same level of familiarity with the dynamics and market conditions of any new markets that we may enter, which could adversely affect the results of our expansion into those markets, and we may be unable to build a significant market share or achieve a desired return on our investments in new markets. If we are unsuccessful in expanding into new markets, it could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, trading price of our Class A common stock and ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders.
Our growth depends on external sources of capital that are outside of our control, which may affect our ability to seize strategic opportunities, satisfy debt obligations and make distributions to our stockholders.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital
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gains. In addition, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income (including net capital gains) and will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. Because of these distribution requirements, we may not be able to fund future capital needs, including any necessary acquisition financing, from operating cash flow. Consequently, we may need to rely on third-party sources to fund our capital needs. We may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms, in the time period we desire, or at all. Any additional debt we incur will increase our leverage. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends, in part, on:
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general market conditions; |
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the markets perception of our growth potential; |
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our current debt levels; |
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our current and expected future earnings; |
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our cash flow and cash distributions; and |
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the market price per share of our Class A common stock. |
If we cannot obtain capital from third-party sources, we may not be able to acquire or redevelop properties when strategic opportunities exist, satisfy our principal and interest obligations or make the cash distributions to our stockholders necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
If we are unable to sell, dispose of or refinance one or more properties in the future, we may be unable to realize our investment objectives and our business may be adversely affected.
The real estate investments made, and to be made, by us are relatively difficult to sell quickly. Return of capital and realization of gains from an investment generally will occur upon disposition or refinancing of the underlying property. In addition, the Code imposes restrictions on the ability of a REIT to dispose of properties that are not applicable to other types of real estate companies. We may be unable to realize our investment objectives by sale, other disposition or refinancing at attractive prices within any given period of time or may otherwise be unable to complete any exit strategy. In particular, these risks could arise from weakness in or even the lack of an established market for a property, changes in the financial condition or prospects of prospective purchasers, changes in national or international economic conditions and changes in laws, regulations or fiscal policies of jurisdictions in which our properties are located.
Our outstanding indebtedness upon completion of this offering reduces cash available for distribution and may expose us to the risk of default under our debt obligations and may include covenants that restrict our ability to pay dividends.
Upon completion of this offering, we anticipate our pro forma total consolidated indebtedness will be approximately $1.16 billion, and we may incur significant additional debt to finance future acquisition and redevelopment activities. Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we expect to enter into an agreement for an $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates, for which the lead arrangers have secured all commitments. We expect to use this secured revolving and term credit facility to, among other things, fully repay borrowings under our existing $500.0 million term loan secured by the Empire State Building, which had a balance of $269.0 million as of June 30, 2013, fully repay a loan made to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place which was made by an entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, fund capital expenditures and tenant improvements and leasing commissions, potential acquisitions, general corporate matters and working capital. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This OfferingSecured Revolving and Term Credit Facility.
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Payments of principal and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our properties or to pay the distributions currently contemplated or necessary to qualify as a REIT. Our level of debt and the limitations imposed on us by our loan documents could have significant adverse consequences, including the following:
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our cash flow may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments; |
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we may be unable to borrow additional funds as needed or on favorable terms; |
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we may be unable to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness; |
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to the extent we borrow debt that bears interest at variable rates, increases in interest rates could materially increase our interest expense; |
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we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on disadvantageous terms; |
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we may default on our obligations or violate restrictive covenants, in which case the lenders or mortgagees may accelerate our debt obligations, foreclose on the properties that secure their loans and/or take control of our properties that secure their loans and collect rents and other property income; |
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we may violate restrictive covenants in our loan documents, which would entitle the lenders to accelerate our debt obligations or reduce our ability to make, or prohibit us from making, distributions; and |
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our default under any one of our mortgage loans with cross default provisions could result in a default on other indebtedness. |
In addition, the secured revolving and term credit facility is expected to include covenants which may restrict our ability to pay dividends if we fail to meet certain tests. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This OfferingSecured Revolving and Term Credit Facility.
If any one of these events were to occur, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected. In addition, in connection with our debt agreements we may enter into lockbox and cash management agreements pursuant to which substantially all of the income generated by our properties will be deposited directly into lockbox accounts and then swept into cash management accounts for the benefit of our various lenders and from which cash will be distributed to us only after funding of improvement, leasing and maintenance reserves and the payment of principal and interest on our debt, insurance, taxes, operating expenses and extraordinary capital expenditures and leasing expenses. As a result, we may be forced to borrow additional funds in order to make distributions to our stockholders (including, potentially, to make distributions necessary to allow us to qualify as a REIT). See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital Resources, and Consolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This Offering.
Mortgage debt obligations expose us to the possibility of foreclosure, which could result in the loss of our investment in a property or group of properties subject to mortgage debt.
Incurring mortgage and other secured debt obligations increases our risk of property losses because defaults on indebtedness secured by properties may result in foreclosure actions initiated by lenders and ultimately our loss of the property securing any loans for which we are in default. Any foreclosure on a mortgaged property or group of properties could adversely affect the overall value of our portfolio of properties. For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties that is subject to a nonrecourse mortgage loan would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would
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recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the distribution requirements applicable to REITs under the Code. Foreclosures could also trigger our tax indemnification obligations under the terms of our agreements with certain continuing investors with respect to sales of certain properties, and obligate us to make certain levels of indebtedness available for them to guarantee which, among other things, allows them to defer the recognition of gain in connection with the formation transactions.
High mortgage rates and/or unavailability of mortgage debt may make it difficult for us to finance or refinance properties, which could reduce the number of properties we can acquire, our net income and the amount of cash distributions we can make.
If mortgage debt is unavailable at reasonable rates, we may not be able to finance the purchase of properties. If we place mortgage debt on properties, we may be unable to refinance the properties when the loans become due, or to refinance on favorable terms. If interest rates are higher when we refinance our properties, our income could be reduced. If any of these events occur, our cash flow could be reduced. This, in turn, could reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders and may hinder our ability to raise more capital by issuing more stock or by borrowing more money. In addition, to the extent we are unable to refinance the properties when the loans become due, we will have fewer debt guarantee opportunities available to offer under our tax protection agreement. If we are unable to offer certain guarantee opportunities to the parties to the tax protection agreement, or otherwise are unable to allocate sufficient liabilities of our operating partnership to those parties, it could trigger an indemnification obligation of our company under the tax protection agreement.
Some of our financing arrangements involve balloon payment obligations, which may adversely affect our ability to make distributions.
Upon completion of this offering, we will have pro forma total debt outstanding of approximately $1.16 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.04%, a weighted average maturity of 3.5 years and 72.6% of which is fixed-rate indebtedness. Additionally, we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will have, on a pro forma basis, no debt maturing in the remainder of 2013 and approximately $198.4 million maturing in 2014. As of June 30, 2013, we had 23 mortgage loans outstanding secured by 16 of our properties. As of June 30, 2013, these loans had an aggregate estimated principal balance at maturity of approximately $1.1 billion with maturity dates ranging from February 2014 through April 2018. Some of our financing arrangements require us to make a lump-sum or balloon payment at maturity. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This Offering for a description of the estimated principal balances at maturity, including lump-sum or balloon payments, of our indebtedness. Our ability to make a balloon payment at maturity is uncertain and may depend upon our ability to obtain additional financing or our ability to sell the property. At the time the balloon payment is due, we may or may not be able to refinance the existing financing on terms as favorable as the original loan or sell the property at a price sufficient to make the balloon payment. The effect of a refinancing or sale could affect the rate of return to stockholders and the projected time of disposition of our assets. In addition, payments of principal and interest made to service our debts may leave us with insufficient cash to make distributions necessary to meet the distribution requirements applicable to REITs under the Code.
Our degree of leverage and the lack of a limitation on the amount of indebtedness we may incur could materially and adversely affect us.
Our organizational documents do not contain any limitation on the amount of indebtedness we may incur. Upon completion of this offering and on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2012, we had a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of approximately 4.72x and our debt represented 25.2% of enterprise value. For the year
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ended December 31, 2012, our pro forma EBITDA and pro forma net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, were approximately $236.3 million and $77.7 million, respectively. Any changes that increase our debt-to-EBITDA could be viewed negatively by investors. As a result, our stock price could decrease. We also consider factors other than debt-to-EBITDA in making decisions regarding the incurrence of indebtedness, such as the purchase price of properties to be acquired with debt financing, the estimated market value of our properties upon refinancing and the ability of particular properties and our business as a whole to generate cash flow to cover expected debt service.
Our degree of leverage could affect our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, development or other general corporate purposes. Our degree of leverage could also make us more vulnerable to a downturn in business or the economy generally. If we become more leveraged in the future, the resulting increase in debt service requirements could cause us to default on our obligations, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Our tax protection agreement could limit our ability either to sell certain properties or to engage in a strategic transaction, or to reduce our level of indebtedness, which could materially and adversely affect us.
In connection with the formation transactions, we intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify the Malkin Group and one additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain tax liabilities if those tax liabilities result from (i) the operating partnerships sale, transfer, conveyance, or other taxable disposition of four specified properties (First Stamford Place, Metro Center, 10 Bank Street and 1542 Third Avenue, which collectively represent approximately 2.7% of the total consideration to be issued in the consolidation) to be acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation for a period of 12 years with respect to First Stamford Place and for the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of both Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other properties, (ii) the operating partnership failing to maintain until maturity the indebtedness secured by those properties or failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to refinance such indebtedness upon maturity in an amount equal to the principal balance of such indebtedness, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible, or (iii) the operating partnership failing to make available to any of these continuing investors the opportunity to guarantee, or otherwise bear the risk of loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness meeting certain requirements, until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares such continuing investor received in the formation transactions. If we were to trigger our tax indemnification obligations under these agreements, we would be required to pay damages for the resulting tax consequences to the Malkin Group, and we have acknowledged that a calculation of damages will not be based on the time value of money or the time remaining within the restricted period. Moreover, these obligations may restrict our ability to engage in a strategic transaction. In addition, these obligations may require us to maintain more or different indebtedness than we would otherwise require for our business. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsTax Protection Agreement. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million.
The continuing threat of a terrorist event may materially and adversely affect our properties, their value and our ability to generate cash flow.
There may be a decrease in demand for space in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area because it is considered at risk for a future terrorist event, and this decrease may reduce our revenues from
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property rentals. In the aftermath of a terrorist event, tenants in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area may choose to relocate their businesses to less populated, lower-profile areas of the United States that are not as likely to be targets of future terrorist activity. This in turn could trigger a decrease in the demand for space in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, which could increase vacancies in our properties and force us to lease our properties on less favorable terms. Further, certain of our properties, including the Empire State Building, may be considered to be susceptible to increased risks of a future terrorist event due to the high-profile nature of the property. In addition, a terrorist event could cause insurance premiums at certain of our properties to increase significantly. As a result, the value of our properties and the level of our revenues could materially decline.
Potential losses, such as those from adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist events and title claims, may not be fully covered by our insurance policies, and such losses could materially and adversely affect us.
Our business operations are susceptible to, and could be significantly affected by, adverse weather conditions, terrorist events and natural disasters that could cause significant damage to the properties in our portfolio. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover business interruption or losses resulting from such events. In addition, our insurance policies include substantial self-insurance portions and significant deductibles and co-payments for such events, and recent hurricanes in the United States have affected the availability and price of such insurance. As a result, we may incur significant costs in the event of adverse weather conditions, terrorist events and natural disasters. We may discontinue certain insurance coverage on some or all of our properties in the future if the cost of premiums for any of these policies in our judgment exceeds the value of the coverage discounted for the risk of loss.
We carry comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, earthquake, terrorism and rental loss insurance covering all of our Manhattan properties and our greater New York metropolitan area properties under a blanket policy. We carry additional all-risk property and business insurance, which includes terrorism insurance, on the Empire State Building through ESB Captive Insurance Company L.L.C., or ESB Captive Insurance, our wholly owned captive insurance company. ESB Captive Insurance covers terrorism insurance for $700 million in losses in excess of $800 million per occurrence suffered by the Empire State Building, providing us with aggregate terrorism coverage of $1.5 billion. ESB Captive Insurance fully reinsures the 15% coinsurance under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TRIPRA) and the difference between the TRIPRA captive deductible and policy deductible of $25,000 for non-Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological exposures. As a result, we remain only liable for the 15% coinsurance under TRIPRA for Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological (NBCR) exposures, as well as a deductible equal to 20% of the prior years premium, which premium was approximately $365,000 in 2012. As long as we own ESB Captive Insurance, we are responsible for its liquidity and capital resources, and its accounts are part of our consolidated financial statements. If we experience a loss and our captive insurance company is required to pay under its insurance policy, we would ultimately record the loss to the extent of its required payment.
Furthermore, we do not carry insurance for certain losses, including, but not limited to, losses caused by war. In addition, while our title insurance policies insure for the current aggregate market value of our portfolio, we do not intend to increase our title insurance policies as the market value of our portfolio increases. As a result, we may not have sufficient coverage against all losses that we may experience, including from adverse title claims.
If we experience a loss that is uninsured or which exceeds our policy limits, we could incur significant costs and lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties. In addition, if the damaged properties are subject to recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if these properties were irreparably damaged.
In addition, certain of our properties could not be rebuilt to their existing height or size at their existing location under current land-use laws and policies. In the event that we experience a substantial or comprehensive
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loss of one of our properties, we may not be able to rebuild such property to its existing specifications and otherwise may have to upgrade such property to meet current code requirements.
TRIA, which was enacted in November 2002, was renewed on December 31, 2007. Congress extended TRIA, now called TRIPRA (Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007) until December 31, 2014. There is no assurance that TRIPRA will be extended. The law extends the federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Program that requires insurance companies to offer terrorism coverage and provides for compensation for insured losses resulting from acts of foreign and domestic terrorism. Our debt instruments, consisting of mortgage loans secured by our properties (which are generally non-recourse to us), ground leases and our secured term loan, contain customary covenants requiring us to maintain insurance, including TRIPRA insurance. While we do not believe it will be likely, there can be no assurance that the lenders or ground lessors under these instruments will not take the position that a total or partial exclusion from all-risk insurance coverage for losses due to terrorist acts is a breach of these debt and ground lease instruments that allows the lenders or ground lessors to declare an event of default and accelerate repayment of debt or recapture of ground lease positions for those properties in our portfolio which are not insured against terrorist events. In addition, if lenders insist on full coverage for these risks and prevail in asserting that we are required to maintain such coverage, it could result in substantially higher insurance premiums.
Certain mortgages on our properties contain requirements concerning the financial ratings of the insurers who provide policies covering the property. We provide the lenders on a regular basis with the identity of the insurance companies in our insurance programs. While the ratings of our insurers currently satisfy the rating requirements in some of our loan agreements, in the future, we may be unable to obtain insurance with insurers which satisfy the rating requirements which could give rise to an event of default under such loan agreements. Additionally, in the future our ability to obtain debt financing secured by individual properties, or the terms of such financing, may be adversely affected if lenders generally insist on ratings for insurers which are difficult to obtain or which result in a commercially unreasonable premium.
We may become subject to liability relating to environmental and health and safety matters, which could have a material and adverse effect on us.
Under various federal, state and/or local laws, ordinances and regulations, as a current or former owner or operator of real property, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from the presence or release of hazardous substances, waste, or petroleum products at, on, in, under or from such property, including costs for investigation or remediation, natural resource damages, or third party liability for personal injury or property damage. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or release of such materials, and the liability may be joint and several. Some of our properties have been or may be impacted by contamination arising from current or prior uses of the property or adjacent properties for commercial, industrial or other purposes. Such contamination may arise from spills of petroleum or hazardous substances or releases from tanks used to store such materials. We also may be liable for the costs of remediating contamination at off-site disposal or treatment facilities when we arrange for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at such facilities, without regard to whether we comply with environmental laws in doing so. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination on our properties may adversely affect our ability to attract and/or retain tenants and our ability to develop or sell or borrow against those properties. In addition to potential liability for cleanup costs, private plaintiffs may bring claims for personal injury, property damage or for similar reasons. Environmental laws also may create liens on contaminated sites in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs to address such contamination. Moreover, if contamination is discovered on our properties, environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which that property may be used or how businesses may be operated on that property. For example, our property at 69-97 Main Street is subject to an Environmental Land Use Restriction that imposes certain restrictions on the use, occupancy and activities of the affected land beneath the property. This restriction may prevent us from conducting certain renovation activities at the property, which may adversely affect its resale
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value and may adversely affect our ability to finance or refinance this property. See Business and PropertiesRegulationEnvironmental Matters.
Some of our properties are adjacent to or near other properties used for industrial or commercial purposes or that have contained or currently contain underground storage tanks used to store petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances. Releases from these properties could impact our properties. In addition, some of our properties have previously been used by former owners or tenants for commercial or industrial activities, e.g. , gas stations and dry cleaners, and a portion of the Metro Tower site is currently used for automobile parking and fuelling, that may release petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances at such properties or to surrounding properties.
In addition, our properties are subject to various federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. Noncompliance with these environmental and health and safety laws and regulations could subject us or our tenants to liability. These liabilities could affect a tenants ability to make rental payments to us. Moreover, changes in laws could increase the potential costs of compliance with such laws and regulations or increase liability for noncompliance. This may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise materially and adversely affect our operations, or those of our tenants, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on us.
As the owner or operator of real property, we may also incur liability based on various building conditions. For example, buildings and other structures on properties that we currently own or operate or those we acquire or operate in the future contain, may contain, or may have contained, asbestos-containing material, or ACM. Environmental and health and safety laws require that ACM be properly managed and maintained and may impose fines or penalties on owners, operators or employers for non-compliance with those requirements. These requirements include special precautions, such as removal, abatement or air monitoring, if ACM would be disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition of a building, potentially resulting in substantial costs. In addition, we may be subject to liability for personal injury or property damage sustained as a result of releases of ACM into the environment.
In addition, our properties may contain or develop harmful mold or suffer from other indoor air quality issues, which could lead to liability for adverse health effects or property damage or costs for remediation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth may occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Some molds may produce airborne toxins or irritants. Indoor air quality issues can also stem from inadequate ventilation, chemical contamination from indoor or outdoor sources, and other biological contaminants such as pollen, viruses and bacteria. Indoor exposure to airborne toxins or irritants above certain levels can be alleged to cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms, including allergic or other reactions. As a result, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants at any of our properties could require us to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold or other airborne contaminants from the affected property or increase indoor ventilation. In addition, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants could expose us to liability from our tenants, employees of our tenants or others if property damage or personal injury occurs.
We cannot assure you that costs or liabilities incurred as a result of environmental issues will not affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders or that such costs, liabilities, or other remedial measures will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Potential environmental liabilities may exceed our environmental insurance coverage limits, which could have a material and adverse effect on us.
We carry environmental insurance to cover certain potential environmental liabilities associated with pollution conditions at certain of our properties. We cannot assure you, however, that our insurance coverage will be sufficient or that our liability will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of
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operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders.
We may experience a decline in the fair value of our assets, which may have a material impact on our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations and adversely impact our stock price.
A decline in the fair market value of our assets may require us to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment against such assets under GAAP if we were to determine that, with respect to any assets in unrealized loss positions, we do not have the ability and intent to hold such assets to maturity or for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery to the amortized cost of such assets. If such a determination were to be made, we would recognize unrealized losses through earnings and write down the amortized cost of such assets to a new cost basis, based on the fair value of such assets on the date they are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired. Such impairment charges reflect non-cash losses at the time of recognition; subsequent disposition or sale of such assets could further affect our future losses or gains, as they are based on the difference between the sale price received and adjusted amortized cost of such assets at the time of sale.
Failure to hedge interest rates effectively could have a material and adverse effect on us.
Subject to our qualification as a REIT, we may seek to manage our exposure to interest rate volatility by using interest rate hedging arrangements that involve risk, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, and that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate changes. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our hedging arrangements will qualify for hedge accounting or that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations. Should we desire to terminate a hedging agreement, there could be significant costs and cash requirements involved to fulfill our initial obligation under the hedging agreement. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate changes may adversely affect our results of operations.
When a hedging agreement is required under the terms of a mortgage loan it is often a condition that the hedge counterparty maintains a specified credit rating. With the current volatility in the financial markets, there is an increased risk that hedge counterparties could have their credit rating downgraded to a level that would not be acceptable under the loan provisions. If we were unable to renegotiate the credit rating condition with the lender or find an alternative counterparty with acceptable credit rating, we could be in default under the loan and the lender could seize that property through foreclosure.
As a general contractor, Malkin Construction, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is subject to the various risks associated with construction that could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
As a general contractor, Malkin Construction, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is subject to the various risks associated with construction (including, without limitation, shortages of labor and materials, work stoppages, labor disputes and weather interference) that could cause construction delays. We are subject to the risk that we will be unable to complete construction at budgeted costs or be unable to fund any excess construction costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We may incur significant costs complying with the ADA and similar laws, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Class A common stock.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or the ADA, all public accommodations must meet federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. We have not conducted a recent audit or investigation of all of our properties to determine our compliance with the ADA. If one or more of the properties in our portfolio is not in compliance with the ADA, we would be required to incur additional costs to bring the property into compliance. Additional federal, state and local laws also may require modifications to our
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properties, or restrict our ability to renovate our properties. We cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance with the ADA or other legislation. If we incur substantial costs to comply with the ADA and any other legislation, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected.
Our property taxes could increase due to property tax rate changes or reassessment, which could impact our cash flows.
Even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be required to pay state and local taxes on our properties. The real property taxes on our properties may increase as property tax rates change or as our properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. In particular, our portfolio of properties may be reassessed as a result of this offering. Therefore, the amount of property taxes we pay in the future may increase substantially from what we have paid in the past. If the property taxes we pay increase, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected.
We may become subject to litigation, which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Class A common stock.
In the future we may become subject to litigation, including claims relating to our operations, offerings, and otherwise in the ordinary course of business. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments against us, some of which are not, or cannot be, insured against. We generally intend to defend ourselves vigorously; however, we cannot be certain of the ultimate outcomes of any claims that may arise in the future. Resolution of these types of matters against us may result in our having to pay significant fines, judgments, or settlements, which, if uninsured, or if the fines, judgments, and settlements exceed insured levels, could adversely impact our earnings and cash flows, thereby having an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and per share trading price of our Class A common stock. Certain litigation or the resolution of certain litigation may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows, expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured, and/or adversely impact our ability to attract officers and directors.
There is currently litigation pending, and the potential for additional litigation, associated with the consolidation. We may incur costs from these litigations.
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by investors in certain of the existing entities (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs asserted claims against our predecessors management companies, Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Helmsley estate, our operating partnership and us for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They alleged, among other things, that the terms of the transaction and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the investors in the existing entities, the consolidation provides excessive benefits to the supervisor and its affiliates and the then-draft prospectus/consent solicitation statement filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully-informed decision about the consolidation. The complaints sought money damages and injunctive relief preventing the consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co-lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012.
The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs. The payment in settlement of the
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Class Actions will be made by the Helmsley estate and affiliates of the supervisor (provided that none of the supervisors affiliates that would become our direct or indirect subsidiary in the consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain investors in the private existing entities who agree to contribute. We will not bear any of the settlement payment. For a description of the terms of the settlement, see Business and PropertiesLegal Proceedings.
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of the settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing. On January 28, 2013, six of the investors in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., one of the existing entities, filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross-moved to intervene in the action and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of the investors in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. On February 21, 2013, the court denied the cross motion of such objecting investors, and the court denied permission for such objecting investors to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Actions, but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non-consenting investors in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting investors assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in the supervisors favor, holding that such buyout provisions are legally binding and enforceable and that investors do not have the rights they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the Class Actions settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are investors in all of the public existing entities and private existing entities included in the consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the consolidation or this offering. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15.0 million in fees and $295,895 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11.59 million in fees and $265,282 in expenses (which are included within the $55 million settlement payment).
The investors who challenged the buyout provision filed a notice of appeal of the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, the supervisor filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay. On June 18, 2013, the appellate court denied the motion for the stay. On July 16, 2013, these investors filed their brief and other supporting papers on their appeal of the April 30, 2013 decision, which are required to perfect the appeal. On September 4, 2013, the supervisor filed its brief on the appeal, and also moved to dismiss the appeal on the grounds that these investors lack standing to pursue it. The supervisor contended that these investors were not entitled to appraisal under the New York Limited Liability Company Law because, among other reasons (i) they are not members of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., and only members have such rights; (ii) the transaction in question is not a merger or consolidation as defined by statute, and appraisal only applies in those transactions; and (iii) when Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. was converted into a limited liability company, the parties agreed that no appraisal would apply. Moreover, the supervisor contended that only the 12 investors who opted out of the class action settlement could pursue appraisal, because that settlement contains a broad release of (and there is an associated bar order from the court preventing) any such claims. The supervisor further noted that of the six investors attempting to pursue the appeal, only two had in fact opted out of the class
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action settlement. On September 13, 2013, these investors filed their reply brief on the appeal, and opposed the motion to dismiss.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same investors filed additional notices of appeal from the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. These notices of appeal related to (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class action on behalf of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. investors; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on us, which could take the form of monetary damages or other equitable relief, and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting investors have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that the trial courts decision was correct, that it will be upheld on appeal .
As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, we may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if we lose. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal. If the courts decision were reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on us, including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
Additionally, there is a risk that other third parties will assert claims against us or the supervisor, including, without limitation, that the supervisor breached its fiduciary duties to investors in the existing entities or that the consolidation violates the relevant operating agreements, and third parties may commence litigation against us or the supervisor. As a result, we may incur costs associated with defending or settling such litigation or paying any judgment if we lose.
Joint venture investments could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority, our reliance on co-venturers financial condition and disputes between us and our co-venturers.
We may co-invest in the future with third parties through partnerships, joint ventures or other entities, acquiring non-controlling interests in or sharing responsibility for managing the affairs of a property, partnership, joint venture or other entity. In such event, we would not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the property, partnership, joint venture or other entity. Investments in partnerships, joint ventures or other entities may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present were a third party not involved, including the possibility that partners or co-venturers might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Partners or co-venturers may have economic or other business interests or goals which are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives, and they may have competing interests in our markets that could create conflict of interest issues. Such investments may also have the potential risk of impasses on decisions, such as a sale, because neither we nor the partner or co-venturer would have full control over the partnership or joint venture. In addition, prior consent of our joint venture partners may be required for a sale or transfer to a third party of our interests in the joint venture, which would restrict our ability to dispose of our interest in the joint venture. If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may
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be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity including at an unfavorable price. Disputes between us and partners or co-venturers may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and/or directors from focusing their time and effort on our business. Consequently, actions by or disputes with partners or co-venturers might result in subjecting properties owned by the partnership or joint venture to additional risk. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of our third-party partners or co-venturers. Our joint ventures may be subject to debt and, in any weakened credit market, the refinancing of such debt may require equity capital calls.
Changes in accounting rules, assumptions and/or judgments could materially and adversely affect us.
Accounting rules for certain aspects of our anticipated operations are highly complex and involve significant judgment and assumptions. These complexities could lead to a delay in the preparation of our financial statements and the delivery of this information to our stockholders. Furthermore, changes in accounting rules or in our accounting assumptions and/or judgments, such as asset impairments, could materially impact our financial statements. Under any of these circumstances, we could be materially and adversely affected.
We may incur significant costs complying with various regulatory requirements, which could materially and adversely affect our financial performance.
Our properties are subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as state and local fire and life safety requirements. If we fail to comply with these various requirements, we might incur governmental fines or private damage awards. In addition, existing requirements could change and future requirements might require us to make significant unanticipated expenditures, which materially and adversely affect our financial performance.
Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
We did not negotiate the value of our properties at arms-length as part of the formation transactions, and the consideration given by us in exchange for them may exceed their fair market value.
We did not negotiate the value of our properties at arms-length as part of the formation transactions. In addition, the value of the shares of our common stock, and the operating partnership units that we will issue in exchange for contributed property interests and other assets will increase or decrease if our Class A common stock price increases or decreases. The initial public offering price of shares of our Class A common stock will be determined in consultation with the underwriters. The aggregate historical combined net tangible book value of our predecessor to be contributed to us was a deficit of approximately $(126.3) million as of June 30, 2013. The initial public offering price does not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value or the fair market value of our assets. As a result, our value, represented by the initial public offering price of shares of our Class A common stock, may exceed the fair market value of our individual properties.
Holders of operating partnership units that acquire shares of our Class B common stock will have a significant vote in matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders.
The continuing investors that had the option to receive operating partnership units at the time of the election of consideration in the formation transactions had an option to elect to receive one share of our Class B common stock instead of one operating partnership unit for every 50 operating partnership units such continuing investor would otherwise receive in the consolidation. Each outstanding share of Class B common stock entitles the holder thereof to 50 votes on all matters on which Class A common stockholders are entitled to vote, including the election of directors. Holders of our Class B common stock will be entitled to share equally, on a per share basis, in all distributions payable with respect to shares of our Class A common stock. Holders of our Class B common stock may have interests that differ from those holders of our Class A common stock, including by reason of their interest in our operating partnership, and may accordingly vote as a stockholder in ways that may
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not be consistent with the interests of holders of our Class A common stock. This significant voting influence over certain matters may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change of control of our company, or could deprive holders of our Class A common stock of an opportunity to receive a premium for their Class A common stock as part of a sale of our company.
We may assume unknown liabilities in connection with the formation transactions, which, if significant, could materially and adversely affect our business.
As part of the formation transactions, we (through our operating partnership) will acquire the properties and assets of our predecessor and certain other assets, subject to existing liabilities, some of which may be unknown at the time this offering is consummated. Unknown liabilities might include liabilities for cleanup or remediation of undisclosed environmental conditions, claims of tenants, vendors or other persons dealing with such entities prior to this offering (that had not been asserted or threatened prior to this offering), tax liabilities, and accrued but unpaid liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business. As part of the formation transactions, Anthony E. Malkin and his siblings, Scott D. Malkin and Cynthia M. Blumenthal, made limited representations and warranties to us regarding the entities, properties and assets that we will own following the formation transactions for one year following the completion of this offering and agreed to indemnify us and our operating partnership for breaches of such representations subject to a $1,000,000 deductible and a cap of $25,000,000. Because many liabilities, including tax liabilities, may not be identified within such period, we may have no recourse against Anthony E. Malkin, Scott D. Malkin or Cynthia M. Blumenthal for such liabilities. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify our senior management team and certain members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such for certain claims. Any unknown or unquantifiable liabilities that we assume in connection with the formation transactions for which we have no or limited recourse could materially and adversely affect us. See We may become subject to liability relating to environmental and health and safety matters, which could have a material and adverse effect on us as to the possibility of undisclosed environmental conditions potentially affecting the value of the properties in our portfolio.
The departure of any of our key personnel could materially and adversely affect us.
Our success depends on the efforts of key personnel, particularly Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. Among the reasons Anthony E. Malkin is important to our success is that he has a national industry reputation that attracts business and investment opportunities and assists us in negotiations with lenders, existing and potential tenants and industry personnel. He has led the acquisition, operating and repositioning of our assets for the last two decades. If we lost his services, our external relationships and internal leadership resources would be materially diminished.
Other members of our senior management team also have strong industry reputations and experience, which aid us in attracting, identifying and exploiting opportunities. The loss of the services of one or more members of our senior management team, particularly Anthony E. Malkin, could have a material and adverse impact on us.
Tax consequences to holders of operating partnership units upon a sale or refinancing of our properties may cause the interests of certain members of our senior management team to differ from your own.
As a result of the unrealized built-in gain attributable to a property at the time of contribution, some holders of operating partnership units, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, may suffer different and more adverse tax consequences than holders of our Class A common stock upon the sale or refinancing of the properties owned by our operating partnership, including disproportionately greater allocations of items of taxable income and gain upon a realization event. As those holders will not receive a correspondingly greater distribution of cash proceeds, they may have different objectives regarding the appropriate pricing, timing and other material terms of any sale or refinancing of certain properties, or whether to sell or refinance such properties at all. As a result, the effect of certain transactions on Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin may
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influence their decisions affecting these properties and may cause such members of our senior management team to attempt to delay, defer or prevent a transaction that might otherwise be in the best interests of our other stockholders. In connection with the formation transactions, we intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify the Malkin Group and one additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain tax liabilities if those tax liabilities result from (i) the operating partnerships sale, transfer, conveyance, or other taxable disposition of four specified properties (First Stamford Place, Metro Center, 10 Bank Street and 1542 Third Avenue, which collectively represent approximately 2.7% of the total consideration to be issued in the consolidation) to be acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation for a period of 12 years with respect to First Stamford Place and for the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of both Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other properties, (ii) the operating partnership failing to maintain until maturity the indebtedness secured by those properties or failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to refinance such indebtedness upon maturity in an amount equal to the principal balance of such indebtedness, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible, or (iii) the operating partnership failing to make available to any of these continuing investors the opportunity to guarantee, or otherwise bear the risk of loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness meeting certain requirements, until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares such continuing investor received in the formation transactions. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million. As a result of entering into the tax protection agreement, Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin may have an incentive to cause us to enter into transactions from which they may personally benefit.
Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President has outside business interests that will take his time and attention away from us, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President will continue to own interests in the excluded properties, excluded businesses and option properties that are not being contributed to us in the formation transactions, some of which will be managed by our company and certain non-real estate family investments. In some cases, Anthony E. Malkin or his affiliates will have certain management and fiduciary obligations that may conflict with such persons responsibilities as an officer or director of our company and may adversely affect our operations. Anthony E. Malkin will devote a majority of his business time and attention to our business and, under his employment agreement, he may also devote time to the excluded properties, option properties, the excluded businesses and certain family investments to the extent that such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties to us.
Certain members of our senior management team exercised significant influence with respect to the terms of the formation transactions, including the economic benefits they will receive, as a result of which the consideration given by us may exceed the fair market value of the properties.
We did not conduct arms-length negotiations with the continuing investors that are members of our senior management team with respect to all of the terms of the formation transactions. In the course of structuring the formation transactions, certain members of our senior management team had the ability to influence the type and level of benefits that they and our other officers will receive from us. In addition, certain members of our senior management team had substantial pre-existing ownership interests in our predecessor and will receive substantial
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economic benefits as a result of the formation transactions. As a result, the terms of the formation transactions may not be as favorable to us as if they were negotiated at arms-length.
The terms of the option agreements relating to the option properties also were not determined by arms-length negotiations, and such terms may be less favorable to us than those that may have been obtained through negotiations with third parties.
We may pursue less vigorous enforcement of terms of the formation transaction agreements because of conflicts of interest with certain members of our senior management team, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Certain members of our senior management team have ownership interests in our predecessor that we will acquire in the formation transactions upon completion of this offering. As part of the formation transactions, Anthony E. Malkin and his siblings, Scott D. Malkin and Cynthia M. Blumenthal, have entered into agreements with us, pursuant to which they made limited representations and warranties to us regarding the entities, properties and assets that we will own following the formation transactions for one year following the completion of this offering and agreed to indemnify us and our operating partnership for breaches of such representations and warranties subject to a $1,000,000 deductible and a cap of $25,000,000. Such indemnification is limited, however, and we are not entitled to any other indemnification in connection with the formation transactions. See We may assume unknown liabilities in connection with the formation transactions, which, if significant, could materially and adversely affect our business above. In addition, we expect that Anthony E. Malkin will enter into an employment agreement with us pursuant to which he will agree, among other things, not to engage in certain business activities in competition with us (both during, and for a period of time following, his employment with us). See ManagementEmployment Agreement. We may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights under these agreements because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our executive officers given their significant knowledge of our business, relationships with our customers and significant equity ownership in us, and this could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited, which could limit your recourse in the event of actions not in your best interest.
Our charter limits the liability of our present and former directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law. Under current Maryland law, our present and former directors and officers will not have any liability to us or our stockholders for money damages other than liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer that was established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. As a result, we and our stockholders may have limited rights against our present and former directors and officers, as well as persons who served as members, managers, shareholders, directors, partners, officers, controlling persons certain agents of our predecessor, which could limit your recourse in the event of actions not in your best interest. See Certain Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Our Charter and BylawsIndemnification and Limitation of Directors and Officers Liability.
Conflicts of interest exist or could arise in the future between the interests of our stockholders and the interests of holders of operating partnership units, which may impede business decisions that could benefit our stockholders.
Conflicts of interest exist or could arise in the future as a result of the relationships between us and our affiliates, on the one hand, and our operating partnership or any partner thereof, on the other. Our directors and officers have duties to our company under applicable Maryland law in connection with their management of our company. At the same time, we, as the general partner in our operating partnership, have fiduciary duties and obligations to our operating partnership and its limited partners under Delaware law and the partnership agreement of our operating partnership in connection with the management of our operating partnership. Our
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fiduciary duties and obligations as general partner to our operating partnership and its partners may come into conflict with the duties of our directors and officers to our company.
Additionally, the partnership agreement provides that we and our directors and officers will not be liable or accountable to our operating partnership for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived if we, or such director or officer acted in good faith. The partnership agreement also provides that we will not be liable to the operating partnership or any partner for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived by the operating partnership or any limited partner, except for liability for our intentional harm or gross negligence. Moreover, the partnership agreement provides that our operating partnership is required to indemnify its directors and officers, us and our directors and officers and authorizes our operating partnership to indemnify present and former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor and authorizes us to indemnify members, partners, employees and agents of us or our predecessor, in each case for actions taken by them in those capacities from and against any and all claims that relate to the operations of our operating partnership, except (1) if the act or omission of the person was material to the matter giving rise to the action and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (2) for any transaction for which the indemnified party received an improper personal benefit, in money, property or services or otherwise, in violation or breach of any provision of the partnership agreement or (3) in the case of a criminal proceeding, if the indemnified person had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. No reported decision of a Delaware appellate court has interpreted provisions similar to the provisions of the partnership agreement of our operating partnership that modify and reduce our fiduciary duties or obligations as the general partner or reduce or eliminate our liability for money damages to the operating partnership and its partners, and we have not obtained an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability of the provisions set forth in the partnership agreement that purport to modify or reduce the fiduciary duties that would be in effect were it not for the partnership agreement.
Under his employment agreement, Anthony E. Malkin will have certain rights to terminate his employment and receive severance in connection with a change of control of our company, which may adversely affect us.
In connection with this offering, we intend to enter into an employment agreement with Anthony E. Malkin. Although this agreement has not yet been negotiated, we expect it will provide for termination payments in connection with a change of control if Mr. Malkin is terminated by us without cause or leaves with good reason within a specified period of time either before or following a change of control (as defined in our equity incentive plan). Furthermore, these provisions could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium paid for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. See ManagementEmployment Agreement for further details about the terms of this employment agreement.
We could increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock, classify and reclassify unissued stock and issue stock without stockholder approval, which could prevent a change in our control and negatively affect the market value of our shares.
Our board of directors, without stockholder approval, has the power under our charter to amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we are authorized to issue, to authorize us to issue authorized but unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into one or more classes or series of stock and set the terms of such newly classified or reclassified shares. See Description of SecuritiesPower to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Common Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common and Preferred Stock and Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares of Stock. As a result, we may issue series or classes of common stock or preferred stock with preferences, dividends, powers and rights, voting or otherwise, that are senior to, or otherwise conflict with, the rights of holders of our common stock. Any such issuance could dilute our existing stockholders interests. Although our board of directors has no such intention at the present time, it could establish a class or series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of such series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a
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change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or that our stockholders otherwise believe to be in their best interest.
Our operating partnership may issue additional operating partnership units without the consent of our stockholders, which could have a dilutive effect on our stockholders.
Our operating partnership may issue additional operating partnership units to third parties without the consent of our stockholders, which would reduce our ownership percentage in our operating partnership and would have a dilutive effect on the amount of distributions made to us by our operating partnership and, therefore, the amount of distributions we can make to our stockholders. Any such issuances, or the perception of such issuances, could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our operating performance and value are subject to risks associated with real estate assets and the real estate industry, the occurrence of which could materially and adversely affect us.
Real estate investments are subject to various risks and fluctuations and cycles in value and demand, many of which are beyond our control. Certain events may decrease cash available for distributions, as well as the value of our properties. These events include, but are not limited to:
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adverse changes in international, national, regional or local economic and demographic conditions; |
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vacancies or our inability to rent space on favorable terms, including possible market pressures to offer tenants rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options; |
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adverse changes in market rental rates, particularly as our buildings age, and our ability to fund repair and maintenance costs; |
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adverse changes in financial conditions of buyers, sellers and tenants of properties; |
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our inability to collect rent and expense reimbursements from tenants; |
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competition from other real estate investors with significant capital, including other real estate operating companies, publicly traded REITs and institutional investment funds; |
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the introduction of a competitors property in or in close proximity to one of our current submarkets in the greater New York metropolitan area; |
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reductions in the level of demand for office or retail space, and changes in the relative popularity of properties; |
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increases in the supply of office or retail space; |
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opposition from local community or political groups with respect to the construction or operations at a property; |
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our inability to provide effective and efficient management and maintenance at our properties; |
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our inability to provide effective management to the excluded properties for which we will be designated as the exclusive manager upon the completion of this offering; |
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the investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous materials or toxic substances at a property; |
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fluctuations in interest rates, which could adversely affect our ability, or the ability of buyers and tenants of properties, to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all; |
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increases in expenses, including, without limitation, insurance costs, labor costs, energy prices, real estate assessments and other taxes and costs of compliance with laws, regulations and governmental policies, which we may be restricted in passing on to our tenants; |
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civil disturbances, hurricanes and other natural disasters, or terrorist acts or acts of war, which may result in uninsured or underinsured losses; and |
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changes in, and changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and governmental policies, including, without limitation, health, safety, environmental, zoning and tax laws, governmental fiscal policies and the ADA. |
In addition, periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, or the public perception that any of these events may occur, could result in a general decline in rents or an increased incidence of defaults among our existing leases. If we cannot operate our properties to meet our financial expectations, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and our ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that we can achieve our return objectives.
We have no operating history as a REIT or as a publicly-traded company, and our inexperience could materially and adversely affect us.
We have no operating history as a REIT or as a publicly-traded company. Our board of directors and senior management team will have overall responsibility for our management and, while certain members of our senior management team and directors have extensive experience in real estate marketing, development, management, finance and law, none of our directors or members of our senior management team have prior experience in operating a business in accordance with the requirements under the Code applicable to REITs or in operating a public company. As a publicly-traded REIT, we will be required to develop and implement substantial control systems, policies and procedures in order to maintain our REIT qualification and satisfy our periodic SEC reporting and New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, listing requirements. We cannot assure you that managements past experience will be sufficient to successfully develop and implement these systems, policies and procedures and to operate our company. Failure to do so could jeopardize our status as a REIT or as a public company, and the loss of such status would materially and adversely affect us.
Certain provisions of Maryland law could inhibit changes in control of our company, which could negatively affect the market price of our shares.
Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, may have the effect of deterring a third party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change in control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of our Class A common stock. Among other things, we are subject to the business combination, control share acquisition and unsolicited takeover provisions of the MGCL. These provisions may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us under the circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then current market price. Pursuant to the statute, our board of directors has by resolution exempted business combinations between us and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by our board of directors (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person). Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that these exemptions or provisions will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. Our charter contains a provision whereby we have elected to be subject to the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL relating to the filling of vacancies on our board of directors. See Certain Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Our Charter and BylawsBusiness Combinations, Control Share Acquisitions and Subtitle 8.
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Certain provisions in the partnership agreement of our operating partnership may delay or prevent unsolicited acquisitions of us.
Provisions in the partnership agreement of our operating partnership may delay or make more difficult unsolicited acquisitions of us or changes of our control. These provisions could discourage third parties from making proposals involving an unsolicited acquisition of us or change of our control, although some stockholders might consider such proposals, if made, desirable. These provisions include, among others:
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redemption rights of qualifying parties; |
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transfer restrictions on operating partnership units; |
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our ability, as general partner, in some cases, to amend the partnership agreement and to cause the operating partnership to issue units with terms that could delay, defer or prevent a merger or other change of control of us or our operating partnership without the consent of the limited partners; and |
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the right of the limited partners to consent to transfers of the general partnership interest and mergers or other transactions involving us under specified circumstances. |
Our charter, bylaws, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership and Maryland law also contain other provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or that our stockholders otherwise believe to be in their best interest. See Certain Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Our Charter and BylawsRemoval of Directors, Control Share Acquisitions, Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business and Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Our charter contains stock ownership limits, which may delay or prevent a change of control.
In order for us to qualify as a REIT for each taxable year commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of any calendar year, and at least 100 persons must beneficially own our stock during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate portion of a shorter taxable year. Individuals for this purpose include natural persons, private foundations, some employee benefit plans and trusts and some charitable trusts. To assist us in complying with these limitations, among other purposes, our charter generally prohibits any person from directly or indirectly owning more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our capital stock or more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock. These ownership limitations could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction in which holders of our common stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing market price or which holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests. For further details regarding stock ownership limits, see Description of SecuritiesRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer.
Our charters constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause the outstanding shares owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than these percentages of the outstanding shares by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively in excess of these percentages of the outstanding shares and thus violate the share ownership limits. Our charter also provides that any attempt to own or transfer shares of our common stock or preferred stock (if and when issued) in excess of the stock ownership limits without the consent of our board of directors or in a manner that would cause us to be closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the shares are held during the last half of a taxable year) will result in the shares being deemed to be transferred to a trustee for a charitable trust or, if the transfer to the charitable trust is not automatically effective to prevent a violation of the share ownership limits or the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares, any such transfer of our shares will be null and void.
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The concentration of our voting power may adversely affect the ability of new investors to influence our policies.
Upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions, Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, together with the Malkin Group, will have the right to vote 37,802,999 shares of our common stock, which will represent approximately 25.9% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Consequently, Mr. Malkin will have the ability to influence the outcome of matters presented to our stockholders, including the election of our board of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, including business combinations, consolidations and mergers and the determination of our day-to-day corporate and management policies. Therefore, Mr. Malkin will have substantial influence over us and could exercise influence in a manner that is not in the best interests of our other stockholders. This concentration of voting power might also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control that our stockholders may view as beneficial.
Our board of directors may change our strategies, policies or procedures without stockholder consent, which may subject us to different and more significant risks in the future.
Our investment, financing, leverage and distribution policies and our policies with respect to all other activities, including growth, debt, capitalization and operations, will be determined by our board of directors. These policies may be amended or revised at any time and from time to time at the discretion of the board of directors without notice to or a vote of our stockholders. This could result in us conducting operational matters, making investments or pursuing different business or growth strategies than those contemplated in this prospectus. Under these circumstances, we may expose ourselves to different and more significant risks in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and growth. In addition, the board of directors may change our policies with respect to conflicts of interest provided that such changes are consistent with applicable legal requirements. A change in these policies could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our Class A common stock and ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders.
Our board of directors has approved very broad investment guidelines for our company and will not review or approve each investment decision made by our senior management team.
Our senior management team is authorized to follow broad investment guidelines and, therefore, has great latitude in determining the types of assets that are proper investments for us, as well as the individual investment decisions. Our senior management team may make investments with lower rates of return than those anticipated under current market conditions and/or may make investments with greater risks to achieve those anticipated returns. Our board of directors will not review or approve each proposed investment by our senior management team.
If we fail to establish and maintain an effective system of integrated internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
In the past, we have reported our results to investors in the existing entities on a property-by-property basis, and we have not separately reported audited results for our predecessor. In addition, we were not required to report our results on a GAAP basis. In connection with our operation as a public company, we will be required to report our operations on a consolidated basis under GAAP and, in some cases, on a property-by-property basis. We are in the process of implementing an internal audit function and modifying our company-wide systems and procedures in a number of areas to enable us to report on a consolidated basis under GAAP as we continue the process of integrating the financial reporting of our predecessor. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will require us to evaluate and report on our internal control over financial reporting and have our independent
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auditors issue their own opinion on our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to implement proper overall business controls, including as required to integrate the systems and procedures of our predecessor and support our growth, our results of operations could be harmed or we could fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, the existence of a material weakness or significant deficiency could result in errors in our financial statements that could require a restatement, cause us to fail to meet our public company reporting obligations and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Related to This Offering
There has been no public market for our Class A common stock prior to this offering and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained following this offering, which may negatively affect the market price of shares of our Class A common stock and make it difficult for investors to sell their shares.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock, and there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop or be sustained or that shares of our Class A common stock will be resold at or above the initial public offering price. The initial public offering price of shares of our Class A common stock will be determined by agreement among us and the underwriters, but there can be no assurance that our Class A common stock will not trade below the initial public offering price following the completion of this offering. See Underwriting. The market value of our Class A common stock could be substantially affected by general market conditions, including the extent to which a secondary market develops for our Class A common stock following the completion of this offering, the extent of institutional investor interest in us, the general reputation of REITs and the attractiveness of their equity securities in comparison to other equity securities (including securities issued by other real estate-based companies), our financial performance and general stock and bond market conditions.
The stock markets, including the NYSE on which we intend to list shares of our Class A common stock, have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of shares of our Class A common stock may be similarly volatile, and investors in shares of our Class A common stock may from time to time experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. The price of shares of our Class A common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including those listed in this Risk Factors section of this prospectus and others such as:
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our operating performance and the performance of other similar companies; |
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actual or anticipated differences in our quarterly operating results; |
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changes in our revenues or earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; |
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publication of research reports about us, the office or retail real estate sectors, office or retail tenants or the real estate industry; |
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increases in market interest rates, which may lead investors to demand a higher distribution yield for shares of our common stock, and would result in increased interest expenses on our debt; |
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actual or anticipated changes in our and our tenants businesses or prospects; |
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the current state of the credit and capital markets, and our ability and the ability of our tenants to obtain financing; |
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additions and departures of key personnel; |
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increased competition in the commercial office and retail real estate business in our markets; |
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strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestments, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business strategy; |
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the passage of legislation or other regulatory developments that adversely affect us or our industry; |
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speculation in the press or investment community; |
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actions by institutional stockholders; |
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equity issuances by us (including the issuances of operating partnership units), or common stock resales by our stockholders, or the perception that such issuances or resales may occur; |
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the trading and market price of the operating partnership units issued to continuing investors in the public existing entities; |
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actual, potential or perceived accounting problems; |
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changes in accounting principles; |
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failure to qualify as a REIT; |
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terrorist acts, natural or man-made disasters or threatened or actual armed conflicts; and |
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general market and local, regional and national economic conditions, particularly in the Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area, including factors unrelated to our performance. |
No assurance can be given that the market price of shares of our Class A common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future or that holders of shares of our common stock will be able to sell their shares when desired on favorable terms, or at all. From time to time in the past, securities class action litigation has been instituted against companies following periods of extreme volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our managements attention and resources.
Initial estimated cash available for distribution may not be sufficient to make distributions at expected levels.
We intend to make distributions to holders of shares of our common stock and holders of operating partnership units. We intend to maintain our initial distribution rate for the 12-month period following completion of this offering unless actual results of operations, economic conditions or other factors differ materially from the assumptions used in our estimate. All dividends and distributions will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of REIT qualification and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. If sufficient cash is not available for distribution from our operations, we may have to fund distributions from working capital or to borrow to provide funds for such distribution, or to reduce the amount of such distribution. See Distribution Policy. However, we currently have no intention to use the net proceeds from this offering to make distributions. We cannot assure you that our estimated distributions will be made or sustained. Any distributions we pay in the future will depend upon our actual results of operations, economic conditions and other factors that could differ materially from our current expectations.
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering.
As of June 30, 2013, the aggregate historical combined net tangible book value of our predecessor was a deficit of approximately $(126.3) million, or $(0.89) per share of our common stock held by our continuing investors, assuming the exchange of operating partnership units for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. As a result, the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock after the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions will be less than the initial public offering price. The purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock offered hereby will experience immediate and substantial dilution of $13.26 per share in the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock, based on the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
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The market price of shares of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected by our level of cash distributions.
The market value of the equity securities of a REIT is based primarily upon the markets perception of the REITs growth potential and its current and potential future cash distributions, whether from operations, sales or refinancings, and is secondarily based upon the real estate market value of the underlying assets. For that reason, our Class A common stock may trade at prices that are higher or lower than our net asset value per share. To the extent we retain operating cash flow for investment purposes, working capital reserves or other purposes, these retained funds, while increasing the value of our underlying assets, may not correspondingly increase the market price of our Class A common stock. Our failure to meet the markets expectations with regard to future earnings and cash distributions likely would adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.
Increases in market interest rates may result in a decrease in the value of our Class A common stock.
One of the factors that will influence the price of our Class A common stock will be the dividend yield on the Class A common stock (as a percentage of the price of our Class A common stock) relative to market interest rates. An increase in market interest rates, which are currently at low levels relative to historical rates, may lead prospective purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock to expect a higher dividend yield and higher interest rates would likely increase our borrowing costs and potentially decrease funds available for distribution. Thus, higher market interest rates could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to go down.
The number of shares and operating partnership units available for future sale could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.
We cannot predict whether future issuances of shares of our Class A common stock or operating partnership units or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the market price per share of our Class A common stock. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, our directors and officers, and the continuing investors, will beneficially own 168,584,662 shares of our outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis. Based on the assumptions set forth herein, we expect the Helmsley estate will hold approximately 6.1% of our outstanding common stock upon the completion of this offering. Under the terms of the registration rights agreement, the continuing investors, including the Malkin Group and the Helmsley estate, will receive rights to have shares of common stock held by them registered for resale under the Securities Act and the Malkin Group and the Helmsley estate will have rights to demand underwritten offerings with respect to such resales. As a result, these continuing investors (other than the Malkin Group and members of our senior management team), pursuant to the terms of their lock-up agreements, will be able to freely sell 50% of the shares of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock (including the operating partnership units) held by them beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus and 100% of the shares of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock (including the operating partnership units) held by them beginning one year after the date of this prospectus (subject to an early release from the lock-up as described under Shares Eligible for Future SaleLock-up Agreements and Other Contractual Restrictions on Resale). The Malkin Group, pursuant to its lock-up agreement, will be able to freely sell 100% of the shares of common stock held by it beginning one year after the date of this prospectus. Although the Helmsley estate has advised us that it currently expects to sell a significant portion of its common stock as soon as market and other conditions permit following expiration of the lock-up period, any such sales will be solely within the discretion of the Helmsley estate and it may elect to hold all or any portion of its common stock indefinitely. Each of our officers and directors may sell the shares of our common stock that they acquire in the formation transactions or are granted in connection with this offering at any time following the expiration of the lock-up periods for such shares, which expire one year after the date of this prospectus, or earlier with the prior written consent of the representatives. We may also issue shares of common stock or operating partnership units in connection with future property, portfolio or business acquisitions. Sales of substantial amounts of shares of our Class A common stock (including shares of our Class A common stock issued pursuant to our equity incentive plan) or operating partnership units in the public market, or upon exchange of operating partnership
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units, or the perception that such sales might occur could adversely affect the market price of the shares of our Class A common stock. This potential adverse effect may be increased by the large number of shares of common stock, on a fully-diluted basis, owned by the Helmsley estate to the extent that it sells, or there is a perception that it may sell, a significant portion of its holdings. In addition, future sales of shares of our Class A common stock may be dilutive to holders of shares of our common stock.
Future issuances of debt securities, which would rank senior to shares of our common stock upon our liquidation, and future issuances of equity securities (including operating partnership units), which would dilute the holdings of our existing common stockholders and may be senior to shares of our common stock for the purposes of making distributions, periodically or upon liquidation, may materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock.
In the future, we may issue debt or equity securities or make other borrowings. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and other loans and preferred shares will receive a distribution of our available assets before holders of shares of our common stock. We are not required to offer any such additional debt or equity securities to existing stockholders on a preemptive basis. Therefore, additional shares of our common stock issuances, directly or through convertible or exchangeable securities (including operating partnership units), warrants or options, will dilute the holdings of our existing common stockholders and such issuances or the perception of such issuances may reduce the market price of shares of our common stock. Our preferred shares, if issued, would likely have a preference on distribution payments, periodically or upon liquidation, which could limit our ability to make distributions to holders of shares of our common stock. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities or otherwise incur debt in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future capital raising efforts. Thus, holders of shares of our common stock bear the risk that our future issuances of debt or equity securities or our other borrowings will reduce the market price of shares of our common stock and dilute their ownership in us.
A portion of our distributions may be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could reduce the basis of a stockholders investment in shares of our common stock.
A portion of our distributions may be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a general matter, a portion of our distributions will be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes if the aggregate amount of our distributions for a year exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for that year. To the extent that a distribution is treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it will reduce a holders adjusted tax basis in the holders shares, and to the extent that it exceeds the holders adjusted tax basis will be treated as gain resulting from a sale or exchange of such shares. See U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Stockholders.
The combined financial statements of our predecessor and our unaudited pro forma financial statements may not be representative of our financial statement as an independent public company.
The combined financial statements of our predecessor and our unaudited pro forma financial statements that are included in this prospectus do not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been had we been an independent entity during the periods presented. Furthermore, this financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our results of operations, financial position or cash flows will be in the future. It is impossible for us to accurately estimate all adjustments which may reflect all the significant changes that will occur in our cost structure, funding and operations as a result of this offering and the formation transactions, including potential increased costs associated with reduced economies of scale and increased costs associated with being a separate publicly traded company. For additional information, see Selected Financial and Other Data and the combined financial statements of our predecessor and our unaudited pro forma financial statements, as well as Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
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Our balance sheet includes significant amounts of goodwill. The impairment of a significant portion of this goodwill would negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our balance sheet includes goodwill, on a pro forma basis, of approximately $637.6 million at June 30, 2013. These assets consist primarily of goodwill associated with our acquisition of the controlling interest in Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. We also expect to engage in additional acquisitions, which may result in our recognition of additional goodwill. Under accounting standards goodwill is not amortized. On an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value or goodwill may be impaired, we are required to assess whether there have been impairments in the carrying value of goodwill. If the carrying value of the asset is determined to be impaired, then it is written down to fair value by a charge to operating earnings. An impairment of goodwill could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Tax Risks Related to Ownership of Our Shares
Our failure to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT would subject us to U.S. federal income tax and applicable state and local taxes, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
We have been organized and we intend to operate in a manner that will enable us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013. We have not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, that we qualify as a REIT. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder for which there are limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The complexity of these provisions and of applicable Treasury Regulations is greater in the case of a REIT that, like us, holds its assets through partnerships. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet, on an ongoing basis, various tests regarding the nature and diversification of our assets and our income, the ownership of our outstanding shares, and the amount of our distributions. Our ability to satisfy these asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals. Our compliance with the REIT income and quarterly asset requirements also depends upon our ability to manage successfully the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Moreover, new legislation, court decisions or administrative guidance, in each case possibly with retroactive effect, may make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. Thus, while we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we will so qualify for any particular year. These considerations also might restrict the types of assets that we can acquire in the future.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and we do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be required to pay U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and distributions to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in determining our taxable income. In such a case, we might need to borrow money, sell assets, or reduce or even cease making distributions in order to pay our taxes. Our payment of income tax would reduce significantly the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders. Furthermore, if we fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we no longer would be required to distribute substantially all of our net taxable income to our stockholders. In addition, unless we were eligible for certain statutory relief provisions, we could not re-elect to qualify as a REIT until the fifth calendar year following the year in which we failed to qualify.
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Complying with the REIT requirements may cause us to forego and/or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that we meet the REIT gross income tests annually. In addition, we must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our total assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and certain kinds of mortgage-backed securities. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities, securities of corporations that are treated as TRSs and qualified REIT real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total securities can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. See U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsRequirements for QualificationGeneralAsset Tests. If we fail to comply with these asset requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences.
To meet these tests, we may be required to take or forgo taking actions that we otherwise would otherwise consider advantageous. For instance, in order to satisfy the gross income or asset tests applicable to REITs under the Code, we may be required to forego investments that we otherwise would make. Furthermore, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio otherwise attractive investments. In addition, we may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our investment performance.
The REIT distribution requirements could require us to borrow funds during unfavorable market conditions or subject us to tax, which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. In addition, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income (including net capital gains) and will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to distribute our net income to our stockholders in a manner intended to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax.
In addition, our taxable income may exceed our net income as determined by GAAP because, for example, realized capital losses will be deducted in determining our GAAP net income, but may not be deductible in computing our taxable income. In addition, we may incur nondeductible capital expenditures or be required to make debt or amortization payments. As a result of the foregoing, we may generate less cash flow than taxable income in a particular year and we may incur U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax on that income if we do not distribute such income to stockholders in that year. In that event, we may be required to use cash reserves, incur debt or liquidate assets at rates or times that we regard as unfavorable or make a taxable distribution of our shares in order to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in that year.
If our operating partnership is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will cease to qualify as a REIT.
We believe our operating partnership qualifies as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming that it qualifies as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our operating partnership will
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not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners, including us, is required to pay tax on its allocable share of the operating partnerships income. No assurance can be provided, however, that the IRS will not challenge our operating partnerships status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in treating our operating partnership as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, therefore, cease to qualify as a REIT and our operating partnership would become subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax. The payment by our operating partnership of income tax would reduce significantly the amount of cash available to our partnership to satisfy obligations to make principal and interest payments on its debt and to make distribution to its partners, including us.
Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may incur tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, taxes on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, franchise, property and transfer taxes, including mortgage recording taxes. See U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of the CompanyTaxation of REITs in General. In addition, ESRT Observatory TRS, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company, or Observatory TRS, ESRT Holdings TRS, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, or Holding TRS, and any other TRSs we own will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes. In order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, or to avoid the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from sales of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, we will hold some of our assets through taxable C corporations, including TRSs. Any taxes paid by such subsidiary corporations would decrease the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
If we are not able to lease the Empire State Building observatory to a TRS in a manner consistent with the ruling that we have received from the IRS, or if we are not able to maintain our broadcast licenses in a manner consistent with the ruling we have received from the IRS, we would be required to restructure our operations in a manner that could adversely affect the value of our stock.
Rents from real property are generally not qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests if the rent is treated as related party rent. Related party rent generally includes (i) any rent paid by a corporation if the REIT (or any person who owns 10% or more of the stock of the REIT by value) directly or indirectly owns 10% or more of the stock of the corporation by vote or value and (ii) rent paid by a partnership if the REIT (or any person who owns 10% or more of the stock of the REIT by value) directly or indirectly owns an interest of 10% or more in the assets or net profits of the partnership. Under an exception to this rule, related party rent is treated as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests if it is paid by a TRS of the REIT and (i) at least 90% of the leased space in the relevant property is rented to persons other than either TRSs or other related parties of the REIT, and (ii) the amounts paid to the REIT as rent from real property are substantially comparable to the rents paid by unrelated tenants of the REIT for comparable space.
Income from admissions to the Empire State Building observatory, and certain other income generated by the observatory, would not likely be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. We will jointly elect with Observatory TRS, which is the current lessee and operator of the observatory and which will be wholly owned by our operating partnership following the completion of this offering, for Observatory TRS to be treated as a TRS of ours for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the completion of this offering. Observatory TRS will lease the Empire State Building observatory from the operating partnership pursuant to a lease that provides for fixed base rental payments and variable rental payments equal to certain percentages of Observatory TRSs gross receipts from the operation of the observatory. Given the unique nature of the real estate comprising the observatory, we do not believe that there is any space in the Empire State Building or in the same geographic area as the Empire State Building that is likely to be considered sufficiently comparable to the observatory for the purpose of applying the exception to related party rent described above. We have received
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from the IRS a private letter ruling that the rent that our operating partnership will receive from Observatory TRS pursuant to the lease of the Empire State Building observatory will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests so long as such rent reflects the fair market rental value of the Empire State Building observatory as determined by an appraisal rendered by a qualified third party appraiser.
In addition, following completion of the offering, our operating partnership will acquire various license agreements (i) granting certain third party broadcasters the right to use space on the tower on the top of the Empire State Building for certain broadcasting and other communication purposes and (ii) granting certain third party vendors the right to operate concession stands in the observatory. We have received from the IRS a private letter ruling that the license fees that our operating partnership will receive under the license agreements described above will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
We are entitled to rely upon these private letter rulings only to the extent that we did not misstate or omit a material fact in the ruling request and that we continue to operate in accordance with the material facts described in such request, and no assurance can be given that we will always be able to do so. If we were not able to treat the rent that our operating partnership receives from Observatory TRS as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, we would be required to restructure the manner in which we operate the observatory, which would likely require us to cede operating control of the observatory by leasing the observatory to an affiliate or third party operator. If we were not able to treat the license fees that our operating partnership will receive from the license agreements described above as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, we would be required to enter into the license agreements described above through a TRS, which would cause the license fees to be subject to U.S. federal income tax and accordingly reduce the amount of our cash flow available to be distributed to our stockholders. In either case, if we are not able to appropriately restructure our operations in a timely manner, we would likely realize significant income that does not qualify for the REIT gross income tests, which could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.
Although our use of TRSs may partially mitigate the impact of meeting certain requirements necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT, there are limits on our ability to own TRSs, and a failure to comply with the limits would jeopardize our REIT qualification and may result in the application of a 100% excise tax.
A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A TRS may hold assets and earn income that would not be qualifying assets or income if held or earned directly by a REIT. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation of which a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. Overall, no more than 25% of the value of a REITs assets may consist of securities of one or more TRSs. In addition, the TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arms-length basis.
We will jointly elect with each of Observatory TRS and Holding TRS, which will be a newly formed Delaware limited liability company that will be wholly owned by the operating partnership following the completion of the formation transactions, for each of Observatory TRS and Holding TRS to be treated as a TRS under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the completion of the formation transactions. Observatory TRS, Holdings TRS, and any other TRSs that we form will pay U.S. federal, state and local income tax on their taxable income, and their after-tax net income will be available for distribution to us but is not required to be distributed to us unless necessary to maintain our REIT qualification. Although we will be monitoring the aggregate value of the securities of such TRSs and intend to conduct our affairs so that such securities will represent less than 25% of the value of our total assets, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the TRS limitation in all market conditions.
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Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates on dividend income from regular corporations, which could adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock.
The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for certain qualified dividends payable to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, are generally not eligible for the reduced rates and therefore may be subject to a 39.6% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate on ordinary income when paid to such stockholders. Although the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to dividend income from regular corporate dividends does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends paid by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our Class A common stock.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Under these provisions, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge our interest rate risk will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests if the instrument hedges interest rate risk on liabilities used to carry or acquire real estate assets, and such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations. Income from hedging transactions that do not meet these requirements will generally constitute non-qualifying income for purposes of both the REIT 75% and 95% gross income tests. See U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsRequirements for QualificationGeneralGross Income Tests and U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsRequirements for QualificationGeneralHedging Transactions. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous or implement those hedges through a TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our TRS would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in our TRS will generally not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried forward against future taxable income in the TRS.
The ability of our board of directors to revoke our REIT election without stockholder approval may cause adverse consequences to our stockholders.
Our charter provides that the board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without the approval of our stockholders, if the board determines that it is no longer in our best interest to continue to qualify as a REIT. If we cease to qualify as a REIT, we would become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income and we generally would no longer be required to distribute any of our net taxable income to our stockholders, which may have adverse consequences on our total return to our stockholders.
Legislative or regulatory tax changes related to REITs could materially and adversely affect our business.
At any time, the U.S. federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be changed, possibly with retroactive effect. We cannot predict if or when any new U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective or whether any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our stockholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.
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Your investment has various tax risks.
Although provisions of the Code generally relevant to an investment in shares of our Class A common stock are described in U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations, you should consult your tax advisor concerning the effects of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws to you with regard to an investment in shares of our Class A common stock.
We may inherit tax liabilities from the entities to be merged into our company or our subsidiaries in the formation transactions.
Pursuant to the formation transactions, Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., a Connecticut corporation, or Malkin Properties CT, and Malkin Construction Corp., a Connecticut corporation, or Malkin Construction, will merge with and into a subsidiary of ours, with the subsidiary surviving, in a transaction that is intended to be treated as a reorganization under the Code. Each of Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction has elected to be treated as an S Corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 1361 of the Code. If either of Malkin Properties CT or Malkin Construction failed to qualify as an S corporation, we could assume material U.S. federal income tax liabilities in connection with the formation transactions and/or may be subject to certain other adverse tax consequences. In addition, to qualify as a REIT under these circumstances, we would be required to distribute, prior to the close of our first taxable year in which we elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, any earnings and profits of these entities to which we are deemed to succeed. No rulings from the IRS will be requested and no opinions of counsel will be rendered regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any of Malkin Properties CT or Malkin Construction. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that Malkin Properties CT or Malkin Construction has qualified as an S corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that these entities do not have any other tax liabilities. In addition, the supervisor will merge with a subsidiary of our operating partnership in the formation transactions, and as a result, we may inherit any liabilities, including any tax liabilities, of the supervisor.
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This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance, dividend policy and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, our unaudited pro forma financial statements and all our statements regarding anticipated growth in our portfolio from operations, acquisitions and anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as believes, expects, may, will, should, seeks, approximately, intends, plans, pro forma, estimates, contemplates, aims, continues, would or anticipates or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:
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the factors included in this prospectus, including those set forth under the headings Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Business and Properties; |
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changes in our industry and changes in the real estate markets in particular, either nationally or in Manhattan or the greater New York metropolitan area; |
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resolution of the appeals related to the Class Actions; |
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reduced demand for office or retail space; |
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use of proceeds of this offering; |
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general volatility of the capital and credit markets and the market price of our Class A common stock and operating partnership units issued to continuing investors in the public existing entities; |
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changes in our business strategy; |
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defaults on, early terminations of or non-renewal of leases by tenants; |
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bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or a significant number of smaller tenants; |
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fluctuations in interest rates and increased operating costs; |
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declining real estate valuations and impairment charges; |
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availability, terms and deployment of capital; |
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our failure to obtain necessary outside financing, including our expected new secured revolving and term credit facility; |
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our expected leverage; |
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decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; |
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our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness; |
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our failure to redevelop, renovate and reposition properties successfully or on the anticipated timeline or at the anticipated costs; |
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difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions, including potentially the option properties; |
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risks of real estate acquisitions, dispositions and development (including our Metro Tower development site), including the cost of construction delays and cost overruns; |
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our failure to operate acquired properties and operations successfully; |
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our projected operating results; |
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our ability to manage our growth effectively; |
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estimates relating to our ability to make distributions to our stockholders in the future; |
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impact of changes in governmental regulations, tax law and rates and similar matters; |
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our failure to qualify as a REIT; |
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a future terrorist event in the U.S.; |
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environmental uncertainties and risks related to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters; |
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lack or insufficient amounts of insurance; |
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financial market fluctuations; |
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availability of and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; |
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conflicts of interest with our senior management team; |
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our understanding of our competition; |
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changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates; and |
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our ability to comply with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to companies and, in particular, public companies. |
While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes after the date of this prospectus, except as required by applicable law. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section above entitled Risk Factors. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to us (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements).
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We estimate we will receive gross proceeds from this offering of $1.0 billion (approximately $1.15 billion if the underwriters exercise their option in full) assuming an initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses of this offering, we expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $820.9 million or approximately $960.6 million if the underwriters exercise their option in full. We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay a loan in the amount of $3.6 million made in connection with 500 Mamaroneck Avenue to fund leasing costs at the property, of which approximately $1.2 million of such loan was made by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. In addition, we expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from the $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility to, among other things, fully repay borrowings under our $500.0 million term loan secured by the Empire State Building and repay a loan in the amount of approximately $1.5 million made by an entity, that is controlled by, and interests in which are held by, Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters in this offering are lenders under our $500.0 million term loan secured by the Empire State Building and will receive their pro rata share of net proceeds of the $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility that are used to repay the term loan. For a more detailed description of the use of net proceeds from the secured revolving and term credit facility, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This OfferingSecured Revolving and Term Credit Facility.
We will contribute the net proceeds of this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units. The following table sets forth the estimated sources and estimated uses of funds by our operating partnership that we expect in connection with this offering and the formation transactions. Exact payment amounts may differ from estimates due to amortization of principal, additional borrowings and incurrence of additional transaction expenses.
Sources (in thousands) |
Uses (in thousands) |
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Gross proceeds from this offering |
$ | 1,001,000 |
Payments to certain holders of interests (other than the Helmsley estate) in the existing entities that are non-accredited investors or who elect to receive cash for their equity interests in certain of the existing entities |
$ | 78,593 | |||||
Gross proceeds from the new $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility |
$ | 276,820 |
Payments in cash to the Helmsley estate for equity interests in certain of the existing entities |
$ | 639,224 | |||||
Debt assumption fees |
$ | 10,000 | ||||||||
Costs of expected new secured revolving and term credit facility |
$ | 6,320 | ||||||||
Repayment of term loan secured by the Empire State Building (1) |
$ | 269,000 | ||||||||
Repayment of loan made to an existing entity by certain investors in such entity |
$ | 3,600 | ||||||||
Repayment of a loan by an entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin (1) |
$ | 1,500 | ||||||||
Transaction expenses (including underwriting discounts and commissions of $70,070, transfer taxes of $89,513 and other expenses of $110,000 incurred in connection with this offering and the formation transactions) |
$ | 269,583 | ||||||||
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Total Sources |
$ | 1,277,820 |
Total Uses |
$ | 1,277,820 | |||||
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(1) | Represents balance as of June 30, 2013. At the closing of this offering, we expect to have borrowings of $300,000 on the term loan secured by the Empire State Building and $3,750 on the loan by an entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. |
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See our unaudited pro forma financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This Offering for a description of the indebtedness to be assumed by us in connection with the formation transactions.
Any net proceeds remaining after the uses set forth in the table above will be used for general working capital purposes, including potential future capital expenditures, and acquisition and development activities. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock, we expect to contribute the additional net proceeds, which will be approximately $139.6 million in the aggregate, to our operating partnership in exchange for 10,725,000 operating partnership units. Our operating partnership intends to use such net proceeds to repurchase shares from the Helmsley estate at a per share price equal to the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount and commission. We do not intend to use any of the net proceeds from this offering to fund distributions to our stockholders, but to the extent we use a portion of the net proceeds to fund distributions, these payments will be treated as a return of capital to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest such portion of the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities in a manner that is consistent with our intention to qualify as a REIT.
The value of the operating partnership units that we will receive in exchange for our contribution of the net proceeds from this offering and the formation transactions to our operating partnership will increase or decrease if our Class A common stock is priced above or below the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. Our operating partnership will subsequently use the net proceeds received from us as set forth in the table above. The initial public offering price of our Class A common stock will be determined in consultation with the underwriters. Among the factors that will influence the pricing of this offering are our results of operations; our management; our estimated net income; our estimated funds from operations; our estimated cash available for distribution; our anticipated dividend yield; our growth prospects; the current market valuations for comparable REITs; financial performance and dividend yields of publicly traded companies considered by us and the underwriters to be comparable to us; and the state of the commercial real estate industry and the economy as a whole. The initial public offering price does not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value or the fair market value of our assets.
We did not negotiate the value of our properties at arms-length as part of the formation transactions. In addition, the value of the shares of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock and the operating partnership units that we will issue in exchange for contributed property interests and other assets, including cash, will increase or decrease if our Class A common stock price increases or decreases. As a result, the consideration to be given in exchange by us for these properties and other assets may exceed their fair market value.
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We intend to make regular quarterly distributions to holders of shares of our common stock. Although we have not previously paid distributions, we intend to pay a pro rata initial distribution with respect to the period commencing on the completion of this offering and ending December 31, 2013, based on $0.085 per share for a full quarter. On an annualized basis, this would be $0.34 per share, or an annual distribution rate of approximately 2.4% based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. We expect that a portion of these distributions will represent a return of capital for the period ending December 31, 2013. We estimate that this initial annual rate of distribution will represent approximately 65.2% of our estimated cash available for distribution to our common stockholders for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. Our intended annual rate of initial distribution has been established based on our estimate of cash available for distribution for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014, which we have calculated based on adjustments to our pro forma income before non-controlling interests for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013. In estimating our cash available for distribution for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014, we have made certain assumptions as reflected in the table and footnotes below, including that there will be no terminations of existing leases in our portfolio after June 30, 2013 (other than scheduled lease expirations) or lease renewals or new leases (other than month-to-month leases) after June 30, 2013 unless a new or renewal lease has been entered into prior to the date of this prospectus.
Our estimate of cash available for distribution does not reflect the effect of any changes in our working capital after June 30, 2013, other than the amount of cash estimated to be used for tenant improvement and leasing commission costs related to leases that may be entered into prior to the date of this prospectus. It also does not reflect the amount of cash estimated to be used for investing activities for acquisition and other activities other than estimated capital expenditures or the amount of cash estimated to be used for financing activities, other than the refinancing of the loan at the Empire State Building and scheduled mortgage loan principal repayments on mortgage indebtedness that will be outstanding upon the consummation of this offering. Although we have included all material investing and financing activities that we have commitments to undertake as of June 30, 2013, we may undertake other investing and/or financing activities in the future. Any such investing and/or financing activities may have a material effect on our estimate of cash available for distribution. Because we have made the assumptions set forth above in estimating cash available for distribution, we do not intend this estimate to be a projection or forecast of our actual results of operations or our liquidity, and have estimated cash available for distribution for the sole purpose of determining our initial annual rate of distribution amount. Our estimate of cash available for distribution should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities (computed in accordance with GAAP) or as an indicator of our liquidity or our ability to pay dividends or make distributions. In addition, the methodology upon which we made the adjustments described below is not necessarily intended to be a basis for determining future distributions.
We intend to maintain our initial distribution rate for the 12-month period following completion of this offering. However, any distributions we pay in the future will depend upon our actual results of operations, economic conditions and other factors that could differ materially from our current expectations. Our actual results of operations will be affected by a number of factors, including the revenue we receive from our properties, our operating expenses, interest expense, the ability of our tenants to meet their obligations and unanticipated expenditures. For more information regarding risk factors that could materially adversely affect our actual results of operations, see Risk Factors. Distributions declared by us will be authorized by our board of directors in its sole discretion out of funds legally available therefore and will be dependent upon a number of factors, including restrictions under applicable law, the capital requirements of our company and the distribution requirements necessary to maintain our qualification as a REIT. We believe our estimate of cash available for distribution constitutes a reasonable basis for setting the initial distribution; however, no assurance can be given that the estimate will prove accurate, and actual distributions may therefore be significantly different from the expected distributions. We do not intend to reduce the expected distribution per share if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to 10,725,000 additional shares of our Class A common stock. Unless our operating cash flow increases, we may be required to fund distributions from working capital or borrow to provide funds
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for such distributions or we may choose to make a portion of the required distributions in the form of a taxable stock dividend to preserve our cash balance or reduce our distribution. However, we currently have no intention to use the net proceeds from this offering to make distributions nor do we currently intend to make distributions using shares of our common stock.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. In addition, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income (including net capital gains) and will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to distribute our net income to our stockholders in a manner intended to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax liability on our income and the 4% nondeductible excise tax. We anticipate that our estimated cash available for distribution will exceed the annual distribution requirements applicable to REITs. However, under some circumstances, we may be required to use cash reserves, incur debt or liquidate assets at rates or times that we regard as unfavorable or make a taxable distribution of our shares in order to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in that year. For more information, see U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Furthermore, we anticipate that, at least initially, our distributions will exceed our then current and then accumulated earnings and profits for the relevant taxable year, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, due to non-cash expenses, primarily depreciation and amortization charges that we expect to incur. Therefore, all or a portion of these distributions may represent a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The extent to which our distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits may vary substantially from year to year. To the extent that a distribution is treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it will reduce a holders adjusted tax basis in the holders shares, and to the extent that it exceeds the holders adjusted tax basis will be treated as gain resulting from a sale or exchange of such shares. As a result, the gain (or loss) recognized on the sale of that common stock or upon our liquidation will be decreased (or increased) accordingly. For a more complete discussion of the tax treatment of distributions to holders of our common stock, see U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
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The following table describes our pro forma net income available to our equity owners for the 12 months ended December 31, 2012, and the adjustments we have made thereto in order to estimate our initial cash available for distribution for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands except share data, per share data, square footage data and percentages). These calculations do not assume any changes to our operations or any acquisitions or dispositions or other developments or occurrences which could affect our operating results and cash flows, or changes in our outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock. We cannot assure you that our actual results will be the same as or comparable to the calculations below.
Pro forma net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2012 |
$ | 77,666 | ||
Less: Pro forma net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 |
(31,093 | ) | ||
Add: Pro forma net income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 |
29,236 | |||
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Pro forma net income for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013 |
75,809 | |||
Add: Pro forma real estate depreciation and amortization (1) |
100,611 | |||
Add: Net increases in contractual rent income (2 ) |
38,499 | |||
Less: Net decreases in contractual rent income due to lease expirations, assuming no renewals (3 ) |
(17,364 | ) | ||
Less: Net effects of straight-line rent adjustments to tenant leases (4 ) |
(27,129 | ) | ||
Add: Net effects of above- and below-market rent adjustments (5 ) |
(8,094 | ) | ||
Add: Non-cash compensation expense (6 ) |
3,906 | |||
Add: Non-cash interest expense (7 ) |
263 | |||
Less: Additional interest expense under our expected new secured revolving and term credit facility (8 ) |
(1,639 | ) | ||
Add: Non-cash ground rent expense |
1,657 | |||
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Estimated cash flow from operating activities for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 |
166,519 | |||
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Less: Estimated provision for recurring capital expenditures (9 ) |
(16,555 | ) | ||
Less: Estimated provision for tenant improvement costs not associated with our renovation program and all leasing commissions (10 ) |
(8,231 | ) | ||
Less: Estimated provision for tenant improvement costs associated with the renovation program not expected to be funded under the expected secured revolving and term credit facility (10 ) |
| |||
|
|
|||
Total estimated cash flows used in investing activities |
(24,786 | ) | ||
Estimated cash flow used in financing activities |
||||
Less: Scheduled mortgage loan principal repayments (11 ) |
(16,360 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Estimated cash flow used in financing activities for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 |
(16,360 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Estimated cash available for distribution for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 |
$ | 125,373 | ||
|
|
|||
Estimated cash available for distribution for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 |
||||
Our share of estimated cash available for distribution available to the operating partnership |
$ | 47,391 | ||
Non-controlling interests share of estimated cash available for distribution available to the operating partnership |
77,982 | |||
|
|
|||
Total estimated cash available for distribution |
$ | 125,373 | ||
|
|
|||
Total estimated initial annual distributions to stockholders and holders of operating partnership units |
||||
Total estimated initial annual distributions to stockholders |
$ | 30,878 | ||
Total estimated initial annual distributions to holders of operating partnership units (other than our company) |
50,809 | |||
|
|
|||
Total estimated initial annual distributions |
$ | 81,687 | ||
|
|
|||
Estimated initial annual distributions per Class A and Class B share (12) |
$ | 0.34 | ||
|
|
|||
Payout ratio based on our share of estimated cash available for distribution (13) |
65.2 | % |
- 77 -
(1) | Included in real estate depreciation and amortization is acquired in-place lease asset amortization, which was calculated based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus upon assumed absorption periods ranging from 110 months for the leased premises. |
Empire State
Building |
1350 Broadway | 1333 Broadway | 501 Seventh | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Total lease in place value |
$ | 93,309 | $ | 7,011 | $ | 6,704 | $ | 12,088 | $ | 119,112 | ||||||||||
Amortization for 12 months ended June 30, 2013 |
$ | 15,936 | $ | 1,616 | $ | 728 | $ | 2,426 | $ | 20,706 | ||||||||||
Absorption (# of months) |
110 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
(2) | Represents the net increases in contractual rental income net of expenses from existing leases and from new leases and renewals through the date hereof that were not in effect for the entire 12-month period ended June 30, 2013 or that were signed prior to the date of this prospectus but that will go into effect during the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. |
(3) | Assumes no lease renewals or new leases (other than month-to-month leases) for leases expiring after June 30, 2013 unless a new or renewal lease had been entered into prior to the date of this prospectus. |
(4) | Represents the conversion of estimated rental revenues for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 from a straight-line accrual basis to a cash basis of revenue recognition. |
(5) | Represents the elimination of non-cash adjustments for above-market and below-market leases for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013. This is calculated as follows: |
12 months ended
June 30, 2013 |
||||
Add: Net effects of lease in-place adjustments to tenant leases |
$ | (8,094 | )(a) | |
(a) Calculated as follows: |
||||
Net effects of above-market rent adjustments |
$ | 12,008 | ||
Net effects of below-market rent adjustments |
(20,102 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
$ | (8,094 | ) | ||
|
|
(6) | Pro forma non-cash compensation expense related to LTIP units/shares of restricted Class A common stock that we intend to issue to our independent directors, executive officers and certain other employees in connection with this offering. |
(7) | Pro forma non-cash interest expense for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013 includes: (i) amortization of financing costs on the mortgage loans assumed by us in the formation transactions; and (ii) amortization of the acquisition premium for debt assumed in the formation transactions. |
(8) | Represents estimated interest expense associated with borrowings under the expected new secured revolving and term credit facility (described in footnotes (9) and (10) below) to cover non-recurring capital expenditures, certain tenant improvements and leasing commissions, for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. These amounts are calculated on the basis that the principal and accrued interest on the existing term loan was repaid with proceeds from the new credit facility on January 1, 2013 and that additional drawdowns under the new credit facility to fund capital expenditures will occur equally over the subsequent four quarters. |
(9) |
Represents recurring capital expenditures consisting of capital expenditures that are intended to maintain our properties and are not intended to be value enhancing capital improvements (but excluding tenant improvements and leasing commissions). For the purposes of calculating the distribution in the above table, we have assumed, based on our current estimate, that we will incur approximately $16.6 million of estimated recurring capital expenditures (excluding costs of tenant improvements and leasing commissions) over the 12 month period ending June 30, 2014, including, but not limited to, costs associated with building maintenance repairs, stairwell lighting, carpet replacement, bathroom repairs and electric closet repairs and retrofits. For the purposes of calculating the distribution in the above table, we have assumed, based on our current estimate, that we will incur approximately $104.4 million of estimated non-recurring capital expenditures (excluding costs of tenant improvements and leasing commissions) associated with our renovation program of our Manhattan office properties over the 12 month period ending June 30, 2014, including, but not limited to, costs associated with elevator modernization, renovations and repairs of the |
- 78 -
building elevator shafts, concourse renovations, corridor renovations and fitness center construction. Historically, we have not tracked capital expenditures as either recurring or non-recurring and we believe that the capital expenditures associated with our renovation program would be considered to be non-recurring due to the extensive amount of capital spent on renovation and repositioning at our Manhattan office properties. Our historical weighted average aggregate recurring and non-recurring annual capital expenditures incurred during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2013 was approximately $42.4 million, which is lower than our estimated non-recurring and recurring capital expenditures over the 12 month period ending June 30, 2014. We intend to fund the non-recurring capital expenditures with an expected new $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility, or the new credit facility, for which the lead arrangers have secured all commitments from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates. |
(10) | For purposes of calculating the distribution in the above table, we have assumed we will incur approximately $93.6 million of tenant improvements and leasing commission costs related solely to tenant improvements and leasing commission costs incurred or expected to be incurred in the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 that we are contractually obligated to provide pursuant to 158 leases, or the contractual leases, entered into prior to the date of this prospectus. While we are contractually obligated to perform the renovation work relating to these leases, we have estimated the costs to complete such work based on our current budgets. Of these, tenant improvements of approximately $85.4 million, relating to 71 of such leases, or the renovation leases, including 21 leases at the Empire State Building (with a cost of approximately $66.2 million), represent costs in connection with leases where we have completed, or are in the process of completing, our renovation and repositioning efforts. Many of the renovation leases have commencement dates significantly after July 1, 2014 and therefore will recognize significantly less revenue in the twelve months ending June 30, 2014 than if the lease commenced on July 1, 2014. However, we will recognize substantially all of the tenant improvements and leasing commission costs associated with such leases in this twelve month period. These renovation leases entail putting a tenant into the renovated space, which are spaces that were substantially demolished and demised, for its first time and are distinguishable from normal tenant improvements and leasing commission costs which are associated with re-tenanting vacated space. In many of the cases, there were significant vacancy costs associated with the time in which the space was renovated and with the time in which we did not renew leases in anticipation of the commencement of the renovation activities. In certain of the cases, there were significant vacancy costs associated with the time in which we left the space vacant in anticipation of not only renovating the space but renovating a larger aggregated space. As such, these costs are distinguishable from normal costs associated with taking on a new tenant. For purposes of calculating the distribution in the above table, we have assumed that the $85.4 million of tenant improvements costs associated with these renovation leases will be funded with the expected new credit facility. Additionally, for purposes of calculating the distributions in the above table, we have assumed that $3.2 million of leasing commission costs associated with the contractual leases will be funded from the expected new credit facility. |
(11) | Represents scheduled payments of mortgage loan principal due during the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. Does not include $45.8 million of debt maturities during the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 based on the assumptions that we will be able to renew those mortgage loans under terms similar to those currently in place. |
(12) | Based on a total of 89,678,299 shares of our Class A common stock, 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock and 149,448,857 operating partnership units to be outstanding after this offering. Shares of our Class A common stock will consist of 71,500,000 shares to be sold in this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares, 17,715,085 shares of Class A common stock to be issued in the formation transactions, 1,072,500 LTIP units/shares of restricted Class A common stock to be issued upon completion of this offering to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees. Shares of our Class B common stock will consist of shares of 1,130,006 Class B common stock issued to continuing investors in the formation transactions. Units of our operating partnership will include 149,448,857 operating partnership units issued to the equity holders of our predecessor (including operating partnership units owned by certain members of our senior management team). |
(13) | Calculated as estimated initial annual distribution per Class A and Class B share divided by our share of estimated cash available for distribution per share for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. |
- 79 -
The following table sets forth (i) the historical combined capitalization of our predecessor entities as of June 30, 2013, (ii) the historical combined capitalization of our non-controlled entities as of June 30, 2013, (iii) our unaudited pro forma capitalization as of June 30, 2013, adjusted to give effect to the formation transactions but before this offering and (iv) our unaudited pro forma capitalization as of June 30, 2013, adjusted to give effect to the formation transactions, this offering and use of the net proceeds from this offering and the formation transactions as set forth in Use of Proceeds. You should read this table in conjunction with Use of Proceeds, Selected Financial and Other Data, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital Resources and our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes and the combined financial statements and related notes of our predecessor appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
As of June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Predecessor
Historical Combined |
Non-Controlled
Entities Historical Combined |
Pro Forma
Consolidated Before this Offering |
Pro Forma
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
Debt: |
||||||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable and unsecured loan and notes payable-related parties (1) |
$ | 1,045,494 | $ | 124,210 | $ | 898,369 | $ | 893,269 | ||||||||
Term loan and credit facility |
| | 269,000 | 270,500 | ||||||||||||
Stockholders equity (deficit): |
||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 400,000,000 shares authorized, , 18,178,299 and 89,678,299 shares issued and outstanding on a historical, pro forma consolidated basis before this offering and pro forma consolidated basis, respectively (2) |
| | 182 | 897 | ||||||||||||
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, , 1,130,006 and 1,130,006 shares issued and outstanding on a historical, pro forma consolidated basis before this offering and pro forma consolidated basis, respectively |
| | 11 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Additional paid in capital |
| | 121,148 | 401,335 | ||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Owners equity (deficit) |
(29,373 | ) | 331,092 | 121,341 | 402,243 | |||||||||||
Non-controlling interests in our operating partnership |
| | 939,194 | 661,892 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total equity (deficit) |
(29,373 | ) | 331,092 | 1,060,535 | 1,064,135 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total capitalization |
$ | 1,016,121 | $ | 455,302 | $ | 2,227,904 | $ | 2,227,904 | ||||||||
|
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|
|
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|
|
(1) | Pro Forma Consolidated Before this Offering includes $12,404 premium on mortgage debt assumed for 1350 Broadway and 1333 Broadway and excludes $14,739 of unsecured debt and accrued interest which will be assumed by the owners of such entity prior to the consummation of the formation transactions. |
(2) | The common stock outstanding as shown includes 71,500,000 Class A common stock to be issued in this offering and the formation transactions and 463,214 shares of restricted Class A common stock granted to certain employees and excludes (i) shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the underwriters option to purchase up to 10,725,000 additional shares of our Class A common stock, (ii) 10,886,733 additional shares of our Class A common stock available for future issuance under our equity incentive plan, (iii) 149,448,857 shares reserved for issuance with respect to operating partnership units expected to be issued in connection with the formation transactions and (iv) 609,286 LTIP units granted to our independent directors and executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin). The operating partnership units may, subject to limits in the operating partnership agreement, be exchanged for cash or, at our option, shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis generally commencing 12 months after the completion of this offering. Shares of our Class B common stock may be converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of our Class A common stock. |
- 80 -
Purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock offered by this prospectus will experience an immediate and material dilution of the net tangible book value of their Class A common stock from the initial public offering price. At June 30, 2013, our predecessor had a combined net tangible book value deficit of approximately $(126.3) million, or $(0.89) per share of our common stock held by continuing investors, assuming the exchange of operating partnership units into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis and the conversion of shares of our Class B common stock into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. After giving effect to the sale of the shares of our Class A common stock offered hereby, the deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering and formation transaction expenses, the receipt by us of the net proceeds from this offering and the formation transactions and the use of these funds as described under Use of Proceeds, the pro forma net tangible book value at June 30, 2013 attributable to the common stockholders on a fully diluted basis (excluding LTIP units/shares of our restricted Class A common stock to be issued to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin), and certain other employees on the consummation of this offering) would have been approximately $178.0 million, or $0.74 per share of our common stock assuming an initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. This amount represents an immediate decrease in net tangible book value deficit of $1.63 per share to continuing investors and an immediate decrease in pro forma net tangible book value of $13.26 per share from the public offering price of $14.00 per share of our common stock to new public investors. The following table illustrates this per share decrease:
Assumed initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock |
|
$ | 14.00 | |||||||||
Net tangible book value deficit per share before this offering and the formation transactions (1) |
|
$ | (0.89 | ) | ||||||||
Decrease in pro forma net tangible book value deficit per share attributable to the formation transactions, but before this offering (2) |
$ | 1.69 | ||||||||||
Decrease in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering (3)(4) |
$ |
(0.06 |
) |
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Net increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to the formation transactions and this offering |
|
$ | 1.63 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering and the formation transactions (5) |
|
$ | 0.74 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors (6) |
|
$ | 13.26 | |||||||||
|
|
(1) | Net tangible book value per share of our common stock before this offering and the formation transactions is determined by dividing net tangible book value based on June 30, 2013 net book value of the tangible assets (consisting of our total assets less our intangible lease assets net of liabilities to be assumed, excluding our intangible lease liabilities) of our predecessor by the number of shares of our common stock held by continuing investors after this offering, assuming the exchange in full of the operating partnership units to be issued to the continuing investors for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis and the conversion of shares of our Class B common stock into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, but excluding LTIP units/shares of our restricted Class A common stock to be issued to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin), and certain other employees upon the consummation of this offering. |
(2) |
Increase in net tangible book value per share of our common stock attributable to the formation transactions, but before this offering, is determined by dividing the difference between the June 30, 2013 pro forma net tangible book value, excluding net offering proceeds, and the June 30, 2013 net tangible book value of our predecessor by the number of shares of our common stock held by continuing investors after this offering, assuming the exchange in full of the operating partnership units to be issued to the continuing investors for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis and the conversion of shares of our Class B common stock into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, but excluding the LTIP |
- 81 -
units/shares of our restricted Class A common stock to be issued to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin), and certain other employees, respectively, upon the consummation of this offering. |
(3) | Decrease in pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock attributable to the offering assumes cash payments to the Helmsley estate for equity interests in certain of the existing entities. |
(4) | This amount is calculated after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering and formation transaction expenses. |
(5) | Based on pro forma net tangible book value of approximately $178.0 million divided by the sum of shares of our common stock to be outstanding upon completion of this offering on a fully diluted basis (excluding the LTIP units/shares of our restricted Class A common stock to be issued to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin), and certain other employees on the consummation of this offering). There is no further impact on book value dilution attributable to the exchange of operating partnership units to be issued to the continuing investors in the formation transactions and the Class B common stock issued to continuing investors in the formation transactions due to the effect of non-controlling interest. |
(6) | Dilution is determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock after giving effect to this offering and the formation transactions from the initial public offering price paid by a new investor for a share of our Class A common stock. |
The following table sets forth, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to this offering and the formation transactions: (i) the number of operating partnership units issued to the continuing investors in connection with the formation transactions, the number of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock issued to continuing investors in connection with the formation transactions, the number of LTIP units/shares of restricted Class A common stock to be issued in connection with this offering, and the number of shares of our Class A common stock to be sold by us in this offering; and (ii) the net tangible book value as of June 30, 2013 of our total assets following the formation transactions, which reflects the effect of the formation transactions, but not the effects of this offering and the cash from new investors before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated expenses of this offering and the formation transactions; and (iii) the net tangible book value of the average contribution per share/unit based on our total assets following the formation transactions. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to This OfferingYou will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering.
Shares/Operating
Partnership Units Issued |
Cash/Book Value of
Assets Acquired (1) |
|||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||
Operating partnership units issued in connection with the formation transactions |
148,839,571 | 62.0 | % (1) | $ | 110,790,733 | (2) | 62.2 | % | ||||||||
Class A common stock issued in connection with the formation transactions |
17,715,085 | 7.4 | 13,186,461 | 7.4 | ||||||||||||
Class B common stock issued in connection with the formation transactions |
1,130,006 | 0.4 | 841,135 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
LTIP units / restricted Class A common stock issued to directors and executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) in connection with this offering |
1,072,500 | 0.4 | | | ||||||||||||
New investors in this offering |
71,500,000 | 29.8 | 53,221,985 | 29.9 | ||||||||||||
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|
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Total |
240,257,162 | 100 | % | $ | 178,040,314 | 100 | % | |||||||||
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|
(1) | Based on the June 30, 2013 pro forma net tangible book value of our total assets following the formation transactions (consisting of our total assets less our intangible lease assets, net of liabilities to be assumed, excluding our intangible lease liabilities). |
- 82 -
(2) | Represents pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 2013 of total assets following the formation transactions, giving effect to the formation transactions, but not to the effects of this offering (in millions): |
Pro forma total assets |
$ | 2,472.3 | ||
Less: pro forma intangible assets |
$ | (1,039.3 | ) | |
|
|
|||
Pro forma tangible assets |
$ | 1,433.0 | ||
Less: pro forma total liabilities |
$ | (1,408.2 | ) | |
Plus: pro forma intangible lease liabilities |
$ | 153.2 | ||
|
|
|||
Pro forma net tangible assets |
$ | 178.0 | ||
Less: proceeds from this offering net of costs associated with this offering |
$ | | ||
|
|
|||
Pro forma net tangible assets after the effects of the formation, but before the effects of this offering |
$ | 178.0 | ||
|
|
This table assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock and excludes shares of our Class A common stock available for future issuance under our equity incentive plan. Further dilution to new investors will result if these excluded shares of Class A common stock are issued by us in the future.
- 83 -
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial and other data on (i) a combined historical basis for our predecessor beginning on page F-42 and (ii) a pro forma basis for our company giving effect to this offering and the formation transactions, the related use of proceeds thereof and the other adjustments described in the unaudited pro forma financial information beginning on page F-3 . We have not presented historical information for Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. because we have not had any corporate activity since our formation other than the issuance of shares of common stock in connection with the initial capitalization of our company and because we believe a discussion of the results of our company would not be meaningful.
Our predecessors combined historical financial information includes:
|
Our predecessors management companies, including their asset management, leasing, administrative, construction and development operations; and |
|
the real estate operations for the existing entities excluding the four office properties for which Malkin Holdings LLC acts as the supervisor but that are not consolidated into our predecessor for accounting purposes except for our predecessors non-controlling interests in such properties. |
You should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with our combined historical and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The selected historical combined balance sheet information as of December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 of our predecessor and selected combined statements of operations information for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 of our predecessor have been derived from the audited historical combined financial statements of our predecessor. The historical combined balance sheet information as of June 30, 2013 and combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 have been derived from the unaudited combined financial statements of our predecessor. The selected historical combined balance sheet information as of December 31, 2008 have been derived from the unaudited combined financial statements of our predecessor. Our results of operations for the interim period ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be obtained for the full fiscal year.
Our unaudited selected pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and operating information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012 assumes completion of this offering, the formation transactions and the other adjustments described in the unaudited pro forma financial information beginning on page F-3 as of January 1, 2012 for the operating data and as of the stated date for the balance sheet data.
Our unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial position and results of operations would have been as of the date and for the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent our future financial position or results of operations.
- 84 -
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Selected Financial and Other Data
(amounts in thousands except for shares and per share data)
Six Months Ended June 30, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma
Consolidated |
Historical Combined
(Predecessor) |
Pro Forma
Consolidated |
Historical Combined
(Predecessor) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2013 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 160,602 | $ | 88,905 | $ | 86,268 | $ | 312,306 | $ | 196,187 | $ | 198,494 | $ | 166,159 | $ | 167,556 | $ | 162,194 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
25,727 | 13,634 | 14,681 | 61,009 | 29,483 | 31,063 | 32,721 | 36,309 | 35,684 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
3,662 | 4,183 | 3,170 | 3,060 | 5,103 | 5,626 | 3,750 | 4,296 | 5,916 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction revenue |
12,400 | 12,400 | 8,144 | 18,902 | 18,902 | 47,560 | 27,139 | 15,997 | 56,561 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Observatory income (1)(2) |
44,196 | | | 92,156 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
4,122 | 2,867 | 4,983 | 23,833 | 10,619 | 12,045 | 16,776 | 8,157 | 8,442 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Revenues |
250,709 | 121,989 | 117,246 | 511,266 | 260,294 | 294,788 | 246,545 | 232,315 | 268,797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Expenses |
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Operating expenses |
62,933 | 25,958 | 28,185 | 138,930 | 55,707 | 57,102 | 60,356 | 58,850 | 55,291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing, general, and administrative expenses |
21,700 | 13,174 | 7,575 | 34,001 | 20,963 | 15,688 | 13,924 | 16,145 | 17,763 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Observatory expenses (2) |
10,723 | | | 20,709 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction expenses |
12,789 | 12,789 | 8,700 | 19,592 | 19,592 | 46,230 | 27,581 | 17,281 | 56,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
| 3,000 | 723 | | 2,247 | 2845 | 807 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
34,932 | 15,787 | 14,699 | 65,094 | 30,406 | 29,160 | 27,585 | 28,937 | 24,863 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
50,737 | 25,267 | 20,877 | 101,118 | 42,690 | 35,513 | 34,041 | 29,327 | 26,838 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Operating Expenses |
193,814 | 95,975 | 80,759 | 379,444 | 171,605 | 186,538 | 164,294 | 150,540 | 180,835 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Income from Operations before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
56,895 | 26,014 | 36,487 | 131,822 | 88,689 | 108,250 | 82,251 | 81,775 | 87,962 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
27,659 | 28,911 | 26,488 | 54,156 | 54,394 | 54,746 | 52,264 | 50,738 | 48,664 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Income (loss) from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
29,236 | (2,897 | ) | 9,999 | 77,666 | 34,295 | 53,504 | 29,987 | 31,037 | 39,298 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities (2) |
| 7,898 | 7,586 | | 14,348 | 3,893 | 15,324 | 10,800 | 13,422 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Net Income |
$ | 29,236 | $ | 5,001 | $ | 17,585 | $ | 77,666 | $ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | $ | 41,837 | $ | 52,720 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Other Data |
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Funds from Operations |
$ | 79,633 | $ | 33,813 | 41,752 | $ | 178,080 | $ | 97,943 | $ | 99,761 | $ | 85,020 | $ | 75,458 | $ | 83,513 | |||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 110,843 | $ | 64,955 | 70,428 | $ | 236,348 | $ | 156,599 | $ | 158,647 | $ | 141,283 | $ | 129,591 | $ | 134,269 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from: |
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Operating activities |
$ | 44,397 | $ | 66,746 | $ | 94,353 | $ | 47,682 | $ | 73,574 | $ | 58,509 | $ | 75,410 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investing activities |
$ | (33,420 | ) | $ | (63,109 | ) | $ | (108,281 | ) | $ | (60,527 | ) | $ | (34,837 | ) | $ | (38,617 | ) | $ | (13,768 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Financing activities |
$ | 18,040 | $ | (26,077 | ) | $ | (20,889 | ) | $ | 11,130 | $ | (44,793 | ) | $ | (5,035 | ) | $ | (65,824 | ) |
(footnotes on next page)
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Six Months Ended
June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma
Consolidated |
Historical
Combined (Predecessor) |
Historical
Combined
(Predecessor) |
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2013 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (at period end): |
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Net real estate |
$ | 1,286,198 | $ | 713,900 | $ | 682,239 | $ | 632,132 | $ | 590,466 | $ | 582,904 | $ | 567,404 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 2,773,227 | $ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,052,553 | $ | 1,004,971 | $ | 910,743 | $ | 890,598 | $ | 857,796 | ||||||||||||||
Notes and loans payable |
$ | 1,163,769 | $ | 1,045,494 | $ | 996,489 | $ | 939,705 | $ | 869,063 | $ | 871,636 | $ | 828,150 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 1,408,187 | $ | 1,123,146 | $ | 1,063,412 | $ | 1,003,677 | $ | 922,308 | $ | 908,856 | $ | 872,736 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders/owners equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,365,040 | $ | (29,373 | ) | $ | (10,859 | ) | $ | 1,294 | $ | (11,565 | ) | $ | (18,258 | ) | $ | (14,940 | ) | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders/owners equity (deficit) |
$ | 2,773,227 | $ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,052,553 | $ | 1,004,971 | $ | 910,743 | $ | 890,598 | $ | 857,796 |
(1) | Observatory income includes $2,805 and $5,609 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, of rental revenue attributable to a retail tenant which operates the concession space in the observatory under a lease expiring in May 2020. |
(2) | For the historical combined periods, our proportionate share of the revenues and expenses of the Empire State Building, including the observatory, are included in Equity in net income of non-controlled entities. Upon completion of this offering, the revenues and expenses of the Empire State Building, including the observatory, will be presented on a consolidated basis. |
(3) | For a definition and reconciliation of funds from operations, or FFO, and a statement disclosing the reasons why our management believes that presentation of FFO provides useful information to investors and, to the extent material, any additional purposes for which our management uses FFO, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsFunds from Operations. |
(4) | For a definition and reconciliation of earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and a statement disclosing the reasons why our management believes that presentation of EBITDA provides useful information to investors and, to the extent material, any additional purposes for which our management uses EBITDA, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsEBITDA. |
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MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus. Our results of operations and financial condition, as reflected in the accompanying combined financial statements and related notes, are subject to managements evaluation and interpretation of business conditions, changing capital market conditions and other factors that could affect the ongoing viability of our tenants. You should read the following discussion with Forward-Looking Statements and the combined financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, the historical operations of our predecessor and the properties that have been operated through our predecessor, will be combined with our company, our operating partnership and/or their subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Selected Financial and Other Data, our combined financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the notes related thereto, our unaudited condensed combined financial statements as of June 30, 2013 and for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and our unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Since our formation, we have not had any corporate activity. Accordingly, we believe a discussion of our results of operations would not be meaningful, and this Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations therefore only discusses the historical operations of our predecessor and the unaudited pro forma results of our company.
Unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references in this section to we, our and us refer to (i) our company and its consolidated subsidiaries (including our operating partnership) after giving effect to this offering and the formation transactions and (ii) our predecessor before giving effect to this offering and the formation transactions.
We are a self-administered and self-managed REIT that owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. We were formed to continue and expand the commercial real estate business of our predecessor, Malkin Holdings LLC and its affiliates . Our primary focus will be to continue to own, manage and operate our current portfolio and to acquire and reposition office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area.
For the periods presented, this Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses only the historical financial condition and results of operations of our predecessor which owns controlling interests in 16 properties and non-controlling interests in the following four office properties, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting: the Empire State Building, 1350 Broadway, 1333 Broadway and 501 Seventh Avenue. The fee ownership interests of the Empire State Building and 501 Seventh Avenue are included in our predecessors portfolio but the operating lease interests of these two properties are part of our predecessors equity interest in non-controlled entities. These non-controlled interests will represent a significant part of our operations following this offering and the formation transactions (56.2% and 57.9% of our pro forma revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013, and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively) when they become consolidated into our operations. Therefore, we do not show historical consolidated financial information for our entire portfolio following this offering and the formation transactions. For the periods following the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions, our operations will consolidate the operations of the non-controlled entities (as defined below) which will result in a material change in our disclosure of our financial condition and results of operations. We also present in this prospectus pro forma financial information for our company reflecting our entire portfolio on a consolidated basis, as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012.
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We operate an integrated business that currently consists of two operating segments: real estate and construction contracting.
As of June 30, 2013, our Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office properties were 82.0% leased (or 84.8% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and 88.5% leased (or 90.7% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date), respectively, and our office properties as a whole were 83.5% leased (or 86.2% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date). Our ability to increase occupancy and rental revenue at our office properties depends on the successful completion of our renovation and repositioning program and market conditions. The other component of our real estate segment, retail leasing, comprises both standalone retail properties and retail space in our Manhattan office properties. Our retail properties, including retail space in our Manhattan office properties, were 80.4% leased (or 89.2% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) as of June 30, 2013.
Although construction contracting represented approximately 10.2% and 7.3%, respectively, of our revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, its relative contribution to our net income was much less significant than its contribution to our revenues.
The Empire State Building is our flagship property and accounted for 45.5% and 47.1%, respectively, of our total pro forma revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012. The Empire State Building provides us with a diverse source of revenue through its office and retail leases, observatory operations and broadcasting licenses, and related leased space. On a pro forma basis, during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, we generated approximately $114.0 million and $240.8 million of revenue from the Empire State Building. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, the Empire State Building generated approximately $44.2 million and $92.2 million, respectively, of revenue from its observatory operations which represented approximately 17.6% and 18.0%, respectively, of our pro forma revenues. We anticipate that our observatory operations will be a separate accounting segment following this offering and the formation transactions. Due to regular patterns of tourist activity in Manhattan, the first calendar quarter of each year is typically our lightest in terms of attendance at the observatory. During the past ten years of our annual observatory revenue, approximately 16.0% to 18.0% was realized in the first quarter, 26.0% to 28.0% was realized in the second quarter, 31.0% to 33.0% was realized in the third quarter and 23.0% to 25.0% was realized in the fourth quarter. The components of the Empire State Building revenue from its office lease, retail leases, tenant reimbursements and other income, observatory operations and broadcasting licenses and related leased space represented 33.8%, 4.5%, 11.0%, 41.2% and 9.5% during the six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, and 27.9%, 4.5%, 13.1%, 40.7% and 9.3% during the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. During 2012, the Empire State Building also received a real estate tax refund in the amount of $10.1 million, which was 4.5% of its 2012 revenues.
From 2002 through 2006, we gradually gained full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties (with the Helmsley estate holding certain approval rights at some of these properties as a result of its interest in the entities owning the properties). Since then, we have been undertaking a comprehensive renovation and repositioning strategy of our Manhattan office properties that has included the physical improvement through upgrades and modernization of, and tenant upgrades in, such properties. Since we assumed full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties beginning with One Grand Central Place in 2002, and through June 30, 2013, we have invested a total of approximately $384.0 million (excluding tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions) in our Manhattan office properties pursuant to this program. Of the $384.0 million invested pursuant to this program, $190.4 million was invested at the Empire State Building. We currently intend to invest between $40.0 million and $70.0 million of additional capital through the end of 2013. We expect to complete substantially this program by the end of 2013, except with respect to the Empire State Building, which is the last Manhattan office property that began its renovation program. In addition, we currently estimate that between $95.0 million and $125.0 million of capital is needed beyond 2013 to complete substantially the renovation program at the Empire State Building, which we expect to occur by the end of 2016 due to the size and scope of our remaining work and our desire to minimize tenant disruptions at the
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property. Of the total $140.0 million to $200.0 million of estimated additional capital we expect to be incurred through 2016, we currently estimate that between $135.0 million and $175.0 million is attributable to the Empire State Building. These estimates are based on our current budgets (which do not include tenant improvement and leasing commission costs) and are subject to change.
We intend to fund these capital improvements through a combination of operating cash flow and borrowings. These improvements, within our renovation and repositioning program, include restored, renovated and upgraded or new lobbies; elevator modernization; renovated public areas and bathrooms; refurbished or new windows; upgrade and standardization of retail storefront and signage; façade restorations; modernization of building-wide systems; and enhanced tenant amenities. These improvements are designed to improve the overall value and attractiveness of our properties and have contributed significantly to our tenant repositioning efforts, which seek to increase our occupancy; raise our rental rates; increase our rentable square feet; increase our aggregate rental revenue; lengthen our average lease term; increase our average lease size; and improve our tenant credit quality. We have also aggregated smaller spaces in order to offer larger blocks of office space, including multiple floors, that are attractive to larger, higher credit-quality tenants and to offer new, pre-built suites with improved layouts. This strategy has shown attractive results to date, as illustrated by the case studies which are described in Business and PropertiesRenovation and Repositioning Case Studies, and we believe has the potential to improve our operating margins and cash flows in the future. We believe we will continue to enhance our tenant base and improve rents as our pre-renovation leases continue to expire and be re-leased.
Historically, we have operated our business to preserve capital through conservative debt levels. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will have, on a pro forma basis, no debt maturing in the remainder of 2013 and approximately $198.4 million maturing in 2014 and we expect to have pro forma total debt outstanding of approximately $1.16 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.04% and a weighted average maturity of 3.5 years and 72.6% of which is fixed-rate indebtedness. Additionally, we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). Our overall leverage will depend on our mix of investments and the cost of leverage. Our charter does not restrict the amount of leverage that we may use.
We are a Maryland corporation that was formed on July 29, 2011. We conduct all of our business activities through our operating partnership, of which we are the sole general partner. We intend to elect and to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013.
Our Predecessor
Our predecessor is not a legal entity but rather a combination of (i) controlling interests in (a) 16 office and retail properties, (b) one development parcel, and (c) certain management companies, which are owned by certain entities that the sponsors (Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin) own interests in and control, which we collectively refer to as the controlled entities, and (ii) non-controlling interests in four office properties (which include two of the 16 properties set forth in (i) above), held through entities which we collectively refer to as the non-controlled entities, and are presented as uncombined entities in our combined financial statements. Specifically, the term our predecessor means (i) Malkin Holdings LLC, a New York limited liability company that acts as the supervisor of, and performs various asset management services and routine administration with respect to, certain of the existing entities (as described below), which we refer to as the supervisor; (ii) the limited liability companies or limited partnerships that currently (a) own, directly or indirectly and either through a fee interest or a long-term leasehold in the underlying land, and/or (b) operate, directly or indirectly and through a fee interest, an operating lease, an operating sublease or an operating sub-sublease, the 18 office and retail properties (which include non-controlling interests in four office properties for which Malkin Holdings LLC acts as the supervisor but that are not consolidated into our predecessor for accounting purposes) and entitled land that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building
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and garage that we will own after the formation transactions, which we refer to as the existing entities; (iii) Malkin Properties, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Manhattan, which we refer to as Malkin Properties; (iv) Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Westchester County, New York, which we refer to as Malkin Properties NY; (v) Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., a Connecticut corporation that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in the State of Connecticut, which we refer to as Malkin Properties CT; and (vi) Malkin Construction Corp., a Connecticut corporation that is a general contractor and provides services to certain of the existing entities and third parties (including certain tenants at the properties in our portfolio), which we refer to as Malkin Construction. The term our predecessors management companies refers to the supervisor, Malkin Properties, Malkin Properties NY, Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction, collectively. Our predecessor accounts for its investment in the non-controlled entities under the equity method of accounting.
Controlled Entities
As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, properties that the sponsors own interests in and control, and whose operations are 100% consolidated into the financial statements of our predecessor include:
Office:
One Grand Central Place, New York, New York
250 West 57 th Street, New York, New York
1359 Broadway, New York, New York
First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut
Metro Center, Stamford, Connecticut
383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, New York
10 Bank Street, White Plains, New York
Fee ownership position of 350 Fifth Avenue (Empire State Building), New York, New York
Fee ownership position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York
Retail:
10 Union Square, New York, New York
1010 Third Avenue, New York, New York
77 West 55 th Street, New York, New York
1542 Third Avenue, New York, New York
69-97 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
103-107 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
Land Parcels:
We own entitled land at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage.
The acquisition of interests in our predecessor will be recorded at historical cost at the time of the formation transactions.
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Non-Controlled Entities
As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, properties in which the sponsors own and control non-controlling interests and whose operations are reflected in our predecessors combined financial statements as an equity interest include:
Office:
Master operating lease position of 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New YorkEmpire State Building Company L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 1350 Broadway, New York, New York1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (long term ground lease)
1333 Broadway, New York, New York1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
All of our business activities will be conducted through our operating partnership. We will be the sole general partner of our operating partnership. Pursuant to the formation transactions, our operating partnership will (i) acquire interests in the office and retail properties owned by the controlled entities (including our predecessor management companies) and the non-controlled entities and (ii) assume related debt and other specified liabilities of such assets and businesses, in exchange for shares of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock, operating partnership units, and/or cash.
We will be self-administered and self-managed. Additionally, we will form or acquire one or more TRSs, that will be owned by our operating partnership. The TRSs, through several wholly-owned limited liability companies, will conduct third-party services businesses, including the Empire State Building Observatory, cleaning services, cafeteria, restaurant and fitness center, property management and leasing, construction, and property maintenance.
Formation Transactions
Prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, we will engage in a series of formation transactions pursuant to which we will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, (i) the 18 properties owned by the controlled and non-controlled entities, (ii) one development parcel in which our predecessor owns a controlling interest and (iii) the business and assets of our predecessor management businesses. In the aggregate, these interests will comprise our ownership of our property portfolio. We will not acquire our predecessors affiliates interests in the option properties, the excluded properties or the excluded businesses.
To acquire the properties to be included in our portfolio from the current owners we will issue, based on the midpoint of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, to the holders of interests in our predecessor and the non-controlled entities an aggregate of 17,715,085 shares of our Class A common stock, 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock and 148,839,571 operating partnership units, with an aggregate value of $2.3 billion, based on the mid-point of the range of initial public offering prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and we will pay $717.8 million in cash to those holders of interests in our predecessor and the non-controlled entities that are non-accredited and accredited investors that are charitable organizations but chose cash consideration for an aggregate consideration of approximately $3.1 billion. Cash amounts will be provided from the net proceeds of this offering. These contributions and other transactions will be effected prior to or substantially concurrently with the completion of this offering.
We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be, based on the mid-point of the range of initial public offering prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, approximately $820.9 million, or
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approximately $960.6 million if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full (in each case after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses of this offering and formation transactions). We will contribute the net proceeds of this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units, and our operating partnership will use the proceeds received from us, as well as cash on hand as described under Use of Proceeds.
We have determined that one of the predecessor entities, Malkin Holdings LLC, is the acquirer for accounting purposes, and therefore the contribution of the assets of, or acquisition by merger of, the controlled entities is considered a transaction between entities under common control since the sponsors control a majority interest in each of the controlled entities comprising our predecessor. As a result, the acquisition of interests in the controlled entities will be recorded at our historical cost. The contribution of the assets of, or acquisition by merger of, the non-controlled entities (including our predecessors non-controlling interest in these entities) will be accounted for as an acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting and recognized as the estimated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities on the date of such contribution or acquisition. The fair value of these assets and liabilities has been allocated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), Section 805-10, Business Combinations (ASC 805) (formerly known as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141 (SFAS No. 141), which was later replaced by SFAS 141 (R)). Our methodology for allocating the cost of acquisitions to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on estimated fair values, replacement cost and appraised values. We estimate the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, buildings and improvements), identified intangible lease assets and liabilities (consisting of acquired above-market leases, acquired in-place lease value and acquired below-market leases) and assumed debt.
Based on these estimates, we allocate the purchase price to the applicable assets and liabilities. The value allocated to in-place lease costs (tenant improvements, leasing commissions and in-place lease costs) is amortized over the related lease term and reflected as depreciation and amortization. The value of assumed above- and below-market leases is amortized over the related lease term and reflected as either an increase (for below-market leases) or a decrease (for above-market leases) to rental income. The fair value of the debt assumed is determined using current market interest rates for comparable debt financings.
Factors That May Influence Future Results of Operations
Rental Revenue
We derive revenues primarily from rents, rent escalations, expense reimbursements and other income received from tenants under existing leases at each of our properties. Escalations and expense reimbursements consist of payments made by tenants to us under contractual lease obligations to reimburse a portion of the property operating expenses and real estate taxes incurred at each property.
We believe that the average rental rates for in-place leases at our properties are generally below the current market rates, although individual leases at particular properties presently may be leased above, at or below the current market rates within its particular submarket.
The amount of net rental income and reimbursements that we receive depends principally on our ability to lease currently available space, re-lease space to new tenants upon the scheduled or unscheduled termination of leases or renew expiring leases and to maintain or increase our rental rates. Factors that could affect our rental incomes include, but are not limited to: local, regional or national economic conditions; an oversupply of, or a reduction in demand for, office or retail space; changes in market rental rates; our ability to provide adequate services and maintenance at our properties; and fluctuations in interest rates could adversely affect our rental income in future periods. Future economic or regional downturns affecting our submarkets or downturns in our tenants industries could impair our ability to lease vacant space and renew or re-lease space as well as the ability of our tenants to fulfill their lease commitments, and could adversely affect our ability to maintain or increase the occupancy at our properties.
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Tenant Credit Risk
The economic condition of our tenants may also deteriorate, which could negatively impact their ability to fulfill their lease commitments and in turn adversely affect our ability to maintain or increase the occupancy level and/or rental rates of our properties. The recent economic downturn has resulted in many companies shifting to a more cautionary mode with respect to leasing. Many potential tenants are looking to consolidate, reduce overhead and preserve operating capital and many are also deferring strategic decisions, including entering into new, long-term leases at properties.
Leasing
We have seen an improvement since 2008 in leasing activity. For example, during 2011, on a pro forma basis, we signed 1,534,064 rentable square feet of new leases, expansions and lease renewals, an increase of 28.1% over 2010. An additional 1,100,444 and 483,638 rentable square feet of new leases, expansions and lease renewals, on a pro forma basis, were signed in 2012 and the first half of 2013, respectively.
Due to the relatively small number of leases that are signed in any particular quarter, one or more larger leases may have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on average base rent, tenant improvement and leasing commission costs for that period. As a result, we believe it is more appropriate when analyzing trends in average base rent and tenant improvement and leasing commission costs to review activity over multiple quarters or years. Tenant improvement costs include expenditures for general improvements occurring concurrently with, but that are not directly related to, the cost of installing a new tenant. Leasing commission costs are similarly subject to significant fluctuations depending upon the length of leases being signed and the mix of tenants from quarter to quarter.
As of June 30, 2013, our Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office properties were 82.0% leased (or 84.8% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and 88.5% leased (or 90.7% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date), respectively, and our office properties as a whole were 83.5% leased (or 86.2% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date). As of June 30, 2013, there was approximately 1.1 million rentable square feet of space in our portfolio available to lease (excluding leases signed but not yet commenced) representing 13.6% of the net rentable square footage of the properties in our portfolio. In addition, leases representing 2.7% and 4.9% of net rentable square footage of the properties in our portfolio will expire in the remainder of 2013 (including month-to-month leases) and in 2014, respectively. These leases are expected to represent approximately 3.0% and 5.6%, respectively, of our annualized base rent for such periods. Our revenues and results of operations can be impacted by expiring leases that are not renewed or re-leased or that are renewed or re-leased at base rental rates equal to above or below the current average base rental rates. Further, our revenues and results of operations can also be affected by the costs we incur to re-lease available space, including payment of leasing commissions, renovations and build-to-suit remodeling that may not be borne by the tenant.
We believe that as we complete the renovation and repositioning of our properties we will, over the long term, experience increased occupancy levels and rents. Over the short term, as we renovate and reposition our properties, which includes aggregating smaller spaces to offer large blocks of space, we may experience lower occupancy levels as a result of having to relocate tenants to alternative space and the strategic expiration of existing leases. We believe that despite the short-term lower occupancy levels we may experience, we will continue to experience increased rental revenues as a result of the increased rents which we expect to obtain in following the renovation and repositioning of our properties.
Market Conditions
The properties in our portfolio are located in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, which includes Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. Positive or negative changes in conditions in these markets, such as business hirings or layoffs or downsizing, industry growth or slowdowns, relocations of businesses, increases or decreases in real estate and other taxes, costs of complying with governmental regulations or changed regulation, can impact our overall performance.
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Taxable REIT Subsidiaries (TRS)
Following this offering and the formation transactions, ESRT Observatory TRS, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company, which we refer to as Observatory TRS, and ESRT Holdings TRS, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, which we refer to as Holding TRS, will be wholly owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership. We intend to elect, together with Observatory TRS and Holding TRS, to treat Observatory TRS and Holding TRS as TRSs of ours for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A TRS generally may provide non-customary and other services to our tenants and engage in activities that we may not engage in directly without adversely affecting our qualification as a REIT, although a TRS may not operate or manage a lodging facility or provide rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility is operated. See U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsRequirements for QualificationGeneralEffect of Subsidiary EntitiesTaxable REIT Subsidiaries. We may form additional TRSs in the future, and our operating partnership may contribute some or all of its interests in certain wholly owned subsidiaries or their assets to Observatory TRS and Holding TRS. Any income earned by a TRS of ours will not be included in our taxable income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests, except to the extent such income is distributed to us as a dividend, in which case such dividend income will qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%, gross income test. See U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsRequirements for QualificationGeneralGross Income Tests. Because a TRS is subject to entity-level U.S. federal income tax and state and local income tax (where applicable) in the same manner as other taxable corporations, the income earned by a TRS of ours generally will be subject to an additional level of tax as compared to the income earned by our other subsidiaries.
The observatory operations at the Empire State Building have historically been part of the financial results of Empire State Building Company L.L.C., one of the non-controlled entities, and therefore, have not been consolidated into our predecessors financial statements. Instead, they have been a component of our predecessors equity investment in non-controlled entities. Following this offering and the formation transactions, these operations will be part of our consolidated results and we anticipate it will constitute a separate accounting segment. The revenues from our observatory operations will represent a significant portion of our operations following this offering and the formation transactions representing 17.6% and 18.0% of our pro forma revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, the lease payment from the observatory operations to the Empire State Building Company L.L.C. was $17.0 million and $56.0 million, respectively. Our operating partnership and Observatory TRS are party to a lease which is structured to pay our operating partnership a fixed minimum rent plus variable gross participations in certain operations of our observatory. Therefore, the amounts payable under this lease will be dependent upon the following: (i) the number of tourists (domestic and international) that come to New York City and visit the observatory, as well as any related tourism trends; (ii) the prices per admission that can be charged; (iii) seasonal trends affecting the number of visitors to the observatory; (iv) competition, in particular from the planned observation in the new property under construction at One World Trade Center; and (v) weather trends.
Operating expenses
Our operating expenses generally consist of repairs and maintenance, security, utilities, property-related payroll, bad debt expense and third-party management fees. Factors that may affect our ability to control these operating costs include: increases in insurance premiums, tax rates, the cost of periodic repair, renovation costs and the cost of re-leasing space, the cost of compliance with governmental regulation, including zoning and tax laws, the potential for liability under applicable laws and interest rate levels. Also, as a public company, our annual general and administrative expenses may be meaningfully higher compared to historical expenses due to legal, insurance, accounting and other expenses related to corporate governance, SEC reporting, other compliance matters and the costs of operating as a public company. If our operating costs increase as a result of any of the foregoing factors, our future cash flow and results of operations may be adversely affected.
The expenses of owning and operating a property are not necessarily reduced when circumstances, such as market factors and competition, cause a reduction in income from the property. If revenues drop, we may not be
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able to reduce our expenses accordingly. Costs associated with real estate investments, such as real estate taxes and maintenance generally, will not be materially reduced even if a property is not fully occupied or other circumstances cause our revenues to decrease. As a result, if revenues decrease in the future, static operating costs may adversely affect our future cash flow and results of operations. If similar economic conditions exist in the future, we may experience future losses.
Cost of funds and interest rates
We expect future changes in interest rates will impact our overall performance. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may mitigate the risk of interest rate volatility through the use of hedging instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements. While we may seek to manage our exposure to future changes in rates, portions of our overall outstanding debt will likely remain at floating rates. Following this offering and the formation transactions, we expect our floating rate debt to represent 27.4% of our pro forma indebtedness. This floating rate debt includes $270.5 million of borrowings which we expect to have upon the closing of this offering, on a pro forma basis, under the secured revolving and term credit facility. Following the closing of this offering, we anticipate that we will enter into hedging instruments to reduce our floating rate exposure with respect to these borrowings under the term loan portion of the secured revolving and term credit facility. Our floating rate debt may increase to the extent we use available borrowing capacity under our loans to fund capital improvements. We continually evaluate our debt maturities, and, based on managements current assessment, believe we have viable financing and refinancing alternatives that will not materially adversely impact our expected financial results. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will have, on a pro forma basis, no debt maturities in the remainder of 2013 and approximately $198.4 million of maturities in 2014.
Competition
The leasing of real estate is highly competitive in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan market in which we operate. We compete with numerous acquirers, developers, owners and operators of commercial real estate, many of which own or may seek to acquire or develop properties similar to ours in the same markets in which our properties are located. The principal means of competition are rent charged, location, services provided and the nature and condition of the facility to be leased. In addition, we face competition from other real estate companies including other REITs, private real estate funds, domestic and foreign financial institutions, life insurance companies, pension trusts, partnerships, individual investors and others that may have greater financial resources or access to capital than we do or that are willing to acquire properties in transactions which are more highly leveraged or are less attractive from a financial viewpoint than we are willing to pursue. In addition, competition from observatory and/or broadcasting operations in the new property currently under construction at One World Trade Center and, to a lesser extent, from the existing observatory at Rockefeller Center and the existing broadcasting facility at Four Times Square, could have a negative impact on revenues from our observatory and/or broadcasting operations. Adverse impacts on domestic travel and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also decrease demand in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to make distributions to our stockholders. If our competitors offer space at rental rates below current market rates, below the rental rates we currently charge our tenants, in better locations within our markets or in higher quality facilities, we may lose potential tenants and may be pressured to reduce our rental rates below those we currently charge in order to retain tenants when our tenants leases expire.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Combination
The accompanying combined financial statements of our predecessor are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and with the rules and regulations of the SEC. The effect of all significant intercompany balances and transactions has been eliminated. The combined financial statements include all the accounts and operations of our predecessor. The real estate entities included in the accompanying
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combined financial statements have been combined on the basis that, for the periods presented, such entities were under common control, common management and common ownership of the sponsors and/or their affiliates and family members. Equity interests in the combining entities that are not owned and controlled by the sponsors and/or their affiliates and family members are shown as investments in uncombined entities. We will also acquire these interests.
We have consolidated a variable interest entity, or VIE, in which we are considered a primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
We will assess the accounting treatment for each investment we may have in the future. This assessment will include a review of each entitys organizational agreement to determine which party has what rights and whether those rights are protective or participating. For all VIEs, we will review such agreements in order to determine which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and benefit. In situations where we or our partner could approve, among other things, the annual budget, the entitys tax return before filing, and leases that cover more than a nominal amount of space relative to the total rentable space at each property, we would not consolidate the investment as we consider these to be substantive participation rights that result in shared power of the activities that would most significantly impact the performance and benefit of such joint venture investment. Such agreements could also contain certain protective rights such as the requirement of partner approval to sell, finance or refinance the investment and the payment of capital expenditures and operating expenditures outside of the approved budget or operating plan.
A non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary is defined as the portion of the equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Non-controlling interests are required to be presented as a separate component of equity in the combined balance sheets and in the combined statements of income by requiring earnings and other comprehensive income to be attributed to controlling and non-controlling interests. As the financial statements of our predecessor have been prepared on a combined basis, there is no non-controlling interest for the periods presented.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the combined financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include allocation of the purchase price of acquired real estate properties among tangible and intangible assets, determination of the useful life of real estate properties and other long-lived assets, valuation and impairment analysis of combined and uncombined commercial real estate properties and other long-lived assets, estimate of percentage of completion on construction contracts, and valuation of the allowance for doubtful accounts. These estimates are prepared using managements best judgment, after considering past, current, and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Real Estate
Commercial real estate properties are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The recorded cost includes cost of acquisitions, development and construction and tenant allowances and improvements. Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Significant replacements and betterments which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized. Tenant improvements which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of its lease, the unamortized balance of any tenant improvements are written off if they are replaced or have no future value.
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Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Category |
Term |
|
Building (fee ownership) |
39 years | |
Building improvements |
Shorter of remaining life of the building or useful life | |
Building (leasehold interest) |
Lesser of 39 years or remaining term of the lease | |
Furniture and fixtures |
Four to seven years | |
Tenant improvements |
Shorter of remaining term of the lease or useful life |
For commercial real estate properties acquired after June 30, 2001, we assess the fair value of acquired tangible and intangible assets (including land, buildings, tenant improvements, above- and below-market leases, origination costs, acquired in-place leases, other identified intangible assets and assumed liabilities) in accordance with guidance included in ASC 805, and allocate the purchase price to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including land at appraised value and buildings as if vacant, based on estimated fair values. We assess and consider fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize discount and/or capitalization rates that we deem appropriate, as well as available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant. We also consider an allocation of purchase price of other acquired intangibles, including acquired in-place leases that may have a customer relationship intangible value, including (but not limited to) the nature and extent of the existing relationship with the tenants, the tenants credit quality and expectations of lease renewals. Based on our acquisitions to date, our allocation to customer relationship intangible assets has been immaterial. Real estate properties acquired prior to July 1, 2001 were accounted for under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) 16 (APB 16), using the purchase method. Under the provisions of APB 16, we did not allocate any of the purchase prices to acquired leases. APB 16 was superseded by SFAS 141 and later SFAS 141(R).
Acquired in-place lease costs (tenant improvements, leasing commissions and in-place lease costs) are amortized as amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the underlying leases. Acquired assumed above- and below-market leases are amortized on a straight-line basis as an adjustment to rental revenue over the remaining term of the underlying leases, including, for below-market leases, fixed option renewal periods, if any. To date, all such acquired lease intangibles were deemed to be immaterial and have been recorded as part of the cost of the acquired building. The fair values associated with below-market rental renewal options are determined based on our experience and the relevant facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the acquisitions. For below-market leases with fixed option renewal periods, we have applied a minimum threshold of a 10% differential between the fixed rate for fixed rate renewals and estimated market rents when evaluating recording a below-market lease intangible.
Results of operations of properties acquired are included in the combined statements of income from the date of acquisition. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred.
Should a tenant terminate its lease, any unamortized acquired in-place lease costs and acquired in-place lease assets and assumed above- and below-market leases associated with that tenant will be written off to amortization expense or rental revenue, as indicated above.
For properties which we construct, we capitalize the cost to acquire and develop the property. The costs to be capitalized include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes, salaries and related costs of personnel directly involved and other costs incurred during the period of development.
Construction in progress is stated at cost, which includes the cost of construction, other direct costs and overhead costs attributable to the construction. Interest is capitalized if deemed material. No provision for depreciation is made on construction in progress until such time as the relevant assets are completed and put into use.
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We cease capitalization on the portions of a construction property substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalize only those costs associated with the portions under construction.
As a part of and concurrently with this offering and the formation transactions, we will distribute our interest in certain residential buildings and land located in Stamford, Connecticut, which is zoned for residential use and held for future development. These interests have a historical cost of $15.6 million as of June 30, 2013 and such residential buildings and land will be distributed to certain of the owners of our predecessor and therefore will not be acquired by us.
A property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less its cost to sell. Once an asset is held for sale, depreciation expense is no longer recorded and the historic results are reclassified as discontinued operations.
Investments in Non-Controlled Entities
We account for our investments under the equity method of accounting where we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence. Under this method, our investments are recorded at cost, and the investment accounts are adjusted for our share of the entities income or loss and for distributions and contributions. Equity income (loss) from non-controlled entities is allocated based on the portion of our ownership interest that is controlled by the sponsor in each entity. The agreements may designate different percentage allocations among investors for profits and losses; however, our recognition of the entitys income or loss generally follows the entitys distribution priorities, which may change upon the achievement of certain investment return thresholds.
To the extent that we contributed assets to an entity, our investment in the entity is recorded at cost basis in the assets that were contributed to the entity. Upon contributing assets to an entity, we make a judgment as to whether the economic substance of the transaction is a sale. If so, gain or loss is recognized on the portion of the asset to which the other partners in the entity obtain an interest.
To the extent that the carrying amount of these investments on our combined balance sheets is different than the basis reflected at the entity level, the basis difference would be amortized over the life of the related asset and included in our share of equity in net income of the entity.
On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the carrying value of our investments in entities may be impaired on an other than temporary basis. An investment is impaired only if managements estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment on an other than temporary basis. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the fair value of the investment. None of our investments in non-controlled entities are other than temporarily impaired.
We recognize incentive income in the form of overage fees from certain uncombined entities (which include non-controlled and other properties not included in our predecessors combined balance sheets) as income to the extent it has been earned and not subject to a clawback feature.
If our share of distributions and net losses exceeds our investments for certain of the equity method investments and if we remain liable for future obligations of the entity or may otherwise be committed to provide future additional financial support, the investment balances would be presented in the accompanying combined balance sheets as liabilities. The effects of material intercompany transactions with these equity method investments are eliminated. None of the entity debt is recourse to us.
The revenues and expenses of our non-controlled entities, including those generated by our observatory operations and our broadcasting operations, are not included in the historical operating results of our predecessor. These revenues and expenses are included in the non-controlled entities financial statements and we recognize
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our share of net income, including those generated by our observatory operations and our broadcasting operations, through our share of equity in earnings. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, the operations of our non-controlled entities, including our observatory operations and our broadcasting operations, will be combined with our company, our operating partnership and/or our subsidiaries. The revenue and expense recognition accounting policies in the financial statements of our non-controlled entities are substantially the same as those of our historical predecessor. For our observatory operations, revenues consist of admission fees to visit our observatory and are recognized as income when admission tickets are redeemed. We also recognize rental revenue attributable to a retail tenant which operates the concession space in the observatory. In addition, we also participate in revenues generated by concession operators from photography, audio and other products and services which are recognized as income at the time of sale. For our broadcasting operations, revenues consist of broadcasting licenses and related leased space. We recognize broadcasting licenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the license agreements. We also receive rental revenue from certain broadcasting tenants which we recognize on a straight-line basis over the terms of the separate lease agreements. Expenses for our observatory and broadcasting operations are recognized as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, such as commercial real estate properties and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment on a property by property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our real estate properties may be impaired or that its carrying value may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, we first compare undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. We do not believe that the value of any of our properties and intangible assets were impaired during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
Income Taxes
We intend to elect and to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2013. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required under the Code to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) to our stockholders and meet certain other requirements. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may also be subject to certain state, local, alternative minimum and franchise taxes. Under certain circumstances, U.S. federal income and excise taxes may be due on our undistributed taxable income.
During the periods presented, the entities included in the combined financial statements are treated as partnerships or S corporations for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes and, accordingly, are not subject to entity-level tax. Rather, each entitys taxable income or loss is allocated to its owners. Therefore, no provision or liability for U.S. federal or state income taxes has been included in the accompanying combined financial statements.
Two of the limited liability companies in our predecessor have non-real estate income that is subject to New York City unincorporated business tax (NYCUBT). In 2012 and 2011 and the first half of 2013, one of these entities generated a loss for NYCUBT purposes while the other entity generated income. In 2010, both entities generated losses for NYCUBT purposes. It is estimated that it is more likely than not that those losses will not provide future benefit.
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No provision or liability for local income taxes have been included in these combined financial statements, as current year taxable income subject to NYCUBT has been fully offset by a NYCUBT net operating loss carry forward from previous years.
We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. ASC No. 740-10-65 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC No. 740-10-65, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. ASC No. 740-10-65 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes and accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. As of June 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and 2011, we do not have a liability for uncertain tax positions. Potential interest and penalties associated with such uncertain tax positions are recorded as a component of the income tax provision. As of June 30, 2013, the tax years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2012 remain open for an audit by the IRS. We have not received a notice of audit from the IRS for any of the open tax years.
Segment Reporting
Management has determined that our predecessor operates in two reportable segments: a real estate segment and a construction contracting segment. Our real estate segment includes all activities related to the ownership, management, operation, acquisition, repositioning and disposition of our real estate assets, including properties which are accounted for by the equity method. Our construction segment includes all activities related to providing construction services to tenants and to other entities within and outside our company. These two lines of businesses are managed separately because each business requires different support infrastructures, provides different services and has dissimilar economic characteristics such as investments needed, stream of revenues and different marketing strategies. We account for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. Although our observatory operations are currently not presented as a segment in our predecessors historical financial statements since our predecessor has a non-controlling interest in such observatory operations, we anticipate that the operations of our observatory will encompass a reportable segment upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions.
Goodwill
Certain of the properties we will acquire in the formation transactions are owned in two-tier structures with one entity owning a fee or master leasehold interest in the property and the other entity owning an operating or sub leasehold interest. This structure was implemented at inception to achieve flow through tax treatment. The operating lessee controls the operations of the property with the operating lease structured in a manner that shares net operating results, including capital expenditures and debt service, between these two entities. Two of the operating lessees, Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C., are non-controlled entities and only our predecessors non-controlling interest in the operations of these two entities are part of our predecessors historical operations. In the remainder of these two-tier structures, the operations of both the owner and the operating lessee are part of our historical predecessor and are consolidated into our predecessors historical financial statements.
The interests in our predecessor will be recorded at historical cost at the time of the formation transactions. Based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, as of June 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis, the carrying value of our assets is substantially below their fair value. The acquisition of the controlling interests in the non-controlled entities, including the two operating lessees, will be accounted for as an acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting and we will recognize the estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired at the time of the consummation of the formation transactions. When we acquire
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the controlling interest in the assets of these two non-controlled operating lessees, the operating lease will be cancelled as the operations of the properties will be consolidated into our operations. The purchase price will be allocated to any identified tangible or intangible assets we are acquiring from these two entities. Since the non-controlled operating lessees have no interest in the land or base building, the excess of the purchase price over any identified tangible and intangible assets for Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. will be recognized as goodwill on our balance sheet.
Using a purchase price for the acquisition of these two non-controlled operating leaseholds, which for pro forma purposes are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, we expect to record approximately $637.6 million of goodwill. Approximately $256.0 million of the expected goodwill represents the fair value of the observatory operations of the Empire State Building after adjustment for an estimated market rent that the observatory would incur to the property owner, and approximately $381.6 million of the expected goodwill represents the remainder of the excess of the purchase price over identified tangible and intangible assets, of which approximately $370.9 million is attributable to Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and approximately $10.7 million is attributable to 501 Seventh Avenue Associates, L.L.C. Goodwill is not amortized and, therefore, will not affect our future cash flows but may affect our income statement, if impaired. Based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, as of June 30, 2013, the fair value of the assets of our company subsequently would have to decrease by over 68.2%, or $2.3 billion for a determination that the goodwill may be impaired.
We will review goodwill annually for impairment and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill impairment evaluation requires us to perform a two-step impairment test. In the first step, we will compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the second step of the impairment test is performed in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting units goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting units goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then we will record an impairment write-off equal to the difference. After completion of the formation transactions, we may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. This assessment can consider relevant events and circumstances such as macro economic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall report general financial performance and other relevant entity-specific events.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, discount rates and future economic and market conditions. Our estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. These valuations require the use of managements assumptions, which would not reflect unanticipated events and circumstances that may occur.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The majority of our cash and cash equivalents are held at major commercial banks which may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit. To date, we have not experienced any losses on our invested cash.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of amounts held by lenders and/or escrow agents to provide for future real estate tax expenditures and insurance expenditures, tenant vacancy related costs, debt service obligations and amounts held for tenants in accordance with lease agreements such as security deposits, as well as amounts held by our third-party property managers.
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Revenue Recognition
Rental Revenue
Rental revenue includes base rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its respective lease and is reported on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the lease 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 or controls the physical use of the leased space and the leased space is substantially ready for its intended use. In addition, many of our leases contain fixed percentage increases over the base rent to cover escalations. We account for all of our leases as operating leases. Deferred rent receivables, including free rental periods and leasing arrangements allowing for increased base rent payments are accounted for in a manner that provides an even amount of fixed lease revenues over the respective non-cancellable lease terms. Differences between rental income recognized and amounts due under the respective lease agreements are recognized as an increase or decrease to deferred rents receivable.
The timing of rental revenue recognition is impacted by the ownership of tenant improvements and allowances. When we are the owner of the tenant improvements, revenue recognition commences after both the improvements are completed and the tenant takes possession or control of the space. In contrast, if we determine that the tenant allowances we are funding are lease incentives, then we commence revenue recognition when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant. Tenant improvement ownership is determined based on various factors including, but not limited to, whether the lease stipulates how and on what a tenant improvement allowance may be spent, whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements at the end of the lease term, whether the tenant improvements are unique to the tenant or general-purpose in nature, and whether the tenant improvements are expected to have any residual value at the end of the lease.
In addition to base rent, our tenants also generally will pay their pro rata share of increases in real estate taxes and operating expenses for the building over a base year. In some leases, in lieu of paying additional rent based upon increases in building operating expenses, the tenant will pay additional rent based upon increases in the wage rate paid to porters over the porters wage rate in effect during a base year or increases in the Consumer Price Index over the index value in effect during a base year.
We will recognize rental revenue of acquired in-place above- and below-market leases at their fair values over the terms of the respective leases, including, for below-market leases, fixed option renewal periods, if any.
Lease cancellation fees are recognized when the fees are determinable, tenant vacancy has occurred, collectability is reasonably assured, we have no continuing obligation to provide services to such former tenants and the payment is not subject to any conditions that must be met or waived. Such fees are included in other income and fees in our combined statements of income.
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, the operations of our non-controlled entities, including our observatory operations and our broadcasting operations, will be combined with our company, our operating partnership and/or our subsidiaries. For our observatory operations, revenues consist of admission fees to visit our observatory and we will recognize them as income when admission tickets are redeemed. For our broadcasting operations, revenues consist of broadcasting licenses and related leased space. We recognize broadcasting licenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the license agreements. We also receive rental revenue from certain broadcasting tenants which we recognize on a straight-line basis over the terms of the separate lease agreements.
We also earn concession revenues from photography, gifts and other products and services related to our observatory operations which are recognized at the time of sale.
Gains on Sale of Real Estate
We record a gain on sale of real estate when title is conveyed to the buyer and we have no substantial economic involvement with the property. If the sales criteria for the full accrual method are not met, we defer
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some or all of the gain recognition and account for the continued operations of the property by applying the finance, leasing, profit sharing, deposit, installment or cost recovery methods, as appropriate, until the sales criteria are met.
Gains from sales of depreciated properties are included in discontinued operations and the net proceeds from the sale of these properties are classified in the investing activities section of the combined statements of cash flows. During the periods presented, we did not sell any properties.
Third-Party Management, Leasing and Other Fees
We earn revenue arising from contractual agreements with affiliated entities of the sponsors that are not presented as controlled entities. This revenue is recognized as the related services are performed under the respective agreements in place.
Construction Revenue
Revenues from construction contracts are recognized under the percentage of completion method. Under this method, progress towards completion is recognized according to the ratio of incurred costs to estimated total costs. This method is used because management considers the cost-to-cost method the most appropriate in the circumstances.
Contract costs include all direct material, direct labor and other direct costs and an allocation of certain overhead related to contract performance. General and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We maintain an allowance against tenant and other receivables and deferred rents receivables for future potential tenant credit losses. The credit assessment is based on the estimated accrued rental revenue that is recoverable over the term of the respective lease. The computation of this allowance is based on the tenants payment history and current credit status, as well as certain industry or geographic specific credit considerations. If our estimate of collectability differs from the cash received, then the timing and amount of our reported revenue could be impacted. Bad debt expense is included in operating expenses on our combined statements of income and includes the impact of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts on our combined balance sheets.
Discontinued Operations
We reclassify material operations related to properties sold during the period or held for sale at the end of the period to discontinued operations for all periods presented. There were no discontinued operations in the periods presented.
Deferred Lease Costs
Deferred lease costs consist of fees and direct costs incurred to initiate and renew leases, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term and the expense is included in depreciation and amortization in our combined statements of income. Upon the early termination of a lease, unamortized deferred leasing costs are charged to expense.
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Deferred Financing Costs
Fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing have been deferred and are being amortized as a component of interest expense in our combined statements of income over the life of the respective mortgage on the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are expensed when the associated debt is refinanced or repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in seeking debt, which do not close, are expensed in the period in which it is determined that the financing will not close.
Advertising and Marketing Costs
Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred.
Fair Value
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entitys own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, tenant and other receivables, due from affiliated companies, prepaid expenses and other assets, accrued interest payable, due to affiliate companies, deferred revenue, tenant security deposits, accounts payable and accrued expenses in our combined balance sheets approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
The fair value of our mortgage notes payable and unsecured loans and notes payable-related parties, which are determined using Level 3 inputs, are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar borrowings could be made to us. The methodologies used for valuing financial instruments have been categorized into three broad levels as follows:
Level 1- |
Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. | |
Level 2- |
Valuations based principally on other observable market parameters, including: | |
Quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments; | ||
Quoted prices in less active or inactive markets for identical or similar instruments; | ||
Other observable inputs (such as risk free interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates); and | ||
Market corroborated inputs (derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data). | ||
Level 3- |
Valuations based significantly on unobservable inputs. | |
Valuations based on third-party indications (broker quotes or counterparty quotes) which were, in turn, based significantly on unobservable inputs or were otherwise not supportable as Level 2 valuations. | ||
Valuations based on internal models with significant unobservable inputs. |
These levels form a hierarchy. We follow this hierarchy for our financial instruments measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis and other required fair value disclosures. The classifications are based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
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Offering Costs and Formation Transaction Expenses
In connection with this offering and the formation transactions, we have incurred or will incur incremental accounting fees, legal fees and other professional fees. Such costs will be deferred and recorded as a reduction of proceeds of this offering, or expensed as incurred if this offering is not consummated. Certain costs associated with this offering and the formation transactions not directly attributable to the solicitation of consents of the investors in the existing entities and this offering, but rather related to structuring the formation transaction, are expensed as incurred.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011 the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the IASB (the Boards) on fair value measurements. The collective efforts of the Boards and their staffs, reflected in ASU 2011-04, have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term fair value. The Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied prospectively, and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our combined financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The update provides an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. In addition, an entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of the comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in this update are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, except for the amendment to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income which the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date on November 8, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed combined financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update (ASU) to enhance the disclosure requirements about an employers participation in a multiemployer pension plan. Employers that participate in a multiemployer pension plan will be required to provide a narrative description of the general nature of the plans and the employers participation in the plans that would indicate how the risks of these plans are different from single-employer plans and a disclosure of the minimum contributions required by the agreement. For each multiemployer pension plan that is individually significant, employers are required to provide additional disclosures including disaggregation of information. The guidance is effective for annual periods for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011.
In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance that concluded when a parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate as a result of default on the subsidiarys nonrecourse debt, the reporting entity must apply the accounting guidance for sales of real estate to determine whether it should derecognize the in substance real estate. The reporting entity is precluded from derecognizing the real estate until legal ownership has been transferred to the lender to satisfy the debt. The guidance is
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effective for calendar year-end public and nonpublic companies in 2013 and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption of the guidance is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our combined financial statements.
Overview
For the periods presented, our predecessors portfolio was comprised of interests in ten office properties and six retail properties and non-controlled interests in the following four office properties, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting: the Empire State Building, 1350 Broadway, 1333 Broadway and 501 Seventh Avenue. The fee ownership interests of the Empire State Building and 501 Seventh Avenue are included in our predecessors portfolio but the operating lease interests of these two properties are part of our predecessors equity interest in non-controlled entities. These non-controlled interests will represent a significant part of our operations following this offering and the formation transactions (56.2% and 57.9% of our pro forma revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively) when they become consolidated into our operations. Also, for the periods presented below, rental revenue includes rental revenue earned by the Empire State Building and 501 Seventh Avenue related to leasehold rent, which upon acquisition by our company will be eliminated in consolidation. The following comparative discussion of results of operations discusses only the operations of our predecessor (which reflects its interest in the non-controlled entities as an equity investment). Therefore, for periods following the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, our results of operations will be materially different as they will consolidate the non-controlled entities and will disclose more detailed information concerning the Empire State Building, 1350 Broadway, 1333 Broadway and 501 Seventh Avenue.
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Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (in thousands)
The following table summarizes the historical results of operations of our predecessor for six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:
Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | Change | % | |||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue (1) |
$ | 88,905 | $ | 86,268 | $ | 2,637 | 3.1 | % | ||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
13,634 | 14,681 | (1,047 | ) | (7.1 | )% | ||||||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
4,183 | 3,170 | 1,013 | 32.0 | % | |||||||||||
Construction revenue |
12,400 | 8,144 | 4,256 | 52.3 | % | |||||||||||
Other income and fees |
2,867 | 4,983 | (2,116 | ) | (42.5 | )% | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Revenues |
121,989 | 117,246 | 4,743 | 4.0 | % | |||||||||||
Operating Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
25,958 | 28,185 | (2,227 | ) | (7.9 | )% | ||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
13,174 | 7,575 | 5,599 | 73.9 | % | |||||||||||
Construction expenses |
12,789 | 8,700 | 4,089 | 47.0 | % | |||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
15,787 | 14,699 | 1,088 | 7.4 | % | |||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
3,000 | 723 | 2,277 | 314.9 | % | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
25,267 | 20,877 | 4,390 | 21.0 | % | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
95,975 | 80,759 | 15,216 | 18.8 | % | |||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from Operations Before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-Controlled Entities |
26,014 | 36,487 | (10,473 | ) | (28.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Interest expense |
28,911 | 26,488 | 2,423 | 9.1 | % | |||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
(2,897 | ) | 9,999 | (12,896 | ) | (129.0 | )% | |||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
7,898 | 7,586 | 312 | 4.1 | % | |||||||||||
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|
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|
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|
|||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 5,001 | $ | 17,585 | $ | (12,584 | ) | (71.6 | )% | |||||||
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|
|
(1) | Includes $10,151 and $8,281 of leasehold rent for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. |
Rental Revenue
Rental revenue increased by $2,637, or 3.1%, to $88,905 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $86,268 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to increased overage rent at 501 Seventh Avenue of $787 and an increase in basic rent income at the Empire State Building of $1,083 attributable to increased debt service paid by Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. and passed through to Empire State Building Company, L.L.C. on additional financing.
Tenant Expense Reimbursement
Tenant expense reimbursement decreased by $1,047, or 7.1%, to $13,634 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $14,681 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Generally, under our leases, we are entitled to reimbursement from our tenants for increases in the consumer price index, real estate tax and operating expenses associated with the leased property over the amount incurred for these operating expenses in the first year of the leases. Therefore, no tenant reimbursements are typically earned during the first year of a lease term. The decrease in tenant expense reimbursements for the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012 was primarily attributable to a decline in electric income of $1,173 primarily due
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to new tenants generally having their space metered resulting in lower profit margins on electric than previous tenants billed on a non-metered basis. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in real estate tax reimbursement of $300.
Third-Party Management and Other Fees
Third-party management and other fees increased by $1,013, or 32.0%, to $4,183 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $3,170 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This is primarily attributable to an increase in supervisory fees of $829.
Construction Revenue
Construction revenue increased by $4,256, or 52.3%, to $12,400 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $8,144 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This increase is attributable to a higher number of construction projects during the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012.
Other Income and Fees
Other income and fees decreased by $2,116, or 42.5%, to $2,867 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $4,983 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This decrease is mainly attributable to $1,203 of lease cancellation fees earned during the six months ended June 30, 2012 with no corresponding fees earned during 2013.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased by $2,227, or 7.9%, to $25,958 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $28,185 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in repairs and maintenance of $2,610 which was partially offset by higher operating payroll, marketing expense and insurance expense.
Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses
Marketing, general and administrative expenses increased by $5,599, or 73.9%, to $13,174 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $7,575 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This variance primarily reflects an increase of $5,551 in professional fees.
Construction Expenses
Construction expenses increased by $4,089, or 47.0%, to $12,789 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $8,700 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This increase correlates with the increase in the new construction projects as noted above in Construction Revenue.
Real Estate Taxes
Real estate taxes increased by $1,088, or 7.4%, to $15,787 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $14,699 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to an aggregate increase of $835 at 250 West 57th Street, 1359 Broadway, One Grand Central Place and 1542 Third Avenue.
Formation Transaction Expenses
Formation transaction expenses increased by $2,277, or 314.9%, to $3,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $723 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase was due to greater external legal, accounting, proxy solicitation, and investor relation services time and costs related to structuring the formation transactions.
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Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased by $4,390, or 21.0%, to $25,267 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $20,877 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily the result of improvements made at the Empire State Building and One Grand Central Place resulting in additional depreciation and amortization of $2,876 and a net increase at the other properties of $1,514.
Interest Expense
Interest expense (including amortization of mortgage costs) increased by $2,423, or 9.1%, to $28,911 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $26,488 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This was primarily attributable to a net increase in interest expense of $2,545 at the Empire State Building due to higher loan balances, and amortization of deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the loans origination and subsequent draws and amendments, partially offset by lower interest expense at the other properties of $122.
Equity in Income of Non-controlled Entities
Equity in income of non-controlled entities increased by $312, or 4.1%, to $7,898 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $7,586 for the six months ended June 30, 2012, primarily due to increased net income at Empire State Building.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2011 (in thousands)
The following table summarizes the historical results of operations of our predecessor for years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | Change | % | |||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue (1) |
$ | 196,187 | $ | 198,494 | $ | (2,307 | ) | (1.2 | )% | |||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
29,483 | 31,063 | (1,580 | ) | (5.1 | )% | ||||||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
5,103 | 5,626 | (523 | ) | (9.3 | )% | ||||||||||
Construction revenue |
18,902 | 47,560 | (28,658 | ) | (60.3 | )% | ||||||||||
Other income and fees |
10,619 | 12,045 | (1,426 | ) | (11.8 | )% | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Revenues |
260,294 | 294,788 | (34,494 | ) | (11.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Operating Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
55,707 | 57,102 | (1,395 | ) | (2.4 | )% | ||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
20,963 | 15,688 | 5,275 | 33.6 | % | |||||||||||
Construction expenses |
19,592 | 46,230 | (26,638 | ) | (57.6 | )% | ||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
30,406 | 29,160 | 1,246 | 4.3 | % | |||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
2,247 | 2,845 | (598 | ) | (21.0 | )% | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
42,690 | 35,513 | 7,177 | 20.2 | % | |||||||||||
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|
|||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
171,605 | 186,538 | (14,933 | ) | (8.0 | )% | ||||||||||
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Income from Operations Before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-Controlled Entities |
88,689 | 108,250 | (19,561 | ) | (18.1 | )% | ||||||||||
Interest expense |
54,394 | 54,746 | (352 | ) | (0.6 | )% | ||||||||||
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Income from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
34,295 | 53,504 | (19,209 | ) | (35.9 | )% | ||||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
14,348 | 3,893 | 10,455 | 268.6 | % | |||||||||||
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|||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | (8,754 | ) | (15.3 | )% | |||||||
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(1) | Includes $39,415 and $42,902 of leasehold rent for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. |
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Rental Revenue
Rental revenue decreased by $2,307, or 1.2%, to $196,187 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $198,494 for the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to (i) a decrease of $4,581 in overage rent received by Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (lessor) for the year 2012 due to the payment of improvements and tenanting costs out of Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (lessee) operating cash flow after use of all currently available mortgage proceeds partially offset by (ii) an increase in basic rent income at the Empire State Building of $1,747 attributable to increased basic rent equal to increased debt service paid by the lessor on additional financing.
Tenant Expense Reimbursement
Tenant expense reimbursement decreased by $1,580, or 5.1%, to $29,483 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $31,063 for the year ended December 31, 2011. Generally, under our leases, we are entitled to reimbursement from our tenants for increases in the consumer price index, real estate tax and operating expenses associated with the leased property over the amount incurred for these operating expenses in the first year of the leases. Therefore, no tenant reimbursements are typically earned during the first year of a lease term. The decrease in tenant expense reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 was primarily attributable to a decline in electric income of $639 primarily due to new tenants generally having their space metered resulting in lower profit margins on electric than previous tenants billed on a non-metered basis and a decrease in consumer price index, or CPI, related escalation income of $1,139. The decreases were partially offset by an increase in real estate tax reimbursement of $530.
Third-Party Management and Other Fees
Third-party management and other fees decreased by $523, or 9.3%, to $5,103 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $5,626 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This decrease is primarily attributable to a $635 decline in supervisory fees earned in 2012 primarily reflecting 2010 supervisory fee income earned in 2011 and acquisition fee income of $603 earned in 2011 (with no corresponding amounts earned in 2012), partially offset by $513 of increased professional fees charged to the properties being accounted for under the equity method, the option properties and the excluded properties and excluded businesses. Acquisition fee income relates to services provided by the supervisor or affiliates related to new investments related to the excluded properties and businesses.
Construction Revenue
Construction revenue decreased by $28,658, or 60.3%, to $18,902 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $47,560 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This decrease is attributable to lower construction activity in the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. In 2012, we experienced a decrease in the project size of our construction projects. The aggregate revenue earned for the five largest projects in the year ended December 31, 2012 was $9,198, while the aggregate revenue earned for the five largest projects in the year ended December 31, 2011 was $41,539. The 2012 projects include revenue of $4,136 from the construction of a middle school in Connecticut and $17,421 in 2011 from the same project.
Other Income and Fees
Other income and fees decreased by $1,426, or 11.8%, to $10,619 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $12,045 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This decrease is mainly attributable to $5,178 of income received and recognized in 2011 as a voluntary reimbursement of legal expenses previously incurred by us of which $5,021 was from the Helmsley estate, partially offset by net increases in other income, including an increase of $3,201 in lease cancellation fees primarily from tenants at First Stamford Place, One Grand Central Place and 1359 Broadway and an increase of $363 in connection with fee income related to additional offering costs for services provided by the supervisor and allocated to the properties being accounted for under the equity method and to the option properties.
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Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased by $1,395, or 2.4%, to $55,707 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $57,102 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in repairs and maintenance of $1,822 and bad debt expense of $729 which was partially offset by higher operating payroll of $1,454.
Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses
Marketing, general and administrative expenses increased by $5,275, or 33.6%, to $20,963 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $15,688 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This variance primarily reflects an increase of $3,484 in professional fees for accounting and bookkeeping costs related to this offering and the formation transactions, as well as higher general and administrative costs of $594 and payroll costs of $1,289. This was partially offset by a $274 decrease in airplane expenses incurred by one of our predecessor management companies which are not reflected in 2012 (the shares in the airplanes were sold in 2011 by one of our predecessor management companies).
Construction Expenses
Construction expenses decreased by $26,638, or 57.6%, to $19,592 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $46,230 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This decrease correlates with the decrease in the new construction projects as noted above in Construction Revenue.
Real Estate Taxes
Real estate taxes increased by $1,246, or 4.3%, to $30,406 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $29,160 for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase was primarily attributable to an aggregate increase of $1,113 at 250 West 57th Street, 1359 Broadway, One Grand Central Place, First Stamford Place and 500 Mamaroneck Avenue.
Formation Transaction Expenses
Formation transaction expenses decreased by $598, or 21.0%, to $2,247 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $2,845 for the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease was due to a lower amount of external legal, accounting, and valuation professional services time and costs related to structuring the formation transactions than on the solicitation of consents of investors and this offering as the transaction progresses from the formation stage to the solicitation and offering stage. For formation transaction expenses, our prior period financial results have been adjusted to reflect an immaterial correction. During fiscal year 2012, we determined that certain costs related to the structuring of the formation transactions that were previously included in deferred offering costs should have been expensed in the periods incurred. The correction resulted in immaterial changes to deferred costs and formation transaction expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and had no impact on the net change in cash reported on the statement of cash flows. The formation transaction expenses will not have an impact on our results of operations or the dividends to be paid by us after closing of this offering and the formation transactions.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased by $7,177, or 20.2%, to $42,690 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $35,513 for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily the result of improvements made at the Empire State Building and One Grand Central Place resulting in additional depreciation and amortization of $7,016 and a net increase at the other properties of $161.
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Interest Expense
Interest expense (including amortization of mortgage costs) decreased by $352, or 0.6%, to $54,394 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $54,746 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This was primarily attributable to a net decrease in interest expense of $399 at the Empire State Building due to a 2011 prepayment fee on the repayment of prior mortgages of $2,343 and the write-off of $568 of unamortized loan costs (none in 2012) which was partially offset by an increase in interest expense due to higher loan balances at the Empire State Building and 250 West 57th Street.
Equity in Income of Non-controlled Entities
Equity in income of non-controlled entities increased by $10,455, or 268.6%, to $14,348 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $3,893 for the year ended December 31, 2011. The net increase in equity in net income of non-controlled entities resulted from the following: an increase of $8,857 at the Empire State Building related to a net real estate tax refund of $10,131 received by the lessee of the Empire State Building for the fiscal years 2002/2003 through 2011/2012, of which our share is $2,406, and higher 2012 observatory net income of $10,608, of which our share is $2,519, lower 2012 operating expenses of $9,697, of which our share is $2,303, and higher rental revenue of $4,842, of which our share is $1,150; and an increase of $1,128 at 1350 Broadway related to an increase in rental revenue of $1,535, of which our share is $767.
Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
The following table summarizes the historical results of operations of our predecessor for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | Change | % | |||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue (1) |
$ | 198,494 | $ | 166,159 | $ | 32,335 | 19.5 | % | ||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
31,063 | 32,721 | (1,658 | ) | (5.1 | )% | ||||||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
5,626 | 3,750 | 1,876 | 50.0 | % | |||||||||||
Construction revenue |
47,560 | 27,139 | 20,421 | 75.2 | % | |||||||||||
Other income and fees |
12,045 | 16,776 | (4,731 | ) | (28.2 | )% | ||||||||||
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|||||||||
Total Revenues |
294,788 | 246,545 | 48,243 | 19.6 | % | |||||||||||
Operating Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
57,102 | 60,356 | (3,254 | ) | (5.4 | )% | ||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
15,688 | 13,924 | 1,764 | 12.7 | % | |||||||||||
Construction expenses |
46,230 | 27,581 | 18,649 | 67.6 | % | |||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
29,160 | 27,585 | 1,575 | 5.7 | % | |||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
2,845 | 807 | 2,038 | 252.5 | % | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
35,513 | 34,041 | 1,472 | 4.3 | % | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
186,538 | 164,294 | 22,244 | 13.5 | % | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from Operations Before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-Controlled Entities |
108,250 | 82,251 | 25,999 | 31.6 | % | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
54,746 | 52,264 | 2,482 | 4.7 | % | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
53,504 | 29,987 | 23,517 | 78.4 | % | |||||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
3,893 | 15,324 | (11,431 | ) | (74.6 | )% | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | $ | 12,086 | 26.7 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Includes $42,902 and $17,106 of leasehold rent for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. |
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Rental Revenue
Rental revenue increased by $32,335, or 19.5%, to $198,494 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $166,159 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase was primarily attributable to increased overage rent income at the Empire State Building of $24,669 which was primarily attributable to improvement costs funded by new borrowings made by Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (the lessor) as opposed to Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (the lessee) funding improvements costs in 2011 through operating cash flow as had been done in 2010. In addition, the increase was attributable to (i) increased overage rent income at 501 Seventh Avenue of $704 which was primarily attributable to fewer improvements at the property; (ii) increased rental income at One Grand Central Place, 500 Mamaroneck and Metro Center which collectively accounted for $3,989 and was mainly due to new, renewed and expanded office leases; (iii) increased rental income of $3,492 at 250 West 57th Street including a significant retail lease that commenced in July 2010 that accounted for $861 of the increase and a write-off in 2010 of deferred straight-line receivable for cancellation of the previous retail tenants lease that accounted for $1,559 of the increase. Vacancy contributed to a decrease in rental income of $724 at 69-97 Main Street and the elimination of deferred rent receivable in connection with an early lease termination contributed to a decrease of $425 of rental income at 10 Union Square.
Tenant Expense Reimbursement
Tenant expense reimbursement decreased by $1,658, or 5.1%, to $31,063 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $32,721 for the year ended December 31, 2010. Generally, under our leases, we are entitled to reimbursement from our tenants for increases in specific operating expenses associated with the leased property over the amount incurred for these operating expenses in the first year of the leases. Therefore, no tenant reimbursements are typically earned during the first year of a lease term. The decrease in tenant expense reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 was primarily attributable to: (i) a decline in electric income of $1,735 primarily attributable to a decrease in electricity cost; (ii) operating expense reimbursements, which decreased by $734 mainly due to no reimbursement for the base year of new and renewal leases commenced in 2011; and (iii) Consumer Price Index income, which decreased by $412. This decrease was partially offset by: (i) real estate tax escalation income, which increased by $775 mainly due to increased real estate tax expense; (ii) cleaning income, which increased by $205; and (iii) security and repairs income, which increased by $169.
Third-Party Management and Other Fees
Third-party management and other fees increased by $1,876, or 50.0%, to $5,626 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $3,750 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to increased supervisory and professional fees charged to the properties being accounted for under the equity method, the option properties and the excluded properties and excluded businesses. We earned (i) supervisory fees from such entities of $3,328 and $1,925 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and (ii) property management fees from such entities of $1,667 and $1,233 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Construction Revenue
Construction revenue increased by $20,421, or 75.2%, to $47,560 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $27,139 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase is attributable to greater construction activity in the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. In 2011, we experienced a significant increase in the project size of our construction projects. The aggregate revenue earned for the five largest projects in the year ended December 31, 2011 was $41,539, while the aggregate revenue earned for the five largest projects in the year ended December 31, 2010 was $19,725. The 2011 projects include revenue of (i) $16,196 from new construction of residential apartments and a residential parking garage at a development site adjacent to our entitled land in Stamford, Connecticut that will not be contributed to our predecessor in the
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formation transactions and (ii) $22,463 from the construction of two middle schools in Connecticut. We do not expect this increase in the project size and quantity of our construction projects to continue in the immediate future.
Other Income and Fees
Other income and fees decreased by $4,731 or 28.2%, to $12,045 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $16,776 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This decrease is attributable to lease cancellation income which was $11,185 higher in the year ended December 31, 2010, related to four tenants at 1359 Broadway, First Stamford Place and 250 West 57 th Street, all of which vacated their spaces in 2010. This decrease was partially offset by $5,178 of income received as a voluntary reimbursement of legal expenses previously incurred by us of which $5,021 was from the Helmsley estate, and $1,550 of professional fees earned from the option properties for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased by $3,254, or 5.4%, to $57,102 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $60,356 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in electricity expense of $2,419 following a change in electric provider at certain of our Manhattan office properties resulting in better rates. Our bad debt expense also declined by $1,183 in 2011 due to improved collections. These decreases were partially offset by an increase to repairs and maintenance of $1,170.
Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses
Marketing, general and administrative expenses increased by $1,764, or 12.7%, to $15,688 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $13,924 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase includes $717 of executive bonuses paid in 2011 and an increase to other administrative payroll of $384.
Construction Expenses
Construction expenses increased by $18,649, or 67.6%, to $46,230 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $27,581 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase correlates with the increase in the new construction projects that were commenced in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011.
Real Estate Taxes
Real estate taxes increased by $1,575, or 5.7%, to $29,160 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $27,585 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily attributable to increases of $867 at First Stamford Place and $275 at Metro Center, both attributable to prior year refunds received in the year ended December 31, 2010, and an increase of $334 at One Grand Central Place.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased by $1,472, or 4.3%, to $35,513 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $34,041 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily the result of improvements made at the Empire State Building and One Grand Central Place resulting in additional depreciation and amortization of $3,060, which was partially offset by the write-off of unamortized tenant improvements and leasing costs at 1359 Broadway in 2010 associated with the early termination of leases resulting in a decrease of depreciation and amortization of $1,822 from that property.
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Formation Transaction Expenses
Formation transaction expenses increased by $2,038, or 252.5%, to $2,845 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $807 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was because of external legal, accounting, and valuation professional services related to the structuring of the formation transactions. The process started late in 2010 and a majority of the costs were incurred in 2011. For formation transaction expenses, our prior period financial results have been adjusted to reflect an immaterial correction. During fiscal year 2012, we determined that certain costs related to the structuring of the formation transactions that were previously included in deferred offering costs should have been expensed in the periods incurred. The correction resulted in immaterial changes to deferred costs and formation transaction expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and had no impact to the net change in cash reported on the statement of cash flows. The formation transaction expenses will not have an impact on our results of operations or the dividends to be paid by us after closing of this offering and the formation transactions.
Interest Expense
Interest expense (including amortization of mortgage costs) increased by $2,482, or 4.7%, to $54,746 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $52,264 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) a prepayment fee of $2,343 and increased amortization of prior mortgage costs of $1,222 less lower interest expense of $646 with respect to our new secured term loan at the Empire State Building which closed in July 2011; (ii) increased mortgage interest expense at 500 Mamaroneck Avenue and 501 Seventh Avenue due to increased borrowings (approximately $292 and $84, respectively); (iii) partially offset at 10 Union Square due to the 2010 prepayment of debt ($159 of increase in expense for the year ended December 31, 2010); and a decrease of $654 at various properties in connection with lower principal balances.
Equity in Income of Non-controlled Entities
Equity in income of non-controlled entities decreased by $11,431, or 74.6%, to $3,893 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $15,324 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in our share of equity in net income of non-controlled entities primarily reflected (i) an increase in acquisition costs of $10,665 of which our share is $3,042, (ii) an increase in overage rent paid by the lessee of the Empire State Building in the amount of $24,669 and recognized by us as rental revenue which was attributable to 2011 improvement costs paid from proceeds of the new secured term loan, of which our share was $5,859; (iii) an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $4,031 due to increased investment, of which our share was $1,148; and (iv) an increase of $4,684 in rental revenues, of which our share is $1,171.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain our assets and operations, including lease-up costs, fund our renovation and repositioning programs, acquire properties, make distributions to our stockholders and other general business needs. Based on the historical experience of our predecessor and our business strategy, in the foreseeable future we anticipate we will generate positive cash flows from operations. In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required under the Code to distribute to our stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. We expect to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders.
While we may be able to anticipate and plan for certain liquidity needs, there may be unexpected increases in uses of cash that are beyond our control and which would affect our financial condition and results of operations. For example, we may be required to comply with new laws or regulations that cause us to incur unanticipated capital expenditures for our properties, thereby increasing our liquidity needs. Even if there are no material changes to our anticipated liquidity requirements, our sources of liquidity may be fewer than, and the funds available from such sources may be less than, anticipated or needed. Our primary sources of liquidity will
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generally consist of cash on hand and cash generated from our operating activities, mortgage financings and unused borrowing capacity under our new secured revolving and term credit facility. We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, including distributions, operating expenses, working capital, debt service, and capital expenditures from cash flows from operations, the net proceeds from this offering and $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis following this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). The $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity is comprised of $531.0 million with respect to our secured revolving and term credit facility, $6.1 million with respect to our mortgage loan on 250 West 57 th Street, $5.0 million of available borrowing capacity with respect to our mortgage loan on 1350 Broadway and $7.6 million of available borrowing capacity with respect to our mortgage loan on One Grand Central Place. The availability of these borrowings is subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable loan agreements. We expect to meet our long-term capital requirements, including acquisitions (including potentially the option properties), redevelopments and capital expenditures through our cash flows from operations, the net proceeds from this offering, our secured revolving and term credit facility, mortgage financings, debt issuances, common and/or preferred equity issuances and asset sales.
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we estimate we will receive gross proceeds from this offering of approximately $1.0 billion (or $1.15 billion if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) assuming an initial public offering price of $14.00 per share, which is the mid-point of the range of initial public offering prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. After deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses of this offering from the gross proceeds, the net proceeds from this offering would be approximately $820.9 million (or $960.6 million if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock, we expect to contribute the additional net proceeds, which will be approximately $150.0 million in the aggregate, to our operating partnership in exchange for 10,725,000 operating partnership units. Our operating partnership intends to use such net proceeds to repurchase shares from the Helmsley estate at a per share price equal to the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount and commission. We do not intend to use any of the net proceeds from this offering to fund distributions to our stockholders, but to the extent we use a portion of the net proceeds to fund distributions, these payments will be treated as a return of capital to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest such portion of the net proceeds in interest bearing accounts and short term, interest bearing securities that are consistent with our intention to qualify for taxation as a REIT.
On a pro forma basis, we expect to have approximately $1.16 billion of total consolidated indebtedness outstanding, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.04% and a weighted average maturity of 3.5 years. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will have, on a pro forma basis, no debt maturing in the remainder of 2013 and approximately $198.4 million of debt maturing in 2014. Additionally, we expect to have $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances).
Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we expect to enter into an agreement for an $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates, for which the lead arrangers have secured all commitments. We expect to use this secured revolving and term credit facility to, among other things, fund capital expenditures and tenant improvements and leasing commissions, potential acquisitions, general corporate matters and working capital. Additionally, the secured revolving and term credit facility will be used to repay and retire the existing $500.0 million term loan currently secured by the Empire State Building, which had a balance of $269.0 million as of June 30, 2013, and fully repay a loan made to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place which was made by an entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. We expect that the secured revolving and term credit facility will include an accordion feature that would allow us to increase availability thereunder to $1.25 billion, under specified circumstances. See Consolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This OfferingSecured Revolving and Term Credit Facility.
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Our overall leverage will depend on our mix of investments and the cost of leverage. Our charter does not restrict the amount of leverage that we may use. Our properties require periodic investments of capital for individual lease related tenant improvements allowances, general capital improvements and costs associated with capital expenditures. Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin will be released from or otherwise indemnified for liabilities arising under certain guarantees and indemnities with respect to approximately $1.3 billion of mortgage loans (including currently undrawn amounts) on our properties, which will be assumed by us upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions in respect of obligations arising after the closing. The guarantees and indemnities with respect to all of the indebtedness are, in most instances, limited to losses incurred by the applicable lender arising from acts such as fraud, misappropriation of funds, intentional breach, bankruptcy and certain environmental matters. In connection with our assumption of these mortgage loans, we will seek to have the guarantors and/or indemnitors released from these guarantees and indemnities and to have our operating partnership assume any such guarantee and indemnity obligations as replacement guarantor and/or indemnitor. To the extent lenders do not consent to the release of these guarantors and/or indemnitors, and they remain guarantors and/or indemnitors on assumed indebtedness following this offering and the formation transactions, our operating partnership will enter into indemnification agreements with the guarantors and/or indemnitors pursuant to which our operating partnership will be obligated to indemnify such guarantors and/or indemnitors for any amounts paid by them under guarantees and/or indemnities with respect to the assumed indebtedness.
The following table summarizes our tenant improvement costs, leasing commission costs and our capital expenditures for the 18 properties we will own following this offering and the formation transactions as if they were consolidated for each of the periods presented:
Office Properties (1)
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Total New Leases, Expansions, and Renewals |
||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed (2) |
117 | 248 | 232 | 312 | ||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
417,155 | 1,057,476 | 1,469,588 | 1,111,281 | ||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (3) |
$ | 5,032,525 | $ | 15,483,445 | $ | 26,582,405 | $ | 11,412,065 | ||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (3) |
20,282,339 | 45,840,513 | 58,391,713 | 35,493,556 | ||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (3) |
$ | 25,314,864 | $ | 61,323,958 | $ | 84,974,118 | $ | 46,905,621 | ||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Leasing commission costs per square foot (3) |
$ | 12.06 | $ | 14.64 | $ | 18.09 | $ | 10.27 | ||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (3) |
48.62 | 43.35 | 39.73 | 31.94 | ||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (3) |
$ | 60.68 | $ | 57.99 | $ | 57.82 | $ | 42.21 | ||||||||
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|
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Retail Properties (4)
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Total New Leases, Expansions, and Renewals |
||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed (2) |
6 | 17 | 16 | 21 | ||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
66,483 | 42,968 | 64,476 | 85,949 | ||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (3) |
$ | 4,764,298 | $ | 1,887,244 | $ | 2,326,194 | $ | 2,666,171 | ||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (3) |
1,874,499 | | 212,088 | 760,650 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (3) |
$ | 6,638,797 | $ | 1,887,244 | $ | 2,538,282 | $ | 3,426,821 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (3) |
$ | 71.66 | $ | 43.92 | $ | 36.08 | $ | 31.02 | ||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (3) |
28.20 | | 3.29 | 8.85 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (3) |
$ | 99.86 | $ | 43.92 | $ | 39.37 | $ | 39.87 | ||||||||
|
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|
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Total Portfolio |
||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures (5) |
$ | 24,647,000 | $ | 57,421,000 | $ | 34,993,000 | $ | 43,670,000 | ||||||||
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|
(1) | Excludes an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. Includes the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
(2) | Presents a renewed and expansion lease as one lease signed. |
(3) | Presents all tenant improvement and leasing commission costs as if they were incurred in the period in which the lease was signed, which may be different than the period in which they were actually paid. |
(4) | Includes an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. Excludes the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
(5) | Includes all capital expenditures, excluding tenant improvement and leasing commission costs, which are primarily attributable to the renovation and repositioning program conducted at our Manhattan office properties. |
As of June 30, 2013, on a pro forma basis, we expect to incur additional costs relating to obligations under signed new leases of approximately $56.7 million and $82.3 million during the remainder of 2013 and the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. This consists of approximately $55.5 million for tenant improvements and other improvements related to new leases and approximately $1.2 million on leasing commissions expected to be incurred during the remainder of 2013, and approximately $81.1 million for tenant improvements and other improvements related to new leases and approximately $1.2 million on leasing commissions expected to be incurred in the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. We intend to fund the tenant improvements and leasing commission costs through a combination of operating cash flow and borrowings under the secured revolving and term credit facility which we expect to obtain upon the closing of this offering from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates.
We currently intend to invest between $40.0 million and $70.0 million of additional capital through the end of 2013 (excluding leasing commissions and tenant improvements) in continuation of our renovation and repositioning program for our Manhattan office properties. These additional capital expenditures are considered part of both our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements. We expect to complete substantially this program by the end of 2013, except with respect to the Empire State Building, which is the last Manhattan office property that began its renovation and repositioning program. In addition, we currently estimate that between $95.0 million and $125.0 million of capital is needed beyond 2013 to complete substantially the renovation and repositioning program at the Empire State Building, which we expect to occur by the end of 2016 due to the size and scope of our remaining work and our desire to minimize tenant disruptions at the property. However, these estimates are based on current budgets and are subject to change. We intend to fund the capital improvements that are needed beyond 2013 to complete the renovation and repositioning program at the Empire State Building through a combination of operating cash flow and borrowings under the secured revolving and term credit
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facility which we expect to obtain upon the closing of this offering from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates.
During the six months ended June 30, 2013,
(i) | we borrowed $50.0 million on the Empire State Building secured term loan. The advance bears interest at 250 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR rate and is to be used to fund improvements at the Empire State Building as part of our renovation and repositioning program; |
(ii) | we closed on a $9.5 million loan collateralized by 69-97 Main Street, Westport, CT. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.40% or Prime plus 0.50%. The loan matures on April 29, 2015 and has two one-year extension options. The proceeds of the loan were used to pay off the existing loan on 69-97 Main Street which matured on May 1, 2013; |
(iii) | we closed on a $12.0 million loan collateralized by One Grand Central Place. $0.4 million was drawn at closing and $4.0 million was drawn during June 2013. The loan bears interest at the greater of (i) Prime plus 0.5% and (ii) 3.75% and matures on November 5, 2014. The net proceeds of this loan were used for tenant improvement and capital improvement costs at the property; |
(iv) | we drew $3.0 million on a loan collateralized by 1350 Broadway. The proceeds of this draw were used in connection with improvements made at the property; |
(v) | we extended the maturity of the $47.0 million loan collateralized by 501 Seventh Avenue from August 1, 2013 to February 1, 2014. The loan bears interest at Prime plus 100 basis points and we have the option to extend the maturity date of the loan for an additional six months to August 1, 2014. The net proceeds of this loan were used for tenant improvement and capital improvement costs at the property; and |
(vi) | we closed on a loan made to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place which was made by an entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. The loan has a principal amount of $4.5 million, an outstanding balance of approximately $1.5 million and bears interest at 2.5% over 30-day LIBOR. |
During 2012,
(i) | we borrowed an additional $9.0 million under the existing mortgage loan on 250 West 57th Street. The advance bears interest at a rate of Prime plus 100 basis points with a minimum floor of 6.50% per annum in connection with improvements of the property as part of our renovation and repositioning program; |
(ii) | we borrowed $60.0 million on the Empire State Building secured term loan. The advance bears interest at 250 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR rate and is to be used to fund improvements at the Empire State Building as part of our renovation and repositioning program; and |
(iii) | we borrowed $6.0 million under the existing loan on 1350 Broadway bearing interest at a rate of Prime plus 100 basis points with a minimum floor of 4.25% per annum in connection with improvements made at the property. |
During 2011,
(i) | we arranged a variable-rate mortgage loan on 501 Seventh Avenue in the amount of $6.5 million, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 200 basis points in connection with improvements as part of our renovation and repositioning program; |
(ii) | we borrowed $159.0 million on the Empire State Building secured term loan. The advance bears interest at 250 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR rate and was used to fund improvements at the Empire State Building as part of our renovation and repositioning program; and |
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(iii) |
we borrowed $9.0 million under existing mortgage loans on 250 West 57 th Street and 1350 Broadway bearing interest at a rate of Prime plus 100 basis points with a minimum floor of 6.50% per annum in connection with improvements as part of our renovation and repositioning program. |
During 2010,
(i) | we borrowed $9.1 million under an existing mortgage loan on 1333 Broadway bearing interest at 6.32% per annum in connection with improvements as part of our renovation and repositioning program and |
(ii) | we refinanced a maturing $18.4 million loan on 10 Union Square with a $22.0 million mortgage bearing interest at a rate of 6.00% per annum. The net proceeds were used for tenant improvements, loan costs and to distribute $3.1 million to existing investors. |
Subsequent to June 30, 2013, through September 15, 2013,
(i) | we borrowed an additional $2.3 million of the $4.5 million loan at First Stamford Place. The loan bears interest at 2.5% over 30-day LIBOR. The proceeds were used to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at the property; |
(ii) | we borrowed $31.0 million on the Empire State Building secured term loan. The advance bears interest at 250 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR rate and is to be used to fund improvements at the Empire State Building as part of our renovation and repositioning program; and |
(iii) | we signed a term sheet to increase existing debt totaling $46.5 million, collateralized by 501 Seventh Avenue, and to increase the loan balance by $23.0 million. The loan, as increased, will continue to bear interest at 265 basis points over the 30-day LIBOR rate and will mature one year from the closing date. The additional proceeds will be used to fund tenant improvement and capital improvement costs at the property. |
These principal amounts and rates of interest represent the fair values at the date of financing.
We expect to employ leverage in our capital structure in amounts determined from time to time by our board of directors. Although our board of directors has not adopted a policy that limits the total amount of indebtedness that we may incur, we anticipate that our board of directors will consider a number of factors in evaluating our level of indebtedness from time to time, as well as the amount of such indebtedness that will be either fixed or floating rate. Our charter and bylaws do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness that we may incur nor do they restrict the form in which our indebtedness will be taken (including, but not limited to, recourse or non-recourse debt and cross collateralized debt). We expect to have approximately $1.16 billion of total consolidated indebtedness outstanding and $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). Our overall leverage will depend on our mix of investments and the cost of leverage, however, we initially intend to maintain a level of indebtedness consistent with our plan to seek an investment grade credit rating. Our board of directors may from time to time modify our leverage policies in light of the then-current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our properties, general market conditions for debt and equity securities, fluctuations in the market price of our common stock, growth and acquisition opportunities and other factors.
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Consolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This Offering
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we expect to have pro forma total indebtedness outstanding of approximately $1.16 billion (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). This indebtedness is comprised of 23 mortgage loans secured by 16 of our properties and includes our secured revolving and term credit facility, 72.6% of which is anticipated to be at fixed rates. The weighted average interest rate on the total indebtedness is expected to be 5.04% per annum.
The following table (in thousands) sets forth certain information with respect to the mortgage indebtedness as of June 30, 2013 that we expect will be outstanding after this offering and the formation transactions.
Property Name |
Stated Interest
Rate |
Principal
Balance as of June 30, 2013 |
Debt Service
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 |
Amortization
Commencement Date/Period |
Maturity Date (1) |
Estimated
Principal Balance at Maturity |
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501 Seventh Avenue (first lien mortgage loan) |
5.75% | $ | 1,056 | $ | 49 |
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2/01/05;
25 years |
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02/01/14 | $ | 1,037 | |||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan) (2) |
5.75%; 6.04% | 39,029 | 1,820 | 25 years (3) | 02/01/14 | 38,217 | ||||||||||||||||
(third lien mortgage loan) |
LIBOR + 2.0% | 6,540 | 74 | Interest only | 02/01/14 | 6,540 | ||||||||||||||||
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1359 Broadway (first lien mortgage loan) |
5.75% | 9,751 | 455 |
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4/01/05;
25 years |
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08/01/14 | 9,336 | ||||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan) ( 5 ) |
5.75%; 5.87%;
6.40% |
35,987 | 1,647 | 25 years ( 6 ) | 08/01/14 | 34,689 | ||||||||||||||||
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One Grand Central Place (first lien mortgage loan) |
5.34% | 72,837 | 3,047 | 25 years (7) | 11/05/14 | 69,600 | ||||||||||||||||
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(second lien mortgage loan) |
7.00% | 15,038 | 679 | 25 years (7) | 11/05/14 | 14,586 | ||||||||||||||||
(third lien mortgage loan) |
Greater of (i)
Prime +0.50% & (ii) 3.75% |
4,382 | 7 | 25 years (7) | 11/05/14 | 4,382 | ||||||||||||||||
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500 Mamaroneck Avenue |
5.41% | 32,914 | 1,239 |
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2/01/07;
30 years |
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01/01/15 | 31,764 | ||||||||||||||
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250 West 57th Street (first lien mortgage loan) |
5.33% | 26,037 | 1,202 |
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2/05/07;
25 years |
|
01/05/15 | 24,681 | ||||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan) |
6.13% | 11,390 | 532 |
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4/05/09;
25 years |
|
01/05/15 | 10,937 | ||||||||||||||
(third lien mortgage loan) |
Greater of 4.25%
and Prime +1% ( 8 ) |
14,935 | 173 | Interest only | 01/05/15 | 14,935 | ||||||||||||||||
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69-97 Main Street, Westport, CT (9) |
Greater of Prime
+0.50% & LIBOR + 1.40% |
9,500 | 15 | Interest only | 04/29/15 | 9,500 | ||||||||||||||||
Metro Center (Note 1) ( 10 ) |
5.80% | 59,195 | 2,475 |
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2/01/04;
30 years |
|
01/01/16 | 55,144 | ||||||||||||||
(Note 2) ( 10 ) |
6.02% | 37,853 | 1,438 |
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8/01/09;
30 years |
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01/01/16 | 36,225 | ||||||||||||||
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10 Union Square |
6.00% | 21,128 | 799 |
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6/01/10;
30 years |
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05/01/17 | 19,752 | ||||||||||||||
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10 Bank Street |
5.72% | 33,684 | 1,248 |
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7/01/09;
30 years |
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06/01/17 | 31,194 | ||||||||||||||
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1542 Third Avenue |
5.90% | 19,191 | 754 |
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7/01/07;
30 years |
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06/01/17 | 17,569 | ||||||||||||||
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First Stamford Place |
5.65% | 247,205 | 8,612 |
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08/05/12;
30 years |
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07/05/17 | 232,753 | ||||||||||||||
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383 Main Avenue |
5.59% | 30,667 | 1,117 |
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08/05/09;
30 years |
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07/05/17 | 28,333 | ||||||||||||||
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1010 Third Avenue and 77 West 55th Street |
5.69% | 28,336 | 1,043 |
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08/05/09;
30 years |
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07/05/17 | 26,160 | ||||||||||||||
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1333 Broadway |
6.32% | 79,079 | (11) | 2,582 |
|
Currently
interest only (12) |
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01/05/18 | 66,511 | |||||||||||||
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Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility (4 ) |
LIBOR + 1.45% | 269,000 | 3,771 | Interest only | 09/01/18 | 269,000 | ||||||||||||||||
1350 Broadway (first lien mortgage loan) |
5.87% | 43,713 | (13) | 1,241 |
|
Currently
interest only (14) |
|
04/05/18 | 36,929 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan) |
Greater of 4.25%
and Prime +1% (15) |
13,822 | (16) | 249 | Interest only | 10/10/14 | (17) | 13,677 | ||||||||||||||
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Total/Weighted Average: |
5.04% | $ | 1,162,269 | $ | 36,268 | $ | 1,103,451 | |||||||||||||||
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- 121 -
(1) | Pre-payment is generally allowed for each loan with no pre-payment penalty or upon payment of a customary pre-payment penalty. |
(2) | Represents the two tranches of the second lien mortgage loan. |
(3) | Amortization began on April 1, 2005 as to $39,424 original principal and on April 1, 2006 as to $8,276 original principal. |
(4) | Represents borrowings under the secured revolving and term credit facility discussed below. |
(5) | Represents three tranches of the second lien mortgage loan. |
(6) | Amortization began on April 1, 2005 as to $6,969 original principal, on December 1, 2005 as to $13,803 original principal and on September 1, 2007 as to $21,228 original principal. |
(7) | Amortization began on August 5, 2007 as to $84,000 original principal and on December 5, 2009 as to $16,000 original principal. During May 2013, we closed on a $12,000 loan collateralized by One Grand Central Place. $382 was drawn at closing and $4,000 was drawn during June 2013. The loan bears interest at the greater of (i) Prime plus 0.5.% and (ii) 3.75% and matures on November 5, 2014. |
(8) | Prior to January 5, 2015, we have the option to fix the interest rate on all or any portion of the principal then outstanding, up to three times and in minimum increments of $5,000 to an annual rate equal to either (i) the greater of (a) 4.75% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to January 5, 2015 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of two days prior to the effective date of the fixing of the interest rate, and (ii) the greater of (a) 5.00% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to January 5, 2015 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of 30 days prior to the effective date of the fixing of the interest rate. If option (i) is selected, we will be subject to the payment of pre-payment fees, and if option (ii) is selected, we may prepay the loan without any pre-payment fees. |
(9) | Represents a new $9,500 loan which we closed on during April 2013. The new loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.40% or Prime plus 0.50% and matures on April 29, 2015. The loan has two one-year extension options. |
(10) | Notes 1 and 2 are pari passu . |
(11) | Includes unamortized premium of $8,216. |
(12) | Amortization began on February 5, 2013, with a period of 30 years. |
(13) | Includes unamortized premium of $4,044. |
(14) | Amortization began on May 5, 2013, with a period of 30 years. |
(15) | Prior to October 10, 2014, we have the option to fix the interest rate on all or any portion of the principal then outstanding, up to three times and in minimum increments of $5,000 to an annual rate equal to the greater of (a) 4.75% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to October 10, 2014 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of two business days prior to the effective date of the fixing of the interest rate. |
(16) | Includes unamortized premium of $144. During June 2013, we drew an additional $3,000 on this loan. |
(17) | We have the right to extend the maturity date to April 5, 2018. If we elects to extend the term of the loan, the interest rate will be reset at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either: (i) the greater of (a) 6.5% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to April 5, 2018 as most recently made available by the Fed Reserve Board as of 30 days prior to the first day of the extended term of the loan or (ii) the greater of (a) 6.75% or (b) 325 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to April 5, 2018 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of 30 days prior to the first day of the extended term of the loan. If option (i) is selected, we will be subject to the payment of pre-payment fees, and if option (ii) is selected, we may prepay the loan without any pre-payment fees. |
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the secured term loan agreement with respect to our new secured revolving and term credit facility.
Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility
Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we expect to enter into an agreement for a secured revolving and term credit facility in the maximum aggregate original principal amount of up to $800.0 million, for which the lead arrangers have secured commitments. We expect that Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill Lynch) will act as joint lead arranger, Bank of America, N.A. (Bank of America), an affiliate of Merrill Lynch, will act as administrative agent and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co., will act as syndication agent and joint lead arranger, with respect to the revolving credit and term loan facilities, which are collectively referred to herein as the secured revolving and term credit facility. We expect the secured revolving and term credit facility will be comprised of a term loan A and a term loan B, which are referred to herein as the term loan, and a revolving credit facility, which is referred to herein as the revolving credit facility, in the maximum original principal amount of the difference between $800.0 million and the original balance under the term loan. We expect the secured revolving and term credit facility will contain an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the maximum aggregate principal amount to $1.25 billion under specified circumstances. We expect to use the secured revolving and term credit facility to, among other things, fund capital expenditures and tenant improvements and leasing commissions, potential acquisitions, development and redevelopment of real estate properties, general corporate matters and working capital. The secured revolving and term credit facility will be used to fully repay the existing $500.0 million term loan currently secured by the Empire State Building, which had a balance of $269.0 million as of June 30, 2013. The existing $500.0 million term loan currently secured by the Empire State Building was entered into with institutional lenders, including HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and Capital One, National Association. The outstanding principal amount of the existing $500.0 million term loan bears interest at a rate equal to 2.5% per annum above 30-day LIBOR, unless such rate is not available, in which event the term loan would bear interest at 2.5% per annum in
- 122 -
excess of (i) HSBCs prime rate or (ii) the BBA LIBOR Daily Floating Rate. The maturity date of this term loan is July 26, 2014, which we may extend to July 26, 2015 and thereafter to July 26, 2016, in each case, upon payment of an extension fee of 0.25% of the total availability under the term loan agreement at the time of such extension. Such extensions are subject to customary conditions, including the satisfaction of certain loan-to-value and debt-yield ratios at the time the extension is requested and the absence of an event of default.
In addition, shortly after the closing of this offering, we expect to use the secured revolving and term credit facility to fully repay a loan made to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place which was made by an entity controlled by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. The loan has a principal amount of $4.5 million, an outstanding balance as of June 30, 2013 of approximately $1.5 million and bears interest at 2.5% over 30-day LIBOR. The determination to repay principal on the loan is made by us in our sole discretion and the loan is prepayable at any time, without premium.
We expect that we and certain of our subsidiaries will be guarantors of the secured revolving and term credit facility and will pledge specified equity interests in our subsidiaries as collateral for our obligations under the secured revolving and term credit facility. We refer to us, our operating partnership and our subsidiaries who will be guarantors collectively as the loan parties.
Availability . The amount available to us under the secured revolving and term credit facility will be based on adjusted net operating income from all of the borrowing base properties, and subject to parameters that reference a minimum debt service coverage ratio and an assumed amortization term and interest rate.
Interest . Amounts outstanding under the term loan will bear interest at a floating rate equal to, at our election, (x) a Eurodollar rate, plus a spread that we expect will range from 1.00% to 2.00% depending upon our leverage ratio and credit rating which, based on our expected total indebtedness to total asset value leverage ratio upon the completion of this offering, would result in a spread of 1.45%; or (y) a base rate, plus a spread that we expect will range from 0.00% to 1.00% depending upon our leverage ratio and credit rating which, based on our expected total indebtedness to total asset value leverage ratio upon the completion of this offering, would result in a spread of 0.45%. Amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility will bear interest at a floating rate equal to, at our election, (x) a Eurodollar rate, plus a spread that we expect will range from 0.925% to 1.70% depending upon our leverage ratio and credit rating which, based on our expected total indebtedness to total asset value leverage ratio upon the completion of this offering, would result in a spread of 1.25%; or (y) a base rate, plus a spread that we expect will range from 0.00% to 0.70% depending upon our leverage ratio and credit rating which, based on our expected total indebtedness to total asset value leverage ratio upon the completion of this offering, would result in a spread of 0.25%. In addition, the revolving credit facility permits us to borrow at competitive bid rates determined in accordance with the procedures described in the revolving credit facility.
Fees . We will also pay certain customary fees and expense reimbursements.
Maturity . We expect the term loan will have a term of five years and the revolving credit facility will have an initial term of four years. We expect to have the option to extend the initial term of the revolving credit facility for an additional one-year period, subject to certain conditions, including the payment of an extension fee equal to 0.20% of the then-outstanding commitments under the revolving credit facility.
Financial Covenants . The secured revolving and term credit facility will include the following financial covenants: (i) maximum leverage ratio of total indebtedness to total asset value of the loan parties and their consolidated subsidiaries will not exceed 60%, (ii) consolidated secured indebtedness (excluding the secured revolving and term credit facility) will not exceed 40% of total asset value, (iii) tangible net worth will not be less than the sum of 80% of tangible net worth at the closing of the secured revolving and term credit facility plus 75% of net equity proceeds received by us after the closing date (other than proceeds received by us in connection with any dividend reinvestment program), (iv) adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the commitment
- 123 -
letter) to consolidated fixed charges will not be less than 1.50x, (v) consolidated variable rate debt will not exceed 25% of total asset value and (vi) consolidated secured recourse indebtedness (excluding the secured revolving and term credit facility) will not exceed 10% of total asset value. Subject to certain customary exceptions and excluding dividends and distributions payable solely in our common stock, we will be restricted from paying dividends or other distributions in excess of the greater of (x) 95% of funds from operations (as defined in the commitment letter) and (y) the amount of dividends and other distributions we are required to pay in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT and (other than during an event of default) to avoid the payment of federal or state income or excise tax; provided, that if certain events of default exist, we may be precluded from paying any dividends or other distributions.
Other Covenants . In addition, we expect the secured revolving and term credit facility will contain customary covenants, including limitations on liens, investment, debt, fundamental charges, transactions with affiliates and will require us to provide certain customary financial reports.
Events of Default . We expect the secured revolving and term credit facility will contain customary events of default (subject in certain cases to specified cure periods), including but not limited to non-payment, breach of covenants, representations or warranties, cross defaults, bankruptcy or other insolvency events, judgments, ERISA events, invalidity of loan documents, loss of REIT qualification, and occurrence of a change of control (to be defined in the definitive documentation for the secured revolving and term credit facility).
The following table summarizes the amounts due in connection with our contractual obligations described below for the years ended December 31, 2013 (assuming all debt obligations as of June 30, 2013 were outstanding as of January 1, 2013) through 2017 and thereafter on a pro forma basis (in thousands). For a description of the pro forma adjustments made to our predecessors historical financial statements, see Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information.
Pro Forma Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgages and other debt (1) |
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Interest expense |
$ | 56,150 | $ | 50,156 | $ | 38,207 | $ | 31,940 | $ | 22,300 | $ | 4,063 | $ | 202,816 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization |
15,671 | 14,859 | 10,051 | 7,921 | 5,335 | 306 | 54,143 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Principal repayment |
| 192,064 | 91,817 | 91,369 | 355,760 | 372,441 | 1,103,451 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ground leases |
108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 2,763 | 3,303 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tenant improvement and leasing commission costs |
56,713 | 25,617 | | | | | 82,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 128,642 | $ | 282,804 | $ | 140,183 | $ | 131,338 | $ | 383,503 | $ | 379,573 | $ | 1,446,043 | ||||||||||||||
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(1) | Assumes no extension options are exercised. |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2013, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. In addition, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income (including net capital gains) and will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a
- 124 -
minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to distribute our net income to our stockholders in a manner intended to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax liability on our income and the 4% nondeductible excise tax.
Before we pay any distribution, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating requirements and obligations to make payments of principal and interest, if any. However, under some circumstances, we may be required to use cash reserves, incur debt or liquidate assets at rates or times that we regard as unfavorable or make a taxable distribution of our shares in order to satisfy the REIT 90% distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in that year. However, we currently have no intention to use the net proceeds from this offering to make distributions nor do we currently intend to make distributions using shares of our common stock.
Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 (in thousands)
Net cash . Cash on hand was $80,516 and $63,876, respectively, as of June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012.
Operating activities . Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $22,349 to $44,397 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $66,746 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This decrease resulted from changes in working capital accounts primarily relating to a decrease in tenant and other receivables and a decrease in distributions of cumulative earnings from non-controlled entities.
Investing activities . Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $29,689 to $33,420 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $63,109 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This decrease resulted primarily from a $15,039 decrease in building improvement and tenant improvement costs and a decrease in due from affiliates for advances for leasehold interests and improvements of $15,061.
Financing activities . Net cash provided by financing activities increased by $44,117 to $18,040 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $26,077 of net cash used for the six months ended June 30, 2012. This increase primarily resulted from a $22,899 increase in net borrowings, a $1,362 increase in net borrowings from an unsecured loan and a $16,480 decrease in distributions to investors.
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2012 to the Year Ended December 31, 2011 (in thousands)
Net cash . Cash on hand was $51,499 and $86,316, respectively, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Operating activities . Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $46,671 to $94,353 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $47,682 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This increase resulted from changes in working capital accounts primarily relating to a decrease in net due from affiliated companies of $44,546 which resulted in an increase in cash from operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2011.
Investing activities . Net cash used in investing activities increased by $47,754 to $108,281 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $60,527 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This increase resulted primarily from a $42,138 increase in building improvements and tenant improvements costs, including $15,061 attributable to investing activities of affiliates.
Financing activities . Net cash used in financing activities increased by $32,019 to 20,889 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $11,130 of net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011. This increase primarily reflected a decrease in net proceeds and repayments of mortgage loans and unsecured notes of $13,747 and a $16,212 increase in distributions to investors.
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Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2011 to Year Ended December 31, 2010 (in thousands)
Net cash . Cash on hand was $86,316 and $88,031, respectively, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Operating activities . Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $25,892 to $47,682 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $73,574 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This decrease primarily resulted from the following changes in working capital accounts, all of which resulted in decreases in cash from operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2010: increases in the change in tenant and other receivables of $2,451, increases in offering costs due from affiliated companies of $8,501, decreases in deferred revenues and other liabilities of $1,779, and a decrease in cash inflows relating to accounts payable and accrued expenses and accrued interest payable of $6,802. Additionally, payments of deferred leasing costs relating to tenant leases increased by $6,403.
Investing activities . Net cash used in investing activities increased $25,690 to $60,527 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $34,837 for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase resulted primarily from a $25,217 increase in building improvements and tenant improvement costs.
Financing activities . Net cash provided by financing activities increased $55,923 to $11,130 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $44,793 of net cash used for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase primarily resulted from a $67,000 increase in net borrowings in connection with the Empire State Building, partially offset by financing charges of $7,172 on the new loan and an increase in deferred costs of $4,397 relating to the formation transactions.
Following the closing of this offering, our financial reports will include a discussion of property net operating income, or NOI. NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance. NOI is used by investors and our management to evaluate and compare the performance of our properties and to determine trends in earnings and to compute the fair value of our properties as it is not affected by; (i) the cost of funds of the property owner, (ii) the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets that are included in net income computed in accordance with GAAP, (iii) acquisition expenses and formation transaction expenses, or (iv) general and administrative expenses and other gains and losses that are specific to the property owner. The cost of funds is eliminated from net operating income because it is specific to the particular financing capabilities and constraints of the owner. The cost of funds is also eliminated because it is dependent on historical interest rates and other costs of capital as well as past decisions made by us regarding the appropriate mix of capital which may have changed or may change in the future. Depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets are eliminated because they may not accurately represent the actual change in value in our office or retail properties that result from use of the properties or changes in market conditions. While certain aspects of real property do decline in value over time in a manner that is reasonably captured by depreciation and amortization, the value of the properties as a whole have historically increased or decreased as a result of changes in overall economic conditions instead of from actual use of the property or the passage of time. Gains and losses from the sale of real property vary from property to property and are affected by market conditions at the time of sale which will usually change from period to period. These gains and losses can create distortions when comparing one period to another or when comparing our operating results to the operating results of other real estate companies that have not made similarly timed, purchases or sales. We believe that eliminating these costs from net income is useful because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue, generated and actual expenses incurred in operating our properties as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs.
However, the usefulness of NOI is limited because it excludes general and administrative costs, interest expense, interest income and other expense, depreciation and amortization expense and gains or losses from the sale of properties, and other gains and losses as stipulated by GAAP, the level of capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, all of which are significant economic costs. NOI may fail to capture significant trends in these components of net income which further limits its usefulness.
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NOI is a measure of the operating performance of our properties but does not measure our performance as a whole. NOI is therefore not a substitute for net income as computed in accordance with GAAP. This measure should be analyzed in conjunction with net income computed in accordance with GAAP and discussions elsewhere in this Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations regarding the components of net income that are eliminated in the calculation of NOI. Other companies may use different methods for calculating NOI or similarly entitled measures and, accordingly, our NOI may not-be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies that do not define the measure exactly as we do.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our historical and pro forma net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to NOI for the periods presented (in thousands):
Pro Forma | Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||
For the
Six Months Ended June 30, |
For
the
Year Ended December 31, |
For the
Six Months Ended June 30, |
For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (1) |
$ | 29,236 | $ | 77,666 | $ | 5,001 | $ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | ||||||||||||
Add: |
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Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
21,700 | 34,001 | 13,174 | 20,963 | 15,688 | 13,924 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total depreciation and amortization (2) |
50,737 | 101,118 | 28,961 | 49,642 | 42,741 | 40,121 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net (3) |
27,659 | 54,156 | 30,879 | 58,265 | 58,467 | 55,851 | ||||||||||||||||||
Construction expenses |
12,789 | 19,592 | 12,789 | 19,592 | 46,230 | 27,581 | ||||||||||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses (4) |
| | 3,000 | 2,247 | 2,845 | 807 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: |
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Construction revenue |
(12,400 | ) | (18,902 | ) | (12,400 | ) | (18,902 | ) | (47,560 | ) | (27,139 | ) | ||||||||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
(3,662 | ) | (3,060 | ) | (4,183 | ) | (5,103 | ) | (5,626 | ) | (3,750 | ) | ||||||||||||
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Net operating income |
$ | 126,059 | $ | 264,571 | $ | 77,221 | $ | 175,347 | $ | 170,182 | $ | 152,706 | ||||||||||||
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Other Net Operating Income Data |
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Straight line rental revenue |
$ | 13,597 | $ | 25,470 | $ | 1,907 | $ | 2,568 | $ | 3,116 | $ | 3,989 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in rental revenue from the amortization of above and below-market lease assets and liabilities |
$ | 4,306 | $ | 7,536 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
Amortization of assumed below-market ground lease (5) |
$ | 829 | $ | 1,657 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||
Ground rent earned from non-controlled entities |
$ | | $ | | $ | 10,151 | $ | 39,415 | $ | 42,902 | $ | 17,106 | ||||||||||||
Management fees from non-controlled entities |
$ | | $ | | $ | 1,479 | $ | 4,251 | $ | 4,026 | $ | 1,254 |
(1) | Excludes gains/losses from sales. |
(2) | Includes adjustment for proportionate share of depreciation and amortization expense relating to non-controlled entities of $3,694, $6,952, $7,228 and $6,080 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
(3) | Includes adjustment for proportionate share of interest expense, net related to non-controlled entities of $1,968, $3,871, $3,721 and $3,587 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
(4) | Includes external offering costs incurred that are not directly attributable to the consent solicitation of investors in the existing entities and this offering. |
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(5) | Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will incur amortization of the assumed below-market ground lease attributable to 1350 Broadway, in addition to the contractual ground rent payment of $108. |
We present below a discussion of funds from operations, or FFO. We compute FFO in accordance with the White Paper on FFO published by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, which defines FFO as net income (loss) (determined in accordance with GAAP), excluding impairment writedowns of investments in depreciable real estate and investments in in-substance real estate investments, gains or losses from debt restructurings and sales of depreciable operating properties, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs), less distributions to non-controlling interests and gains/losses from discontinued operations and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. FFO is a widely recognized non-GAAP financial measure for REITs that we believe, when considered with financial statements determined in accordance with GAAP, is useful to investors in understanding financial performance and providing a relevant basis for comparison among REITs. In addition, FFO is useful to investors as it captures features particular to real estate performance by recognizing that real estate has generally appreciated over time or maintains residual value to a much greater extent than do other depreciable assets. Investors should review FFO, along with GAAP net income, when trying to understand an equity REITs operating performance. We present FFO because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our operating performance and believe that it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs. However, because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization and captures neither the changes in the value of our properties that results from use or market conditions nor the level of capital expenditures and leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, all of which have real economic effect and could materially impact our results from operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of our performance is limited. There can be no assurance that FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP or to cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. FFO is not indicative of cash available to fund ongoing cash needs, including the ability to make cash distributions. Although FFO is a measure used for comparability in assessing the performance of REITs, as the NAREIT White Paper only provides guidelines for computing FFO, the computation of FFO may vary from one company to another.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our historical and pro forma net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to FFO for the periods presented (in thousands):
Pro Forma | Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Six
Months Ended June 30, |
For the
Year Ended December 31, |
For the Six
Months Ended June 30, |
For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (1) |
$ | 29,236 | $ | 77,666 | $ | 5,001 | $ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | ||||||||||||
Add: |
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Real estate depreciation and amortization (2) |
50,397 | 100,414 | 28,812 | 49,300 | 42,364 | 39,709 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Funds from operations |
$ | 79,633 | $ | 178,080 | $ | 33,813 | $ | 97,943 | $ | 99,761 | $ | 85,020 | ||||||||||||
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(1) | Excludes gains/losses from sales. |
(2) | Includes adjustment for proportionate share of real estate depreciation and amortization expense relating to non-controlled entities of $3,614, $6,772, $7,049 and $5,915 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
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Presented below is a discussion of EBITDA. We compute EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, net of interest income, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. We present EBITDA because we believe that EBITDA, along with cash flow from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities, provides investors with an additional indicator of our ability to incur and service debt. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (determined in accordance with GAAP), as an indication of our financial performance, as an alternative to net cash flows from operating activities (determined in accordance with GAAP), or as a measure of our liquidity.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our historical and pro forma net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA for the periods presented (in thousands):
Pro Forma | Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Six
Months Ended June 30, |
For the
Year Ended December 31, |
For the Six
Months Ended June 30, |
For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (1) |
$ | 29,236 | $ | 77,666 | $ | 5,001 | $ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | ||||||||||||
Add: |
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Income taxes (2) |
3,211 | 3,408 | 114 | 49 | 42 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net (3) |
27,659 | 54,156 | 30,879 | 58,265 | 58,467 | 55,851 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total depreciation and amortization (4) |
50,737 | 101,118 | 28,961 | 49,642 | 42,741 | 40,121 | ||||||||||||||||||
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EBITDA |
$ | 110,843 | $ | 236,348 | $ | 64,955 | $ | 156,599 | $ | 158,647 | $ | 141,283 | ||||||||||||
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(1) | Excludes gains/losses from sales. |
(2) | Includes additional federal, state and local tax expense of $1,564 and $2,098 we expect to incur for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, related to our observatory operations through a TRS. |
(3) | Includes adjustment for proportionate share of interest expense, net related to non-controlled entities of $1,968, $3,871, $3,721 and $3,587 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
(4) | Includes adjustment for proportionate share of depreciation and amortization expense relating to non-controlled entities of $3,694, $6,952, $7,228 and $6,080 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
Distribution to Equity Holders
Distributions have been made to equity holders in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 as follows:
For the year ended: |
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December 31, 2010 |
$ | 40,674,000 | ||
December 31, 2011 |
$ | 46,691,000 | ||
December 31, 2012 |
$ | 62,903,000 | ||
For the period ended: |
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March 31, 2013 |
$ | 19,528,000 | ||
June 30, 2013 |
$ | 27,427,000 |
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Substantially all of our leases provide for separate real estate tax and operating expense escalations. In addition, many of the leases provide for fixed base rent increases. We believe inflationary increases may be at least partially offset by the contractual rent increases and expense escalations described above. We do not believe inflation has had a material impact on our historical financial position or results of operations.
We do not consider our business to be subject to material seasonal fluctuations, except that our observatory business is subject to tourism trends and weather, and therefore does experience some seasonality. During the past ten years of our annual observatory revenue, approximately 16.0% to 18.0% was realized in the first quarter, 26.0% to 28.0% was realized in the second quarter, 31.0% to 33.0% was realized in the third quarter and 23.0% to 25.0% was realized in the fourth quarter.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our future income, cash flows and fair values relevant to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market interest rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. One of the principal market risks facing us is interest rate risk on our floating rate indebtedness. Following this offering and the formation transactions, we expect our floating rate mortgage debt to represent 27.4% of our pro forma indebtedness. This floating rate debt includes $270.5 million of borrowings which we expect to have upon the closing of this offering, on a pro forma basis, under the secured revolving and term credit facility. Following the closing of this offering, we anticipate that we will enter into hedging instruments to reduce our floating rate exposure with respect to these borrowings under the secured revolving and term credit facility.
Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may mitigate the risk of interest rate volatility through the use of hedging instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements. Our primary objectives when undertaking hedging transactions and derivative positions will be to reduce our floating rate exposure and to fix a portion of the interest rate for anticipated financing and refinancing transactions. This in turn will reduce the risk that the variability of cash flows will impose on floating rate debt. However, we can provide no assurances that our efforts to manage interest rate volatility will successfully mitigate the risks of such volatility on our portfolio. We are not subject to foreign currency risk.
We are exposed to interest rate changes primarily through property-specific floating rate mortgages. Our objectives with respect to interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on operations and cash flows, and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we may borrow at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps or caps in order to mitigate our interest rate risk on a related floating rate financial instrument. We do not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.
As of June 30, 2013, we had total outstanding pro forma floating rate mortgage debt obligations of $318.2 million. Based on our variable balances, interest expense would have increased by approximately $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, if short-term interest rates had been 1% higher. As of June 30, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on the $844.1 million of pro forma fixed-rate indebtedness outstanding was 5.86% per annum, each with maturities at various dates through April 5, 2018.
As of June 30, 2013, our pro forma outstanding debt was approximately $1.16 billion which was approximately $12.4 million more than the historical book value as of such date. Interest risk amounts were determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on our financial instruments. These analyses do not consider the effect of any change in overall economic activity that could occur in that environment. Further, in the event of a change of that magnitude, we may take actions to further mitigate our exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, these analyses assume no changes in our financial structure.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this Economic and Market Overview section is comprised of the market studies prepared by Rosen Consulting Group, or RCG, a national commercial real estate advisory company in June 2013. Forecasts prepared by RCG are based on data (including third-party data), models and experience of various professionals, and are based on various assumptions, all of which are subject to change without notice. There is no assurance any of the forecasts will be achieved. We believe the data utilized by RCG that is contained in this section is reliable, but we have not independently verified this information. The manner in which we define our property markets and submarkets differs from how RCG has done so in its market study included herein. Further, RCGs definition of the New York metropolitan area differs from our definition of the greater New York metropolitan area in that it includes Putnam County and Rockland County in New York and Bergen County, Hudson County, and Passaic County in Northern New Jersey and excludes Fairfield County in Connecticut.
New York Metropolitan Division Economy and Demographics
The financial and entertainment capital of the United States, New York City is a destination for new residents, businesses, and tourists alike. New York City is an international hub for entertainment, finance, culture, cuisine, art, education, political affairs and media. Home to major conglomerates in the areas of finance, entertainment, and advertising, New York City is also one of the most-prized office markets in the world. The markets high barriers to entry and wide array of office demand driving industries provides stability through economic cycles and a foundation for the markets growth over the long-term. The citys lively, 24-7 environment makes New York City a go-to destination for both domestic and international tourists and attracts close to 50 million visitors annually, which helps to maintain the markets status as one of the most expensive retail markets in the country. Reaching a record-breaking 52 million visitors in 2012, New York City remains a top tourist destination among U.S. cities. One of the worlds premiere gateway cities, New York, with its large, diversified economy, will play a central role in the expanding global economy.
The varied mix of people, cultures and incomes make New York City a unique retail destination that is more diverse than any other in the country. The areas high tourism traffic contributes to this eclectic mix of consumers and is a major driver of retail sales for many shopping districts. Madison and Fifth Avenues and the Time Warner Center support upscale shopping, more avant garde retailing is concentrated below 23rd Street, and a buoyant retail market contains everything from international foodstuffs to a huge diamond jewelry district. The area surrounding Herald Square is a retail hub and is home to Macys flagship department store and the Manhattan Mall. The world-renowned retail market provides an endless selection of shopping options across the five boroughs from flagship department stores to unique boutiques, which are largely concentrated in neighborhoods like the Lower East Side, the West Village, Williamsburg, and the Meatpacking District. In addition to the availability of one-of-a-kind items, shopping in New York is a memorable experience for many, leaving a long-lasting impression on those fortunate enough to experience it.
Regional Overview
The New York metropolitan division, which includes New York City, three suburban counties located north of New York City: Putnam County, Rockland County, and Westchester County, and three counties located in Northern New Jersey: Bergen County, Hudson County, and Passaic County, is the largest regional economy in the United States, with an employment base that totaled approximately 5.4 million as of April 2013. The New York metropolitan statistical area, which in addition to the aforementioned New York metropolitan division includes Long Island and parts of northern and central New Jersey, had a nominal gross product of close to $1.3 trillion in 2011, the latest data available and the largest in the United States. Because of its global reach and available professional, educational and cultural resources, the New York metropolitan division is a highly desirable location for businesses and new residents. While New York City remains the global financial capital, the regional economic base is diverse and driven by other major industries such as business services, education, health care, technology, tourism, media and publishing.
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In April 2013, year-over-year employment growth in the Manhattan borough (New York County) increased by 0.3% to approximately 931,000 jobs, according to the BLS Household Survey.
Major Economic Drivers
Despite the New York metropolitan division economys increasing diversity, the financial activities sector remains a major growth driver in the economy, particularly because of the sectors concentration of high-income jobs and the business services needed to support operations. The finance industry constituted 25.2% of the New York metropolitan divisions total earnings in 2011, the latest data available, despite accounting for only 9.9% of total employment. The sector also accounted for 31.1% of the New York metropolitan statistical areas gross product in 2011, the latest data available, for a total of $397.0 billion. Many other sectors of the economy depend on the financial industry for growth including business services, retail trade, residential and commercial real estate, arts and leisure, and many others. Understandably, the unwinding of the financial markets during the most recent recession had a disproportionately large effect on the New York regions financial services sector. However, the employment in the sector continues to recover, as financial activities sector employment levels rose to nearly 534,000 jobs as of April 2013, up from a year-end cyclical low of 530,000 jobs in 2009.
Anticipated to be one of the fastest-growing employment sectors during the forecast period, the professional and business services sector accounted for 15.9% of the total labor force and 16.0% of the New York metropolitan statistical areas gross metropolitan area product in 2011, the latest available data for this sector, for a total of $204.2 billion. Capitalizing on the areas concentration of technical and creative talent, the New York regional professional and businesses sector encompasses a variety of professions from engineering and law to architecture, fashion design, and marketing. The anticipated rise in demand for specialized services such as law, consulting, accounting, and architecture should increase as the larger economy recovers from recent lows, which should fuel growth in the sector. In New York City, the growth of companies in the professional and business services sector is closely tied to the health of the heavily concentrated finance and media industries. New York Citys large, diverse and educated workforce should facilitate the continued growth of companies in research and development, as well as in computer systems design. A promising trend for both the New York City economy and office market is the expansion of high-tech companies in the market, which have contributed to the growth of the New York City economy during the recent decade, but will play a prominent role in the recovery of the economy and future expansion. The New York regional tech industry is the East Coasts answer to Californias Silicon Valley. The areas proximity to existing media and entertainment networks, as well as the availability of highly-skilled talent and venture capital firms, should continue to attract tech entrepreneurs to New York City. This trend should support accelerated growth and visibility among burgeoning tech companies and the expansion of existing companies such as Foursquare, BuzzFeed, and Tumblr.
The fashion industry remains an important source of job growth and office demand in New York City. According to the New York Economic Development Corporation, New York Citys fashion industrythe largest in the countryemploys approximately 173,000 people, accounting for approximately 5.7% of the citys workforce, and serves as the headquarters for more than 900 fashion companies. The New York metropolitan divisions fashion industry primarily consists of jobs in fashion/apparel design and trade.
The educational and health services sector is also a major economic driver in the area, accounting for close to 20.2% of total employment or just over one million jobs as of April 2013. Expected to be one of the fastest-expanding employment sectors during the forecast period, educational services will benefit from the continued growth of younger age-cohorts combined with the heightened need for health services from aging baby-boomers. The sector recorded a gross product totaling $111.4 billion in 2011, the latest available data, or 8.7% of the total metropolitan statistical area economy. According to the 2011 American Community Survey, approximately 909,000 or 7.8% of the New York metropolitan divisions estimated 11.7 million residents were enrolled in higher education. With more than 110 colleges and universities located within New York City, education is a major service industry in the local economy. The citys four medical schools are all attached to tertiary-care hospitals, forming academic medical centers that provide advanced care to local residents and the thousands of
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out-of-area patients who visit the area specifically to receive treatment in these centers. The strength of the sector is further bolstered by several major medical research facilities in the area. New York States total funding by the National Institutes of Health was the third-highest of all states for fiscal year 2013, with many recipients located in New York City.
A source for media and entertainment for both national and international audiences, the New York metropolitan divisions information services sector, which accounts for 3.8% of total employment, encompasses a wide range of industries such as traditional print publishing, motion picture and audio recording, broadcasting, telecommunications, and others. The New York region is the countrys largest media market and is home to some of the countrys largest and most influential newspapers and publishing houses. The area is also home to the countrys major television and record industry conglomerates and the worlds largest advertising agencies. These firms form a large base of tenants for New York Citys office market. The information services sector gross product totaled $94.3 billion in 2011, the latest available data, or 7.4% of the overall economy. Going forward, while New York City is expected to maintain its place as the global center for television, music and publishing, long-term dynamic factors like technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and rising popularity of other forms of media are likely to cause continued shifts within the media and entertainment industry.
Dependent upon consumer spending habits and the areas bustling tourism industry, the New York metropolitan divisions trade and leisure and hospitality sectors combined, to account for 20.2% of total employment with close to 1.1 million jobs as of April 2013. Fueled by retail sales and visitor spending, New York Citys tourism industry is an integral part of the continued success of the local economy. In 2012, 52 million domestic tourists (79%) and international tourists (21%) visited New York City, accounting for approximately $36.9 billion in spending, which supports more than 356,000 jobs in the area. This surpasses the 2011 total of 50.9 million domestic visitors and $34.5 billion in spending. Following the stronger-than-expected recovery in the local tourism industry through 2012, the anticipated continuation of this trend should allow the city to again surpass 50 million visitors annually in 2013.
Demographic Characteristics
The New York metropolitan division has the largest and one of the wealthiest populations of any U.S. metropolitan region, with approximately 11.8 million residents living within the 11-county metropolitan division defined by the Census, as of 2012. Historically, the New York metropolitan divisions large and stable population base generally grows more slowly than the national average in percentage terms. Through the previous decade, the New York metropolitan divisions population growth averaged 0.3% annually, in comparison to the national average annual growth rate of 0.9% during the decade. However, the New York metropolitan divisions population grew by 388,800 people in the ten years through 2012, making it the ninth-fastest-growing region during the previous decade in terms of total new residents added. In 2012, the New York metropolitan divisions mean per capita income, measured at $58,200. During the most recent recession, the onset of the credit crunch and subsequent financial crisis led to a significant deceleration in the New York metropolitan divisions per capita income growth, which slowed to 2.2% in 2008 and 0.6% in 2009. As a result of accommodative federal fiscal and monetary policies initiated in 2007, a decline in per capita income in 2008 and 2009 was prevented. As per capita income levels rebound as a result of improvements to the local job market, the resulting rise in disposable income levels should drive more robust retail sales activity in the coming years.
As of 2012, an estimated 4.3 million households were located in the New York metropolitan division. A variety of factors influence the rate of household creation, including job growth, housing supply and costs, and overall population growth, among others. Through the last decade, the total number of households in the New York metropolitan division grew at a slower pace than the national average, rising by 0.1% annually on average between 2003 and 2012 compared to household growth nationally, which increased at an annual average rate of 1.0% during the same period.
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Forecast and Outlook
Driven by positive net migration through the forecast period resulting from a continued influx of new residents from other states and other countries, we expect the New York metropolitan divisions population to rise at a relatively strong rate compared with the last decade. In the forecast period through 2017, population is forecasted to grow at an average annual rate of 0.5%. In absolute terms, the forecast calls for population to increase by 308,500 through 2017. As new residents move into vacant housing units and sustained job creation encourages households to unbundle, the rate of household creation is expected to closely mirror the rate of population growth through forecast period. Total households will likely grow, on average, 0.5% annually during the five years through 2017. The national household growth rate is expected to surpass that of the New York metropolitan division and average 1.1% growth annually through 2017.
Our expectations for positive population growth and household formation are driven by our forecast for sustained job growth and moderate economic recovery during the forecast period. Following the improvements to payroll levels in 2011 and 2012, we expect total payroll employment to expand at a healthy pace through the remainder of the forecast period as the recovery and restaffing within the private sector gains momentum. Much of the employment growth will be concentrated in Manhattan. In April 2013, year-over-year employment growth in the Manhattan borough (New York County) increased by 0.3% to approximately 931,000 jobs, according to the BLS Household Survey.
Job growth throughout the metropolitan division should accelerate through coming year to reach a year-over-year rate of 1.7% by the end of 2013 from 1.3% in 2012, led by healthy gains in the professional and business services, financial activities, and educational and health services sectors. Supporting the expansion of the labor force during this time will be the strong rebound in leisure and hospitality employment fueled by the recovery in tourism and business travel by both domestic and international visitors. Though the finance industry remains the dominant economic driver of the region, the industry is restructuring, as impending regulations will likely reshape the industry through the next several years. As financial institutions account for a smaller share of total employment growth going forward, the regions burgeoning technology sector is quickly becoming a major driver of the regional economy, with tech firms like Google and Facebook expanding in the region and driving the evolution of New Yorks existing industry clusters, such as media and advertising. By comparison, the rate of employment growth at the national level is forecasted to rise to 1.7% in 2013 and 1.5% in 2014. Through the second half of the forecast period, job growth in the New York metropolitan area division is expected to outpace the rate of job creation nationally. The annual rate of job growth in New York is expected to reach a forecast period-high of 1.8% in 2016 followed by a 1.1% rise in 2017, while annual job growth nationally is forecasted to increase by 1.4% in 2016 and slow to 0.7% in 2017.
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Despite recent turmoil in the financial services industry and rising influence from financial centers in other countries, New York City will maintain its role as the primary financial capital of the world. The New York regional economy will be further strengthened as the metropolitan divisions economic base adapts and diversifies in lockstep with the evolution of the business and regulatory environment. Looking forward, industries such as new media, health care, business services, and education will drive growth in the market, strengthening New York Citys appeal to tourists and business travelers. These favorable economic and demographic trends during the forecast period will likely translate into a healthy, though moderate, rebound in retail sales during this time
Stamford Metropolitan Statistical Area Economy and Demographics
Regional Overview
The Stamford metropolitan statistical area encompasses all of Fairfield County, Connecticut, the most populous county in the State of Connecticut, which includes the cities of Stamford and Norwalk and the towns of Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Weston, and Wilton. With an employment base that totaled approximately 407,200 jobs as of April 2013, the area is home to a high concentration of hedge funds and investment management companies. In addition to the metropolitan statistical areas financial prowess, the regional economy is also driven by trade, professional and business services, and educational and health services sectors. The on-going diversification of the Fairfield County economy and influx of companies into the area should promote the areas long-term economic and demographic growth, as well as drive future demand for commercial space in the market.
Major Economic Drivers
Home to numerous corporate divisions and major players in the financial services industry, Fairfield County has one of the largest concentrations of financial services companies and corporations, which include UBS, RBS Securities, and GE Capital. Companies headquartered or with large operating divisions housed within the metro division include Nestle, Starwood, Thomson Reuters, Xerox, Elizabeth Arden, and Pitney Bowes.
A major driver of the Stamford metropolitan statistical area economy is the financial activities sector, which employed approximately 40,000 people as of April 2013 and accounted for roughly 9.8% of the total labor force and 33.0% of total earnings in the metropolitan statistical area as of 2011, the latest data available. In 2011, the finance industry accounted for approximately 39.8% of GDP growth in the Stamford metropolitan statistical area.
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Employment in professional and business services composed 17.1% of the total labor force with 69,800 employed as of April 2013. Second only to the areas finance industry, the professional and business services sector accounts for approximately 15.3% of the Stamford metropolitan statistical area GDP in 2011.
With approximately 70,900 people employed in educational and health services as of April 2013, 17.4% of total employment was in this sector, the largest employment sector by total number of people employed.
Trade is also a major driver of the economy, employing 59,800 people as of April 2013, accounting for 14.7% of total employment in the area. The City of Stamford is the major retail center of Fairfield County.
Demographic Characteristics
Fairfield County is often the preferred location to raise families due to the high quality of life offered by Southwestern Connecticuts suburban neighborhoods. The expansion of companies in the area in addition to the areas high-quality residential product, cultural amenities, and convenient public transportation has led to an increase in the number of workers commuting into Fairfield County from surrounding locations, many of which utilize the areas public transportation network. The areas extensive network is centered on the Stamford Transportation Center, which is in close proximity to the citys major retail and office hubs. More than 30% of all riders passing through the transit center commute for work into the Stamford metropolitan statistical area. The busiest New Haven Line station outside of New York City, the Stamford Transportation Center has facilitated the rise in the number of reverse commuters into Fairfield County from New York City, which doubled during the 10-year period from 1997 to 2007, with approximately 1,900 riders commuting into the Fairfield County area as of 2007. The Stamford station is ranked first among all stations along the New Haven Line in the number of peak AM boardings (4,200), in the number of AM peak disembarkments (5,300), and in the total number of weekday passenger boardings (13,700). A number of improvements to the Stamford Transportation center should maintain its place as a primary transit node in the region: $10.5 million in Tiger 3 grants to upgrade platform connections for pedestrians, canopies, shelters, and intelligent information systems for real time updates. The number of commuter parking stations at the transit center garage will expand from 1,937 spaces to 2,200 spaces. In addition, cars along the New Haven Line are being upgraded, with 375 new M8 trains set to replace the existing fleet of worn-out train cars. Commonly referred to as the Gold Coast, the southwestern portion of Fairfield County is known for its concentration of exceptional wealth. The region is known for having some of the wealthiest towns and neighborhoods in the country, which include the towns of New Canaan, Greenwich, and Weston.
Forecast and Outlook
In comparison to the previous decade, we expect total population in the area to rise at a faster rate, driven by positive net migration through the near-term forecast period. The total population is forecasted to grow at an average annual rate of 0.4%. In absolute terms, the forecast calls for population to increase by close to 20,000 residents through 2017. Our household formation forecast is expected to closely follow a similar trend, increasing by an annual average rate of 0.5%.
As the Fairfield County economy continues to recover from a period of stagnant job creation in 2012, we expect total employment to accelerate through the near-term forecast period. Following the 0.1% increase in total employment in 2012, we expect more robust job creation, particularly among the economys largest job employment sectors, to result in an annual employment growth rate of 1.0% in 2013. An integral part of the Fairfield County economy, the hedge fund industry remains in recovery mode. However, in recent quarters, hedge fund assets have increased at a robust pace driven by strong investment performance and renewed confidence among investors. As of the first quarter of 2013, total assets under management for the hedge fund industry was $1.86 trillion from a cyclical-low of $1.46 trillion in 2008, according to BarclayHedge. The continued recovery in this industry will stimulate growth in other employment sectors through future economic cycles. In addition, the continued diversification of the Fairfield County economy should also stimulate job growth in the coming years. This and the relative affordability of commercial space in the market in comparison
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to New York City and surrounding high-cost areas should result in the continued relocation of companies into the area. As the economy enters a more prosperous phase of the economic cycle, job growth is expected to rise to 1.0% by 2013 as companies in the financial activities, leisure and hospitality, as well as educational and health services employment sectors re-staff at a more brisk pace. By 2014, we expect a more tempered 0.7% increase in total employment. Following this period of moderate growth, we expect the economy to regain momentum, resulting in a 1.0% employment growth rate in 2015 and 1.1% increase in 2016. Following several years of strong job creation, the pace of employment growth is expected to ease to 0.6% in 2017. The forecasted 18,100 net jobs added during the five-year period from 2013 to 2017 replenishes 70% of the roughly 26,200 jobs lost during the two-year period following the onset of the national recession in December 2007.
Manhattan
Manhattans office market is by far the largest in the United States measured by total square footage. With approximately 392 million square feet of office space, the island leads every other major city by a healthy margin. For comparison, the Washington, D.C. and Chicago office markets contain 292 million square feet and 219 million square feet, respectively. Rounding out the top five are Los Angeles with 194 million square feet of space and Boston with 184 million square feet. Manhattan is further split into three major markets: Midtown, Midtown South and Downtown. Midtown is defined to include the land north of 32nd Street east of 6th Avenue and north of 30th Street west of 6th Avenue. Midtown South is between Midtown and 14th Street. Downtown is defined to include all areas south of Canal Street and the Manhattan Bridge. The depth of New Yorks workforce, economic ties with countries around the globe, and clusters of sophisticated service industries make Manhattan a highly desirable place to do business, which together drive strong demand for office space irrespective of economic cycles. While the local office tenant base is broad, several industries cluster in Manhattan office space, including financial activities, legal, consulting and other professional services, media and publishing, advertising, communications, and fashion/apparel.
Demand-Supply Analysis
Operating conditions in the Manhattan office market have improved since 2009 and the demand recovery continued through mid-2012. Demand fundamentals continue to bounce back, with office employment in the New York metropolitan area growing 1.5% year-over-year through March 2013, representing 21,900 new office jobs. The trailing two-quarter leasing volume increased through the first quarter 2013 from a year-earlier with a total of 12.1 million square feet of space leased in the first half of 2012, a 2.2% increase over the two-quarter leasing volume through the first quarter 2012. The overall vacancy rate, which includes all non-owner-occupied,
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Class A, B and C office buildings in Manhattan, decreased to 9.1% through the first quarter of 2013 from 9.4% at year-end 2012 and was even with 9.1% from the first quarter of 2012. Office buildings are typically classified as Class A, B or C based upon a subjective rating of amenities, finishes and building systems. Class A properties are generally the most prestigious buildings within a market with high-quality finishes, numerous property-specific amenities and state-of-the-art building systems. These buildings are often newer construction or recently renovated. Class B properties offer functional office space with average finish, building amenities and building systems. Class C office buildings are generally the oldest stock with few building amenities. The vacancy rate was nearly equal to the long-term average of 9.1% from 2000 to the first quarter of 2013. No new multi-tenant buildings have come online in Manhattan since 2010. In Midtown, the office vacancy rate decreased to 10.1% in the first quarter of 2013 from 10.3% in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with the long-term average vacancy rate of 9.0% from 2000 through the first quarter of 2013. The Downtown office vacancy rate decreased 0.8 percentage points to 8.0% in the first quarter of 2013, lower than the average vacancy rate of 9.5% from 2000 through the first quarter of 2013. Within the Midtown South submarket, the vacancy rate decreased to 6.9% from 7.1% in the fourth quarter of 2012. The vacancy rate was 1.4 percentage points lower than the 2000 through first quarter of 2013 average vacancy rate of 8.3%. Manhattans vacancy rate compares favorably with other U.S. gateway cities. Its overall office vacancy rate was lower than Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. since at least 2005. As of the first quarter of 2013, the vacancy rates in these other gateway cities ranged between 10.3% in San Francisco and 18.4% in Los Angeles, compared with 9.1% in Manhattan. The Manhattan vacancy rate also compares favorably to other major CBDs. As of the first quarter of 2013, the vacancy rate in the CBDs of these gateway cities ranged from 8.9% in San Francisco to 21.3% in Los Angeles.
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Leasing office space in Manhattan and, in particular, within the Midtown market is the most expensive in terms of overall average gross asking rents among major office markets within the United States, far exceeding those of other gateway cities. As of the first quarter of 2013, the overall CBD market average gross asking rents in the Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. office markets, which include all building classes within the CBD, ranged between $32.38 per square foot in Chicago and $52.22 per square foot in San Francisco. Manhattans overall average gross asking rent was recorded at $59.58 per square foot, with Midtown averaging $66.34 per square foot. On the whole, the overall average asking rental rate in Manhattan increased since 2011. The overall average asking rent, which includes all non-owner-occupied office space, grew by 3.9% during 2012 and a slight increase in the first quarter of 2013 to $59.58 per square foot. Barriers to entry in Manhattans office market are high. Following the delivery of 1.5 million square feet of new space to the Manhattan office market in 2010, no new buildings came online during the 2011 to first quarter 2013 period.
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Outlook
RCGs outlook for Manhattans office market as a whole is positive. Aside from a mild increase in the vacancy rate expected through 2014 resulting from an uptick in new construction, the vacancy rate is expected to decrease through the end of the forecast period. Though the pace of recovery in the near term is not expected to match the early bounce-back period in 2010 and 2011, improving fundamentals going forward are likely to be more broad-based, driven by growing demand for Class B/C space.
Overall, Manhattans office vacancy rate, which covers all office space in Midtown, Midtown South and Downtown, is forecasted to decrease through the forecast period to ultimately reach around 8.3% by 2017 from 9.4% in 2012a 1.1 percentage-point drop. Midtown is forecasted to lead the way with a 1.9 percentage-point drop in its vacancy rate, followed by Midtown South with a 0.5 percentage-point decrease. The Downtown vacancy rate is projected to increase by 0.6 percentage points.
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RCGs forecast calls for the overall average asking rent in the Manhattan office market to continue rising on a year-over-year basis through 2017. A falling vacancy rate should enable building owners to raise rents. Also the influx of unleased space on the market at new speculative office buildings through the forecast period will add an upward bias on the average rent calculation. RCG expects the average asking rent to increase by 1.6% and 3.7% in 2013 and 2014, respectively, followed by 6.7% and 6.8% growth in 2014 and 2015, respective. Annual rent growth is expected to slow to 4.4% in 2017. Manhattan office average asking rent growth is forecasted to exceed almost all other U.S. gateway cities through the forecast period, an effect of high demand and constraints on new supply. The average office asking rent in Manhattan is forecasted to grow at annual rates averaging 4.6% through 2017. Only the Boston and San Francisco CBD markets, where annual growth rates are projected to average 7.4% and 5.9%, respectively, is likely to post higher total rent growth through the medium term. Average annual rent growth in other U.S. gateway city CBDs through 2017 are forecasted to range between 3.1% in Washington, D.C. and 3.9% in Los Angeles.
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RCG expects the delivery of new multi-tenant office buildings to resume in 2013, following the 2011-2012 period in which no new office buildings were delivered. The 2.0 million square-foot 4 World Trade Center is under construction and scheduled to come online in 2013. The 3.0 million square-foot 1 World Trade Center is expected to be delivered in early 2014. Both will be located in the Downtown submarket. In Midtown South, RCG expects four new buildings to be delivered in 2013 totaling 1.0 million square feet, including 51 Astor Place, 330 Hudson, Alexandria Center/West Tower and 837 Washington. Two major projects in Midtown will be delivered in 2014 and 2015, the 896,000 square-foot 250 West 55th and the South Tower at Hudson Yards, which will be composed of multitenant space and an office condo for anchor tenant Coach.
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Midtown
Midtowns office market spans the island of Manhattan from 30th Street north to Central Park. Approximately 242 million square feet of rentable space are contained within Midtowns multi-tenant office buildings, making it the largest CBD office market in the country by far. For a size comparison, Downtown Chicago and the Washington, D.C. CBD combine for a total of just 230 million square feet of office space. Three-quarters 75.3% of Midtowns office stock is classified as Class A with total square footage of 182 million square feet. Approximately 43.9 million square feet of Midtown office space is counted as Class B stock, accounting for 18.2% of the total market. The remaining 6.5% of Midtown office space (15.8 million square feet) is categorized as Class C space.
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Midtown is split into 10 submarkets: The Grand Central submarket is defined as the area bound by Fifth Avenue to the west, Second Avenue to the east, 39th Street to the south and 47th Street to the north, excluding Park Avenue north of 43rd Street. The Penn Station-Times Square South submarket it is defined as the area bound by Sixth Avenue to the east, the Hudson River to the west, 42nd Street to the north and 30th Street to the south. The West Side submarket is defined to include all office properties north of 42nd Street, west of 7th Avenue, with 59th Street and 57th streets forming a border to the north and the Hudson River forming the western boundary. Other submarkets include: 6th Ave/Rockefeller Center, Madison/Fifth, Park Avenue, East Side, Murray Hill and United Nations.
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Demand-Supply Analysis
The Midtown office market is considered one of the worlds premier central business districts based on its mix of tenants, deep and broad available labor force, excellent transportation access and overall prestige. Included among its major tenants are world-class media conglomerates and publishing houses, international corporate businesses and major financial institutions. In addition to these major tenants, sophisticated professional services firms, including accounting, advertising, legal and consulting, among others, also congregate in Midtown to locate near clients.
RCG believes the Midtown office market recovery cycle has slowed from the 2010-2011 period. Slowing demand is concentrated among the financial industry. Renewals dominate a large portion of the overall leasing volume. Quarterly leasing volumes are volatile; the trailing four-quarter leasing volume totaled 33.2 million square feet through the first quarter of 2013, a 31.2% decrease from a year earlier.
Leasing trends varied among Class B and C space. While a market-wide flight-to-quality led the bounce back in demand for high-quality assets, building owners financial health continues to prove an important deciding variable in driving leasing activity. A total of 444,700 square feet of Class B space were leased in first quarter of 2013, a decrease of 44.9% from the first quarter of 2012. Leasing volume of Class C space decreased 26.7% to 138,800 square feet.
The uncertain economic climate staunched the trend of decreasing sublease availabilities. The removal of sublease space reflects positively on market statistics since available sublease space raises the vacancy rate and exerts a twofold negative impact on the average rent by biasing average asking rent calculation downward and reducing landlords pricing power on direct availabilities. As of the first quarter of 2013, 4.4 million square feet of space was available for sublease in Midtown, down from 4.5 million square feet at year-end 2012 but up slightly from the period between the first quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2012 when sublease availabilities fluctuated between 3.9 million and 4.2 million square feet. Sublease availabilities are generally less prevalent in Class B and C buildings than Class A, measured by the ratio of sublease availabilities to overall availabilities.
Through the first quarter of 2013, the overall Midtown vacancy rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 10.1%, translating to 500,000 square feet of positive net absorption. The Class A and Class B vacancy rates decreased by 0.2 percentage points; the Class C vacancy rate increased by 0.3 percentage points. Despite the recent softness, market conditions remain far stronger than the aftermath of the recession. At 10.1% as of the first quarter of 2013, the overall vacancy rate covering all of Midtown office space was 2.5 percentage points less than the first quarter of 2010.
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Based on high demand, RCG believes the cyclical decline in the overall average asking rent covering all of Midtown office space has passed. Nevertheless, the overall average asking rent has leveled off, driven by softness in the Class A segment. Midtowns overall average gross asking rent decreased by 0.5% to $66.34 per square foot in the year through the first quarter of 2013, including a 1.5% decrease in the first quarter of 2013. Because 79.2% of Midtowns total vacant office stock is located in Class A buildings, Midtowns market-wide overall average gross asking rent, which is weighted on vacant stock, was heavily biased by the Class A concentration. RCG believes that an increased availability of large blocks of vacant Class A space over the last year is biasing the average asking rent downward. At the lower-end of the market, the average asking rent among Class B and C space increased by 5.0% and 8.7% year-over-year through the first quarter of 2013.
Because of the difficulty and high costs associated with new building activity in Midtown, purely speculative construction projects have been rare in recent years. These constraints on supply also generally limit office development to dense high-rise office towers. During the past cycle, building activity has been concentrated to the immediate south of Times Square and around Bryant Park. In fact, three buildings delivered within two city blocks of each other account for 61% of the total amount of new multi-tenant office space delivered in Manhattan between 2004 and 2010. The 1.5 million square-foot New York Times building was completed in 2007 at 620 Eighth Avenue, followed by Bank of Americas 2.1 million square-foot One Bryant Park tower in 2008. Despite the difficulties associated with purely speculative construction projects in Midtown, particularly at a time when construction financing was largely unavailable, SJP Properties delivered the 1.1 million square-foot 11 Times Square tower, located directly adjacent to the New York Times Building, in early 2010.
Outlook
Based on the likelihood of a demand recovery through the medium term, RCGs outlook for Midtowns office market is positive. Underpinning this demand recovery are several factors. Current market softness is likely rooted in choppy global economic conditions and impending regulations that cloud tenants ability to confidently plan for business operating conditions in the near term. Continued economic growth and clarity on regulatory issues, both expected in the near term, will encourage firms to return to the office leasing market going forward.
While rents are still relatively inexpensive, firms will likely continue to take advantage of favorable opportunities to sign long-term leases at rents well-below recent peak levels. As of the first quarter of 2013, Midtowns overall average asking rent, which is calculated from all available space in the submarket, was $66.34 per square foot, 21.5% less than the previous peak from the third quarter of 2008.
While top-quality spaces in desirable locations have led the markets early stage recovery, RCG believes that sustained job growth will drive office demand for smaller spaces and in second-tier locations going forward. In particular, recent data suggest job growth among smaller office space users will likely drive much of the leasing and expansion activity in the Midtown market in the future. Illustrating the significance of smaller firms on overall office demand, small firms expand at a disproportionately rapid rate compared with large firms, a trend that bodes well for the demand of small-scale office spaces in Midtown. During the last employment expansion period in New York State, from 2004 through 2008, smaller firms outgrew large firms by a wide margin. Firms employing 1 to 49 workers expanded total payrolls by a total of 6.2% during the five-year period. By contrast, companies in New York State with 1,000 or more employees only grew 1.7% during the five-year period. In terms of absolute magnitude, firms employing 1 to 250 workers accounted for 82% of the total number of new jobs added during the 2004 to 2008 period throughout New York. While statistics specifically describing Midtown firms staffing levels are not available, the patterns are likely similar to the New York state-wide trends.
As firms grow beyond the capacity of their existing locations and become increasingly confident in the economic climate going forward, expansion into larger office spaces becomes more likely. As a result, office
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employment growth should more directly translate to strengthening office demand through the medium term. Various employment statistics covering Manhattan, New York City and the New York metropolitan division indicate that job growth recovery continued through early 2013. The federal governments establishment survey, which counts total jobs, indicates that in the 11-county metropolitan division, which in addition to New York City includes Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties in New Jersey and Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties in New York, employers added a total of 72,500 jobs year-over-year through March 2013, a 1.4% year-over-year increase. A large majority of these new jobs were located in New York City: within the five boroughs, employers added 58,800 jobs in the 12 months through March 2013, expanding total employment by 1.5%. According to the governments survey of households, which counts number of residents employed (as opposed to the establishment surveys jobs tally), approximately 600 more Manhattan residents were employed as of March 2013 compared with the year prior, a 0.1% increase. RCG believes the establishment survey statistics provide a clearer view into current job market trends than the household survey because of the prevalence of workers commuting into New York City from neighboring areas, which are not counted in the Manhattan household survey. RCGs New York employment forecast, which covers the 11-county metropolitan division, calls for office employment to grow by 114,500 jobs during the five years through 2017 at annual rates averaging 1.5%.
With concessions likely to drive leasing activity in the lower-end of the market through the immediate- to near-term, well-capitalized owners that are able to fund tenant improvement packages and other concessions should lead the recovery within the second-tier segment. Through the near term, RCG expects the overall vacancy rate, which covers all of Midtown office space, to trend slightly downward, reaching 9.3% by the end of 2015 from 10.1% as of the first quarter of 2013. In the years that follow RCG predicts Midtowns office vacancy rate will decrease to ultimately reach 8.4% by the end of 2017.
Midtowns overall average asking rent, which is calculated based on all available office space in Midtown, is likely to continue rising in spite of any near-term slowdown in leasing activity as a result of decreasing availability of space. Midtowns overall average asking rent is forecasted to grow at fourth quarter-over-fourth quarter rates of 2.1% and 4.9% during 2013 and 2014, respectively, to reach $72.14 per square foot in by the end of 2014. Beyond 2014, RCG expects the overall average asking rent to rise at an accelerating pace through 2015 as the market tightens and new premium-priced space is delivered in 2015 and 2016, respectively, at 250 West 55th Street and at Hudson Yards. The average asking rent is forecasted to grow at a fourth quarter-over-fourth quarter rate of 7.2% and 8.3% in 2015 and 2016, respectively to $83.76 per square foot. By 2017, RCGs forecast calls for the average asking rent to grow at a fourth quarter-over-fourth quarter rate of 4.0% to $87.11.
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Penn Station-Times Square South Submarket
The Penn Station-Times Square South submarket, located on the west side of Midtown Manhattan, to the south and west of Times Square and Bryant Park, is the largest office submarket in Midtown Manhattan by total office inventory at more than 45.8 million square feet. The submarket includes a portion of Times Square, Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, the James Farley Post Office, Macys flagship store, the Herald Square retail district, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and many other landmarks. Whereas Midtown as a whole is comprised of mostly Class A office space, the opposite is true in the Penn Station-Times Square South submarket. Class A buildings represent just 31.5% of the total square footage, while Class B and C buildings make up 42.7% and 25.5%, respectively. The Penn Station-Times Square South submarkets unique set of features attracts a diverse tenant base. The areas low cost compared with Midtowns other submarkets attracts large firms in a variety of industries, including fashion and retail, media and publishing, corporate, and professional services firms.
One of the main attractions for office tenants is the excellent connectivity via mass transit to other parts of Manhattan, the outer boroughs, New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island and Upstate New York. The submarkets eponymous transit node, Pennsylvania Station, is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, serving approximately 600,000 passengers per day. The Port Authority Bus Terminal, located on 8th Avenue between 41st and 42nd Streets, is the largest bus terminal in the United States and the busiest in the world by passenger
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count, serving more than 58 million passengers passed through the terminal in 2008, or an average of nearly 159,000 per day, according to the latest available data. The Times Square -42nd Street subway station, which services 11 lines (1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R and shuttle to Grand Central), connected more passengers in 2010 than any other in the citys network with annual ridership totaling approximately 58.4 million. Three subway nodes along 34th Street serve the Penn Station and Herald Square area, with combined annual ridership totaling 89.0 million in 2012.
The Penn Station-Times Square South vacancy rate decreased slightly during the first quarter of 2013 to 9.4% from 9.8% in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Penn Station-Times Square South overall average asking rent, which is calculated from all available office space in the submarket, decreased by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2013 to $52.28 per square foot.
Two major office towers came online in the submarket during the last several years, both of which were located on opposite corners of the 8th Avenue and 41st Street intersection. The 1.5 million square-foot New York Times Building, located adjacent the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 620 8th Avenue, was completed in 2007. The New York Times has since subleased a portion of its original footprint in the building. The second tower, 11 Times Square, consists of 1.1 million square feet and was delivered without an anchor tenant in early 2010. Law firm Proskauer Rose subsequently leased approximately 36% of the space, followed by another law firm Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman leasing just over 17,000 square feet in 2011. Microsoft leased 230,000 square feet in the building in 2012.
RCG expects two office buildings to be completed in the Penn Station-Times Square South submarket during the five-year forecast period through 2017. The first building of the Related Companies Hudson Yards development, which includes 950,000 square feet of multitenant office space and 750,000 square feet of space sold for occupancy to luxury company Coach, Inc., is expected to come online in 2015. Coach has a yet-to-be-exercised option to purchase an additional 100,000 square feet in the building, which would bring the multitenant space back to 850,000 square feet. The 434,000 square-foot 7 Bryant Park is now under construction and scheduled for an early-2015 delivery.
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Grand Central Submarket
The Grand Central submarket is the second-largest office submarket in Midtown Manhattan with 44.0 million square feet and is located on the east side of Midtown Manhattan, to the north of Murray Hill and to the south of the Park Avenue corridor. The large majority of office space in the Grand Central submarket is contained within high quality office towers. Approximately 83% of the office space within the Grand Central submarket is classified as Class A. Respectively, Class B and C office space comprise 17% and 0.6% of submarket. The Grand Central submarket has benefitted over the last two decades as financial firms and professional service firms that support them have migrated to Midtown from Downtown. Midtowns high-rise office buildings offered greater flexibility and prestige versus Downtowns older office stock, while Midtowns excellent transit connectivity is an important advantage for workers commuting from Upstate New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The Grand Central Terminal specifically is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms. In addition, advancement in computing and telecommunications technology over the past several decades have allowed securities traders to operate at a distance to the major exchanges on Wall Street.
Other features of the Grand Central submarket include proximity to the top-quality, trophy office buildings along the Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, Park Avenue corridors at significantly lower rents, a particularly attractive trait to cost-sensitive firms with clients on the east side of Midtown. Demand for space has bounced back strongly since the recession, marked by the jump in leasing activity since 2009. Leasing volume during the
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first quarter of 2013 totaled 783,000 square feet, a 16.9% increase from the first quarter of 2012. Nevertheless, more office space was leased in Grand Central than any other Midtown submarket during the first quarter of 2013. Despite the increase in leasing activity, the overall submarket vacancy rate, which covers all office space, increased by 0.3 percentage points to 12.4% through the first quarter of 2013.
Grand Centrals overall average asking rent, which is calculated from all available office space in the submarket, increased 0.6% during the first quarter of 2013 to $58.00 per square foot.
Development opportunities in the Grand Central submarket are scarce, making new office construction a rarity. The last new building to come online in the submarket was the 296,000 square-foot CIT Building in 2006, at 505 Fifth Avenue and East 42nd Street, adjacent to Bryant Park. Though the building sits on a formerly vacant plot of land, most development requires assembling multiple parcels and demolition work, which extends the build-out timelines of new construction and increases the overall complexity of the development process. As a result of the lead time associated with major new construction projects in Manhattan, RCG does not expect any new office space to come online through at least 2017.
West Side Submarket
The West Side office submarket, located to the south and west of Central Park and including the area around Columbus Circle, consists of 25.8 million square feet of office space. The diverse submarket includes Manhattans Theater District, a portion of Times Square and the Hell Kitchens residential/commercial district. Like the Grand Central submarket, non-prime Class B and C office spaces make up a relatively small share of the West Side submarkets total. Approximately 14% and 8% of the submarkets total office space is categorized as Class B and C, respectively. Class A spaces account for 78% of the submarkets office stock. Office-using firms are drawn to the top-quality high-rise office buildings that line the 7th Avenue corridor, while transit connectivity allows firms to recruit from all areas of the vast greater New York metropolitan region. Firms from a variety of industries cluster in the West Side submarket, including publishing, media, finance, legal, consulting, retail and lodging. Furthermore, several high-profile corporations have headquarters or a major base of operations in and around Times Square, including Viacom, Ernst & Young, Thomson Reuters, Barclays, Morgan Stanley, and many others.
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Much like elsewhere in Midtown, demand for space in the submarket has rebounded since the recession, though leasing activity has slowed since 2011. A total of 299,400 square feet of space were leased in the submarket during the first quarter of 2013, a decline of 3.6% from the first quarter of 2012. The West Side submarket vacancy rate, which covers all submarket office space, decreased 0.8 percentage points to 8.6% through the first quarter of 2013.
West Sides overall average gross asking rent, which is calculated from all available office space in the submarket, averaged $58.35 per square foot as of the first quarter of 2013, a drop of 7.2% from $62.91 from year-end 2012.
On the supply side, RCG expects a new office building located at 250 West 55th Street in the West Side submarket will come online during 2014. Boston Properties resumed construction on the office tower in 2011 following a lease commitment by law firm Morrison & Foerster for 184,000 square feet before it later added an additional 25,000 square feet to its footprint. It also has an option to add another 25,000 square feet to its lease that it has yet to exercise. Law firm Kaye Scholer recently preleased 260,000 square feet. The two law firms commitments bring the preleasing total to 52% of the buildings rentable square footage.
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Westchester County contains approximately 28.9 million square feet of office space and is split into six major submarkets: White Plains CBD and non-CBD, Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern. Office-using firms are attracted to the Westchester office market for its lower costs of occupancy but still close proximity to New York City, suburban towns within Westchester County and Upstate New York, as well as Southwestern Connecticut, Northeastern New Jersey and Long Island. The availability of on-site amenities, scalability of office space usage and transportation infrastructure attract corporate tenants and a variety of other industries including financial services, insurance, professional services, technology, biotech, consumer products, fashion/apparel, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Westchesters lower rents, a more diverse tenant base compared with Manhattan and a near-complete lack of new building activity during the last expansion period shielded the office market from a sharp rise in vacancy and steep rent declines during the recession. With sustained economic growth expected going forward, renewed hiring in key sectors should boost office demand through the near- to medium term.
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Demand-Supply Analysis
While heavy dependence on the financial sector proved to be a drag on office markets in Manhattan and many of its surrounding suburban submarkets during the recession, Westchesters diversity and high barriers to entry are a stabilizing force. RCG believes that the Westchester office market bottomed during 2010 and 2011 and is poised for recovery. Office employment expanded by 7.5% in the New York metropolitan division, within which Westchester is located, in 2010 through the first quarter of 2013, implying the creation of 105,900 new office-using jobs during the three-and-one-quarter-year span. Despite this job growth, however, fresh office demand has not yet grown significantly. Through the first quarter of 2013, the Westchester office vacancy rate was recorded at 19.0%, up from 18.4% at year-end 2012. Driving increase in the latest quarters has been an increase in the amount of direct vacant space available on the market. During the first quarter of 2013, direct availabilities increased by 4.5% or 218,000 square feet increase from year-end 2012. By contrast, sublease availabilities decreased by 8.2% or 38,700 square feet.
Evidence suggests large blocks of vacant space at properties formerly occupied by single tenants, often large corporate users, are contributing significantly to a high office vacancy rate in Westchester County. Readers Digest, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Nokia, and Bank of New York Mellon have each vacated large blocks of space since 2010.
With the vacancy rate still at an elevated level, landlords lack pricing power on rent negotiations for second- and third-tier spaces. For top-tier buildings in desirable locationssuch as those near highways and transit nodes landlords have begun to regain some negotiating leverage. The overall average asking rent increased slightly in the first quarter of 2013. At $28.52 per square foot as of the first quarter of 2013, the average asking rent was 5.6% less in the fourth quarter than at year-end 2010.
New office construction in Westchester County is rare, attributable to its high barriers to entry that originate from a lack of suitable land in desirable submarkets and high costs of construction. No new buildings have come online in Westchester County since 2005 when two properties totaling 91,000 square feet were completed. Prior to that, approximately 168,000 square feet of new space come online in 2002. In total, new construction expanded Westchesters total office inventory by just 0.9% between 1998 and the first quarter of 2013. By comparison, total office stock grew by 4.9% in Manhattan, where building is notoriously difficult, between 1998 and the first quarter of 2013. High barriers to entry, which have limited new building in the past, contributed to a relatively minor increase in the vacancy rate during the recession.
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Outlook
While the recovery in office market fundamentals has been choppy since the end of the recession, RCG believes that several factors suggest an imminent recovery in the demand-supply balance for the market. Sustained job growth is expected across a range of industries, including healthcare, professional services, and technologyparticularly among small and medium-sized firms that prefer to operate in multi-tenant suburban office space. RCG expects office employment to grow at annual rates averaging 1.5% during the 2013-2017 period, translating to the creation of 114,500 office-using positions. Office employment growth will boost office demand in Westchester County and the region as a whole. Demand will likely rise steadily in the future, while the supply response is likely to be muted.
RCG forecasts net absorption, a proxy for fluctuations in office space demand, to turn positive through the remainder of 2013, driving a 0.4 percentage-point decrease in the Westchester overall office vacancy rate to 18.6%. Through the remainder of the forecast period, the vacancy rate is likely to continue moving downward as demand grows and high barriers to entry prevent a supply response. By 2017, RCGs forecast calls for the vacancy rate to reach 17.1%, a 1.9 percentage-point decrease from the current level.
RCG believes there is potential for rental rate expansion in Westchester County. A gradual tightening of the market going forward will likely transfer negotiating power on lease terms to the landlord from the prospective tenant, where it currently lies. As a result, rent growth is forecasted to turn positive as the vacancy rate drops down from cyclical highs through the near term. Following a projected 1.0% drop in 2013, the average asking rent is forecasted to grow by 1.2% to $28.30 per square foot in 2014. Rent growth should gain momentum through the medium term as the vacancy rate drops to pre-recession levels. By 2016, coinciding with a drop in the vacancy rate and an expected high demand for high-quality office space in multi-tenant properties, RCG expects the average asking rent to increase by 9.2% from year-end 2013 through year-end 2017 to reach $30.54 per square foot. Fourth quarter-over-fourth quarter growth rates are forecasted to average 1.6% through the forecast period.
High-quality multi-tenant office buildings in desirable locations that cater to high-value tenants will likely outperform the market in terms of demand and rent growth going forward. Firms in the corporate sector, as well as financial services and professional services industries prefer to occupy these spaces based on proximity to transportation and executive and employee housing as well as the higher quality-of-life amenities, like parking, on-site dining, nearby commercial districts, views, and others. Although a shortage of these high-quality, trophy spaces is expected to emerge later in the forecast period, RCG does not expect any new construction to be completed by 2017.
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White Plains CBD Submarket
The White Plains CBD is situated in south central Westchester County, along the Cross-Westchester Expressway (Interstate 287) corridor between the Sprain Brook Parkway and the Hutchinson River Parkway. The submarket consists of approximately 6.3 million square feet of office space and is defined to include the area south of Barker Avenue, north of Quinby Avenue, east of the Bronx River Parkway and west of South Broadway/Post Road. Within the submarket is a thriving and densely developed central business district that has attracted office users of varying size. In 2008, an estimate from the city mayors office placed the worker population at approximately 250,000, compared with a resident population of 60,000.
Workers commute into White Plains via a number of major roadway connections and the Metro-North Railroad, which connects to Grand Central Terminal. Its central location among Westchester County towns and villages makes White Plains an easy commute for upstate residents. Roadway access to the CBD is granted from both the Bronx River Parkway and the Cross Westchester Expressway (Interstate 287), while the White Plains Metro North Transportation Center provides a rail connection to Grand Central Terminal. With travel times as low as 31 minutes, the direct rail connection between Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and the White Plains CBD gives local employers access to one of the deepest labor pools in the world. Furthermore, because of close proximity to transportation, office locations within walking distance of the White Plains MetroNorth station are more desirable than locations. Its accessibility and dense clustering of firms in the financial services and professional services industries are major positives for the market. Local amenities including retail, restaurants and luxury multifamily housing have also been instrumental in luring tenants to the submarket.
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As of the first quarter of 2013, approximately 19.5% of the White Plains CBD office market was available for lease. This is comparable with the overall Westchester office market, where the vacancy rate stood at 19.0% in the first quarter of 2013. While the overall vacancy rate translates to approximately 1.2 million square feet of vacant office space, large blocks of competitive space are in short supply. Asking rent on office space in the White Plains CBD averaged $32.45 per square foot overall as of the first quarter of 2013, a 0.5% increase from year-end 2012. For comparison, the overall average asking rent on all Westchester County office space increased by 1.0% in the first quarter of 2013 to $28.52 per square foot through the first quarter of 2013.
Eastern Submarket
Westchesters Eastern office submarket consists of 6.5 million square feet of space and is located to the east of White Plains, between New Rochelle and the Connecticut state border. By definition, the submarket encompasses the towns of Harrison, Hartsdale, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Purchase, Rye, Rye Brook and Scarsdale. A dense network of transportation infrastructure weaves through the various towns in the submarket, making accessibility a strong advantage for office properties competing for tenants. In addition to Interstate 95, the Cross-Westchester Expressway (Interstate 287) and the Hutchinson River Parkway, two lines along the Metro-North Railroad pass through the Eastern Submarket with several stops between New York City and Connecticut. While office development is less dense in these towns than in the White Plains CBD, the submarket is still an attractive location for office tenants. Based on the strength of its transportation infrastructure and the close proximity of amenities like banks, restaurants, hotels, executive conference centers and recreational resources, firms that choose to locate in the Eastern submarket are able to recruit high quality employees from nearby suburban towns, New York City and Connecticut.
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The submarkets vacancy rate, which includes Class A, B and C office space, was recorded at 18.7% in the first quarter of 2013, down slightly from 18.8% at year-end 2012. Sublease inventory decreased by 30.6% or 71,100 square feet, compared with 6.6% or 64,700 square-foot increase in direct availabilities. A collection of large office properties along the Cross-Westchester Expressway corridor in Harrison and Rye, which were built in the 1950s and 1960s for large, corporate users that have since vacated the premises, are driving up the current vacancy rate. Many of the properties are now functionally obsolete and are otherwise not suitable for the small and medium-sized tenants that prefer to occupy modernized multi-tenant office buildings. However, adaptive re-use of these outdated facilities, which has already begun in some cases, should correct the problem of unused and unmarketable office space in the area, which is attractive based on its access to transportation and rail lines. Fordham University opened a campus along the corridor in 2008 in a former office building. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has proposed and is awaiting regulatory approval to build a treatment center in the former Verizon complex, a 114,000 square-foot building. Life Time Fitness plans to demolish the former Gannett Suburban Newspapers office building and construct a new 109,000 square-foot facility. Histogenics, a biotech firm, bought the 118,000 square-foot building at 104 Corporate Park Drive, formerly occupied by Malcolm Pirnie Inc. before it relocated to White Plains, with the intention of repurposing the property.
Average rental rates calculated from all available office space in the Eastern submarket exceed Westchester County as a whole. As of the first quarter of 2013, the overall average asking rent was recorded at $29.66 per square foot, a 2.6% decline from year-end 2012.
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Consisting of approximately 40.3 million square of office space, the Fairfield County office market is driven largely by the presence of major corporate tenants and key players in the financial services industries. Key submarkets in the area include: Stamford CBD, Stamford Non-CBD, South Central, Greenwich, Central, Eastern, and Greater Danbury. The Stamford CBD and Stamford Non-CBD office submarkets make up the Stamford office market, which consists of approximately 15.6 million square feet of space. The Stamford CBD office submarket is bordered by Broad St. to the north and extends south past I-95 and encompassing the Stamford Transit Center and office properties along State St., Station Place, and First Stamford Place. The South Central office submarket contains approximately 8.3 million square feet of office space, encompassing the areas of Norwalk, Darien/New Canaan, and Wilton/Weston. The Greenwich office submarket consists of 4.1 million square feet and located within the city of Greenwich. The Central Fairfield submarket includes 2.1 million square feet of office space across the cities of Westport, Southport, and Fairfield. The Eastern Fairfield submarket consists of 6.9 million square feet of office space located within in the cities of Bridgeport, Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull. The Greater Danbury office submarket includes 3.1 million square feet of office space spread across the cities of Danbury, Bethel, Redding, Brookfield, Newtown, and Ridgefield. Having benefitted from the migration of corporate tenants from adjacent office markets during recent decades, the high concentration of financial services tenants in the market warrants the presence of professional and business services companies in the areas of law, accounting, and other technical services such as engineering, research, and consulting. Given the areas diversifying tenant base, established finance cluster, and rising prominence as a multimedia hub, the health of the Fairfield County economy is less dependent on growth in neighboring New York in comparison with previous economic cycles. Facilitating the growth of these industries in Stamford, the Stamford Campus of the University of Connecticut now offers new degree programs in digital media, international business, and business finance, ensuring that the areas workforce will have the necessary skills to help develop these new economic clusters in the area. The on-going diversification of the Stamford metropolitan statistical area economy should bolster job growth, as well as office demand in the area, providing greater stability through future economic cycles as it continues to evolve into a more self-sustaining, dynamic economy.
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Demand-Supply Analysis
RCG believes that the Fairfield County office market is in the midst of a recovery fueled by favorable office employment growth trends and a recent influx of high profile tenants, which is resulting in increase office absorption. Having withstood the brunt of the financial crisis on the local economy and office market conditions, office employment payrolls increased through much of 2011 and 2012, as companies slowly began to re-staff in response to stabilization in financial market conditions and an improving national economic outlook. Following an increase of 1.2% in 2011, total payroll growth eased in 2012, rising by just 0.1% from the previous year. Office employment levels increased 1.1% year-over-year in 2011 and 0.1% in 2012, resulting in the addition of close to 1,500 net office-using jobs during this two-year span. More recently, total employment has begun to rebound at a rising pace relative to 2012, led by gains in educational and health services, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality employment. Total payroll levels increased by 0.9% year-over-year in April 2013, with total employment levels expanding by more than 3,500 jobs during the previous twelve-month period. Year-over-year office employment gains accounted for approximately 440 of the net jobs created during this time. Given the healthy pace of job growth in recent quarters and improving economic conditions, Fairfield County office market conditions continue to stabilize but remain soft. Through the first quarter of 2013, the overall office vacancy rate rose to 22.3% from 21.1% in 2012 and 20.9% in 2011. Despite the increase in the vacancy rate, the overall average office lease rate increased by 3.2% year-to-date to $36.67 per square foot in first quarter of 2013.
Available Class A sublease space in the market increased to more than one million square feet from 959,000 square feet in 2012, as the overall Class A vacancy rate stood at more than 20% through early 2013. Although Class A office market conditions remain soft, demand for high-quality space placed upward pressure on Class A rates during this time, as the overall Class A lease rate increased by 3.1% year-to-date to $39.77 per square foot in the first quarter of 2013. Given our expectations for more robust office employment growth through the forecast period, and with minimal supply-side pressure in the market, market conditions are expected to tighten more significantly as companies begin leasing office space in earnest to accommodate this growth.
An indication of the areas diversifying economy, a number of high profile companies are relocating operations to Fairfield County. In late 2010, NBC Sports Group announced plans to build a number of studios in the Stamford, bringing 450 new jobs to the area and $100 million in capital improvements and has consolidated much of its northeast operations. The expansion of Chelsea Piers into Stamford and the development of a $50 million, 417,000 square-foot sports facility is drawing new residents and companies alike. Starwood Hotels relocated its operations in the Westchester submarket to Stamford, occupying 250,000 square feet at 333 Ludlow St. in the Harbor Point area. The completion of both of these blockbuster deals was facilitated by attractive tax incentives, loans, and sales tax exemptions afforded by both state and local development authorities.
As companies in the office employment sector begin to re-staff, RCG expects the rebound in the financial activities and professional services employment sectors to lead the markets recovery. Also, job growth in a number of other key industries is expected to drive the economys resurgence: information services, re-insurance, shipping, media, as well as health and education. With the pace of employment growth expected to increase in 2013 and through the remainder of the forecast period, office absorption should continue to trend upwards during this time, placing downward pressure on the office vacancy rate through 2017.
During the 10-year period between 2003 and 2012, approximately 1.5 million square feet of new office space were added to the marketan increase of 3.8% in total office stock. Practically all new office construction during this period took place in the suburban office market with much of the new office construction in recent years concentrated in the South Central, Stamford non-CBD, and Eastern submarkets. In 2011, 445,000 square feet were added to the market with the delivery of several office projects, the largest of which was the completion of Harbor Point I and II in the Stamford non-CBD submarket. There were no new office construction completions in 2012. Although the Harbor Point area is technically located within the non-CBD office submarket, the project areas proximity to downtown and the Stamford Transit Center allow it to compete for
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tenants against office properties within the CBD. With a lower-cost environment, high-quality buildings and proximity to New York City, Fairfield County is a highly desirable location for large corporate headquarters. The professional and business services sector provides ancillary support to these headquarters operations that come from a wide variety of industries. The anticipated rebound in the professional and business services employment sector should be the primary driver of improvements in the office demand fundamentals through the forecast period. With no office construction projects in the development pipeline, there will be limited supply-side pressure in the market, which should facilitate the office markets return to equilibrium. The limited supply of developable land in the Stamford area minimizes supply-side pressure on the market, restricting new construction to redevelopment in existing commercial areas.
Outlook
RCGs outlook for the Fairfield County office market is positive. RCG believes continued hiring among office-using industries should drive new leasing activity and erode much of the sublease space weighing on the market. RCG expects Stamford to benefit from the influx of companies in growing industries such as multimedia and the recovery in financial services employment to drive the new office demand going forward. Rising investor confidence and business creation in the coming period should support job creation in office employment sectors and a tightening in office market conditions. RCG anticipates more broad-based leasing activity going forward, resulting in the absorption of commodity space and improving fundamentals in this segment of the office market.
As job growth in the market accelerates into the forecast period, RCG expects the vacancy rate to decline to 20.7% in 2014. By this time, the overall office rental rate should increase at a rate of 1.9% to $37.99 per square foot. Into the latter part of the forecast period, as office employment payroll growth accelerates, RCG expects this trend to push the vacancy rate to 20.0% in 2015 followed by a 19.3% vacancy rate in 2016 and a 19.0% vacancy rate in 2017. By 2017, the average office lease rate should reach $41.45 per square foot surpassing pre-recession rent levels. During the five-year period ending in 2017, forecasted office employment levels in the metropolitan statistical area are expected to increase by close to 5,600 jobs, replenishing more than 50% of all office employment jobs lost during the two-year period following the onset of the national recession in December 2007.
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Stamford CBD Submarket
Encompassing the commercial areas surrounding the Stamford Transit Center and the area north of the I-95 to Broad St., the Stamford CBD office submarket consists of approximately 6.8 million square feet of space tenanted by a number of major corporations and investment companies including UBS, Royal Bank of Scotland, Thomson-Reuters, and Jefferies. Approximately 93% of all office space in the CBD market is Class A space. The markets proximity to Manhattan and location along the regions transportation network help to incent the location of companies to the area. The City of Stamford is less than one hour from midtown Manhattan by commuter rail or interstate highway and is located directly on the major rail lines and is intersected by highway I-95, which connects New York and Boston. For Metro-North express trains to New York City, the average express trip is approximately 45 minutes. The area is also within easy driving distance of the major New York area airports and approximately 20 minutes from the Westchester County Airport. Technological advancement will likely drive the decentralization of financial market activities going forward, strengthening the demand for office space in suburban office markets. And, though the Stamford office market will continue to benefit from its relatively lower costs and proximity to New York and Boston as office hiring accelerates, the growing concentration of housing and companies in other office-using industries that facilitate the areas development into a 24/7 live-work environment should support the markets recovery going forward. In particular, properties located in close proximity to major transit nodes are better positioned to benefit from the local economys on-going recovery in comparison to properties in adjacent submarkets.
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As of the first quarter of 2013, the overall CBD vacancy rate rose to 28.5% from 26.8% in 2012 and from 26.9% in 2011. The vacancy rate remains elevated in comparison with market conditions six years prior, at which point the vacancy rate stood at 14.2%.
Tenant interest in parts of the submarket is also heightened by incentives provided through the Stamford enterprise zone, which encompasses the portion of the City of Stamford that is south of the I-95. Under the enterprise zone incentive program, qualified companies may receive benefits such as an 80%, five-year local property tax abatement on eligible real and personal property, as well as a 25% or 50% credit on the state corporate business tax, depending upon the program type and location of the certified project. The additional savings to tenants provided by these incentive programs should continue to draw new companies to this developing portion of the city.
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South Central Submarket
Located along the southern edge of Fairfield County, the South Central office submarket consists of approximately 8.3 million square feet of office space, encompassing the areas of Norwalk, Darien/New Canaan, and Wilton/Weston. Close to two-thirds of the office submarkets inventory is located in the Norwalk submarket. The office market is home to many large corporations, which include Virgin Atlantic Airways, SoBe, Priceline.com, Siemens IT Solutions and Services, Xerox, Kayak.com, Pepperidge Farm, Emcor Group, and Arch Chemicals. With an average lease rate of less than $30 per square foot and its proximity to major highways and transit nodes, the South Central submarkets relative affordability and location continues to attract companies to the area.
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As of the first quarter of 2013, the submarket vacancy rate improved during the first quarter, contracting by close to four percentage points to 15.9% from 19.6% in 2012. Though occupancy levels remain stable, the vacancy rate remains well above the 17.1% vacancy rate in 2009 and 14.2% vacancy rate in 2008. In recent years, lingering economic uncertainty and the availability of more centralized, high-quality space at deep discounts from previous highs placed upward pressure on the vacancy rate for office space located in tertiary submarkets. The overall average lease rate rose by 4.2% year-to-date to $29.21 per square foot in the first quarter, which follows the 2.4% year-over-year decline in 2012.
New York
New Yorks retail market benefits from positive long-term fundamentals, including favorable demographics, a very high income population, significant barriers to entry and a strong local demand base, as a well a high volume of domestic and international visitors. In addition to the 11.7 million residents living within the New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division, approximately 8.3 million residents live in the surrounding region, including Newark, Central New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticuts Fairfield County. With this combined population approaching 20 million, the Greater New York City region is by far the most populous in the country and second only to Mexico City in North America.
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New Yorks long-term economic base is supported by the regions talented workforce, its dense base of customers and clients for businesses, and its highly integrated network of potential partners and investors that convene on the city from all parts of the world. High-paying, knowledge-based industry clusterssuch as finance, legal services, consulting, media and publishing and othersfuel growth in other sectors of the economy. Furthermore, residents come from a highly diverse background: 34.8% of the New York metropolitan divisions population was born outside the United States as of 2009, compared with 13.0% for the country as a whole. All types of retailersfrom discount, family-oriented outlets all the way to high-end, exclusive luxuryare required to serve the heterogeneous population.
Domestic and international leisure travelers are drawn to New York City for its theaters, historical sites, museums, shopping and other cultural opportunities. As heightened focus on public safety and sanitation has helped to transform New York City, and Manhattan specifically, into a family-friendly tourist destination through the last two decades, tourism has come to account for a large share of the local economy. A record high of 50.9 million travelers visited New York City in 2011, according to NYC & Company, reaching Mayor Bloombergs goal of 50 million visitors by 2012 one year early. Direct visitor spending in New York City reached $34.5 billion in 2011, up from $14.7 billion in 1998. Visitor spending supported 324,600 jobs, $18.6 billion in total wages and generated $8.7 billion in taxes for the area.
Other measures indicate rising volumes of tourism and business-related travel, which bodes well for retail demand in the region. Total passenger traffic at New York-area airports grew to 110 million in the 12 months through April 2013, an increase of 2.0% over the previous 12-month period. As of the summer of 2010, Saturday pedestrian traffic volume in Times Square increased 89% over the same period a year earlier.
On the supply side, New Yorks retail market has high barriers to entry, including limited available land to develop, long lead times on new construction, ambiguous zoning regulations, a difficult planning approval process, and high costs of construction. Major new construction projects are rare, particularly within Manhattans main corridors, and are generally limited to the outer boroughs and the suburbs of Northern New Jersey and Upstate New York.
RCGs outlook for New Yorks retail market is positive. With job growth expected to remain positive, decreasing unemployment and stabilizing home values should encourage local residents to loosen spending habits, bolstering demand from local residents, the primary driver of retail demand in the New York area. Siena Research Institutes Index of Current Economic Conditions for New York City registered 78.1 as of the May 2013, within 2.6 points of the highest level and 6.8 points greater than the lowest level recorded over the January 2012 to May 2013 timeframe.
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While barriers to entry in New York Citys retail market are significant, select major projects are likely to continue construction through the foreseeable future. One of the largest projects under development is the retail component of the World Trade Center complex, which totals 500,000 square feet of space. A public plaza that includes retail space is planned along 42nd Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway. Several large projects planned in the Bronx include a 780,000 square-foot shopping mall at Bay Plaza in Co-op City, an 80,000 square-foot parcel on Broadway and 230th Street, and the 162,000 square-foot retail complex at the former Stella DOro factory anchored by BJs Wholesale Club.
Manhattan
The borough of Manhattan contains approximately 110 million square feet of retail space, according to the Real Estate Board of New York, and is split into six major submarkets: East Side, West Side, Midtown, Midtown South, Downtown and North Manhattan. The majority (78%) of the space is located within Midtown South, Midtown and Downtown. Spaces in prime corridors, which are spread out among the major submarkets, are among the most highly sought-after real estate in the world and also among the most expensive in terms of rental rates per square foot. Retail demand in the borough is driven by an affluent local population, commuters from outside the borough and a high concentration of business and leisure travelers.
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On various measures of income, Manhattan exceeds surrounding geographies and the nation as a whole by wide margins according to the 2011 Census American Community Survey. Manhattans median household income was recorded at $66,299 in 2011, compared with $49,461 for all of New York City, $54,407 for the New York metropolitan division and $50,502 at the national level. Manhattans per capita income was recorded at $59,398 as of 2011, much greater than $30,200 for all of New York City, $32,303 throughout the New York metropolitan division and $26,708 for the United States as a whole.
Midtown, the area loosely defined to span between 31st and 59th streets, is among the premier commercial districts in the world and is home to a diverse base of office tenants, retail stores, entertainment venues, theaters, hotels, and residences, along with some light manufacturing, warehouse and storage. Midtown accounts for more than 61% of Manhattans office space. Consumer expenditures in Midtown totaled an estimated $4.0 billion in 2012. Given the primacy of its commercial activities, Midtown accounts for a relatively small percentage of Manhattans residential population. In fact, approximately 166,200 residents live within the area, equating to roughly 10% of Manhattans total. Indicated by several income statistics, however, Midtowns residential population is more affluent than Manhattan as a whole, which helps to support retail demand in the area. The median household income within Midtown Manhattan was estimated to be 33.8% greater than Manhattan as a whole as of 2013 at $84,400.
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Demand is recovering, driven by local job growth and a rise in tourism activity since the last recession. According to the latest available data, the average vacancy rate among major retail corridors increased slightly to 11.4% in the first quarter of 2013 from 7.9% one year earlier, largely stemming from an influx of new availabilities in the Lower Fifth Avenue submarket, which stretches from 42nd Street to 49th Street. In terms of rents, prime retail corridors command very high rents, though a very small sample size leads to volatile average measures. According to Cushman & Wakefield, asking rents in the Upper Fifth Avenue corridor averaged $2,631 per square foot in the first quarter of 2013, a 31.1% year-over-year increase. Rents on Times Square retail space averaged $2,223 per square foot, 13.0% greater than one year earlier. In total, rents grew by an average of 24.5% year-over-year in Manhattans five most-expensive retail submarkets. The overall average asking rent in Manhattan was recorded at $116 per square foot in the spring 2013 and has fluctuated in the band between $110 and $118 per square foot since spring 2009, according to the Real Estate Board of New York.
As with the New York metropolitan division as a whole, RCGs outlook for Manhattans retail market is positive. The main retail corridors have improved during the early stages of economic recovery as consumer spending stabilized and tourism activity rebounded. While rents are rising in the majority of the prime submarkets, rents are still relatively low in Manhattans second-tier submarkets, like the Flatiron District, Meatpacking District and Columbus Avenue, among others. Discounted lease rates present opportunities for small-scale and somewhat cost-sensitive retailers to enter the market where they have been previously priced out in the past. On the supply side, major new construction projects in Manhattan will likely be limited to the area north of Central Park, with the exception of the World Trade Center complex. One example is the conversion of a former manufacturing facility in Harlem into a Target- and Costco-anchored retail center. Smaller-scale deliveries, like conversion of old building stock into retail boutiques, will likely account for the dominant share of new supply in high-traffic, desirable submarkets.
Driving retail demand near Penn Station is a critical mass of pedestrian traffic in the neighborhood, comprised of office workers, tourists and inhabitants of the surrounding area. Office development, retail shops and Pennsylvania Station all drive pedestrian traffic in the area. According to the most recent estimates by the 34th Street Partnership, approximately 185,000 people work in offices in the area surrounding Penn Plaza and Herald Square, as of 2009. Approximately 27,000 people were counted leaving Penn Station in one hour on an average weekday in December 2009, also according to the 34th Street Partnership, while nearly 11,000 pedestrians per hour were counted at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 34th Street. Madison Square Garden is regularly ranked number one in North America for total ticket sales across the wide variety of events housed in the arena, including professional and collegiate basketball, professional hockey, live music events, one-time events like professional wrestling, and many others. Approximately 4 million tourists visit the Empire State Building observation decks each year, where tickets cost between $16 and $55 each. Approximately 27,200 residents occupy 16,400 households within one-half mile of the intersection Broadway and West 36th Street, around which 1333 Broadway, 1350 Broadway and 1359 Broadway are clustered. The median household income within the same area was estimated at $84,678.
The East/West Manhattan Retail Portfolio consists of two properties located in Midtown Manhattan: 1010 Third Avenue and 77 West 55th Street. Located at the intersection of Third Avenue and East 60th Street, the retail space at 1010 Third Avenue is located within the Decorative Arts District: four blocks west of the Fifth Avenue entrance to Central Park, adjacent to 59th Street-Lexington multi-line subway stop and one block from the Queensboro Bridge off ramp. Other retail outlets cluster in this high-pedestrian traffic neighborhood, most prominently including Bloomingdales, along with luxury hotels, highly desirable residential buildings and major office tenants. The median household income within a half-mile radius of 1010 Third Avenue was an estimated $102,866 in 2013. Consumer expenditures reached an estimated $1.6 billion within a half-mile radius of the property. Other major retail locations in the area include Savoy Plaza with 33,800 square feet and the Shops at Citicorp Center with 70,000 square feet.
Also in Midtown, 77 West 55th Street is located at the intersection of West 55th Street and Sixth Avenue. While Sixth Avenue is not known as a high-end retail corridor, pedestrian foot traffic is high, attributable to
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major office tenants and dense residential development in the area. High costs of living in the area surrounding the property have further concentrated an affluent population. The median household income within a half-mile radius of 77 West 55th Street in 2013 was estimated at $91,869. Consumer expenditures were at estimated at $699 million in 2013. Only one other major retail center is located within a half-mile of the property, the 70,000 square-foot Shops at Citicorp Center.
The ground-level retail at 10 Union Square East is located on the eastern edge of Union Square where Park Avenue South meets 14th Street. With high-quality open spaces, a wide variety of pop-up markets, excellent transit accessibility, and active clusters of retail, education, healthcare, office tenants and other residential and commercial development, Union Square is one of the most heavily-trafficked pedestrian areas in Manhattan. Measured over a 14-hour period in July of 2011, weekday pedestrian traffic totaled 176,000 and 159,000 on the weekend. Overall, pedestrian traffic has increased 28% over the most recent five-year period, according to Union Square Partnership. Pedestrian traffic has reached as high as 200,000 during Greenmarket Saturdays. Furthermore, three major subway lines (L, N/Q/R, 4/5/6) converge on Union Square, connecting the neighborhood to New Yorks outer boroughs as well as Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and suburban Upstate New York. The 14th Street-Union Square subway station served 34.6 million riders during 2012, a slight decrease from 2011 though the annual ridership at the station has increased by 39.0% since 2000, making it the fourth-largest station in New York City. While area retailers benefit from customers that live at considerable distances to Union Square, affluent local residents also provide a stable demand base. The median household income within a half-mile radius was estimated at $94,176 in 2013. Consumer expenditures within a half-mile radius of 10 Union Square East was estimated at $2.0 billion in 2013. Though Union Square is a major retail submarket within Manhattan, large shopping centers are still in short supply in the surrounding area. Union Square South is the only shopping center within a half-mile radius of 10 Union Square East. Demand for space in Union Square South has been strong by national retail chains. Following the closure of Circuit City and Virgin Megastores, both of which occupied the property at a point in time, retail space at Union Square South was subsequently re-leased to Best Buy and Nordstrom Rack. Also at the property is Regal Cinemas. Other major retailers are in the neighborhood as well, including Whole Foods, Forever 21, Diesel, Barnes & Noble and many others. Within a one-mile radius of 10 Union Square East are two other major shopping centers: the 170,000 square-foot Manhattan Mall at Broadway and West 33rd Street and the 92,200 square-foot Kips Bay Shopping Center.
The Gotham retail property is located on the Upper East Side at the intersection of East 86th Street and Third Avenue, among a cluster of residential buildings, retail stores and entertainment spaces. One block from the 86th Street-Lexington subway stop, the area is easily accessible from other areas around New York City. Major landmarks in the surrounding area include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum. The neighborhood population is more affluent than Manhattan as a whole. The median household income within a half-mile radius was estimated at $102,866 in 2013. Consumer expenditures within a half-mile radius of the Gotham was estimated at $1.6 billion in 2013. According to Claritas, not a single major shopping center exists within a one-mile radius of the Gotham.
Fairfield County
Fairfield Countys favorable demographics and high concentration of high-paying professionals and wealthy households drives high-end retail sales in the area. The region is studded with luxury retail establishments consisting of high-end boutiques and department stores. High-end retail stores cluster in affluent Fairfield County neighborhoods where residents live and work, particularly in Greenwich, New Canaan, and Westportretail submarkets which command the highest retail rents in the area. In the third quarter of 2012, the retail vacancy rate remained unchanged from earlier in the year at 4.1%, while the average asking retail lease rate in Fairfield County increased 0.4% to $27.91 per square foot during this time, according to Cassidy Turley Research. Historic average annual rent growth in the market is 1.7%. In 2013 total consumer expenditures in Fairfield County retail establishments is expected to total $15.0 billion, according to Claritas. Because of the areas concentration of middle-aged, high net worth professionals, Fairfield County is one of the most affluent counties
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in the country, representing a concentrated market for high-end and luxury retail goods, and services like restaurants, spas, and golf courses/clubs.
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Driven by the recent resurgence in job growth and increasingly positive economic outlook, retail sales in the area quickly rebounded from recent lowsa trend RCG expects to continue through the forecast period. An indication of improving retail demand fundamentals, state sales and use tax revenues, a proxy for retail sales volume in Connecticut, increased by 15.9% in fiscal year 2011-2012 following a 4.6% increase during the previous fiscal year.
Going forward, the continued stabilization of home values and acceleration in job growth should fuel retail sales activity, supported higher levels of retail space absorption in the coming years. As employment levels rebound from recent lows, the improvements to the local economy should also drive an increase in population and household growth through the forecast period, supplying the market with consumers to support local retail sales. Through the forecast period, RCG expects total population growth the increase at an annual average rate of 0.4% and total household at an annual average rate of 0.5% through 2017, resulting the in the addition of close to 20,000 new residents and the formation of more than 7,800 new households during this time. The areas favorable demographic trends suggest that its retail market will be healthy through the forecast period.
Located in the Town of Westport, 69-97 Main St. is situated in one of the towns most affluent shopping districts located along the main thoroughfare. The high concentration of major national and regional retail tenants in the area include retailers such as Coach, Tiffany & Co., Restoration Hardware, and Williams Sonoma. Not surprisingly, the surrounding neighborhood population is more affluent in comparison to other submarkets in Fairfield County. The estimated 2013 retail sales volume within a one-mile radius of the retail property is expected to total approximately $117 million, according to Claritas. The median household income within a one-mile radius was estimated at $122,151 for 2013, with households making more than $200,000 accounting for 16.1% of all households in the area in 2011.
Also located along Westports main thoroughfare, 103-107 Main St. is located in the main shopping district. Given the propertys central location within the areas most affluent shopping districts, the median household income is high relative to surrounding submarket. The estimated 2013 retail sales volume within a one-mile radius of the retail property is expected to total approximately $117 million, according to Claritas. Within a one-mile radius the median household income was $122,195 and $115,258 within a two-mile radius of the property in 2013.
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We are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, that owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. We were formed to continue and expand the commercial real estate business of our predecessor Malkin Holdings LLC and its affiliates. Our primary focus will be to continue to own, manage and operate our current portfolio and to acquire and reposition office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area.
As of June 30, 2013, we owned 12 office properties (including one long-term ground leasehold interest) encompassing approximately 7.7 million rentable square feet of office space, which were approximately 83.5% leased (or 86.2% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date). Seven of these properties are located in the midtown Manhattan market and encompass in the aggregate approximately 5.9 million rentable square feet of office space, including the Empire State Building. Our Manhattan office properties also contain an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of premier retail space on their ground floor and/or lower levels. Our remaining five office properties are located in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York, encompassing in the aggregate approximately 1.8 million rentable square feet. The majority of square footage for these five properties is located in densely populated metropolitan communities with immediate access to mass transportation. Additionally, we have entitled land at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties, that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage, which we refer to herein as Metro Tower. As of June 30, 2013, our portfolio also included four standalone retail properties located in Manhattan and two standalone retail properties located in the city center of Westport, Connecticut, encompassing 204,452 rentable square feet in the aggregate. As of June 30, 2013, our standalone retail properties were 100.0% leased in the aggregate. Our portfolio represents all of our predecessors Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office and retail assets in which it holds a controlling interest.
In addition, we have an option to acquire from affiliates of our predecessor two additional Manhattan office properties encompassing approximately 1.5 million rentable square feet of office space and 153,209 rentable square feet of retail space at the base of the buildings. These option properties were subject to recently resolved litigation and we have an option to acquire fee, long-term leasehold, sub-leasehold and/or sub-subleasehold interests in these two properties, as applicable, following the resolution of the recently resolved litigation. We do not intend to exercise the option for either of the interests in 112-122 West 34th Street or 1400 Broadway prior to closing of this offering. We refer to these properties as our option properties. For more information, please see Description of Option Properties.
We have a comprehensive knowledge of our markets that has been developed through our senior management teams substantial experience, and we believe we are a recognized owner and operator of office properties. All of our properties are located in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, which, according to RCG, is one of the most prized office markets in the world and a world-renowned retail market due to a combination of supply constraints, high barriers to entry, near-term and long-term prospects for job creation, vacancy absorption and rental rate growth. From 2002 through 2006, we gradually gained full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties (with the Helmsley estate holding certain approval rights at some of these properties as a result of its interest in the entities owning the properties). Helmsley-Spear, Inc. had provided property management services to our Manhattan office properties during the period from 2002 through 2006 prior to its removal as property manager. See History for more information regarding how we gained full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties. Since then, we have been undertaking a comprehensive renovation and repositioning strategy of our Manhattan office properties that has included the physical improvement through upgrades and modernization of, and tenant upgrades in, such properties. Since we assumed full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties beginning with One Grand Central Place in 2002 and through June 30, 2013, we have invested a total of
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approximately $384.0 million (excluding tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions) in our Manhattan office properties pursuant to this program. We currently intend to invest between $40.0 million and $70.0 million of additional capital through the end of 2013. We expect to complete substantially this program by the end of 2013, except with respect to the Empire State Building, which is the last Manhattan office property that began its renovation program. In addition, we currently estimate that between $95.0 million and $125.0 million of capital is needed beyond 2013 to complete substantially the renovation program at the Empire State Building, which we expect to occur by the end of 2016, due to the size and scope of our remaining work and our desire to minimize tenant disruptions at the property. These estimates are based on our current budgets (which do not include tenant improvement and leasing commission costs) and are subject to change. We intend to fund these capital improvements through a combination of operating cash flow and borrowings.
These improvements, within our renovation and repositioning program, include restored, renovated and upgraded or new lobbies; elevator modernization; renovated public areas and bathrooms; refurbished or new windows; upgrade and standardization of retail storefront and signage; façade restorations; modernization of building-wide systems; and enhanced tenant amenities. These improvements are designed to improve the overall value and attractiveness of our properties and have contributed significantly to our tenant repositioning efforts, which seek to increase our occupancy; raise our rental rates; increase our rentable square feet; increase our aggregate rental revenue; lengthen our average lease term; increase our average lease size; and improve our tenant credit quality. We have also aggregated smaller spaces in order to offer larger blocks of office space, including multiple floors, that are attractive to larger, higher credit-quality tenants and to offer new, pre-built suites with improved layouts. This strategy has shown attractive results to date, as illustrated by the case studies which are described in Renovation and Repositioning Case Studies, and we believe has the potential to improve our operating margins and cash flows in the future. We believe we will continue to enhance our tenant base and improve rents as our pre-renovation leases continue to expire and be re-leased. Through June 30, 2013, we have completed, or are in the process of completing in connection with signed leases, the renovations of approximately 4.3 million square feet of our Manhattan office properties pursuant to the renovation program. In addition, we currently estimate that approximately 2.1 million square feet of additional renovations, including approximately 1.0 million square feet of additional renovations with respect to the Empire State Building, are required to complete substantially this program.
We operate our business with a view to protect against economic, business and market downturns and preserve capital through conservative debt levels, underwriting and adequate capital provisions for maintenance and improvements. This helps us to withstand economic downturns and grow in times of economic growth. Our motto is performance for today, perspective for tomorrow. We believe our tenants are attracted to our financial stability and our track record of consistent performance through multiple market cycles.
The Empire State Building is our flagship property. The 102-story building comprises 2,701,938 rentable square feet of office space and 167,788 rentable square feet of retail space. The building also includes our observatory and broadcasting operations. The building occupies the entire blockfront from 33 rd Street to 34 th Street on Fifth Avenue, anchoring the east side of the 34 th Street corridor in midtown Manhattan. The ongoing repositioning of the Empire State Building is representative of our strategic vision for our Manhattan office properties. After we gained full control of the day-to-day management of the Empire State Building in August 2006, we developed and began implementing a restoration and renovation plan for the property and, as of June 30, 2013, we had invested a total of approximately $190.4 million. We currently estimate that between $135.0 million and $175.0 million of additional capital is needed to complete this renovation plan, which we expect to complete substantially by the end of 2016, due to the size and scope of our remaining work and our desire to minimize tenant disruptions at the property. These estimates are based on our current budgets (which do not include tenant improvement and leasing commission costs) and are subject to change. We intend to fund these capital improvements through a combination of operating cash flow and borrowings. These improvements include restored and upgraded the landmark art deco lobby, renovated public areas and bathrooms, refurbished 6,514 windows, renovated the observatories and broadcasting facilities and modernized building-wide systems. In addition, we pioneered a process for a replicable, world-leading energy efficiency retrofit program. Future planned renovation expenditures include additional improvements to the building lobby; restroom renovations;
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elevator modernization; corridor upgrades; enhanced ventilation and security systems; and a temporary construction hoist to the 29th floor to provide access for construction workers, for construction deliveries and for the removal of debris. Plans are also in place for the development of a tenants-only fitness center and a conference center in the building. The few remaining details of the comprehensive renovation program for the observatory are expected to be completed substantially by the end of 2013. As part of our effort to increase the quality of our tenants, we have embarked on a renovation and repositioning program over time to aggregate smaller office spaces to facilitate re-leasing of larger blocks of space to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms and at higher rents. To date we believe these efforts have accelerated our ability to lease space to new higher credit-quality tenants, including: LF USA; Skanska; Coty, Inc.; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Funaro & Co.; Kaltex North America, Inc.; LinkedIn; Noven Pharmaceuticals; Peoples Daily Online USA; Shutterstock; Taylor Global; The Freeh Group; Turkish Airlines; and World Monuments Fund. We believe completing the repositioning program for the Empire State Building, as well as our other Manhattan office properties, represents a significant growth opportunity for our company. We believe completing the repositioning program for the Empire State Building, as well as our other Manhattan office properties, represents a significant growth opportunity for us.
The Empire State Building provides us with a significant and diversified source of revenue through its office and retail leases, observatory operations and broadcasting licenses and related leased space. For the years ended December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012 and for the six months ended June 30, 2013, the number of visitors to the observatory was approximately 3.67 million, 4.03 million, 3.75 million, 4.03 million, 4.06 million, 4.15 million and 1.89 million, respectively. Admissions grew at a compound annual growth rate of 3.0% during the 12 years from 2001 to 2012. The average ticket revenue per admission for each of the 12 years from 2001 through 2012 increased at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1% and the growth rate during each of those years, on a year-over-year basis, has never been negative. For the years ended December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012, we increased the average ticket revenue per admission from $15.47 to $20.21, and for the six months ended June 30, 2013, the average ticket revenue per admission was $21.53. In addition, we have 77 broadcasting licenses with an average remaining term of 5.8 years as of June 30, 2013. On a pro forma basis, during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, we generated approximately $114.0 million and $240.8 million of revenue, respectively, from the Empire State Building, which included approximately $44.2 million and $92.2 million of revenue from our observatory operations and approximately $10.1 million and $17.1 million of revenue, respectively, from our broadcasting licenses and related leased space.
In addition to the Empire State Building, our portfolio attracts high quality tenants to its high quality, midtown Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office properties.
Major tenants of 1333 Broadway include LF USA, Inc., Aetna Life Insurance Company, Urban Outfitters, Canon Solutions America, Inc., a variety of service firms and retail tenancy in its multi-level retail space. Major tenants of 1350 Broadway include E-Bay, Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP, Marketfish, EcoLab, Open Space Institute, a variety of service firms including Carrier Corporation and retail tenancy in its multi-level retail space including Bank Santander (Sovereign Bank), Duane Reade (a division of Walgreen Co.), HSBC, Starbucks, and FedEx/Kinkos. Major tenants of 1359 Broadway include LF USA, Inc., IPREO Holdings LLC, Actimize, Inc., Equifax, Parkinsons Disease Foundation and a variety of leading not-for-profit and service firms. Major tenants of 501 Seventh Avenue include the corporate headquarters of both Carolina Herrera Ltd. and Warnaco (a subsidiary of PVH Corp.), Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a variety of service firms and retail tenancy including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Pot Belly Sandwich Shop. One Grand Central Place is largely a small tenant building. Its major tenants include Fairfield Maxwell Group, Ales Group USA, Inc., Tourist Office of Spain, American Bureau of Shipping, Pine Brook Road Partners, LLC, a variety of financial, services, corporate, and not-for-profit tenants and retail tenancy in its multi-level retail space including JP Morgan Chase Bank, Bank of America, N.A., and Charles Schwab & Co. 250 West 57 th Street is largely a small tenant building. Its major tenant is Perseus Books Group and its other tenants include a variety of financial, services, corporate, and not-for-profit tenants including N.S. Bienstock, Inc., Chase Paymentech (a division of JPMorgan Chase Bank) and retail tenancy in its multi-level retail space including TJ Maxx, AT&T and Duane Reade (a division of Walgreen Co.).
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In the greater New York metropolitan area, our portfolio includes high quality suburban office properties in densely populated metropolitan communities in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. Major tenants of the greater New York metropolitan area flagship Metro Center (at the Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut) include Thomson Reuters, Jefferies Group, Columbus Circle Investors, Torm Shipping, Olympus Partners, BP Energy, Tweedy, Browne Company, Susquehanna International, and a variety of other investment management, private equity and professional services firms. Major tenants of First Stamford Place (within a short walking distance of the Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut) include Ernst & Young, Legg Mason, Odyssey Reinsurance, Elizabeth Arden, Inc., Thomson Reuters, Guardian Life Insurance Company, the corporate headquarters of Crane Co., Air Castle Advisor LLC, National Indemnity Company, Robert W. Baird, Inc., MKM Partners, Artha Capital, BTS USA, Greenwich Investment Management, Greenwich Prime Trading, Newbury Partners, Campus Televideo, TigerRisk Partners, Vesta Partners, MJLF Associates, Remington Arms, Jones Lang LaSalle, Bank of Ireland, Forevermark US Inc., and a variety of consumer products, insurance, commodities, technology, marketing, shipping, investment management and professional services firms. Major tenants of 383 Main Avenue (at the intersection of the Merritt Parkway and Route 7 in Norwalk, Connecticut) include Reed Elsevier, Inc., Acosta Inc., Nestle Holdings, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., SunGard, SAP America, Inc., SymphonyIRI Group, Qwest Communications (d/b/a Century Link), Boots Retail USA, Antenna Audio, Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Fairfield County Community Trust and a variety of financial, consumer products, technology, marketing, health, education, not-for-profit and professional services firms. Major tenants of 10 Bank Street (at the Transportation Center in White Plains, New York) include TwoFour Holdings, Tompkins Trust Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Pearson Education, Inc., Fifth Street Capital, Inc., Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot, Rockwood Capital, LLC, Pine Brook Road Partners, LLC, Evolution Markets, LLC, US Renewables Group, Liberty Mutual, Nokia, Fidelity National Title, FitFlop USA, Marubeni Specialty Chemicals Inc., Hitachi Cable America Inc., and a variety of leading investment management, consumer products, commodities, health, education, and professional services firms. Major tenants of 500 Mamaroneck Avenue (between the Hutchinson River Parkway and Interstate 95 in Harrison, New York) include Mariner Investment Group, OConnor Davies Munn & Dobbins, Pasternak Wine Imports, Pasternak Baum & Co., York International, Senior Care Development, HUB International, Lornamead Inc., Universal Remote Control, Stark Business Solutions, Motion Picture Association of America, and a variety of financial, insurance, commodities, marketing, technology, consumer products and professional services firms.
Our portfolio also includes high quality retail properties located in premier retail corridors in Manhattan and Westport, Connecticut. Tenants at 10 Union Square in Manhattan include Best Buy Mobile, Starbucks, A&P, Panera Bread, FedEx/Kinkos, Au Bon Pain, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and GameStop. Tenants at 1010 Third Avenues multi-level retail space in Manhattan include Ethan Allen. Tenants at 55 West 57 th Street include Tapps Supermarkets and Bank of America, N.A. Tenants at 69-97 Main Street in Westport, Connecticut include Ann Taylor, Lululemon, Allen Edmonds, Nike, and Theory. Tenants at 103-109 Main Street include Kate Spade (a division of Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc.).
112-122 West 34th Street, one of the option properties, is in transition from a garment tenant profile. 112-122 West 34th Street is the recipient of BOMA 2012 Pinnacle Award for the Renovated Building of the Year. Its major tenants include the corporate headquarters of Aeropostale Inc. and Venator Group, Inc., Regus Plc, Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc., Carr Business Systems (a division of Xerox), a variety of fashion related firms and retail tenancy includes Foot Locker and Swatch. 1400 Broadway, the other option property, is in transition from a garment tenant profile. Its major tenants include Kohls Corporation, Mens Wearhouse, VeriFone Systems, Burlington Coat Factory, LLC, Hatch Mott Macdonald, Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. and a variety of fashion related firms.
We are led by Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, who has a strong reputation in the industry for quality management, repositioning and marketing expertise. Mr. Malkin, together with our senior management team, has developed our strategy with a focus on tenant and broker relationships and the cultivation of our brand to attract higher credit-quality tenants to our improved buildings and negotiate
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attractive rental terms. Mr. Malkin has approximately 25 years of real estate experience specifically in expanding, renovating, repositioning and managing this portfolio. Our senior management team has an average of approximately 30 years of experience covering all aspects of real estate, including asset and property management, leasing, marketing, acquisitions, construction, development, legal and finance, and Messrs. Malkin, Durels and Keltner have worked together for our predecessor for approximately 23 years, with Messrs. Malkin and Durels being responsible for supervising the design and implementation of our renovation and repositioning program.
The Manhattan office properties that will be included in our initial portfolio were acquired between 1950 and 1979 through the business ventures of Lawrence A. Wien in partnership with Harry B. Helmsley, and later with his son-in-law and our Chairman Emeritus Peter L. Malkin. Three properties, the Empire State Building, One Grand Central Place and 250 West 57 th Street, were acquired through public partnerships from 1953 to 1961, following earlier transactions on structures developed by Lawrence A. Wien, which are credited as the first flow-through tax treatment real estate syndications ever conducted, including other Manhattan office properties, 1333 Broadway, 1350 Broadway, 1359 Broadway and 501 Seventh Avenue, which were acquired through private partnerships from 1950 to 1979. With respect to the Manhattan office properties, Lawrence A. Wien and Peter L. Malkin were responsible for the syndication of the transactions, and Harry B. Helmsley was responsible for the identification of opportunities and the management and leasing of the properties once purchased. The principals of our predecessor during this period consisted of Lawrence A. Wien, until his death in 1988 and, beginning in 1958, Peter L. Malkin. Anthony E. Malkin joined Peter L. Malkin as a principal in 1989. All of the standalone retail assets and most of the Fairfield County and Westchester County office properties that will be included in our initial portfolio were acquired from 1989 to 2006 under the direction of Anthony E. Malkin.
Our predecessor historically provided asset management services for most of our properties. Our Manhattan office properties were managed, subject to the supervision of our predecessor, by Helmsley-Spear until 2002, in the case of One Grand Central Place, 250 West 57 th Street and 501 Seventh Avenue; 2003, in the case of 1359 Broadway; and 2006, in the case of the Empire State Building, 1350 Broadway, 1333 Broadway and the option properties.
Over time, our predecessor observed and objected to a deterioration in the property management and leasing services provided by Helmsley-Spear to the Manhattan office properties, resulting in deferred maintenance, reduced occupancy and/or rents and reduced tenant quality. Our predecessor brought legal action to remove Helmsley-Spear as manager (after it was sold by entities controlled by Leona M. Helmsley) of these properties both for cause and based on contractual removal rights. The resolutions of the ensuing arbitrations and litigations resulted in a gradual transfer of day-to-day management away from Helmsley-Spear beginning in 2002 and were fully settled in 2006. Upon such transfer, Mr. Malkin and our senior management team conceived and designed our renovation and repositioning program for our Manhattan office properties, and a majority of the work on such program has taken place since 2008. Our predecessor oversaw the engagement of third-party property management and leasing agents for these properties, and eventually the transformation of the Empire State Building to a self-managed structure, retaining a third party agent only for leasing.
Separately, our predecessor acquired certain office, city-center retail and multi-family residential properties outside of Manhattan, which other than our greater New York metropolitan area properties, will not be part of our portfolio upon completion of this offering. It developed and implemented a branding strategy for brokers and tenants for this portfolio. The branded portfolio provides tenants with a consistently high quality level of services, installations, maintenance and amenities and has built strong relationships with the broker community.
As the Helmsley-Spear management disputes progressed and were resolved, our predecessor conceived, planned and executed a comprehensive program to renovate and improve the Manhattan office properties in our portfolio with a combination of operating cash flow and debt financing. The improvements included restored and
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improved or new lobbies; elevator modernization; common hallway upgrades; bathroom renovations; roof and façade restorations; new windows; and building-wide systems upgrades. As each property renovation was put in place, our predecessor established its brand by deploying the same branding strategy with tenants and brokers as had succeeded with the office and retail properties in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York.
We believe that we distinguish ourselves from other owners and operators of office and retail properties as a result of the following competitive strengths:
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Irreplaceable Portfolio of Office Properties in Midtown Manhattan . Our Manhattan office properties are located in one of the most prized office markets in the world due to a combination of supply constraints, high barriers to entry, near-term and long-term prospects for job creation, vacancy absorption and rental rate growth. Management believes these properties could not be replaced today on a cost-competitive basis, if at all. As of June 30, 2013, we owned seven Manhattan office properties (including one long-term ground leasehold interest) encompassing approximately 5.9 million rentable square feet of office space, including the Empire State Building, our flagship property. Unlike traditional office buildings, the Empire State Building provides us with a significant source of income from its observatory and broadcasting operations. All of these properties include premier retail space on their ground floor and/or lower levels, which comprise 440,615 rentable square feet in the aggregate and some of which have recently undergone significant renovations. We believe the high quality of our buildings, services and amenities, their desirable locations and commuter access to mass transportation should allow us to increase rents and occupancy to generate positive cash flow and growth. |
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Expertise in Repositioning and Renovating Manhattan Office Properties . We have substantial expertise in renovating and repositioning Manhattan office properties, having invested a total of approximately $384.0 million (excluding tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions) in our Manhattan office properties since we assumed full control of the day-to-day management of these properties beginning with One Grand Central Place in November 2002 through June 30, 2013. We have gained substantial experience in upgrading, renovating and modernizing (or are in the process thereof) all building lobbies, corridors, bathrooms and elevator cabs and old, antiquated spaces to include new ceilings, lighting, pantries and base building systems (including electric distribution and air conditioning, as well as enhanced tenant amenities). We have successfully aggregated and are continuing to aggregate smaller spaces to offer larger blocks of space, including multiple floors, that are attractive to larger, higher credit-quality tenants and to offer new, pre-built suites with improved layouts. As part of this program, we converted some or all of the second floor office space of certain of our Manhattan office properties to higher rent retail space. We believe that the post-renovation high quality of our buildings and the service we provide also attract higher credit-quality tenants and allow us to grow cash flow. In addition, we believe that, based on the results of our energy retrofitting efforts at the Empire State Building, we can derive cost savings through innovative energy efficiency retrofitting and sustainability initiatives, reducing direct and indirect energy costs paid both by tenants and by us throughout our other Manhattan office properties. |
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Leader in Energy Efficiency Retrofitting . We have pioneered certain practices in energy efficiency at the Empire State Building where we have partnered with the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls Inc., Jones Lang LaSalle and the Rocky Mountain Institute to create and implement a groundbreaking, replicable process for integrating energy efficiency retrofits in the existing built environment. The reduced energy consumption reduces costs for us and our tenants, and we believe creates a competitive advantage for our properties. As a result of the energy efficiency retrofits, we currently estimate that the Empire State Building will save at least 38% of its energy use, resulting in at least $4.4 million of annual energy cost savings. Johnson Controls Inc. has guaranteed minimum energy cost savings of $2.2 million annually, from 2010 through 2025, with respect to certain of the |
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energy efficiency retrofits which Johnson Controls Inc. was responsible for installing. In 2012, the actual energy cost savings for the energy efficiency retrofits which Johnson Controls Inc. was responsible for installing was $2.3 million. In addition, Skanska realized approximately 58% energy cost savings, on a per square foot basis, when comparing its previously leased space which it occupied in an unrelated third-party Class A office building during 2008 and its leased space at the Empire State Building during 2010. We believe that higher quality tenants in general place a higher priority on sustainability, controlling costs, and minimizing contributions to greenhouse gases. We believe our expertise in this area gives us the opportunity to attract higher quality tenants at higher rental rates and to reduce our expenses. As a result of our efforts, the Empire State Building is now an Energy Star building and has been awarded LEED EBOM-Gold certification. We are currently underway with the design and specification process to implement energy efficiency retrofitting projects in our Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office properties based on our work at the Empire State Building. Finally, we maintain a series of management practices utilizing recycling of tenant and construction waste, recycled content carpets, low off-gassing paints and adhesives, green pest control and cleaning solutions, and recycled paper products throughout our office portfolio. We believe that our portfolios attractiveness is enhanced by these practices and that this should result in higher rental rates, longer lease terms and higher quality tenants. |
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Attractive Retail Locations in Densely Populated Metropolitan Communities . As of June 30, 2013, our portfolio also included six standalone retail properties and retail space at the ground floor and/or lower levels of our Manhattan office properties, encompassing 645,067 rentable square feet in the aggregate, which were approximately 80.4% leased in the aggregate. All of these properties are located in premier retail corridors with convenient access to mass transportation, a diverse tenant base and high pedestrian traffic and/or main destination locations. Our retail portfolio includes 623,634 rentable square feet located in Manhattan and 21,433 rentable square feet located in Westport, Connecticut. Our retail tenants cover a number of industries, including financial services, and include Allen Edmonds, Ann Taylor; AT&T; Bank of America; Bank Santander (Sovereign Bank); Best Buy Mobile; Charles Schwab; Chipotle; Duane Reade (a division of Walgreen Co.); Ethan Allen; FedEx/Kinkos; Food Emporium; Gamestop; HSBC; JP Morgan Chase; Kate Spade (a division of Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc.); Loews Theatre; Lululemon; Mens Wearhouse; Nike; Panera Bread; Payless Shoesource; Potbelly Sandwich Works; Sprint; Starbucks; Theory; TJ Maxx; Urban Outfitters; and Walgreens. Our Westport, Connecticut retail properties are located on Main Street, the main pedestrian thoroughfare in Westport, Connecticut, and have the advantage of being adjacent to one of the few available large-scale parking lots in town. |
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Experienced and Committed Management Team with Proven Track Record . Our senior management team is highly regarded in the real estate community and has extensive relationships with a broad range of brokers, owners, tenants and lenders. We have developed relationships we believe enable us to both secure high credit-quality tenants on attractive terms, as well as provide us with potential acquisition opportunities. We have substantial in-house expertise and resources in asset and property management, leasing, marketing, acquisitions, construction, development and financing and a platform that is highly scalable. Members of our senior management team have worked in the real estate industry for an average of approximately 30 years, and Messrs. Malkin, Durels and Keltner have worked together for our predecessor for approximately 23 years. We take an intensive, hands-on approach to the management of our portfolio and quality brand building. Upon completion of this offering, our senior management team is expected to own 12.8% of our common stock on a fully diluted basis (including shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis as to which Anthony E. Malkin has the right to vote, but does not have a pecuniary interest), and therefore their interests are expected to be aligned with those of our stockholders, and they are incentivized to maximize returns for our stockholders. |
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Strong Balance Sheet Well Positioned For Future Growth . Upon completion of this offering, we expect to have pro forma total debt outstanding of approximately $1.16 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.04%, a weighted average maturity of 3.5 years and 72.6% of which is |
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fixed-rate indebtedness. Additionally, we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). Upon completion of this offering and on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2012, we had a debt-to-earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, ratio of approximately 4.72x and our debt represented 25.2% of enterprise value. For the year ended December 31, 2012, our pro forma EBITDA and pro forma net income were approximately $236.3 million and $77.7 million, respectively. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will have, on a pro forma basis, no debt maturing in the remainder of 2013 and approximately $198.4 million maturing in 2014. Our fiscal strength and disciplined ownership and operation of our business has enabled us to weather multiple market downturns and challenging financing environments. We operate our business to preserve capital through conservative debt levels and to provide adequate capital for maintenance and improvements. |
Business and Growth Strategies
Our primary business objectives are to maximize cash flow and total returns to our stockholders and to increase the value of our properties through the pursuit of the following business and growth strategies:
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Lease-up Available Space at Manhattan Office Properties . As of June 30, 2013, our Manhattan office properties were approximately 82.0% leased (or 84.8% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and had approximately 1.1 million rentable square feet of available space (excluding leases signed but not yet commenced). This compares to an average of 89.9% leased in midtown Manhattan according to RCG as of March 31, 2013. We believe our renovation and repositioning program for our Manhattan office properties is a catalyst for additional lease-up. We have created large blocks of available space and intend to continue to create such blocks over the next several years as part of our comprehensive repositioning strategy to attract larger, higher credit-quality tenants at higher rents for longer lease terms with higher average retention rates and greater prospects for growth. Individual and multiple floors have been assembled and are being assembled for larger users. To date we believe these efforts have accelerated our ability to lease space to new higher credit-quality tenants, many of which have expanded the office space they lease from us over time. Examples of this include LF USA, Coty, Inc., the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Actimize which collectively have leases signed with us for over 1,397,250 rentable square feet that represent additional annualized base rent of $56,424,225 as of June 30, 2013. LF USA, our largest tenant based on both total leased square feet and annualized base rent, signed a lease for 482,399 square feet of office space in the Empire State Building in January 2011 that represents an additional $18,813,561 of annualized base rent and, in November 2011, signed another lease for an additional 106,545 square feet that represents an additional $4,155,255 of an annualized base rent. In order to accommodate the initial lease, we relocated two other tenants to other available space in the building in order to provide LF USA with space on two consecutive floors. As of June 30, 2013, LF USA leased an aggregate of 914,519 rentable square feet of office space at three of our office properties, representing approximately 10.9% of the total rentable square feet and approximately 11.4% of the annualized base rent in our portfolio. We also employ a pre-built suite strategy in selected portions of some of our properties to appeal to many credit-worthy smaller tenants by fitting out some available space with new ceilings, lighting, pantries and base building systems (including electric distribution and air conditioning) for immediate occupancy. These pre-built suites deploy energy efficiency strategies developed in our work at the Empire State Building and are designed with efficient layouts sought by a wide array of users which we believe will require only minor painting and carpeting for future re-leasing thus reducing our future costs. |
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Increase Existing Below-Market Rents . We believe we can capitalize on the successful repositioning of our Manhattan office portfolio and improving market fundamentals to increase rents. For example, we expect to benefit from the re-leasing of 9.3%, or approximately 547,362 rentable square feet |
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(including month-to-month leases), of our Manhattan office leases expiring through December 31, 2014, which we generally believe are currently at below market rates. These expiring leases represent a weighted average base rent of $40.40 per square foot based on current measurements. As older leases expire, we expect to continue to upgrade certain space to further increase rents and we expect to increase the total rentable square footage of such space as a result of remeasurement and application of market loss factors to our space which we expect will generate additional rental revenue. Our concentration in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area should also enable us to benefit from increased rents associated with current and anticipated near-term improvements in the financial and economic environment in these areas. We also expect to benefit from the lack of development of office and retail space in midtown Manhattan for the foreseeable future due to the recent economic downturn, scarcity of available development sites, and long lead time for new construction. |
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Complete the Redevelopment and Repositioning of Our Current Portfolio . We intend to continue to increase occupancy, improve tenant quality and enhance cash flow and value by completing the renovation and repositioning of our Manhattan office properties. We intend selectively to continue to allow leases for smaller spaces to expire or relocate smaller tenants in order to aggregate, demolish and re-demise existing office space into larger blocks of vacant space, which we believe will attract higher credit-quality tenants at higher rental rates. We apply rigorous underwriting analysis to determine if aggregation of vacant space for future leasing to larger tenants will improve our cash flows over the long term. In addition, we are a leader in developing economically justified energy efficiency retrofitting and sustainability and have made it a portfolio-wide initiative. We believe this makes our properties desirable to high credit-quality tenants at higher rental rates and longer lease terms. |
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Pursue Attractive Acquisition and Development Opportunities . We will opportunistically pursue attractive opportunities to acquire office and retail properties, including the option properties, for which the purchase price is payable in a combination of shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, except with respect to the Helmsley estate, which will have the right to elect to receive all cash. See Description of Option Properties. We intend to focus our acquisition strategy primarily on Manhattan office properties and, to a lesser extent, office and multi-tenanted retail properties in densely populated communities in the greater New York metropolitan area and other markets we may identify in the future. We believe we can utilize our industry relationships (including well-known real estate owners in Manhattan), brand recognition, and our expertise in redeveloping and repositioning office properties to identify acquisition opportunities where we believe we can increase occupancy and rental rates. We also believe there is significant growth opportunity to acquire and reposition additional stand-alone retail spaces. Our strong balance sheet, access to capital, and ability to offer operating partnership units in tax deferred acquisition transactions should give us significant flexibility in structuring and consummating acquisitions. Further, we have a development site, Metro Tower at the Stamford Transportation Center, which is adjacent to our Metro Center property, which we believe to be one of the premier office buildings in Connecticut. All required zoning approvals have been obtained to allow development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office tower and garage. We intend to develop this site when we deem the appropriate combination of market and other conditions are in place. |
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Proactively Manage Our Portfolio . We believe our proactive, service-intensive approach to asset and property management helps increase occupancy and rental rates. We utilize our comprehensive building management services and our strong commitment to tenant and broker relationships and satisfaction to negotiate attractive leasing deals and to attract high credit-quality tenants. We proactively manage our rent roll and maintain continuous communication with our tenants. We foster strong tenant relationships by being responsive to tenant needs. We do this through the amenities we provide, the quality of our buildings and services, our employee screening and training, energy efficiency initiatives, and preventative maintenance and prompt repairs. Our attention to detail is integral to serving our clients and building our brand. Our properties have received numerous industry awards for their operational efficiency. We believe long-term tenant relationships will improve our |
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operating results over time by reducing leasing, marketing and tenant improvement costs and reducing tenant turnover. As a result, we do extensive diligence on our tenants (current and prospective) balance sheets, businesses and business models to determine if we will establish long-term relationships in which they will both renew with us and expand over time. |
Renovation and Repositioning Case Studies
From 2002 through 2006, we gradually gained full control of the day-to-day management of our Manhattan office properties (with the Helmsley estate holding certain approval rights at some of these properties as a result of its interest in the entities owning the properties). Since then, we have been undertaking a comprehensive renovation and repositioning strategy of our Manhattan office properties that has included the physical improvement through upgrades and modernization of, and tenant upgrades in, such properties. We expect to complete substantially this program by the end of 2013, except with respect to the Empire State Building, which is the last Manhattan office property that began its renovation program, which we expect to complete substantially by the end of 2016, due to the size and scope of our remaining work and our desire to minimize tenant disruptions at the property. The improvements undertaken in connection with the renovation and repositioning program include restored, renovated and upgraded or new lobbies; elevator modernization; renovated public areas and bathrooms; refurbished or new windows; upgrade and standardization of retail storefront and signage; façade restorations; modernization of building-wide systems; and enhanced tenant amenities. These improvements are designed to improve the overall value and attractiveness of our properties and have contributed significantly to our tenant repositioning efforts, which seek to increase our occupancy; raise our rental rates; increase our rentable square feet; increase our aggregate rental revenue; lengthen our average lease term; increase our average lease size; and improve our tenant credit quality. This strategy has shown attractive results to date as illustrated by the case studies which are set forth below. There can be no assurance that our renovation and repositioning program will be completed in its entirety in accordance with the anticipated timing or at the anticipated cost or that the results we expect to achieve will be accomplished. Accordingly, the information presented in the case studies should not be considered as indicative of our possible results and you should not rely on this information as an indication of our future performance.
The pre-renovation and repositioning statistics in the tables below represent the leases existing on the applicable floor of the applicable building at a date within a three-year period prior to the commencement of tenant repositioning efforts which were implemented on such floor and which generally represented the highest occupancy for such floor during such period. The tenant repositioning efforts include the exercise of our rights to relocate tenants, negotiated relocations of tenants, the strategic expiration of existing leases to aggregate large blocks of space, including whole floors, as well as the implementation of marketing efforts in such space including the signing of significant tenants prior to the onset of the renovation work. Post-renovation and repositioning statistics in the table below represent full floors where we have completed our renovation and repositioning efforts and reflect leases signed for such space. In certain circumstances, certain tenants have signed leases where only a portion of their lease has commenced with the remainder of the lease to commence through 2013, except with respect to one tenant at the Empire State Building where such tenants leases will commence through 2014. The information in the tables below presents statistics as if all such space under such leases have commenced.
Empire State Building Case Study
After we gained full control of the day-to-day management of the Empire State Building in August 2006, we developed and began implementing a restoration and renovation program at the property. As of June 30, 2013, we had completed substantially the renovation and repositioning of 27 of the 76 office floors in the building where we have aggregated smaller spaces in order to seek larger, higher credit-quality tenants and to offer new, pre-built suites with improved layouts. In order to maximize space utilization, we aggregated smaller spaces to offer large blocks of space, including whole floors, by employing several strategies including the exercise of our rights to relocate tenants to alternative space, negotiated relocations of tenants and the strategic expiration of
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existing leases. As illustrated by the table below, for these 27 floors, we have increased (i) annualized gross rent by an aggregate of approximately $28.1 million, representing a 108.9% increase, (ii) weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot by $7.12 in the aggregate, representing an 20.3% increase and (iii) total rentable square footage by 293,116 square feet in the aggregate, representing a 29.5% increase.
Number of
Leases |
Total Rentable
Square Feet (1) |
Percent
Leased (2) |
Average
Rentable Square Feet per Leased Space |
Weighted
Average Lease Term (years) |
Annualized
Gross Rent (3) |
Weighted
Average Annualized Gross Rent per Leased Square Foot (4) |
Adjusted
Weighted Average Annualized Gross Rent per Leased Square Foot (5) |
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Floors 3 - 10 |
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Pre |
77 | 415,966 | 76.6 | % | 4,139 | 9.4 | $ | 11,723,671 | $ | 36.79 | $ | 25.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
1 | 555,204 | 100.0 | % | 555,204 | 16.3 | $ | 21,653,904 | $ | 39.00 | $ | 39.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(76 | ) | 139,238 | 23.4 | % | 551,065 | 6.9 | 84.7 | % | 6.0 | % | 52.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floor 11 |
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Pre |
7 | 33,465 | 89.1 | % | 4,259 | 5.4 | $ | 1,309,999 | $ | 43.94 | $ | 28.26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
2 | 50,006 | 100.0 | % | 25,003 | 13.4 | $ | 2,121,027 | $ | 42.42 | $ | 42.42 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(5 | ) | 16,541 | 10.9 | % | 20,744 | 8.0 | 61.9 | % | (3.5 | %) | 50.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floors 12 - 13 |
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Pre |
21 | 82,256 | 29.7 | % | 1,164 | 5.3 | $ | 724,379 | $ | 29.64 | $ | 15.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
1 | 105,613 | 100.0 | % | 105,613 | 10.1 | $ | 4,684,680 | $ | 44.36 | $ | 44.36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(20 | ) | 23,357 | 70.3 | % | 104,449 | 4.8 | 546.7 | % | 49.6 | % | 192.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floors 14 - 19 |
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Pre |
64 | 236,621 | 74.4 | % | 2,749 | 8.2 | $ | 6,269,674 | $ | 35.63 | $ | 24.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
1 | 312,590 | 100.0 | % | 312,590 | 16.8 | $ | 13,949,480 | $ | 44.63 | $ | 44.63 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(63 | ) | 75,969 | 25.6 | % | 309,841 | 8.6 | 122.5 | % | 25.2 | % | 79.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floors 20 - 21 |
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Pre |
10 | 75,044 | 98.1 | % | 7,364 | 11.5 | $ | 1,705,693 | $ | 23.16 | $ | 22.31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
1 | 77,845 | 100.0 | % | 77,845 | 11.0 | $ | 3,658,715 | $ | 47.00 | $ | 47.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(9 | ) | 2,801 | 1.9 | % | 70,481 | (0.5 | ) | 114.5 | % | 102.9 | % | 110.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Floor 23 |
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Pre |
3 | 33,256 | 100.0 | % | 11,085 | 15.2 | $ | 1,254,716 | $ | 37.73 | $ | 30.77 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1 | 40,781 | 100.0 | % | 40,781 | 10.8 | $ | 1,875,926 | $ | 46.00 | $ | 46.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(2 | ) | 7,525 | 0.0 | % | 29,696 | (4.4 | ) | 49.5 | % | 21.9 | % | 49.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Floors 32 - 33 |
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Pre |
2 | 21,906 | 14.6 | % | 1,596 | 4.9 | $ | 134,099 | $ | 42.01 | $ | 21.14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1 | 25,057 | 100.0 | % | 25,057 | 15.0 | $ | 1,219,550 | $ | 48.67 | $ | 48.67 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(1 | ) | 3,151 | 85.4 | % | 23,461 | 10.1 | 809.4 | % | 15.9 | % | 130.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floor 37 |
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1 | 22,800 | 100.0 | % | 22,800 | 5.5 | $ | 810,359 | $ | 35.54 | $ | 31.97 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1 | 25,346 | 100.0 | % | 25,346 | 11.0 | $ | 785,726 | $ | 31.00 | $ | 31.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
| 2,546 | 0.0 | % | 2,546 | 5.5 | (3.0 | %) | (12.8 | %) | (3.0 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Floor 38 |
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Pre |
1 | 18,255 | 100.0 | % | 18,255 | 15.4 | $ | 562,233 | $ | 30.80 | $ | 22.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1 | 25,294 | 100.0 | % | 25,294 | 10.5 | $ | 1,107,855 | $ | 43.80 | $ | 43.80 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
| 7,039 | 0.0 | % | 7,039 | (4.9 | ) | 97.0 | % | 42.2 | % | 97.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floor 41 |
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Pre |
1 | 17,293 | 3.2 | % | 545 | 2.6 | $ | 18,193 | $ | 33.38 | $ | 3.91 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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1 | 21,405 | 100.0 | % | 21,405 | 12.5 | $ | 1,040,416 | $ | 48.61 | $ | 48.61 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
| 4,112 | 96.8 | % | 20,860 | 9.9 | 5,618.7 | % | 45.6 | % | 1,144.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Floor 53 |
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Pre |
6 | 17,634 | 90.2 | % | 2,652 | 6.4 | $ | 538,459 | $ | 33.84 | $ | 22.15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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4 | 26,032 | 57.7 | % | 3,753 | 8.7 | $ | 627,743 | $ | 41.81 | $ | 41.81 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(2 | ) | 8,398 | (32.5 | %) | 1,101 | 2.3 | 16.6 | % | 23.6 | % | 88.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floor 75 |
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Pre |
8 | 20,150 | 93.9 | % | 2,364 | 4.2 | $ | 742,841 | $ | 39.27 | $ | 34.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
5 | 22,589 | 100.0 | % | 4,518 | 6.3 | $ | 1,153,922 | $ | 51.08 | $ | 51.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(3 | ) | 2,439 | 6.1 | % | 2,154 | 2.1 | 55.3 | % | 30.1 | % | 46.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Total |
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Pre |
201 | 994,646 | 73.9 | % | 3,659 | 9.0 | $ | 25,794,316 | $ | 35.08 | $ | 25.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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20 | 1,287,762 | 99.1 | % | 63,837 | 14.6 | $ | 53,878,944 | (6) | $ | 42.20 | $ | 42.20 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(181 | ) | 293,116 | 25.2 | % | 60,178 | 5.6 | 108.9 | % | 20.3 | % | 68.3 | % |
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(1) | The change in total rentable square footage results from a combination of remeasurement of, and changes in loss factor applied to, the renovated spaces. Post-renovation and repositioning property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards. Includes leases that have been signed but have not yet commenced. |
(2) | Percent leased is calculated as (a) rentable square feet less available square feet divided by (b) rentable square feet. |
(3) | Pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent represents the last annualized fully escalated gross rent prior to the start of the renovation and repositioning of the floor and post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent represents annualized contractual first monthly base rent (after free rent periods) for leases that have been signed and assumes the lease has commenced. Management believes that this is the most meaningful comparison of pre- and post- renovation and repositioning rental payments as it represents the last cash amount the tenants under the applicable leases were paying prior to the start of the renovation and repositioning program and the first cash payments by the tenants under the applicable leases following the renovation and repositioning program. |
(4) | Represents (a) annualized gross rent divided by (b) leased square feet. |
(5) | Adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents how management views the full impact that the renovation and repositioning activities had with respect to our rental rates by showing what the weighted average pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent per square foot would have been on a post-renovation and repositioning total rentable square feet basis. Pre-renovation and repositioning adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents (a) pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent divided by (b) post-renovation and repositioning total rentable square feet less pre-renovation and repositioning vacant square feet. Post-renovation and repositioning adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents (a) post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent divided by (b) post-renovation and repositioning leased square feet. Management believes this is an accurate representation of the impact of the renovation and repositioning activities on rental rates because it takes into consideration the increase in rentable square feet in addition to the change in annualized gross rent. |
(6) | 42.6% of post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent relates to one tenant at the Empire State Building where a portion of such tenants leases have commenced, with the remainder of the leases to commence through 2014. |
1333 Broadway Case Study
Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of 1333 Broadway in August 2006, we developed and began implementing a restoration and renovation program at the property. As of June 30, 2013, we had completed substantially the renovation and repositioning of eight of the ten non-retail floors in the building where we have aggregated smaller spaces in order to offer larger blocks of office space in a similar manner to the program undertaken with respect to the Empire State Building. As illustrated by the table below, for these eight floors, we have increased (i) annualized gross rent by an aggregate of approximately $6.4 million, representing a 184.1% increase, (ii) weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot by $11.07 in the aggregate, representing a 36.0% increase and (iii) total rentable square footage by 18,715 square feet in the aggregate, representing an 8.6% increase.
Number of
Leases |
Total
Rentable Square Feet (1) |
Percent
Leased (2) |
Average
Rentable Square Feet per Leased Space |
Weighted
Average Lease Term (years) |
Annualized
Gross Rent (3) |
Weighted
Average Annualized Gross Rent per Leased Square Foot (4) |
Adjusted
Weighted Average Annualized Gross Rent per Leased Square Foot (5) |
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Floor 3 |
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Pre |
6 | 26,696 | 86.0 | % | 3,826 | 8.6 | $ | 646,730 | $ | 28.17 | $ | 25.74 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
3 | 28,866 | 100.0 | % | 9,622 | 5.9 | $ | 1,293,374 | $ | 44.81 | $ | 44.81 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(3 | ) | 2,170 | 14.0 | % | 5,796 | (2.7 | ) | 100.0 | % | 59.0 | % | 74.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Floor 4 |
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Pre |
2 | 24,639 | 37.5 | % | 4,614 | 1.3 | $ | 254,888 | $ | 27.62 | $ | 18.65 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
1 | 29,075 | 100.0 | % | 29,075 | 10.5 | $ | 1,657,275 | $ | 57.00 | $ | 57.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(1 | ) | 4,436 | 62.5 | % | 24,461 | 9.2 | 550.2 | % | 106.4 | % | 205.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floor 6 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre |
3 | 26,316 | 10.3 | % | 905 | 3.5 | $ | 83,553 | $ | 30.77 | $ | 14.01 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
1 | 29,566 | 100.0 | % | 29,566 | 15.0 | $ | 1,360,036 | $ | 46.00 | $ | 46.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(2 | ) | 3,250 | 89.7 | % | 28,661 | 11.5 | 1,527.8 | % | 49.5 | % | 228.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Floors 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre |
48 | 138,971 | 55.9 | % | 1,620 | 4.0 | $ | 2,483,572 | $ | 31.95 | $ | 28.68 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
1 | 147,830 | 100.0 | % | 147,830 | 15.4 | $ | 5,543,625 | $ | 37.50 | $ | 37.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(47 | ) | 8,859 | 44.1 | % | 146,210 | 11.4 | 123.2 | % | 17.4 | % | 30.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Total |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre |
59 | 216,622 | 52.0 | % | 1,909 | 4.6 | $ | 3,468,743 | $ | 30.80 | $ | 26.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Post |
6 | 235,337 | 100.0 | % | 39,223 | 13.3 | $ | 9,854,310 | $ | 41.87 | $ | 41.87 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Change |
(53 | ) | 18,715 | 48.0 | % | 37,314 | 8.7 | 184.1 | % | 36.0 | % | 58.6 | % |
(1) | The change in total rentable square footage results from a combination of remeasurement of, and changes in loss factor applied to, the renovated spaces. Post-renovation and repositioning property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards. Includes leases that have been signed but have not yet commenced. |
(2) | Percent leased is calculated as (a) rentable square feet less available square feet divided by (b) rentable square feet. |
- 188 -
(3) | Pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent represents the last annualized fully escalated gross rent prior to the start of the renovation and repositioning of the floor and post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent represents annualized contractual first monthly base rent (after free rent periods) for leases that have been signed and assumes the lease has commenced. Management believes that this is the most meaningful comparison of pre- and post- renovation and repositioning rental payments as it represents the last cash amount the tenants under the applicable leases were paying prior to the start of the renovation and repositioning program and the first cash payments by the tenants under the applicable leases following the renovation and repositioning program. |
(4) | Represents (a) annualized gross rent divided by (b) leased square feet. |
(5) | Adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents how management views the full impact that the renovation and repositioning activities had with respect to our rental rates by showing what the weighted average pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent per square foot would have been on a post-renovation and repositioning total rentable square feet basis. Pre-renovation and repositioning adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents (a) pre-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent divided by (b) post-renovation and repositioning total rentable square feet less pre-renovation and repositioning vacant square feet. Post-renovation and repositioning adjusted weighted average annualized gross rent per leased square foot represents (a) post-renovation and repositioning annualized gross rent divided by (b) post-renovation and repositioning leased square feet. Management believes this is an accurate representation of the impact of the renovation and repositioning activities on rental rates because it takes into consideration the increase in rentable square feet in addition to the change in annualized gross rent. |
As of June 30, 2013, our portfolio consisted of 12 office properties and six standalone retail properties totaling approximately 8.4 million rentable square feet and was approximately 83.3% leased, yielding $307.2 million of annualized based rent. Giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of June 30, 2013, our portfolio was approximately 86.4% leased, which yields an annualized base rent of $323.5 million. In addition, we owned entitled land that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage (Metro Tower) at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties, as of June 30, 2013. The table below presents an overview of our portfolio and our option properties as of June 30, 2013.
Property Name |
Submarket |
Year Built /
Renovated (1) |
Rentable
Square Feet (2) |
Percent
Leased (3) |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot (5) |
Net Effective
Rent Per Leased Square Foot (6) |
Number
of
Leases (7) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Manhattan Office Properties |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Empire State Building |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1931/ In
process |
$ | 44.70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office (8) |
2,701,938 | 77.8 | % | $ | 84,410,385 | $ | 40.16 | 222 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail (9) |
167,788 | 81.2 | % | $ | 14,761,780 | $ | 108.31 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
One Grand Central Place |
Grand Central |
1930/ In
process |
$ | 49.39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
1,175,268 | 77.3 | % | $ | 41,616,009 | $ | 45.82 | 294 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
68,005 | 92.9 | % | $ | 6,552,189 | $ | 103.75 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
250 West 57th Street |
Columbus Circle-
West Side |
1921/ In
process |
$ | 44.32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
476,691 | 87.7 | % | $ | 17,451,807 | $ | 41.74 | 156 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
49,459 | 75.3 | % | $ | 3,439,150 | $ | 92.30 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
501 Seventh Avenue |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1923/ In
process |
$ | 34.77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
453,716 | 88.3 | % | $ | 13,807,368 | $ | 34.45 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
35,502 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,802,707 | $ | 50.78 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1359 Broadway |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1924/In
process |
$ | 39.52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
439,881 | 93.8 | % | $ | 15,811,754 | $ | 38.31 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
27,618 | 28.7 | % | $ | 1,096,864 | $ | 138.34 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1350 Broadway (10 ) |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1929/ In
process |
$ | 56.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
366,415 | 84.1 | % | $ | 12,771,222 | $ | 41.44 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
30,925 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,736,131 | $ | 185.49 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1333 Broadway |
Penn Station-
Times Sq. South |
1915/ In
process |
$ | 43.96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
291,977 | 100.0 | % | $ | 12,229,288 | $ | 41.88 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
61,318 | 5.2 | % | $ | 760,000 | $ | 237.57 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-Total / Weighted Average Manhattan Office Properties |
6,346,501 | 81.2 | % | $ | 232,246,654 | $ | 45.04 | $ | 44.99 | 877 | ||||||||||||||||||
Office |
5,905,886 | 82.0 | % | $ | 198,097,833 | $ | 40.91 | 811 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
440,615 | 71.3 | % | $ | 34,148,821 | $ | 108.66 | 66 |
- 189 -
Property Name |
Submarket |
Year Built /
Renovated (1) |
Rentable
Square Feet (2) |
Percent
Leased (3) |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot (5) |
Net Effective
Rent Per Leased Square Foot (6) |
Number
of
Leases (7) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Greater New York Metropolitan Area Office Properties |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Stamford Place (11 ) |
Stamford,
Connecticut (12 ) |
1986/2003 | 787,726 | 87.3 | % | $ | 26,560,443 | $ | 38.62 | $ | 38.98 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||
Metro Center |
Stamford,
Connecticut ( 12 ) |
1987/1999 | 279,385 | 99.5 | % | $ | 13,417,540 | $ | 48.26 | $ | 48.62 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
383 Main Avenue |
Norwalk,
Connecticut ( 13 ) |
1985/1996 | 257,925 | 77.8 | % | $ | 5,527,130 | $ | 27.55 | $ | 28.10 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||
500 Mamaroneck Avenue |
Harrison,
New York ( 14 ) |
1986/2004 | 289,772 | 92.1 | % | $ | 7,296,955 | $ | 27.35 | $ | 26.75 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||
10 Bank Street |
White
Plains, New York (15 ) |
1989/2001 | 228,994 | 86.9 | % | $ | 6,637,850 | $ | 33.35 | $ | 33.76 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-Total / Weighted Average Greater New York Metropolitan Area Office Properties |
1,843,802 | 88.5 | % | $ | 59,439,918 | $ | 36.42 | $ | 36.65 | 160 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total / Weighted Average Office Properties |
7,749,688 | 83.5 | % | $ | 257,537,751 | $ | 39.78 | | 971 | |||||||||||||||||||
Standalone Retail Properties |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10 Union Square |
Union
Square |
1988/1997 | 58,005 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,190,376 | $ | 89.48 | $ | 90.23 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
1542 Third Avenue |
Upper East
Side |
1993 (16 ) | 56,250 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,775,618 | $ | 49.34 | $ | 47.71 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
1010 Third Avenue |
Upper East
Side |
1963/2007 (17 ) | 44,662 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,048,085 | $ | 68.25 | $ | 65.88 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
77 West 55th Street |
Midtown | 1962 ( 16 ) | 24,102 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,254,366 | $ | 93.53 | $ | 81.41 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
69-97 Main Street |
Westport,
Connecticut |
1922/2005 | 17,103 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,801,980 | $ | 105.36 | $ | 109.24 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
103-107 Main Street |
Westport,
Connecticut |
1900 (16 ) | 4,330 | 100.0 | % | $ | 400,653 | $ | 92.53 | $ | 89.37 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-Total / Weighted Average Standalone Retail Properties |
204,452 | 100.0 | % | $ | 15,471,078 | $ | 75.67 | $ | 73.75 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total / Weighted Average Retail Properties ( 18 ) |
645,067 | 80.4 | % | $ | 49,619,899 | $ | 95.66 | | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Total |
8,394,755 | 83.3 | % | $ | 307,157,650 | $ | 43.92 | $ | 43.89 | 1,066 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Option Properties |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
112-122 West 34th Street ( 19 ) |
Penn
Station- Times Sq. South |
1954/ In
process |
$ | 36.73 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
609,871 | 80.9 | % | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
133,437 | 98.1 | % | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1400 Broadway |
Penn
Station- Times Sq. South |
1930/ In
process |
$ | 37.87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office |
866,327 | 83.8 | % | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
19,772 | 65.0 | % | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Option Properties Total |
1,629,407 | 135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
(1) | For more information regarding the status of ongoing renovations at certain of our properties, see Business and PropertiesDescription of Our Properties. |
(2) | Office property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards; retail property measurements are based on useable square feet. Excludes (i) 147,391 square feet of space across our portfolio attributable to building management use and tenant amenities and (ii) 68,935 square feet of space attributable to our observatory. |
(3) | Based on leases signed and commenced as of June 30, 2013 and calculated as (i) rentable square feet less available square feet divided by (ii) rentable square feet. |
(4) | Annualized base rent for office properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements and free rent with respect to the office properties for leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $11,066,748. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements and free rent, for our office properties is $246,471,003. Annualized base rent for retail properties (including the retail space in our Manhattan office properties) is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent with respect to the retail properties (including the retail space in our Manhattan office properties) for leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $41,535. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent, for our retail properties is $49,578,364. Annualized base rent data for our office and retail properties is as of June 30, 2013 and does not reflect scheduled lease expirations for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014. |
(5) | Represents Annualized Base Rent under leases commenced as of June 30, 2013 divided by leased square feet. |
- 190 -
(6) | Net effective rent per leased square foot represents (i) the contractual base rent for office and retail leases in place as of June 30, 2013, calculated on a straight-line basis to amortize free rent periods and abatements, but without regard to tenant improvement allowances and leasing commissions, divided by (ii) square footage under commenced leases as of June 30, 2013. |
(7) | Represents the number of leases at each property or on a portfolio basis. If a tenant has more than one lease, whether or not at the same property, but with different expirations, the number of leases is calculated equal to the number of leases with different expirations. |
(8) | Includes 85,842 rentable square feet of space leased by our broadcasting tenants. |
(9) | Includes 6,180 rentable square feet of space leased by Host Services of New York, a licensee of our observatory. |
(10) | Denotes a ground leasehold interest in the property with a remaining term, including unilateral extension rights available to us, of approximately 37 years (expiring July 31, 2050). |
(11) | First Stamford Place consists of three buildings. |
(12) | This submarket is part of the Stamford, Connecticutcentral business district (CBD) submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(13) | This submarket is part of the South Central Stamford, Connecticut submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(14) | This submarket is part of the Eastern Westchester County submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(15) | This submarket is part of the White Plains, New YorkCBD submarket as defined by RCG. See Economic and Market Overview. |
(16) | No major renovation activity was undertaken at this property. |
(17) | This property underwent major renovations in 2007 to coincide with the signing of a significant retail lease. |
(18) | Includes 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. |
(19) |
112-122 West 34 th Street consists of two parcels having separate owners and ownership structures. The real property interests that we will acquire with respect to the parcel located at 112-120 West 34 th Street if the option is exercised consist of (i) a ground leasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C., one of the affiliates of our predecessor with whom we have entered into an option agreement and (ii) an operating leasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Company L.L.C., another affiliate of our predecessor with whom we have entered into an option agreement. The real property interests that we will acquire with respect to the parcel located at 122 West 34 th Street if the option is exercised consist of (i) a fee interest and a subleasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C. and (ii) an operating leasehold interest currently held by 112 West 34 th Street Company L.L.C. |
As of June 30, 2013, our office and retail portfolios were leased to a diverse base of approximately 1,066 tenants. Our tenants represent a broad array of industries such as arts and entertainment, broadcast, education, consumer goods, financial services or real estate, government, healthcare, industrials and natural resources, legal services, media and advertising, non-profit, professional services (not including legal services), retail, technology, transportation and others, representing 2.1%, 1.2%, 1.8%, 25.9%, 21.0%, 0.9%, 1.2%, 1.4%, 5.3%, 3.5%, 2.9%, 12.4%, 7.1%, 4.2%, 0.8% and 8.3% of our portfolio, respectively, based on occupied square feet as of June 30, 2013. The following table sets forth information regarding the ten largest tenants in our portfolio based on annualized base rent as of June 30, 2013, after giving effect to the formation transactions.
Tenant |
Number of
Leases |
Number of
Properties |
Lease
Expiration (1) |
Weighted
Average Remaining Lease Term (2) |
Total
Leased
Square Feet (3) |
Percent of
Portfolio Rentable Square Feet (4) |
Annualized
Base Rent (5) |
Percent of
Portfolio Annualized Base Rent (6) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
LF USA (7) |
6 | 3 |
|
Oct. 2021-
Oct. 2028 |
|
|
13 years,
11 months |
|
914,519 | 10.9 | % | $ | 35,108,149 | 11.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Coty, Inc. |
1 | 1 | Jan. 2030 |
|
16 years,
7 months |
|
313,073 | 3.7 | % | $ | 14,058,868 | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Warnaco (a subsidiary of PVH Corp.) |
3 | 1 |
|
Sept. 2016-
Feb. 2020 |
|
|
3 years,
6 months |
|
201,272 | 2.4 | % | $ | 6,710,824 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Thomson Reuters |
4 | 2 |
|
Apr. 2018-
Apr. 2020 |
|
|
6 years,
1 months |
|
147,208 | 1.7 | % | $ | 6,356,674 | 2.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Legg Mason |
1 | 1 | Sept. 2024 |
|
11 years,
3 months |
|
140,398 | 1.7 | % | $ | 5,831,562 | 1.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
1 | 1 | Jan. 2020 |
|
6 years,
6 months |
|
121,879 | 1.5 | % | $ | 5,489,847 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Host Services of New York |
1 | 1 | May 2020 |
|
6 years,
10 months |
|
6,180 | 0.1 | % | $ | 5,216,733 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Duane Reade (a division of Walgreen Co.) |
2 | 2 |
|
Feb. 2021;
May 2025 |
|
10 years | 23,134 | 0.3 | % | $ | 3,650,000 | 1.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
|
1 | 1 | Feb. 2026 |
|
10 years,
3 months |
|
78,270 | 0.9 | % | $ | 3,394,664 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Odyssey Reinsurance |
1 | 1 | Sept. 2022 |
|
9 years,
3 months |
|
101,619 | 1.2 | % | $ | 3,372,095 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
21 | 2,047,552 | 24.4 | % | $ | 89,189,416 | 29.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
- 191 -
(1) | Expiration dates are per lease and do not assume exercise of renewal or extension options. Except for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation lease (February 1, 2015), none of these leases contain early termination options. For tenants with more than two leases, the lease expiration is shown as a range. |
(2) | Represents the weighted average lease term, based on annualized base rent. |
(3) | Based on leases signed and commenced as of June 30, 2013. |
(4) | Represents the percentage of rentable square feet of our office and retail portfolios in the aggregate. |
(5) | Represents annualized monthly cash base rent under leases commenced as of June 30, 2013. Annualized base rent for office properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Annualized base rent for retail properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. |
(6) | Represents the percentage of annualized base rent of our office and retail portfolios in the aggregate. |
(7) | LF USA is the US subsidiary of Li & Fung Ltd, a Hong Kong headquartered global consumer product design, development, sourcing and distribution company. Li & Fung Ltd has a market capitalization of approximately $11.5 billion as of June 30, 2013, is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is a constituent member of the Hang Seng Index, MSCI Index, S&P/StanChart/Greater China Index, FTSEGood Index, Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index and Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series. LF USA has subleased 24,212 square feet and is seeking a partial termination of its lease with respect to 27,524 square feet at 1359 Broadway. We expect this partial termination to be entered into during September 2013 and, in connection with such partial termination, we expect to enter into marketing agreements with LF USA which we expect will provide that we and LF USA will jointly market, as potential subleased premises or directly leased premises, portions of LF USAs space at the Empire State Building and 1359 Broadway, comprising of 180,436 square feet at the Empire State Building and 45,598 square feet at 1359 Broadway and any space at these properties that LF USA may seek to sublease from time to time. To the extent any space is subleased by LF USA, we expect that LF USA will remain obligated for all tenant obligations in respect of its entire leased premises. |
The following table sets forth information relating to the distribution of leases in our portfolio, based on net rentable square feet under lease as of June 30, 2013.
Manhattan Office Properties (1)
Square Feet Under Lease |
Number
of
Leases (2) |
Leases as
Percent of Total |
Rentable
Square Feet (3) |
Percent of
Portfolio Rentable Square Feet |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Percent of
Portfolio Annualized Base Rent (5) |
||||||||||||||||||
Available |
| | 899,900 | 10.7 | % | | | |||||||||||||||||
2,500 or less |
427 | 39.1 | % | 521,182 | 6.2 | % | $ | 21,634,361 | 7.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
2,501 - 10,000 |
315 | 28.9 | % | 1,448,743 | 17.3 | % | $ | 60,650,523 | 19.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
10,001 - 20,000 |
35 | 3.2 | % | 478,950 | 5.7 | % | $ | 20,504,987 | 6.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
20,001 - 40,000 |
20 | 1.8 | % | 548,758 | 6.5 | % | $ | 21,986,309 | 7.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
40,001 - 100,000 |
10 | 0.9 | % | 637,818 | 7.6 | % | $ | 24,687,524 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
Greater than 100,000 |
4 | 0.4 | % | 1,206,466 | 14.4 | % | $ | 48,634,129 | 15.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
Signed leases not commenced |
17 | 1.6 | % | 164,069 | 1.9 | % | | | ||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||
Manhattan Office Properties Total |
828 | 75.9 | % | 5,905,886 | 70.3 | % | $ | 198,097,833 | 64.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
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- 192 -
Greater New York Metropolitan Area Office Properties
Retail Properties (6)
Square Feet Under Lease |
Number
of
Leases (2) |
Leases as
Percent of Total |
Rentable
Square Feet (3) |
Percent of
Portfolio Rentable Square Feet |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Percent of
Portfolio Annualized Base Rent (5) |
||||||||||||||||||
Available |
| | 69,615 | 0.8 | % | | | |||||||||||||||||
2,500 or less |
47 | 4.3 | % | 41,242 | 0.5 | % | $ | 6,222,522 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
2,501 - 10,000 |
34 | 3.1 | % | 160,394 | 1.9 | % | $ | 24,501,383 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
10,001 - 20,000 |
7 | 0.6 | % | 105,024 | 1.3 | % | $ | 8,157,060 | 2.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
20,001 - 40,000 |
6 | 0.6 | % | 163,685 | 1.9 | % | $ | 9,958,558 | 3.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
40,001 - 100,000 |
1 | 0.1 | % | 48,377 | 0.6 | % | $ | 780,375 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
Greater than 100,000 |
| | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Signed leases not commenced |
1 | 0.1 | % | 56,730 | 0.7 | % | | | ||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||
Retail Properties Total |
96 | 8.8 | % | 645,067 | 7.7 | % | $ | 49,619,898 | 16.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
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(1) | Excludes (i) retail space in our Manhattan office properties and (ii) the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
(2) | If a lease has two different expiration dates, it is considered to be two leases (for purpose of lease count and square footage). |
(3) | Office property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards; retail property measurements are based on useable square feet. Excludes (i) 147,391 square feet of space across our portfolio attributable to building management use and tenant amenities and (ii) 68,935 square feet of space attributable to our observatory. |
(4) | Represents annualized cash base rent under leases commenced as of June 30, 2013. Annualized base rent for office properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Annualized base rent for retail properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. |
(5) | Represents the percentage of annualized base rent of our office and retail portfolios in the aggregate. |
(6) | Includes an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. Our Manhattan office properties include 66 retail leases representing $34,148,821 in annualized base rent. Excludes the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
- 193 -
We expect to benefit from the re-leasing of 9.3%, or approximately 547,362 rentable square feet (including month-to-month leases), of our Manhattan office leases expiring through December 31, 2014, which we generally believe are currently at below-market rates. During 2011 and 2012, we have generally been obtaining higher base rents on new and renewed leases at our Manhattan office properties. These increased rents are partly due to an increase in the total rentable square footage of such space as a result of remeasurement and application of market loss factors to our space.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, we entered into new and renewed leases at our Manhattan office properties representing approximately 761,166 rentable square feet. The last weighted average annualized fully escalated gross rent prior to the renewal or re-leasing of these leases was $36.66 per rentable square foot compared to $44.04 per rentable square foot based on the weighted average annualized contractual first monthly base rent (after free rent periods) for the new and renewed leases. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we entered into new and renewed leases at our Manhattan office properties representing approximately 354,818 rentable square feet. The last weighted average annualized fully escalated gross rent prior to the renewal or re-leasing of these leases was $35.97 per rentable square foot compared to $45.32 per rentable square foot based on the weighted average annualized contractual first monthly base rent (after free rent periods) for the new and renewed leases.
The following table sets forth a summary schedule of the lease expirations for leases in place as of June 30, 2013 plus available space for each of the ten calendar years beginning with the year ending December 31, 2013 at the properties in our portfolio. The information set forth in the table assumes that tenants exercise no renewal options and all early termination rights.
Manhattan Office Properties (1)
Year of Lease Expiration |
Number of
Leases Expiring (2) |
Square
Footage of Leases Expiring (3) |
Percent of
Portfolio Square Footage of Leases Expiring |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Percent of
Portfolio Annualized Base Rent (5) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot |
||||||||||||||||||
Available |
| 899,900 | 10.7 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Signed leases not commenced |
17 | 164,069 | 2.0 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Month-to-month leases |
4 | 11,053 | 0.1 | % | $ | 360,189 | 0.1 | % | $ | 32.59 | ||||||||||||||
2013 (July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013) |
103 | 178,927 | 2.1 | % | $ | 7,230,621 | 2.4 | % | $ | 40.41 | ||||||||||||||
2014 |
157 | 357,382 | 4.3 | % | $ | 14,524,753 | 4.7 | % | $ | 40.64 | ||||||||||||||
2015 |
191 | 597,267 | 7.1 | % | $ | 23,329,188 | 7.6 | % | $ | 39.06 | ||||||||||||||
2016 |
73 | 411,633 | 4.9 | % | $ | 15,221,196 | 5.0 | % | $ | 36.98 | ||||||||||||||
2017 |
64 | 214,327 | 2.6 | % | $ | 9,485,285 | 3.1 | % | $ | 44.26 | ||||||||||||||
2018 |
70 | 319,186 | 3.8 | % | $ | 14,824,166 | 4.8 | % | $ | 46.44 | ||||||||||||||
2019 |
23 | 196,987 | 2.3 | % | $ | 7,261,190 | 2.4 | % | $ | 36.86 | ||||||||||||||
2020 |
44 | 433,028 | 5.2 | % | $ | 17,135,976 | 5.6 | % | $ | 39.57 | ||||||||||||||
2021 |
26 | 338,393 | 4.0 | % | $ | 13,380,087 | 4.4 | % | $ | 39.54 | ||||||||||||||
2022 |
21 | 178,958 | 2.1 | % | $ | 8,587,268 | 2.8 | % | $ | 47.98 | ||||||||||||||
Thereafter |
35 | 1,604,776 | 19.2 | % | $ | 66,757,914 | 21.6 | % | $ | 41.60 | ||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||
Total/Weighted Average |
828 | 5,905,886 | 70.3 | % | $ | 198,097,833 | 64.5 | % | $ | 40.91 | ||||||||||||||
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- 194 -
Greater New York Metropolitan Area Office Properties
Year of Lease Expiration |
Number of
Leases Expiring (2) |
Square Footage
of Leases Expiring (3) |
Percent of
Portfolio Square Footage of Leases Expiring |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Percent of
Portfolio Annualized Base Rent (5) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot |
||||||||||||||||||
Available |
| 170,585 | 2.0 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Signed leases not commenced |
7 | 40,960 | 0.5 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Month-to-month leases |
| | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
2013 (July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013) |
10 | 28,825 | 0.3 | % | $ | 1,004,582 | 0.3 | % | $ | 34.85 | ||||||||||||||
2014 |
22 | 47,664 | 0.6 | % | $ | 1,899,764 | 0.6 | % | $ | 39.86 | ||||||||||||||
2015 |
17 | 87,188 | 1.0 | % | $ | 2,785,283 | 0.9 | % | $ | 31.95 | ||||||||||||||
2016 |
20 | 99,504 | 1.2 | % | $ | 3,449,247 | 1.1 | % | $ | 34.66 | ||||||||||||||
2017 |
19 | 127,671 | 1.5 | % | $ | 4,629,271 | 1.5 | % | $ | 36.26 | ||||||||||||||
2018 |
22 | 230,437 | 2.8 | % | $ | 8,649,786 | 2.8 | % | $ | 37.54 | ||||||||||||||
2019 |
12 | 245,062 | 2.9 | % | $ | 7,953,744 | 2.6 | % | $ | 32.46 | ||||||||||||||
2020 |
13 | 136,886 | 1.6 | % | $ | 4,665,621 | 1.5 | % | $ | 34.08 | ||||||||||||||
2021 |
7 | 124,318 | 1.5 | % | $ | 4,965,896 | 1.6 | % | $ | 39.95 | ||||||||||||||
2022 |
7 | 173,786 | 2.1 | % | $ | 6,253,841 | 2.1 | % | $ | 35.99 | ||||||||||||||
Thereafter |
11 | 330,916 | 4.0 | % | $ | 13,182,883 | 4.4 | % | $ | 39.84 | ||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||
Total/Weighted Average |
167 | 1,843,802 | 22.0 | % | $ | 59,439,918 | 19.4 | % | $ | 36.42 | ||||||||||||||
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Retail Properties (6)
Year of Lease Expiration |
Number of
Leases Expiring (2) |
Square Footage
of Leases Expiring (3) |
Percent of
Portfolio Square Footage of Leases Expiring |
Annualized
Base Rent (4) |
Percent of
Portfolio Annualized Base Rent (5) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot |
||||||||||||||||||
Available |
| 69,615 | 0.8 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Signed leases not commenced |
1 | 56,730 | 0.7 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Month-to-month leases |
2 | | | $ | 4,800 | | | |||||||||||||||||
2013 (July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013) |
3 | 6,082 | 0.1 | % | $ | 806,523 | 0.3 | % | $ | 132.61 | ||||||||||||||
2014 |
5 | 9,081 | 0.1 | % | $ | 633,222 | 0.2 | % | $ | 69.73 | ||||||||||||||
2015 |
13 | 29,933 | 0.4 | % | $ | 2,945,436 | 1.0 | % | $ | 98.40 | ||||||||||||||
2016 |
10 | 81,313 | 1.0 | % | $ | 3,209,163 | 1.0 | % | $ | 39.47 | ||||||||||||||
2017 |
7 | 50,602 | 0.6 | % | $ | 4,210,653 | 1.4 | % | $ | 83.21 | ||||||||||||||
2018 |
8 | 60,335 | 0.7 | % | $ | 3,480,798 | 1.1 | % | $ | 57.69 | ||||||||||||||
2019 |
6 | 26,947 | 0.3 | % | $ | 2,719,236 | 0.9 | % | $ | 100.91 | ||||||||||||||
2020 |
14 | 65,667 | 0.8 | % | $ | 10,340,849 | 3.4 | % | $ | 157.47 | ||||||||||||||
2021 |
5 | 27,877 | 0.3 | % | $ | 4,071,720 | 1.3 | % | $ | 146.06 | ||||||||||||||
2022 |
8 | 60,241 | 0.7 | % | $ | 5,800,879 | 1.9 | % | $ | 96.29 | ||||||||||||||
Thereafter |
14 | 100,644 | 1.2 | % | $ | 11,396,619 | 3.7 | % | $ | 113.24 | ||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||
Total/Weighted Average |
96 | 645,067 | 7.7 | % | $ | 49,619,898 | 16.2 | % | $ | 95.66 | ||||||||||||||
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(1) | Excludes (i) retail space in our Manhattan office properties and (ii) the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
(2) | If a lease has two different expiration dates, it is considered to be two leases (for the purposes of lease count and square footage). |
- 195 -
(3) | Office property measurements are based on Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards; retail property measurements are based on useable square feet. Excludes (i) 147,391 rentable square feet across our portfolio attributable to building management use and tenant amenities and (ii) 68,935 square feet of space attributable to our observatory. |
(4) | Represents annualized cash base rent under leases commenced as of June 30, 2013. Annualized base rent for office properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Annualized base rent for retail properties is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements, tenant reimbursements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. |
(5) | Represents the percentage of annualized base rent of our office and retail portfolios in the aggregate. |
(6) | Includes an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. Our Manhattan office properties include 66 retail leases representing $34,148,821 in annualized base rent. Excludes the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
Tenant Improvement Costs and Leasing Commissions
The following table sets forth certain information regarding tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions for tenants at the office and retail properties in our portfolio for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, and for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
Six
Months
Ended June 30, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, |
Total/
Weighted Average January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013 |
||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||
Office Properties (1) |
||||||||||||||||||||
New Leases |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed |
39 | 85 | 68 | 98 | 290 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
188,118 | 402,490 | 682,864 | 361,081 | 1,634,553 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | 2,556,673 | $ | 6,532,512 | $ | 13,708,547 | $ | 4,466,974 | $ | 27,264,706 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 12,543,079 | $ | 25,258,843 | $ | 35,673,476 | $ | 17,071,670 | $ | 90,547,067 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 15,099,752 | $ | 31,791,354 | $ | 49,382,023 | $ | 21,538,644 | $ | 117,811,773 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 13.59 | $ | 16.23 | $ | 20.08 | $ | 12.37 | $ | 16.68 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 66.68 | $ | 62.76 | $ | 52.24 | $ | 47.28 | $ | 55.40 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 80.27 | $ | 78.99 | $ | 72.32 | $ | 59.65 | $ | 72.08 | ||||||||||
Expansions |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed |
10 | 35 | 35 | 28 | 108 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
79,116 | 281,381 | 377,034 | 134,292 | 871,823 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | 1,682,505 | $ | 6,253,337 | $ | 9,917,670 | $ | 1,790,761 | $ | 19,644,273 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 5,125,427 | $ | 13,596,670 | $ | 19,407,838 | $ | 6,137,902 | $ | 44,267,838 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 6,807,932 | $ | 19,850,007 | $ | 29,325,508 | $ | 7,928,664 | $ | 63,912,111 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 21.27 | $ | 22.22 | $ | 26.30 | $ | 13.33 | $ | 22.53 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 64.78 | $ | 48.32 | $ | 51.48 | $ | 45.71 | $ | 50.78 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 86.05 | $ | 70.54 | $ | 77.78 | $ | 59.04 | $ | 73.31 | ||||||||||
Renewals |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed |
68 | 136 | 134 | 191 | 529 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
149,921 | 373,605 | 409,690 | 615,908 | 1,549,124 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | 793,347 | $ | 2,697,596 | $ | 2,956,188 | $ | 5,154,330 | $ | 11,601,461 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 2,613,833 | $ | 6,972,186 | $ | 3,310,400 | $ | 12,283,984 | $ | 25,180,403 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 3,407,180 | $ | 9,669,782 | $ | 6,266,588 | $ | 17,438,314 | $ | 36,781,864 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 5.29 | $ | 7.22 | $ | 7.22 | $ | 8.37 | $ | 7.49 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 17.43 | $ | 18.66 | $ | 8.08 | $ | 19.94 | $ | 16.25 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 22.73 | $ | 25.88 | $ | 15.30 | $ | 28.31 | $ | 23.74 |
- 196 -
Six
Months
Ended June 30, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, |
Total/
Weighted Average January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013 |
||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total New Leases, Expansions and Renewals |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed (4) |
117 | 248 | 232 | 312 | 909 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
417,155 | 1,057,476 | 1,469,588 | 1,111,281 | 4,055,500 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | 5,032,525 | $ | 15,483,445 | $ | 26,582,405 | $ | 11,412,065 | $ | 58,510,440 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 20,282,339 | $ | 45,840,513 | $ | 58,391,713 | $ | 35,493,556 | $ | 159,995,306 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 25,314,864 | $ | 61,323,958 | $ | 84,974,118 | $ | 46,905,621 | $ | 218,505,746 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 12.06 | $ | 14.64 | $ | 18.09 | $ | 10.27 | $ | 14.43 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 48.62 | $ | 43.35 | $ | 39.73 | $ | 31.94 | $ | 39.45 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 60.68 | $ | 57.99 | $ | 57.82 | $ | 42.21 | $ | 53.88 | ||||||||||
Retail Properties (3) |
||||||||||||||||||||
New Leases |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed |
3 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 17 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
63,359 | 2,468 | 22,319 | 33,085 | 121,231 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | 4,745,207 | $ | 186,674 | $ | 1,272,824 | $ | 1,028,094 | $ | 7,232,799 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 1,874,499 | $ | | $ | 212,088 | $ | 760,650 | $ | 2,847,237 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 6,619,706 | $ | 186,674 | $ | 1,484,912 | $ | 1,788,744 | $ | 10,080,036 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 74.89 | $ | 75.64 | $ | 57.03 | $ | 31.07 | $ | 59.66 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 29.59 | $ | | $ | 9.50 | $ | 22.99 | $ | 23.49 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 104.48 | $ | 75.64 | $ | 66.53 | $ | 54.07 | $ | 83.15 | ||||||||||
Expansions |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
| 21,683 | 463 | 8,913 | 31,059 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | | $ | 1,501,135 | $ | 44,578 | $ | 425,713 | $ | 1,971,426 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | | $ | 1,501,135 | $ | 44,578 | $ | 425,713 | $ | 1,971,426 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | | $ | 69.23 | $ | 96.28 | $ | 47.76 | $ | 63.47 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
| $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | | $ | 69.23 | $ | 96.28 | $ | 47.76 | $ | 63.47 | ||||||||||
Renewals |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed |
3 | 14 | 8 | 15 | 40 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
3,124 | 18,817 | 41,694 | 43,951 | 107,586 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | 19,091 | $ | 199,435 | $ | 1,008,792 | $ | 1,212,364 | $ | 2,439,682 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 19,091 | $ | 199,435 | $ | 1,008,792 | $ | 1,212,364 | $ | 2,439,682 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 6.11 | $ | 10.60 | $ | 24.20 | $ | 27.58 | $ | 22.68 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
| $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 6.11 | $ | 10.60 | $ | 24.20 | $ | 27.58 | $ | 22.68 | ||||||||||
Total New Leases, Expansions and Renewals |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number of leases signed (4) |
6 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 60 | |||||||||||||||
Total Square Feet |
66,483 | 42,968 | 64,476 | 85,949 | 259,876 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commission costs (2) |
$ | 4,764,298 | $ | 1,887,244 | $ | 2,326,194 | $ | 2,666,171 | $ | 11,643,907 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 1,874,499 | $ | | $ | 212,088 | $ | 760,650 | $ | 2,847,237 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs (2) |
$ | 6,638,797 | $ | 1,887,244 | $ | 2,538,283 | $ | 3,426,821 | $ | 14,491,144 | ||||||||||
Leasing commission costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 71.66 | $ | 43.92 | $ | 36.08 | $ | 31.02 | $ | 44.81 | ||||||||||
Tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 28.20 | $ | | $ | 3.29 | $ | 8.85 | $ | 10.96 | ||||||||||
Total leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs per square foot (2) |
$ | 99.86 | $ | 43.92 | $ | 39.37 | $ | 39.87 | $ | 55.76 |
(1) | Excludes an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. Includes the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
(2) | Presents all tenant improvement and leasing commission costs as if they were incurred in the period in which the lease was signed, which may be different than the period in which they were actually paid. |
(3) | Includes an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. Excludes the Empire State Building broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
(4) | Presents a renewed and expansion lease as one lease signed. |
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Historical Capital Expenditures
The following table sets forth certain information regarding historical capital expenditures at the properties in our office and retail portfolios for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and for the six months ended June 30, 2013. Historically we have not tracked expenditures as either recurring or non-recurring and we believe a substantial amount of these capital expenditures during the periods presented would be considered to be non-recurring due to the extensive amount of capital spent on renovation, repositioning and deferred maintenance at our Manhattan office properties at the time we began our renovation and repositioning program.
Six Months
Ended June 30, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, |
Weighted Average
January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013 |
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2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||
Manhattan Office Properties (1) |
$ | 23,952,760 | $ | 53,492,089 | $ | 32,976,777 | $ | 41,292,635 | $ | 39,954,494 | ||||||||||
Greater New York Metropolitan Area Office Properties |
694,521 | 2,950,510 | 1,876,627 | 2,149,395 | 2,094,826 | |||||||||||||||
Standalone Retail Properties |
| 978,473 | 139,453 | 228,439 | 385,593 | |||||||||||||||
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Portfolio Total (2) |
$ | 24,647,281 | $ | 57,421,072 | $ | 34,992,857 | $ | 43,670,469 | $ | 42,434,913 | ||||||||||
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(1) | Includes an aggregate of 440,615 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties. |
(2) | Includes all capital expenditures, excluding tenant improvement and leasing commission costs, primarily due to the renovation and repositioning program conducted at our Manhattan office properties. |
Each of the Empire State Building and One Grand Central Place accounts for more than 10% of our total assets based on book value, or more than 10% of our gross revenues, as of June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our other properties described below each account for less than 10% of our total assets based on book value and less than 10% of our gross revenues as of June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This Offering for a description of our indebtedness to be outstanding after completion of this offering.
The Empire State Building, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired a master operating leasehold interest in the Empire State Building through a public partnership in 1961 and acquired the fee title to this property in 2002. Our predecessor removed the prior managing and leasing agent and gained full control of the day-to-day management of the property in August 2006. The building comprises premier office space, a concourse, lower lobby, two observatories, broadcasting facilities and ground-floor retail space. It occupies the entire blockfront from 33 rd Street to 34 th Street on Fifth Avenue, anchoring the east side of the 34 th street corridor in midtown Manhattan, located within walking distance of multiple parking garages, world-class shopping, dining and lodging. The Empire State Building was built in 1931. The 102-story building comprises 2,701,938 rentable square feet of office space and 167,788 rentable square feet of retail space (including our observatory and broadcasting operations) and is constructed of concrete, steel, masonry and stone. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines; and bus routes; Pennsylvania Station; Grand Central Terminal; the Port Authority Bus Terminal; and PATH train services. In-building services and amenities include a visitor reception desk, bank equipped with an ATM, FedEx/Kinkos, Starbucks, upscale cocktail lounge and a variety of specialty stores and eat-in or take-out dining facilities within the retail arcade. As part of our effort to increase the quality of our tenants, since 2007 we have embarked on a renovation and repositioning program over time to aggregate smaller office spaces to facilitate re-leasing of larger blocks of space to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms and at higher rents. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were LF USA, Inc., an affiliate of Li & Fung, a global supply chain management firm; Coty, Inc., a leading global fragrance and beauty company;
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the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Host Services of New York, a leader in creating dining and shopping concessions for travel venues; and LinkedIn, an internet networking business. Other tenants include Walgreen Eastern Co., a New York City-based pharmacy, Funaro & Co., an accounting services firm; Kaltex North America, Inc., a subsidiary of the Mexican textiles company Grupo Kaltex; Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company; Peoples Daily Online USA, an online Chinese newspaper; Taylor Global, Inc., a public relations firm; The Freeh Group, an independent global risk management firm; Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Turkey; and World Monuments Fund, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered ancient and historic sites around the world.
The Empire State Building offers panoramic views of New York and neighboring states from its world-famous 86 th and 102 nd floor observatories that draw millions of visitors per year. For the years ended December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012 and for the six months ended June 30, 2013, the number of visitors to the observatories was approximately 3.67 million, 4.03 million, 3.75 million, 4.03 million, 4.06 million, 4.15 million, and 1.89 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012, we increased the average ticket revenue per admission from $15.47 to $20.21, and for the six months ended June 30, 2013, the average ticket revenue per admission was $21.53. The 86 th floor observatory has a 360-degree outdoor deck as well as indoor viewing galleries to accommodate guests day and night, all year-round. The 102 nd floor observatory is entirely indoors and offers a 360-degree view of New York City from 1,250 feet above ground. Observatory visitors enter the building via its main entrance on Fifth Avenue. Visitors proceed directly up dedicated escalators to the second floor and through security to purchase various ticket options at the cashier or to retrieve tickets purchased online at our ticket kiosks. While waiting to gain access to the elevators, guests are entertained by a multi-media exhibit on sustainability and energy efficiency, which may be accessed in eight languages and is designed to inform and inspire our visitors. Also on the second floor, guests may purchase multilingual audio tours and viewer maps from our licensee and be photographed by our licensee. There is a separately ticketed and independently owned and operated tour simulator under lease operating under the name NY Skyride. Visitors then proceed to one of six elevators to the 80 th floor, where they are entertained by an exhibit operated by the Skyscraper Museum, The Race to the Top, which chronicles the construction of the building. They then have the opportunity to take one of two elevators or to walk up the stairs to the 86 th floor observatory, which offers indoor and outdoor viewing areas. From the 86 th floor, guests who have purchased an additional ticket may take an elevator to our fully enclosed 102 nd floor observatory. Visitors then return first to the 86 th floor and then to the 80 th floor where they must exit through Empire: The Store, the official Empire State Building souvenir shop operated by our licensee HMS Host. Finally, they take the elevator to the second floor where they have the opportunity to purchase their photograph and ride one of two dedicated escalators to the lobby at the main entrance on Fifth Avenue, where they exit the building; since the end of 2012, they now also have the opportunity to exit through our tenant Walgreens, which has expanded its ground floor retail space to the 2 nd floor with direct frontage to the observatorys exit path. We generated approximately $44.2 million and $92.2 million in revenue from our observatory operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. During July and August 2013, revenues from our observatory operations were at the highest monthly levels to date, with monthly revenues of $12.4 million and $10.4 million for July and August 2013, respectively.
Our observatory business is subject to tourism trends and weather, and therefore does experience some seasonality. Over the past ten years, the number of visitors to the observatory, on average, has been slightly higher in the third quarter and slightly lower in the first quarter of each year. The Empire State Buildings observatory has maintained stable performance levels over the past ten years, despite changing competitive dynamics and economic conditions. Total revenue and operating income from the observatorys operations have exhibited positive growth in all but two years from 2001 to 2012 (2001 and 2009), representing a compound annual growth rate for total revenue and operating income (including concessions revenue) of 12.6% and 12.9%, respectively. In addition, the average ticket revenue per admission has increased for each of the 12 years from 2001 to 2012 at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1% and the growth rate during each of those years, on a year over year basis, has never been negative. Admissions also grew at a compound annual growth rate of 3.0% during the 12 years from 2001 to 2012. In the year ended December 31, 2012, the observatory experienced record admissions of approximately 4.15 million visitors and approximately $92.2 million of total revenue. The
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observatory has demonstrated strong performance despite competitive pressures as total revenue and operating income (including concessions revenue) increased by over 25.0% in 2005 and over 11.0% in 2006, despite the opening of the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center in November 2005. The Empire State Buildings observatory has also fared well during the recent recession. Despite a 7.0% decrease in the number of visitors as compared to 2008, 2009 admissions were still 2.0% higher than 2007 and the average ticket revenue per admission increased by 6.9% over 2008s record level.
In addition to being a top New York City tourist attraction, the Empire State Building is also the center of the New York Tri-State regions broadcasting operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, our broadcasting licenses and related leased space generated approximately $10.1 million and $17.1 million, respectively. Various entities transmit from our building setbacks and surfaces and our broadcasting mast which rises 230 feet from the ceiling deck of the 103 rd floor. Over 150 antennae provide a variety of point-to-point radio and data communications services and support delivery of broadcasting signals to cable and satellite systems and directly to television and radio receivers. As of June 30, 2013, 35 television and radio broadcasters were licensed to use our broadcasting facilities and served the greater New York metropolitan designated market area, which includes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. As of June 30, 2013, we leased approximately 85,842 square feet to broadcasting tenants in the aggregate. Tenants that utilize our broadcasting services receive the right to use the broadcasting facilities and also to lease transmitter space in the Empire State Building. In addition, the broadcasting licenses and related leased space are long-term and require that tenants pay substantially all maintenance expenses. The average remaining term of such license fees is approximately 5.8 years. Our top five broadcasting tenants, based on annualized broadcasting revenue are CBS, Univision, FOX, ABC, and NBC, and other tenants include many of the major radio stations in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area.
We also license the trademarked Empire State Building name and image for movies, television, promotional and advertising purposes and offer portions of the building for rent for private events. The primary benefit of such arrangements is the opportunity to build Empire State Building brand awareness through co-branding with well-respected brands and causes. We also enter into agreements through our Empire State Building Lighting Partner program, which give selected applicants the privilege of choosing a lighting scheme for our tower on a certain date in exchange for publicity and attention through their organizations networks. The Empire State Building has an extensive social media presence including a highly-visited website (on which we control ticket sales to the observatories and offer a growing range of tourist-related attraction sales), Facebook page and Twitter account.
The building and certain aspects of its interior are designated landmarks of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee. The building was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. In a national survey conducted in 2007, it was rated number one above the White House and the Washington Monument on the List of Americas Favorite Architecture according to the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building is an Energy Star building and has been awarded LEED EBOM-Gold certification. The Empire State Buildings energy retrofit program will result in significant energy cost savings annually and significant expense savings for our tenants, which we believe has enhanced its desirability to prospective tenants. We recently entered into a two-year contract to purchase wind power to provide 100% of the Empire State Buildings energy. The Empire State Building is the recipient of numerous awards. In 2012, the Empire State Building won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: 2011-2012 Green Power Leadership Award and the LEED Interior Design and Construction Gold for the pre-built spaces on floors 53 and 75. The Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York, Inc., or BOMA, and BOMA Mid-Atlantic Region named the Empire State Building as the 2011 Regional TOBY award Winner for Middle Atlantic Regional Outstanding Building of the Year and as the 2009-2010 Pinnacle Award winner for the Historical Building of the Year, honoring a commitment to the preservation of historical integrity while taking full advantage of the improvements of the modern era. Additionally, in 2010, the Empire State Building won the MASterworks Best Restoration award from the Municipal Arts Society for the restoration of a historically significant commercial, residential or institutional building and/or publicly accessible lobby; the National Trust for Historic Preservation National Preservation Honor Award recognizing the efforts of individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and
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corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation; the Preservation League of New York State Projects Excellence in Historic Preservation Award celebrating the outstanding leadership of public officials and individuals in the field of preservation; and the New York Landmarks and Conservancys Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award for outstanding preservation efforts. Prior to 2010, the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council awarded the Empire State Building the 2009 Beyond Green High Performance Building Award recognizing the exceptional contributions its members make to sustainability across the United States.
Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of the Empire State Building in August 2006, we have invested a total of approximately $190.4 million through our restoration and renovation program at the property through June 30, 2013. We currently estimate that between $135.0 million and $175.0 million of additional capital is needed to complete this renovation program, which we expect to complete substantially by the end of 2016. These estimates are based on our current budgets (which do not include tenant improvement and leasing commission costs) and are subject to change. Our renovation program at the property has taken substantial time to design and implement due to many factors, including the overall scale of the program, the market timing of re-leasing upgraded spaces to existing and prospective tenants, our desire to minimize existing tenant disruptions, and the need to obtain consents of investors in the property to complete financings. The following table summarizes the status of major improvements we have completed, those that are currently in process, and those that we expect to complete in the future:
Completed | In Process | To Be Completed | ||||||||||
Lobby restoration and upgrade |
x | |||||||||||
Renovate 2 nd floor observatory ticketing area |
x | |||||||||||
Renovate 86 th floor observatory |
x | |||||||||||
Observatory exhibits |
x | |||||||||||
Energy efficiency retrofits including |
x | |||||||||||
building automated controls |
x | |||||||||||
chiller plant retrofit |
x | |||||||||||
window retrofits |
x | |||||||||||
radiator barriers |
x | |||||||||||
Renovate 102 nd floor observatory |
x | |||||||||||
New Management Office |
x | |||||||||||
Tower lighting replacement |
x | |||||||||||
Renovate and provide cooling to public corridors |
x | |||||||||||
Renovate public bathrooms |
x | |||||||||||
Elevator modernization |
x | |||||||||||
Elevator shaft wall repairs |
x | |||||||||||
Exterior waterproofing and roofs |
x | |||||||||||
Electrical power and distribution |
x | |||||||||||
Building wide sprinklers to comply with Local Law 26 |
x | |||||||||||
Future energy efficiency retrofits including new air handling units and heat exchangers |
x | |||||||||||
Temporary exterior construction hoist |
x | |||||||||||
New tenants-only conference center |
x | |||||||||||
New tenants-only fitness center |
x | |||||||||||
Additional observatory enhancements and exhibits |
x | |||||||||||
Security system enhancements |
x | |||||||||||
New restaurant |
x | |||||||||||
Broadcast tower lighting |
x | |||||||||||
Concourse Reconfiguration |
x | |||||||||||
Lower Level Reconfiguration |
x |
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The observatory and broadcasting businesses at the Empire State Building are subject to competition from existing observatories and broadcasting space and others that may be constructed in the future. In addition, competition from observatory and broadcasting operations in the new property currently under construction at One World Trade Center and, to a lesser extent, from the existing observatory at Rockefeller Center and the existing broadcasting facility at Four Times Square, could have a negative impact on revenues from our broadcasting and observatory operations. Our broadcast television and radio licensees face competition from advances in technologies and alternative methods of content delivery in their respective industries, as well as from changes in consumer behavior driven by new technologies and methods of content delivery, which may reduce the demand for over-the-air broadcast licenses in the future. New government regulations affecting broadcasters, including the implementation of the FCCs National Broadband Plan, or the Plan, might also affect our results of operations by reducing the demand for broadcast licenses.
Empire State Building Primary Tenants
The following table summarizes information regarding the primary tenants of the Empire State Building as of June 30, 2013:
Tenant |
Principal
Nature of Business |
Lease
Expiration |
Date of
Earliest Termination Option |
Renewal
Options |
Total Leased
Square Feet |
Percent of
Property Square Feet (1) |
Annualized
Base Rent (2) |
Percent of
Property Annualized Base Rent |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Square Foot |
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LF USA (3) |
Consumer
goods |
Oct. 2028 | |
1 x 7 years or
2 x 5 years |
588,454 | 20.5 | % | $ | 22,949,706 | 23.1 | % | $ | 39.00 | |||||||||||||||||
Coty, Inc. |
Cosmetics | Jan. 2030 | | 1 x 5 years | 313,073 | 10.9 | % | $ | 14,058,868 | 14.2 | % | $ | 44.91 | |||||||||||||||||
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
Government | Jan. 2020 | 2/1/2015 | 1 x 5 years | 121,879 | 4.3 | % | $ | 5,489,847 | 5.5 | % | $ | 45.04 | |||||||||||||||||
Host Services of New York |
Retail store | May 2020 | | | 6,180 | 0.2 | % | $ | 5,216,733 | 5.3 | % | $ | 844.13 | |||||||||||||||||
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Internet
networking business |
Feb. 2026 | 6/1/2016 | | 78,270 | 2.7 | % | $ | 3,394,664 | 3.4 | % | $ | 43.37 | |||||||||||||||||
Human Rights Watch. |
Not-for-Profit | Oct. 2026 | | | 52,381 | 1.9 | % | $ | 2,036,664 | 2.1 | % | $ | 38.88 | |||||||||||||||||
Walgreen Eastern Co. |
Retail store | Sep. 2027 | | | 23,842 | 0.8 | % | $ | 1,800,000 | 1.8 | % | $ | 75.50 | |||||||||||||||||
Revman International |
Textile | Oct. 2029 | | 1 x 5 years | 26,658 | 0.9 | % | $ | 1,359,558 | 1.4 | % | $ | 51.00 | |||||||||||||||||
Skanska USA Building |
Engineering | Mar. 2024 | | 1 x 5 years | 25,057 | 0.9 | % | $ | 1,219,550 | 1.2 | % | $ | 48.67 | |||||||||||||||||
Bank of America |
Bank | Apr. 2015 | | 1 x 5 years | 14,234 | 0.5 | % | $ | 1,187,155 | 1.2 | % | $ | 83.40 | |||||||||||||||||
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Total/Weighted Average |
1,250,028 | 43.6 | % | $ | 58,712,745 | 59.2 | % | $ | 46.97 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Excludes (i) 115,987 rentable square feet attributable to building management use and tenant amenities and (ii) 68,935 square feet of space attributable to our observatory. |
(2) | Annualized base rent is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements and free rent with respect to leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $10,407,465. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements and free rent is $88,764,700. |
(3) | We expect to enter into a marketing agreement with LF USA which we expect will provide that we and LF USA will jointly market, as potential subleased premises or directly leased premises, a portion of LF USAs space at the Empire State Building comprising of 180,436 square feet, and any space at the property that LF USA may seek to sublease from time to time. To the extent any space is subleased by LF USA, we expect that LF USA will remain obligated for all tenant obligations in respect of its entire leased premises. |
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Empire State Building Lease Expirations
The following table sets forth the lease expirations for leases in place at the Empire State Building as of June 30, 2013 and for each of the ten calendar years beginning with the year ending December 31, 2013 and thereafter. Unless otherwise stated in the footnotes, the information set forth in this table assumes that tenants exercise no renewal options or early termination rights. As of June 30, 2013, the weighted average remaining lease term for the property was ten years and two months.
Year of Lease Expiration (1) |
Number of
Leases Expiring |
Square
Footage of Leases Expiring (2) |
Percent of
Property Square Feet |
Annualized
Base Rent (3) |
Percent of
Property Annualized Base Rent (4) |
Annualized
Base Rent Per Leased Square Foot |
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Available |
| 491,527 | 17.1 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Signed leases not commenced |
8 | 140,002 | 4.9 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Month-to-month leases |
2 | 4,590 | 0.2 | % | $ | 105,872 | 0.1 | % | $ | 23.07 | ||||||||||||||
2013 (July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013) |
21 | 47,338 | 1.5 | % | $ | 1,235,645 | 1.2 | % | $ | 26.10 | ||||||||||||||
2014 |
39 | 111,554 | 3.9 | % | $ | 3,971,135 | 4.0 | % | $ | 35.60 | ||||||||||||||
2015 |
40 | 193,881 | 6.8 | % | $ | 7,961,817 | 8.0 | % | $ | 41.07 | ||||||||||||||
2016 |
19 | 94,712 | 3.3 | % | $ | 3,531,503 | 3.6 | % | $ | 37.29 | ||||||||||||||
2017 |
21 | 64,313 | 2.2 | % | $ | 2,816,123 | 2.8 | % | $ | 43.79 | ||||||||||||||
2018 |
28 | 116,987 | 4.1 | % | $ | 4,834,083 | 4.9 | % | $ | 41.32 | ||||||||||||||
2019 |
8 | 48,804 | 1.7 | % | $ | 2,942,093 | 3.0 | % | $ | 60.28 | ||||||||||||||
2020 |
24 | 241,999 | 8.4 | % | $ | 15,256,618 | 15.4 | % | $ | 63.04 | ||||||||||||||
2021 |
9 | 65,182 | 2.3 | % | $ | 2,531,323 | 2.6 | % | $ | 38.83 | ||||||||||||||
2022 |
8 | 35,975 | 1.3 | % | $ | 1,683,370 | 1.7 | % | $ | 46.79 | ||||||||||||||
Thereafter |
21 | 1,212,862 | 42.3 | % | $ | 52,302,583 | 52.7 | % | $ | 43.12 | ||||||||||||||
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Total/Weighted Average |
248 | 2,869,726 | 100.0 | % | $ | 99,172,165 | 100.0 | % | $ | 44.31 | ||||||||||||||
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(1) | Excludes broadcasting licenses and observatory operations. |
(2) | Office property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards; retail property measurements are based on useable square feet. Excludes (i) 115,987 rentable square feet attributable to building management use and tenant amenities and (ii) 68,935 square feet of space attributable to our observatory. |
(3) | Annualized base rent is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements and free rent with respect to leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $10,407,465. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements and free rent is $88,764,700. |
(4) | Represents the percentage of annualized base rent of office and ground-floor retail leases at the Empire State Building. |
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Empire State Building Percent Leased and Base Rent
The following table sets forth the percent leased, annualized base rent per leased square foot and net effective base rent per leased square foot for the Empire State Building as of the dates indicated below:
Date |
Percentage Leased (1) , (2) |
Annualized Base Rent
per Leased Square Foot (3) |
Net Effective Annual
Base Rent per Leased Square Foot (4) |
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June 30, 2013 |
78.0 | % | $ | 44.31 | $ | 44.70 | ||||||
December 31, 2012 |
69.4 | % | $ | 44.11 | $ | 44.61 | ||||||
December 31, 2011 |
67.6 | % | $ | 39.75 | $ | 39.37 | ||||||
December 31, 2010 |
66.2 | % | $ | 35.68 | $ | 35.04 | ||||||
December 31, 2009 |
68.5 | % | $ | 34.95 | $ | 34.10 | ||||||
December 31, 2008 |
69.0 | % | $ | 32.41 | $ | 31.82 |
(1) | Based on leases commenced as of the dates indicated above and calculated as rentable square feet less available square feet divided by rentable square feet. |
(2) | As part of our effort to increase the credit quality of our tenants, we have been aggregating smaller office spaces to facilitate re-leasing of larger blocks of space to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms and at higher rents. As a result, percent leased has decreased from December 31, 2008 through June 30, 2013. |
(3) | Annualized base rent per leased square foot is calculated by dividing (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rent (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended as of the dates indicated above multiplied by 12, by (ii) square footage under commenced leases as of the dates indicated above. |
(4) | Net effective annual base rent per leased square foot represents (i) the contractual base rent for leases in place as of the dates indicated above, calculated on a straight-line basis to amortize free rent periods and abatements, but without regard to tenant improvement allowances and leasing commissions, divided by (ii) square footage under commenced leases as of the same date. |
The Empire State Building and improvements to the property are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 39 years. The current real estate tax rate for the Empire State Building is $102.88 per $1,000 of assessed value. Real estate taxes for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were $26,340,502 and $30,009,908, respectively. In the opinion of our management, the Empire State Building is adequately covered by insurance.
One Grand Central Place, New York, New York
Our predecessor made a convertible mortgage on One Grand Central Place in 1954 through a public partnership and subsequently acquired fee title to the property in 1958. Our predecessor removed the prior managing and leasing agent and gained full control of the day-to-day management of the property in November 2002. The building comprises premier office space and lower-level and ground-floor retail space. It is located on 42 nd Street, between Park and Madison Avenues, directly across the street from Grand Central Terminal, located within walking distance of multiple parking garages, world-class shopping, dining and lodging. One Grand Central Place was built in 1930. The 55-story building comprises 1,175,268 rentable square feet of office space and 68,005 rentable square feet of retail space and is constructed of concrete, steel and masonry. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines and bus routes; Grand Central Terminal; and the Times Square Shuttle. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management office; 24/7 attended lobby; a multi-media conference center; messenger center for the exclusive use of building tenants; a visitor center for convenient and efficient access for building visitors; bank, newsstand and dining facilities; and additional conveniences in the buildings retail arcade. As part of our effort to increase the quality of our tenants, we have embarked on a renovation and repositioning program over time to aggregate smaller office spaces to facilitate re-leasing of larger blocks of space to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms and at higher rents. We have implemented a program to pre-build modern office suites with efficient layouts which are leased
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to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest third-party tenants based on annualized base rent were JP Morgan Chase Bank, a global financial services firm; Stark Business Solutions, a builder of premium office suites; Bank of America, N.A., a global financial services firm; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., a retail brokerage service provider; and Sunbelt Beverage Co., a wine and spirits wholesaler.
One Grand Central Place was the recipient of the BOMA 2010 Pinnacle Award for the Operating Building of the Year, in recognition of outstanding operations including energy management, emergency preparedness, environmental compliance, community impact, tenant relations, operational standards, training excellence and overall attractiveness, and in 2007, BOMA named One Grand Central Place as the Pinnacle Award winner for the Historical Building of the Year award, honoring a commitment to the preservation of historical integrity while taking full advantage of the improvements of the modern era.
Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of One Grand Central Place in November 2002, we have invested approximately $32.0 million through our restoration and renovation program at the property through June 30, 2013. We expect to complete our renovation program by the end of 2013, except for bathroom and sprinkler repairs that are expected to be completed in connection with the leasing of the related portion of retail space. Our renovation program at the property has taken substantial time to design and implement due to many factors, including the overall scale of the program, the market timing of re-leasing upgraded spaces to existing and prospective tenants, our desire to minimize existing tenant disruptions, and the need to obtain consents of investors in the property to complete financings. The following table summarizes the status of major improvements we have completed, those that are currently in process, and those that we expect to complete in the future:
Completed | In Process | To Be Completed | ||||||||
Lobby restoration and upgrade |
x | |||||||||
Renovate and provide cooling to public corridors |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public bathrooms |
x | |||||||||
New windows |
x | |||||||||
Elevator modernization |
x | |||||||||
New tenants only conference center |
x | |||||||||
Visitors center |
x | |||||||||
Roof replacements |
x | |||||||||
Restore façade |
x | |||||||||
Replace fire alarm system |
x | |||||||||
Energy efficiency retrofits |
x | |||||||||
Building wide sprinklers to comply with Local Law 26 |
x | |||||||||
Additional bathrooms to be upgraded |
x |
One Grand Central Place is subject to competition from a large number of other existing office properties and new office properties that may be constructed in the future.
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One Grand Central Place Primary Tenants
The following table summarizes information regarding the primary tenants of One Grand Central Place as of June 30, 2013:
Tenant |
Principal
Nature of Business |
Lease
Expiration |
Date of
Earliest Termination Option |
Renewal
Options |
Total Leased
Square Feet |
Percent of
Property Square Feet (1) |
Annualized
Base Rent (2) |
Percent of
Property Annualized Rent |
Annualized
Base Rent per Leased Square Foot |
|||||||||||||||||||||
JP Morgan Chase Bank |
Bank | Dec. 2027 | | 1 x 5 years | 21,683 | 1.8 | % | $ | 2,434,190 | 5.1 | % | $ | 112.26 | |||||||||||||||||
Stark Business Solution |
Office suites |
Oct. 2021;
May 2023 |
| 1 x 5 years | 38,914 | 3.1 | % | $ | 1,739,816 | 3.6 | % | $ | 44.71 | |||||||||||||||||
Bank of America, N.A. |
Bank | Apr. 2017 | | 1 x 5 years | 14,127 | 1.1 | % | $ | 1,457,500 | 3.0 | % | $ | 103.17 | |||||||||||||||||
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. |
Retail broker | May 2021 | | 1 x 5 years | 10,702 | 1.0 | % | $ | 1,287,300 | 2.7 | % | $ | 120.29 | |||||||||||||||||
Sunbelt Beverage Co., LLC |
Wine & spirits
wholesaler |
Aug. 2023 | | | 28,918 | 2.3 | % | $ | 1,243,517 | 2.6 | % | $ | 43.00 | |||||||||||||||||
Haver Analytics, Inc. |
Economic &
financial databases |
Apr. 2018;
July 2022 |
| | 15,852 | 1.3 | % | $ | 1,080,976 | 2.2 | % | $ | 68.19 | |||||||||||||||||
Pine Brook Road Partners, LLC |
Private equity
firm |
Sept. 2021 | 1/15/2015 | (3) | 1 x 5 years | 17,825 | 1.4 | % | $ | 937,376 | 1.9 | % | $ | 52.59 | ||||||||||||||||
Special Funds Conservation |
Defends special
disability fund & workers comp cases |
Apr. 2021 | | 1 x 5 years | 17,614 | 1.4 | % | $ | 704,560 | 1.5 | % | $ | 40.00 | |||||||||||||||||
Gibbs & Soell Inc. |
Public relations | Nov. 2019 | | 1 x 5 years | 12,724 | 1.0 | % | $ | 699,820 | 1.4 | % | $ | 55.00 | |||||||||||||||||
Vandenberg & Feliu, LLP. |
Law firm | Aug. 2020 | | | 12,527 | 1.0 | % | $ | 661,723 | 1.4 | % | $ | 52.82 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total/Weighted Average |
190,886 | 15.4 | % | $ | 12,246,778 | 25.4 | % | $ | 64.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Excludes 45,944 rentable square feet attributable to building management use and tenant amenities. |
(2) | Annualized base rent is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements and free rent with respect to leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $189,326. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements and free rent is $47,978,872. |
(3) | Termination option applies only to 5,201 rentable square feet. |
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One Grand Central Place Lease Expirations
The following table sets forth the lease expirations for leases in place at One Grand Central Place as of June 30, 2013 and for each of the ten calendar years beginning with the year ending December 31, 2013 and thereafter. Unless otherwise stated in the footnotes, the information set forth in this table assumes that tenants exercise no renewal options or early termination rights. As of June 30, 2013, the weighted average remaining lease term for the property was five years and four months.
Year of Lease Expiration |
Number of
Leases Expiring |
Square
Footage of Leases Expiring (1) |
Percent of
Property Square Feet |
Annualized
Base Rent (2) |
Percent of
Property Annualized Rent (3) |
Annualized
Base Rent per Leased Square Foot |
||||||||||||||||||
Available |
| 262,623 | 21.1 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Signed leases not commenced |
2 | 9,184 | 0.7 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Month-to-month leases |
2 | | | $ | 4,800 | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
2013 (July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013) |
49 | 70,959 | 5.7 | % | $ | 3,456,121 | 7.2 | % | $ | 48.71 | ||||||||||||||
2014 |
61 | 116,035 | 9.3 | % | $ | 5,355,390 | 11.1 | % | $ | 46.15 | ||||||||||||||
2015 |
79 | 166,617 | 13.4 | % | $ | 7,277,512 | 15.1 | % | $ | 43.68 | ||||||||||||||
2016 |
28 | 69,103 | 5.6 | % | $ | 3,075,008 | 6.4 | % | $ | 44.50 | ||||||||||||||
2017 |
28 | 116,261 | 9.5 | % | $ | 6,108,480 | 12.7 | % | $ | 52.54 | ||||||||||||||
2018 |
16 | 36,542 | 2.9 | % | $ | 1,855,025 | 3.9 | % | $ | 50.76 | ||||||||||||||
2019 |
8 | 55,595 | 4.5 | % | $ | 2,576,723 | 5.2 | % | $ | 46.35 | ||||||||||||||
2020 |
13 | 51,073 | 4.1 | % | $ | 2,481,888 | 5.2 | % | $ | 48.59 | ||||||||||||||
2021 |
11 | 97,153 | 7.8 | % | $ | 5,432,659 | 11.3 | % | $ | 55.92 | ||||||||||||||
2022 |
9 | 58,813 | 4.7 | % | $ | 3,047,294 | 6.3 | % | $ | 51.81 | ||||||||||||||
Thereafter |
10 | 133,315 | 10.7 | % | $ | 7,497,298 | 15.6 | % | $ | 56.24 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total/Weighted Average |
316 | 1,243,273 | 100.0 | % | $ | 48,168,198 | 100.0 | % | $ | 49.58 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Office property measurements are based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards; retail property measurements are based on useable square feet. Excludes 45,944 rentable square feet attributable to building management use and tenant amenities. |
(2) | Annualized base rent is calculated by multiplying (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rents (before abatements and free rent)) for the month ended June 30, 2013 for leases commenced as of June 30, 2013, by (ii) 12. Total abatements and free rent with respect to leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 for the 12 months ending June 30, 2014 are $189,326. Total annualized base rent, net of abatements and free rent is $47,978,872. |
(3) | Represents the percentage of annualized base rent of office and ground-floor retail leases at One Grand Central Place. |
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One Grand Central Place Percent Leased and Base Rent
The following table sets forth the percent leased, annualized base rent per leased square foot and net effective base rent per leased square foot for One Grand Central Place as of the dates indicated below:
Date |
Percentage
Leased (1) , (2) |
Annualized Base
Rent per Leased Square Foot (3) |
Net Effective
Annual Base Rent per Leased Square Foot (4) |
|||||||||
June 30, 2013 |
78.1 | % | $ | 49.58 | $ | 49.39 | ||||||
December 31, 2012 |
76.9 | % | $ | 48.95 | $ | 48.23 | ||||||
December 31, 2011 |
79.6 | % | $ | 47.58 | $ | 47.36 | ||||||
December 31, 2010 |
80.4 | % | $ | 46.34 | $ | 46.11 | ||||||
December 31, 2009 |
76.8 | % | $ | 45.06 | $ | 44.82 | ||||||
December 31, 2008 |
81.4 | % | $ | 43.84 | $ | 43.13 |
(1) | Based on leases commenced as of the dates indicated above and calculated as rentable square feet less available square feet divided by rentable square feet. |
(2) | As part of our effort to increase the credit quality of our tenants, we have been aggregating smaller office spaces to facilitate re-leasing of larger blocks of space to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms at higher rents. As a result, percent leased has decreased from December 31, 2008 through June 30, 2013. |
(3) | Annualized base rent per leased square foot is calculated by dividing (i) base rental payments (defined as cash base rent (before abatements)) for the month ended as of the dates indicated above multiplied by 12, by (ii) square footage under commenced leases as of the dates indicated above. |
(4) | Net effective annual base rent per leased square foot represents (i) the contractual base rent for leases in place as of the dates indicated above, calculated on a straight-line basis to amortize free rent periods and abatements, but without regard to tenant improvement allowances and leasing commissions, divided by (ii) square footage under commenced leases as of the same date. |
One Grand Central Place and improvements to the property are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 39 years. The current real estate tax rate for One Grand Central Place is $102.88 per $1,000 of assessed value. Real estate taxes for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $11,210,057 and $10,928,078, respectively. In the opinion of our management, One Grand Central Place is adequately covered by insurance.
250 West 57 th Street, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired fee title to 250 West 57 th Street through a public partnership in 1953. Our predecessor removed the prior managing and leasing agent and gained full control of the day-to-day management of the property in November 2002. The building comprises premier office space and ground-floor and lower-level retail space. It occupies the entire blockfront of 57 th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, close to Columbus Circle and the new media headquarters concentration in New York City, including Time Warner, Random House and Hearst Corporation, and is located within walking distance of multiple parking garages, world-class shopping, dining and lodging. 250 West 57 th Street was built in 1921. The 26-story building comprises 476,691 rentable square feet of office space and 49,459 rentable square feet of retail space and is constructed of concrete, steel, masonry and terra cotta. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes direct access to numerous subway lines and bus routes. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management office; concierge desk; 24/7 attended lobby; specialty retail stores; a drug store; and a barber shop. As part of our effort to increase the quality of our tenants, we have embarked on a renovation and repositioning program over time to aggregate smaller office spaces to facilitate re-leasing of larger blocks of space to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms and at higher rents. We have implemented a program to pre-build modern office suites with efficient layouts which are leased to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were the TJX Companies, Inc., a discount retailer of apparel and home fashions; Duane Reade, a New York-based pharmacy
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chain owned by Walgreen Co.; Perseus Books Group, a publishing company; N.S. Bienstock, Inc., a leading talent agency; and NIP Training Institute, a training institute for psychotherapy.
Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of 250 West 57 th Street in November 2002, we have invested approximately $37.0 million through our restoration and renovation program at the property through June 30, 2013. We expect to complete our renovation program by the end of 2013, except for facade restoration expected to be complete by early 2014. Our renovation program at the property has taken substantial time to design and implement due to many factors, including the overall scale of the program, the market timing of re-leasing upgraded spaces to existing and prospective tenants, our desire to minimize existing tenant disruptions, and the need to obtain consents of investors in the property to complete financings. The following table summarizes the status of major improvements we have completed, those that are currently in process, and those that we expect to complete in the future:
Completed | In Process | To Be Completed | ||||||||
Lobby renovation |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public corridors |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public bathrooms |
x | |||||||||
New windows |
x | |||||||||
Conversion of second floor to retail space |
x | |||||||||
Chiller replacement |
x | |||||||||
Electrical upgrades |
x | |||||||||
Replace fire alarm system |
x | |||||||||
Freight elevator modernization |
x | |||||||||
Building wide sprinklers to comply with Local Law 26 |
x | |||||||||
Upgrade finishes in public corridors |
x | |||||||||
Restore façade |
x |
501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired fee title to 501 Seventh Avenue through a private partnership in 1950. Our predecessor removed the prior managing and leasing agent and gained full control of the day-to-day management of the property in November 2002. The building comprises premier office space, apparel showroom space and ground-floor retail space. It occupies the northeast corner of 37 th Street and Seventh Avenue, between the Times Square and Herald Square transportation hubs, within walking distance of multiple parking garages, world-class shopping, dining and lodging. 501 Seventh Avenue was built in 1923. The 18-story building comprises 453,716 rentable square feet of office space and 35,502 rentable square feet of retail space and is constructed of concrete, steel, masonry and stone. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines and bus routes; Pennsylvania Station; Grand Central Terminal; the Port Authority Bus Terminal; and PATH train services. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management office; a lobby newsstand; dining facilities; and 24/7 attended lobby. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were Warnaco, Inc., a global apparel leader and a subsidiary of PVH Corp.; Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the largest community development support organization in the country; Carolina Herrera Ltd., an international design firm; Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, an organization that plans, develops and regulates the states system of chemical dependence and gambling treatment agencies; and Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., an operator of Mexican fast food restaurants.
501 Seventh Avenue is the recipient of the BOMA 2006 Pinnacle Award for the Renovated Building of the Year, for undergoing modernization through restoration, renovation, expansion and/or conversion, and in 2005, BOMA named 501 Seventh Avenue as the Pinnacle Award winner of the Operating Building of the Year award, in recognition of outstanding operations including energy management, emergency preparedness, environmental compliance, community impact, tenant relations, operational standards, training excellence and overall attractiveness. 501 Seventh Avenue recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
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Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of 501 Seventh Avenue in November 2002, we have invested approximately $49.0 million through our restoration and renovation program at the property through June 30, 2013. We expect to complete our renovation program by the end of 2013, except for elevator modernization expected to be complete by early 2014. Our renovation program at the property has taken substantial time to design and implement due to many factors, including the overall scale of the program, the market timing of re-leasing upgraded spaces to existing and prospective tenants, our desire to minimize existing tenant disruptions, and the need to obtain consents of investors in the property to complete financings. The following table summarizes the status of major improvements we have completed, those that are currently in process, and those that we expect to complete in the future:
Completed | In Process | To Be Completed | ||||||||
Lobby renovation |
x | |||||||||
New elevator cabs |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public corridors |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public bathrooms |
x | |||||||||
New windows |
x | |||||||||
Restore façade |
x | |||||||||
New cooling tower and distribution |
x | |||||||||
New sidewalks |
x | |||||||||
New electrical distribution |
x | |||||||||
Replace fire alarm system |
x | |||||||||
Energy efficiency retrofits |
x | |||||||||
Elevator modernization |
x | |||||||||
Cooling tower expansion |
x |
1359 Broadway, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired fee title to 1359 Broadway through a private partnership in 1953. Our predecessor removed the prior managing and leasing agent and gained full control of the day-to-day management of the property in May 2003. The building comprises premier office space and ground-floor retail space. It occupies the northwest corner of 36 th Street and Broadway, between the nearby Times Square and Herald Square transportation hubs, located within walking distance of multiple parking garages, world-class shopping, dining and lodging. 1359 Broadway was built in 1924. The 22-story building comprises 439,881 rentable square feet of office space and 27,618 rentable square feet of retail space and is constructed of concrete, steel, masonry and stone. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines and bus routes; Pennsylvania Station; Grand Central Terminal; the Port Authority Bus Terminal; and PATH train services. In-building services and amenities include 24/7 attended lobby; a bank; lobby newsstand; dining facilities; and a UPS store. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were LF USA, Inc., an affiliate of Li & Fung, a global supply chain management firm; Actimize, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of financial crime, risk and compliance solutions; IPREO Holdings LLC, a leading global provider of market intelligence, deal execution platforms and investor communication tools; The Conference for Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, an aid organization for victims of Nazism; and Redeemer Presbyterian Church, a Protestant church.
1359 Broadway is the recipient of BOMA 2007 Pinnacle Award for the Renovated Building of the Year, for undergoing modernization through restoration, renovation, expansion and/or conversion. Additionally, in 2007, 1359 Broadway won the Fashion Center Property Improvement Award in the Lobby Renovation category.
Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of 1359 Broadway in May 2003, we have invested approximately $24.0 million through our restoration and renovation program at the property through June 30, 2013. Our renovation program at this property is substantially complete except that replacement of a remaining portion of retail store front is expected to be completed in connection with the leasing of the related portion of retail space. The timing of implementation of our improvement program is dependent on various
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factors including the overall scale of the program, existing tenant lease expiration dates that may interfere with our ability to execute certain work until existing tenants vacate or can be relocated, and the prior need to obtain consents of investors in the property to complete financings to fund improvement programs or fund improvements from cash flow. The following table summarizes the status of major improvements we have completed, those that are currently in process, and those that we expect to complete in the future:
Completed | In Process | To Be Completed | ||||||||
Lobby renovation |
x | |||||||||
Elevator modernization |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public corridors |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public bathrooms |
x | |||||||||
New windows |
x | |||||||||
Restore façade |
x | |||||||||
New sidewalk |
x | |||||||||
Structural vault restoration |
x | |||||||||
Roof replacement |
x | |||||||||
Partial storefront replacement |
x | |||||||||
Electric service upgrade and distribution |
x | |||||||||
Replace fire alarm system |
x | |||||||||
Energy efficiency measures |
x | |||||||||
Remaining storefront replacement |
x |
1333 Broadway, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired fee title to 1333 Broadway through a private partnership in 1979. Our predecessor removed the prior managing and leasing agent and gained full control of the day-to-day management of the property in August 2006. The building comprises premier office space and lower-level, ground-floor and second-floor retail space. It occupies the northwest corner of 35 th Street and Broadway, between the nearby Times Square and Herald Square transportation hubs, directly across from the Macys flagship location, located within walking distance of multiple parking garages, world-class shopping, dining and lodging. 1333 Broadway was built in 1915. The 12-story building comprises 291,977 rentable square feet of office space and 61,318 rentable square feet of retail space and is constructed of concrete, steel, masonry and stone. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines and bus routes; Pennsylvania Station; Grand Central Terminal; the Port Authority Bus Terminal; and PATH train services. In-building services and amenities include a 24/7 attended lobby. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were LF USA, Inc., an affiliate of Li & Fung, a global supply chain management firm; Aetna Life Insurance Company, one of the nations leading providers of insurance and employee benefits; OCE-USA Holding, Inc., a global leader in digital document management and delivery technology; Gerber Childrenswear LLC, a leading marketer of infant and toddler apparel; and New York Outdoor, an outdoor billboard advertising company.
1333 Broadway is the recipient of the BOMA 2012 Pinnacle Award winner of the Operating Building of the Year award, in recognition of outstanding operations including energy management, emergency preparedness, environmental compliance, community impact, tenant relations, operational standards, training excellence and overall attractiveness. 1333 Broadway recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of 1333 Broadway in August 2006, we have invested approximately $26.0 million through our restoration and renovation program at the property through June 30, 2013. Our renovation program at this property is substantially complete except that replacement of a portion of retail store front is expected to be completed in connection with the leasing of the related portion of retail space. Our renovation program at the property has taken substantial time to design and implement due to many factors, including the overall scale of the program, the market timing of re-leasing upgraded spaces to existing and
- 211 -
prospective tenants, our desire to minimize existing tenant disruptions, and the need to obtain consents of investors in the property to complete financings. The following table summarizes the status of major improvements we have completed, those that are currently in process, and those that we expect to complete in the future:
Completed | In Process | To Be Completed | ||||||||
Lobby renovation |
x | |||||||||
Elevator modernization |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public corridors |
x | |||||||||
Renovate public bathrooms |
x | |||||||||
New windows |
x | |||||||||
Restore façade |
x | |||||||||
Roof replacement |
x | |||||||||
Sidewalk and structural vault replacement |
x | |||||||||
Replace fire alarm system |
x | |||||||||
Base building work for retail space |
x | |||||||||
Energy efficiency retrofits |
x | |||||||||
Partial storefront replacement |
x |
1350 Broadway, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired a long-term leasehold in the land underlying 1350 Broadway and the improvements in 1965 pursuant to a ground lease with a remaining term, including unilateral extension rights available to us, of approximately 39 years, expiring on July 31, 2050. Our predecessor removed the prior managing and leasing agent and gained full control of the day-to-day management of the property in August 2006. The building comprises premier office space and ground-floor retail space. It occupies the entire block amidst Broadway, Sixth Avenue, 35 th and 36 th Streets, between the nearby Times Square and Herald Square transportation hubs, located within walking distance of multiple parking garages, world-class shopping, dining and lodging. 1350 Broadway was built in 1929. The 26-story building comprises 366,415 rentable square feet of office space and 30,925 rentable square feet of retail space and is constructed of concrete, steel, masonry and stone. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines; numerous bus routes; Pennsylvania Station; Grand Central Terminal; the Port Authority Bus Terminal; and PATH train services. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management office; 24/7 attended lobby; a bank; FedEx/Kinkos; Duane Reade (a division of Walgreen Co.); Starbucks; and a hair salon. As part of our effort to increase the quality of our tenants, we have embarked on a renovation and repositioning program over time to aggregate smaller office spaces to facilitate re-leasing of larger blocks of space to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms and at higher rents. We have implemented a program to pre-build modern office suites with efficient layouts which are leased to higher credit-quality tenants for longer lease terms. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were Duane Reade, a New York-based pharmacy chain owned by Walgreen Co.; Sovereign Bank, one of the largest banks in the northeastern United States; HSBC, one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world; Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP, a full-service law firm; and E-Dialog Inc., a provider of e-mail marketing solutions.
1350 Broadway is the recipient of the BOMA 2011 Pinnacle Award winner of the Operating Building of the Year award in the 250,000499,999 Square Feet subcategory, in recognition of outstanding operations including energy management, emergency preparedness, environmental compliance, community impact, tenant relations, operational standards, training excellence and overall attractiveness. 1350 Broadway recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
Since we gained full control of the day-to-day management of 1350 Broadway in August 2006, we have invested approximately $26.0 million through our restoration and renovation program at the property through June 30, 2013. We have completed our renovation program at this property. Our renovation program at the property has taken substantial time to design and implement due to many factors, including the overall scale
- 212 -
of the program, the market timing of re-leasing upgraded spaces to existing and prospective tenants, our desire to minimize existing tenant disruptions, and the need to obtain consents of investors in the property to complete financings. The following table summarizes the major improvements that we have completed:
Completed | In Process | To Be Completed | ||||||
Lobby renovation |
x | |||||||
Freight elevator modernization |
x | |||||||
New passenger elevator cabs |
x | |||||||
Renovate public corridors |
x | |||||||
Renovate public bathrooms |
x | |||||||
New windows |
x | |||||||
Restore façade |
x | |||||||
Replace roofs |
x | |||||||
New sidewalk and structural vaults |
x | |||||||
Replace fire alarm system |
x | |||||||
Energy efficiency retrofit |
x | |||||||
New chiller |
x | |||||||
Automated building controls |
x |
First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut
Our predecessor acquired fee title in First Stamford Place in 2001. The office complex is located in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to the Stamford Transportation Center which serves the Metro North commuter line with express service to Grand Central Terminal. First Stamford Place was built in 1986. The complex consists of three mirrored glass and precast concrete office buildings, integrated in a campus environment and comprises 787,726 rentable square feet of office space. Its close proximity to mass transportation at the Stamford Transportation Center includes access to Acela Express Amtrak and Metro North train services; Connecticut transit buses with local and inter-county service to Westchester County, New York; taxis; and van pool transportation options. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management offices; concierge; full-time security; structured parking garage; a tenants-only conference center; tenants-only fitness center; dining facility; a privately operated day-care center in a leased space that can accommodate 96 children; an outdoor landscaped seating area; courier and express mail drop boxes; auto spa; barber shop; sundry shop; ATM; a tenants-only shuttle van service to and from the Stamford Transportation Center and downtown shopping areas; and there is a Hilton Hotel within the campus. Tenants also have access to a secured structured parking facility with approximately 1,770 parking spaces upon which the complex sits. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were Legg Mason, an asset management firm; Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation, an underwriter of reinsurance and specialty insurance; Thomson Reuters, a publishing and information services company; Elizabeth Arden, Inc., a global prestige beauty, cosmetics and fragrance company; and Citibank N.A., a global banking and financial services organization.
First Stamford Place is the recipient of an award from The Building Owners and Managers Association of Southern Connecticut, or BOMA Southern Connecticut, which named First Stamford Place as the 2003 winner of The Outstanding Building of the Year, or TOBY, award in the Suburban Mid-Rise Office Park subcategory, honoring the best of the best in commercial buildings.
Metro Center, Stamford, Connecticut
Our predecessor acquired fee title in Metro Center in 1984. The office building is located in Stamford, Connecticut, near the Stamford Transportation Center which serves the Metro North commuter line with express service to Grand Central Terminal. Metro Center was built in 1987. The eight-story office building comprises 279,385 rentable square feet of office space and is constructed of concrete, steel and masonry. Its close proximity
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to mass transportation at the Stamford Transportation Center includes access to Acela Express, Amtrak and Metro North train services; Connecticut transit buses with local and inter-county service to Westchester County, New York; taxis; and van pool transportation options. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management offices; concierge; full-time security; structured parking garage; tenants-only conference center; tenants-only fitness center; dining facility; on-site auto rental agencies; a sundry shop; ATM; and a tenants-only shuttle van service to and from downtown shopping areas. Tenants also have access to a secured structured parking facility within the building. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were Thomson Reuters, a provider of intellectual property and regulatory information; Jefferies Group, a global securities and investment banking group; Torm USA LLC, a sea transport shipping company; Columbus Circle Investors, an institutional equity investment manager; and Tweedy, Browne Company LLC, an investment services company.
Metro Center is the recipient of the 2007 BOMA Mid-Atlantic Conference TOBY award, honoring the best of the best in commercial buildings. Additionally, in 2006 and 1998, Metro Center won TOBY awards from BOMA Southern Connecticut. Metro Center recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
10 Bank Street, White Plains, New York
Our predecessor acquired fee title interest in 10 Bank Street in 1999. The office building is located in downtown White Plains, New York, immediately adjacent to the White Plains Transportation Center, which serves the Metro North commuter line with express service to Grand Central Terminal. 10 Bank Street was built in 1989. The 12-story building comprises 228,994 rentable square feet of office space and is constructed of concrete with a glass façade. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes the Metro North Commuter Line; the Bee-Line Bus System, providing service to the Port Chester, Metro North Railroad, New Haven Line; taxis; and access to major highways. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management; concierge; on-site dining; full-time security; and an ATM. Tenants also have access to a six-level secured structured parking facility that is connected to the building. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., an educational publishing services company; Fifth Street Capital, Inc., a buyout financing firm; Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, a law firm; Rockwood Capital, LLC, a private real estate investment firm; and Two Four Holdings LLC, a software solutions company.
10 Bank Street is the recipient of the 2011 Building Owners and Managers Association of Westchester County, or BOMA Westchester County, TOBY award for Best Green Initiatives and the 2000 and 2005 TOBY award for Office Building of the Year, honoring the best of the best in commercial buildings. Additionally, in 1999, 10 Bank Street won the Owner/Investor Acquisition of the Year award from the Connecticut & Suburban New York chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, or NAIOP, awarded to the developer that best exemplifies leadership and innovation in the commercial real estate market. 10 Bank Street recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut
Our predecessor acquired fee title in 383 Main Avenue in 1994. The office building is located in Norwalk, Connecticut, at the intersection of the Super 7 Expressway and the Merritt Parkway, with immediate access to the Super 7 Expressway, Exits 40A and 40B of the Merritt Parkway and the Metro North Commuter Railroad. 383 Main Avenue was built in 1985. The eight-story building comprises 257,925 rentable square feet of office space and is constructed of glass, steel and brick. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes the South Norwalk Railroad Station and Merritt 7 Station, which provide access to Metro North train services. In-building services and amenities include on-site building management; full-time security and concierge; 24-hour attended access; tenants-only fitness center; tenants-only conference center; dining facilities; an ATM; and a tenants-only
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shuttle van service to the South Norwalk Transportation Center and Merritt 7 Station. Tenants also have access to free on-site parking, structured parking on which the building sits. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were Reed Elsevier, Inc., a provider of professional information solutions; CIT Inc., a lending, leasing and advisory services provider; Nestle Holdings, Inc. a nutrition, health and wellness company; The Fairfield County Community Foundation, a foundation that supports Fairfield County, Connecticut; and Symphony IRI, a global market research firm.
383 Main Avenue is the recipient of an award from BOMA Southern Connecticut, which named 383 Main Avenue as the 1999 winner of the TOBY award, honoring the best of the best in commercial buildings. 383 Main Avenue recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, New York
Our predecessor acquired fee title in 500 Mamaroneck Avenue in 1999. The office building is located 1 1 / 4 miles north of I-95 at Exit 18B West and 1 3 / 4 miles to the Mamaroneck train station. 500 Mamaroneck Avenue was built in 1986. The five-story building comprises 289,772 rentable square feet of office space and is constructed of a mirrored glass curtain wall on 35 landscaped acres in Harrison, New York. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes the Mamaroneck and White Plains train stations, which provide access to Metro North train services. In-building services and amenities include on-site management; concierge; full-time security; tenants-only executive conference center; tenants-only fitness center; a dining facility; an ATM; and a tenants-only shuttle service to the Mamaroneck train station. Tenants also have access to free on-site parking. As of June 30, 2013, the buildings five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were Mariner Investment Group, Inc., an alternative investment management firm; OConnor Davies Munns & Dobbins, an accounting and consulting firm; GFK NOP LLC, a market research company; Universal Remote Control, a manufacturer of wireless remote control devices; and Stark Business Solutions, a manufacturer of shared office suites.
500 Mamaroneck Avenue is the recipient of the 2002 BOMA Westchester County TOBY award, honoring the best of the best in commercial buildings. Additionally, in 1999, 500 Mamaroneck Avenue won the Owner/Investor Acquisition of the Year Award from the Connecticut & Suburban New York chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, or NAIOP, awarded to the developer that best exemplifies leadership and innovation in the commercial real estate market. 500 Mamaroneck Avenue recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
1010 Third Avenue, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired a condominium interest in 1010 Third Avenue in 1998. The retail property is located at the northwest corner of 60 th Street and Third Avenue, directly adjacent to Bloomingdales flagship store, located in the heart of one of Manhattans Upper East Sides most vibrant office, retail and residential neighborhoods. 1010 Third Avenue was built in 1963. The three-story condominium unit, located at the base of a 20-story mixed use residential condominium building, comprises 44,662 rentable square feet of retail condominium space and a 34-space condominium parking garage unit, and is constructed of brick. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines and bus routes. As of June 30, 2013, the propertys tenants were Ethan Allen, a manufacturer and retailer of home furnishings and Quik Park, a leading operator of parking facilities throughout the New York metro area.
Significant work was completed at 1010 Third Avenue following its acquisition as part of a long term strategy to convert the entire property to retail space, included conversion of the second and third-floor office space into retail space, obtaining city approvals for a required loading zone that involved the relocation of a city bus stop and prior no-standing zone, and engineering to install a tenant escalator to provide street-level access to
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the second floor. All required zoning approvals were obtained as part of a subsequent effort to convert all of the remaining office space into retail space and to consolidate the entire first, second and third floors for occupancy by large retailers.
77 West 55 th Street, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired a condominium interest in 77 West 55 th Street in 1998. The retail property is located at the northeast corner of Sixth Avenue and 55 th Street, a well established 24-hour destination that attracts day-time workers, convenience and destination shoppers, tourists and residents. 77 West 55 th Street was built in 1962. The ground-floor condominium unit, situated at the base of a 20-story residential condominium building, comprises 24,102 rentable square feet of retail condominium space and a 61-space condominium parking garage unit, and is constructed of brick. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines and bus routes. As of June 30, 2013, the propertys tenants were Tapps Supermarkets Inc., a gourmet foods supermarket; Quik Park, a leading operator of parking facilities throughout the New York metro area; and Bank of America, a financial services leader.
10 Union Square, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired a condominium interest in 10 Union Square in 1996. The retail property is situated on the entire block-front between 14 th and 15 th Streets on the east side of Union Square. 10 Union Square was built in 1988. The ground-floor and lower-level condominium unit, located at the base of a 29-story mixed-use development known as the Zeckendorf Towers, comprises 58,005 rentable square feet of retail space. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines, the PATH trains and bus routes, and it is located atop one of the busiest subway stations in New York City. As of June 30, 2013, the propertys five largest tenants based on annualized base rent were A&P, a metro New York area supermarket, which filed for bankruptcy on December 10, 2010 but has affirmed its lease and is current on rental payments; Panera Bread, a bread bakery-café; Best Buy Mobile, an electronics retailer; Starbucks, a coffee company; and Au Bon Pain, a global operator of fast casual restaurants.
1542 Third Avenue, New York, New York
Our predecessor acquired a condominium interest in 1542 Third Avenue in 1999. The retail property is located on the west side of Third Avenue between East 86 th and 87 th Streets and the north side of 86 th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues in Manhattans Upper East Side. 1542 Third Avenue was built in 1991. The ground-floor retail condominium unit, located at the base of a 25-story luxury residential condominium building, comprises 56,250 rentable square feet of retail space and is constructed of brick. Its close proximity to mass transportation includes numerous subway lines and bus routes. As of June 30, 2013, the propertys tenants were Sprint, a provider of wireless and wireline communications services; Loews Orpheum Cinemas, a movie exhibition company; and Payless Shoesource, a specialty family footwear retailer.
69-97 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
Our predecessor acquired fee title to 69-97 Main Street in 2003. The adjacent retail units are located on Main Street in Westport, Connecticut, one of Fairfield Countys most affluent shopping districts with one of the countrys highest concentrations of major national, regional and local retail tenants. 69-97 Main Street was built in 1922. The single-story structure comprises 17,103 rentable square feet of high-end retail space and is constructed of brick and masonry. Its dual entrances provide direct public access to the stores from Main Street and Parker Harding Plaza, a public parking lot directly behind the property, and it is located in close proximity to major highways. As of June 30, 2013, the propertys tenants were Lululemon, a manufacturer of technical athletic apparel; Nike, an athletic footwear and apparel company that recently signed a ten-year lease for approximately 5,400 square feet; Theory, a high-fashion clothier that also recently signed a ten-year lease for approximately 2,600 square feet; Allen Edmonds, a mens shoe store; and Ann Taylor, a leading specialty retailer for womens clothing.
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103-107 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
Our predecessor acquired fee title in 103-107 Main Street in 2006. The adjacent retail units are located on Main Street in Westport, Connecticut, one of Fairfield Countys most affluent shopping districts with one of the countrys highest concentrations of major national, regional and local retail tenants. 103-107 Main Street was built in 1900. The single-story structure comprises 4,330 rentable square feet of high-end retail space and restaurant space and is constructed of brick and masonry. Its dual entrances provide direct public access to the stores from Main Street and Parker Harding Plaza, a public parking lot directly behind the property, and it is located in close proximity to major highways. As of June 30, 2013, the propertys tenants were Kate Spade (a division of Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc.), a global accessories and clothing brand; Westport Pizzeria & Restaurant, a restaurant; and Francois du Pont Jewelers, a jewelry retailer.
We are contemplating performing work at 103-107 Main Street, which would include the potential consolidation of three inefficiently demised retail spaces into one or two retail spaces.
Metro Tower, Stamford, Connecticut
Our predecessor acquired fee title to the land on which Metro Tower will be located in 2001. The project will be built on an in-fill, 1.9 acre site bounded by Station Place and Henry Street. The site is currently improved with a temporary surface parking area, rental car agency parking areas and a related car wash facility, which are to be relocated. The site is directly adjacent to Metro Center and the Stamford Transportation Center. All required zoning approvals have been obtained to allow development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office tower and garage.
Metro Tower will be a 17-story, multi-tenanted commercial office building that is expected to comprise approximately 380,000 rentable square feet on 13 floors of office space. Tenants will have access to a fully enclosed parking garage at the base of the building. Its immediate adjacency to mass transportation at the Stamford Transportation Center provides access to Metro North; Acela Express and other Amtrak train services, Connecticut transit buses with local and inter-county service to Westchester County, New York; and taxis. In-building services and amenities will likely include on-site building management; concierge; 24/7 security; multi-media conference center; fitness center; dining facility; sundry shop; and access to landscaped rooftop gardens and its garage.
Metro Tower is part of a transit-oriented, mixed use development project, Metro Green, which when fully built will include three residential buildings and a separate residential garage. Only the development office building and its garage, known as Metro Tower, will be acquired by our company in the formation transactions. The site and related plans and permit pertaining to residential developments will not be acquired by our company.
As of June 30, 2013, we had incurred costs of approximately $7.4 million relating to the Metro Tower development.
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The following table sets forth for each property that comprised ten percent or more of our total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2012, or that had gross revenues that amounted to ten percent or more of our consolidated gross revenues for the 12 months ended December 31, 2012, and component thereof, upon which depreciation is taken, the (i) tax basis (determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, (ii) depreciation rate, (iii) method and (iv) life claimed with respect to such property or component thereof for purposes of depreciation.
Federal Tax Basis | ||||||||||||||||
Property |
December 31, 2012 | Rate | Method (1) | Life Claimed (2) | ||||||||||||
The Empire State Building |
$ | 291,113,613 | Various | DDB/Straight-line | 15-39 years | |||||||||||
One Grand Central Place |
$ | 91,179,391 | Various | DDB/Straight-line | 15-39 years |
(1) | Unless otherwise noted, depreciation method and life claimed for each property and component thereof is determined by reference to IRS-mandated method for depreciating assets placed into service after 1986, known as the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System. |
(2) | Buildings, building improvements and tenant improvements are depreciated over 39 years using the straight line method. Tenant improvements incurred in 2012 and 2011 are depreciated over 15 years using the straight line method after allowing for any applicable bonus depreciation. |
Property Revenue and Operating Expenses
Our properties provide us with diversified sources of income. In addition to base rent, we receive tenant reimbursements for real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, utilities or operating expense escalations. In addition, certain of our properties are entitled to business improvement district tax reimbursements that are not included in base rent. In order to provide a better understanding of how these reimbursements impact the comparability of the leases in place at the properties in our portfolio, the table below (amounts in thousands) includes information for the twelve months ended June 30, 2013 regarding base rent, reimbursement income, other property income and property operating expenses associated with each of the properties in our portfolio. Operating expenses include property management fees paid to third parties as well as property management and supervisory fees paid to our predecessor.
Property |
Base
Rent (1) |
Expense
Reimbursements (2) |
Other
Income (3) |
Total Income |
Total
Operating Expenses (4 ) |
|||||||||||||||
The Empire State Building |
$ | 100,821 | $ | 22,460 | $ | 79,308 | (5 ) (6) | $ | 202,589 | $ | 95,660 | |||||||||
One Grand Central Place |
48,557 | 8,006 | 631 | (6 ) | 57,194 | 33,398 | ||||||||||||||
First Stamford Place |
26,289 | 4,368 | 2,003 | ( 6 ) (7) | 32,660 | 14,244 | ||||||||||||||
250 West 57 th Street |
21,473 | 4,352 | 125 | 25,950 | 16,277 | |||||||||||||||
1359 Broadway |
16,631 | 3,214 | 1,136 | (6 ) | 20,981 | 8,621 | ||||||||||||||
1350 Broadway |
17,941 | 2,273 | 251 | 20,465 | 9,495 | |||||||||||||||
1333 Broadway |
12,808 | 1,074 | 288 | 14,170 | 5,752 | |||||||||||||||
501 Seventh Avenue |
15,440 | 2,970 | 379 | 18,789 | 8,482 | |||||||||||||||
Metro Center |
12,658 | 3,588 | 856 | ( 6 ) (7) | 17,102 | 6,642 | ||||||||||||||
500 Mamaroneck Avenue |
7,079 | 1,475 | 24 | 8,578 | 4,379 | |||||||||||||||
10 Bank Street |
6,563 | 1,079 | 544 | ( 7 ) | 8,186 | 4,560 | ||||||||||||||
383 Main Avenue |
5,665 | 1,461 | 8 | ( 7 ) | 7,134 | 3,812 | ||||||||||||||
10 Union Square |
4,850 | 862 | 18 | 5,730 | 2,099 | |||||||||||||||
1010 Third Avenue and 77 West 55 th Street ( 8 ) |
5,245 | 593 | | 5,838 | 2,146 | |||||||||||||||
1542 Third Avenue |
2,768 | 556 | | 3,324 | 1,218 | |||||||||||||||
69-97 Main Street |
1,514 | 227 | | 1,741 | 352 | |||||||||||||||
103-107 Main Street |
408 | 66 | 4 | 478 | 138 | |||||||||||||||
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|
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|
|
|
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Total |
$ | 306,710 | $ | 58,624 | $ | 85,575 | $ | 450,909 | $ | 217,275 | ||||||||||
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(1) | Represents base rent for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013 (before abatements and free rent). Base rent excludes $33,235 related to straight line rental revenue and the net increase in rental revenue from the amortization of above- and below-market lease assets and liabilities. Total abatements and free rent were $22,255 for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013. Base rent is used by investors and our management team to evaluate trends in cash income generated by the properties and to compute the fair value of our properties. |
(2) | Represents property expense reimbursements relating to the 12 months ended June 30, 2013. |
(3) | Represents other property income for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013. |
(4) | Represents total operating expenses for the 12 months ended June 30, 2013. Total operating expenses exclude the following items: observatory expenses (included in Other income, see footnote 5), acquired ground lease amortization, non-property related marketing, general, and administrative, construction expenses, and depreciation and amortization. These excluded amounts total $163,348. Total operating expenses (excluding these items) is used by investors and our management to evaluate, compare, and compute the fair value of our properties. The excluded items relate to corporate costs, other segment costs, and non-cash expenses which do not relate to the operations of our properties and therefore are not useful when analyzing the value of a particular property. |
(5) | For Empire State Building, Other income includes $73,930 of net revenue from the operation of the Observatory and $1,006 from a real estate tax refund. |
(6) | Other income includes lease cancellation income as follows: First Stamford Place ($2,000), 1359 Broadway ($1,015), One Grand Central Place ($3), and Empire State Building ($177). |
(7) | Other income includes parking income as follows: Metro Center ($764), 10 Bank Street ($540), First Stamford Place ($25) and 383 Main Avenue ($2). |
(8) | 1010 Third Avenue and 77 West 55th Street have been treated as the same entity for accounting purposes. |
Description of Option Properties
Our option properties consist of 112-122 West 34 th Street, an office property in midtown Manhattan that was 84.0% leased as of June 30, 2013 (or 84.8% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and that encompasses approximately 743,308 rentable square feet (inclusive of the retail space on the ground, first and lower floors), and 1400 Broadway, an office property in midtown Manhattan that was 83.4% leased as of June 30, 2013 (or 91.4% giving effect to leases signed but not yet commenced as of that date) and that encompasses approximately 886,099 rentable square feet (inclusive of the retail space on the ground floor). Our management team believes that, if acquired, 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway would be consistent with our portfolio composition and strategic direction. 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway will not be contributed to us in the formation transactions due to the recently resolved litigation related to these properties, but we have entered into agreements granting us the option to acquire the interests in the option properties following the resolution of the recently resolved litigation brought by the applicable ground lessor. Regarding the litigation relating to 112-122 West 34th Street, in September 2011, the court granted summary judgment dismissing the ground lessors claims. The ground lessor appealed, and in May 2012, the Appellate Division, First Department, unanimously affirmed the judgment. The ground lessor thereafter filed motions for leave to appeal in the Appellate Division, which was denied, and then in the Court of Appeals, which was denied, so the ground lessor now has no further ability to appeal. Regarding the litigation relating to 1400 Broadway, in June 2012, the court granted summary judgment dismissing the ground lessors claims. The ground lessor appealed and the Appellate Division, First Department affirmed the courts summary judgment. The ground lessor did not file a motion for leave to appeal the Appellate Division, First Departments affirmation of the courts summary judgment dismissing the ground lessors claims, so the ground lessor has no further ability to appeal. We do not intend to exercise the option for either of the interests in 112-122 West 34th Street or 1400 Broadway prior to closing of this offering. We may exercise the option to acquire the interests in either one of 112-122 West 34th Street or 1400 Broadway independently of each other. The purchase price for each of the option properties will be based on an appraisal by independent third parties, unless we and the owners of the properties, with the consent of the Helmsley estate, agree to a negotiated price and the investors in the entities owning the option properties will receive consideration in connection with the consolidation on the same basis as investors in other
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entities contributing properties in connection with the consolidation. We have agreed that Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiations and valuation process on our behalf. One or more of our independent directors will lead the appraisal or negotiation process on our behalf and a majority of our independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in each of our option properties. The purchase price is payable in a combination of cash, shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, but the Helmsley estate will have the right to elect to receive all cash. The Helmsley estate is estimated to receive 28.1% and 23.7% of the aggregate consideration for 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, respectively. The Malkin Group is estimated to receive 14.6% and 10.3% of the aggregate consideration for 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, respectively, if all of the options are exercised pursuant to override interests held by it. These estimated percentages are based on valuations of the option properties that were conducted by the independent valuer and are subject to change. Our option expires on the later of (i) March 19, 2014 with respect to 112-122 West 34th Street and July 29, 2014 with respect to 1400 Broadway (which dates are 12 months after the recently resolved litigation with respect to the properties) or (ii) five months after the completion of the independent valuation described above, which completion shall not be later than six months following the closing of this offering.
Our predecessors affiliates interests in our option properties, 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, are fee (in the case of a portion of the 112-122 West 34 th Street property), long-term leaseholds (in the case of both of the option properties) and sub-leasehold or sub-subleasehold (in the case of 112-122 West 34 th Street only) in the land and the improvements. Each of the Malkin Group and the Helmsley estate owns interests in the owners of these properties. Pursuant to management and/or service agreements with the owner of the long-term leasehold interest (in the case of 1400 Broadway) and the owner of the long-term sub-leasehold interest or sub-subleasehold interest, as applicable, in the case of 112-122 West 34 th Street, we will be designated as the asset manager for the option properties and we will receive a management fee for services rendered under the agreements.
112-122 West 34 th Street, one of the option properties, is in transition from a garment tenant profile. 112-122 West 34 th Street is the recipient of BOMA 2012 Pinnacle Award for the Renovated Building of the Year. Its major tenants include the corporate headquarters of Aeropostale Inc. and Venator Group, Inc., Regus Plc, Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc., Carr Business Systems (a division of Xerox), a variety of fashion related firms and retail tenancy includes Foot Locker and Swatch. 112-122 West 34th Street recently earned the federal governments Energy Star designation, signifying that it ranks among the best of the nations commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency. 1400 Broadway, the other option property, is in transition from a garment tenant profile. Its major tenants include Kohls Corporation, Mens Wearhouse, VeriFone Systems, Burlington Coat Factory, LLC, Hatch Mott Macdonald, Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. and a variety of fashion related firms.
Presented below is an overview of the properties for which we entered into option agreements:
Property |
Location |
Type of Property |
Rentable
Square
Feet (1) |
Percentage Ownership
Subject to Option Agreement |
||||||||||
112-122 West 34 th Street |
Manhattan | Office/Retail | 743,308 | 100 | % | |||||||||
1400 Broadway |
Manhattan | Office/Retail | 886,099 | 100 | % | |||||||||
|
|
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Total : |
1,629,407 | |||||||||||||
|
|
(1) | Based on the Real Estate Board of New York measurement standards. |
Excluded Properties and Businesses
Our portfolio represents all of our predecessors Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office and retail assets in which it holds a controlling interest. The Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, owns non-controlling interests in, and Anthony E. Malkin and
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Peter L. Malkin control the general partners or managers of, the entities that own interests in six multi-family properties, five net leased retail properties, one former post office property in Greenwich, Connecticut which has recently commenced conversion into a single tenant property following the recent receipt of zoning authorization for such conversion, and a development parcel that is zoned for residential use. The Malkin Group also owns non-controlling interests in one Manhattan office property, two Manhattan retail properties and several retail properties outside of Manhattan, none of which will be contributed to us in the formation transactions. We refer to the non-controlling interests described above collectively as the excluded properties. In addition, the Malkin Group owns interests in six mezzanine and senior equity funds, two industrial funds, five residential property managers and a registered broker dealer, none of which will be contributed to us in the formation transactions, and which we refer to collectively as the excluded businesses. The Malkin Group owns certain non-real estate family investments that will not be contributed to us in the formation transactions. Other than the Greenwich retail property, we do not believe that the excluded properties or the excluded businesses are consistent with our portfolio geographic or property type composition, management or strategic direction. In addition, we will not acquire the name Malkin Holdings LLC. We have no plan to use this name for any purpose. Pursuant to management and/or service agreements with the owners of interests in those excluded properties and services agreements with the five residential property managers and the managers of certain other excluded businesses which historically were managed by affiliates of our predecessor, we will be designated as the manager of the excluded properties and will provide services to the owners of certain of the excluded properties and the five residential property managers and provide services and access to office space to the existing managers of the other excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer). As the manager or service provider, we will be paid a management or other fee with respect to those excluded properties and excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer) where our predecessor had previously received a management fee, we will receive a fee on the same terms as the fee paid to our predecessor, and where our predecessor had not previously received a management fee, we will be reimbursed for our costs in providing the management and other services to those excluded properties and businesses. Our management of the excluded properties and provision of services to the owners of certain of the excluded properties, five residential property managers and the existing managers of the other excluded businesses will represent a minimal portion of our overall business. There is no established time period in which we will manage such properties or provide services to such entities and Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin expect to sell certain of these properties or unwind certain of these businesses over time. We are not precluded from acquiring all or certain interests in the excluded properties or businesses following this offering. If we were to attempt any such acquisition, we anticipate that Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiation process on our behalf with respect to our potential acquisition of any of these excluded properties or businesses and the approval of a majority of our independent directors will be required to approve any such acquisition.
We utilize leasing agents at certain of our properties. We are focused on maintaining a brand that tenants associate with a consistently high level of quality of services, installations, maintenance and amenities with long term financial stability. Through our commitment to brokers, we have developed long-term relationships that focus on negotiating attractive deals with high credit-quality tenants. We proactively manage and cultivate our industry relationships and make the most senior members of our management team available to our constituencies. We believe that our consistent, open dialogue with our tenants and brokers enables us to maximize our redevelopment and repositioning opportunities. Our focus on performance and perspective allows us to concentrate on the ongoing management of our portfolio, while seeking opportunities for growth in the future.
We utilize property management agents at certain of our properties. We protect our investments by regularly monitoring our properties, performing routine preventive maintenance, and implementing capital improvement programs in connection with property redevelopment and life cycle replacement of equipment and systems. We proactively manage our properties and rent rolls to (i) aggregate smaller demised spaces to create large blocks of
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vacant space, to attract high credit-quality tenants at higher rental rates with lower landlord contributions towards tenant installation costs, and (ii) create efficient, modern, pre-built offices that can be rented through several lease cycles and attract better credit-quality tenants. We also aggressively manage common area expenses to make our properties as competitive as possible for new and existing tenants. In addition, we have made energy efficiency retrofitting and sustainability a portfolio-wide initiative driven by economic return. We pass on the cost savings achieved by such improvements to our tenants through lower utility costs and reduced operating expense escalations. We believe these improvements make our properties more desirable to a broader tenant base than the properties of our competitors.
Our construction management business is recognized as a leading general contracting and construction management business in the greater New York metropolitan area with in-depth experience in projects of varying type, complexity, budget and schedule. We follow a disciplined approach to every aspect of project management, from pre-construction planning, estimating and procurement, to project management and field supervision. We work with our client and their team of architects, engineers, and owners representatives to develop the right solutions for every project that we manage. We have built or renovated millions of square feet of commercial, medical, institutional, multi-family and retail space throughout thousands of completed projects. We are experienced in both ground-up construction and executing building renovation programs. We are also skilled in procuring sustainable building products and implementation of environmentally sensitive construction technologies. Our years of experience, combined with a helpful approach, provide solutions that keep our clients projects on schedule and on budget.
General
The properties in our portfolio are subject to various laws, ordinances and regulations, including regulations relating to common areas. We believe each of the existing properties has the necessary permits and approvals to operate its business.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Our properties must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, to the extent that such properties are public accommodations as defined by the ADA. The ADA may require removal of structural barriers to access by persons with disabilities in certain public areas of our properties where such removal is readily achievable. We believe the existing properties are in substantial compliance with the ADA and that we will not be required to make substantial capital expenditures to address the requirements of the ADA. However, noncompliance with the ADA could result in imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. The obligation to make readily achievable accommodations is an ongoing one, and we will continue to assess our properties and to make alterations as appropriate in this respect.
Environmental Matters
Under various federal, state and/or local laws, ordinances and regulations, as a current or former owner or operator of real property, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from the presence or release of hazardous substances, waste, or petroleum products at, on, in, under or from such property, including costs for investigation or remediation, natural resource damages, or third party liability for personal injury or property damage. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or release of such materials, and the liability may be joint and several. Some of our properties have been or may be impacted by contamination arising from current or prior uses of the property or adjacent properties for commercial, industrial or other purposes. Such contamination may arise from spills of petroleum or hazardous substances or releases from tanks used to store such materials. We also may be liable for
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the costs of remediating contamination at off-site disposal or treatment facilities when we arrange for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at such facilities, without regard to whether we comply with environmental laws in doing so. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination on our properties may adversely affect our ability to attract and/or retain tenants, and our ability to develop or sell or borrow against those properties. In addition to potential liability for cleanup costs, private plaintiffs may bring claims for personal injury, property damage or for similar reasons. Environmental laws also may create liens on contaminated sites in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs to address such contamination. Moreover, if contamination is discovered on our properties, environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which that property may be used or how businesses may be operated on that property.
Some of our properties are adjacent to or near other properties used for industrial or commercial purposes or that have contained or currently contain underground storage tanks used to store petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances. Releases from these properties could impact our properties. In addition, some of our properties have previously been used by former owners or tenants for commercial or industrial activities, e.g. , gas stations and dry cleaners, and a portion of the Metro Tower site is currently used for automobile parking and fuelling, that may release petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances at such properties or to surrounding properties. While certain properties contain or contained uses that could have or have impacted our properties, we are not aware of any liabilities related to environmental contamination that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Soil contamination has been identified at 69-97 Main Street in Westport, Connecticut. The affected soils are more than four feet below the ground surface. An Environmental Land Use Restriction has been imposed on this site to ensure the soil is not exposed, excavated or disturbed such that it could create a risk of migration of pollutants or a potential hazard to human health or the environment. While the contamination is currently contained, the potential resale value of this property and the companys ability to finance or refinance this property in the future may be adversely affected as a result of such contamination. In addition, pursuant to the Environmental Land Use Restriction, plans for the redevelopment of the property would be subject to the review of the Town of Westport, Connecticut among other conditions.
The property situated at 500 Mamaroneck Avenue in Harrison, New York was the subject of a voluntary remedial action work cleanup plan performed by the former owner following its conveyance of title to the present owners under an agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, or NYDEC. As a condition to the issuance of a no further action letter, NYDEC required that certain restrictive and affirmative covenants be recorded against the subject property. In substantial part, these include prohibition against construction that would disturb the soil cap isolating certain contaminated subsurface soil, limiting the use of such property to commercial uses, implementing engineering controls to assure that improvements be kept in good condition, not using ground water at the site for potable purposes without treatment, implementing safety procedures for workers to follow excavating at the site to protect their health and safety and filing an annual certification that the controls implemented in accordance with the voluntary remedial action work cleanup plan remain in place. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the site that had been substantially unimproved prior to acquisition may not be further developed.
In addition, our properties are subject to various federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. Noncompliance with these environmental and health and safety laws and regulations could subject us or our tenants to liability. These liabilities could affect a tenants ability to make rental payments to us. Moreover, changes in laws could increase the potential costs of compliance with such laws and regulations or increase liability for noncompliance. This may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise materially and adversely affect our operations, or those of our tenants, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on us. We sometimes require our tenants to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations and to indemnify us for any related liabilities in our leases with them. But in the event of the bankruptcy or inability of any of our tenants to satisfy such obligations, we may be required to satisfy such obligations. We are not presently aware of any instances of material non-compliance with environmental or
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health and safety laws or regulations at our properties, and we believe that we and/or our tenants have all material permits and approvals necessary under current laws and regulations to operate our properties.
As the owner or operator of real property, we may also incur liability based on various building conditions. For example, buildings and other structures on properties that we currently own or operate or those we acquire or operate in the future contain, may contain, or may have contained, asbestos-containing material, or ACM. Environmental and health and safety laws require that ACM be properly managed and maintained and may impose fines or penalties on owners, operators or employers for non-compliance with those requirements. These requirements include special precautions, such as removal, abatement or air monitoring, if ACM would be disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition of a building, potentially resulting in substantial costs. In addition, we may be subject to liability for personal injury or property damage sustained as a result of releases of ACM into the environment. We are not presently aware of any material liabilities related to building conditions, including any instances of material non-compliance with asbestos requirements or any material liabilities related to asbestos.
In addition, our properties may contain or develop harmful mold or suffer from other indoor air quality issues, which could lead to liability for adverse health effects or property damage or costs for remediation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth may occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Some molds may produce airborne toxins or irritants. Indoor air quality issues can also stem from inadequate ventilation, chemical contamination from indoor or outdoor sources, and other biological contaminants such as pollen, viruses and bacteria. Indoor exposure to airborne toxins or irritants above certain levels can be alleged to cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms, including allergic or other reactions. As a result, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants at any of our properties could require us to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold or other airborne contaminants from the affected property or increase indoor ventilation. In addition, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants could expose us to liability from our tenants, employees of our tenants or others if property damage or personal injury occurs. We are not presently aware of any material adverse indoor air quality issues at our properties.
We carry comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, earthquake, terrorism and rental loss insurance covering all of our Manhattan properties and our greater New York metropolitan area properties under a blanket policy. We carry additional all-risk property and business insurance, which includes terrorism insurance, on the Empire State Building through ESB Captive Insurance Company L.L.C., or ESB Captive Insurance, our wholly owned captive insurance company. ESB Captive Insurance covers terrorism insurance for $700 million in losses in excess of $800 million per occurrence suffered by the Empire State Building, providing us with aggregate terrorism coverage of $1.5 billion. ESB Captive Insurance fully reinsures the 15% coinsurance under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TRIPRA) and the difference between the TRIPRA captive deductible and policy deductible of $25,000 for non-Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological exposures. As a result, we remain only liable for the 15% coinsurance under TRIPRA for Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological (NBCR) exposures, as well as a deductible equal to 20% of the prior years premium, which premium was approximately $365,000 in 2012. As long as we own ESB Captive Insurance, we are responsible for ESB Captive Insurances liquidity and capital resources, and ESB Captive Insurances accounts are part of our consolidated financial statements. If we experience a loss and our captive insurance company is required to pay under its insurance policy, we would ultimately record the loss to the extent of its required payment.
The policies described above cover certified terrorism losses as defined under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA) and subsequent extensions. On December 26, 2007, the President of the United States signed into law TRIPRA, which extends TRIA through December 31, 2014. TRIA provides for a system of shared public and private compensation for insured losses resulting from acts of terrorism. As a result, the certified
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terrorism coverage provided by ESB Captive Insurance is eligible for 85% coinsurance provided by the United States Treasury in excess of a statutorily calculated deductible. ESB Captive Insurance reinsures 100% of their 15% coinsurance for non-NBCR exposures. The 15% coinsurance on NBCR exposures is retained by ESB Captive Insurance.
Reinsurance contracts do not relieve ESB Captive Insurance from its primary obligations to its policyholders. Additionally, failure of the various reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in significant losses to ESB Captive Insurance. The reinsurance has been ceded to reinsurers approved by the State of Vermont. ESB Captive Insurance continually evaluates the reinsurers financial condition by considering published financial stability ratings of the reinsurers and other factors. There can be no assurance that reinsurance will continue to be available to ESB Captive Insurance to the same extent and at the same cost. ESB Captive Insurance may choose in the future to reevaluate the use of reinsurance to increase or decrease the amounts of risk it cedes.
In addition to insurance held through our captive insurance company described above, we carry terrorism insurance on all of our properties in an amount and with deductibles which we believe are commercially reasonable. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Properties and Our BusinessPotential losses, such as those from adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist events and title claims, may not be fully covered by our insurance policies, and such losses could materially and adversely affect us.
The leasing of real estate is highly competitive in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan market in which we operate. We compete with numerous acquirers, developers, owners and operators of commercial real estate, many of which own or may seek to acquire or develop properties similar to ours in the same markets in which our properties are located. The principal means of competition are rent charged, location, services provided and the nature and condition of the facility to be leased. In addition, we face competition from other real estate companies including other REITs, private real estate funds, domestic and foreign financial institutions, life insurance companies, pension trusts, partnerships, individual investors and others that may have greater financial resources or access to capital than we do or that are willing to acquire properties in transactions which are more highly leveraged or are less attractive from a financial viewpoint than we are willing to pursue. In addition, competition from observatory and/or broadcasting operations in the new property currently under construction at One World Trade Center and, to a lesser extent, from the existing observatory at Rockefeller Center and the existing broadcasting facility at Four Times Square, could have a negative impact on revenues from our observatory operations and/or broadcasting revenues. Adverse impacts on domestic travel and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also decrease demand in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to make distributions to our stockholders. If our competitors offer space at rental rates below current market rates, below the rental rates we currently charge our tenants, in better locations within our markets or in higher quality facilities, we may lose potential tenants and we may be pressured to reduce our rental rates below those we currently charge in order to retain tenants when our tenants leases expire.
As of June 30, 2013, we had approximately 629 employees, 116 of whom were managers and professionals. There are currently collective bargaining agreements which cover the workforce that services all of our office properties.
Our principal executive offices are located at One Grand Central Place, 60 East 42 nd Street, New York, New York 10165. In addition, we have six additional regional leasing and property management offices in Manhattan
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and the greater New York metropolitan area. Our current facilities are adequate for our present and future operations, although we may add regional offices or relocate our headquarters, depending upon our future operations.
From time to time, we are party to various lawsuits, claims for negligence and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Except as set forth below, we are not currently a party, as plaintiff or defendant, to any legal proceedings which, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations if determined adversely to us.
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by investors in certain of the existing entities (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs asserted claims against our predecessors management companies, Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Helmsley estate and us for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They alleged, among other things, that the terms of the consolidation and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the investors in the existing entities, the consolidation provides excessive benefits to the supervisor and its affiliates and the then-draft prospectus/consent solicitation statement filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully-informed decision about the proposed consolidation. The complaints sought money damages and injunctive relief preventing the consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co-lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012. Furthermore, an underlying premise of the Class Actions, as noted in discussions among plaintiffs, counsel and defendants counsel, was that the consolidation had been structured in such a manner that would cause the public existing entity investors immediately to incur substantial tax liabilities.
The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The Stipulation of Settlement recites that the consolidation was approved by overwhelming consent of investors in the private existing entities. The Stipulation of Settlement states that counsel for the plaintiff class satisfied themselves that they have received adequate access to relevant information, including the independent valuers valuation process and methodology, that the disclosures in the registration statement on Form S-4, as amended, are appropriate, that the consolidation presents potential benefits, including the opportunity for liquidity and capital appreciation, that merit investors serious consideration and that each of the named class representatives intends to support the consolidation as modified. The Stipulation of Settlement further states that counsel for the plaintiff class are satisfied that the claims regarding tax implications, enhanced disclosures, appraisals and exchange values of the properties that would be consolidated into our company, and the interests of investors in the public existing entities and the private existing entities have been addressed adequately, and they have concluded that the settlement pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and opportunity to consider the proposed consolidation on the basis of revised consent solicitations are fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the plaintiff class.
The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement include, among other things (i) a payment of $55 million, with a minimum of 80% in cash and maximum of 20% in freely-tradable shares of common stock and/or freely-tradable operating partnership units to be distributed, after reimbursement of plaintiffs counsels court-approved expenses and payment of plaintiffs counsels court-approved attorneys fees (which are included within the $55 million payment) and, in the case of shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units, after the termination of specified lock-up periods, to investors in the public existing entities and the private existing entities pursuant to a plan of allocation to be prepared by counsel for plaintiffs; (ii) defendants agreement that (a) this offering will be
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on the basis of a firm commitment underwriting; (b) if, during the solicitation period of the public existing entities, any of the three public existing entities percentage of total exchange value is lower than what is stated in the final prospectus/consent solicitation statement by 10% or more, such decrease will be promptly disclosed by defendants to investors in the public existing entities; and (c) unless total gross proceeds of $600,000,000 are raised in this offering, the defendants will not proceed with the consolidation without further approval of the public existing entities, and (iii) the defendants agreement to make additional disclosures in the prospectus/consent solicitation statement regarding certain matters (which were included therein). Investors in the public existing entities and private existing entities will not be required to bear any portion of the settlement payment. The payment in settlement of the Class Actions will be made by the Helmsley estate and affiliates of the supervisor (provided that none of the supervisors affiliates that would become our direct or indirect subsidiary in the consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain investors in the private existing entities who agree to contribute. We will not bear any of the settlement payment.
The settlement further provides for the certification of a class of investors in the three public existing entities and all of the private existing entities, other than defendants and other related persons and entities, and a release of any claims of the members of the class against the defendants and related persons and entities, as well as underwriters and other advisors. The release in the settlement excludes certain claims, including but not limited to, claims arising from or related to any supplement to the registration statement on Form S-4 that is declared effective to which the plaintiffs counsel objects in writing, which objection will not be unreasonably made or delayed, so long as plaintiffs counsel has had adequate opportunity to review such supplement. The settlement was subject to court approval. It is not effective until such court approval is final, including the resolution of any appeal. Defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the allegations in the Class Actions.
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of the settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing. On January 28, 2013, six of the investors in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., one of the existing entities, filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross-moved to intervene in the action and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of the investors in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. On February 21, 2013, the court denied the cross motion of such objecting investors, and the court denied permission for such objecting investors to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Actions, but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non-consenting investors in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting investors assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in the supervisors favor, holding that such buyout provisions are legally binding and enforceable and that investors do not have the rights they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the Class Actions settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are investors in all of the public existing entities and private existing entities included in the consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the consolidation or this offering. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15.0 million in fees and $295,895 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11.59 million in fees and $265,282 in expenses (which are included within the $55 million settlement payment).
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The investors who challenged the buyout provision filed a notice of appeal of the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, the supervisor filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay. On June 18, 2013, the appellate court denied the motion for the stay. On July 16, 2013, these investors filed their brief and other supporting papers on their appeal of the April 30, 2013 decision, which are required to perfect the appeal. On September 4, 2013, the supervisor filed its brief on the appeal, and also moved to dismiss the appeal on the grounds that these investors lack standing to pursue it. The supervisor contended that these investors were not entitled to appraisal under the New York Limited Liability Company Law because, among other reasons (i) they are not members of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., and only members have such rights; (ii) the transaction in question is not a merger or consolidation as defined by statute, and appraisal only applies in those transactions; and (iii) when Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. was converted into a limited liability company, the parties agreed that no appraisal would apply. Moreover, the supervisor contended that only the 12 investors who opted out of the class action settlement could pursue appraisal, because that settlement contains a broad release of (and there is an associated bar order from the court preventing) any such claims. The supervisor further noted that of the six investors attempting to pursue the appeal, only two had in fact opted out of the class action settlement. On September 13, 2013, these investors filed their reply brief on the appeal, and opposed the motion to dismiss.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same investors filed additional notices of appeal from the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. These notices of appeal related to (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class action on behalf of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. investors; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on us, which could take the form of monetary damages or other equitable relief, and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting investors have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that the trial courts decision was correct, that it will be upheld on appeal .
As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, we may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if we lose. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal. If the courts decision were reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on us, including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
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Our Directors, Director Nominees and Senior Management Team
Currently, we have one director, Anthony E. Malkin. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, our board of directors will consist of seven members, including the independent director nominees named below who will become directors upon completion of this offering. Each of our directors is elected by our stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting of our stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Of the seven directors, we expect that our board of directors will determine that each of them other than Anthony E. Malkin will be considered independent in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE. The first annual meeting of our stockholders after this offering will be held in 2013. Our charter and bylaws provide that a majority of the entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our charter and bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL nor more than 15. Our Chairman Emeritus may attend meetings but will not have voting status. Subject to rights pursuant to any employment agreements, officers serve at the pleasure of our board of directors.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the individuals who will be our executive officers, directors, director nominees and our Chairman Emeritus upon the completion of this offering:
Name |
Age |
Position |
||||
Anthony E. Malkin** |
51 | Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||||
Peter L. Malkin |
79 | Chairman Emeritus | ||||
William H. Berkman |
48 | Director Nominee* | ||||
Alice M. Connell |
67 | Director Nominee* | ||||
Thomas J. DeRosa |
55 | Director Nominee* | ||||
Steven J. Gilbert |
66 | Director Nominee* | ||||
S. Michael Giliberto |
63 | Director Nominee* | ||||
Lawrence E. Golub |
53 | Director Nominee* | ||||
David A. Karp** |
53 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||
Thomas P. Durels** |
52 | Executive Vice President and Chief of Property Operations and Leasing | ||||
Thomas N. Keltner, Jr.** |
67 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
* | We expect our board of directors to determine that this director is independent for purposes of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. |
** | Denotes our expected named executive officers. |
The following sets forth biographical information concerning the individuals who will be our executive officers, directors, director nominees and certain other senior officers upon the completion of this offering.
Anthony E. Malkin is our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. As Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. Malkin oversees all acquisitions, capital markets activities, leasing and corporate strategy. In 1989, Mr. Malkin joined Malkin Holdings LLC. He is now president of this firm and of its affiliates, including W&H Properties. Altogether, these firms comprise the real estate acquisition, management, construction and marketing arm of the Malkin family, which has been active in real estate for four generations. Mr. Malkins grandfather, Lawrence A. Wien, started the family in the real estate business in 1929 and in 1934 created the concept of real estate syndication. Mr. Malkin works with his father and our Chairman Emeritus Peter L. Malkin and may be deemed to be our promoter. Prior to joining our predecessor, Mr. Malkin worked for Chemical Venture Partners, L.P. (now CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC), a then-recently formed venture capital and leveraged buyout affiliate of Chemical Financial Corporation, and then on his own providing mergers and acquisitions services and private equity consulting. Through his real estate business, Mr. Malkin has been a leader in existing building energy efficiency retrofits through coordinating the team of Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Rocky Mountain Institute in a groundbreaking project at the Empire State Building ( www.esbnyc.com ). Mr. Malkin also leads the Malkin family office in additional investments in the United States and internationally. Mr. Malkin guest lectures on real estate at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. Mr. Malkin is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Real Estate
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Roundtable and Chair of its Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee, and the Board of Governors of the Real Estate Board of New York, a Senior Advisor to RRE Ventures, member of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, member of the Advisory Board of MissionPoint Capital Partners, member of the Advisory Council of the National Resource Defense Councils Center for Market Innovation and member of the Advisory Council of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Mr. Malkin received a bachelors degree cum laude from Harvard College. Mr. Malkin was selected to serve as the Chairman of our Board of Directors based on his real estate experience, his network of industry relationships and his comprehensive knowledge of our business as the president of our predecessor.
Peter L. Malkin is our Chairman Emeritus. Peter L. Malkin joined his father-in-law and our co-founder, Lawrence A. Wien, as a principal of our predecessor in 1958, and was responsible for the syndication of property acquisition transactions completed by our predecessor. Peter L. Malkin is the founding chairman and currently a director of the Grand Central Partnership, a director of The 34 th Street Partnership and a director of The Fashion Center Business Improvement District, each of which is a not-for-profit organization that provides supplemental public safety, sanitation and capital improvement services to a designated area in midtown Manhattan. Peter L. Malkin is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, (the longest serving board member of that institution), Chairman of the Deans Council of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Co-Chair Emeritus of The Real Estate Council of the Metropolitan Museum of New York, founder and Honorary Co-Chair of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, a Director Emeritus of U.S. Trust Corporation, a member of the Advisory Committee of the Greenwich Japanese School, a partner in the New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce and a director of the Realty Foundation of New York. Peter L. Malkin received a bachelors degree summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Harvard College and a law degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
William H. Berkman will serve as a member of our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. Berkman is currently the Managing Partner of Associated Partners, L.P. and Liberty Associated Partners, L.P., both of which are private investment funds with controlling interests in wireless communications infrastructure companies AP Wireless Infrastructure Services, LLC, PEG Bandwidth, LLC and AP Towers, LLC, and has served in these capacities since 2007 and 2001, respectively. Mr. Berkman also serves on the Board of Directors of Associated Partners GP Limited, the general partner of Associated Partners, L.P. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of CURRENT Group, LLC, a commercial fully-integrated broadband over power line (BPL) communications solutions provider, until 2011. Mr. Berkman held various executive positions at Associated Group, Inc., a public company that owned and operated various communications businesses, from 1994 to 2000, until it was sold. Formerly, Mr. Berkman was the co-founder of Teligent, Inc., a wireless broadband company, of which he was a Director until 2000. Mr. Berkman also co-founded Mobilcom, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican wireless operator subsequently sold to Nextel. Mr. Berkman has served on a variety of public company boards, including the Board of Directors of IAC/InterActive Corp. (NASDAQ: IACI), an internet company, for which he served as a director from 2006 until 2008. In addition, Mr. Berkman holds patents for a variety of communications systems and components. Mr. Berkman received a bachelors degree from Harvard College. Mr. Berkman was selected to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his experience as an investor and as a director of publicly traded companies.
Alice M. Connell will serve as a member of our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Ms. Connell is currently Managing Principal for Bay Hollow Associates, LLC, a commercial real estate consulting firm founded in late 2009, whose services are primarily targeted to both institutional investors and private owners. Prior to co-founding Bay Hollow, Ms. Connell was the President and Chief Executive Officer of AM Connell Associates LLC, a commercial real estate advisory firm established in 2007. She held a series of senior positions with TIAA-CREF from 1970 to December 2006, most recently as Managing Director, Head of Portfolio Strategy and Management for both the Commercial Mortgage and Private Equity Real Estate Fund portfolios. Since 2009, Ms. Connell has served as a member of the board of directors of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: ARI), a commercial real estate finance company. Ms. Connell was elected Trustee of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) three times, most recently in May 2009, and serves as a member of its Audit Committee and its Urban Development-Mixed Use Council. Ms. Connell is also the Founder and former
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Chair of ULI New Yorks District Council, and she is currently a board member or member of the advisory committee of several real estate industry organizations, including the Real Estate Advisory Committee of the New York Common Retirement Fund since June 2007, the Investment Committee of QS REP since 2009, the Advisory Committees of both Parmenter Realty Partners and Park Madison Partners since 2009 and 2008, respectively, and CBRE Global Investors Americas Investment Committee, as an independent member, since 2013. In November 2009, Ms. Connell joined the board of directors of RREEF America III as an independent director. From 2004 to 2007, she was a member of the Executive Committee of the Zell-Lurie Real Estate Center of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2003, she was honored by Women Executives in Real Estate (WX) as their Real Estate Woman of the Year; she also served on WXs board of directors from 2004 to 2006. Ms. Connell received a bachelors degree magna cum laude from St. Bonaventure University and a masters degree from New York University. Ms. Connell was selected to serve as a member of our board of directors because of her experience with, and strong record of success investing in, real estate-related assets.
Steven J. Gilbert will serve as a member of our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. Gilbert has over 40 years of experience in private equity investing, investment banking and law, and he has invested in and managed numerous companies during his career. Mr. Gilbert has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gilbert Global Equity Partners, L.P., a private equity fund since 1998, as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of MidOcean Capital Partners, L.P., a private equity firm since 2005, as Co-Chairman of Birch Grove Capital, a credit hedge fund since 2013, as Chairman of Galvanized Brands, Inc., a content consulting provider to the magazine and book publishing industry since 2013 and as a Director of Waterpik, Inc., a manufacturer of personal and oral healthcare products since 2013. Mr. Gilbert also has served as a Director of MBIA, Inc. (NYSE: MBI), a provider of financial guarantee insurance, fixed-income asset management and other specialized financial services since 2011 and as the Lead Independent Director of TRI Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE: TPH), a single family home builder since 2013. He was previously Vice Chairman of Stone Tower Capital, a leading independent investment manager, from 2010 to 2012 and Chairman and Senior Managing Director of SUN Group (USA), an investment firm, from 2007 to 2009. Within the past five years, Mr. Gilbert has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of DURA Automotive Systems, Inc., an independent designer and manufacturer of driver control systems, CPM Holdings, Inc. (HKG: 0906), a manufacturer of process equipment used for oilseed and animal feed production, and True Temper Sports, Inc., a manufacturer of golf shafts and precision sports equipment, and as Director of Olympus Re, a reinsurance company, as well as several privately held companies. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the Writers Guild of America (East) and the Council on Foreign Relations, a Trustee of the New York University Langone Medical Center, and a Director of the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gilbert received a bachelors degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from the Harvard Law School, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Gilbert was selected to serve as a member of our board of directors based on his extensive experience leading companies in the financial services industry and serving as a director of publicly traded companies.
S. Michael Giliberto will serve as a member of our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. Giliberto currently consults with investment management firms and has produced the Giliberto-Levy Commercial Mortgage Performance Index, an index that measures the investment performance of institutional-grade commercial mortgage whole loans, since 1993. He previously served as Director of Portfolio Strategy and Senior Portfolio Manager at J.P. Morgan Asset Management from 2002 to 2010, and before that, he served as the head of Real Estate Research at J.P. Morgan Investment Management from 1996 to 2002. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Mr. Giliberto worked at Lehman Brothers, Inc. in the Fixed-Income Research department from 1993 to 1996 and at Salomon Brothers Inc. in the Real Estate Research department from 1989 to 1992. Before his career in the financial services industry, Mr. Giliberto was a professor in the Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Department at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Giliberto has authored multiple publications about real estate investment, performance, asset allocation and capital markets, and he has been an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Business since 2008. In the past, he has served on the Real Estate Information Standards Board, and he was a Director of the Pension Real Estate Association, where he served as Treasurer and Chairman and was awarded the 1996 Graaskamp Award for research
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excellence. Mr. Giliberto received a bachelors degree from Harvard College, a masters degree in business economics from the University of Hartford, a Ph.D in finance from the University of Washington, and holds the Counselor of Real Estate designation and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Mr. Giliberto was selected to serve as a member of our board of directors based on his extensive experience in real estate investment and finance.
Lawrence E. Golub will serve as a member of our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. Golub is currently Chief Executive Officer of Golub Capital, a credit asset manager that he founded in 1994, where he serves on the investment committee for each of the firms credit strategies and, with David Golub, is responsible for the overall management of the firm. Mr. Golub also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (NASDAQ: GBDC), a business development company that makes debt and minority equity investments in middle-market companies, and has served in this capacity since 2009. Mr. Golub previously was a Managing Director at Bankers Trust Company and a Managing Director of Wasserstein Perella Co., Inc., where he established that firms capital markets group and debt restructuring practice. Prior to those positions, he started his career at Allen & Company Incorporated, where he engaged in private equity, leveraged finance and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Golub is active in charitable and civic organizations. He is one of three private members of the Financial Control Board of the State of New York, President of the Harvard University J.D./M.B.A. Alumni Association, and a member of the Harvard University Committee on University Resources and a member of the Harvard NeuroDiscovery Advisory Council. Mr. Golub and his family actively support medical research to advance treatments for Parkinsons Disease at several leading institutions. Mr. Golub was a White House Fellow and served fifteen years as Treasurer of the White House Fellows Foundation. He was chairman of Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a non-profit developer and manager of low income housing in the Bronx. He served for fifteen years as a trustee of Montefiore Medical Center, the university hospital of the Albert Einstein Medical School. He also served for six years as a trustee of Horace Mann School and for five years on the Harvard University Committee for Science and Engineering. Mr. Golub received a bachelors degree from Harvard College, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where he was selected as a Baker Scholar, and a law degree from Harvard Law School, where he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Mr. Golub was selected to serve as a member of our board of directors based on his experience in the financial services industry and as a director of a publicly traded company.
Thomas J. DeRosa will serve as a member of our board of directors upon completion of this offering. Mr. DeRosa is currently a private investor based in Aspen, Colorado. Previously, he served as the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Rouse Company, a leading owner, operator and developer of commercial real estate and master planned residential communities, from September 2002 until November 2004 when it was merged with General Growth Properties, Inc. (NYSE: GGP). Prior to joining the Rouse Company, Mr. DeRosa spent over 20 years in investment banking. From 1992 to September 2002, Mr. DeRosa held various positions at Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE: DB), including Global Co-Head of the Health Care Investment Banking Group, and at Alex Brown & Sons, including Managing Director of the Real Estate Investment Banking Group. Since 2005, Mr. DeRosa has served as a member of the board of directors of Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE: HCN), a real estate investment trust that invests in senior living and health care real estate, and of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL), a real estate investment trust that invests in mall properties, since 2010. Mr. DeRosa also served as a member of the board of directors of Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV), a manufacturer and service provider for a broad range of specialized products and components, from 2007 to 2010. Mr. DeRosa is also a member of the Board of Directors of Georgetown University and Value Retail PLC, a U.K.-based owner, operator and developer of luxury outlet shopping villages in Europe. Mr. DeRosa received a bachelors degree from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. Mr. DeRosa was selected to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his extensive experience as a director of public NYSE listed companies, including real estate investment trusts.
David A. Karp is our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Karp joined our predecessor in November 2011 and is responsible for our activities relating to finance, capital markets, investor relations and administration. Prior to joining our predecessor, from February 2006 to February 2011,
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Mr. Karp served as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, and from February 2009 to February 2011, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Forum Partners Investment Management, a global real estate private equity firm, where he was responsible for both firm-level and fund-level financial management and strategy, including risk management, treasury, foreign exchange and interest rate hedging, budgeting and debt financing. From January 1996 to August 2005, Mr. Karp served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Falcon Financial Investment Trust (NASDAQ: FLCN), a publicly-traded real estate investment trust and its predecessor. Mr. Karp received a bachelors degree summa cum laude in Economics, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. in Finance and Real Estate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Thomas P. Durels is our Executive Vice President and Chief of Property Operations and Leasing. Mr. Durels joined our predecessor in 1990 and is responsible for our real estate activities, including property redevelopment, repositioning, leasing, management and construction. Mr. Durels also supervises our acquisition staff and oversees the development of Metro Tower. Prior to joining our predecessor, from February 1984 to April 1990, he served as Assistant Vice President- Engineering and Construction at Helmsley Spear, Inc., where Mr. Durels was responsible for construction and engineering of office, hotel, residential and retail properties, and he was also a licensed real estate salesperson, specializing in the sale of investment properties. Mr. Durels is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York, the Urban Land Institute and the Young Mens and Womens Real Estate Association, for which he served as Treasurer in 2003. Mr. Durels received a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University.
Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. is our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Keltner joined our predecessor in 1978 and became its general counsel in 1997, and is responsible for leading a legal staff that provides and coordinates legal services in our predecessors transaction, compliance, and litigation matters. Mr. Keltner has served as a chair and/or member of bar association committees on both real estate and business entities, and he is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York and the New York Advisory Board of the Stewart Title Insurance Company. From 1974 to 1975, he served as law clerk to Judge Alfred P. Murrah, U.S. Court of Appeals (10 th Circuit). Mr. Keltner received a bachelors degree cum laude from Harvard College and a law degree as a Stone Scholar from Columbia Law School.
We have structured our corporate governance in a manner we believe closely aligns our interests with those of our stockholders. Notable features of our corporate governance structure include the following:
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our board of directors is not staggered, with each of our directors subject to re-election annually; |
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of the seven persons who will serve on our board of directors immediately after the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we expect that our board of directors will determine that six, or approximately 85%, of our directors are independent for purposes of the NYSEs corporate governance listing standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act; |
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we anticipate that at least one of our directors will qualify as an audit committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC; |
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we have opted out of the business combination and control share acquisition statutes in the MGCL; and |
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we do not have a stockholder rights plan. |
Our business is managed by our senior management team, subject to the supervision and oversight of our board of directors, which has established investment policies described under Policies with Respect to Certain ActivitiesInvestment Policies for our senior management team to follow in its day-to-day management of our business. Our directors will stay informed about our business by attending meetings of our board of directors and its committees and through supplemental reports and communications. Our independent directors will meet regularly in executive sessions without the presence of our corporate officers or non-independent directors.
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Our Boards Leadership Structure
Our board of directors understands there is no single, generally accepted approach to providing board leadership and that given the dynamic and competitive environment in which we operate, the appropriate leadership may vary as circumstances warrant. Our board of directors currently believes it is in our companys best interests to have Anthony E. Malkin serve as Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President. Our board of directors believes combining these roles promotes effective leadership and provides the clear focus needed to execute our business strategies and objectives.
Our board of directors intends to appoint Steven J. Gilbert as the lead independent director upon completion of this offering. The lead independent directors duties will include chairing executive sessions of the independent directors, facilitating communications and resolving conflicts between the independent directors, other members of our board of directors and the management of our company, and consulting with and providing counsel to our chief executive officer as needed or requested. It is expected that the lead independent director will be rotated among our independent directors every two years.
Our Boards Role in Risk Oversight
Our board of directors will play an active role in overseeing management of our risks. Upon completion of this offering, the committees of our board of directors will assist our full board in risk oversight by addressing specific matters within the purview of each committee. Our audit committee will focus on oversight of financial risks relating to us; our compensation committee will focus primarily on risks relating to executive compensation plans and arrangements; and our nominating and corporate governance committee will focus on reputational and corporate governance risks relating to our company including the independence of our board of directors. While each committee will be responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our full board of directors plans to keep itself regularly informed regarding such risks through committee reports and otherwise. We believe the leadership structure of our board of directors supports effective risk management and oversight.
Upon completion of this offering, our board of directors will form an audit committee, a compensation committee, a nominating and corporate governance committee and an investment committee and will adopt charters for each of these committees. Each of these committees will be composed exclusively of independent directors, as defined by the listing standards of the NYSE. Moreover, the compensation committee will be composed exclusively of individuals intended to be, to the extent provided by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, non-employee directors and will, at such times as we are subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, qualify as outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Audit Committee
The audit committee will be comprised of Alice M. Connell, Thomas J. DeRosa and S. Michael Giliberto, each of whom will be an independent director and financially literate under the rules of the NYSE. Thomas J. DeRosa will chair our audit committee and serve as our audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined by the applicable SEC regulations.
The audit committee assists our board of directors in overseeing:
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our financial reporting, auditing and internal control activities, including the integrity of our financial statements; |
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our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and ethical behavior; |
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the independent auditors qualifications and independence; |
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the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditor; and |
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the preparation of audit committee reports. |
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The audit committee is also responsible for engaging our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, considering the range of audit and non-audit fees and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls.
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee will be comprised of William H. Berkman and Steven J. Gilbert, each of whom will be an independent director. William H. Berkman will chair our compensation committee.
The principal functions of the compensation committee will be to:
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review and approve on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation paid by us to our president and chief executive officer and the other members of our senior management team, evaluate our president and chief executive officers performance and the other members of our senior management teams performance in light of such goals and objectives and, either as a committee or together with our independent directors (as directed by the board of directors), determine and approve the remuneration of our chief executive officer and the other members of our senior management team based on such evaluation; |
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oversee any equity-based remuneration plans and programs; |
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assist the board of directors and the chairman in overseeing the development of executive succession plans; |
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determine from time to time the remuneration for our non-executive directors; and |
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prepare compensation committee reports. |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The nominating and corporate governance committee will be comprised of William H. Berkman, Steven J. Gilbert and Lawrence E. Golub, each of whom will be an independent director. Lawrence E. Golub will chair our nominating and corporate governance committee.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for:
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providing counsel to the board of directors with respect to the organization, function and composition of the board of directors and its committees; |
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overseeing the self-evaluation of our board of directors as a whole and of the individual directors and the boards evaluation of management and report thereon to the board; |
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periodically reviewing and, if appropriate, recommending to the board of directors changes to, our corporate governance policies and procedures; |
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identifying and recommending to our board of directors potential director candidates for nomination; and |
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recommending to the full board of directors the appointment of each of our executive officers. |
Investment Committee
The investment committee will be comprised of Alice M. Connell, Thomas J. DeRosa and S. Michael Giliberto, each of whom will be an independent director. S. Michael Giliberto will chair our investment committee.
The principal functions of the investment committee will be to:
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periodically review our investment strategy; and |
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evaluate our proposed investments and dispositions. |
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Upon completion of this offering, our board of directors will establish a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors and officers. Among other matters, our code of business conduct and ethics will be designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
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honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; |
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full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in our SEC reports and other public communications; |
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compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; |
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prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to appropriate persons identified in the code; and |
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accountability for adherence to the code. |
Any waiver of the code of business conduct and ethics for our directors or officers may be made only by our board of directors or one of our board committees and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulations.
In order to align the interests of our independent directors and stockholders, we expect to award each independent director a one-time grant of $150,000 in LTIP units under our equity incentive plan, effective upon completion of this offering, which will vest pro rata on an annual basis over a period of three years, subject to acceleration in the event an independent director has a termination of service on account of death, disability or in the event of a change in control and subsequent termination of service thereafter (each of the foregoing terms as defined in our equity incentive plan). Each independent director will also receive an annual base retainer for his or her services of $150,000. The annual base retainer will be paid 40% in cash and 60% in LTIP units and/or restricted shares of our Class A common stock (at such directors election) under our equity incentive plan, which will vest pro rata on an annual basis over a period of three years, provided that, each independent director may elect to receive up to 100% of the annual base retainer in the form of LTIP units and/or restricted shares of our Class A common stock under our equity incentive plan. The independent director who is appointed as the lead independent director will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $22,500. The chair of the audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000, $12,500 and $10,000, respectively. In addition, each independent director who serves on the audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors, other than in the capacity of chair, will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $5,000 per committee, up to a maximum of $10,000 per annum. Independent directors and committee members will generally not be eligible to receive fees for attending meetings of our board of directors or meetings of committees of our board of directors. However, to the extent that our board of directors or a particular committee of our board of directors meets in excess of eight times per annum, the independent directors or committee members, as applicable, will receive a fee of $1,500 for attending each meeting of our board of directors or meeting of the committee of our board of directors in excess of such threshold. We will also reimburse each of our independent directors for his or her travel expenses incurred in connection with his or her attendance at full board of directors and committee meetings. We have not made any payments to any of our independent director nominees to date. A member of our board of directors who is also an employee or affiliate of our company is referred to as an executive director. Executive directors will not receive compensation for serving on our board of directors.
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We intend to adopt stock ownership guidelines for our independent directors. Pursuant to the guidelines, our independent directors will be required to hold a number of shares of our Class A common stock (including LTIP units) having a market value equal to or greater than five times the portion of the annual base retainer which is eligible to be paid in cash. Each independent director will have five years from the later of the date of the completion of this offering and the date of such directors election to our board of directors to attain compliance with the stock ownership requirements.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
We believe the primary goal of executive compensation is to attract and retain the best executive talent in a way that allows us to align the interests of our senior management team with those of our stockholders. Our board of directors has not yet formed our compensation committee. Accordingly, we have not adopted compensation policies with respect to, among other things, setting base salaries, awarding bonuses or making future grants of equity awards to our senior management team. We anticipate the compensation committee, once formed, will design a compensation program that rewards, among other things, favorable stockholder returns, share appreciation, the companys competitive position within its segment of the real estate industry and each member of our senior management teams long-term career contributions to the company. We expect compensation incentives designed to further these goals will take the form of annual cash compensation and equity awards, and long-term cash and equity incentives measured by objective and individual performance targets to be established by the compensation committee. In addition, our compensation committee may determine to make awards to new executive officers in order to attract talented professionals to serve us. We will pay base salaries and annual bonuses to our executive officers and expect to make grants of awards under our equity incentive plan to certain members of our senior management team (other than Anthony E. Malkin), effective upon completion of this offering. These awards under our equity incentive plan will be granted to recognize such individuals efforts on our behalf in connection with our formation and this offering and to provide a retention element to their compensation.
We have retained FPL Associates LP, a compensation consulting firm, to provide advice regarding the executive compensation program for our senior management team following the completion of this offering. FPL Associates LP has not performed and does not currently provide any other services to management, our company or our predecessor. We have requested that FPL Associates LP provide analysis and recommendations regarding base salaries, annual bonuses and long-term incentive compensation for our executive management team, and a director compensation program for non-employee members of our board of directors.
Compensation of Named Executive Officers
Because we were only recently organized, meaningful individual compensation information is not available for prior periods. The following table sets forth the annualized base salary and other compensation that would have been paid in 2013 to our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer and the two other most highly compensated members of our senior management team, whom we refer to collectively as our named executive officers, assuming they were executive officers for all of 2013. Other than with respect to the annual base salary and target cash bonus of Mr. Karp, which we negotiated with him after receiving advice from FPL Associates LP, our compensation consultant, the anticipated 2013 compensation for each of our named executive officers listed in the table below was determined by us based on a review of publicly disclosed compensation packages of executives of other public real estate companies and other information provided to us by FPL Associates LP. While the table below accurately reflects our current expectations with respect to 2013 named executive officer compensation, actual 2013 compensation for these officers may be increased or decreased, including through the use of compensation components not currently contemplated or described herein. We expect to disclose actual 2013 compensation for our named executive officers in 2014, to the extent required by applicable SEC disclosure rules.
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Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Salary ($) (1) |
Target Bonus
($) (2) |
Stock Awards
($) (2)(3) |
All Other
Compensation ($) (4) |
Total ($) (5) | |||||||||||||||
Anthony E. Malkin |
500,000 | | | | 500,000 | |||||||||||||||
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
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David A. Karp |
450,000 | | | | 450,000 | |||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer |
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Thomas P. Durels |
450,000 | | | | 450,000 | |||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief of Property Operations and Leasing |
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Thomas N. Keltner, Jr |
450,000 | | | | 450,000 | |||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
(1) | Salary amounts are annualized for the year ending December 31, 2013 based on the expected base salary levels to be effective upon the consummation of this offering. |
(2) | Any cash bonus awards and stock awards will be determined in the sole discretion of our compensation committee based upon such factors to be established by the compensation committee, including objective and individual performance targets. We anticipate that our compensation committee will initially establish performance targets for the 2014 fiscal year during 2014. We anticipate that the target bonus with respect to our named executive officers cash bonuses will be based on 200%, 78%, 78%, and 45% of Mr. Malkins, Mr. Karps, Mr. Durelss and Mr. Keltners respective annual base salaries. |
(3) | Stock awards have not yet been granted to our named executive officers but upon completion of this offering, we expect to grant 81,786 LTIP units (of which 61,339 units will be subject to time-based vesting and 20,447 shares will be subject to performance-based vesting), 282,643 LTIP units (of which 211,982 units will be subject to time-based vesting and 70,661 shares will be subject to performance-based vesting) and 180,571 LTIP units (of which 135,428 units will be subject to time-based vesting and 45,143 shares will be subject to performance-based vesting) to each of Messrs. Karp, Durels and Keltner, respectively. The LTIP units subject to performance-based vesting represent the maximum number of LTIP units subject to such awards that may vest, assuming the highest performance hurdles are achieved and all of the LTIP units subject to such awards ultimately vest. For additional information regarding this offering grant calculation, see IPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan. In addition, we anticipate that our named executive officers target long-term equity incentive awards will be based on 150%, 100%, 100%, and 40% of Mr. Malkins, Mr. Karps, Mr. Durelss and Mr. Keltners respective aggregate annual base salaries and target cash bonuses. |
(4) | We expect that our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, will be eligible to participate in health and welfare benefit plans, such as medical, dental and other health related benefits. In addition, Mr. Malkin, pursuant to his employment agreement, will be entitled to a company-owned or leased automobile and a driver, and reimbursement of certain professional expenses. See Employment Agreement. |
(5) | Amounts shown in this column do not include (i) the value of the LTIP unit grants (described in Note 3 above) that are expected to be granted to our named executive officers in connection with this offering or (ii) the value of the perquisites or other personal benefits our named executive officers will receive. |
IPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan
Upon completion of this offering, we expect to grant LTIP units and/or restricted shares of our Class A common stock to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees, which will be subject to time-based and/or performance-based vesting over a three to four year
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period. The aggregate number of LTIP units/shares we intend to grant to such individuals, including a total of 64,286 LTIP units which we intend to grant to our independent directors, will be in an amount equal to 1.5% of the gross proceeds raised in this offering (excluding proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock) divided by the initial public offering price. Assuming we receive gross proceeds from this offering of $1.0 billion (excluding proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock), which is based on an initial public offering price of $14.00 per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus), the aggregate number of LTIP units and/or restricted shares of our Class A common stock we intend to grant to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees will be 1,072,500 units/shares and will have an aggregate dollar value of $15.0 million.
Upon completion of this offering, we intend to enter into a written employment agreement with Anthony E. Malkin. We anticipate that the employment agreement for Mr. Malkin will have an initial term of three years. The employment agreement will provide for up to two automatic one-year extensions thereafter, unless either party provides at least 60 days notice of non-renewal prior to the expiration of the then current term. The employment agreement will require Mr. Malkin to devote a majority of his business time and attention to the performance of his duties under the employment agreement, except as described below.
We anticipate that Mr. Malkins employment agreement will provide for:
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an annual base salary of $500,000, subject to further increases on an annual basis in the discretion of the compensation committee of our board of directors, |
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eligibility for annual cash performance bonuses based on the satisfaction of objective and individual performance goals established by the compensation committee of our board of directors (with a target bonus based on 200% of Mr. Malkins annual base salary), or the annual bonus, |
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participation in our long-term incentive program, including grants under our equity incentive plan, as well as other incentive, savings and 401(k) or other retirement plans applicable generally to our senior executives, provided that, other than with respect to the grants upon completion of this offering as described above, the amount of awards granted to Mr. Malkin under our equity incentive plan will be no less than that granted to other senior executives and shall be reasonable in light of the contribution made, or expected to be made, by Mr. Malkin for the period for which such grant is made, |
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participation in all of our benefit plans and entitlement to receive benefits and perquisites, which shall be at a level no less favorable than those provided to our other senior executives, |
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a company-owned or leased automobile and a driver, |
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administrative assistance and office space for Mr. Malkin and services reasonably acceptable to him, so long as Mr. Malkin is providing services to us in any capacity, and |
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reimbursement of all reasonable professional expenses relating to the negotiation and documentation of the employment agreement and other agreements entered into by Mr. Malkin in connection with this offering and the formation transactions. |
We anticipate that Mr. Malkins employment agreement will provide that upon a termination of employment (i) by us for any reason other than for cause or by Mr. Malkin for good reason (each as defined in the employment agreement) or (ii) in either event described under clause (i) of this paragraph within two years following a change in control (as defined in our equity incentive plan), Mr. Malkin will be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits, subject to Mr. Malkins and the companys execution of a mutual release of claims in the form provided for in the employment agreement:
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annual base salary, annual bonus for prior fiscal years and other benefits earned but unpaid (including payment for accrued, but unused vacation days and reimbursement for business expenses incurred) prior to the date of termination, |
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an amount equal to the sum of Mr. Malkins then-current annual base salary plus the average annual bonus paid to Mr. Malkin over the three most-recently completed fiscal years, multiplied by two (three, in the case of a termination in connection with a change in control (as described under clause (ii) above)), |
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a pro-rated annual bonus for the year in which the termination of employment occurs, calculated based on actual performance for the entire performance period and calculated and paid at the end of the performance period without the exercise of any negative discretion, |
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a monthly payment equal to the difference between the monthly COBRA premium cost and the premium cost to Mr. Malkin as if he was our employee following Mr. Malkins termination of employment, and |
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100% of the unvested equity awards granted pursuant to the equity incentive plan subject to time-based vesting shall immediately vest. Any equity awards subject to performance-based vesting that have not yet been earned but may do so based on the achievement of certain performance criteria may vest on a pro-rated basis based on performance from the commencement of the performance period through the date of termination (or in the case of a termination in connection with a change in control (as described under clause (ii) above), 100% of the unvested equity awards granted pursuant to the equity incentive plan subject to performance-based vesting shall vest to the extent the underlying performance requirements have been met at such time). Any stock option then held by Mr. Malkin will remain exercisable for at least three years following such termination, but in no event later than the actual expiration of the stock option term. |
We anticipate that Mr. Malkins employment agreement will also provide that Mr. Malkin or his estate will be entitled to certain severance benefits in the event of his death or disability (as defined in the employment agreement). Specifically, Mr. Malkin, or, in the event of his death, his beneficiaries will receive:
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annual base salary, annual bonus for prior fiscal years and other benefits earned but unpaid (including payment for accrued, but unused vacation days and reimbursement for business expenses incurred) prior to the date of termination, |
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a pro-rated annual bonus for the year in which the termination of employment occurs, calculated based on actual performance for the entire performance period and calculated and paid at the end of the performance period without the exercise of any negative discretion, |
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100% of the unvested equity awards granted pursuant to the equity incentive plan subject to time-based vesting shall immediately vest. Any equity awards that have not yet been earned but may do so based on the achievement of certain performance criteria may vest on a pro-rated basis based on performance from the commencement of the performance period through the date of termination. Any stock option then held by Mr. Malkin will remain exercisable for at least three years following such termination, but in no event later than the actual expiration of the stock option term. |
We anticipate that Mr. Malkins employment agreement will provide that upon a termination of employment (i) by us for cause or by Mr. Malkin for any reason other than good reason (each as defined in the employment agreement) or (ii) by notice of non-renewal of the employment agreement, subject to Mr. Malkins and the companys execution of a mutual release of claims in the form provided for in the employment agreement:
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Mr. Malkin will be entitled to his annual base salary and other benefits earned but unpaid (including payment for accrued, but unused vacation days and reimbursement for business expenses incurred) prior to the date of termination, |
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other than in connection with a termination of employment by us for cause (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Malkin will be entitled to any earned but unpaid annual bonus for prior fiscal years, and |
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100% of all unvested equity awards granted pursuant to the equity incentive plan shall be forfeited by Mr. Malkin. |
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Mr. Malkin shall not be required to seek other employment or attempt to reduce severance payments. Severance benefits are not subject to any offset, except benefit coverage shall cease upon Mr. Malkins eligibility for substantially similar or improved replacement health coverage from a successor employer.
In the event that any amount payable to Mr. Malkin is determined to be an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, such amount will be reduced to one dollar less than the threshold amount that would trigger an excise tax under Section 280G of the Code, unless that reduction would result in Mr. Malkin receiving a lesser net after-tax amount.
Although we anticipate that the employment agreement will require Mr. Malkin to devote a majority of his business time and attention to the performance of his duties under the employment agreement, Mr. Malkin may (i) serve on the board of one or more business corporations identified by Mr. Malkin and with the consent of our board of directors (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), (ii) participate in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) manage his and his familys personal investments (including the excluded properties and excluded businesses), including providing services to or maintaining a family office for purposes of managing such investments, provided that (x) the activities set out in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) shall be limited by Mr. Malkin so as not to interfere materially, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of his duties and responsibilities under his employment agreement or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict and (y) with respect to the activities set out in clause (iii), such activities shall be limited to non-controlling investments to the extent such investments are office or retail real estate properties located in New York County, New York, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Westchester County, New York, and any other geographic area in which we invest in such properties. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsExcluded Properties and Businesses for more information regarding Mr. Malkins right to devote a portion of his business time and attention to the management of the excluded properties and excluded businesses.
We anticipate that the employment agreement will also contain standard confidentiality and mutual non-disparagement provisions, which will apply indefinitely, and non-competition and non-solicitation provisions, which will apply during the term of the employment agreement and will continue for a period of two years following the termination of Mr. Malkins employment.
We anticipate that Mr. Malkins employment agreement will provide that until the later of the date on which (i) Mr. Malkin is no longer serving as our Chief Executive Officer and (ii) Mr. Malkin and his affiliates (including the Malkin Group) no longer hold (x) on a consolidated basis at least 50% of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock and operating partnership units in our operating partnership held by Mr. Malkin and his affiliates (including the Malkin Group) as of the date of the closing of the consolidation and (y) 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding common stock voting together as a single class, our board of directors shall cause Mr. Malkin to be nominated for re-election to our board of directors at the expiration of the then current term. Unless Mr. Malkin has resigned as a director, for so long as the foregoing ownership thresholds are met, this obligation shall survive beyond the expiration of the term of Mr. Malkins employment agreement and the termination of Mr. Malkin employment for any reason other than for cause (as defined in the employment agreement), unless prohibited by legal or regulatory requirements. We anticipate that the employment agreement will provide that the failure of our board of directors to nominate Mr. Malkin for election to our board of directors or the failure of Mr. Malkin to be elected or re-elected or his removal as a member of our board of directors will constitute good reason under the employment agreement.
All disputes, except equitable enforcement of restrictive covenants, under the employment agreement will be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc in New York City. We will agree to pay all costs of the arbitration except, if applicable, Mr. Malkins petitioners filing fee. If an arbitrator determines that Mr. Malkin has prevailed on the issues in dispute in the arbitration, we will pay or reimburse any reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees which Mr. Malkin incurs in such arbitration.
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Change in Control Severance Agreements
Upon completion of this offering, we intend to enter into written change in control severance agreements with Messrs. Karp, Durels and Keltner. The change in control severance agreements will terminate two years after the date of any written notice of termination from us to the applicable executive officer; provided, that if a change in control (as defined in our equity incentive plan) occurs while the agreement is still operative, any written notice to the executive officer terminating the agreement will not be effective prior to the second anniversary of the change in control (as defined in our equity incentive plan).
We anticipate that the change in control severance agreements will provide that upon a termination of employment (i) by us for any reason, other than for cause or in the event of the applicable executive officers death or disability, or (ii) by the applicable executive officer for good reason (each as defined in the change in control severance agreements), within two years following a change in control (as defined in our equity incentive plan), the applicable executive officer will be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits, subject to the executive officers execution of a release of claims in the form provided for in the change in control severance agreement:
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annual base salary, annual bonus for prior fiscal years and other benefits earned but unpaid (including payment for accrued, but unused vacation days and reimbursement for business expenses incurred) prior to the date of termination, |
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an amount equal to the sum of the executive officers then-current annual base salary plus the average bonus earned over the three most-recently completed fiscal years, multiplied by two, |
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a pro-rated annual bonus for the year in which the termination of employment occurs, calculated based on actual performance for the entire performance period and calculated and paid at the end of the performance period without the exercise of any negative discretion, |
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a monthly payment equal to the difference between the monthly COBRA premium cost and the premium cost to the executive officer as if he was our employee for each month of COBRA eligibility, and |
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100% of the unvested equity awards granted pursuant to the equity incentive plan subject to time-based vesting shall immediately vest and 100% of the unvested equity awards granted pursuant to the equity incentive plan subject to performance-based vesting shall vest on a pro-rated basis based on performance from the commencement of the performance period through the date of termination. |
We anticipate that the change in control severance agreements will provide that upon a termination of employment by us for cause, in the event of the applicable executive officers death or disability, or by the executive officer for any reason other than good reason (each as defined in the change in control severance agreements), the applicable executive officer will be entitled to his accrued and unpaid annual base salary through the date of termination, annual bonus for prior fiscal years (other than in connection with a termination for cause (as defined in the change in control severance agreements)) and other benefits earned but unpaid (including payment for accrued, but unused vacation days and reimbursement for business expenses incurred) prior to the date of termination.
We anticipate that the change in control severance agreements will provide that the executive officers shall not be required to seek other employment or attempt to reduce severance payments. Severance benefits are not subject to any offset, except benefit coverage shall cease upon the applicable executive officers eligibility for substantially similar or improved replacement health coverage from a successor employer.
In the event that any amount payable to an executive officer is determined to be an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, such amount will be reduced to one dollar less than the threshold amount that would trigger an excise tax under Section 280G of the Code, unless that reduction would result in the executive receiving a lesser net after-tax amount.
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We anticipate that the change in control severance agreements will also contain standard confidentiality provisions, which will apply indefinitely, and non-competition and non-solicitation provisions, which will apply during the term of the agreements and will continue for a period of two years following such termination of employment. We anticipate that the change in control severance agreements will also contain mutual non-disparagement provisions, which will apply indefinitely.
All disputes, except equitable enforcement of restrictive covenants, under the change in control severance agreements will be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. in New York City. We will agree to pay all costs of the arbitration except, if applicable, the executive officers petitioners filing fee. If an arbitrator determines that the applicable executive officer has prevailed on the issues in dispute in the arbitration, we will pay or reimburse any reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees which the executive officer incurs in such arbitration.
We intend to adopt a tax-qualified 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, or the 401(k) Plan. All eligible employees will be able to participate in our 401(k) plan, including our named executive officers. We intend to provide this plan to help our employees save some amount of their cash compensation for retirement in a tax efficient manner. Under our 401(k) plan, employees will be eligible to defer a portion of their salary, and we expect to match a portion of each eligible employees contributions. We do not intend to provide an option for our employees to invest in our Class A common stock through our 401(k) plan.
Prior to the completion of this offering, we will adopt an equity incentive plan to provide incentive distributions to members of our senior management team, our independent directors, advisers, consultants and other personnel. Our equity incentive plan provides for grants of stock options, shares of restricted Class A common stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards, including LTIP Units.
Our equity incentive plan is administered by the compensation committee, as appointed by our board of directors for such purposes. The compensation committee has the full authority to (i) authorize the granting of awards to eligible persons, (ii) determine the eligibility of directors, members of our senior management team, advisors, consultants and other personnel to receive an equity award, (iii) determine the number of shares of Class A common stock to be covered by each award (subject to the individual participant limitations provided in our equity incentive plan), (iv) determine the terms, provisions and conditions of each award (which may not be inconsistent with the terms of our equity incentive plan), (v) prescribe the form of instruments evidencing such awards, (vi) construe and interpret the equity incentive plan and award agreements and correct defects, supply omissions, and reconcile inconsistencies therein, (vii) suspend the right to exercise awards during any period that the compensation committee deems appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, and thereafter extend the exercise period of an award by an equivalent period of time and (viii) take any other actions and make all other determinations that it deems necessary or appropriate in connection with our equity incentive plan or the administration or interpretation thereof. In connection with this authority, the compensation committee may, among other things, establish performance goals that must be met in order for awards to be granted or to vest, or for the restrictions on any such awards to lapse. From and after the consummation of this offering, the compensation committee will consist solely of independent directors, each of whom is intended to be, to the extent required by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, a non-employee director and will, at such times as we are subject to Section 162(m) of the Code and intend for awards to be treated as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m), qualify as an outside director for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, or, if no committee exists, the board of directors.
Available Shares
Our equity incentive plan provides for grants of stock options, shares of restricted Class A common stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards up to an aggregate of 5% of the
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issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock as of the later of the date of this offering or the last closing date of any shares of our Class A common stock sold pursuant to the underwriters exercise of their option to purchase additional shares (on a fully diluted basis (assuming, if applicable, the exercise of all outstanding stock options, the conversion of all warrants and convertible securities into shares of Class A common stock and the exchange of all outstanding operating partnership units into shares of Class A common stock) and including shares to be sold pursuant to the underwriters exercise of their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock, but excluding any shares issued or issuable under our equity incentive plan). If an award granted under our equity incentive plan expires, is forfeited or terminates, the shares of our Class A common stock subject to any portion of the award that expires, is forfeited or terminates without having been exercised or paid, as the case may be, will again become available for the issuance of additional awards. Unless previously terminated by our board of directors, no new award may be granted under our equity incentive plan after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date that such plan was approved by our board of directors or the holders of our common stock. Upon the completion of this offering, we will grant LTIP units and/or shares of our restricted Class A common stock to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees under our equity incentive plan, which will be subject to certain vesting requirements. See IPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan.
To the extent the compensation committee deems appropriate, it will establish performance criteria and satisfy such other requirements as may be applicable in order to satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Awards Under the Plan
Stock Options . The terms of specific stock options, including whether stock options shall constitute incentive stock options for purposes of Section 422(b) of the Code, shall be determined by the compensation committee. The exercise price of a stock option shall be determined by the committee and reflected in the applicable award agreement. The exercise price with respect to stock options may not be lower than 100% (110% in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder, if permitted under our equity incentive plan) of the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. Each stock option will be exercisable after the period or periods specified in the award agreement, which will generally not exceed ten years from the date of grant (or five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder, if permitted under our equity incentive plan). Incentive stock options may only be granted to our employees and employees of our subsidiaries. Stock options will be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms as determined by the compensation committee. We may also grant stock appreciation rights, which are stock options that permit the recipient to exercise the stock option without payment of the exercise price and to receive shares of Class A common stock (or cash or a combination of the foregoing) with a fair market value equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of our Class A common stock with respect to which the stock option is being exercised over the exercise price of the stock option with respect to those shares. The exercise price with respect to stock appreciation rights may not be lower than 100% of the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant.
Shares of Restricted Common Stock . A restricted stock award is an award of shares of Class A common stock that is subject to restrictions on transferability and such other restrictions the compensation committee may impose at the date of grant. Grants of shares of restricted Class A common stock will be subject to vesting schedules and other restrictions as determined by the compensation committee. The restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, including, without limitation, a specified period of employment or the satisfaction of pre-established criteria, in such installments or otherwise, as the compensation committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the award agreement relating to the shares of restricted Class A common stock, a participant granted shares of restricted Class A common stock has all of the rights of a stockholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote and the right to receive dividends on the shares of restricted Class A common stock. Although dividends may be paid on shares of restricted Class A common stock, whether or not vested, at the same rate and on the same date as on shares of our
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Class A common stock (unless otherwise provided in an award agreement), holders of shares of restricted Class A common stock are prohibited from selling such shares until they vest.
Phantom Shares . A phantom share represents a right to receive the fair market value of a share of Class A common stock, or, if provided by the compensation committee, the right to receive the fair market value of a share of Class A common stock in excess of a base value established by the compensation committee at the time of grant. Phantom shares may generally be settled in cash or by transfer of shares of Class A common stock (as may be elected by the participant or the compensation committee or as may be provided by the compensation committee at grant). The compensation committee may, in its discretion and under certain circumstances (taking into account, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code), permit a participant to receive as settlement of the phantom shares installment payments over a period not to exceed ten years.
Dividend Equivalents . A dividend equivalent is a right to receive (or have credited) the equivalent value (in cash or shares of common stock) of dividends paid on shares of common stock otherwise subject to an award. The compensation committee may provide that amounts payable with respect to dividend equivalents shall be converted into cash or additional shares of common stock. The compensation committee will establish all other limitations and conditions of awards of dividend equivalents as it deems appropriate.
Other Share-Based Awards . Our equity incentive plan authorizes the granting of other awards based upon shares of our Class A common stock (including the grant of securities convertible into shares of Class A common stock and the grant of LTIP units), subject to terms and conditions established at the time of grant. LTIP units are awards of units of our operating partnership intended to constitute profits interests within the meaning of the relevant IRS guidance, which may be convertible on a one-for-one basis into our Series PR operating partnership units. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.LTIP Units.
We intend to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-8 covering the shares of our Class A common stock issuable under our equity incentive plan.
Change in Control
Under our equity incentive plan, a change in control is defined as the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the acquisition of more than 50% of our then outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of our outstanding securities by any person; (ii) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, other than certain sales and dispositions to entities owned by our stockholders; (iii) a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange where our stockholders immediately prior to such event hold less than 50% of the voting power of the surviving or resulting entity; or (iv) during any consecutive twenty-four calendar month period, the members of our board of directors at the beginning of such period, the incumbent directors, cease for any reason (other than due to death) to constitute at least a majority of the members of our board (for these purposes, any director whose election or nomination for election was approved or ratified by a vote of at least a majority of the incumbent directors shall be deemed to be an incumbent director).
Upon a change in control, and certain other corporate events, the compensation committee may make such adjustments as it, in its discretion, determines are necessary or appropriate in light of the change in control, but only if the compensation committee determines that the adjustments do not have an adverse economic impact on the participants (as determined at the time of the adjustments).
Amendments and Termination
Our board of directors may amend, suspend, alter or discontinue our equity incentive plan but cannot take any action that would impair the rights of an award recipient with respect to an award previously granted without such award recipients consent unless such amendments are required in order to comply with applicable laws. Our board of directors may not amend our equity incentive plan without stockholder approval in any case in
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which amendment in the absence of such approval would cause our equity incentive plan to fail to comply with any applicable legal requirement or applicable exchange or similar requirement, such as an amendment that would:
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other than through adjustment as provided in our equity incentive plan, increase the total number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plan; |
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materially expand the class of directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors eligible to participate in our equity incentive plan; |
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reprice any stock options under our equity incentive plan; or |
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otherwise require such approval. |
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision and eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. For further details with respect to the limitation on the liability of our directors and officers, the indemnification of our directors and officers and the relevant provisions of the MGCL, see Certain Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Our Charter and BylawsIndemnification and Limitation of Directors and Officers Liability. In addition, our directors and officers will be entitled to indemnification under the partnership agreement of our operating partnership; for further details see Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.Management Liability and Indemnification.
We will obtain a policy of insurance under which our directors and officers will be insured, subject to the limits of the policy, against certain losses arising from claims made against such directors and officers by reason of any acts or omissions covered under such policy in their respective capacities as directors or officers, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. Additionally, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors, executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties upon the closing of this offering, which will require, among other things, that we maintain a comparable tail directors and officers liability insurance policy for six years after each director or executive officer ceases to serve in such capacity.
Our directors and officers may adopt written plans, known as Rule 10b5-1 plans, in which they will contract with a broker to buy or sell shares of our Class A common stock on a periodic basis. Under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, a broker executes trades pursuant to parameters established by the director or officer when entering into the plan, without further direction from them. The director or officer may amend a Rule 10b5-1 plan in some circumstances and may terminate a plan at any time. Our directors and officers also may buy or sell additional shares outside of a Rule 10b5-1 plan when they are not in possession of material non-public information subject to compliance with the terms of our insider trading policy. Prior to one year after the date of the completion of this offering (subject to potential extension, early termination and certain other conditions contained in the lock-up agreement) with respect to our senior management team, the sale of any shares under such plan will be subject to the lock-up agreement that the director or executive officer has entered into with the underwriters.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of the compensation committee is a current or former officer or employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries. None of our named executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any company that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.
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The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock and shares of our common stock into which operating partnership units are exchangeable immediately following the completion of this offering and the formation transactions for:
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our directors and each of our director nominees; |
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each of our named executive officers; |
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each person who is expected to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock immediately following the completion of this offering; and |
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all of our directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group. |
In accordance with SEC rules, each listed persons beneficial ownership includes:
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all shares the investor actually owns beneficially or of record; |
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all shares over which the investor has or shares voting or dispositive control (such as in the capacity as a general partner of an investment fund); and |
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all shares the investor has the right to acquire within 60 days (such as shares of restricted Class A common stock that are currently vested or which are scheduled to vest within 60 days). |
Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly, and the indicated person has sole voting and investment power. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table below, the business address of the stockholders listed below is the address of our principal executive office, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., One Grand Central Place, New York, New York. No shares beneficially owned by any executive officer, director or director nominee have been pledged as security.
Name and Address |
Number of Shares
of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
Percent of All
Shares of Common Stock (1) |
Number of Shares
of Common Stock and Operating Partnership Units Beneficially Owned (2)(3) |
Percent of All
Shares of Common Stock and Operating Partnership Units (2)(3) |
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Anthony E. Malkin (4) |
29,551,374 | 20.2% | 29,551,354 | 12.3% | ||||
Peter L. Malkin (5) |
5,008,822 | 3.4% | 6,009,181 | 2.5% | ||||
William H. Berkman |
| * | 10,714 | ** | ||||
Alice M. Connell |
| * | 10,714 | ** | ||||
Thomas J. DeRosa |
| * | 10,714 | ** | ||||
Steven J. Gilbert |
| * | 10,714 | ** | ||||
S. Michael Giliberto |
| * | 10,714 | ** | ||||
Lawrence E. Golub |
| * | 10,714 | ** | ||||
David A. Karp |
| * | 81,786 | ** | ||||
Thomas P. Durels |
118,511 | * | 406,135 | ** | ||||
Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. |
399,341 | * | 669,978 | ** | ||||
The Helmsley estate |
5,563,466 | 3.8% | 5,563,466 | 2.3% | ||||
All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
30,069,226 | 20.6% | 30,773,538 | 12.8% |
* | Represents less than 1% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding upon the closing of this offering. |
** | Represents less than 1% of the number of shares of common stock and operating partnership units, including LTIP units/shares of restricted Class A common stock outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering and the formation transactions. |
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(1) | Assumes a total of 146,178,599 shares of common stock outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering and the formation transactions. The number of shares outstanding is based on the number of votes (i.e., each share of Class B common stock is treated as 50 shares of common stock for this purpose). |
(2) | Assumes a total of 240,257,162 shares of our common stock and operating partnership units are outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering and the formation transactions comprised of shares of Class A common stock, including 1,072,500 shares of restricted Class A common stock and LTIP units and 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock which may be exchanged on a one-for-one basis for shares of our Class A common stock, and 69,231,160 Series PR operating partnership units, 56,339,612 Series ES operating partnership units, 15,395,883 Series 60 operating partnership units and 7,872,916 Series 250 operating partnership units which may be exchanged for cash or, at our option, shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis beginning 12 months after the closing of this offering and LTIP units. In addition, share amounts for individuals, directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group assume that all operating partnership units, including LTIP units, held by the person are exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock. The total number of shares of common stock outstanding used in calculating this percentage assumes that none of the operating partnership units held by other persons are exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock. |
(3) | Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin will hold only Series PR operating partnership units. |
(4) | Includes 210,274 shares of Class A common stock, 586,822 shares of Class B common stock and 28,754,258 operating partnership units which are expected to be issued in the consolidation to (i) family limited liability companies and trusts for which Anthony E. Malkin or his spouse has sole voting and investment power as sole manager or sole trustee, as applicable, and of which Anthony E. Malkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, (ii) family trusts for which Anthony E. Malkin or his spouse has shared voting and investment power as trustee with others, and of which Anthony E. Malkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein and/or (iii) his spouse, and of which Anthony E. Malkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The Malkin Group will beneficially own 395,997 shares of Class A common stock, 748,140 shares of Class B common stock and 37,659,230 operating partnership units, which are expected to be issued in the consolidation. The Malkin Group will have the right to vote 37,802,997 shares of common stock (including 50 votes for each share of Class B common stock), which will represent 22.6% of the number of shares of the outstanding common stock. |
(5) | Includes 2,772 shares of Class A common stock, 100,121 shares of Class B common stock and 5,906,288 operating partnership units which are expected to be issued in the consolidation to (i) trusts for which Peter L. Malkin or his spouse has sole voting and investment power as sole manager or sole trustee, as applicable, and of which Peter L. Malkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, (ii) family trusts for which Peter L. Malkin or his spouse has shared voting and investment power as trustee with others, and of which Peter L. Malkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein and/or (iii) his spouse, and of which Peter L. Malkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
We currently have outstanding 1,000 shares of common stock, all of which are owned by Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. Upon completion of this offering, we will repurchase all 1,000 shares of Class A common stock from Anthony E. Malkin at cost of $0.10 per share.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Each property that will be owned by us through our operating partnership upon the completion of this offering and the formation transactions is currently owned directly or indirectly by the entities comprising our predecessor or is a property in which our predecessor has a non-controlling interest. Each of the existing entities has entered into a contribution agreement with us and our operating partnership in connection with the formation transactions, pursuant to which substantially concurrently with the completion of this offering it will contribute its assets (including its ownership interests in any of the properties) and liabilities to our operating partnership or our operating partnerships subsidiaries in exchange for shares of our common stock, operating partnership units and/or cash, which it will distribute to its equity owners in accordance with their individual elections. Each of our predecessors management companies has entered into a merger agreement with us and our operating partnership in connection with the formation transactions, pursuant to which certain subsidiaries of our operating partnership will merge with and into such management company or pursuant to which such management company will merge with and into subsidiaries of us in exchange for shares of our common stock and/or operating partnership units, which will be issued to the equity owners of such management company. In addition, each of (i) the Malkin Group and (ii) the Helmsley estate and entities affiliated therewith, including the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, have entered into contribution agreements and merger agreements with us and our operating partnership, pursuant to which each of them will contribute their direct or indirect interests in certain existing entities to us in exchange for operating partnership units, shares of common stock and/or cash. The operating partnership units and shares of common stock that we will issue in the formation transactions to investors in the public existing entities will be registered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 that we separately have filed with the SEC. To the extent that we or our subsidiaries (other than our operating partnership and its subsidiaries) are party directly to certain mergers in the formation transactions, we will contribute the assets received in such merger transactions to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units. The value of the shares of our common stock and operating partnership units that we will issue, and the amount of cash that we will pay, in connection with the formation transactions will increase or decrease based on the actual public offering price of our Class A common stock. The existing entities and our predecessors management companies will declare final distributions to the investors in such entities, including members of our senior management team and certain of our directors, in an amount of approximately $71.7 million in the aggregate, and of which $23.4 million will be paid to the Malkin Group, including Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin, in accordance to their ownership interests in each applicable existing entity and predecessor management company.
The consideration to be paid to each of the continuing investors and other owners of the existing entities in the formation transactions, in each case, will be based upon the terms of the applicable merger agreement or contribution agreement among us and our operating partnership, on the one hand, and the existing entities, certain owners of the existing entities or certain continuing investors, on the other hand. In all cases, the aggregate value of consideration to be paid to each continuing investor will be determined by applying his or her allocated share of ownership in each existing entity to the value of such existing entity. The value of each entity will be determined by applying the percentage that its exchange value bears to the exchange values of all such entities (as such exchange values are derived using the results of a relative valuation analysis of the existing entities as provided in the applicable merger agreement or contribution agreement, which valuation analysis was conducted by the independent valuer), to the total value of our portfolio and the property management business, as determined upon pricing of this offering. The actual value of the consideration to be paid by us to each of the continuing investors, in the form of common stock, operating partnership units or cash, ultimately will be determined at pricing based on the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock. For information regarding the determination of the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock, see Structure and Formation of Our CompanyDetermination of Offering Price.
The contribution agreements and merger agreements referenced above generally contain representations by existing entities and predecessor management companies with respect to the ownership of their assets and certain
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other limited matters. While these representations and warranties survive the closing of the formation transactions, neither the existing entities nor any of their members, managers, officers or employees, to the extent applicable, will be liable for any breaches of the surviving representations or warranties. Accordingly, our sole remedy against the existing entities (which generally anticipate liquidating after completion of the formation transactions) will be for breach of contract. Additionally, the continuing investors will provide us with no indemnification for breaches of the surviving representations and warranties contained in the merger agreements and contribution agreements. However, in connection with the formation transactions, Anthony E. Malkin and his siblings, Scott D. Malkin and Cynthia M. Blumenthal, have entered into a representation, warranty and indemnity agreement, with us, pursuant to which they made limited representations and warranties to us regarding the entities, properties and assets that we will own following the formation transactions for one year following the completion of this offering and agreed to indemnify us and our operating partnership for breaches of such representations subject to a $1,000,000 deductible and a cap of $25,000,000. They have pledged operating partnership units and shares of Class A common stock to our operating partnership with a value equal to $25,000,000 in order to secure their indemnity obligation, and such operating partnership units and shares of common stock are the sole recourse of our operating partnership in the case of a breach of any representation or warranty or other claim for indemnification.
Under the contribution and merger agreements, Anthony E. Malkin will directly and/or indirectly receive 210,274 shares of our Class A common stock, 586,822 shares of our Class B common stock, and 28,754,258 operating partnership units, representing, in aggregate, a 12.3% beneficial interest in our company on a fully diluted basis (12.0 % on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full), and Peter L. Malkin will directly and/or indirectly receive 2,772 shares of our Class A common stock, 100,121 shares of our Class B common stock, and 5,906,288 operating partnership units representing, in aggregate, a 2.5% beneficial interest in our company on a fully diluted basis (2.4% on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). The Malkin Group, which includes Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin and their related parties and affiliates, will directly and/or indirectly receive 395,997 shares of our Class A common stock, 748,140 shares of our Class B common stock, and 37,659,230 operating partnership units, representing, in aggregate, a 16.2% beneficial interest in our company on a fully diluted basis (15.8% on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). Other members of our senior management team will receive an aggregate of 1,147,542 operating partnership units, and 10,357 shares of our Class B common stock representing a 0.5% interest on a fully diluted basis (0.5% on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full).
We did not conduct arms-length negotiations with the parties involved regarding the terms of the formation transactions. In the course of structuring the formation transactions, certain members of our senior management team and other contributors had the ability to influence the type and level of benefits that they will receive from us. Additionally, Anthony E. Malkin has a conflict of interest because we entered into agreements granting us the option to acquire long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties in which the Malkin Group controls and owns economic interests. As a result, an exercise of such options by us could economically benefit him. A majority of our independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in each of our option properties.
For more detailed information regarding the terms of the formation transactions, including the benefits to related parties, see Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions.
Under the Code, taxable gain or loss recognized upon a sale of an asset contributed to a partnership must be allocated to the contributing partner in a manner that takes into account the variation between the tax basis and the fair market value of the asset at the time of the contribution. This requirement may result in a significant allocation of taxable gain to the contributing partner, without any increased cash distribution to the contributing
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partner. In addition, when a partner contributes an asset subject to a liability to a partnership, any reduction in the partners share of partnership liabilities may result in taxable gain to the partner.
We intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin that is intended to protect the Malkin Group and an additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain of the tax consequences described above to a limited extent. First , this agreement will provide that the operating partnership will not sell, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of four of the existing properties, which we refer to in this section as protected assets, or any interest in a protected asset for a period of 12 years, with respect to First Stamford Place and the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other protected assets unless:
(1) | Anthony E. Malkin consents to the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition; or |
(2) | the operating partnership delivers to each protected party thereunder a cash payment intended to approximate the tax liability arising from the recognition of the pre-contribution built-in gain resulting from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of such protected asset (with the pre-contribution built-in gain being not more than the taxable gain that would have been recognized by such protected party had the protected asset been sold for fair market value in a taxable transaction at the time of the consolidation) plus an additional amount so that, after the payment of all taxes on amounts received pursuant to the agreement (including any tax liability incurred as a result of receiving such payment), the protected party retains an amount equal to such protected partys total tax liability incurred as a result of the recognition of the pre-contribution built-in gain pursuant to such sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition; or |
(3) | the disposition does not result in a recognition of any built-in gain by the protected party. |
Second , with respect to the Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, and one additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property), to protect against gain recognition resulting from a reduction in such continuing investors share of the operating liabilities, the agreement also will provide that during the period from the closing of this offering until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares they received in the formation transactions, which we refer to in this section as the tax protection period, the operating partnership will (i) refrain from prepaying any amounts outstanding under any indebtedness secured by the protected assets and (ii) use its commercially reasonable to refinance such indebtedness at or prior to maturity at its current principal amount, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible. The agreement also will provide that, during the tax protection period, the operating partnership will make available to such continuing investors the opportunity to (i) to enter into a bottom dollar guarantee of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness of the operating partnership meeting certain requirements or (ii) in the event our operating partnership has recourse debt outstanding and such a continuing investor agrees in lieu of guaranteeing debt pursuant to clause (i) above, to enter into a deficit restoration obligation, in each case, in a manner intended to provide an allocation of operating partnership liabilities to the continuing investor. In the event that a continuing investor guarantees debt of our operating partnership, such continuing investor will be responsible, under certain circumstances, for the repayment of the guaranteed amount to the lender in the event that the lender would otherwise recognize a loss on the loan, such as, for example, if property securing the loan was foreclosed and the value was not sufficient to repay a certain amount of the debt. A deficit restoration obligation is a continuing investors obligation, under certain circumstances, to contribute a designated amount of capital to our operating partnership upon our operating partnerships liquidation in the event that the assets of our operating partnership are insufficient to repay our operating partnership liabilities.
Because we expect that our operating partnership will at all times have sufficient liabilities to allow it to meet its obligations to allocate liabilities to its partners that are protected parties under the tax protection
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agreement, the operating partnerships indemnification obligation with respect to certain tax liabilities would generally arise only in the event that the operating partnership disposes in a taxable transaction of a protected asset within the period specified above in a taxable transaction. In the event of such a disposition, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligation would depend on several factors, including the amount of built-in gain, if any, recognized and allocated to the indemnified partners with respect to such disposition and the effective tax rate to be applied to such gain at the time of such disposition. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million.
The operating partnership agreement requires that allocations with respect to such acquired property be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. Treasury Regulations issued under Section 704(c) of the Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of allocating book-tax differences. Under the tax protection agreement, the operating partnership has agreed to use the traditional method for accounting for book-tax differences for the properties acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation. Under the traditional method, which is the least favorable method from our perspective, the carryover basis of the acquired properties in the hands of the operating partnership (1) may cause us to be allocated lower amounts of depreciation and other deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if all of the acquired properties were to have a tax basis equal to their fair market value at the time of acquisition and (2) in the event of a sale of such properties, could cause us to be allocated gain in excess of its corresponding economic or book gain (or taxable loss that is less than its economic or book loss), with a corresponding benefit to the partners transferring such properties to the operating partnership for interests in the operating partnership.
Other continuing investors who are not protected under the tax protection agreement and who, immediately prior to completion of this offering, owned an interest in a protected asset may benefit from the prohibition on disposing of such assets to the extent the prohibition prevents them from recognizing gain. However, unlike the Malkin Group, such continuing investors will not be a party to a tax protection agreement and will not be entitled to indemnification from our operating partnership if a protected asset is sold, nor is their consent required to dispose of a protected asset. In addition, a disposition of an existing property that is not a protected asset would not be subject to the tax protection agreement and could cause the continuing investors, including the Malkin Group, to recognize gain. We currently have no intention to sell or otherwise dispose of the protected assets or interest therein in taxable transactions during the restriction period.
We believe that it is consistent with market practice for significant stockholders, such as the Malkin Group, and the one additional third party investor in Metro Center to be indemnified against the certain tax liabilities as set forth in the tax protection agreement. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate to enter into a tax protection agreement.
We do not presently intend to sell or take any of the other actions which would result in a tax protection payment with respect to the properties covered by the tax protection agreement.
Concurrently with the completion of this offering, we will enter into the operating partnership agreement with the various persons receiving operating partnership units in the formation transactions, including certain members of our senior management team and our other continuing investors. As a result, such persons will become limited partners of our operating partnership. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Pursuant to the operating partnership agreement, limited partners of our operating partnership will have rights beginning 12 months after the completion of this offering to require our operating partnership to redeem all
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or part of their operating partnership units for cash equal to the then-current market value of an equal number of shares of our Class A common stock (determined in accordance with and subject to adjustment under the partnership agreement), or, at our election, to exchange their operating partnership units for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis subject to certain adjustments and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter and described under the section entitled Description of SecuritiesRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer.
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with certain persons receiving shares of our common stock or operating partnership units in the formation transactions, including certain members of our senior management team and our other continuing investors. Under the registration rights agreement, subject to certain limitations, not later than 12 months from the beginning of the first full calendar month following the completion of this offering, we will file one or more registration statements, which we refer to as the resale shelf registration statements, covering the resale of all shares of Class A common stock issued in the formation transactions (to the extent not already registered), all shares of Class A common stock issued to our independent directors, all shares of our Class A common stock issued to members of our senior management team pursuant to our equity incentive plan, and all shares of Class A common stock that may be issued upon redemption of operating partnership units or upon conversion of our Class B common stock, or collectively the registrable shares. We may, at our option, satisfy our obligation to prepare and file a resale shelf registration statement with respect to shares of our Class A common stock issued upon redemption of operating partnership units or issued upon conversion of shares of our Class B common stock by filing one or more issuer shelf registration statements which, collectively with the resale shelf registration statements, we refer to as the shelf registration statements, registering the issuance by us of shares of our Class A common stock under the Securities Act, provided that we will be obligated to file an issuer shelf registration statement with respect to shares of our Class A common stock issued upon redemption of operating partnership units or issued upon conversion of shares of Class B common stock to continuing investors in the public existing entities. We have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause each shelf registration statement to be declared effective within 120 days of filing, which we refer to as the shelf effective date. Commencing upon the shelf effective date, under certain circumstances, we will also be required to undertake an underwritten offering upon the written request of the Helmsley estate or the Malkin Group, which we refer to as the holders, provided (i) the registrable shares to be registered in such offering will have a market value of at least $150 million, except that with respect to the fourth underwritten offering described in subclause (iii) below that is requested by the Helmsley estate, the registrable securities to be registered in such offering will have a market value of at least $100 million; (ii) we will not be obligated to effect more than two underwritten offerings during any 12-month period following the resale shelf effective date; and (iii) no holder will have the ability to effect more than four underwritten offerings. In addition, commencing six months after the completion of this offering and ending on the shelf effective date (unless the resale shelf registration statement has not been declared effective on the shelf effective date, in which case during each 180 day period following the shelf effective date), the holders will have demand rights to require us, subject to certain limitations, to undertake an underwritten offering with respect to the registrable shares having a market value of at least $150 million under a registration statement, provided, however, that any such registration shall not be counted for purposes of determining the four underwritten offerings described in the preceding sentence. In addition, if we file a registration statement with respect to an underwritten offering for our own account or on behalf of a holder, each holder will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to register such number of registrable shares held by him, her or it as each such holder requests. With respect to underwritten offerings on behalf of a holder, we will have the right to register such number of primary shares as we request; provided, however, that if cut backs are required by the managing underwriters of such an offering, our primary shares shall be cutback first (but in no event will our shares be cut back to less than $25 million).
We have also agreed to indemnify the persons receiving rights against specified liabilities, including certain potential liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or to contribute to the payments such persons may be required to make in respect thereof. We have agreed to pay all of the expenses relating to the registration and any
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underwritten offerings of such securities, including, without limitation, all registration, listing, filing and stock exchange or FINRA fees, all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, all printing expenses and all fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants retained by us, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, any out-of-pocket expenses (except we will pay any holders out-of-pocket fees (including disbursements of such holders counsel, accountants and other advisors) up to $25,000 in the aggregate for each underwritten offering and each filing of a resale shelf registration statement or demand registration statement), and any transfer taxes.
Employment Agreement and Change in Control Severance Agreements
We intend to enter into an employment agreement with Anthony E. Malkin that will become effective upon the consummation of this offering. This agreement will provide for salary, bonuses and other benefits, including among other things, severance benefits upon a termination of employment under certain circumstances and the issuance of equity awards. See ManagementEmployment Agreement. In addition, we intend to enter into change in control severance agreements with David A. Karp, Thomas P. Durels and Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. that will become effective upon the consummation of this offering. See ManagementChange in Control Severance Agreements.
Indemnification of Our Directors and Officers
Upon completion of this offering, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors, executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties, providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against (i) our directors, executive officers and chairman emeritus and (ii) our executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties who are former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such as described in ManagementLimitation of Liability and Indemnification.
We have entered into the following option agreements with affiliates of our predecessor granting us the right to acquire each of the following two option properties or interests therein.
112-122 West 34 th Street
Pursuant to our option agreements for 112-122 West 34 th Street, we may acquire from 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C. and 112 West 34 th Street Company Associates L.L.C., entities affiliated with our predecessor, their rights in the property, on or before the later of (i) March 19, 2014 (which is 12 months after the recently resolved litigation with respect to the property) or (ii) five months after the completion of independent valuations described below, which completion shall not be later than six months following the closing of this offering. The purchase price will be based on an appraisal by independent third parties, unless we and the owners of 112-122 West 34 th Street, with the consent of the Helmsley estate, agree to a negotiated price, and the investors in 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C. and 112 West 34 th Street Company Associates L.L.C. will receive consideration in connection with the consolidation on the same basis as investors in other entities contributing properties in connection with the consolidation. We have agreed that Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiations and valuation process on our behalf. One or more of our independent directors will lead the appraisal or negotiation process on our behalf and a majority of our independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in our option property. The purchase price is payable in a combination of cash, shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, but the Helmsley estate will have the right to elect to receive all cash. We do not intend to exercise the option for the interests in this property prior to the closing of this offering. We may exercise this option independently of the option to acquire the interests in 1400 Broadway.
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1400 Broadway
Pursuant to our option agreement for 1400 Broadway, we may acquire from 1400 Broadway Associates L.L.C., an entity affiliated with our predecessor, its rights in the property, on or before the later of (i) July 29, 2014 (which is 12 months after the recently resolved litigation with respect to the property) or (ii) five months after the completion of independent valuations described below, which completion shall not be later than six months following the closing of this offering. The purchase price will be based on an appraisal by independent third parties, unless we and the owners of 1400 Broadway, with the consent of the Helmsley estate, agree to a negotiated price, and the investors in 1400 Broadway Associates L.L.C. will receive consideration in connection with the consolidation on the same basis as investors in other entities contributing properties in connection with the consolidation. We have agreed that Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiations and valuation process on our behalf. One or more of our independent directors will lead the appraisal or negotiation process on our behalf and a majority of our independent directors must approve the acquisition of interests in our option property. The purchase price is payable in a combination of cash, shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, but the Helmsley estate will have the right to elect to receive all cash. We do not intend to exercise the option for the interests in this property prior to the closing of this offering. We may exercise this option independently of the option to acquire the interests in 112-122 West 34 th Street.
Concurrently with the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into management and/or services agreements with respect to each of the option properties.
As permitted under the contribution agreements and merger agreements entered into by us and the existing entities or our predecessors management companies, as applicable, the existing entities and our predecessors management companies will declare final distributions to the investors in such entities, including members of our senior management team and certain of their affiliates and related persons, in the amount of approximately $71.7 million in the aggregate (which amount is our estimate based on our historical combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2013), of which $23.4 million will be paid to the Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, in accordance to their ownership interests in each applicable existing entity and predecessor management company. We anticipate this amount will be lower on the date the existing entities declare their respective final distributions due to expenses they will incur and pay in operating their business prior to such declaration date. The contribution agreements and merger agreements provide that the existing entities and our predecessors management companies may distribute their cash (in the case of the existing entities, excluding from such distributable cash, any reserves on deposit with lenders for escrow accounts; amounts attributable to certain prepayments of rent, management fees or other income streams or expense reimbursements; and amounts held by the existing entities as security deposits or amounts otherwise required to be reserved by the existing entities pursuant to existing agreements with third parties) to their investors in accordance with the provisions of such entities organizational documents; provided that cash will only be distributed by any entity to the extent that it exceeds the normalized level of net working capital for the existing entity, as determined by our predecessor (determined based on the most recent quarterly financial statements). Such payments will not be made from the net proceeds of this offering.
Excluded Properties and Businesses
Our portfolio represents all of our predecessors Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office and retail assets in which it holds a majority interest. The Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, owns non-controlling interests in, and Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin control the general partners or managers of, the entities that own interests in six multi-family properties, five net leased retail properties, one former post office property in Greenwich, Connecticut which has recently commenced conversion into a single tenant property following the recent receipt of zoning authorization for such conversion, and a development parcel that is zoned for residential use. The Malkin Group also owns
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non-controlling interests in one Manhattan office property, two Manhattan retail properties and several retail properties outside of Manhattan, none of which will be contributed to us in the formation transactions. We refer to the non-controlling interests described above collectively as the excluded properties. In addition, the Malkin Group owns interests in six mezzanine and senior equity funds, two industrial funds, five residential property managers and a registered broker dealer, none of which will be contributed to us in the formation transactions, and which we refer to collectively as the excluded businesses. The Malkin Group owns certain non-real estate family investments that will not be contributed to us in the formation transactions. Other than the Greenwich retail property, we do not believe that the excluded properties or the excluded businesses are consistent with its portfolio geographic or property type composition, management or strategic direction. In addition, we will not acquire the name Malkin Holdings LLC. We have no plan to use this name for any purpose.
Pursuant to management and/or service agreements with the owners of interests in those excluded properties and services agreements with the five residential property managers and the managers of certain other excluded businesses which historically were managed by affiliates of our predecessor, we will be designated as the manager of the excluded properties and will provide services to the owners of certain of the excluded properties and the five residential property managers and provide services and access to office space to the existing managers of the other excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer). As the manager or service provider, we will be paid a management or other fee with respect to those excluded properties and excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer) where our predecessor had previously received a management fee on the same terms as the fee paid to our predecessor, and reimbursed for our costs in providing the management and other services to those excluded properties and businesses where our predecessor had not previously received a management fee. Our management of the excluded properties and provision of services to the five residential property managers and the existing managers of the other excluded businesses will represent a minimal portion of our overall business. There is no established time period in which we will manage such properties or provide services to the owners of certain of the excluded properties and the five residential property managers and provide services and access to office space to the existing managers of the other excluded businesses and Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin expect to sell certain of these properties or unwind certain of these businesses over time. We are not precluded from acquiring all or certain interests in the excluded properties or businesses following this offering. If we were to attempt any such acquisition, we anticipate that Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiation process on our behalf with respect to our potential acquisition of any of these excluded properties or businesses and the approval of a majority of our independent directors will be required to approve any such acquisition.
Reimbursement of Pre-Closing Transaction Costs
As part of the contribution and option agreements, we will reimburse $110.0 million of expenses incurred in connection with the formation transactions and this offering that have been paid by our predecessor to each applicable existing entity and the option entities, and of which $12.0 million will be paid to the Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, in accordance to their ownership interests in our predecessor and each applicable existing entity.
Repayment of Loans to Existing Entities
We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay a loan in the amount of $3.6 million made in connection with 500 Mamaroneck Avenue to fund leasing costs at the property, of which approximately $1.2 million of such loan was made by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. In addition, we expect to assume a loan, made by an entity that is controlled by, and interests in which are held by, Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place. The loan has a principal amount of $4.5 million, an outstanding balance of approximately $1.5 million and bears interest at 2.5% over 30-day LIBOR. The determination to repay principal on the loan is made by us in our sole discretion and the loan is prepayable at any time, without premium. We expect to use the secured revolving and term credit facility to fully repay this loan shortly after the closing of this offering.
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Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin will be released from or otherwise indemnified for liabilities arising under certain guarantees and indemnities with respect to approximately $1.3 billion of mortgage loans (including currently undrawn amounts) on our properties, which will be assumed by us upon closing of the formation transactions in respect of obligations arising after the closing. The guarantees and indemnities with respect to mortgage loans of many of the existing entities, including the public existing entities, were undertaken by Messrs. Malkin and Malkin to meet a conventional lender requirement which became standard only long after such entities were formed. In each case, Messrs. Malkin and Malkin provided such guarantee while serving in a representative capacity as an agent or member of a public existing entity or private entity which was then seeking a mortgage loan. The lender required such guarantee, and no party was available or willing to provide it except Messrs. Malkin and Malkin. They received no compensation for the guarantee and provided it as an accommodation to benefit such public existing entity or private entity in obtaining financing. The guarantees and indemnities with respect to all of the indebtedness are, in most instances, limited to losses incurred by the applicable lender arising from acts such as fraud, misappropriation of funds, intentional breach, bankruptcy and certain environmental matters. In connection with our assumption of these mortgage loans, we will seek to have the guarantors and/or indemnitors released from these guarantees and indemnities and to have our operating partnership assume any such guarantee and indemnity obligations as replacement guarantor and/or indemnitor. To the extent lenders do not consent to the release of these guarantors and/or indemnitors, and they remain guarantors and/or indemnitors on assumed indebtedness following this offering, our operating partnership will enter into indemnification agreements with the guarantors and/or indemnitors pursuant to which our operating partnership will be obligated to indemnify such guarantors and/or indemnitors for any amounts paid by them under guarantees and/or indemnities with respect to the assumed indebtedness. We believe that since the mortgage loans relating to these guarantees and indemnities will be assumed by us upon closing of the formation transactions, and we will have greater financial resources than the individual property owning entities which are subject to the mortgage loans, it is appropriate, and consistent with market practice, for Messrs. Malkin and Malkin to be indemnified by our operating partnership if the lenders do not consent to the release of these guarantors and/or indemnitors. Under the organizational documents of the existing entities, Messrs. Malkin and Malkin are already generally entitled to indemnification from the investors in the existing entities for liabilities incurred by them in good faith and not arising out of their own willful misconduct or gross negligence, including any such liabilities under these guarantees and indemnities. In addition, in connection with future mortgage loans that we would enter into in connection with future property acquisitions or refinancing of our properties, we intend to enter into any necessary guarantees directly and neither Messrs. Malkin and Malkin nor any of our other directors, executive officers or stockholders would be expected to enter into such guarantees.
IPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan
Prior to the completion of this offering, we will adopt an equity incentive plan. Our equity incentive plan provides for the grant of incentive awards to our senior management team, our independent directors, advisers, consultants and other personnel. We intend to grant an aggregate of 1,072,500 LTIP units/shares of restricted Class A common stock to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees upon completion of this offering, and intend to authorize and reserve an additional 10,886,733 shares of our Class A common stock for issuance under our equity incentive plan. See ManagementIPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan.
We anticipate that we will file a registration statement with respect to the shares of our Class A common stock issuable under our equity incentive plan following the consummation of this offering. Shares of our Class A common stock covered by this registration statement, including shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of options or restricted shares of our Class A common stock, will be eligible for transfer or resale without restriction under the Securities Act unless held by affiliates.
For more information regarding our equity incentive plan, see ManagementEquity Incentive Plan.
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STRUCTURE AND FORMATION OF OUR COMPANY
Following the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions, substantially all of our assets will be held, directly or indirectly, by, and our operations run through, our operating partnership. We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for 71,500,000 operating partnership units (or 82,225,000 operating partnership units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional of 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). Our interest in our operating partnership will entitle us to share in cash distributions from, and in the profits and losses of, our operating partnership in proportion to our percentage ownership. As the general partner of our operating partnership, we generally will have the full, exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion under the operating partnership agreement to manage and conduct its business and affairs, subject to certain limited approval and voting rights of the other limited partners described more fully below under the caption Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P. Our board of directors will manage the business and affairs of our company by directing the affairs of our operating partnership.
Beginning on or after the date which is 12 months after the consummation of this offering, limited partners of our operating partnership will have the right to cause our operating partnership to redeem any or all of their operating partnership units for a cash amount equal to the then-current market value of one share of our Class A common stock per operating partnership unit, or, at our election, to exchange each of such operating partnership units for which a redemption notice has been received for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to the ownership limits set forth in our charter and described under the caption Description of SecuritiesRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer. Each redemption of operating partnership units will increase our percentage ownership interest in our operating partnership and our share of its cash distributions and profits and losses. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Observatory TRS and Holding TRS, will be wholly-owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership after the formation transactions. We will elect, together with each of Observatory TRS and Holding TRS, to treat each of Observatory TRS and Holding TRS, respectively, as a TRS for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We may form additional TRSs in the future, and our operating partnership may contribute some or all of its interests in certain wholly owned subsidiaries or their assets to Observatory TRS and/or Holding TRS.
Prior to completion of this offering, we do not own or operate the property portfolio described in this prospectus. We currently operate our business through our predecessor. Our predecessor is not a legal entity but rather a combination of (i) controlling interests in (a) 16 office and retail properties, (b) a development parcel, and (c) certain management companies, which are owned by certain entities that Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin own interests in and control, and (ii) non-controlling interests in four office properties (which include two of the 16 properties set forth in (i) above). Upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions, we will acquire the properties owned by the existing entities and operate the businesses described in this prospectus.
Prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, we will consummate the formation transactions, which consist of a series of contributions, mergers and other transactions and which are designed to:
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consolidate the ownership of our portfolio and our predecessors management companies into our operating partnership, which we refer to herein as the consolidation; |
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facilitate this offering; |
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enable us to raise capital on more favorable, flexible terms than typical mortgage financings or financings that otherwise previously have been available to us as a private company; |
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enable us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013; |
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defer the recognition of taxable gain by certain continuing investors (as defined below); and |
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enable continuing investors to obtain liquidity (after the expiration of applicable lock-up periods) for their investments. |
Pursuant to the formation transactions, the following have occurred or will occur prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering. All amounts are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. For a discussion of amounts based on other prices within the range, see Pricing Sensitivity Analysis.
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We were formed as a Maryland corporation on July 29, 2011. |
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Our operating partnership was formed as a Delaware limited partnership on November 28, 2011. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership. |
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We will acquire, prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, the assets and liabilities of our predecessor, and the holders of interests in our predecessor will receive operating partnership units, shares of our common stock and/or cash. We refer to holders of interests in our predecessor that will own operating partnership units and/or shares of our common stock following consummation of the formation transactions as predecessor continuing investors. The agreements relating to the consolidation are subject to customary closing conditions, including the closing of this offering. |
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We will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, the assets and liabilities of the entities through which our predecessor holds non-controlling interests in four properties, or the related properties, for which our predecessor acts as the supervisor but which are not combined into our predecessor for accounting purposes, and the holders of interests in such properties will receive operating partnership units, shares of our common stock and/or cash. We refer to holders of interests in these four properties that will own operating partnership units and/or shares of our common stock following consummation of the formation transactions as non-predecessor continuing investors. We refer to predecessor continuing investors and non-predecessor continuing investors collectively as the continuing investors. |
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We will jointly elect with Observatory TRS, which is the current lessee and operator of the observatory and which will be wholly owned by our operating partnership following the completion of this offering, for Observatory TRS to be treated as a TRS under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the completion of this offering. Observatory TRS will lease the Empire State Building observatory from the operating partnership pursuant to an existing lease that provides for fixed base rental payments and variable rental payments equal to certain percentages of Observatory TRSs gross receipts from the operation of the observatory. In addition, we will jointly elect with Holding TRS, which will be wholly owned by our operating partnership following the completion of this offering, for Holding TRS to be treated as a TRS under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the completion of this offering. Holding TRS and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries will provide certain construction services to third parties and will provide certain services to the tenants of our properties. |
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In consideration for the acquisition of our predecessor and the related properties, we expect to issue an aggregate of 148,839,571 operating partnership units (of which 29,356,799 units will be received by certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and 119,482,772 operating partnership units will be received by our other continuing investors), 17,715,085 shares of our Class A common stock (of which 210,274 shares will be received by certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and 17,504,811 shares will be received by our other continuing investors) and 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock (of which 597,179 |
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shares will be received by certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and 532,827 shares will be received by our other continuing investors), and pay approximately $717.8 million in cash from the net proceeds of this offering (of which $63.3 million is expected to be paid to non-accredited investors, and none of which will be paid to members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons). The aggregate value of the consideration to be issued and paid by us in the consolidation will be approximately $3.1 billion (of which approximately $422.3 million will be paid to certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and approximately $2.7 billion will be paid to our other continuing investors). An increase in the actual public offering price will result in an increase in the value of the consideration paid to continuing investors, including certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons. Likewise, a decrease in the actual public offering price will result in a decrease in the value of the consideration paid to continuing investors. Investors who are not accredited investors, as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act, will receive cash consideration rather than shares of our common stock or operating partnership units to ensure that the issuance of common stock and/or operating partnership units to accredited investors in the formation transactions can be effected in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) and Regulation D of the Securities Act. |
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The aggregate historical combined net tangible book value of our predecessor was a deficit of approximately $(126.3) million as of June 30, 2013. Net tangible book value measures the historical costs of tangible assets (net of accumulated depreciation) reduced by outstanding tangible liabilities and is reflective of the manner in which assets and liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet of a business enterprise under GAAP. Because the net tangible book value of our predecessor is based on the historical costs of tangible assets acquired and tangible liabilities incurred over more than 50 years of business activities, we do not believe that net tangible book value is reflective of the fair market value of the existing entities. |
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As a result of the formation transactions, we will assume approximately $1.16 billion of total debt (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances), and we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of additional borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). |
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We will sell 71,500,000 shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock in full. We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for 71,500,000 operating partnership units (or 82,225,000 operating partnership units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). |
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We intend to grant to certain members of our senior management team (other than Anthony E. Malkin) a total of 545,000 LTIP units, and we intend to grant a total of 64,286 LTIP units to our independent directors, all of which LTIP units will be subject to certain vesting requirements. See ManagementIPO Grants Under our Equity Incentive Plan. |
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We have entered into a representation, warranty and indemnity agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and his siblings, Scott D. Malkin and Cynthia M. Blumenthal, pursuant to which they have made limited representations and warranties to us regarding the entities, properties and assets that we will own following the formation transactions for one year following the completion of this offering and agreed to indemnify us and our operating partnership for breaches of such representations subject to a $1,000,000 deductible and a cap of $25,000,000. Other than these individuals, none of the continuing investors, other owners of the existing entities or our predecessor will provide us with any indemnification. |
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We intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify the Malkin Group and one additional third party investor |
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in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain tax liabilities if those tax liabilities result from (i) the operating partnerships sale, transfer, conveyance or other taxable disposition of four specified properties (First Stamford Place, Metro Center, 10 Bank Street and 1542 Third Avenue, which collectively represent approximately 2.7% of the total consideration to be issued in the consolidation) to be acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation, for a period of 12 years with respect to First Stamford Place and for the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of both of Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other properties, (ii) the operating partnership failing to maintain until maturity the indebtedness secured by these properties or failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to refinance such indebtedness upon maturity in an amount equal to the principal balance of such indebtedness, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible, or (iii) the operating partnership failing to make available to any of these continuing investors the opportunity to guarantee, or otherwise bear the risk of loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness meeting certain requirements, until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares such continuing investor received in the formation transactions. We believe that it is consistent with market practice for significant stockholders, such as the Malkin Group, and the one additional third party investor in Metro Center to be indemnified against the certain tax liabilities as set forth in the tax protection agreement. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate to enter into a tax protection agreement. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million. We do not presently intend to sell or take any of the other actions which would result in a tax protection payment with respect to the properties covered by the tax protection agreement. |
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We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay a loan in the amount of $3.6 million made in connection with 500 Mamaroneck Avenue to fund leasing costs at the property, of which approximately $1.2 million of such loan was made by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. |
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In addition, we expect to assume a loan, which we expect to repay shortly after the closing, in the amount of approximately $1.5 million made by an entity, that is controlled by, and interests in which are held by, Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place. |
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Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we expect to enter into an agreement for an $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates, for which the lead arrangers have secured all commitments. We expect to use this secured revolving and term credit facility to, among other things, fund capital expenditures, potential acquisitions, general corporate matters and working capital. We expect that the secured revolving and term credit facility will include an accordion feature that would allow us to increase availability thereunder to $1.25 billion, under specified circumstances. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This OfferingSecured Revolving and Term Credit Facility. |
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We intend to enter into management and/or services agreements with the entities that own interests in the excluded properties and services agreements with certain of the excluded businesses or the managers thereof (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer). See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsExcluded Properties and Businesses. |
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We have executed option agreements with affiliates of our predecessor granting us the right to acquire long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties. Concurrently with the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into management and/or services agreements with respect to each of the option properties. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsOption Agreements. |
Consequences of This Offering and the Formation Transactions
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions (all amounts are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus):
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Our operating partnership will directly or indirectly own 100% of the fee simple, leasehold or other interests in all of the properties in our portfolio and the assets of our predecessors management companies. |
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Purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering are expected to own 78.7% of our outstanding common stock, or 29.8% on a fully diluted basis. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering will own 85.7% of our outstanding common stock, or 33.5% on a fully diluted basis. |
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Continuing investors will own 20.8% of our outstanding common stock, or 69.8% on a fully diluted basis. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, the continuing investors will own 13.8% of our outstanding common stock, or 66.1% on a fully diluted basis, while such continuing investors will have 50.8% of the voting power in our company (45.4% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). |
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Continuing investors that receive shares of our Class B common stock in the formation transactions will own 1.2% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.5% on a fully diluted basis (1.2% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.5% on a fully diluted basis, if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). |
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We are the sole general partner in our operating partnership. We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units. |
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We will own 37.8% of the operating partnership units and the continuing investors, including certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons, will own 62.2% of the operating partnership units. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, we are expected to own 39.1% of the operating partnership units and the continuing investors, including certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons, are expected to own 60.9% of the operating partnership units. |
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We will have an option to purchase each of the option properties. |
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We expect to be a party to management agreements with the entities that own long-term leasehold, sub-leasehold and/or sub-subleasehold interests in the option properties and management agreements and services agreements with the entities that own interests in and/or manage the excluded properties and the excluded businesses (other than with respect to the registered broker dealer). |
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Substantially all of the current employees of our predecessors management companies will become our employees. |
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We expect to have pro forma total consolidated indebtedness of approximately $1.16 billion (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances), and we expect to have approximately $549.7 million of additional borrowing capacity under our loans and secured revolving and term credit facility on a pro forma basis upon the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions (based on June 30, 2013 pro forma outstanding balances). |
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The aggregate historical combined net tangible book value of the assets of our predecessor that we will acquire was a deficit of approximately $(126.3) million as of June 30, 2013. In exchange for these assets, we will assume approximately $1.16 billion in indebtedness, and we are expected to pay approximately $717.8 million in cash and issue 148,839,571 operating partnership units, 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock and 17,715,085 shares of our Class A common stock with a combined aggregate value of $2.3 billion based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. The initial public offering price does not necessarily bear any relationship to the book value or the fair market value of our assets.
The following diagram depicts our ownership structure upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. For a discussion of amounts based on other prices within the range, see Pricing Sensitivity Analysis.
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On a fully diluted basis, our public stockholders, our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and our directors, and our other continuing investors, as a group, are expected to own 30.0%, 12.8% and 57.2%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, on a fully diluted basis, our |
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public stockholders, our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and our directors, and our other continuing investors, as a group, are expected to own 33.7%, 12.5% and 53.8%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock. |
(2) | If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional shares of our Class A common stock in full, our public stockholders, certain members of our senior management team, their affiliates and related persons and our directors, and our other continuing investors, as a group, will own 39.1%, 12.2% and 48.7%, respectively, of the outstanding operating partnership units. The Helmsley estate is expected to own 6.2% of our outstanding Class A common stock (or 0% if the underwriters exercise their option in full). Anthony E. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group, is expected to own 66.2% of our outstanding Class B common stock. |
(3) | We, the Malkin Group and the continuing investors in the private existing entities will hold only Series PR operating partnership units. Continuing investors in the public existing entities will hold Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units. |
Benefits of This Offering and the Formation Transactions to Certain Parties
Upon completion of this offering or in connection with the formation transactions, our senior management team, our directors and our continuing investors will receive material benefits, including the following. All amounts are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. For a discussion of amounts based on other prices within the range, see Pricing Sensitivity Analysis.
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Anthony E. Malkin, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, is expected to own 0.9% of our outstanding common stock, or 12.3% on a fully diluted basis (0.8% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 12.0% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $413.7 million represented by 210,274 shares of our Class A common stock, 586,822 shares of our Class B common stock and 28,754,258 operating partnership units. The Malkin Group, which includes Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin and their related parties and affiliates, is expected to own 1.3% of our outstanding common stock, or 16.2% on a fully diluted basis (1.2% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 15.8% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $543.2 million represented by 395,997 Class A common stock, 748,140 Class B common stock and 37,659,230 operating partnership units. |
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Peter L. Malkin, our Chairman Emeritus, is expected to own 0.1% of our outstanding common stock, or 2.5% on a fully diluted basis (0.1% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 2.4% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $84.1 million represented by 2,772 shares of our Class A common stock, 100,121 shares of our Class B common stock and 5,906,288 operating partnership units. |
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David A. Karp, our Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer, is expected to own 0.03% on a fully diluted basis (0.03% on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, with a total value of $1.1 million represented by 81,786 LTIP units. |
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Thomas P. Durels, our Executive Vice President and Chief of Property Operations and Leasing, is expected to own 0.003% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.2% on a fully diluted basis (0.002% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 0.2% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $5.7 million represented by 2,370 shares of our Class B common stock, 121,122 operating partnership units and 282,643 LTIP units. |
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Thomas N. Keltner, Jr., our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, is expected to own 0.01% of our outstanding common stock, or 0.3% on a fully diluted basis (0.01% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full, or 0.3% on a fully diluted basis), with a total value of $9.4 million represented by 7,987 shares of our Class B common stock, 481,420 operating partnership units and 180,571 LTIP units. |
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We intend to enter into (i) an employment agreement with Anthony E. Malkin, providing for salary, bonus and other benefits, including severance upon a termination of employment under certain circumstances and the issuance of equity awards as described under ManagementExecutive Compensation and ManagementEmployment Agreement and (ii) change in control severance agreements with David A. Karp, Thomas P. Durels and Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. as described under ManagementChange in Control Severance Agreements. |
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We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors, executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties at the closing of this offering, providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against (i) our directors, executive officers and chairman emeritus and (ii) our executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties who are former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such. |
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We intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify the Malkin Group and one additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain tax liabilities if those tax liabilities result from (i) the operating partnerships sale, transfer, conveyance or other taxable disposition of four specified properties (First Stamford Place, Metro Center, 10 Bank Street and 1542 Third Avenue, which collectively represent approximately 2.7% of the total consideration to be issued in the consolidation) to be acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation, for a period of 12 years with respect to First Stamford Place and for the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of both of Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other properties, (ii) the operating partnership failing to maintain until maturity the indebtedness secured by these properties or failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to refinance such indebtedness upon maturity in an amount equal to the principal balance of such indebtedness, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible, or (iii) the operating partnership failing to make available to any of these continuing investors the opportunity to guarantee, or otherwise bear the risk of loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness meeting certain requirements, until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares such continuing investor received in the formation transactions. We believe that it is consistent with market practice for significant stockholders, such as the Malkin Group, and the one additional third party investor in Metro Center to be indemnified against the certain tax liabilities as set forth in the tax protection agreement. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate to enter into a tax protection agreement. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million. We do not presently intend to sell or take any of the other actions which would result in a tax protection payment with respect to the properties covered by the tax protection agreement. |
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We have entered into the option agreements with affiliates of our predecessor. |
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We intend to enter into management and/or services agreements with the entities that own long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties, which entities are owned in part by Anthony E. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsOption Agreements. |
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We intend to enter into management and/or services agreements with the entities that own interests in the excluded properties and services agreements with the managers of certain of the excluded |
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businesses, which entities are owned in part by Anthony E. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsExcluded Properties and Businesses. |
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Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin will be released from or otherwise indemnified for liabilities arising under certain guarantees and indemnities with respect to approximately $1.3 billion of mortgage loans (including currently undrawn amounts) on our properties, which will be assumed by us upon closing of the formation transactions in respect of obligations arising after the closing. The guarantees and indemnities with respect to mortgage loans of many of the existing entities, including the public existing entities, were undertaken by Messrs. Malkin and Malkin to meet a conventional lender requirement which became standard only long after such entities were formed. The guarantees and indemnities with respect to all of the indebtedness are, in most instances, limited to losses incurred by the applicable lender arising from acts such as fraud, misappropriation of funds, intentional breach, bankruptcy and certain environmental matters. In connection with our assumption of these mortgage loans, we will seek to have the guarantors and/or indemnitors released from these guarantees and indemnities and to have our operating partnership assume any such guarantee and indemnity obligations as replacement guarantor and/or indemnitor. To the extent lenders do not consent to the release of these guarantors and/or indemnitors, and they remain guarantors and/or indemnitors on assumed indebtedness following this offering, our operating partnership will enter into indemnification agreements with the guarantors pursuant to which our operating partnership will be obligated to indemnify such guarantors and/or indemnitors for any amounts paid by them under guarantees and/or indemnities with respect to the assumed indebtedness. We believe that since the mortgage loans relating to these guarantees and indemnities will be assumed by us upon closing of the formation transactions, and we will have greater financial resources than the individual property owning entities which are subject to the mortgage loans, it is appropriate, and consistent with market practice, for Messrs. Malkin and Malkin to be indemnified by our operating partnership if the lenders do not consent to the release of these guarantors and/or indemnitors. Under the organizational documents of the existing entities, Messrs. Malkin and Malkin are already generally entitled to indemnification from investors in the existing entities for liabilities incurred by them in good faith and not arising out of their own willful misconduct or gross negligence, including any such liabilities under these guarantees and indemnities. In addition, in connection with future mortgage loans that we would enter into in connection with future property acquisitions or refinancing of our properties, we intend to enter into any necessary guarantees directly and neither Messrs. Malkin and Malkin nor any of our other directors, executive officers or stockholders would be expected to enter into such guarantees. |
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As part of the contribution agreements, we will release (i) Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin from all claims, liabilities, damages and obligations against them related to their ownership of our predecessors management companies and interests in our predecessor and (ii) certain members of our senior management team from all claims, liabilities, damages and obligations against them related to their ownership in the existing entities and their employment with our predecessors management companies that exist at the closing of the formation transactions, other than breaches by them or entities related to them, as applicable, of the employment and non-competition agreement and the contribution agreements and the merger agreements entered into by them and these entities in connection with the formation transactions. |
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We intend to enter into a registration rights agreement with certain persons receiving shares of our common stock or operating partnership units in the formation transactions, including certain members of our senior management team and our other continuing investors. The registration rights agreement will provide for the registration of our shares of Class A common stock received in the formation transactions or that are issuable upon the redemption, conversion or exchange of shares of Class B common stock or operating partnership units. |
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We intend to grant an aggregate of 545,000 LTIP units, subject to certain vesting requirements, to our executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin). |
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We intend to grant an aggregate of 64,286 LTIP units, subject to certain vesting requirements, to our independent directors. |
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We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay a loan in the amount of $3.6 million made in connection with 500 Mamaroneck Avenue to fund leasing costs at the property, of which approximately $1.2 million of such loan was made by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin. |
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In addition, we expect to assume a loan, which we expect to repay shortly after the closing, in the amount of approximately $1.5 million made by an entity, that is controlled by, and interests in which are held by, Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place. |
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As part of the contribution agreements, we will reimburse $110.0 million of expenses incurred in connection with the formation transactions and this offering that have been paid by each applicable existing entity and the option entities, and of which $12.0 million will be paid to the Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, in accordance to their ownership interests in our predecessor and each applicable existing entity. |
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The existing entities and our predecessors management companies will declare final distributions to the investors in such entities, including members of our senior management team and certain of our directors, in the amount of approximately $71.7 million in the aggregate, and of which $23.4 million will be paid to the Malkin Group, including Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, in accordance to their ownership interests in each applicable existing entity and predecessor management company. |
We did not conduct arms-length negotiations with the parties involved regarding the terms of the formation transactions. In the course of structuring the formation transactions, certain members of our senior management team and other contributors had the ability to influence the type and level of benefits that they will receive from us. Additionally, Anthony E. Malkin has a conflict of interest because we entered into agreements granting us the option to acquire long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties in which the Malkin Group controls and owns economic interests. As a result, an exercise of such options by us could economically benefit him. A majority of our independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in each of our option properties.
Determination of Offering Price
The initial public offering price of our Class A common stock will be determined in consultation with the underwriters. Among the factors that will influence the initial public offering price are our results of operations; our management; our estimated net income; our estimated funds from operations; our estimated cash available for distribution; our anticipated dividend yield; our growth prospects; the current market valuations for comparable REITs; financial performance and dividend yields of publicly traded companies considered by us and the underwriters to be comparable to us; and the state of the commercial real estate industry and the economy as a whole. The initial public offering price does not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value or the fair market value of our assets. As a result, the consideration to be given in exchange by us for these properties and other assets may exceed their fair market value. The aggregate historical combined net tangible book value of the assets of our predecessor to be contributed to us was a deficit of approximately $(126.3) million as of June 30, 2013.
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Throughout this prospectus, we provide certain information based on the assumption that we will price our shares at the mid-point of the pricing range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. However, certain of this information will be affected if the actual price per share in this offering is different from that mid-point or if the underwriters option to purchase 10,725,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock is exercised in part or in full. In particular, the value of the common stock and operating partnership units to be issued to continuing investors will increase or decrease, respectively, as the initial public offering price increases or decreases above or below the mid-point of the range. Moreover, if the initial public offering price is above or below the mid-point of the range or if the underwriters option to purchase 10,725,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock is exercised in part or in full, we will pay more or less, respectively, to the Helmsley estate and the other holders in the existing entities who elect to receive cash for their equity interests in certain of the existing entities, which would result in a lower or higher number, respectively, of shares of common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis following completion of this offering and the formation transactions. The following table sets forth this information at the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus assuming (i) the underwriters option is not exercised and (ii) the underwriters option is exercised in full. Additionally, following the table, we set forth the fully diluted common shares outstanding (both if the underwriters option is not exercised and if such option is exercised in full) at both the low-point and the high-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus.
Underwriters
option is not exercised |
Underwriters
option is exercised in full |
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$ | 14.00 | $ | 14.00 | |||||
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Number of shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions to be owned by: |
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The Malkin Group |
38,803,367 | 38,803,367 | ||||||
The Helmsley estate |
5,563,466 | | ||||||
Other continuing investors (1) |
122,704,931 | 122,704,931 | ||||||
Officers, directors and their respective affiliates (other than the Malkin Group) |
1,222,184 | 1,222,184 | ||||||
Public stockholders (2) |
71,963,214 | 82,688,214 | ||||||
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Total number of shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions |
240,257,162 | 245,418,696 | ||||||
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Value of shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions to be owned by: |
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The Malkin Group |
$ | 543,247,134 | $ | 543,247,134 | ||||
The Helmsley estate |
77,888,524 | | ||||||
Other continuing investors (1) |
1,717,869,034 | 1,717,869,034 | ||||||
Officers, directors and their respective affiliates (other than the Malkin Group) |
17,110,580 | 17,110,580 | ||||||
Public stockholders (2) |
1,007,484,996 | 1,157,634,996 | ||||||
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Total value of shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions |
$ | 3,363,600,268 | $ | 3,435,861,744 | ||||
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Percentage of shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions to be owned by: |
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The Malkin Group |
16.2 | % | 15.8 | % | ||||
The Helmsley estate |
2.3 | % | | |||||
Other continuing investors (1) |
51.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||
Officers, directors and their respective affiliates (other than the Malkin Group) |
0.5 | % | 0.5 | % | ||||
Public stockholders (2) |
30.0 | % | 33.7 | % | ||||
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Total |
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
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(1) | Includes holders of interests in the existing entities that will own operating partnership units and/or shares of our common stock following the consummation of the formation transactions, excluding the Malkin Group, the Helmsley estate and our officers and their affiliates. |
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(2) | Includes (1) holders of our Class A common stock offered by this prospectus and (2) 463,214 shares of restricted Class A common stock granted to employees upon the completion of this offering. |
At $13.00 per share, the total number of shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions would be 241,516,350 (or 245,445,573 shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full). At $15.00 per share, the total number of shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions would be 239,165,863 (or 245,395,485 shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 10,725,000 shares of our Class A common stock in full).
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POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
The following is a discussion of certain of our investment, financing and other policies. These policies have been determined by our board of directors and, in general, may be amended and revised from time to time at the discretion of our board of directors without notice to or a vote of our stockholders.
Investment in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate
We will conduct all of our investment activities through our operating partnership and its affiliates. Our investment objectives are to increase cash flow available for distribution to our stockholders, increase the value of our properties and maximize long-term stockholder value through stable dividends and share appreciation. We have not established a specific policy regarding the relative priority of these investment objectives. For a discussion of the properties and our acquisition and other strategic objectives, see Business and Properties.
We expect to pursue our investment objectives primarily through the ownership and operation, directly or indirectly, by our operating partnership of the properties that we will own following the formation transactions. We intend to focus primarily on Manhattan and greater New York metropolitan area office properties and, in addition, office and multi-tenanted retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. Future investment or redevelopment activities will not be limited to any geographic area, product type or to a specified percentage of our assets. While we may diversify in terms of property locations, size and market or submarket, we do not have any limit on the amount or percentage of our assets that may be invested in any one property or any one geographic area. We intend to engage in such future investment or development activities in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We do not have a specific policy to acquire assets primarily for capital gain or primarily for income. In addition, we may purchase or lease income-producing commercial and other types of properties for long-term investment, expand and improve the properties we presently own or other acquired properties, or sell such properties, in whole or in part, when circumstances warrant.
We may also participate with third parties in property ownership, through joint ventures or other types of co-ownership, if we determine that doing so would be the most effective means of raising capital. We will not, however, enter into a joint venture or other partnership arrangement to make an investment that would not otherwise meet our investment policies. We also may acquire real estate or interests in real estate in exchange for the issuance of common stock, operating partnership units, preferred stock or options to purchase stock.
Equity investments in acquired properties may be subject to existing mortgage financing and other indebtedness or to new indebtedness which may be incurred in connection with acquiring or refinancing these investments. Principal and interest on our debt will have a priority over any dividends with respect to our common stock. Investments are also subject to our policy not to be treated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act.
Investments in Real Estate Mortgages
Our current portfolio consists entirely of, and our business objectives emphasize, equity investments in commercial real estate. Although we do not presently intend to invest in mortgages or deeds of trust, other than in a manner that is ancillary to an equity investment, we may elect, in our discretion, to invest in mortgages and other types of real estate interests, including, without limitation, participating or convertible mortgages; provided, in each case, that such investment is consistent with our qualification as a REIT. Investments in real estate mortgages run the risk that one or more borrowers may default under certain mortgages and that the collateral securing certain mortgages may not be sufficient to enable us to recoup our full investment.
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Investments in Securities of or Interests in Persons Primarily Engaged in Real Estate Activities and Other Issuers
Subject to our qualification as a REIT, we may invest in securities of other REITs, other entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities. We do not currently have any policy limiting the types of entities in which we may invest or the proportion of assets to be so invested, whether through acquisition of an entitys common stock, limited liability or partnership interests, interests in another REIT or entry into a joint venture. We intend to invest primarily in entities that own commercial real estate. We have no current plans to invest in entities that are not engaged in real estate activities. Our investment objectives are to maximize the cash flow of our investments, acquire investments with growth potential and provide cash distributions and long-term capital appreciation to our stockholders through increases in the value of our company. We have not established a specific policy regarding the relative priority of these investment objectives.
Investment in Other Securities
Other than as described above, we do not intend to invest in any additional securities such as bonds, preferred stock or common stock.
We may from time to time dispose of properties if, based upon managements periodic review of our portfolio, our board of directors determines such action would be in our best interest. In addition, we may elect to enter into joint ventures or other types of co-ownership with respect to properties that we already own, either in connection with acquiring interests in other properties (as discussed above in Investment PoliciesInvestment in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate) or from investors to raise equity capital. Certain members of our senior management team who hold operating partnership units may have their decision as to the desirability of a proposed disposition influenced by the tax consequences to them resulting from the disposition of a certain property. In addition, we may be obligated to indemnify certain continuing investors, including members of our senior management team, against adverse tax consequences to them in the event that we sell or dispose of certain properties in taxable transactions. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Organization and StructureTax consequences to holders of operating partnership units upon a sale or refinancing of our properties may cause the interests of certain members of our senior management team to differ from your own.
We expect to employ leverage in our capital structure in amounts determined from time to time by our board of directors. Although our board of directors has not adopted a policy that limits the total amount of indebtedness that we may incur, it will consider a number of factors in evaluating our level of indebtedness from time to time, as well as the amount of such indebtedness that will be either fixed or variable rate. Our charter and bylaws do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness that we may incur nor do they restrict the form in which our indebtedness will be taken (including recourse or non-recourse debt, cross collateralized debt, etc.). Our board of directors may from time to time modify our debt policy in light of the then-current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our properties, general market conditions for debt and equity securities, fluctuations in the market price of our Class A common stock, growth and acquisition opportunities and other factors.
To the extent our board of directors determines to obtain additional capital, we may, without stockholder approval, issue debt or equity securities, including additional operating partnership units, retain earnings (subject to the distribution requirements applicable to REITs under the Code) or pursue a combination of these methods. As long as our operating partnership is in existence, the proceeds of all equity capital raised by us will be contributed to our operating partnership in exchange for additional interests in our operating partnership, which will dilute the ownership interests of the limited partners in our operating partnership.
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Conflicts of interest could arise in the future as a result of the relationships between us and our affiliates, on the one hand, and our operating partnership or any partner thereof, on the other. We intend to enter into a tax protection agreement with Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify the Malkin Group and one additional third party investor in Metro Center (who was one of the original landowners and was involved in the development of the property) against certain tax liabilities if those tax liabilities result from (i) the operating partnerships sale, transfer, conveyance or other taxable disposition of four specified properties (First Stamford Place, Metro Center, 10 Bank Street and 1542 Third Avenue, which collectively represent approximately 2.7% of the total consideration to be issued in the consolidation) to be acquired by the operating partnership in the consolidation, for a period of 12 years with respect to First Stamford Place and for the later of (x) eight years or (y) the death of both of Peter L. Malkin and Isabel W. Malkin who are 79 and 76 years old, respectively, for the three other properties, (ii) the operating partnership failing to maintain until maturity the indebtedness secured by these properties or failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to refinance such indebtedness upon maturity in an amount equal to the principal balance of such indebtedness, or, if the operating partnership is unable to refinance such indebtedness at its current principal amount, at the highest principal amount possible, or (iii) the operating partnership failing to make available to any of these continuing investors the opportunity to guarantee, or otherwise bear the risk of loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of their allocable share of $160 million of aggregate indebtedness meeting certain requirements, until such continuing investor owns less than the aggregate number of operating partnership units and shares of common stock equal to 50% of the aggregate number of such units and shares such continuing investor received in the formation transactions. Our operating partnership estimates that if all of its assets subject to the tax protection agreement were sold in a taxable transaction immediately after this offering, the amount of our operating partnerships indemnification obligations (based on current tax rates and the valuations of our assets based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and including additional payments to compensate the indemnified partners for additional tax liabilities resulting from the indemnification payments) would be approximately $109.0 million. We do not presently intend to sell or take any of the other actions which would result in a tax protection payment with respect to the properties covered by the tax protection agreement.
In addition, Anthony E. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group, has outside business interests which include ownership interests in the excluded properties and excluded businesses which we are not acquiring. Our directors and officers have duties to our company under applicable Maryland law in connection with their management of our company. At the same time, we have fiduciary duties, as a general partner, to our operating partnership and to the limited partners under Delaware law in connection with the management of our operating partnership. Our duties as a general partner to our operating partnership and its partners, may come into conflict with the duties of our directors and officers to our company. Unless otherwise provided for in the relevant partnership agreement, Delaware law generally requires a general partner of a Delaware limited partnership to adhere to fiduciary duty standards under which it owes its limited partners the highest duties of loyalty and care and which generally prohibits such general partner from taking any action or engaging in any transaction as to which it has a conflict of interest. The limited partners of our operating partnership have agreed that in the event of such a conflict, we will fulfill our fiduciary duties to such limited partners by acting in the best interests of our stockholders.
Additionally, the operating partnership agreement expressly limits our liability by providing that neither the general partner of the operating partnership, nor any of its directors or officers, will be liable or accountable in damages to our operating partnership, the limited partners or assignees for errors in judgment, mistakes of fact or law or for any act or omission if we, or such director or officer, acted in good faith. In addition, our operating partnership is required to indemnify us, our affiliates and each of our respective officers, directors and employees and any person we may designate from time to time in our sole and absolute discretion, including present and former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (whether joint or several), expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims,
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demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the operating partnership, provided that our operating partnership will not indemnify such person for (i) willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (ii) any transaction for which such person received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the operating partnership agreement, or (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful.
The provisions of Delaware law that allow the common law fiduciary duties of a general partner to be modified by an operating partnership agreement have not been resolved in a court of law, and we have not obtained an opinion of counsel covering the provisions set forth in the operating partnership agreement that purport to waive or restrict our fiduciary duties that would be in effect under common law were it not for the operating partnership agreement.
Our charter and bylaws do not restrict any of our directors, officers, stockholders or affiliates from having a pecuniary interest in an investment or transaction that we have an interest in or from conducting, for their own account, business activities of the type we conduct. We have, however, adopted certain policies designed to eliminate or minimize certain potential conflicts of interest. Specifically, we will adopt a code of business conduct and ethics that prohibits conflicts of interest between our officers, employees and directors on the one hand, and our company on the other hand, except in compliance with the policy. Our code of business conduct and ethics will state that a conflict of interest exists when a persons private interest interferes with our interest. For example, a conflict of interest will arise when any of our employees, officers or directors or any immediate family member of such employee, officer or director receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with us. Our code of business conduct and ethics will also limit our employees, officers and directors from engaging in any activity that is competitive with the business activities and operations of our company, except as disclosed in this prospectus. In addition, our code of business conduct and ethics will also restrict the ability of our employees, officers and directors to participate in a joint venture, partnership or other business arrangement with us, except in compliance with the policy. Waivers of our code of business conduct and ethics will be required to be disclosed in accordance with NYSE and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements. In addition, we will adopt corporate governance guidelines to assist our board of directors in the exercise of its responsibilities and to serve our interests and those of our stockholders. In addition, certain provisions of Maryland law are also designed to minimize conflicts. However, we cannot assure you these policies or provisions of law will always succeed in eliminating the influence of such conflicts. If they are not successful, decisions could be made that might fail to reflect fully the interests of all stockholders.
Except with respect to the option properties, excluded properties, excluded businesses and certain non-real estate family investments owned and managed by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, together with the Malkin Group, none of our senior management team will be permitted to compete with us during their employment with us.
Policies with Respect to Other Activities
We have authority to offer common stock, operating partnership units, preferred stock, options to purchase stock or other securities in exchange for property, repurchase or otherwise acquire our common stock or other securities in the open market or otherwise, and we may engage in such activities in the future. As described in Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P., we expect, but are not obligated, to issue common stock to holders of operating partnership units upon exercise of their redemption rights. Except in connection with the formation transactions or pursuant to our equity incentive plan, we have not issued common stock, units or any other securities in exchange for property or any other purpose, although, as discussed above in Investment PoliciesInvestment in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate, we may elect to do so. After the consummation of the formation transactions, our board of directors has no present intention of causing us to repurchase any common stock, although we may do so in the future. We may issue preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series, as authorized by our board of directors without the need for stockholder approval.
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See Description of Securities. We have not engaged in trading, underwriting or agency distribution or sale of securities of other issuers other than our operating partnership and do not intend to do so. At all times, we intend to make investments in a manner consistent with our qualification as a REIT unless our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interest to qualify as a REIT. We have not made any loans to third parties, although we may make loans to third parties, including, without limitation, to joint ventures in which we participate. We intend to make investments in such a way that we will not be treated as an investment company under the 1940 Act.
We intend to make available to our stockholders our annual reports, including our audited financial statements. After this offering, we will become subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Pursuant to those requirements, we will be required to file annual and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information, including audited financial statements, with the SEC.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the operating partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The following description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable provisions of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended, and the operating partnership agreement. See Where You Can Find More Information. For the purposes of this section, references to the general partner refer to Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Our operating partnership is a Delaware limited partnership that was formed on November 28, 2011. Our company is the sole general partner of our operating partnership. Pursuant to the operating partnership agreement, we have, subject to certain protective rights of limited partners described below, full, exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in the management and control of our operating partnership, including the ability to cause the partnership to enter into certain major transactions including a merger of our operating partnership or a sale of substantially all of the assets of our operating partnership. The limited partners have no power to remove the general partner without the general partners consent.
We may not conduct any business without the consent of a majority of the limited partners other than in connection with the ownership, acquisition and disposition of partnership interests, the management of the business of our operating partnership, our operation as a reporting company with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, the offering, sale syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests, financing or refinancing of any type related to our operating partnership or its assets or activities and such activities as are incidental to those activities discussed above. In general, we must contribute any assets or funds that we acquire to our operating partnership in exchange for additional partnership interests. We may, however, in our sole and absolute discretion, from time to time hold or acquire assets in our own name or otherwise other than through our operating partnership so long as we take commercially reasonable measures that the economic benefits and burdens of such property are otherwise vested in our operating partnership. We and our affiliates may also engage in any transactions with our operating partnership on such terms as we may determine in our sole and absolute discretion.
Our company is under no obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners or our stockholders in deciding whether to cause our operating partnership to take or decline to take any actions. If there is a conflict between the interests of our stockholders on one hand and the limited partners on the other, we will endeavor in good faith to resolve the conflict in a manner not adverse to either our stockholders or the limited partners. We are not liable under the operating partnership agreement to our operating partnership or to any partner for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred, or benefits not derived by limited partners in connection with such decisions, provided that we have acted in good faith.
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, substantially all of our business activities, including all activities pertaining to the acquisition and operation of properties, must be conducted through our operating partnership, and our operating partnership must be operated in a manner that will enable us to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a REIT.
Interests in our operating partnership are denominated in units of limited partnership interest. Following this offering and the formation transactions, our operating partnership will have two classes of limited partnership interestoperating partnership units and LTIP units. The operating partnership units will have four seriesSeries PR operating partnership units, Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating
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partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units. Of these, we will hold only Series PR operating partnership units. The Malkin Group and continuing investors in the private existing entities who receive operating partnership units in the formation transactions will hold Series PR operating partnership units, which will not be listed on a national securities exchange. Continuing investors in the public existing entities will hold Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units, which have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, under the symbols ESBA, OGCP, and FISK, respectively. Other than with respect to the transfer restrictions applicable to the Series PR operating partnership units as described below under Transferability of Operating Partnership Units; Extraordinary Transactions and that the Series PR operating partnership units will not be listed on a national securities exchange, each of the series of operating partnership units has identical rights as to distributions, liquidation and other rights as a limited partner in our operating partnership. The four series vote together as a single class on all matters on which the holders of operating partnership units have the right to approve, as described below. The separate series were created because there are unique U.S. federal income tax consequences to an investor that receives listed operating partnership units of a particular series (as compared to ownership of operating partnership units of another series) depending on the public existing entity in which they had an interest and the tax aspects of the property contributed by such entity. By issuing the operating partnership units in separate series, each of the operating partnership units in a series that will be trading on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to be uniform with other operating partnership units of that series. We may, without the consent of the limited partners, delist some or all of the operating partnership units from the national securities exchange on which such operating partnership units are admitted to trading.
Management Liability and Indemnification
Neither we nor our directors and officers are liable to our operating partnership, the limited partners or assignees for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived as a result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission, so long as such person acted in good faith. The operating partnership agreement provides for indemnification of us, our affiliates and each of our respective officers, directors, employees and any persons we may designate from time to time in our sole and absolute discretion, including present and former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (whether joint or several), expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the operating partnership, provided that our operating partnership will not indemnify such person, for (i) willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (ii) any transaction for which such person received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the operating partnership agreement, or (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful, as set forth in the operating partnership agreement (subject to the exceptions described below under Fiduciary Responsibilities).
Our directors and officers have duties under applicable Maryland law to manage us in a manner consistent with our best interests. At the same time, the general partner of our operating partnership has fiduciary duties to manage our operating partnership in a manner beneficial to our operating partnership and its partners. Our duties, as the general partner, to our operating partnership and its limited partners, therefore, may come into conflict with the duties of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders. We will be under no obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners of our operating partnership or our stockholders in deciding whether to cause the operating partnership to take or decline to take any actions. The limited partners of our operating partnership have agreed that in the event of a conflict in the duties owed by our directors and officers to us and our stockholders and the fiduciary duties owed by us, in our capacity as general partner of our operating partnership, to such limited partners, we will fulfill our fiduciary duties to such limited partners by acting in the best interests of our stockholders.
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The limited partners of our operating partnership expressly acknowledged that we are acting for the benefit of the operating partnership, the limited partners and our stockholders collectively.
Upon completion of this offering, we may cause our operating partnership to issue LTIP units to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees. These LTIP units will be subject to certain vesting requirements. In general, LTIP units are a class of partnership units in our operating partnership and will receive the same quarterly per unit profit distributions as the other outstanding units in our operating partnership. The rights, privileges, and obligations related to each series of LTIP units will be established at the time the LTIP units are issued. As profits interests, LTIP units initially will not have full parity, on a per unit basis, with our operating partnerships common units with respect to liquidating distributions. Upon the occurrence of specified events, LTIP units can over time achieve full parity with operating partnership units and therefore accrete to an economic value for the holder equivalent to operating partnership units. If such parity is achieved, vested LTIP units may be converted on a one-for-one basis into Series PR operating partnership units, which in turn are redeemable by the holder for cash or, at our election, exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. However, there are circumstances under which LTIP units will not achieve parity with operating partnership units, and until such parity is reached, the value that a participant could realize for a given number of LTIP units will be less than the value of an equal number of shares of our Class A common stock and may be zero.
The operating partnership agreement provides that we may cause our operating partnership to make quarterly (or more frequent) distributions of all, or such portion as we may in our sole and absolute discretion determine, of available cash (which is defined to be cash available for distribution as determined by our general partner) (i) first , with respect to any operating partnership units and LTIP units that are entitled to any preference in accordance with the rights of such operating partnership unit or LTIP unit (and, within such class, pro rata according to their respective percentage interests) and (ii) second , with respect to any operating partnership units and LTIP units that are not entitled to any preference in distribution, in accordance with the rights of such class of operating partnership unit or LTIP units (and, within such class, pro rata in accordance with their respective percentage interests).
Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss
Net income and net loss of our operating partnership are determined and allocated with respect to each fiscal year of our operating partnership as of the end of the year. Except as otherwise provided in the operating partnership agreement, an allocation of a share of net income or net loss is treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing net income or net loss. Except as otherwise provided in the operating partnership agreement, net income and net loss are allocated to the holders of operating partnership units or LTIP units holding the same class or series of operating partnership units or LTIP units in accordance with their respective percentage interests in the class or series at the end of each fiscal year. In particular, upon the occurrence of certain specified events, our operating partnership will revalue its assets and any net increase in valuation will be allocated first to the holders of LTIP units to equalize the capital accounts of such holders with the capital accounts of operating partnership unit or LTIP units holders. See ManagementEquity Incentive Plan. The operating partnership agreement contains provisions for special allocations intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Except as otherwise required by the operating partnership agreement or the Code and the Treasury Regulations, each operating partnership item of income, gain, loss and deduction is allocated among the limited partners of our operating partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the same manner as its correlative item of book income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to the operating partnership agreement. In addition, under Section 704(c) of the Code, items of income, gain, loss
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and deduction with respect to appreciated or depreciated property which is contributed to a partnership, such as our operating partnership, in a tax-free transaction must be specially allocated among the partners in such a manner so as to take into account such variation between tax basis and fair market value. The operating partnership will allocate tax items to the holders of operating partnership units or LTIP units taking into consideration the requirements of Section 704(c). See U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
We, as the general partner of the operating partnership, have sole discretion to ensure that allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction of the operating partnership are in accordance with the interests of the partners as determined under the Code and all matters concerning allocations of tax items not expressly provided for in the operating partnership agreement may be determined by us in our sole discretion. In addition, we, as general partner of the operating partnership, may adopt such conventions and methods of accounting for determining asset values, basis and identities of partners for proper administration of the operating partnership and to preserve the uniformity of each series of operating partnership units that will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
After 12 months of becoming a holder of operating partnership units (including any LTIP units that are converted into Series PR operating partnership units), each limited partner of our operating partnership will have the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the operating partnership agreement, to require our operating partnership to redeem all or a portion of the operating partnership units held by such limited partner in exchange for a cash amount equal to the number of tendered operating partnership units multiplied by the price of a share of our Class A common stock (determined in accordance with, and subject to adjustment under, the terms of the operating partnership agreement), unless the terms of such operating partnership units or a separate agreement entered into between our operating partnership and the holder of such operating partnership units provide that they are not entitled to a right of redemption or provide for a shorter or longer period before such limited partner may exercise such right of redemption or impose conditions on the exercise of such right of redemption. On or before the close of business on the fifth business day after we receive a notice of redemption, we may, in our sole and absolute discretion, but subject to the restrictions on the ownership of our common stock imposed under our charter and the transfer restrictions and other limitations thereof, elect to acquire some or all of the tendered operating partnership units from the tendering partner in exchange for shares of our Class A common stock, based on an exchange ratio of one share of our Class A common stock for each operating partnership unit (subject to anti-dilution adjustments provided in the operating partnership agreement). It is our current intention to exercise this right in connection with any redemption of operating partnership units.
Transferability of Operating Partnership Units; Extraordinary Transactions
We will not be able to withdraw voluntarily from the operating partnership or transfer our interest in the operating partnership, including our limited partner interest unless the transfer is made in connection with (i) any merger, consolidation or other combination in which, following the consummation of such transaction, the equity holders of the surviving entity are substantially identical to our stockholders, (ii) a transfer to a qualified REIT subsidiary or (iii) as otherwise expressly permitted under the operating partnership agreement. The operating partnership agreement permits us to engage in a merger, consolidation or other combination, or sale of substantially all of our assets if:
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we receive the consent of a majority in interest of the limited partners (excluding our company); |
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following the consummation of such transaction, substantially all of the assets of the surviving entity consist of partnership units; or |
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as a result of such transaction all limited partners will receive, or will have the right to receive, for each partnership unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal in value to the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid in the transaction to a holder of one share of our Class A common stock, provided that if, in connection with the transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares |
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of our common stock, each holder of partnership units shall be given the option to exchange its partnership units for the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property that a limited partner would have received had it exercised its redemption right (described above) and received shares of our Class A common stock immediately prior to the expiration of the offer. |
With certain limited exceptions, the limited partners who own Series PR operating partnership units or LTIP units may not transfer their interests in our operating partnership, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in our sole and absolute discretion. Except with our consent to the admission of the transferee as a limited partner with respect to Series PR operating partnership units or LTIP units, no transferee of such units shall have any rights by virtue of the transfer other than the rights of an assignee, and will not be entitled to vote or effect a redemption with respect to such partnership units in any matter presented to the limited partners for a vote. We, as general partner, will have the right to consent to the admission of a transferee of the interest of a limited partner with respect to Series PR operating partnership units or LTIP units, which consent may be given or withheld by us in our sole and absolute discretion. To the extent they remain listed on a national securities exchange, Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units generally will be freely transferable, and any transferee of such units will be admitted to the partnership with respect to such units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of operating partnership units and admission of transferees to the partnership are subject to certain limitations described in the partnership agreement.
Issuance of Our Stock and Additional Partnership Interests
Pursuant to the operating partnership agreement, upon the issuance of our stock other than in connection with a redemption of operating partnership units, we will generally be obligated to contribute or cause to be contributed the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance to our operating partnership in exchange for, in the case of common stock, operating partnership units or, in the case of an issuance of preferred stock, preferred operating partnership units with designations, preferences and other rights, terms and provisions that are substantially the same as the designations, preferences and other rights, terms and provisions of the preferred stock. In addition, we may cause our operating partnership to issue additional operating partnership units or other partnership interests and to admit additional limited partners to our operating partnership from time to time, on such terms and conditions and for such capital contributions as we may establish in our sole and absolute discretion, without the approval or consent of any limited partner, including: (i) upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of any debt, units or other partnership interests or other securities issued by our operating partnership; (ii) for less than fair market value; or (iii) in connection with any merger of any other entity into our operating partnership.
Pursuant to the operating partnership agreement, the general partner is the tax matters partner of our operating partnership and has certain other rights relating to tax matters. Accordingly, as both the general partner and tax matters partner, we have authority to handle tax audits and to make tax elections under the Code, in each case, on behalf of our operating partnership.
The term of the operating partnership commenced on November 28, 2011 and will continue perpetually, unless earlier terminated in the following circumstances:
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a final and non-appealable judgment is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction ruling that the general partner is bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and non-appealable order for relief is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction against the general partner, in each case under any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency laws as now or hereafter in effect, unless, prior to the entry of such order or judgment, a majority in interest of the remaining outside limited partners agree in writing, in their sole |
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and absolute discretion, to continue the business of the operating partnership and to the appointment, effective as of a date prior to the date of such order or judgment, of a successor general partner; |
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an election to dissolve the operating partnership made by the general partner in its sole and absolute discretion, with or without the consent of a majority in interest of the outside limited partners; |
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entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the operating partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act; |
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the occurrence of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the operating partnership or a related series of transactions that, taken together, result in the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the operating partnership; |
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the redemption (or acquisition by the general partner) of all operating partnership units that the general partner has authorized other than those held by our company; or |
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the incapacity or withdrawal of the general partner, unless all of the remaining partners in their sole and absolute discretion agree in writing to continue the business of the operating partnership and to the appointment, effective as of a date prior to the date of such incapacity, of a substitute general partner. |
Amendments to the Operating Partnership Agreement
Amendments to the operating partnership agreement may only be proposed by the general partner. Generally, the operating partnership agreement may be amended with the general partners approval and the approval of the limited partners holding a majority of all outstanding limited partner units (excluding limited partner units held by us or our subsidiaries). Certain amendments that would, among other things, have the following effects, must be approved by each partner adversely affected thereby:
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convert a limited partners interest into a general partners interest (except as a result of the general partner acquiring such interest); |
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modify the limited liability of a limited partner; |
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alter the rights of any partner to receive the distributions to which such partner is entitled (subject to certain exceptions); |
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alter or modify the redemption rights provided by the operating partnership agreement; or |
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alter or modify the provisions governing transfer of the general partners partnership interest. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will have the power, without the consent of the limited partners, to amend the operating partnership agreement as may be required to:
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add to our obligations or surrender any right or power granted to us or any of our affiliates for the benefit of the limited partners; |
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reflect the admission, substitution, or withdrawal of partners or the termination of the operating partnership in accordance with the operating partnership agreement and to cause the operating partnership or the operating partnerships transfer agent to amend its books and records to reflect the operating partnership unit and LTIP unit holders in connection with such admission, substitution or withdrawal; |
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reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature or does not adversely affect the limited partners as such in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in the operating partnership agreement not inconsistent with the law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under the operating partnership agreement that will not be inconsistent with the law or with the provisions of the operating partnership agreement; |
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satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a U.S. federal or state agency or contained in U.S. federal or state law; |
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set forth or amend the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, duties restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the holders of any additional partnership units issued or established pursuant to the operating partnership agreement; |
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reflect such changes as are reasonably necessary for us to maintain or restore our qualification as a REIT, to satisfy the REIT requirements or to reflect the transfer of all or any part of a partnership interest among our company and any qualified REIT subsidiary or entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from the general partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
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modify either or both the manner in which items of net income or net loss are allocated or the manner in which capital accounts are computed (but only to the extent set forth in the operating partnership agreement, or to the extent required by the Code or applicable income tax regulations under the Code); |
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to facilitate the trading of the Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units or Series 250 operating partnership units (including any division of such classes or other actions to facilitate the uniformity of tax consequences within each such operating partnership units listed on a national securities exchange); |
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comply with any rules, regulation, guideline or requirement of any national securities exchange on which the Series ES operating partnership units, Series 60 operating partnership units or Series 250 operating partnership units are or will be listed; |
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issue additional partnership interests; |
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reflect the admission, substitution, termination or withdrawal of the general partner and limited partners or an increase or decrease in either the general partners or limited partners DRO Amount (as defined in the operating partnership agreement) in accordance with the operating partnership agreement; |
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impose restrictions on the transfer of operating partnership units if the general partner of the operating partnership receives an opinion of counsel reasonably to the effect that such restrictions are necessary in order to comply with any federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the operating partnership or the operating partnership units; and |
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reflect any other modification to the operating partnership agreement as is reasonably necessary for the business or operations of the operating partnership or the general partner of the operating partnership and which does not otherwise require the consent of each partner adversely affected. |
Certain provisions affecting our rights and duties as general partner, either directly or indirectly ( e.g. , restrictions relating to certain extraordinary transactions involving us or the operating partnership) may not be amended without the approval of a majority of the limited partnership units (excluding limited partnership units held by us).
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The following is a summary of the rights and preferences of our securities. While we believe the following description covers the material terms of our securities, the description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the MGCL and our charter and bylaws. We encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, our charter and bylaws and the other documents we refer to for a more complete understanding of our securities. Copies of our charter and bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See Where You Can Find More Information.
Our charter provides that we may issue up to 400,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, which we refer to herein as the Class A common stock, up to 50,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share, which we refer to herein as the Class B common stock and, together with the Class A common stock, we refer to herein as the common stock, and up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. Our charter authorizes our board of directors to amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue without stockholder approval. After giving effect to this offering and the formation transactions, 89,678,299 shares of Class A common stock (excluding any exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock) and 1,130,006 shares of Class B common stock will be issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock will be issued and outstanding. Under Maryland law, stockholders are not generally liable for our debts or obligations solely as a result of their status as stockholders.
All of the shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus and Class B common stock issued in the formation transactions will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such shares of common stock out of assets legally available therefore if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, and the holders of our shares of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all our known debts and liabilities.
Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and except as may otherwise be specified in our charter, each outstanding share of Class A common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote, and each outstanding share of Class B common stock entitles the holder thereof to 50 votes, on all matters on which the stockholders of Class A common stock are entitled to vote, including the election of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class and will possess the exclusive voting power. The Class B common stock provides its holder with a voting right that is no greater than if such holder had received solely Class A common stock in the consolidation. Each share of Class B common stock has the same economic interest as a share of Class A common stock, and one share of Class B common stock and 49 operating partnership units together represent a similar economic value as 50 shares of Class A common stock. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors, which means that the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of all the votes cast in the election of directors. Under a plurality voting standard, directors who receive the greatest number of votes cast in their favor are elected to the board of directors. Please see Certain Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Our Charter and BylawsPolicy on Majority Voting.
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Holders of shares of common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of our company and generally have no appraisal rights unless our board of directors determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any such classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and except as otherwise provided in our charter, shares of common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights. One share of Class B common stock may be converted into one share of Class A common stock at any time, and one share of Class B common stock is subject to automatic conversion into one share of Class A common stock upon a direct or indirect transfer of such share of Class B common stock held by the holder of Class B common stock (or a permitted transferee thereof) to a person other than a permitted transferee. Shares of Class B common stock are also subject to automatic conversion upon certain direct or indirect transfers of operating partnership units held by the holder of such Class B common stock at a ratio of one share of Class B common stock for every 49 operating partnership units transferred to a person other than a permitted transferee. A permitted transferee with respect to a person is defined in our charter as a family member, affiliate or controlled entity of such person.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge or consolidate with another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a share exchange unless the action is approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is specified in the corporations charter. Our charter provides that these actions (other than certain amendments to the provisions of our charter related to the removal of directors, the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and the vote required to amend these provisions) may be approved by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares of Stock
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series. Therefore, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common or preferred stock with terms and conditions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for our shares of common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding, and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.
Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Common Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common and Preferred Stock
We believe the power of our board of directors to amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock, to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock and thereafter to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. The additional classes or series, as well as the additional shares of common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such approval is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series of stock that may, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for our shares of common stock or otherwise be in our best interest.
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Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our shares of stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. In addition, no more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of any taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy other requirements as well. See U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsRequirements for QualificationGeneral.
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our shares of common stock and other outstanding shares of stock. The relevant sections of our charter provide that no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock (the common stock ownership limit), or 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our capital stock (the aggregate stock ownership limit). We refer to the common stock ownership limit and the aggregate stock ownership limit collectively as the ownership limits. A person or entity that, but for operation of the ownership limits or another restriction on ownership and transfer of our stock as described below, would beneficially own or be deemed to beneficially own, by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, shares of our stock and/or, if appropriate in the context, a person or entity that would have been the record owner of such shares of our stock is referred to as a prohibited owner.
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause shares of stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock or 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, shares of our stock) by an individual or entity, could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of the ownership limits.
Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion and subject to the receipt of such certain representations, covenants and undertakings deemed reasonably necessary by the board, prospectively or retroactively, exempt a person from the ownership limits and establish an excepted holder limit for such person. However, our board of directors may not exempt any person whose ownership of our outstanding stock would result in our being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise would result in our failing to qualify as a REIT. In order to be considered by the board of directors for exemption, a person also must provide our board of directors with information and undertakings deemed satisfactory to our board of directors that such person does not own, actually or constructively, an interest in one of our tenants (or a tenant of any entity which we own or control) that would cause us to own beneficially or constructively more than a 9.9% interest in the tenant if the income derived by us from such tenant would reasonably be expected to equal or exceed the lesser of (i) one percent of our gross income (as determined for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code) or (ii) an amount that would cause us to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code. The person seeking an exemption must provide representations and undertakings to the satisfaction of our board of directors that it will not violate these restrictions. The person also must agree that any violation or attempted violation of these restrictions will result in the automatic transfer to a trust of the shares of stock causing the violation. As a condition of its waiver, our board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to our board of directors with respect to our qualification as a REIT.
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In connection with the waiver of the ownership limits, creating an excepted holder limit or at any other time, our board of directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase or decrease the ownership limits subject to the restrictions in the paragraph above; provided, however, that the ownership limits may not be decreased or increased if, after giving effect to such decrease or increase, five or fewer persons could own or beneficially own in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of our shares then outstanding. Prior to the modification of the ownership limits, our board of directors may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT. Reduced ownership limits will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership in our shares of common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, is in excess of such decreased ownership limits until such time as such persons or entitys percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limits, but any further acquisition of shares of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, in excess of such percentage ownership of our shares of common stock or total shares of stock will be in violation of the ownership limits.
Our charter further prohibits:
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any person from beneficially or constructively owning (taking into account applicable attribution rules under the Code) shares of our stock that would result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT; |
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any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent that such ownership would result in us owning (directly or indirectly) more than a 9.9% interest in one of our tenants (or a tenant of any entity which we own or control) if the income derived by us (either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships or limited liability companies) from such tenant would reasonably be expected to equal or exceed the lesser of (a) one percent of our gross income (as determined for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code) or (b) an amount that would cause us to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code; and |
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any person from transferring our shares of stock if such transfer would result in our shares of stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined, as a general matter, without reference to any attribution rules). |
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limits or any of the foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer will be required to give written notice immediately to us (or, in the case of a proposed or attempted acquisition, at least 15 days prior written notice to us) and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT. These restrictions on ownership and transfer will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with such provisions is no longer required for REIT qualification.
If any transfer of shares of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, such transfer will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. In addition, if any purported transfer of shares of our stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limits or such other limit established by our board of directors or in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT or in our owning (directly or indirectly) more than a 9.9% interest in one of our tenants (or a tenant of any entity which we own or control) if the income derived by us from such tenant would reasonably be expected to equal or exceed the lesser of (i) one percent of our gross income (as determined for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code) or (b) an amount that would cause us to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, then generally that number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would cause us to violate such restrictions will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by us and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the
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violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the prohibited owner, prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable ownership limits or our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then our charter provides that the transfer of the shares will be null and void.
Shares of stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares (or, in the event of a gift, devise or other such transaction, the last reported sales price reported on the NYSE (or other applicable exchange) on the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of stock to the trust) and (ii) the market price on the date we, or our designee, accepts such offer. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates, the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner but the trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the prohibited owner and are owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. To the extent the prohibited owner would receive an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner would have been entitled to receive had the trustee sold the shares held in the trust to a third party, such excess shall be retained by the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary.
If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limitations set forth in the charter. Upon such sale, the trustee must distribute to the prohibited owner an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares (or, in the event of a gift, devise or other such transaction, the last reported sales price reported on the NYSE (or other applicable exchange) on the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of stock to the trust) and (ii) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee for the shares. The trustee will reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the prohibited owner and are owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner will be immediately paid to the beneficiary of the trust and any dividend or other distribution paid to trustee shall be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. In addition, if, prior to discovery by us that shares of stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a prohibited owner, then such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive, such excess amount will be paid to the trustee upon demand. The prohibited owner has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.
The trustee will be designated by us and will be unaffiliated with us and with any prohibited owner. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary of the trust, all dividends and other distributions paid by us with respect to the shares held in trust and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares held in trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority, at the trustees sole discretion:
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to rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and |
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to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the beneficiary of the trust. |
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However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.
In addition, if our board of directors or other permitted designees determine in good faith that a proposed transfer would violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock set forth in our charter, our board of directors or other permitted designees will take such action as it deems or they deem advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing us to redeem the shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.
Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, is required to give us written notice, stating the stockholders name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the stockholder beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner must provide us with such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect of the stockholders beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, each stockholder must provide us with such information as we may request in good faith in order to determine our qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
Any certificates, or written statements of information delivered in lieu of certificates, representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
These restrictions on ownership and transfer will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with such provisions is no longer required for REIT qualification.
These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
We expect the transfer agent and registrar for our shares of common stock to be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following is a summary of certain provisions of Maryland law applicable to us and of our charter and bylaws. For a complete description, we refer you to the MGCL and our charter and bylaws. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law and our charter and bylaws. Copies of our charter and bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which is prospectus is a part. See Where You Can Find More Information.
Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of directors we have may be established by our board of directors but that the number may not be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL nor more than 15. Our charter and bylaws currently provide that, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any individual elected to fill such vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Each of our directors is elected by our stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Holders of shares of common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote will be able to elect all of our directors at any annual meeting. Directors are elected by a plurality of all votes cast in the election of directors.
Our charter provides that subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. Cause means, with respect to any particular director, a conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to us through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty. This provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of our board of directors to fill vacancies on our board of directors, precludes stockholders from (1) removing incumbent directors except upon a substantial affirmative vote and for cause and (2) filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.
Our board of directors will adopt a policy regarding the election of directors in uncontested elections. Pursuant to such policy, in an uncontested election of directors, any nominee who receives a greater number of votes affirmatively withheld from his or her election than votes for his or her election will, within two weeks following certification of the stockholder vote by our company, submit a written resignation offer to our board of directors for consideration by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the resignation offer and, within 60 days following certification by our company of the stockholder vote with respect to such election, make a recommendation to our board of directors concerning the acceptance or rejection of the resignation offer. Our board of directors will take formal action on the recommendation no later than 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote by our company. We will publicly disclose, in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC, the decision of our board of directors. Our board of directors will also provide an explanation of the process by which the decision was made and, if applicable, its reason or reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation.
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Under the MGCL, certain business combinations (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporations outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of such an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (1) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting stock of the corporation and (2) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporations common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. The board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance with any terms and conditions determined by it.
These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Pursuant to the statute, our board of directors has by resolution exempted business combinations between us and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by our board of directors (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person) and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and any person as described above. As a result, any person described above may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interest of our stockholders without compliance by our company with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the statute.
We cannot assure you our board of directors will not opt to be subject to such business combination provisions in the future. However, an alteration or repeal of the resolution described above will not have any effect on any business combinations that have been consummated or upon any agreements existing at the time of such modification or repeal. If our board of directors opted back into the business combination statute or failed to first approve a business combination, the business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
The MGCL provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock in a corporation in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of such shares in the election of directors: (i) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (ii) an officer of the corporation or (iii) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock previously acquired by the acquirer, or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (A) one-tenth or more but less than one-third; (B) one-third or more but less than a majority; or (C) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares that the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder
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approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses and making an acquiring person statement as described in the MGCL), may compel the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to (1) shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (2) acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There is no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:
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a classified board; |
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a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director; |
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a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors; |
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a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and |
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a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders. |
Our charter provides that, at such time as we are able to make a Subtitle 8 election, vacancies on our board may be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (1) require the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter for the removal of any director from the board, which removal also requires cause, (2) vest in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (3) require, unless called by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of directors, the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on any matter at such a meeting to call a special meeting.
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Pursuant to our bylaws, a meeting of our stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business will be held annually at a date, time and place set by our board of directors beginning in 2013. The chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of directors may call a special meeting of our stockholders. Subject to the provisions of our bylaws, a special meeting of our stockholders will also be called by our secretary upon the written request of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on any matter that may be properly considered at a meeting of stockholders and containing the information required in our bylaws.
Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws
Except for amendments to the provisions of our charter relating to the removal of directors, the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock and the vote required to amend these provisions (each of which must be advised by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter), our charter generally may be amended only with the approval of our board of directors and the affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, our board of directors, without stockholder approval, has the power under our charter to amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we are authorized to issue, to authorize us to issue authorized but unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into one or more classes or series of stock and set the terms of such newly classified or reclassified shares. See Description of SecuritiesPower to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Common Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common and Preferred Stock and Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares of Stock.
Our board of directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.
The dissolution of our company must be declared advisable by a majority of our entire board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on such other business and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.
With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made only (1) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (2) provided, that the meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.
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The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws
Our charter and bylaws and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for our shares of common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders, including restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and advance notice requirements for director nominations and stockholder proposals. Likewise, if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded or if we were to opt into the business combination provisions of the MGCL or the classified board or other provisions of Subtitle 8, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.
Interested Director and Officer Transactions
Pursuant to the MGCL, a contract or other transaction between us and a director or between us and any other corporation or other entity in which any of our directors is a director or has a material financial interest is not void or voidable solely on the grounds of such common directorship or interest, the presence of such director at the meeting at which the contract or transaction is authorized, approved or ratified or the counting of the directors vote in favor thereof, if:
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the fact of the common directorship or interest is disclosed or known to our board of directors or a committee of our board, and our board or committee authorizes, approves or ratifies the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of disinterested directors, even if the disinterested directors constitute less than a quorum; |
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the fact of the common directorship or interest is disclosed or known to our stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is authorized, approved or ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote other than the votes of shares owned of record or beneficially by the interested director or corporation or other entity; or |
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the contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to us. |
Upon the closing of this offering, we intend to adopt a policy that requires all contracts and transactions between us or any of our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of our directors or named executive officers or any entity in which such director or named executive officer is a director or has a material financial interest, on the other hand, to be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, even if less than a quorum. Where appropriate in the judgment of the disinterested directors, our board of directors may obtain a fairness opinion or engage independent counsel to represent the interests of non-affiliated security holders, although our board of directors will have no obligation to do so.
Indemnification and Limitation of Directors and Officers Liability
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting
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from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision and eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
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the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
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the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or in any proceeding charging improper personal benefit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by the corporation or in its right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
In addition, the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations receipt of:
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a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and |
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a written undertaking by the director or officer or on the directors or officers behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct. |
Our charter and bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:
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any present or former director or officer who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
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any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of such corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. |
Our charter and bylaws also permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such.
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Upon completion of this offering, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors, executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties, providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against (i) our directors, executive officers and chairman emeritus and (ii) our executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties who are former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such. Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we expect to have outstanding 89,678,299 shares of our Class A common stock (excluding any exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock) and 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock. In addition, a total of 150,578,863 shares of our Class A common stock are reserved for issuance upon exchange of operating partnership units and conversion of Class B common stock and exchange of LTIP units that may be issued under our equity incentive plan.
Of these shares, the 71,500,000 shares of our Class A common stock sold in this offering and the 7,988,712 shares of our Class A common stock issued in the formation transactions to certain investors that held interests in certain public existing entities in consideration for the acquisition of our predecessor will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, subject to the limitations on ownership and transfer set forth in our charter, except for any shares held by our affiliates, as that term is defined by Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The 9,726,373 shares of our Class A common stock issued to certain investors that held interests in private existing entities in consideration for the acquisition of our predecessor will be restricted shares as defined in Rule 144 and may not be sold unless registered under the Securities Act or sold in accordance with any exemption from registration, including Rule 144. The 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock issued to certain investors in the formation transactions may not be sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered except as set forth in our charter.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. Trading of our Class A common stock on the NYSE is expected to commence immediately following the completion of this offering. No prediction can be made as to the effect that future sales of shares, or the availability of shares for future sale, will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock (including shares of our Class A common stock issued upon the exchange of operating partnership units, LTIP units or the conversion of Class B common stock), or the perception that such sales are occurring or may occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our Class A common stock. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to This OfferingThere has been no public market for our Class A common stock prior to this offering and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained following this offering, which may negatively affect the market price of shares of our Class A common stock and make it difficult for investors to sell their shares and Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.Transferability of Operating Partnership Units; Extraordinary Transactions.
After giving effect to this offering, 9,726,373 of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock that will be outstanding will be restricted securities under the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and may not be sold in the absence of registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is available, including the exemption provided by Rule 144.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months (including any period of consecutive ownership of preceding non-affiliated holders) would be entitled to sell those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144.
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A person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of our Class A common stock or the average weekly trading volume of our Class A common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC. Such sales are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us (which requires that we are current in our periodic reports under the Exchange Act).
In connection with the formation transactions, our operating partnership will issue an aggregate of 148,839,571 operating partnership units to the continuing investors. Beginning on or after the date which is 12 months after the consummation of this offering, limited partners of our operating partnership have the right to require our operating partnership to redeem part or all of their operating partnership units for cash, or, at our election, to exchange for shares of our Class A common stock, based upon the fair market value of an equivalent number of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of the redemption, subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter and described under the section entitled Description of SecuritiesRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with certain persons receiving shares of our common stock or operating partnership units in the formation transactions, including certain members of our senior management team and our other continuing investors. Under the registration rights agreement, subject to certain limitations, not later than 12 months from the beginning of the first full calendar month following the completion of this offering, we will file one or more registration statements, which we refer to as the resale shelf registration statements, covering the resale of all shares of Class A common stock issued in the formation transactions (to the extent not already registered), all shares of Class A common stock issued to our independent directors, all shares of our Class A common stock issued to members of our senior management team pursuant to our equity incentive plan, and all shares of Class A common stock that may be issued upon redemption of operating partnership units or upon conversion of our Class B common stock, or collectively the registrable shares. We may, at our option, satisfy our obligation to prepare and file a resale shelf registration statement with respect to shares of our Class A common stock issued upon redemption of operating partnership units or issued upon conversion of shares of our Class B common stock by filing one or more issuer shelf registration statements, which, collectively with the resale shelf registration statements, we refer to as the shelf registration statements, registering the issuance by us of shares of our Class A common stock under the Securities Act, provided that we will be obligated to file an issuer shelf registration statement with respect to shares of our Class A common stock issued upon redemption of operating partnership units or issued upon conversion of shares of Class B common stock to continuing investors in the public existing entities. We have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause each shelf registration statement to be declared effective within 120 days of filing, which we refer to as the shelf effective date. Commencing upon the shelf effective date, under certain circumstances, we will also be required to undertake an underwritten offering upon the written request of the Helmsley estate or the Malkin Group, which we refer to as the holders, provided (i) the registrable shares to be registered in such offering will have a market value of at least $150 million, except that with respect to the fourth underwritten offering described in subclause (iii) below that is requested by the Helmsley estate, the registrable securities to be registered in such offering will have a market value of at least $100 million; (ii) we will not be obligated to effect more than two underwritten offerings during any 12-month period following the resale shelf effective date; and (iii) no holder will have the ability to effect more than four underwritten offerings. In addition, commencing six months after the completion of this offering and ending on the shelf effective date (unless the resale shelf registration statement has not been declared effective on the shelf effective date, in which case during each 180 day period following the shelf effective date),
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the holders will have demand rights to require us, subject to certain limitations, to undertake an underwritten offering with respect to the registrable shares having a market value of at least $150 million under a registration statement, provided, however, that any such registration shall not be counted for purposes of determining the four underwritten offerings described in the preceding sentence. In addition, if we file a registration statement with respect to an underwritten offering for our own account or on behalf of a holder, each holder will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to register such number of registrable shares held by him, her or it as each such holder requests. With respect to underwritten offerings on behalf of a holder, we will have the right to register such number of primary shares as we request; provided, however, that if cut backs are required by the managing underwriters of such an offering, our primary shares shall be cutback first (but in no event will our shares be cut back to less than $25 million).
We have also agreed to indemnify the persons receiving rights against specified liabilities, including certain potential liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or to contribute to the payments such persons may be required to make in respect thereof. We have agreed to pay all of the expenses relating to the registration and any underwritten offerings of such securities, including, without limitation, all registration, listing, filing and stock exchange or FINRA fees, all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, all printing expenses and all fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants retained by us, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, any out-of-pocket expenses (except we will pay any holders out-of-pocket fees (including disbursements of such holders counsel, accountants and other advisors) up to $25,000 in the aggregate for each underwritten offering and each filing of a resale shelf registration statement or demand registration statement), and any transfer taxes.
Prior to the completion of this offering, we will adopt an equity incentive plan. Our equity incentive plan provides for the grant of incentive awards to our senior management team, our independent directors, advisers, consultants and other personnel. We intend to issue an aggregate of 1,072,500 LTIP units/shares of restricted Class A common stock to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees respectively, upon completion of this offering, and intend to reserve an additional 10,886,733 shares of our Class A common stock for issuance under our equity incentive plan.
We anticipate that we will file a registration statement with respect to the shares of our Class A common stock issuable under our equity incentive plan following the consummation of this offering. Shares of our Class A common stock covered by this registration statement, including shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of options or shares of our restricted Class A common stock, will be eligible for transfer or resale without restriction under the Securities Act unless held by affiliates.
For more information regarding our equity incentive plan, see ManagementEquity Incentive Plan.
Lock-up Agreements and Other Contractual Restrictions on Resale
We and each continuing investor, including members of our senior management team, and our independent directors have agreed with the representatives of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell or otherwise transfer or encumber any shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock (including operating partnership units) owned by us or such person at the completion of this offering for a period of 180 days with respect to us and one year with respect to such other persons after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of the representatives. However, commencing on the date that is 180 days after the date of this prospectus, each continuing investor (other than the Malkin Group and members of our senior management team) may sell up to 50% of the shares of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock (including operating partnership units) held by it. In addition, each continuing investor that receives Series ES operating partnership units may, immediately following this offering, sell his or her pro rata portion of the greater of 1,100,000 Series ES operating partnership
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units and $40.0 million in value of Series ES operating partnership units (based on the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock) and each continuing investor that receives Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units may, immediately following this offering, sell up to the same percentage as the percentage of each continuing investors Series ES operating partnership units that can be sold immediately following this offering. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly
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offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock, |
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sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock, |
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purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock, |
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grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common stock, |
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otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock, |
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request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common stock, or |
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enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise. |
This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition. In the event that either (x) during the last 17 days of any lock-up period referred to above, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs or (y) prior to the expiration of the lock-up periods referred to above, we announce that we will release earnings results or become aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the applicable lock-up period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to our qualification and taxation as a REIT and the acquisition, holding, and disposition of our Class A common stock. For purposes of this section under the heading U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations, references to the company, we, our and us mean only Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. You are urged to both review the following discussion and to consult your tax advisor to determine the effects of ownership and disposition of our shares on your individual tax situation, including any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.
This summary is based upon the Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, or the Treasury Regulations, current administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS, (including administrative interpretations and practices expressed in private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings) and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. Except to the extent described below under Requirements for QualificationGeneralGross Income Tests, no advance ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this summary.
This summary is also based upon the assumption that the operation of the company, and of its subsidiaries and other lower-tier and affiliated entities, will in each case be in accordance with its applicable organizational documents or partnership agreements. This summary does not discuss the impact that U.S. state and local taxes and taxes imposed by non-U.S. jurisdictions could have on the matters discussed in this summary. In addition, this summary assumes that stockholders hold our Class A common stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment. This summary is for general information only, and does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular stockholder in light of the stockholders investment or tax circumstances, or to stockholders subject to special tax rules, such as:
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U.S. expatriates; |
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persons who mark-to-market our common stock; |
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subchapter S corporations; |
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U.S. stockholders, as defined below, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
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financial institutions; |
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insurance companies; |
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broker-dealers; |
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regulated investment companies, or RICs; |
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REITs; |
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trusts and estates; |
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holders who receive our Class A common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; |
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persons holding our Class A common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated investment; |
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persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code; |
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persons holding their interest through a partnership or similar pass-through entity; |
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persons holding a 10% or more (by vote or value) beneficial interest in us; |
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and, except to the extent discussed below:
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tax-exempt organizations; and |
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non-U.S. stockholders, as defined below. |
For purposes of this summary, a U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our Class A common stock who for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:
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a citizen or resident of the U.S.; |
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a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia); |
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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. |
A non-U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our Class A common stock who is neither a U.S. stockholder nor an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF HOLDERS OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDERS PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU, IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES, OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
We intend to elect and to qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013. We believe we have been organized and we intend to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013.
The law firm of Clifford Chance US LLP has acted as our counsel in connection with this offering. We will receive the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP prior to effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013, we will be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. The opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP will be based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, including that all factual representations and statements set forth in all relevant documents, records and instruments are true and correct, all actions described herein are completed in a timely fashion and that we will at all times operate in accordance with the method of operation described in our organizational documents and registration statement. Additionally, the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP is conditioned upon factual representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and present and future conduct of our business operations and other items regarding our ability to meet the various requirements for qualification as a REIT, and assumes that such representations and covenants are
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accurate and complete and that we will take no action that could adversely affect our qualification as a REIT. Although we believe we will be organized and intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2013, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances or applicable law, no assurance can be given by Clifford Chance US LLP or us that we will so qualify for any particular year. Clifford Chance US LLP will have no obligation to advise us or the holders of our Class A common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS or any court, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depend on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by Clifford Chance US LLP. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT depends in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of certain entities in which we invest. Our ability to qualify as a REIT for a particular year also requires that we satisfy certain asset and income tests during such year, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets in which we directly or indirectly own an interest. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
Certain Tax Considerations Related to our Formation Transactions
In connection with formation transactions, Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction will merge with and into us in a transaction that is intended to be treated as a tax-deferred reorganization under the Code. If each of the mergers qualifies as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will succeed to the earnings and profits of Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction, and our tax basis of those assets acquired from Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction will be determined by reference to the tax basis of the asset in the hands of, as relevant, Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction.
Each of Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction has elected to be treated as an S Corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 1361 of the Code. If the merger of either or both of Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction into us does not qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and if such corporation failed to qualify as an S corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such merger would generally be treated as a sale by such corporation of its assets to us in a taxable transaction, and we would succeed to any tax liability of such corporation with respect to such gain. Assuming that Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction, as the case may be, qualified as an S corporation at the time of the merger and had not otherwise succeeded to any such tax liabilities or to the assets of a subchapter C corporation in a carryover basis transaction, such corporation generally would not have any such U.S. federal income tax liability from the merger. However, in such event, such corporation may have certain state and local tax liabilities, and we would succeed to any such tax liabilities as the legal successor-in-interest to such corporation. If either or both of such mergers do not qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as a general matter, we would not succeed to the earnings and profits of the merging corporation and our tax basis in the assets we acquire from such corporation would not be determined by reference to the tax basis of the asset in the hands of such corporation, regardless of whether such corporation qualified as an S corporation.
In addition, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the formation transactions could affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, as discussed below under Requirements for QualificationGeneral and Requirements for QualificationGeneralTax on Built-In Gains.
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Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT for a particular year depend upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis during such year, through actual results of operations, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under Requirements for QualificationGeneral. While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See Failure to Qualify.
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the double taxation at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from investment in a corporation. Rather, income generated by a REIT generally is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends by the REIT.
Stockholders who are noncorporate U.S. stockholders are generally taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum rate of 20% (the same as long-term capital gains), thereby substantially reducing, though not completely eliminating, the double taxation that has historically applied to corporate dividends. With limited exceptions, however, ordinary dividends received by noncorporate U.S. stockholders from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income, which are as high as 39.6%. Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes of a REIT generally do not pass through to the stockholders of the REIT, subject to special rules for certain items such as capital gains recognized by REITs. See Taxation of Stockholders.
If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal income tax as follows:
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We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed income, including undistributed net capital gains. |
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We may be subject to the alternative minimum tax on our items of tax preference, if any. |
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If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, as described below, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See Requirements for QualificationGeneralProhibited Transactions, and Requirements for QualificationGeneralForeclosure Property, below. |
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If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or leasehold as foreclosure property, we may thereby avoid (1) the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), and (2) the inclusion of any income from such property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below, but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%). |
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If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (1) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (B) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, as the case may be, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. |
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If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, other than a failure of the 5% or 10% REIT assets tests that does not exceed a statutory de minimis amount as described more fully below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests. |
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If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross income or asset test requirement) and that violation is due to reasonable cause, we may retain our REIT qualification, but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
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If we fail to distribute on an annual basis at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, or the required distribution, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (A) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years), plus (B) retained amounts on which U.S. federal income tax is paid at the corporate level. |
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We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of our stockholders, as described below in Requirements for QualificationGeneral. |
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We may be subject to a 100% excise tax on some items of income and expense that are directly or constructively paid between us, our tenants and/or any TRSs if and to the extent that the IRS successfully adjusts the reported amounts of these items. |
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If we acquire appreciated assets from a subchapter C corporation (generally a corporation that is not a REIT, an RIC or an S corporation) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we will be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any of the assets during the 10-year period following our acquisition of the assets from the subchapter C corporation. The results described in this paragraph assume that the subchapter C corporation will not elect, in lieu of this treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when we acquire the assets. See Requirements for Qualification GeneralTax on Built-In Gains below. |
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We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include the stockholders proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in the stockholders income, would be deemed to have paid the tax that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit for the stockholders proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an adjustment would be made to increase the stockholders basis in our Class A common stock. Stockholders that are U.S. corporations will also appropriately adjust their earnings and profits for the retained capital gain in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be promulgated. |
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We will have subsidiaries or own interests in other lower-tier entities that are taxable C corporations, including Observatory TRS, Holding TRS, and any other TRSs, the earnings of which could be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax. |
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, transfer, franchise, property and other taxes. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for QualificationGeneral
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) | that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
(2) | the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest; |
(3) | that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Code provisions applicable to REITs; |
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(4) | that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code; |
(5) | the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months; |
(6) | in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include specified entities); |
(7) | that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year that has not been terminated or revoked; |
(8) | that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year as of a successor to any subchapter C corporation at the close of any taxable year; |
(9) | that uses the calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and |
(10) | that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions. |
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) do not need to be satisfied for the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT has been made. Our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our shares, which are intended, among other purposes, to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. We intend to monitor the beneficial owners of our stock to ensure that our stock is at all times beneficially owned by 100 or more persons, but no assurance can be given that we will be successful in this regard. For purposes of condition (6), an individual generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation, or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock in which the record holders are to disclose the actual owners of the shares ( i.e. , the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by us). A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand must be maintained as part of our records. Failure by us to comply with these record-keeping requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. If we satisfy these requirements and after exercising reasonable diligence would not have known that condition (6) is not satisfied, we will be deemed to have satisfied such condition. A stockholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with the stockholders tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other information.
With respect to condition (8), we believe we will not initially have any earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year or as a successor to any subchapter C corporation. As described above in the section entitled Structure and Formation of our CompanyFormation Transactions and under Taxation of the CompanyCertain Tax Considerations Related to our Formation Transactions, in connection with this offering, we will acquire Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction in a transaction pursuant to which we will succeed to the earnings and profits of the corporations, we believe that such corporations are S corporations that have distributed all accumulated earnings and profits and therefore will not cause us to have any non-REIT earnings and profits. If, however, either Malkin Properties CT or Malkin Construction did not, at any time, qualify as an S Corporation, or otherwise succeeded to the earnings and profits of a subchapter C Corporation, and assuming that either or both of the mergers qualified as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we generally would succeed to the subchapter C earnings and profits of Malkin Properties CT and/or Malkin Construction. In such case, we would be required to distribute any such earnings and profits by the close of the taxable year in which the mergers occur or we would fail to qualify as a REIT.
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With respect to condition (9), we intend to adopt December 31 as our taxable year-end and thereby satisfy this requirement.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests . In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnerships assets and to earn its proportionate share of the partnerships gross income based on its pro rata share of capital interests in the partnership for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test described below, the determination of a REITs interest in partnership assets will be based on the REITs proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding, for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Code. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships in which we own an equity interest (including our interest in our operating partnership and its equity interests in any lower-tier partnerships), is treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements described below. Consequently, to the extent that we directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest in a partnership, the partnerships assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control, or only limited influence, over the partnership.
As discussed in greater detail in Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships below, an investment in a partnership involves special tax considerations. For example, it is possible that the IRS could treat a subsidiary partnership as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this case, the subsidiary partnership would be subject to entity-level tax and the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, possibly causing us to fail the requirements to qualify as a REIT. See Tax Aspects of Investments in PartnershipsEntity Classification and Failure to Qualify below. In addition, special rules apply in the case of appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership. In general terms, these rules require that certain items of income, gain, loss and deduction associated with the contributed property be allocated to the contributing partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These rules could adversely affect us, for example, by requiring that a lower amount of depreciation deductions be allocated to us, which in turn would cause us to have a greater amount of taxable income without a corresponding increase in cash and result in a greater portion of our distributions being taxed as dividend income. See Tax Aspects of Investments in PartnershipsTax Allocations with Respect to Partnership Properties below.
Disregarded Subsidiaries . If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary, that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs as summarized below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS, as described below under Requirements for QualificationGeneralEffect of Subsidiary EntitiesTaxable REIT Subsidiaries, that is wholly owned by a REIT, or by other disregarded subsidiaries, or by a combination of the two. Single member limited liability companies that are wholly owned by a REIT are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT gross income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as pass-through subsidiaries.
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by usfor example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of usthe subsidiarys separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly,
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more than 10% of the value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See Requirements for QualificationGeneralAsset Tests and Requirements for QualificationGeneralGross Income Tests.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries . A REIT generally may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation, unlike a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such an entity would generally be subject to corporate U.S. federal, state, local and income and franchise taxes on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow generated by us and our subsidiaries in the aggregate, and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. Observatory TRS and Holding TRS will each elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we intend to jointly elect with each of Observatory TRS and Holding TRS, respectively, for each to be treated as a TRS. This will allow Observatory TRS and Holding TRS to invest in assets and engage in activities that could not be held or conducted directly by us without jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT.
For purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs, a REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by the subsidiary is an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT recognizes as income the dividends that it receives from the subsidiary. This treatment can affect the gross income and asset test calculations that apply to the REIT, as described below. Because a REIT does not include the assets and income of such subsidiary corporations in determining the REITs compliance with the REIT requirements, such entities may be used by the parent REIT to undertake indirectly activities that a REIT, due to the requirements applicable to REITs, might otherwise not be able to undertake directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (or, if such activities could be undertaken, it would only be in a commercially unfeasible manner) such as, for example, activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees. If dividends are paid to us by one or more TRSs we may own, then a portion of the dividends that we distribute to stockholders who are taxed at individual rates generally will be eligible for taxation at preferential qualified dividend income tax rates rather than at ordinary income rates. See Taxation of StockholdersTaxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders and Requirements for QualificationGeneralAnnual Distribution Requirements.
Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First , if a TRS has a debt to equity ratio as of the close of the taxable year exceeding 1.5 to 1, it may not deduct interest payments made in any year to an affiliated REIT to the extent that such payments exceed, generally, 50% of the TRSs adjusted taxable income for that year (although the TRS may carry forward to, and deduct in, a succeeding year the disallowed interest amount if the 50% test is satisfied in that year). In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between a REIT, its tenants and/or a TRS, that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arms-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess.
Rents received by us that include amounts for services furnished by a TRS to any of our tenants will not be subject to the excise tax if such amounts qualify for the safe harbor provisions contained in the Code. Safe harbor provisions are provided where (1) amounts are excluded from the definition of impermissible tenant service income as a result of satisfying a 1% de minimis exception; (2) a TRS renders a significant amount of similar services to unrelated parties and the charges for such services are substantially comparable; (3) rents paid to us by tenants leasing at least 25% of the net leasable space at a property that are not receiving services from the TRS are substantially comparable to the rents paid to us by tenants leasing comparable space at such property and that are receiving such services from the TRS (and the charge for the services is separately stated); or (4) the TRSs gross income from the service is not less than 150% of the TRSs direct cost of furnishing the service. We intend that Holding TRS and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries will provide certain services to our tenants following the formation transactions. Although we intend to operate Holding TRS in a manner that does not cause us to be subject to the excise tax discussed above, there is no assurance that we will be successful in this regard.
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Gross Income Tests
In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we annually must satisfy two gross income tests. First , at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including rents from real property, dividends received from and gain from the disposition of shares of other REITs, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as income from certain kinds of temporary investments. Second , at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, a REIT is deemed to have earned a proportionate share of the income earned by any partnership, or any limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which it owns an interest, which share is determined by reference to its capital interest in such entity, and is deemed to have earned the income earned by any qualified REIT subsidiary.
Rents received by us will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the 75% gross income test described above only if several conditions are met, including the following. The rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales or being based on the net income or profits of a tenant which derives substantially all of its income with respect to such property from subleasing of substantially all of such property, to the extent that the rents paid by the sublessees would qualify as rents from real property, if earned directly by us. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the total rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as rents from real property, we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render certain services to the tenants of such property, other than through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from which we derive no income, or through a TRS. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide non-customary services to tenants of our properties if the gross income from such services does not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the property for the relevant taxable year. In such a case, only the amounts for non-customary services are not treated as rents from real property and the provision of the services does not disqualify the rents from treatment as rents from real property. If, however, the gross income from such non-customary services exceeds this 1% threshold, none of the gross income derived from the property for the relevant property is treated as rents from real property. For purposes of this test, the gross income received from such non-customary services is deemed to be at least 150% of the direct cost of providing the services. Moreover, we are permitted to provide services to tenants through a TRS without disqualifying the rental income received from tenants as rents from real property. While our operating partnership will provide services to our tenants directly following the formation transactions in a manner consistent with our qualification as a REIT, we intend to also cause Holding TRS and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries to provide certain other services following the formation transactions. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent it is not treated as unrelated party rent, which generally includes rent from a tenant if we directly or indirectly (through application of certain constructive ownership rules) own, (1) in the case of any tenant which is a corporation, stock possessing 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such tenant, or (2) in the case of any tenant which is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the assets or net profits of such tenant. However, rental payments from a TRS will qualify as rents from real property even if we own more than 10% of the total value or combined voting power of the TRS if at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the TRS is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space.
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Income from admissions to the Empire State Building observatory, and certain other income generated by the observatory, would not likely be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. We will jointly elect with Observatory TRS, the current lessee and operator of the observatory, which will be wholly owned by our operating partnership following the completion of this offering, for Observatory TRS to be treated as a TRS of ours for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the completion of this offering. Observatory TRS will lease the Empire State Building observatory from the operating partnership pursuant to a lease that provides for fixed base rental payments and variable rental payments equal to certain percentages of Observatory TRSs gross receipts from the operation of the observatory. Given the unique nature of the real estate comprising the observatory, we do not believe that there is any space in the Empire State Building or in the same geographic area as the Empire State Building that would likely be considered sufficiently comparable to the observatory for the purpose of applying the exception to related party rent described above. We have received from the IRS a private letter ruling that the rent that our operating partnership will receive from Observatory TRS pursuant to the lease of the Empire State Building observatory will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests so long as such rent reflects the fair market rental value of the Empire State Building observatory as determined by an appraisal rendered by a qualified third party appraiser.
In addition, following completion of the offering our operating partnership will acquire various license agreements (i) granting certain third party broadcasters the right to use space on the tower on the top of the Empire State Building for certain broadcasting and other communication purposes and (ii) granting certain third party vendors the right to operate concession stands in the observatory. We have received from the IRS a private letter ruling that the license fees that our operating partnership will receive under these agreements will be treated as rental payments for the use of real property and therefore as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
We are entitled to rely upon these rulings only to the extent that we did not misstate or omit a material fact in the ruling request and that we continue to operate in the future in accordance with the material facts described in such request, and no assurance can be given that we will always be able to do so. If we were not able to treat the rent that our operating partnership receives from Observatory TRS as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, we would be required to restructure the manner in which we operate the observatory, which would likely require us to cede operating control of the observatory by leasing the observatory to an affiliate or third party operator. If we were not able to treat the license fees that our operating partnership will receive from the license agreements described above as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests, we would be required to enter into the license agreements described above through a TRS, which would cause the license fees to be subject to U.S. federal income tax and accordingly reduce the amount of our cash flow available to be distributed to our stockholders. In either case, if we are not able to appropriately restructure our operations in a timely manner, we would likely realize significant income that does not qualify for the REIT gross income tests, which could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.
Unless we determine that the resulting non-qualifying income under any of the following situations, taken together with all other non-qualifying income earned by us in the taxable year, will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, we do not intend to:
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charge rent for any property that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person, except by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales, as described above; |
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rent any property to a related party tenant, including Observatory TRS, Holding TRS, or any other TRS, unless the rent from the lease to the TRS would qualify for the special exception from the related party tenant rule applicable to certain leases with a TRS; |
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derive rental income attributable to personal property other than personal property leased in connection with the lease of real property, the amount of which no more than 15% of the total rent received under the lease; or |
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directly perform services considered to be non-customary or rendered to the occupant of the property. |
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We may receive distributions from Observatory TRS, Holding TRS, and any other TRSs or other C corporations that are neither REITs nor qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions will be classified as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends received by us from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test, as described above, to the extent that the obligation is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other property, and our income from the loan will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Although not currently anticipated, we may, on a selective basis, opportunistically make real estate-related debt investments, provided that the underlying real estate meets our criteria for direct investment. Under recent IRS guidance, we would be required to treat a portion of the gross income derived from a mortgage loan that is acquired at a time when the fair market value of the real property securing the loan is less than the loans face amount and there are other assets securing the loan as non-qualifying income for the 75% gross income test even if our acquisition price for the loan (that is, the fair market value of the loan at the time that we acquired it) is less than the value of the real property securing the loan. Even if a loan is not secured by real property or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless also qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.
In addition, although not currently anticipated, our opportunistic real estate-related debt investments may include mezzanine loans secured by equity interests in a pass-through entity that directly or indirectly owns retail real estate assets. The IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2003-65, or the Revenue Procedure, which provides a safe harbor pursuant to which a mezzanine loan, if it meets each of the requirements contained in the Revenue Procedure, will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and interest derived from it will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (described above). Although the Revenue Procedure provides a safe harbor on which taxpayers may rely, it does not prescribe rules of substantive tax law. Mezzanine loans that we acquire may not meet all of the requirements for reliance on this safe harbor. Hence, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the qualification of such assets as real estate assets or the interest generated by these loans as qualifying income under the 75% gross income test (described above).
To the extent that the terms of a loan provide for contingent interest that is based on the cash proceeds realized upon the sale of the property securing the loan, income attributable to the participation feature will be treated as gain from sale of the underlying property, which generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that the property is not inventory or dealer property.
We expect to earn fees from certain construction services we will provide to our tenants and other third parties. Gross income from such services generally may only constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests to the extent that it is attributable to construction services provided to our tenants in connection with the entering into or renewal of a lease. In addition, construction services provided to our tenants other than in such circumstances might constitute non-customary services. As a result, to the extent that we provide construction services to third parties or to tenants other than in connection with the entering into or renewal of a lease, we expect to provide such services through Holding TRS or another TRS, which will be subject to full corporate tax with respect to such income.
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Hedging Transactions
We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which we clearly identify as specified in Treasury Regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, or (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.
Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests
We intend to monitor our sources of income, including any non-qualifying income received by us, so as to ensure our compliance with the gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if the failure of our company to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and, following the identification of such failure, we set forth a description of each item of our gross income that satisfies the gross income tests in a schedule for the taxable year filed in accordance with the Treasury Regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances involving us, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under Taxation of the CompanyTaxation of REITs in General, even where these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed upon the profit attributable to the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First , at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of real estate assets, cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, stock of other REITs, and certain kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.
Second , the value of any one issuers securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets. Third , we may not own more than 10% of any one issuers outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. Fourth , the aggregate value of all securities of Observatory TRS, Holding TRS, and any other TRSs held by us may not exceed 25% of the value of our total assets.
The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs, qualified REIT subsidiaries or securities that are real estate assets for purposes of the 75% asset test described above. In addition, the 10% value test does not apply to certain straight debt and other excluded securities, as described in the Code including, but not limited to, any loan to an individual or estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. For these purposes, (1) a REITs interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a
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security; (2) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or another security that is excluded from the 10% value test) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnerships gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% gross income test; and (3) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or another excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of the REITs interest as a partner in the partnership. For purposes of the 10% value test, straight debt means a written unconditional promise to pay on demand on a specified date a sum certain in money if (i) debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, (ii) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrowers discretion, or similar factors other than certain contingencies relating to the timing and amount of principal and interest payments, as described in the Code and (iii) in the case of an issuer that is a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries, as defined in the Code, hold any securities of the corporate or partnership issuer which (a) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule), and (b) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuers outstanding securities (including, for the purposes of a partnership issuer, its interest as a partner in the partners).
As mentioned above, although not currently contemplated, we may, on a selective basis, opportunistically make real estate-related debt investments, provided the underlying real estate meets our criteria for direct investment. A real estate mortgage loan that we own generally will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test if, on the date that we acquire or originate the mortgage loan, the value of the real property securing the loan is equal to or greater than the principal amount of the loan. Furthermore, under recent IRS guidance, unlike the rules described above that are applicable to the gross income tests, we would not be required to treat any portion of a mortgage loan as non-qualifying for the 75% asset test if at the time that we acquire the loan our acquisition price for the loan (that is, the fair market value of the loan at the time that we acquired it) does not exceed the fair market value of the real property securing the loan. Furthermore, although modifications of a loan held by us generally may be treated as an acquisition of a new loan for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a modification would not be treated as an acquisition of a new loan for these purposes provided that the modification is occasioned by a default or a significant risk of default.
After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of a quarter, we will not lose our qualification as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values (including a failure caused solely by change in the foreign currency exchange rate used to value a foreign asset). If we fail to satisfy the asset tests because we acquire or increase our ownership interest in securities during a quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of the non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. If we fail the 5% asset test, the 10% vote test, or the 10% value test at the end of any quarter, and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets (generally, within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy those asset tests occurred) to cure the violation, provided that the non-permitted assets do not exceed the lesser of 1% of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If we fail any of the other asset tests, or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests is in excess of the de minimis amount described above, as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we are permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30-day cure period, by taking steps including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset tests (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred), and paying a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the relevant asset test.
We believe our holdings of securities and other assets will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements, and we intend to monitor compliance with such tests on an ongoing basis. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in this effort. Moreover, the values of some of our assets, including the securities of Observatory TRS, Holding TRS, and any other TRSs or other non-publicly traded investments, may not be susceptible to a precise determination and are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes
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may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset tests. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our assets do not meet the requirements of the REIT asset tests.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
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90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to our deduction for dividends paid and our net capital gains), and |
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90% of the net income from foreclosure property (after tax) as described below, and recognized built-in gain, as discussed above, minus |
(2) | the sum of specified items of non-cash income that exceeds a percentage of our income. |
These distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if such distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, are payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in any such month, and are actually paid before the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both paid by us and received by each stockholder on December 31 of the year in which they are declared. In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year may be declared before we timely file our tax return for the year, provided we pay such distribution with or before our first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided that such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such taxable year. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
In order for distributions to be counted towards our distribution requirement, and to give rise to a tax deduction to us, they must not be preferential dividends. A dividend is not a preferential dividend if it is pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and is in accordance with the preferences among our different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. In addition, we may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we would elect to have our stockholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in their income and receive a corresponding credit for their proportionate share of the tax paid by us. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis in our stock by the difference between the designated amounts included in their long-term capital gains and the tax deemed paid with respect to their proportionate shares.
If we fail to distribute on an annual basis at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such amount over the sum of (A) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior periods) and (B) the amounts of income retained on which we have paid corporate income tax. We intend to distribute our net income to our stockholders in a manner that satisfies the REIT 90% distribution requirement and that protects us from being subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income and the 4% nondeductible excise tax.
It is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash to meet the REIT distribution requirements due to timing differences between (1) the actual receipt of cash, including the receipt of distributions from any partnership subsidiaries and (2) the inclusion of items in income by us for U.S. federal
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income tax purposes. In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, it might be necessary to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, or to pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property, including taxable stock dividends. In the case of a taxable stock dividend, stockholders would be required to include the dividend as income and would be required to satisfy the tax liability associated with the distribution with cash from other sources including sales of our Class A common stock. Both a taxable stock distribution and sale of Class A common stock resulting from such distribution could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying deficiency dividends to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing our REIT qualification. However, we will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Tax on Built-In Gains
If we acquire appreciated assets from a subchapter C corporation in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation (a carry-over basis transaction), and if we subsequently dispose of any such assets during the 10 year period following the acquisition of the assets from the subchapter C corporation, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rates on any gain from such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date that they were contributed to us over the basis of such assets on such date, which we refer to as built-in gains. However, the built-in gains tax will not apply if the subchapter C corporation elects to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.
As discussed above under Taxation of the CompanyCertain Tax Considerations Related to our Formation Transactions, we intend that the merger of Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction with and into us will be carry-over basis transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming that both Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction have at all times qualified as S Corporations and have not otherwise acquired assets of a subchapter C Corporation in a carry over basis transaction, we will not be treated as acquiring assets from a subchapter C Corporation in a carry-over basis transaction as a result of the mergers. If, however, either Malkin Properties CT or Malkin Construction did not, at any time, qualify as an S Corporation, or otherwise acquired assets of a subchapter C Corporation in a carry-over transaction, and assuming that either or both of the mergers qualified as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the assets that we acquire from such entities could be subject to the built-in gains tax.
Recordkeeping Requirements
We are required to maintain records and request on an annual basis information from specified stockholders. These requirements are designed to assist us in determining the actual ownership of our outstanding stock and maintaining our qualification as a REIT.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term prohibited transaction generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business by a REIT, by a lower-tier partnership in which the REIT holds an equity interest or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument in the REIT. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset owned by us or our pass-through subsidiaries will be held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers, and that a sale of any assets owned by us directly or through a pass-through subsidiary will not be in the ordinary course of business. However, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be
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given that any particular property in which we hold a direct or indirect interest will not be treated as property held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers, or that certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code discussed below that prevent such treatment will apply. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property by Observatory TRS, Holding TRS, or any other TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.
The Code provides a safe harbor that, if met, allows us to avoid being treated as engaged in a prohibited transaction. In order to meet the safe harbor, among other things, (i) we must have held the property for at least two years for the production of rental income (and, in the case of property which consists of land or improvements not acquired through foreclosure, we must have held the property for two years for the production of rental income), (ii) we capitalized expenditures on the property in the two years preceding the sale that are less than 30% of the net selling price of the property, and (iii) we (a) have seven or fewer sales of property (excluding certain property obtained through foreclosure) for the year of sale or (b) either (I) the aggregate tax basis of property sold during the year of sale is 10% or less of the aggregate tax basis of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year, or (II) the aggregate fair market value of property sold during the year of sale is 10% or less of the aggregate fair market value of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year, and (III) in the case of either (I) or (II), substantially all of the marketing and development expenditures with respect to the property sold are made through an independent contractor from whom we derive no income. For these purposes, the sale of more than one property to one buyer as part of one transaction constitutes one sale.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property (including interests in real property) and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of the REIT having bid on the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default (or default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (2) for which the related loan or lease was made, entered into or acquired by the REIT at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) for which such REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. REITs generally are subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property in the hands of the selling REIT.
To the extent that we acquire non-performing or distressed debt secured by retail real estate assets with a view to subsequently taking control of the collateral ( i.e. , loan-to-own investments), any property that we acquire through such a transaction will not qualify to be treated as foreclosure property because it will not satisfy condition (2) in the preceding paragraph. However, provided that the income generated by such property is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, such income will not be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate assuming that it is currently distributed to our stockholders. See Requirements for QualificationGeneralAnnual Distribution Requirements.
In the event that we violate a provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, we may nevertheless continue to qualify as a REIT. Specified relief provisions will be available to us to avoid such disqualification if (1) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, (2) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy a requirement for qualification as a REIT and (3) the violation does not include a violation under the gross income or asset tests described above (for which other specified relief provisions are available). This cure provision reduces the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT for violations due to reasonable cause. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and
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none of the relief provisions of the Code apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to our stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, and, subject to limitations of the Code, distributions to our stockholders will generally be taxable in the case of noncorporate U.S. stockholders at a maximum rate of 20%, and dividends in the hands of our corporate U.S. stockholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under the specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether we will be entitled to statutory relief in all circumstances.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships
General
We will hold investments through entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including our interest in our operating partnership and equity interests in lower-tier partnerships. In general, partnerships are pass-through entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are subject to tax on these items without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We will include in our income our proportionate share of these partnership items for purposes of the various REIT income tests, based on our capital interest in such partnerships. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we will include our proportionate share of assets held by subsidiary partnerships, based on our capital interest in such partnerships (other than for purposes of the 10% value test, for which the determination of our interest in partnership assets will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership excluding, for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Code). Consequently, to the extent that we hold an equity interest in a partnership, the partnerships assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control, or only limited influence, over the partnership.
Entity Classification
The investment by us in partnerships involves special tax considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the IRS of the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships as a partnership, as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any of these entities were treated as an association for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a corporation and, therefore, could be subject to an entity-level tax on its income.
Pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code, a partnership that does not elect to be treated as a corporation nevertheless will be treated as a corporation that for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it is a publicly traded partnership and it does not receive at least 90% of its gross income from certain specified sources of qualifying income within the meaning of that section. A publicly traded partnership is any partnership (i) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or (ii) the interests in which are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof. The Series ES, Series 60 and Series 250 operating partnership units of our operating partnership will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and therefore, our operating partnership will be a publicly traded partnership. Accordingly, our operating partnership will be taxed as a corporation unless at least 90% of its gross income consists of qualifying income under Section 7704 of the Code for each of its taxable years. Qualifying income for purposes of the qualifying income exception is generally real property rents and other types of passive income. We believe, and both we and our operating partnership have represented to Clifford Chance US LLP in connection with its REIT qualification opinion, that our operating partnership will have sufficient qualifying income so that it would be taxed as a partnership, even though it will be a publicly traded partnership. The income requirements applicable to us to qualify as a REIT under the Code and the definition of qualifying income under the publicly traded partnership rules are very similar. Although differences exist between these two income tests, we do not believe that these differences would cause our operating partnership not to satisfy the 90% gross income test applicable to publicly traded partnerships.
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If at the end of any taxable year the operating partnership fails to meet the qualifying income exception, it may still qualify as a partnership if it is otherwise entitled to relief under the Code for an inadvertent termination of partnership status. This relief will be available if (i) the failure is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, (ii) the failure is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent, and (iii) the operating partnership agrees to make such adjustments (including adjustments with respect to its partners) or to pay such amounts as are required by the IRS. It is not possible to state whether the operating partnership would be entitled to this relief in any or all circumstances. It also is not clear under the Code whether this relief is available for the operating partnerships first taxable year as a publicly traded partnership. If this relief provision is inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, the operating partnership will not qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Moreover, if this relief provision applies and the operating partnership retains its partnership status, it or the holders of operating partnerships units (during the failure period) will be required to pay such amounts as are determined by the IRS.
Moreover, if the operating partnership fails to meet the qualifying income exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery as described above, and therefore was taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the character of our assets and items of our gross income would change and would preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests (particularly the tests generally preventing a REIT from owning more than 10% of the voting securities, or more than 10% of the value of the securities, of a corporation) and the gross income tests as discussed in Requirements for QualificationGeneralAsset Tests and Requirements for QualificationGeneralGross Income Tests above, and in turn would prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See Failure to Qualify, below, for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, any change in the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.
Tax Allocations with Respect to Partnership Properties
The operating partnership agreement generally provides that items of operating income and loss will be allocated to the holders of units in proportion to the number of units held by each holder. If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. Our operating partnerships allocations of income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under this section of the Code.
Under Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value, or book value, of the contributed property and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of the contribution (a book-tax difference). Such allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect partnership capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.
In connection with the formation transactions, appreciated property will be acquired by our operating partnership in exchange for interests in our operating partnership. The operating partnership agreement requires that allocations with respect to such acquired property be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. Treasury Regulations issued under Section 704(c) of the Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of allocating book-tax differences. Under the tax protection agreement, the operating partnership has agreed to use the traditional method for accounting for book-tax differences for the properties acquired by
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the operating partnership in the consolidation. Under the traditional method, which is the least favorable method from our perspective, the carryover basis of the acquired properties in the hands of our operating partnership (1) may cause us to be allocated lower amounts of depreciation and other deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if all of the acquired properties were to have a tax basis equal to their fair market value at the time of acquisition and (2) in the event of a sale of such properties, could cause us to be allocated gain in excess of our corresponding economic or book gain (or taxable loss that is less than our economic or book loss), with a corresponding benefit to the partners transferring such properties to our operating partnership for interests in our operating partnership. Therefore, the use of the traditional method could result in our having taxable income that is in excess of our economic or book income as well as our cash distributions from our operating partnership, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements or result in a greater portion of our distributions being treated as taxable dividend income.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders
This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. stockholders that are not tax-exempt organizations.
If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding our Class A common stock should consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock by the partnership.
Distributions . Provided that we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will generally be taken into account by them as ordinary dividend income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. In determining the extent to which a distribution with respect to our Class A common stock constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any is outstanding, and then to our common stock. Dividends received from REITs are generally not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified dividend income rates applicable to noncorporate U.S. stockholders who receive dividends from taxable subchapter C corporations.
In addition, distributions from us that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed to U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the U.S. stockholder has the stock. To the extent that we elect under the applicable provisions of the Code to retain our net capital gains, U.S. stockholders will be treated as having received, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains as well as a corresponding credit for taxes paid by us on such retained capital gains.
U.S. stockholders will increase their adjusted tax basis in our Class A common stock by the difference between their allocable share of such retained capital gain and their share of the tax paid by us. Corporate U.S. stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of noncorporate U.S. stockholders, and 35% for corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for noncorporate U.S. stockholders, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.
A portion of our distributions may be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a general matter, a portion of our distributions will be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes if the aggregate amount of our distributions for a year exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for that year. To the extent that a distribution is treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income
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tax purposes, it will reduce a holders adjusted tax basis in the holders shares, and to the extent that it exceeds the holders adjusted tax basis will be treated as gain resulting from a sale or exchange of such shares. As a general matter, any such gain will be long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. In addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year and payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us before the end of January of the following calendar year.
With respect to noncorporate U.S. stockholders, we may elect to designate a portion of our distributions paid to such U.S. stockholders as qualified dividend income. A portion of a distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend income is taxable to noncorporate U.S. stockholders as capital gain, provided that the U.S. stockholder has held the Class A common stock with respect to which the distribution is made for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such Class A common stock became ex-dividend with respect to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:
(1) the qualified dividend income received by us during such taxable year from subchapter C corporations (including any TRSs);
(2) the excess of any undistributed REIT taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such undistributed REIT taxable income; and
(3) the excess of any income recognized during the immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a built-in-gain asset that was acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a non-REIT corporation or had appreciated at the time our REIT election became effective over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such built-in gain.
Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of (1) above if the dividends are received from a domestic subchapter C corporation, such as Observatory TRS, Holding TRS, and any other TRSs, and specified holding period and other requirements are met.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that must be made in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See Requirements for QualificationGeneralAnnual Distribution Requirements. Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. stockholders and do not offset income of U.S. stockholders from other sources, nor do they affect the character of any distributions that are actually made by us, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of U.S. stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Dispositions of Our Common Stock . In general, a U.S. stockholder will realize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market value of any property and the amount of cash received in such disposition and the U.S. stockholders adjusted tax basis in the Class A common stock at the time of the disposition. A U.S. stockholders adjusted tax basis generally will equal the U.S. stockholders acquisition cost, increased by the excess of net capital gains deemed distributed to the U.S. stockholder (as discussed above), less tax deemed paid on it and reduced by returns of capital. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other noncorporate U.S. stockholders upon the sale or disposition of shares of our Class A common stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if our Class A common stock is held for more than 12 months, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates of up to 39.6% if our Class A common stock is held for 12 months or less. Gains recognized by U.S. stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not classified as long-term capital gains. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is
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generally higher than the long-term capital gain tax rates for noncorporate holders) to a portion of capital gain realized by a noncorporate holder on the sale of REIT stock or depositary shares that would correspond to the REITs unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.
Prospective stockholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of our Class A common stock held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of noncorporate taxpayers, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our Class A common stock by a U.S. stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions received from us that were required to be treated by the U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gain.
If a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our Class A common stock in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of recently adopted Treasury Regulations involving reportable transactions could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss generating transactions to the IRS. Although these regulations are directed towards tax shelters, they are written quite broadly, and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. Significant penalties apply for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our Class A common stock, or transactions that might be undertaken directly or indirectly by us. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in transactions involving us (including our advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our Class A common stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. stockholders will not be able to apply any passive losses against income or gain relating to our Class A common stock. Distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. A U.S. stockholder that elects to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of stock or qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amounts.
Expansion of Medicare Tax
Under recently enacted legislation, in certain circumstances, certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates, and trusts pay a 3.8% tax on net investment income, which includes, among other things, dividends on and gains from the sale or other disposition of shares, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. Prospective U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding this new legislation.
Foreign Accounts
Under recently enacted legislation (referred to as FATCA) and subsequent guidance, certain payments made after June 30, 2014 to foreign financial institutions in respect of accounts of U.S. stockholders at such financial institutions may be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of this recent legislation on their ownership and disposition of shares of their common stock.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Stockholders
U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income, which is referred to in this registration statement as unrelated
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business taxable income, or UBTI. Although many investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder has not held our Class A common stock as debt financed property within the meaning of the Code ( i.e. , where the acquisition or ownership of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our Class A common stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions from us and income from the sale of our Class A common stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder.
Tax-exempt U.S. stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c) (9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI unless they are able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by their investment in our Class A common stock. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, (2) is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code, and (3) that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a pension-held REIT. We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) either (A) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (B) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of such stock and (2) we would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides that stock owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding stock of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities), as owned by the beneficiaries of such trusts.
Tax-exempt U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders. The discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selective and not all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation.
Ordinary Dividends . The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. stockholders payable out of our earnings and profits that are not attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests and which are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be treated as ordinary income and will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs.
In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. stockholders investment in our Class A common stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholders conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends, and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty) on the income after the application of the income tax in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.
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Non-Dividend Distributions . Unless (1) our Class A common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest, or USRPI, or (2) either (A) the non-U.S. stockholders investment in our Class A common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (B) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United States (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals net capital gain for the year), distributions by us which are not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes ( i.e. , not treaded as being paid out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. If it cannot be determined at the time at which a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and, therefore, did not constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, if our companys Class A common stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions by us in excess of the sum of our earnings and profits plus the non-U.S. stockholders adjusted tax basis in our Class A common stock will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type ( e.g. , an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a withholding tax (at a rate of 10%) of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholders share of our earnings and profits plus the stockholders adjusted basis in our stock. As discussed below, we expect that our Class A Class A common stock will not be treated as a USRPI in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder who holds less than 5% of our Class A common stock.
Because it will not generally be possible for us to determine the extent to which a distribution will be from our current or accumulated earnings and profits at the time the distribution is made, we intend to withhold and remit to the IRS 30% of distributions to non-U.S. stockholders (other than distributions that are deemed to be attributable to USRPI capital gains, as described in greater detail below) unless (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate with us; or (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholders trade or business. However, if we determine that any of our stock held by a non-U.S. stockholder is likely to be treated as a USRPI, we intend to withhold and remit to the IRS at least 10% of distributions on such stock even if a lower rate would apply under the preceding discussion.
Capital Gain Dividends . Under FIRPTA, a distribution made by us to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs held by us directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the amount of any distribution to the extent it is attributable to USRPI capital gains. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation. However, this 35% withholding tax will not apply to any distribution with respect to any class of our stock which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States (as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations) if the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of such dividend. Instead, any such distribution will be treated as a distribution subject to the rules discussed above under Taxation of StockholdersTaxation of Non-U.S. StockholdersOrdinary Dividends. Also, the branch profits tax will not apply to such a distribution.
A distribution is not attributable to USRPI capital gain if we held the underlying asset solely as a creditor, although the holding of a shared appreciation mortgage loan would not be solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder from a REIT that are not attributable to USRPI capital gains are
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generally not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless either (1) the non-U.S. stockholders investment in our Class A common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United States (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals net capital gain for the year). We intend to withhold and remit to the IRS 35% of a distribution to a non-U.S. stockholder only to the extent that such distribution is attributable to USRPI capital gains. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. stockholders U.S. federal income tax liability or refundable when the non-U.S. stockholder properly and timely files a tax return with the IRS.
Dispositions of Our Class A Common Stock . Unless our Class A common stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of the stock by a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. The stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. However, we expect that more than 50% of our assets will consist of interests in real property located in the United States.
Still, our Class A common stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. A REIT is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity if, at all times during a specified testing period (generally the lesser of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of its shares of Class A common stock or the period of existence), less than 50% in value of its outstanding stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders. We expect to be a domestically controlled qualified investment entity and, therefore, the sale of our Class A common stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. Because our stock will be publicly traded, however, no assurance can be given that we will be, or that if we are, that we will remain, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.
Specific wash sale rules applicable to sales of shares in a REIT could result in gain recognition, taxable under FIRPTA, upon the sale of our Class A common stock. These rules would apply if a non-U.S. stockholder (1) disposes of our Class A Class A common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been taxable to such non-U.S. stockholder as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI, (2) is treated as acquiring, or as entering into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our Class A Class A common stock during the 61-day period that begins 30 days prior to such ex-dividend date, and (3) if shares of our Class A Class A common stock are regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States, such non-U.S. stockholder has owned more than 5% of our Class A Class A common stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of such distribution.
In the event that we do not constitute a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, a non-U.S. stockholders sale of our Class A common stock nonetheless will generally not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that (1) our Class A common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States (as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations), and (2) the selling non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less of our outstanding Class A common stock at all times during the five-year period ending on the date of sale.
If gain on the sale of our Class A common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, including applicable alternative minimum tax (and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals), and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.
Gain from the sale of our Class A common stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. stockholder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. stockholders investment in our Class A common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business
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conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals capital gain.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
We will report to our U.S. stockholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% with respect to dividends paid, unless the holder (1) is a corporation or comes within other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number or social security number, certifies under penalties of perjury that such number is correct and that such holder is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide his or her correct taxpayer identification number or social security number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distribution to any U.S. stockholder who fails to certify its non-foreign status.
We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. stockholder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. stockholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable certification requirements are met.
Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our Class A common stock within the United States is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting requirements unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. stockholder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our Class A common stock conducted through certain United States related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting requirements (but not backup withholding) unless the financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Accounts
The recently enacted FATCA legislation may, pursuant to recently finalized Treasury Regulations and other guidance, impose withholding taxes on U.S. source payments made after June 30, 2014 to foreign financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities and disposition proceeds of U.S. securities realized after December 31, 2016. Under FATCA, the failure to comply with additional certification, information reporting and other specified requirements could result in withholding tax being imposed on payments of dividends and sales proceeds to U.S. stockholders who own shares of our Class A common stock through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries and to certain non-U.S. stockholders. FATCA imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our Class A common stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign entity other than a financial institution, unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations or (ii) the foreign entity that is not a financial institution either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner. If the payee is a foreign financial institution that is not otherwise exempt, it must either
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enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements, or, in the case of a foreign financial institution that is a resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement to implement this legislation, comply with the revised diligence and reporting obligations of such intergovernmental agreement. Prospective stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding this legislation.
State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which they or we transact business, own property or reside. We will likely own interests in properties located in a number of jurisdictions, and we may be required to file tax returns and pay taxes in certain of those jurisdictions. The state, local or foreign tax treatment of our company and our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes incurred by us would not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisor regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our Class A common stock.
Proposed Legislation or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our stockholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our Class A common stock.
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A fiduciary of a pension, profit sharing, retirement or other employee benefit plan, or plan, subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or ERISA, should consider the fiduciary standards under ERISA in the context of the plans particular circumstances before authorizing an investment of a portion of such plans assets in the shares of our Class A common stock. Accordingly, such fiduciary should consider (i) whether the investment satisfies the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA, (ii) whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the plan as required by Section 404(a)(1)(D) of ERISA, and (iii) whether the investment is prudent under ERISA. In addition to the imposition of general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and diversification, ERISA and the corresponding provisions of the Code prohibit a wide range of transactions involving the assets of the plan and persons who have certain specified relationships to the plan (parties in interest within the meaning of ERISA, disqualified persons within the meaning of Code). Thus, a plan fiduciary considering an investment in the shares of our Class A common stock should also consider whether the acquisition or the continued holding of the shares of our Class A common stock might constitute or give rise to a direct or indirect prohibited transaction that is not subject to an exemption issued by the Department of Labor, or the DOL.
The DOL has issued final regulations, or the DOL Regulations, as to what constitutes assets of an employee benefit plan under ERISA. Under the DOL Regulations, if a plan acquires an equity interest in an entity, which interest is neither a publicly offered security nor a security issued by an investment company registered under the 1940 Act as amended, the plans assets would include, for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility provision of ERISA, both the equity interest and an undivided interest in each of the entitys underlying assets unless certain specified exceptions apply. The DOL Regulations define a publicly offered security as a security that is widely held, freely transferable, and either part of a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, or sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (provided the securities are registered under the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year of the issuer during which the public offering occurred). The shares of our Class A common stock are being sold in an offering registered under the Securities Act and will be registered under the Exchange Act.
The DOL Regulations provide that a security is widely held only if it is part of a class of securities that is owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and of one another. A security will not fail to be widely held because the number of independent investors falls below 100 subsequent to the initial public offering as a result of events beyond the issuers control. We expect our Class A common stock to be widely held upon completion of this offering.
The DOL Regulations provide that whether a security is freely transferable is a factual question to be determined on the basis of all relevant facts and circumstances. The DOL Regulations further provide that when a security is part of an offering in which the minimum investment is $10,000 or less, as is the case with this offering, certain restrictions ordinarily will not, alone or in combination, affect the finding that such securities are freely transferable. We believe the restrictions imposed under our charter on the transfer of our Class A common stock are limited to the restrictions on transfer generally permitted under the DOL Regulations are not likely to result in the failure of Class A common stock to be freely transferable. The DOL Regulations only establish a presumption in favor of the finding of free transferability, and, therefore, no assurance can be given that the DOL will not reach a contrary conclusion.
We believe our Class A common stock will be widely held and freely transferable, and therefore that our Class A common stock should be publicly offered securities for purposes of the DOL Regulations and that our assets should not be deemed to be plan assets of any plan that invests in our Class A common stock. Operating partnership units may not be sold to or held by any benefit plan investor as defined under Section 3(42) of ERISA.
Each holder of our common stock will be deemed to have represented and agreed that either it is not subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or its purchase and holding of such common stock (or any interest therein) will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
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Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.
Underwriter |
Number of Shares | |||
Goldman, Sachs & Co. |
||||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
||||
Barclays Capital Inc. |
||||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
||||
Capital One Securities, Inc. |
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KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. |
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HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. |
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PNC Capital Markets LLC |
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RBS Securities Inc. |
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Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated |
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Lebenthal & Co., LLC |
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Loop Capital Markets LLC |
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Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc. |
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|
|||
Total |
71,500,000 | |||
|
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Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares of common stock sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares of common stock, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Commissions and Discounts
The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares of common stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.
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The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.
Per Share |
Without
Option |
With Option | ||||||||||
Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Underwriting discount |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ | $ | $ |
The expenses of the offering, including the filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters in connection with FINRA filings, but not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $110.0 million and are payable by us.
Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 10,725,000 additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriters initial amount reflected in the above table.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We, each continuing investor, including members of our senior management team, and our independent directors have agreed not to offer, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Class A common stock (including operating partnership units) for 180 days with respect to us and one year with respect to such other persons after the date of this prospectus without obtaining the prior written consent of the representatives. However, commencing on the date that is 180 days after the date of this prospectus, each continuing investor (other than the Malkin Group and members of our senior management team) may sell up to 50% of the shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock (including operating partnership units) held by it. In addition, each continuing investor that receives Series ES operating partnership units may, immediately following this offering, sell his or her pro rata portion of the greater of 1,100,000 Series ES operating partnership units and $40.0 million in value of Series ES operating partnership units (based on the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock) and each continuing investor that receives Series 60 operating partnership units and Series 250 operating partnership units may, immediately following this offering, sell up to the same percentage as the percentage of each continuing investors Series ES operating partnership units that can be sold immediately following this offering. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly
|
offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock, |
|
sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock, |
|
purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock, |
|
grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common stock, |
|
otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock, |
|
request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common stock, or |
|
enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise. |
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This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition. In the event that either (x) during the last 17 days of any lock-up period referred to above, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs or (y) prior to the expiration of the lock-up periods referred to above, we announce that we will release earnings results or become aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the applicable lock-up period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.
New York Stock Exchange Listing
Our Class A common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, under the symbol ESRT. In order to meet the requirements for listing on that or another exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to sell a minimum number of shares of common stock to a minimum number of beneficial owners as required by that exchange.
Before this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations between us and the representatives. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price are
|
the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies that the representatives believe to be comparable to us, |
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our financial information, |
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the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete, |
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an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues, |
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the present state of our development, and |
|
the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours. |
An active trading market for the shares of common stock may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the shares of common stock will not trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.
The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the shares in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
Until the distribution of the shares of common stock is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters option to purchase additional shares described above. The underwriters may close
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out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares. Naked short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, certain of the underwriters may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of their Internet subscription customers. These underwriters may allocate a limited number of shares for sale to their online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus may be available on the Internet Web site maintained by certain underwriters. Other than any prospectus in electronic format, the information on an underwriters Web site is not part of this prospectus.
Other Relationships
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we expect to enter into an agreement for an $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility from lenders that will include certain of the underwriters of this offering or their respective affiliates, for which the lead arrangers have secured all commitments. In their capacity as lenders under the facility, these underwriters or their respective affiliates will receive certain customary fees and expense reimbursements. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsConsolidated Indebtedness to be Outstanding After This OfferingSecured Revolving and Term Credit Facility.
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Affiliates of certain of the underwriters in this offering are lenders under our $500.0 million term loan secured by the Empire State Building and will receive their pro rata share of net proceeds of the $800.0 million secured revolving and term credit facility that are used to repay the term loan. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the Relevant Implementation Date), no offer of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:
A. | to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive; |
B. | to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or |
C. | in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, |
provided that no such offer of shares shall require the Company or the representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.
Each person in a Relevant Member State (other than a Relevant Member State where there is a Permitted Public Offer) who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that (A) it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive, and (B) in the case of any shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, the shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been given to the offer or resale. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.
The Company, the representatives and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representation, acknowledgement and agreement.
This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of shares in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances
- 330 -
in which no obligation arises for the Company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither the Company nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the Company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.
For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression an offer to the public in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (CISA). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus supplement relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). This prospectus supplement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus supplement. The shares to which this prospectus supplement relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to professional investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a prospectus within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the SFA), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
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Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for us by Clifford Chance US LLP, New York, New York. In addition, the description of U.S. federal income tax consequences contained in the section of the prospectus entitled U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations is based on the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Hogan Lovells US LLP.
- 333 -
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited (i) the consolidated balance sheets of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. at December 31, 2012 and 2011 as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and registration statement, (ii) the combined financial statements and schedules of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and registration statement and (iii) the consolidated financial statements of Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and for each of the two years ended December 31, 2012, as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and registration statement. Also, Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, has audited (i) the statements of revenues and certain expenses of 1333 Broadway Associates, L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and registration statement, (ii) the statements of revenues and certain expenses of 1350 Broadway Associates, L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and registration statement, and (iii) the statements of revenues and certain expenses of 501 Seventh Avenue Associates, L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and registration statement. We have included each of the aforementioned financial statements and schedules in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLPs reports given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Unless otherwise indicated, the statistical and economic market data included in this prospectus, including information relating to the economic conditions within our markets contained in Prospectus Summary and Economic and Market Overview is derived from market information prepared for us by RCG Consulting Group, or RCG, a nationally recognized real estate consulting firm, and is included in this prospectus in reliance on RCGs authority as an expert in such matters. We paid RCG a fee of $42,500 for its services.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We maintain a website at www.empirestaterealtytrust.com. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-11, including exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock to be sold in this offering. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the shares of Class A common stock to be sold in this offering, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. Copies of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, may be examined without charge at the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0300. Copies of all or a portion of the registration statement may be obtained from the public reference room of the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees. Our SEC filings, including our registration statement, are also available to you, free of charge, on the SECs website at www.sec.gov .
As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and will file periodic reports, proxy statements and will make available to our stockholders annual reports containing audited financial information for each year and quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited interim financial information.
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F-1
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates |
||||
Interim Historical Consolidated Financial Statements: |
||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2013 (unaudited) and December 31, 2012 (audited) |
F-124 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited) |
F-125 | |||
F-126 | ||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited) |
F-127 | |||
Notes to Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-128 | |||
1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.: |
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F-144 | ||||
F-145 | ||||
F-146 | ||||
1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C.: |
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F-149 | ||||
F-150 | ||||
F-151 | ||||
501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.: |
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F-155 | ||||
F-156 | ||||
F-157 |
F-2
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
(in thousands)
As used in these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, unless the context otherwise requires, we, us, and our company mean the Predecessor (as defined below) for the periods presented and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries upon consummation of its initial public offering, or this offering, and the formation transactions defined below.
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, Inc.) is a Maryland corporation formed on July 29, 2011 to acquire the assets of entities owning various controlling and non-controlling interests in real estate assets and the equity interests of certain management businesses controlled and managed by Mr. Peter L. Malkin and Mr. Anthony E. Malkin, or the Sponsors.
Prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, we will engage in a series of formation transactions, pursuant to which we will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, these assets, interests and businesses, which we refer to as our formation transactions. The formation transactions are intended to enable us to (i) combine the ownership of our property portfolio under our operating partnership subsidiary, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, L.P.), a Delaware limited partnership, or the Operating Partnership; (ii) succeed to the asset management, property management, leasing and construction businesses of the Predecessor; (iii) facilitate this offering; and (iv) elect to be and qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2013. We will not have any operating activity until the consummation of this offering and the formation transactions.
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor, or the Predecessor, is not a legal entity but rather a combination of (i) controlling interests in (a) 16 office and retail properties, (b) one development parcel, and (c) certain management companies, which are owned by certain entities that the Sponsors own interests in and control, which we collectively refer to as the controlled entities, and (ii) non-controlling interests in four office properties (which include two of the 16 properties set forth in (i) above), held through entities which we collectively refer to as the non-controlled entities, and are presented as uncombined entities in our combined financial statements. Specifically, the term the Predecessor means (i) Malkin Holdings LLC, a New York limited liability company that acts as the supervisor of, and performs various asset management services and routine administration with respect to, certain of the existing entities (as described below), which we refer to as the supervisor; (ii) the limited liability companies or limited partnerships that currently (a) own, directly or indirectly and either through a fee interest or a long-term leasehold in the underlying land, and/or (b) operate, directly or indirectly and through a fee interest, an operating lease, an operating sublease or an operating sub-sublease, the 18 office and retail properties (which include non-controlling interests in four office properties for which Malkin Holdings LLC acts as the supervisor but that are not consolidated into our predecessor for accounting purposes) and entitled land that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage that we will own after the formation transactions described in this prospectus, which we refer to as the existing entities; (iii) Malkin Properties, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Manhattan, which we refer to as Malkin Properties; (iv) Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Westchester County, New York, which we refer to as Malkin Properties NY; (v) Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., a Connecticut corporation that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in the State of Connecticut, which we refer to as Malkin Properties CT; and (vi) Malkin Construction Corp., a Connecticut corporation that is a general contractor and provides services to certain of the existing entities and third parties (including certain tenants at the properties in our portfolio), which we refer to as Malkin Construction. The term the Predecessors management companies refers to the supervisor, Malkin Properties, Malkin Properties NY, Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction, collectively. The Predecessor accounts for its investment in the non-controlled entities under the equity method of accounting.
F-3
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
(in thousands)
Controlled Entities
As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, properties that the Sponsors own interests in and control and whose operations are 100% consolidated into the financial statements of the Predecessor include:
Office:
One Grand Central Place, New York, New York
250 West 57th Street, New York, New York
1359 Broadway, New York, New York
First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut
Metro Center, Stamford, Connecticut
383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, New York
10 Bank Street, White Plains, New York
Fee ownership position of 350 Fifth Avenue (Empire State Building), New York, New York
Fee ownership position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York
Retail:
10 Union Square, New York, New York
1010 Third Avenue, New York, New York
77 West 55th Street, New York, New York
1542 Third Avenue, New York, New York
69-97 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
103-107 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
Land Parcels:
We own entitled land at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square feet office building and garage.
The acquisition of interests in the Predecessor will be recorded at historical cost at the time of the formation transactions.
Non -Controlled Entities
As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, properties in which the Sponsors own and control non-controlling interests and whose operations are reflected in the Predecessors combined financial statements as equity interests include:
Office:
Master operating lease position of 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York Empire State Building Company L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 1350 Broadway, New York, New York 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (long term ground lease)
1333 Broadway, New York, New York 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
F-4
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
(in thousands)
All of our business activities will be conducted through the Operating Partnership. We will be the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. Pursuant to the formation transactions, our Operating Partnership will (i) acquire interests in the office and retail properties owned by the controlled entities (including the Predecessors management companies), and the non-controlled entities and (ii) assume related debt and other specified liabilities of such assets and businesses, in exchange for shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, or the Class A common stock; shares of our Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, or the Class B common stock; operating partnership units of the Operating Partnership, or operating partnership units; and/or cash.
We will be a self-administered and self-managed REIT. Additionally, we will form or acquire one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, that will be owned by the Operating Partnership. The TRSs, through several wholly-owned limited liability companies, will conduct third-party services businesses, including the Empire State Building observatory operations, cleaning services, cafeteria, restaurant and fitness center, property management and leasing, construction, and property maintenance.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements assume the closing of this offering and that prior to or concurrently with the closing of this offering, we will engage in a series of formation transactions pursuant to which we will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, 100% of (i) the 18 properties in which the Predecessor owns a controlling or non-controlling interest, (ii) one development parcel in which the Predecessor owns a controlling interest and (iii) the business and assets of the Predecessor management businesses. In the aggregate, these interests, or the Interests, will comprise our ownership of our property portfolio. We will not acquire the Predecessors affiliates interests in the option properties, the excluded properties or the excluded businesses (each such term as defined in this prospectus) (none of which are reflected in the Predecessors financial statements) in connection with the formation transactions.
The owners of the controlled entities, the non-controlled entities and the Predecessors management companies will receive shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our Class B common stock, operating partnership units, cash (all of which is expected to be provided from the net proceeds of this offering) or a combination thereof as consideration for the Interests. The number of shares of common stock and operating partnership units to be issued in the formation transactions will be determined by dividing the enterprise value of our company (which for this purpose excludes indebtedness) as determined by market conditions at the time of, and immediately preceding, this offering, or the enterprise value, by the actual initial public offering price per share, or the offering price, reduced by the number of shares of common stock and operating partnership units which would have otherwise been issuable to investors in the controlled and non-controlled entities that receive cash.
As consideration for the acquisition of the Interests, we have assumed for purposes of these unaudited pro forma financial statements we will issue, based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, to the investors in the controlled entities, the non-controlled entities and the Predecessors management companies an aggregate of 17,715 shares of our Class A common stock, 1,130 shares of our Class B common stock, 148,840 of operating partnership units, with an aggregate value of $2,347,590, and $717,817 in cash for an aggregate consideration of approximately $3.1 billion representing an equity enterprise value of $3.36 billion. The cash amount will be provided by the net proceeds of this offering. The formation transactions will be consummated substantially concurrently with the closing of this offering.
We expect that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $820,930 after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses and assuming no exercise of the assumed underwriters option to purchase additional shares. We expect that the net proceeds from this offering will be used to repay debt, for debt assumption fees, transfer taxes and as cash consideration to (i) non-accredited investors in the private existing entities; and (ii) tax-exempt investors in the private existing entities who elect cash consideration.
F-5
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
(in thousands)
Following the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will be the sole general partner of, and own 37.8% of the interests in, the Operating Partnership. We will have control over major decisions, including the decisions related to the sale or refinancing of our properties (subject to certain exceptions). Accordingly, we will consolidate the assets, liabilities and operations of the Operating Partnership. We will contribute the net proceeds of this offering to the Operating Partnership in exchange for operating partnership units.
We have determined that one of the Predecessor entities, Malkin Holdings LLC, is the acquirer for accounting purposes, and therefore the contribution of, or acquisition by merger in, the controlled entities is considered a transaction between entities under common control since the Sponsors control a majority of the assets of, or equity interests in, each of the controlled entities comprising the Predecessor. As a result, the acquisition of the assets of, or equity interests in, each of the controlled entities will be recorded at the Predecessors historical cost. The contribution of the assets of, or acquisition by merger in, the four non-controlled entities (including the Predecessors non-controlling interest in these entities) will be accounted for as an acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting and recognized at the estimated fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities on the date of such contribution or acquisition. The fair value of these assets and liabilities has been allocated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Section 805-10, Business Combinations . Our methodology for allocating the cost of acquisitions to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on estimated fair values, replacement cost and appraised values. We estimate the fair value of acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, buildings and improvements), identified intangible assets and liabilities (consisting of acquired above-market leases, acquired in-place lease value, acquired below-market leases, in-place management agreements and goodwill) and assumed debt.
Based on these estimates, we allocate the purchase price to the applicable assets and liabilities. The value allocated to in-place lease costs (tenant improvements, leasing commissions and in-place lease costs) is amortized over the related lease term and reflected as a component of depreciation and amortization. The value of above- and below-market leases is amortized over the related lease term and reflected as either an increase (for below-market leases) or a decrease (for above-market leases) to rental income. No value has been allocated to in-place management agreements as the fair value of these contracts approximate market. Goodwill is not amortized, but it is evaluated at least annually for impairment. The fair value of the debt assumed is determined using current market interest rates for comparable debt financings and the resulting premium is amortized as a component of interest expense over the remaining loan term. The estimated purchase price of the non-controlled entities for pro forma purposes is based on the assumptions stated above and are solely utilized for illustrative purposes.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements as of, and for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012, are presented as if (i) the formation transactions, (ii) this offering, and related use of proceeds; and (iii) certain other miscellaneous adjustments are effective concurrent with this offering and had all occurred on June 30, 2013, for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and on January 1, 2012 for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income.
The unaudited pro forma adjustments included herein reflect: (i) combining the properties and the Predecessors management companies as a result of the acquisition of the assets of the controlled entities (including the non-controlling interests) and the non-controlled entities through contributions and mergers by our company and the Operating Partnership and the issuance of operating partnership units, shares of our Class A common stock and shares of our Class B common stock and the payment of cash to the investors in the controlled and non-controlled entities as part of the formation transactions; (ii) the issuance of shares of our
F-6
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
(in thousands)
Class A common stock in this offering; (iii) the costs of entering into, and borrowings under, the secured term loan and the refinancing of existing mortgages secured by the Empire State Building with proceeds from such secured term loan; and (iv) other pro forma adjustments.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the combined historical financial statements of the Predecessor and the non-controlled entities, including the notes thereto, and other financial information and analysis, including the section captioned Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations presented elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements (i) are based on available information and assumptions that we deem reasonable; (ii) are presented for informational purposes only; (iii) do not purport to represent our financial position or results of operations or cash flows that would actually have occurred assuming completion of the formation transactions, this offering and other adjustments described above all had occurred on June 30, 2013, for the pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet or on January 1, 2012 for the pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income; and (iv) do not purport to be indicative of our future results of operations or our financial position.
F-7
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
June 30, 2013
(unaudited and in thousands)
Empire State
Realty Trust, Inc. (A) |
Predecessor
(B) |
Acquisition
of
Non-Controlled Entities (C) |
Other
Pro Forma Adjustments |
Consolidated
Balance Sheet Prior to the IPO |
Proceeds
from Offering |
Uses of
Proceeds from Offering |
Other Equity
Adjustments (Q) |
Company
Pro Forma |
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Assets |
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Commercial real estate properties, at cost |
$ | | $ | 984,766 | $ | 529,021 | $ | (15,600 | ) (D) | $ | 1,498,187 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,498,187 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
| (270,866 | ) | | | (270,866 | ) | | | | (270,866 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| 713,900 | 529,021 | (15,600 | ) | 1,227,321 | | | | 1,227,321 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
| 80,516 | 1,949 | $ | (42,537 | ) (E) | 39,928 | 1,001,000 | (K) | | | 39,928 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(180,070 | ) (L) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(738,804 | ) (M) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(68,526 | ) (N) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3,600) | (O) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(10,000 | ) (P) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| 32,155 | 31,211 | $ | (1,211 | ) (E) | 62,155 | | | | 62,155 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net |
| 8,144 | 8,261 | (250 | ) (D) | 16,155 | | | | 16,155 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred rent receivables, net |
| 51,808 | | | 51,808 | | | | 51,808 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment in non-controlled entities |
| 82,515 | | (82,515 | ) (F) | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred costs, net |
| 96,917 | 272,537 | (32,473 | ) (G) | 336,981 | | | | 336,981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due from affiliated companies |
| 14,808 | | (13,194 | ) (H) | 1,614 | | | | 1,614 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
| 13,010 | 21,076 | | 34,086 | | | | 34,086 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Below-market ground lease |
| | 64,635 | | 64,635 | | | | 64,635 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
| | 637,639 | | 637,639 | | | | 637,639 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets |
$ | | $ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,566,329 | $ | (187,780 | ) | $ | 2,472,322 | $ | 1,001,000 | $ | (1,001,000 | ) | $ | | $ | 2,472,322 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | | $ | 1,025,655 | $ | 136,614 | $ | (269,000 | ) (I) | $ | 893,269 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 893,269 | |||||||||||||||||
Unsecured loan and notes payable-related parties |
| 19,839 | | (14,739 | ) (D) | 5,100 | | (5,100 | ) (O) | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Term loan and credit facility |
| | | 269,000 | (I) | 269,000 | | 1,500 | (O) | | 270,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accrued interest payable |
| 3,332 | | | 3,332 | | | | 3,332 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
| 22,075 | 10,133 | | 32,208 | | | | 32,208 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due to affiliated companies |
| 30,459 | | (18,774 | ) (J) | 11,685 | | | | 11,685 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
| 4,072 | 162,878 | | 166,950 | | | | 166,950 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tenants security deposits |
| 17,714 | 12,529 | | 30,243 | | | | 30,243 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Liabilities |
| 1,123,146 | 322,154 | (33,513 | ) | 1,411,787 | | (3,600 | ) | | 1,408,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Owners Equity (Deficit) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock and additional paid in capital |
| | | | | 1,001,000 | (997,400 | ) | 398,643 | 402,243 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total predecessor equity (deficit) |
| (29,373 | ) | 1,244,175 | (154,267 | ) | 1,060,535 | | | (1,060,535 | ) | | (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
| | | | | | | 661,892 | 661,892 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Equity (Deficit) |
| (29,373 | ) | 1,244,175 | (154,267 | ) | 1,060,535 | 1,001,000 | (997,400 | ) | | 1,064,135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Liabilities and Owners Equity (Deficit) |
$ | | $ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,566,329 | $ | (187,780 | ) | $ | 2,472,322 | $ | 1,001,000 | $ | (1,001,000 | ) | $ | | $ | 2,472,322 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-8
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
(unaudited and in thousands except per share amounts)
Empire State
Realty Trust, Inc. (AA) |
Predecessor
(BB) |
Acquisition of
Non-Controlled Entities(CC) |
Adjustments |
Company
Pro Forma |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | | $ | 88,905 | $ | 81,848 | $ | (10,151 | ) (DD) | $ | 160,602 | |||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
| 13,634 | 12,093 | | 25,727 | |||||||||||||||
Third party management and other fees |
| 4,183 | | (521 | ) (EE) | 3,662 | ||||||||||||||
Construction revenue |
| 12,400 | | | 12,400 | |||||||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
| | 44,196 | | 44,196 | |||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
| 2,867 | 2,804 | (1,549 | ) (EE) | 4,122 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Revenues |
| 121,989 | 140,941 | (12,221 | ) | 250,709 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
| 25,958 | 36,975 | | 62,933 | |||||||||||||||
Marketing, general, and administrative expenses |
| 13,174 | 4,377 | (1,240 | ) (FF) | |||||||||||||||
3,211 | (GG) | |||||||||||||||||||
225 | (HH) | |||||||||||||||||||
1,953 | (II) | 21,700 | ||||||||||||||||||
Observatory expenses |
| | 10,723 | | 10,723 | |||||||||||||||
Construction expenses |
| 12,789 | | | 12,789 | |||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses |
| | 4,841 | (4,841 | ) (JJ) | | ||||||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
| 3,000 | | (3,000 | ) (JJ) | | ||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
| 15,787 | 19,145 | | 34,932 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 25,267 | 25,470 | | 50,737 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
| 95,975 | 101,531 | (3,692 | ) | 193,814 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income from Operations before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
| 26,014 | 39,410 | (8,529 | ) | 56,895 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
| 28,911 | 2,378 | (3,630 | ) (KK) | 27,659 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income (loss) from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled entities |
| (2,897 | ) | 37,032 | (4,899 | ) | 29,236 | |||||||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
| 7,898 | | (7,898 | ) (LL) | | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ | | $ | 5,001 | $ | 37,032 | $ | (12,797 | ) | 29,236 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests |
(18,185 | ) (MM) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to equity owners |
$ | 11,051 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma weighted average common shares outstanding basic and diluted |
90,808 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma weighted average operating partnership units outstanding - basic and diluted |
149,449 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma basic earnings per share |
$ | 0.12 | (NN) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma diluted earnings per share |
$ | 0.12 | (OO) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
F-9
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(unaudited and in thousands except per share amounts)
Empire State
Realty Trust, Inc. (AA) |
Predecessor
(BB) |
Acquisition
of
Non-Controlled Entities(CC) |
Adjustments |
Company
Pro Forma |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | | $ | 196,187 | $ | 155,534 | $ | (39,415 | ) (DD) | $ | 312,306 | |||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
| 29,483 | 31,526 | | 61,009 | |||||||||||||||
Third party management and other fees |
| 5,103 | | (2,043 | ) (EE) | 3,060 | ||||||||||||||
Construction revenue |
| 18,902 | | | 18,902 | |||||||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
| | 92,156 | | 92,156 | |||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
| 10,619 | 16,802 | (3,588 | ) (EE) | 23,833 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Revenues |
| 260,294 | 296,018 | (45,046 | ) | 511,266 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
| 55,707 | 83,223 | | 138,930 | |||||||||||||||
Marketing, general, and administrative expenses |
| 20,963 | 8,831 | (3,557 | ) (FF) | | ||||||||||||||
3,408 | (GG) | | ||||||||||||||||||
450 | (HH) | | ||||||||||||||||||
3,906 | (II) | 34,001 | ||||||||||||||||||
Observatory expenses |
| | 20,709 | | 20,709 | |||||||||||||||
Construction expenses |
| 19,592 | | | 19,592 | |||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses |
| | 10,566 | (10,566 | ) (JJ) | | ||||||||||||||
Formation Transaction Expenses |
2,247 | (2,247 | ) (JJ) | | ||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
| 30,406 | 34,688 | | 65,094 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 42,690 | 58,428 | | 101,118 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
| 171,605 | 216,445 | (8,606 | ) | 379,444 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income from Operations before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
| 88,689 | 79,573 | (36,440 | ) | 131,822 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
| 54,394 | 4,422 | (4,660 | ) (KK) | 54,156 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled entities |
| 34,295 | 75,151 | (31,780 | ) | 77,666 | ||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
| 14,348 | | (14,348 | ) (LL) | | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ | | $ | 48,643 | $ | 75,151 | $ | (46,128 | ) | 77,666 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests |
(48,308 | ) (MM) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to equity owners |
$ | 29,358 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted |
90,808 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma weighted average operating partnership units outstanding - basic and diluted |
149,449 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma basic earnings per share |
$ | 0.32 | (NN) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma diluted earnings per share |
$ | 0.32 | (OO) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
F-10
1. | Adjustments to the Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands except per share amounts) : |
(A) | Represents the unaudited historical condensed balance sheet of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. as of June 30, 2013. We have had no corporate activity since our formation on July 29, 2011, other than the issuance of 1,000 shares of our common stock in connection with our initial capitalization for $0.10 per share, which was paid on July 29, 2011. We expect to conduct our business activities through the Operating Partnership upon completion of the IPO and the formation transactions. At such time, we, as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, are expected to own 37.8%. of the interests in the Operating Partnership and will have responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the Operating Partnership, and the limited partners of the Operating Partnership, in such capacity, will have no authority to transact business for, or participate in the management activities of the Operating Partnership. We will have control over major decisions, including decisions related to the sale or refinancing of our properties (subject to certain exceptions). Accordingly, under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, we will consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries. |
(B) | Reflects the historical condensed combined balance sheet of the Predecessor as of June 30, 2013. Because Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and one of the Predecessor entities, Malkin Holdings LLC, the accounting acquirer, are under common control, the Predecessors assets, liabilities, and operations will be recorded at their historical cost basis. |
(C) | Reflects the acquisition by us of the ownership interests (including the Predecessors non-controlling interests) in: (i) Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (Empire State Building Company); (ii) 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (1350 Broadway); (iii) 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (1333 Broadway); and (iv) 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. (501 Seventh Avenue) in exchange for cash, shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our Class B common stock and/or operating partnership units and the assumption of debt on the properties having an assumed aggregate equity value of $860,948 (based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus), representing the controlling interests in the non-controlled entities. Although, the Predecessor is responsible for the day-to-day management of these entities, it has a non-controlling ownership interest in such entities and therefore such ownership interests have been included in the Predecessors financial statements as equity method investments. After acquisition of the ownership interests in the non-controlled entities (including the Predecessors non-controlling interests therein), such entities will be 100% owned and consolidated by us. The acquisition of the non-controlled entities will be accounted for as an acquisition under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805-10, Business Combinations . |
The acquisition method of accounting was used to allocate the fair value to tangible and identified intangible assets and liabilities acquired. The amounts allocated to net real estate, which includes buildings and building improvements, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives of 39 years. The amounts allocated to tenant improvements are amortized over the lives of the remaining respective lease terms. The amounts allocated to in-place lease assets, above- and below-market leases and to intangible lease assets are amortized over the lives of the respective remaining lease terms. The amount allocated to goodwill was $637,639 and is not subject to amortization but evaluated at least annually for impairment. As a result of the acquisition method of accounting, the carrying value of the mortgage debt assumed for 1350 Broadway and 1333 Broadway was adjusted to its fair value resulting in a $12,404 premium. The premium is amortized to interest expense over the remaining lives of the underlying debt instruments. |
Certain of the properties we will acquire in the formation transactions are owned in two-tier structures with one entity owning a fee or master leasehold interest in the property and the other entity owning an operating or sub leasehold interest. This structure was implemented at inception to achieve flow through tax treatment. The operating lessee controls the operations of the property with the operating lease structured in a manner that shares net operating results, including capital expenditures and debt |
F-11
service, between these two entities. Two of the operating lessees, Empire State Building Company and 501 Seventh Avenue, are non-controlled entities and only the Predecessors non-controlling interest in the operations of these two entities are part of the Predecessors historical operations. In the remainder of these two-tier structures, the operations of both the owner and the operating lessee are part of the historical Predecessor and are consolidated into the Predecessors historical financial statements. |
The interests in the Predecessor will be recorded at historical cost at the time of the formation transactions. Based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, on a pro forma basis, the carrying value of our assets is substantially below their fair value. The acquisition of the controlling interests in the non-controlled entities, including the two operating lessees, will be accounted for as an acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting and we will recognize the estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired at the time of the consummation of the formation transactions. When we acquire the controlling interest in the assets of these two non-controlled operating lessees, the operating leases will be cancelled as the operations of the properties will be consolidated into our operations. The purchase price will be allocated to any identified tangible or intangible assets we are acquiring from these two entities. Since the non-controlled operating leases have no interest in the land and base building, the excess of the purchase price over any identified tangible and intangible assets for Empire State Building Company and 501 Seventh Avenue will be recognized as goodwill on our balance sheet. |
Using the values for the acquisition of these two non-controlled operating leaseholds, which for pro forma purposes are based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, we expect to record approximately $637,639 of goodwill. Approximately $256,023 of the expected goodwill represents the fair value of the observatory operations of the Empire State Building after adjustment for an estimated market rent that the observatory would incur to the property owner, and approximately $381,616 of the expected goodwill represents the remainder of the excess of the purchase price over identified tangible and intangible assets, of which approximately $370,880 is attributable to Empire State Building Company and approximately $10,736 is attributable to 501 Seventh Avenue. Goodwill is not amortized and, therefore, will not affect our future cash flows but may impact our income statement if impaired. Based upon the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, as of June 30, 2013, the fair value of the assets of our company subsequently would have to decrease by over 68.2%, or $2,285,865, for a determination that the goodwill may be impaired. |
F-12
The allocation of purchase price shown below is based on our preliminary estimates and is subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired.
As of June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Empire State
Building Company Pro Forma |
1350
Broadway Pro Forma |
1333
Broadway Pro Forma |
501 Seventh
Avenue Pro Forma |
Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial real estate properties, net |
$ | 239,076 | $ | 85,108 | $ | 186,331 | $ | 18,506 | $ | 529,021 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
1,116 | 112 | 669 | 52 | 1,949 | |||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
18,598 | 1,593 | 10,122 | 898 | 31,211 | |||||||||||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net |
7,321 | 372 | 153 | 415 | 8,261 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred costs, net |
215,518 | 18,843 | 17,087 | 21,089 | 272,537 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
15,976 | 1,839 | 1,176 | 2,085 | 21,076 | |||||||||||||||
Below-market ground lease |
| 64,635 | | | 64,635 | |||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
626,903 | | | 10,736 | 637,639 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 1,124,508 | $ | 172,502 | $ | 215,538 | $ | 53,781 | $ | 1,566,329 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Liabilities and Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | | $ | 57,535 | $ | 79,079 | $ | | $ | 136,614 | ||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
6,740 | 1,333 | 1,310 | 750 | 10,133 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
145,120 | 3,327 | 10,020 | 4,411 | 162,878 | |||||||||||||||
Tenants security deposits |
9,499 | 1,807 | 325 | 898 | 12,529 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Liabilities |
$ | 161,359 | $ | 64,002 | $ | 90,734 | $ | 6,059 | $ | 322,154 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Equity |
$ | 963,149 | $ | 108,500 | $ | 124,804 | $ | 47,722 | $ | 1,244,175 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-13
Empire State Building Company
The allocation of purchase price shown below is based on our preliminary estimates and is subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical basis of the balance sheet of the Empire State Building Company are as follows:
As of June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||
Empire State
Building Company Historical |
Acquisition Method
Accounting Adjustments |
Empire State
Building Company Pro Forma |
||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||
Net real estate |
$ | 189,699 | $ | 49,377 | $ | 239,076 | (1) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
17,109 | (15,993 | ) | 1,116 | (2) | |||||||
Restricted cash |
18,598 | | 18,598 | (2) | ||||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net |
7,321 | | 7,321 | |||||||||
Deferred rent receivables, net |
64,800 | (64,800 | ) | | (3) | |||||||
Deferred costs, net |
13,387 | 202,131 | 215,518 | (4) | ||||||||
Due from affiliated companies |
| | | (5) | ||||||||
Due from lessor |
8,957 | (8,957 | ) | | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
15,976 | | 15,976 | |||||||||
Goodwill Observatory |
| 256,023 | 256,023 | (7) | ||||||||
Goodwill Other |
| 370,880 | 370,880 | (7) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total assets |
$ | 335,847 | $ | 788,661 | $ | 1,124,508 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities and Equity |
||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Accrued interest payable |
| | | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
9,982 | (3,242 | ) | 6,740 | (5) | |||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
23,243 | 121,877 | 145,120 | (9) | ||||||||
Tenants security deposits |
9,499 | | 9,499 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 42,724 |
$
|
118,635 |
|
$ | 161,359 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Equity |
||||||||||||
Non-Predecessor controlled ownership interest at fair value |
$ | 708,022 | (10) | |||||||||
Predecessors existing ownership interest at fair value |
220,530 | (11) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Estimated equity value paid to acquire the assets of the non-controlled entities |
928,552 | (12) | ||||||||||
Gain on termination of operating lease |
34,597 | (13) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Total equity |
$ | 963,149 | ||||||||||
|
|
F-14
1350 Broadway
The allocation of purchase price shown below is based on our preliminary estimates and is subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical basis of the balance sheet of 1350 Broadway are as follows:
As of June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||
1350
Broadway Historical |
Acquisition
Method Accounting Adjustments |
1350 Broadway
Pro Forma |
||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||
Net real estate |
$ | 41,823 | $ | 43,285 | $ | 85,108 | (1) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
2,868 | (2,756 | ) | 112 | (2) | |||||||
Restricted cash |
2,878 | (1,285 | ) | 1,593 | (2) | |||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net |
372 | | 372 | |||||||||
Deferred rent receivables, net |
7,473 | (7,473 | ) | | (3) | |||||||
Deferred costs, net |
5,781 | 13,062 | 18,843 | (4) | ||||||||
Other Assets - below market ground lease |
| 64,635 | 64,635 | (6) | ||||||||
Due from affiliated companies |
402 | (402 | ) | | (5) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
1,839 | | 1,839 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total assets |
$ | 63,436 | $ | 109,066 | $ | 172,502 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities and Equity |
||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | 53,346 | $ | 4,189 | $ | 57,535 | (8) | |||||
Accrued interest payable |
| | | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
1,570 | (237 | ) | 1,333 | (5) | |||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
387 | 2,940 | 3,327 | (9) | ||||||||
Tenants security deposits |
1,807 | | 1,807 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 57,110 | $ | 6,892 | $ | 64,002 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Equity |
||||||||||||
Non-Predecessor controlled ownership interest at fair value |
$ | 54,250 | (10) | |||||||||
Predecessors existing ownership interest at fair value |
54,250 | (11) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Estimated equity value paid to acquire the assets of the non-controlled entities |
108,500 | (12) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Total equity |
$ | 108,500 | ||||||||||
|
|
F-15
1333 Broadway
The allocation of purchase price shown below is based on our preliminary estimates and is subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical basis of the balance sheet of 1333 Broadway are as follows:
As of June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||
1333
Broadway Historical |
Acquisition
Method Accounting Adjustments |
1333
Broadway Pro Forma |
||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||
Net real estate |
$ | 39,777 | $ | 146,554 | $ | 186,331 | (1) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
669 | | 669 | (2) | ||||||||
Restricted cash |
14,387 | (4,265 | ) | 10,122 | (2) | |||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net |
153 | | 153 | |||||||||
Deferred rent receivables, net |
9,321 | (9,321 | ) | | (3) | |||||||
Deferred costs, net |
9,661 | 7,426 | 17,087 | (4) | ||||||||
Due from affiliated companies |
200 | (200 | ) | | (5) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
1,176 | | 1,176 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total assets |
$ | 75,344 | $ | 140,194 | $ | 215,538 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities and Equity |
||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | 70,863 | $ | 8,216 | $ | 79,079 | (8) | |||||
Accrued interest payable |
| | | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
1,617 | (307 | ) | 1,310 | (5) | |||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
360 | 9,660 | 10,020 | (9) | ||||||||
Tenants security deposits |
325 | | 325 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 73,165 | $ | 17,569 | $ | 90,734 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Equity |
||||||||||||
Non-Predecessor controlled ownership interest at fair value |
$ | 62,402 | (10) | |||||||||
Predecessors existing ownership interest at fair value |
62,402 | (11) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Estimated equity value paid to acquire the assets of the non-controlled entities |
124,804 | (12) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Total equity |
$ | 124,804 | ||||||||||
|
|
F-16
501 Seventh Avenue
The allocation of purchase price shown below is based on our preliminary estimates and is subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical basis of the balance sheet of 501 Seventh Avenue are as follows:
As of June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||
501 Seventh
Avenue Historical |
Acquisition
Method Accounting Adjustments |
501 Seventh
Avenue Pro Forma |
||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||
Net real estate |
$ | 17,917 | $ | 589 | $ | 18,506 | (1) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
3,414 | (3,362 | ) | 52 | (2) | |||||||
Restricted cash |
1,144 | (246 | ) | 898 | (2) | |||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net |
415 | | 415 | |||||||||
Deferred rent receivables, net |
5,891 | (5,891 | ) | | (3) | |||||||
Deferred costs, net |
1,060 | 20,029 | 21,089 | (4) | ||||||||
Due from affiliated companies |
436 | (436 | ) | | (5) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
2,085 | | 2,085 | |||||||||
Goodwill |
| 10,736 | 10,736 | (7) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total assets |
$ | 32,362 | $ | 21,419 | $ | 53,781 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities and Equity |
||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Accrued interest payable |
| | | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
909 | (159 | ) | 750 | (5) | |||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
155 | 4,256 | 4,411 | (9) | ||||||||
Tenants security deposits |
898 | | 898 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 1,962 | $ | 4,097 | $ | 6,059 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Equity |
||||||||||||
Non-Predecessor controlled ownership interest at fair value |
$ | 36,274 | (10) | |||||||||
Predecessors existing ownership interest at fair value |
14,417 | (11) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Estimated equity value paid to acquire the assets of the non-controlled entities |
50,691 | (12) | ||||||||||
Gain (loss) on termination of operating lease |
(2,969 | ) (13) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Equity |
$ | 47,722 | ||||||||||
|
|
(1) | Reflects the fair market value of the tangible assets allocated to building, leasehold and tenant improvements. |
(2) | We will distribute promptly following the closing any excess cash held by us at the time of the closing of the formation transactions. The cash to be distributed to investors in the existing entities will be any cash held by such entity at the closing in excess of the normalized level of net working capital for such entity, as determined by the supervisor. This amount may be higher or lower due to earnings and other cash outlays prior to the time of such distributions or payments. |
(3) |
Adjustment for removal of historical deferred rent receivables. |
F-17
(4) | Reflects the allocation of purchase price to intangible assets including above-market leases (including broadcasting leases), leases-in place, and leasing commissions and costs. |
Empire
State Building Company |
1350
Broadway |
1333
Broadway |
501 Seventh
Avenue |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
Above-market leases |
$ | 52,927 | $ | 7,831 | $ | 6,298 | $ | 6,078 | $ | 73,134 | ||||||||||
Lease-in place |
93,309 | 7,011 | 6,704 | 12,088 | 119,112 | |||||||||||||||
Leasing commissions and costs |
69,282 | 4,001 | 4,085 | 2,923 | 80,291 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Deferred costs, net |
$ | 215,518 | $ | 18,843 | $ | 17,087 | $ | 21,089 | $ | 272,537 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) | Reflects the elimination upon acquisition of the non-controlled entities of intercompany receivables and payable balances. |
(6) | Reflects the adjustment to fair market value relating to the assumed below-market ground lease in connection with the acquisition of 1350 Broadway. |
(7) | The Goodwill for the Empire State Building observatory represents the fair value of the Empire State Building observatory operations, after adjustment for an estimated market rent that the Empire State Building observatory would incur to the property owner. The remaining Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of the equity interests over the amounts allocated to all other identified tangible and intangible assets of Empire State Building Company (including the Goodwill allocated to the Empire State Building observatory) and 501 Seventh Avenue. |
Empire State
Building Company |
501 Seventh
Avenue |
Total | ||||||||||
Purchase price excess |
$ | 370,880 | $ | 10,736 | $ | 381,616 | ||||||
Goodwill-observatory |
256,023 | | 256,023 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Goodwill |
$ | 626,903 | $ | 10,736 | $ | 637,639 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8) | Reflects the fair market value of the mortgage debt assumed in connection with the acquisition of 1350 Broadway and 1333 Broadway. |
(9) | Reflects the assumed below-market lease liabilities (including broadcasting leases) and the assumed liabilities relating to the acquisition of each of the non-controlled entities as well as the assumption of other liabilities of the non-controlled entities. |
Empire
State Building Company |
1350
Broadway |
1333
Broadway |
501 Seventh
Avenue |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
Below-Market Leases |
$ | 136,302 | $ | 2,940 | $ | 9,660 | $ | 4,256 | $ | 153,158 | ||||||||||
Other assumed liabilities of the non-controlled entities |
8,818 | 387 | 360 | 155 | 9,720 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Deferred revenues and other liabilities |
$ | 145,120 | $ | 3,327 | $ | 10,020 | $ | 4,411 | $ | 162,878 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10) | Reflects the cost to acquire all of the non-Predecessor owned interests in the non-controlled entities. |
F-18
(11) After determining the fair value of the assets we acquired and liabilities we assumed for the non-controlled entities based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, the net fair value of the equity of each of the non-controlled entities has been allocated to the equity holders as if each of the non-controlled entities had liquidated at that time. Accordingly, the Predecessors existing ownership equity in each of the non-controlled entities represents its allocable share of the fair value equity in each of the non-controlled entities at fair value. |
Empire State
Building Company |
1350
Broadway |
1333
Broadway |
501 Seventh
Avenue |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
Predecessor existing ownership interest in non-controlled entities at book value |
$ | 73,019 | $ | 3,163 | $ | 206 | $ | 6,127 | $ | 82,515 | ||||||||||
Gain upon obtaining control of non-controlled entities |
|
147,512 |
|
51,087 | 62,196 | 8,290 | 269,085 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Predecessor existing ownership interest at fair value |
$ | 220,531 | $ | 54,250 | $ | 62,402 | $ | 14,417 | $ | 351,600 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12) | Represents the consideration paid to acquire the non-controlled entities. |
(13) | Based upon current market rates for similar arrangements, we have determined that the current market rent would be less than the pre-existing contractual rent under the operating lease between one of the Predecessor entities and Empire State Building Company. Accordingly, upon elimination of the leasehold position and the related liability for the above-market lease, we will be recording an estimated gain reflecting the aggregate fair value of this arrangement of approximately $34,597 upon our acquisition of the assets of Empire State Building Company. Based upon current market rates for similar arrangements, we have determined that the current market rent would be in excess of the pre-existing contractual rent under the operating lease between one of the Predecessor entities and 501 Seventh Avenue. Accordingly, upon elimination of the leasehold position and the related asset for the below-market lease, we will be recording an estimated loss reflecting the aggregate fair value of this arrangement of approximately $2,969 upon our acquisition of the assets of 501 Seventh Avenue. The net amount of approximately $31,628 has been reflected as an increase in pro forma stockholders equity on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2013. |
(D) | Reflects the elimination of $15,600 of real property (residential buildings and land) and $250 of other receivable owned by a controlled entity which will be distributed to the owners of such entity prior to the consummation of the formation transactions and $14,739 of unsecured debt and accrued interest which will be assumed by the owners of such entity prior to the consummation of the formation transactions. |
(E) | We will distribute promptly following the closing any excess cash held by us at the time of the closing of the consolidation. The cash to be distributed to investors in the existing entities will be (i) any cash held by such entity at the closing in excess of the normalized level of net working capital for such entity, as determined by the supervisor ($43,748 based on June 30, 2013 cash balances), (ii) the consolidation expenses reimbursed by us to the existing entities at the closing of the consolidation out of proceeds of this offering and (iii) overage rent that will have accrued through the date of the closing of the consolidation. This amount may be higher or lower due to earnings and other cash outlays prior to the time of such distributions or payments. |
(F) | Reflects the elimination of equity method investments of $82,515 representing the Predecessors equity interest in the non-controlled entities. |
(G) | Reflects the recognition of capitalized offering costs incurred through June 30, 2013 of $30,266 as a reduction of total equity and the reduction of deferred finance costs of $2,207 related to the repayment of the existing term loan at the Empire State Building. |
F-19
(H) | Reflects the elimination upon our acquisition of the non-controlled entities of a $3,946 related party receivable balance representing amounts owed by the non-controlled entities to the Predecessor for offering costs, insurance reimbursement, and other costs. Reflects the elimination of an $8,778 related party receivable balance representing amounts owed by a non-controlled entity, Empire State Building Company to the Predecessor for advances to fund tenant improvements. Reflects the elimination of a $470 related party receivable balance representing amounts owed by a non-controlled entity, 1333 Broadway Associates, to the Predecessor for lease cancellation fees. |
(I) | Reflects borrowings under the secured revolving and term credit facility used to refinance the existing term loan at the Empire State Building. |
(J) | Reflects the elimination of $17,435 and $316 representing related party payables owed by the Predecessor to Empire State Building Company and 501 Seventh Avenue, respectively, for capital expenditures. Additionally, reflects the elimination of a $1,023 related party payable representing cash held by the Predecessor on behalf of the non-controlled entities designated for distributions. |
(K) | Reflects assumed gross proceeds in the IPO of $1,001,000. |
(L) | Represents $180,070 of estimated offering expenses, which includes the underwriting discounts and commissions of $70,070 and other offering costs of $110,000 (assuming no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares). These costs will be charged against gross offering proceeds upon completion of the IPO. |
(M) | As a part of the formation transactions, non-accredited investors, who are not eligible to elect to receive operating partnership units or shares of our common stock and accredited investors that are charitable organizations in certain private existing entities will receive in consideration for their interests in the Predecessor or non-controlled entities cash aggregating $717,817 in an amount calculated to equal the value of operating partnership units or shares of our common stock that would be issued to these investors under the applicable contribution and merger agreements if they were accredited investors and/or did not make the cash elections, plus, in the case of the Helmsley estate, an amount equal to any New York City transfer tax savings resulting from its status as a charitable organization, or $20,987. |
(N) | We have estimated that we will incur $68,526 in property transfer taxes as a result of the completion of the formation transactions, which will be accrued upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions. |
(O) | Reflects the repayment of a loan from cash proceeds in the amount of $3,600 made in connection with 500 Mamaroneck Avenue to fund leasing costs at the property, of which $1,174 of such loan was made by Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin. Reflects the repayment of a loan from borrowings on the secured revolving and term credit facility in the amount of $1,500 made in connection with First Stamford Place to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at the property, of which $1,500 of such loan was made by an entity controlled by Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin. |
(P) | Reflects $10,000 of estimated assumption and transfer costs to be incurred in connection with the transfer of mortgage debt from the Predecessor and the non-controlled entities to Empire State Realty OP, L.P. |
(Q) | To reflect the allocation of pro forma total equity as of June 30, 2013 based on the issuance of 89,215 and 1,130 shares of Class A and Class B common stock, respectively in the IPO and the formation transactions and the recording of the non-controlling interest to reflect the issuance of 148,840 operating partnership units to the continuing investors which constitutes part of the equity consideration to be paid to continuing investors in the formation transactions. |
F-20
(R) | On September 28, 2012, a Stipulation of Settlement resolving the Class Actions was entered into. The terms of the settlement include, amongst other things, a payment of $55,000, with a minimum of 80% in cash and a maximum of 20% in freely-tradable shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units after the termination of specified lock-up periods, which affiliates of Malkin Holdings LLC (provided that no entity that would become our direct or indirect subsidiary in the consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley shall cause to be provided, to participants in the public entities and private entities. On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the Class Actions settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are investors in all of the public existing entities and private existing entities included in the consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the consolidation or this offering. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal. As the payment is to be made by the principal owners of certain Predecessor entities, $55,000 will be recorded as settlement expense in the Predecessor Statement of Income when such payment becomes probable, with a corresponding $55,000 capital contribution to the Predecessor at that time. These amounts result in no net change to total Predecessor equity. The $55,000 payment will only be made upon the successful completion of the IPO. |
2. | Adjustments to the Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands except per share amounts) |
The adjustments to the pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:
(AA) | Represents the audited historical condensed statements of income of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012. We have had no corporate activity since our formation on July 29, 2011, other than the issuance of 1,000 shares of Class A common stock in connection with our initial capitalization for $0.10 per share, which was paid on July 29, 2011. We expect to conduct our business activities through the Operating Partnership upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions. At such time, we, as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, are expected to own 37.8% of the interests of the Operating Partnership and will have responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the Operating Partnership, and the limited partners of the Operating Partnership, in such capacity, will have no authority to transact business for, or participate in the management activities of the Operating Partnership. We will have control over major decisions, including decisions related to the sale or refinancing of our properties (subject to certain exceptions). Accordingly, under GAAP we will consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries. |
(BB) | Reflects the historical condensed statements of income of the Predecessor for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012. Because Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and one of the Predecessor entities, Malkin Holdings LLC, the accounting acquirer, are under common control, the Predecessors assets, liabilities and operations will be recorded at their historical cost basis. |
(CC) |
Reflects the acquisition by us of the assets and liabilities (including the Predecessors non-controlling interests) of: (i) Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (Empire State Building Company); (ii) 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (1350 Broadway); (iii) 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (1333 Broadway); and (iv) 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. (501 Seventh Avenue), in exchange for cash, shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our Class B common stock and/or operating partnership units and the assumption of debt on the properties |
F-21
having an aggregate equity value of $860,948 (based on the mid-point of the range of prices set forth on the front cover of this prospectus), representing the controlling interests in the non-controlled entities. The Predecessor is responsible for the day-to-day management of these entities, has a non-controlling ownership interest in such entities and therefore such ownership interests have been included in the Predecessors financial statements as equity method investments. After acquisition of the ownership interests in the non-controlled entities (including the Predecessors non-controlling interests therein), such entities will be 100% owned and consolidated by us. The acquisition of the non-controlled entities will be accounted for as an acquisition under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805-10, Business Combinations. |
The acquisition method of accounting was used to allocate the fair value to tangible and identified intangible assets and liabilities acquired. The amounts allocated to net real estate, which includes buildings, are depreciated over the estimated useful life of 39 years. The amount allocated to above- and below-market leases and to intangible lease assets are amortized over the lives of the remaining lease terms. The amount allocated to goodwill was $637,639 and is not subject to amortization but evaluated at least annually for impairment. As a result of the acquisition method of accounting, the carrying value of debt for the acquired non-controlled entities was adjusted to its fair value resulting in a $12,404 premium. The premium is amortized to interest expense over the remaining lives of the underlying debt instruments.
The pro forma adjustments shown below for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 are based on our preliminary estimates and are subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired.
For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Empire State
Building Company Pro Forma |
1350
Broadway Pro Forma |
1333
Broadway Pro Forma |
501 Seventh
Avenue Pro Forma |
Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 58,056 | $ | 9,284 | $ | 6,758 | $ | 7,750 | $ | 81,848 | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
9,426 | 1,074 | 463 | 1,130 | 12,093 | |||||||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
44,196 | | | | 44,196 | |||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
2,371 | 166 | 133 | 134 | 2,804 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total revenues |
114,049 | 10,524 | 7,354 | 9,014 | 140,941 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
29,968 | 3,211 | 1,298 | 2,498 | 36,975 | |||||||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
3,337 | 354 | 349 | 337 | 4,377 | |||||||||||||||
Observatory expenses |
10,723 | | | | 10,723 | |||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses |
3,459 | 582 | 599 | 201 | 4,841 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
14,887 | 1,734 | 1,070 | 1,454 | 19,145 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
17,426 | 3,080 | 2,502 | 2,462 | 25,470 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
79,800 | 8,961 | 5,818 | 6,952 | 101,531 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating income |
34,249 | 1,563 | 1,536 | 2,062 | 39,410 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
| 996 | 1,382 | | 2,378 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 34,249 | $ | 567 | $ | 154 | $ | 2,062 | $ | 37,032 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-22
For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Empire State
Building Company Pro Forma |
1350
Broadway Pro Forma |
1333
Broadway Pro Forma |
501 Seventh
Avenue Pro Forma |
Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues : |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 108,932 | $ | 17,852 | $ | 13,343 | $ | 15,407 | $ | 155,534 | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
25,100 | 2,264 | 1,079 | 3,083 | 31,526 | |||||||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
92,156 | | | | 92,156 | |||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
14,657 | 912 | 703 | 530 | 16,802 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total revenues |
240,845 | 21,028 | 15,125 | 19,020 | 296,018 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
67,824 | 6,646 | 3,488 | 5,265 | 83,223 | |||||||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
7,196 | 669 | 672 | 294 | 8,831 | |||||||||||||||
Observatory expenses |
20,709 | | | | 20,709 | |||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses |
7,894 | 901 | 1,253 | 518 | 10,566 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
26,341 | 3,391 | 2,115 | 2,841 | 34,688 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
41,797 | 6,283 | 4,899 | 5,449 | 58,428 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
171,761 | 17,890 | 12,427 | 14,367 | 216,445 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating income |
69,084 | 3,138 | 2,698 | 4,653 | 79,573 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
| 1,785 | 2,637 | | 4,422 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 69,084 | $ | 1,353 | $ | 61 | $ | 4,653 | $ | 75,151 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma adjustments shown below are based on our preliminary estimates and are subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical statement of operations of Empire State Building Company are as follows:
Empire State Building Company
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Empire State
Building Company Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
Empire State
Building Company Pro Forma |
Empire State
Building Company Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
Empire State
Building Company Pro Forma |
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 51,069 | $ | 6,987 | $ | 58,056 | (1)(2) | $ | 93,909 | $ | 15,023 | $ | 108,932 | (1)(2) | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
9,426 | | 9,426 | 25,100 | | 25,100 | ||||||||||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
44,052 | 144 | 44,196 | (3) | 91,870 | 286 | 92,156 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
2,371 | | 2,371 | 14,657 | | 14,657 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total revenues |
106,918 | 7,131 | 114,049 | 225,536 | 15,309 | 240,845 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
50,288 | (20,320 | ) | 29,968 | (5) | 102,250 | (34,426 | ) | 67,824 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
3,337 | | 3,337 | 7,196 | | 7,196 | ||||||||||||||||||
Observatory expenses |
10,723 | | 10,723 | 20,709 | | 20,709 | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses |
3,459 | | 3,459 | 7,894 | | 7,894 | ||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
14,887 | | 14,887 | 26,341 | | 26,341 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
7,287 | 10,139 | 17,426 | (6) | 13,615 | 28,182 | 41,797 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
89,981 | (10,181 | ) | 79,800 | 178,005 | (6,244 | ) | 171,761 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating income |
16,937 | 17,312 | 34,249 | 47,531 | 21,553 | 69,084 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income of affiliate attributable to non-controlling interest |
(762 | ) | 762 | | (1,148 | ) | 1,148 | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 16,175 | $ | 18,074 | $ | 34,249 | $ | 46,383 | $ | 22,701 | $ | 69,084 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-23
The pro forma adjustments shown below are based on our preliminary estimates and are subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical statement of operations of 1350 Broadway are as follows:
1350 Broadway
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2013 |
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
1350
Broadway Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
1350
Broadway Pro Forma |
1350
Broadway Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
1350
Broadway Pro Forma |
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 9,382 | $ | (98 | ) | $ | 9,284 | (2) | $ | 18,099 | $ | (247 | ) | $ | 17,852 | (2) | ||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
1,074 | | 1,074 | 2,264 | | 2,264 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
166 | | 166 | 912 | | 912 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total revenues |
10,622 | (98 | ) | 10,524 | 21,275 | (247 | ) | 21,028 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
2,382 | 829 | 3,211 | (4) | 4,989 | 1,657 | 6,646 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
354 | | 354 | 669 | | 669 | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses |
582 | | 582 | 901 | | 901 | ||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
1,734 | | 1,734 | 3,391 | | 3,391 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
2,157 | 923 | 3,080 | (6) | 3,490 | 2,793 | 6,283 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
7,209 | 1,752 | 8,961 | 13,440 | 4,450 | 17,890 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating income |
3,413 | (1,850 | ) | 1,563 | 7,835 | (4,697 | ) | 3,138 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
1, 567 | (571 | ) | 996 | (7) | 2,993 | (1,208 | ) | 1,785 | (7) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 1,846 | $ | (1,279 | ) | $ | 567 | $ | 4,842 | $ | (3,489 | ) | $ | 1,353 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma adjustments shown below are based on our preliminary estimates and are subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical statement of operations of 1333 Broadway are as follows:
1333 Broadway
For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2013 |
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
1333
Broadway Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
1333
Broadway Pro Forma |
1333
Broadway Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
1333
Broadway Pro Forma |
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 6,466 | $ | 292 | $ | 6,758 | (2) | $ | 12,757 | $ | 586 | $ | 13,343 | (2) | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
463 | | 463 | 1,079 | | 1,079 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
133 | | 133 | 703 | | 703 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total revenues |
7,062 | 292 | 7,354 | 14,539 | 586 | 15,125 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
1,298 | | 1,298 | 3,488 | | 3,488 | ||||||||||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
349 | 349 | 672 | 672 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses |
599 | | 599 | 1,253 | | 1,253 | ||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
1,070 | | 1,070 | 2,115 | | 2,115 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,459 | 1,043 | 2,502 | (6) | 3,335 | 1,564 | 4,899 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
4,775 | 1,043 | 5,818 | 10,863 | 1,564 | 12,427 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating income |
2,287 | (751 | ) | 1,536 | 3,676 | (978 | ) | 2,698 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
2,369 | (987 | ) | 1,382 | (8) | 4,748 | (2,111 | ) | 2,637 | (8) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (82 | ) | $ | 236 | $ | 154 | $ | (1,072 | ) | $ | 1,133 | $ | 61 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-24
The pro forma adjustments shown below are based on our preliminary estimates and are subject to change based on the final determination of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. The pro forma adjustments to the historical statement of operations of 501 Seventh Avenue are as follows:
501 Seventh Avenue
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
501 Seventh
Avenue Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
501 Seventh
Avenue Pro Forma |
501 Seventh
Avenue Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
501 Seventh
Avenue Pro Forma |
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenues : |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 7,601 | $ | 149 | $ | 7,750 | (2) | $ | 15,214 | $ | 193 | $ | 15,407 | (2) | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
1,130 | | 1,130 | 3,083 | | 3,083 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income and fees |
134 | | 134 | 530 | | 530 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total revenues |
8,865 | 149 | 9,014 | 18,827 | 193 | 19,020 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
5,036 | (2,538 | ) | 2,498 | (5) | 11,945 | (6,680 | ) | 5,265 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
Marketing, general and administrative expenses |
337 | | 337 | 294 | | 294 | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition Expense |
201 | | 201 | 518 | | 518 | ||||||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
1,454 | | 1,454 | 2,841 | | 2,841 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
761 | 1,701 | 2,462 | (6) | 1,496 | 3,953 | 5,449 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
7,789 | (837 | ) | 6,952 | 17,094 | (2,727 | ) | 14,367 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 1,076 | $ | 986 | $ | 2,062 | $ | 1,733 | $ | 2,920 | $ | 4,653 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Pro forma rental revenue includes broadcast leasing revenues of $8,436 and $17,061 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(2) | Pro forma rental revenue includes the net amortization of acquired above- and below-market lease assets and liabilities and the pro forma adjustment to straight line rental revenue assuming that the formation transactions occurred on January 1, 2012. |
For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 |
Empire
State Building Company |
1350
Broadway |
1333
Broadway |
501 Seventh
Avenue |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) to pro forma rental revenue relating to the amortization of above- and below-market lease assets and liabilities |
$ | 5,151 | $ | (409 | ) | $ | (130 | ) | $ | (306 | ) | $ | 4,306 | |||||||
Increase in straight line rental revenue |
1,836 | 311 | 422 | 455 | 3,024 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Adjustment to pro forma rental revenue |
$ | 6,987 | $ | (98 | ) | $ | 292 | $ | 149 | $ | 7,330 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For The Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Empire
State Building Company |
1350
Broadway |
1333
Broadway |
501 Seventh
Avenue |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) to pro forma rental revenue relating to the amortization of above- and below-market lease assets and liabilities |
$ | 9,339 | $ | (857 | ) | $ | (261 | ) | $ | (685 | ) | $ | 7,536 | |||||||
Increase in straight line rental revenue |
5,684 | 610 | 847 | 878 | 8,019 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Adjustment to pro forma rental revenue |
$ | 15,023 | $ | (247 | ) | $ | 586 | $ | 193 | $ | 15,555 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-25
(3) | Pro forma observatory revenue includes $2,805 and $5,609 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively of rental revenue attributable to a retail tenant which operates the concession space in the Empire State Building observatory under its lease expiring in May 2020. |
(4) | 1350 Broadway pro forma operating expenses included $829 and $1,657 related to the amortization of the below-market ground lease for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(5) | Pro forma operating expenses reflect the elimination of rental expense incurred by Empire State Building Company and 501 Seventh Avenue to our Predecessor for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012. |
(6) | Depreciation and amortization has been adjusted to reflect the pro forma depreciation and amortization for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012. The acquisition method of accounting was used to allocate the fair value to tangible and identified intangible assets and liabilities acquired. In order to calculate depreciation and amortization expense, the amounts allocated to net real estate, which includes buildings and building improvements, were depreciated over their estimated useful lives of 39 years. The amounts allocated to tenant improvements were amortized over the lives of the remaining respective lease terms. The amounts allocated to in-place lease assets were amortized over the lives of the respective remaining lease terms. |
(7) | 1350 Broadway pro forma interest expense included a reduction in interest expense of $571 and $1,208 related to the fair value adjustment on the assumed debt for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(8) | 1333 Broadway pro forma interest expense included a reduction in interest expense of $987 and $2,111 related to the fair value adjustment on the assumed debt for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(DD) | After the acquisition of 501 Seventh Avenue and Empire State Building Company, the historical operating lease arrangements will be eliminated. As a result, rental revenue earned by the Predecessor of $4,255 and $5,016 from 501 Seventh Avenue and $5,896 and $34,399 from Empire State Building Company, has been eliminated for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(EE) | Supervisory and management fees of $521 and $2,043 from the non-controlled entities are eliminated in consolidation for pro forma purposes for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. Other fees of $591 and $1,358 from the excluded entities and $958 and $2,230 and from the non-controlled entities are eliminated in consolidation for pro forma purposes for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(FF) | Costs charged by the Predecessor and expensed by Empire State Building Company, 1350 Broadway, 1333 Broadway and 501 Seventh Avenue relating to supervisory, management and offering cost reimbursements of $1,240 and $3,557 are eliminated from marketing, general and administrative expenses in consolidation for pro forma purposes for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(GG) | We expect to incur through taxable REIT subsidiaries additional federal, state and local tax expenses of $3,211 and $3,408 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, of which $1,565 and $2,098 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, related to the operations of the Empire State Building observatory, and of which $1,646 and $1,310 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, related to the operations of our management and construction companies. |
(HH) |
As a result of the formation transactions general and administrative costs are expected to increase by $225 and $450 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. The increase is comprised of additional costs relating to cash compensation granted to our non-employee directors. We expect to incur additional general and administrative expenses in |
F-26
excess of our historical general and administrative expenses as a result of becoming a public company, including but not limited to incremental salaries, directors and officer insurance, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance costs, and incremental audit, tax and legal fees. We estimate that these costs could result in incremental general and administrative expenses of $2,000 to $3,000 per year. We have not included these expenses in the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of income as such expenses are not current contractual obligations or factually supportable. |
(II) | Reflects share-based compensation expense of $1,953 and $3,906 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, relating to the intended grant of 1,072 unvested LTIP units and/or restricted shares of Class A common stock to our independent directors, executive officers (other than Anthony E. Malkin) and certain other employees upon completion of this offering. The valuation of the restricted shares of Class A common stock was based on the fair value of the Class A common stock, or the $14.00 per share offering price, which represents the mid-point of the range of initial public offering prices per share in this offering. The fair value of the LTIP units is based on a valuation method that considers the fair value of the Class A common stock and any applicable post-vesting transfer restrictions. We recognize the fair value of all share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We estimated that there would be no forfeitures of the share-based awards. |
(JJ) | Reflects $4,841 and $10,566 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, representing the elimination of acquisition costs incurred by the non-controlled entities in connection with our acquisition of these entities. Additionally reflects the elimination of $3,000 and $2,247 of formation transaction costs for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(KK) | Reflects decreased interest expense due to borrowings under the secured revolving and term credit facility used to refinance the existing term loan at the Empire State Building. These amounts are calculated on the basis that the principal on the existing term loan was repaid with proceeds from the secured revolving and term credit facility on January 1, 2012. Reflects an interest rate of one-month LIBOR (0.20%) plus 1.45% based on the expected leverage and applicable rate under the secured revolving and term credit facility. Pro forma interest expense related to the secured revolving and term credit facility was $2,865 and $4,589 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. Historical interest expense related to the existing term loan at the Empire State Building was $6,495 and $9,249 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. If market rates of interest on the secured revolving and term credit facility changed by 1/8 of 1% variance, then the increase or decrease on the variable debt would be approximately $163 and $239 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(LL) | Due to the acquisition of Empire State Building Company, 1350 Broadway, 1333 Broadway and 501 Seventh Avenue, $7,898 and $14,348 of equity in net income from equity method investments is eliminated in the pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. |
(MM) | The non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership owns 62.2% of the interests in the Operating Partnership. The non-controlling interest in the net income of the Operating Partnership as a result of the issuance of operating partnership units was allocated to former owners of the Predecessor as partial consideration in the formation transactions. |
(NN) | Pro forma basic earnings per share equals pro forma net income attributable to equity owners divided by the number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering and the unvested shares of restricted stock and LTIP units, which qualify as participating securities, to be granted upon the closing of this offering and the formation transactions. |
F-27
(OO) | Pro forma diluted earnings per share equals pro forma net income divided by the sum of the number of shares of our common stock and operating partnership units to be outstanding after the IPO and the unvested restricted shares of Class A common stock and LTIP units, which qualify as participating securities, to be granted upon the closing of the IPO and the formation transactions, plus an amount computed using the treasury stock method with respect to such restricted shares of Class A common stock and LTIP units which do not qualify as restricted securities. |
F-28
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The stockholder of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The balance sheets are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these balance sheets based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheets are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheets, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the balance sheets referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. at December 31, 2012 and 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 10, 2013
F-29
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
December 31, 2012 and 2011
December 31, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
Cash |
$ | 110 | $ | 100 | ||||
Related party receivable |
| 10 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Assets |
$ | 110 | $ | 110 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Equity: |
||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value 1,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding |
$ | 10 | $ | 10 | ||||
Additional paid in capital |
90 | 90 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Stockholders Equity |
100 | 100 | ||||||
Non-controlling interest |
10 | 10 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Equity |
$ | 110 | $ | 110 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-30
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, Inc.) (the Company) was organized as a Maryland corporation on July 29, 2011. Under its Articles of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 1,000 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock. The Company was initially capitalized by issuing 1,000 shares of common stock to Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and of the Company, for a par value of $0.01 per share. The Company has had no other operations since its formation.
The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-11 with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to a proposed initial public offering (the Offering) of Class A common stock, for a par value of $0.01 per share. The Company will contribute the net proceeds of the Offering for operating partnership units in Empire State Realty OP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, L.P.) (the Operating Partnership). In advance of the Offering and as part of the formation transactions of the Operating Partnership, on November 28, 2011, the Company agreed to contribute $10 for a 50% initial General Partners interest in the Operating Partnership and Anthony E. Malkin agreed to contribute $10 for a 50% initial Limited Partners interest in the Operating Partnership. Anthony E. Malkins contribution is reflected as a related party receivable at December 31, 2011. The contributions to the Operating Partnership were funded on March 15, 2012. The Company, as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, will have responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the Operating Partnership, and the limited partners of the Operating Partnership, in such capacity, will have no authority to transact business for, or participate in the management activities of the Operating Partnership. Accordingly, the Operating Partnership has been consolidated into this report of the Company.
The Operating Partnership will own, manage, operate, acquire and reposition office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. The Operating Partnership will initially own 12 office properties, six standalone retail properties, and entitled land that will support the development of an office building and garage, all of which will be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Operating Partnership intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to pay certain holders of interests in the contributing entities of the initial portfolio that are non-accredited investors or who elect to receive cash for their equity interests in certain of such entities; pay fees in connection with the assumption of indebtedness; pay expenses incurred in connection with the Offering and the formation transactions; repay a loan that was made to one of the contributing entities by certain investors in such entity; and for general working capital purposes and to fund potential future acquisitions. The Company will be subject to the risks involved with the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. These include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate, trends in the retail industry, including creditworthiness of tenants, competition for tenants, changes in tax laws, interest rate levels, the availability of financing, and potential liability under environmental and other laws.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries, which are wholly-owned or controlled by us. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Income Taxes
The Company believes that it is organized and will operate in the manner that will allow it to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in accordance with the Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2013. As a REIT, the Company will generally be entitled to deduction for dividends paid and therefore will not be subject to federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is being distributed to its stockholders. REITs are subject to a
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number of organizational and operational requirements. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the balance sheet and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Offering Costs
In connection with the Offering, the Company and affiliates of the Company have incurred or will incur accounting fees, legal fees and other professional fees. Such costs will be deducted from the proceeds of the Offering, when it is consummated or expensed, in the period it is determined the transaction is not likely to be consummated.
NOTE 3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Option Properties
The Company has executed option agreements with affiliates of its predecessor granting the Company the right to acquire long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties following the resolution of the ongoing litigation relating to these properties. The option properties will not be contributed to the Company in the formation transactions. Concurrently with the consummation of the Offering, the Company intends to enter into management agreements with respect to each of the option properties. The option properties consist of 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway, both office properties in midtown Manhattan. The Companys management team believes that, if acquired, 112-122 West 34 th Street and 1400 Broadway would be consistent with its portfolio composition and strategic direction. The purchase price for each of the option properties will be based on an appraisal by independent third parties, unless the Company and the owners of the properties, with the consent of the Helmsley estate (a member of affiliates of Companys predecessor and of the owners of option properties), agree to a negotiated price, and unless the litigation related to these properties is resolved prior to the closing of the consolidation, in which case investors in the entities owning the option properties will receive consideration in connection with the consolidation on the same basis as investors in other entities contributing properties in connection with the consolidation. The Company has agreed that Anthony E. Malkin, its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiations and valuation process on the Companys behalf. One or more of the Companys independent directors will lead the appraisal or negotiation process on its behalf and a majority of its independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in each of the option properties. The purchase price is payable in a combination of cash, shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, but the Helmsley estate will have the right to elect to receive all cash. The Companys option expires on the later of (i) 12 months after we receive notice of a settlement or a final, non-appealable judgment in relation to certain ongoing litigation with respect to the properties or (ii) six months after the completion of the independent valuation described above, but in no event later than seven years from the completion of the Offering.
Litigation
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by participants in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (ESBA) and several other entities supervised by Malkin Holdings LLC (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs assert claims against Malkin Holdings LLC, Malkin Properties, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., Malkin Construction Corp.,
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Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley, the Operating Partnership and the Company for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They allege, among other things, that the terms of the consolidation and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the participants in the existing entities, the consolidation provides excessive benefits to Malkin Holdings LLC and its affiliates and the then draft prospectus/consent solicitation filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully informed decision about the proposed consolidation. The complaints seek money damages and injunctive relief preventing the proposed consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012. Furthermore, an underlying premise of the Class Actions, as noted in discussions among plaintiffs counsel and defendants counsel, was that the consolidation had been structured in such a manner that would cause participants in ESBA, 60 East 42 nd St. Associates L.L.C. and 250 West 57 th St. Associates L.L.C. (the subject LLCs) immediately to incur substantial tax liabilities.
The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The Stipulation of Settlement recites that the consolidation was approved by overwhelming consent of the participants in the private entities. The Stipulation of Settlement states that counsel for the plaintiff class satisfied themselves that they have received adequate access to relevant information, including the independent valuers valuation process and methodology, that the disclosures in the Registration Statement on Form S 4, as amended, are appropriate, that the transaction presents potential benefits, including the opportunity for liquidity and capital appreciation, that merit the participants serious consideration and that each of the named class representatives intends to support the transaction as modified. The Stipulation of Settlement further states that counsel for the plaintiff class are satisfied that the claims regarding tax implications, enhanced disclosures, appraisals and exchange values of the properties that would be consolidated into the Company, and the interests of the participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities, have been addressed adequately, and they have concluded that the settlement pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and opportunity to consider the proposed transaction on the basis of revised consent solicitations are fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the plaintiff class.
The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement include, among other things (i) a payment of $55 million, with a minimum of 80% in cash and maximum of 20% in freely tradable shares of common stock and/or freely tradable operating partnership units to be distributed, after reimbursement of plaintiffs counsels court approved expenses and payment of plaintiffs counsels court approved attorneys fees and, in the case of shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units, after the termination of specified lock up periods, to participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities pursuant to a plan of allocation to be prepared by counsel for plaintiffs; (ii) defendants agreement that (a) the Offering will be on the basis of a firm commitment underwriting; (b) if, during the solicitation period, any of the three subject LLCs percentage of total exchange value is lower than what is stated in the final prospectus/consent solicitation by 10% or more, such decrease will be promptly disclosed by defendants to participants in the subject LLCs; and (c) unless total gross proceeds of $600,000,000 are raised in the Offering, defendants will not proceed with the transaction without further approval of the subject LLCs; and (iii) defendants agreement to make additional disclosures in the prospectus/consent solicitation regarding certain matters (which are included therein). Participants in the subject LLCs and private entities will not be required to bear any portion of the settlement payment. The payment in settlement of the Class Actions will be made by the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley and affiliates of Malkin Holdings LLC (provided that none of Malkin Holdings LLCs affiliates that would become a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company in the consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain participants in the private entities who agree to contribute. The Company and the Operating Partnership will not bear any of the settlement payment.
The settlement further provides for the certification of a class of participants in the three subject LLCs and all of the private entities, other than defendants and other related persons and entities, and a release of any claims
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of the members of the class against the defendants and related persons and entities, as well as underwriters and other advisors. The release in the settlement excludes certain claims, including but not limited to, claims arising from or related to any supplement to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that is declared effective to which the plaintiffs counsel objects in writing, which objection will not be unreasonably made or delayed, so long as plaintiffs counsel has had adequate opportunity to review such supplement. The settlement was subject to court approval. It is not effective until such court approval is final, including the resolution of any appeal. Defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the allegations in the Class Actions.
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of such settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing.
On January 28, 2013, six participants in ESBA filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross moved to intervene in the Class Actions and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of ESBA participants. On February 21, 2013 the court denied the cross motion of such objecting participants, and the court denied permission for such objecting participants to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Actions, but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non consenting participants in ESBA of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting participants assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in Malkin Holdings LLCs favor, holding that the buyout provisions of the participation agreements with respect to ESBA are legally binding and enforceable and that participants do not have the rights that they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the class action settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are participants in all of the subject LLCs and private entities included in the consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the consolidation or the Offering. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15.0 million in fees and $295,895 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11.59 million in fees and $265,282 in expenses.
The participants who challenged the buyout provision appealed the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, Malkin Holdings LLC filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same participants filed additional notices of appeal from the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. They appealed (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class action on behalf of ESBA participants; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
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Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. The timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful, cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material and adverse effect on the Company and the Operating Partnership and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting participants have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings LLC believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, the Company and the Operating Partnership may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if the defendants lose. The timing or outcome of an appeal cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company and the Operating Partnership, including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings LLC believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
There is a risk that other third parties will assert claims against the Company, the Operating Partnership or Malkin Holdings LLC, including, without limitation, that Malkin Holdings LLC breached its fiduciary duties to investors in the existing entities or that the consolidation violates the relevant operating agreements, and third parties may commence litigation against the Company, the Operating Partnership or Malkin Holdings LLC.
NOTE 4. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
There have not been any events that have occurred that would require adjustments to or disclosure to the consolidated balance sheets.
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Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
June 30,
2013 |
December 31,
2012 |
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(unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets: |
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Cash |
$ | 110 | $ | 110 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Assets |
$ | 110 | $ | 110 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Equity: |
||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value 1,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding |
$ | 10 | $ | 10 | ||||
Additional paid in capital |
90 | 90 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total stockholders equity |
100 | 100 | ||||||
Non-controlling interest |
10 | 10 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Equity |
$ | 110 | $ | 110 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, Inc.) (the Company) was organized as a Maryland corporation on July 29, 2011. Under its Articles of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 1,000 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock. The Company was initially capitalized by issuing 1,000 shares of common stock to Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and of the Company, for a par value of $0.01 per share. The Company has had no other operations since its formation.
The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-11 with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to a proposed initial public offering (the Offering) of Class A common stock, for a par value of $0.01 per share. The Company will contribute the net proceeds of the Offering for operating partnership units in Empire State Realty OP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, L.P.) (the Operating Partnership). In advance of the Offering and as part of the formation transactions of the Operating Partnership, on November 28, 2011, the Company agreed to contribute $10 for a 50% initial General Partners interest in the Operating Partnership and Anthony E. Malkin agreed to contribute $10 for a 50% initial Limited Partners interest in the Operating Partnership. The contributions to the Operating Partnership were funded on March 15, 2012. The Company, as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, will have responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the Operating Partnership, and the limited partners of the Operating Partnership, in such capacity, will have no authority to transact business for, or participate in the management activities of the Operating Partnership. Accordingly, the Operating Partnership has been consolidated into this report of the Company.
The Operating Partnership will own, manage, operate, acquire and reposition office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. The Operating Partnership will initially own 12 office properties, six standalone retail properties, and entitled land that will support the development of an office building and garage, all of which will be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Operating Partnership intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to pay certain holders of interests in the contributing entities of the initial portfolio that are non-accredited investors or who elect to receive cash for their equity interests in certain of such entities; pay fees associated with the Companys expected new secured revolving and term credit facility; pay fees in connection with the assumption of indebtedness; pay expenses incurred in connection with the Offering and the formation transactions; repay a loan that was made to one of the contributing entities by certain investors in such entity; and for general working capital purposes and to fund potential future acquisitions. The Company will be subject to the risks involved with the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. These include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate, trends in the retail industry, including creditworthiness of tenants, competition for tenants, changes in tax laws, interest rate levels, the availability of financing, and potential liability under environmental and other laws.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries, which are wholly-owned or controlled by us. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Income Taxes
The Company believes that it is organized and will operate in the manner that will allow it to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in accordance with the Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2013. As a REIT, the Company will generally be entitled to deduction for dividends paid and therefore will not be subject to federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is being distributed to its stockholders. REITs are subject to a
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number of organizational and operational requirements. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the balance sheet and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Offering Costs
In connection with the Offering, the Company and affiliates of the Company have incurred or will incur accounting fees, legal fees and other professional fees. Such costs will be deducted from the proceeds of the Offering, when it is consummated or expensed, in the period it is determined the transaction is not likely to be consummated.
NOTE 3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Option Properties
The Company has executed option agreements with affiliates of its predecessor granting the Company the right to acquire long-term leasehold and/or sub-leasehold interests in the option properties following the resolution of the recently resolved litigation relating to these properties. The Company does not intend to exercise the option for either of the option properties prior to the closing of the Offering. Concurrently with the consummation of the Offering, the Company intends to enter into management agreements with respect to each of the option properties. The option properties consist of 112-122 West 34th Street and 1400 Broadway, both office properties in midtown Manhattan. The Companys management team believes that, if acquired, 112-122 West 34th Street and 1400 Broadway would be consistent with its portfolio composition and strategic direction. The purchase price for each of the option properties will be based on an appraisal by independent third parties, unless the Company and the owners of the properties, with the consent of the Helmsley estate (a member of affiliates of Companys predecessor and of the owners of option properties), agree to a negotiated price, and unless the litigation related to these properties is resolved prior to the closing of the consolidation, in which case investors in the entities owning the option properties will receive consideration in connection with the consolidation on the same basis as investors in other entities contributing properties in connection with the consolidation. The Company has agreed that Anthony E. Malkin, its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, will not participate in the negotiations and valuation process on the Companys behalf. One or more of the Companys independent directors will lead the appraisal or negotiation process on its behalf and a majority of its independent directors must approve the price and terms of the acquisition of interests in each of the option properties. The purchase price is payable in a combination of cash, shares of our common stock and operating partnership units, but the Helmsley estate will have the right to elect to receive all cash. The Companys option expires on the later of (i) 12 months after we receive notice of a settlement or a final, non-appealable judgment in relation to certain recently resolved litigation with respect to the properties or (ii) six months after the completion of the independent valuation described above, but in no event later than seven years from the completion of the Offering.
Litigation
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by participants in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (ESBA) and several other entities supervised by Malkin Holdings LLC (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs assert claims against Malkin Holdings LLC, Malkin Properties, L.L.C.,
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Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., Malkin Construction Corp., Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley, the Operating Partnership and the Company for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They allege, among other things, that the terms of the consolidation and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the participants in the existing entities, the consolidation provides excessive benefits to Malkin Holdings LLC and its affiliates and the then-draft prospectus/consent solicitation filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully informed decision about the proposed consolidation. The complaints seek money damages and injunctive relief preventing the proposed consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co-lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012. Furthermore, an underlying premise of the Class Actions, as noted in discussions among plaintiffs counsel and defendants counsel, was that the consolidation had been structured in such a manner that would cause participants in ESBA, 60 East 42nd St. Associates L.L.C. and 250 West 57th St. Associates L.L.C. (the subject LLCs) immediately to incur substantial tax liabilities.
The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The Stipulation of Settlement recites that the consolidation was approved by overwhelming consent of the participants in the private entities. The Stipulation of Settlement states that counsel for the plaintiff class satisfied themselves that they have received adequate access to relevant information, including the independent valuers valuation process and methodology, that the disclosures in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, are appropriate, that the transaction presents potential benefits, including the opportunity for liquidity and capital appreciation, that merit the participants serious consideration and that each of the named class representatives intends to support the transaction as modified. The Stipulation of Settlement further states that counsel for the plaintiff class are satisfied that the claims regarding tax implications, enhanced disclosures, appraisals and exchange values of the properties that would be consolidated into the Company, and the interests of the participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities, have been addressed adequately, and they have concluded that the settlement pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and opportunity to consider the proposed transaction on the basis of revised consent solicitations are fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the plaintiff class.
The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement include, among other things (i) a payment of $55 million, with a minimum of 80% in cash and maximum of 20% in freely-tradable shares of common stock and/or freely-tradable operating partnership units to be distributed, after reimbursement of plaintiffs counsels court-approved expenses and payment of plaintiffs counsels court-approved attorneys fees (which are included within the $55 million settlement payment) and, in the case of shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units, after the termination of specified lock-up periods, to participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities pursuant to a plan of allocation to be prepared by counsel for plaintiffs; (ii) defendants agreement that (a) the Offering will be on the basis of a firm commitment underwriting; (b) if, during the solicitation period, any of the three subject LLCs percentage of total exchange value is lower than what is stated in the final prospectus/consent solicitation by 10% or more, such decrease will be promptly disclosed by defendants to participants in the subject LLCs; and (c) unless total gross proceeds of $600,000,000 are raised in the Offering, defendants will not proceed with the transaction without further approval of the subject LLCs; and (iii) defendants agreement to make additional disclosures in the prospectus/consent solicitation regarding certain matters (which are included therein). Participants in the subject LLCs and private entities will not be required to bear any portion of the settlement payment. The payment in settlement of the Class Actions will be made by the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley and affiliates of Malkin Holdings LLC (provided that none of Malkin Holdings LLCs affiliates that would become a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company in the consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain participants in the private entities who agree to contribute. The Company and the Operating Partnership will not bear any of the settlement payment.
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The settlement further provides for the certification of a class of participants in the three subject LLCs and all of the private entities, other than defendants and other related persons and entities, and a release of any claims of the members of the class against the defendants and related persons and entities, as well as underwriters and other advisors. The release in the settlement excludes certain claims, including but not limited to, claims arising from or related to any supplement to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that is declared effective to which the plaintiffs counsel objects in writing, which objection will not be unreasonably made or delayed, so long as plaintiffs counsel has had adequate opportunity to review such supplement. The settlement was subject to court approval. It is not effective until such court approval is final, including the resolution of any appeal. Defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the allegations in the Class Actions.
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of such settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing.
On January 28, 2013, six participants in ESBA filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross-moved to intervene in the Class Actions and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of ESBA participants. On February 21, 2013 the court denied the cross motion of such objecting participants, and the court denied permission for such objecting participants to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Actions, but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non-consenting participants in ESBA of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting participants assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in Malkin Holdings LLCs favor, holding that the buyout provisions of the participation agreements with respect to ESBA are legally binding and enforceable and that participants do not have the rights that they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the class action settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are participants in all of the subject LLCs and private entities included in the consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the consolidation or the Offering. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15.0 million in fees and $295,895 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11.59 million in fees and $265,282 in expenses (which are included within the $55 million settlement payment).
The participants who challenged the buyout provision filed a notice of appeal of the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, Malkin Holdings LLC filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay. On July 16, 2013, these participants filed their brief and other supporting papers on their appeal of the April 30, 2013 decision, which is required to perfect the appeal.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same participants filed additional notices of appeal from the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. These notices of appeal related to (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class
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action on behalf of ESBA participants; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. The timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful, cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material and adverse effect on the Company and the Operating Partnership, and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting participants have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings LLC believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and it will be upheld on appeal.
As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, the Company may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if the defendants lose. The timing or outcome of an appeal cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company, including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings LLC believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
There is a risk that other third parties will assert claims against the Company, the Operating Partnership or Malkin Holdings LLC, including, without limitation, that Malkin Holdings LLC breached its fiduciary duties to investors in the existing entities or that the consolidation violates the relevant operating agreements, and third parties may commence litigation against the Company, the Operating Partnership or Malkin Holdings LLC.
NOTE 4. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
There have not been any events that have occurred that would require adjustments to or disclosure to the consolidated balance sheets.
F-41
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Partners, Members and Stockholders of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor (the Company) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related combined statements of income, owners equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. Our audits also include the financial statement schedules listed on the Index to Financial Statements included in the Form S-11. These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the combined results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 10, 2013
F-42
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
December 31, 2012 and 2011
(amounts in thousands)
December 31, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Commercial real estate properties, at cost: |
||||||||
Land |
$ | 102,475 | $ | 102,475 | ||||
Development costs |
16,039 | 15,850 | ||||||
Building and improvements |
631,814 | 592,256 | ||||||
Building leasehold interests and improvements |
189,002 | 145,570 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
939,330 | 856,151 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
(257,091 | ) | (224,019 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
682,239 | 632,132 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
51,499 | 86,316 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
32,268 | 30,445 | ||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance of $188 and $716 in 2012 and 2011, respectively |
8,701 | 13,884 | ||||||
Deferred rent receivables, net of allowance of $735 and $936 in 2012 and 2011, respectively |
49,827 | 47,058 | ||||||
Investment in non-controlled entities |
76,879 | 72,626 | ||||||
Deferred costs, net |
92,226 | 72,046 | ||||||
Due from affiliated companies |
46,413 | 39,117 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
12,501 | 11,347 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 1,052,553 | $ | 1,004,971 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
LIABILITIES AND OWNERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | 978,150 | $ | 921,362 | ||||
Unsecured loan and notes payable related parties |
18,339 | 18,288 | ||||||
Accrued interest payable |
3,409 | 2,889 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
26,889 | 21,893 | ||||||
Due to affiliated companies |
12,376 | 17,159 | ||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
7,390 | 5,881 | ||||||
Tenants security deposits |
16,859 | 16,205 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
1,063,412 | 1,003,677 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
OWNERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
(10,859 | ) | 1,294 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND OWNERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
$ | 1,052,553 | $ | 1,004,971 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-43
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
(amounts in thousands)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
REVENUES |
||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 196,187 | $ | 198,494 | $ | 166,159 | ||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
29,483 | 31,063 | 32,721 | |||||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
5,103 | 5,626 | 3,750 | |||||||||
Construction revenue |
18,902 | 47,560 | 27,139 | |||||||||
Other income and fees |
10,619 | 12,045 | 16,776 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Revenues |
260,294 | 294,788 | 246,545 | |||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES |
||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
55,707 | 57,102 | 60,356 | |||||||||
Marketing, general, and administrative expenses |
20,963 | 15,688 | 13,924 | |||||||||
Construction expenses |
19,592 | 46,230 | 27,581 | |||||||||
Real estate taxes |
30,406 | 29,160 | 27,585 | |||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
2,247 | 2,845 | 807 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
42,690 | 35,513 | 34,041 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
171,605 | 186,538 | 164,294 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income from Operations before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
88,689 | 108,250 | 82,251 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
54,394 | 54,746 | 52,264 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
34,295 | 53,504 | 29,987 | |||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
14,348 | 3,893 | 15,324 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
NET INCOME |
$ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-44
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Combined Statements of Owners Equity (Deficit)
December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
(amounts in thousands)
Owners (Deficit) at January 1, 2010 |
$ | (18,258 | ) | |
Net income-2010 |
45,311 | |||
Contributions from owners-2010 |
2,056 | |||
Distributions to owners-2010 |
(40,674 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Owners (Deficit) at December 31, 2010 |
(11,565 | ) | ||
Net income-2011 |
57,397 | |||
Contributions from owners-2011 |
2,153 | |||
Distributions to owners-2011 |
(46,691 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Owners Equity at December 31, 2011 |
1,294 | |||
Net income-2012 |
48,643 | |||
Contributions from owners-2012 |
2,107 | |||
Distributions to owners-2012 |
(62,903 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Owners (Deficit) at December 31, 2012 |
$ | (10,859 | ) | |
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-45
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
(amounts in thousands)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
47,571 | 38,760 | 36,025 | |||||||||
Straight-lining of rental revenue |
(2,568 | ) | (3,116 | ) | (4,032 | ) | ||||||
Bad debts |
498 | 1,226 | 2,410 | |||||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
(14,348 | ) | (3,893 | ) | (15,324 | ) | ||||||
Distributions of cumulative earnings of non-controlled entities and other eliminations |
10,095 | 13,011 | 3,468 | |||||||||
Other non cash adjustments |
| | 2,811 | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
4,392 | 4,202 | 6,129 | |||||||||
Tenant and other receivables |
4,484 | (6,057 | ) | (3,606 | ) | |||||||
Deferred leasing costs |
(14,654 | ) | (15,026 | ) | (8,623 | ) | ||||||
Due to / from affiliated companies, net |
7,472 | (37,074 | ) | (919 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(1,154 | ) | 485 | (120 | ) | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
1,893 | (265 | ) | 9,951 | ||||||||
Accrued interest payable |
520 | (305 | ) | (23 | ) | |||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
1,509 | (1,663 | ) | 116 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total adjustments |
45,710 | (9,715 | ) | 28,263 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
94,353 | 47,682 | 73,574 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash for investing activities |
(5,561 | ) | 55 | 1,851 | ||||||||
(Increase) in due from affiliates for advances for leasehold interests and improvements |
(15,061 | ) | | | ||||||||
Additions to development in progress |
(189 | ) | (49 | ) | (1,372 | ) | ||||||
Additions to building and improvements and building leasehold and improvements |
(87,470 | ) | (60,533 | ) | (35,316 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(108,281 | ) | (60,527 | ) | (34,837 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from mortgage notes payable |
69,000 | 170,540 | 3,645 | |||||||||
Repayment of mortgage notes payable |
(12,212 | ) | (102,354 | ) | (9,776 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from unsecured loan payable |
51 | 5,600 | 3,558 | |||||||||
Repayment of unsecured loan payable |
| (3,200 | ) | | ||||||||
Offering costs |
(12,593 | ) | (7,480 | ) | (3,083 | ) | ||||||
Deferred financing costs |
(4,339 | ) | (7,438 | ) | (519 | ) | ||||||
Contributions from owners |
2,107 | 2,153 | 2,056 | |||||||||
Distributions to owners |
(62,903 | ) | (46,691 | ) | (40,674 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(20,889 | ) | 11,130 | (44,793 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(34,817 | ) | (1,715 | ) | (6,056 | ) | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS beginning of year |
86,316 | 88,031 | 94,087 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS end of year |
$ | 51,499 | $ | 86,316 | $ | 88,031 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||||||
Interest paid during the year (including interest capitalized of $177, $55 and $84) |
$ | 48,993 | $ | 51,776 | $ | 52,271 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-46
1. | Organization and Description of Business |
As used in these combined financial statements, unless the context otherwise requires, we, us, and our company mean the predecessor (as defined below) for the periods presented and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and its combined subsidiaries upon consummation of its initial public offering, or IPO, and the formation transactions defined below.
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, Inc.) is a Maryland corporation formed on July 29, 2011 to acquire the assets or equity interests of entities owning various controlling and non-controlling interests in real estate assets and certain management businesses controlled and/or managed by Mr. Peter L. Malkin and Mr. Anthony E. Malkin, or the Sponsors.
Prior to or concurrently with the completion of the IPO, we will engage in a series of formation transactions pursuant to which we will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, these assets, interests and businesses which we refer to as our formation transactions. The formation transactions are intended to enable us to (i) combine the ownership of our property portfolio under our operating partnership subsidiary, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, L.P.), a Delaware limited partnership, or our operating partnership; (ii) succeed to the asset management, property management, leasing and construction businesses of the predecessor; (iii) facilitate the IPO; and (iv) elect to be and qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2013. We will not have any operating activity until the consummation of our IPO and the formation transactions. Accordingly, we believe that a discussion of the results of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. would not be meaningful for the periods covered by these financial statements prior to that acquisition.
The Predecessor
The predecessor is not a legal entity but rather a combination of (i) controlling interests in (a) 16 office and retail properties, (b) one development parcel, and (c) certain management companies, which are owned by certain entities that the Sponsors own interests in and control, which we collectively refer to as the controlled entities, and (ii) non-controlling interests in four office properties (which include two of the 16 properties set forth in (i) above), held through entities which we collectively refer to as the non-controlled entities, and are presented as uncombined entities in our combined financial statements. Specifically, the term the predecessor means (i) Malkin Holdings LLC, a New York limited liability company that acts as the supervisor of, and performs various asset management services and routine administration with respect to, certain of the existing entities (as described below), which we refer to as the supervisor; (ii) the limited liability companies or limited partnerships that currently (a) own, directly or indirectly and either through a fee interest or a long-term leasehold in the underlying land, and/or (b) operate, directly or indirectly and through a fee interest, an operating lease, an operating sublease or an operating sub-sublease, the 18 office and retail properties (which include non-controlling interests in four office properties for which Malkin Holdings LLC acts as the supervisor but that are not consolidated into our predecessor for accounting purposes) and entitled land that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage that we will own after the formation transactions, which we refer to as the existing entities; (iii) Malkin Properties, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Manhattan, which we refer to as Malkin Properties; (iv) Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Westchester County, New York, which we refer to as Malkin Properties NY; (v) Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., a Connecticut corporation that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in the State of Connecticut, which we refer to as Malkin Properties CT; and (vi) Malkin Construction Corp., a Connecticut corporation that is a general contractor and provides services to certain of the existing entities and third parties (including certain tenants at the properties in our portfolio), which we refer to as Malkin Construction. The term the predecessors management companies refers to the supervisor, Malkin Properties, Malkin Properties NY, Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction, collectively. The predecessor accounts for its investment in the non-controlled entities under the equity method of accounting.
F-47
Controlled Entities:
As of December 31, 2012, properties that the Sponsors own interests in and control, and whose operations are 100% consolidated into the financial statements of the predecessor include:
Office:
One Grand Central Place, New York, New York
250 West 57 th Street, New York, New York
1359 Broadway, New York, New York
First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut
Metro Center, Stamford, Connecticut
383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, New York
10 Bank Street, White Plains, New York
Fee ownership position of 350 Fifth Avenue (Empire State Building), New York, New York
Fee ownership position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York
Retail:
10 Union Square, New York, New York
1010 Third Avenue, New York, New York
77 West 55 th Street, New York, New York
1542 Third Avenue, New York, New York
69-97 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
103-107 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
Land Parcels:
We own entitled land at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage.
The acquisition of interests in our predecessor will be recorded at historical cost at the time of the formation transactions.
Non-Controlled Entities:
As of December 31, 2012, properties in which the Sponsors own and control non-controlling interests and whose operations are reflected in our predecessors combined financial statements as an equity interest include:
Office:
Master operating lease position of 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York Empire State Building Company L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 1350 Broadway, New York, New York 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (long term ground lease).
1333 Broadway, New York, New York 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
F-48
All of our business activities will be conducted through our operating partnership. We will be the sole general partner of our operating partnership. Pursuant to the formation transactions, our operating partnership will (i) acquire interests in the office and retail properties owned by the controlled entities (including our predecessor management companies) and the non-controlled entities and (ii) assume related debt and other specified liabilities of such assets and businesses, in exchange for shares of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock, operating partnership units, and/or cash.
We will be self-administered and self-managed. Additionally, we will form or acquire one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, that will be owned by our operating partnership. The TRSs, through several wholly-owned limited liability companies, will conduct third-party services businesses, which may include the Empire State Building Observatory, cleaning services, cafeteria, restaurant and fitness center, property management and leasing, construction, and property maintenance.
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Combination
The accompanying combined financial statements of the predecessor are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The effect of all significant intercompany balances and transactions has been eliminated. The combined financial statements include all the accounts and operations of our predecessor. The real estate entities included in the accompanying combined financial statements have been combined on the basis that, for the periods presented, such entities were under common control, common management and common ownership of the Sponsors and/or their affiliates and family members. Equity interests in the combining entities that are not controlled by the Sponsors and/or their affiliates and family members are shown as investments in non-controlled entities. We will also acquire these interests. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in the combined balance sheets and statements of cash flows to conform with the current year presentation.
We consolidate a variable interest entity, or VIE, in which we are considered a primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
Included in commercial real estate properties on our combined balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are approximately $444,259 and $390,638, respectively, related to our combined VIEs. Included in mortgages and other loans payable on our combined balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are approximately $609,910 and $547,741, respectively, related to our consolidated VIEs.
We will assess the accounting treatment for each investment we may have in the future. This assessment will include a review of each entitys organizational agreement to determine which party has what rights and whether those rights are protective or participating. For all VIEs, we will review such agreements in order to determine which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and benefit. In situations where we or our partner could approve, among other things, the annual budget, the entitys tax return before filing, and leases that cover more than a nominal amount of space relative to the total rentable space at each property, we would not consolidate the investment as we consider these to be substantive participation rights that result in shared power of the activities that would most significantly impact the performance and benefit of such joint venture investment. Such agreements could also contain certain protective rights such as the requirement of partner approval to sell, finance or refinance the investment and the payment of capital expenditures and operating expenditures outside of the approved budget or operating plan.
A non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary is defined as the portion of the equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Non-controlling interests are required to be
F-49
presented as a separate component of equity in the combined balance sheets and in the combined statements of income by requiring earnings and other comprehensive income to be attributed to controlling and non-controlling interests. As the financial statements of the predecessor have been prepared on a combined basis, there is no non-controlling interest for the periods presented.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the combined financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include allocation of the purchase price of acquired real estate properties among tangible and intangible assets, determination of the useful life of real estate properties and other long-lived assets, valuation and impairment analysis of combined and uncombined commercial real estate properties and other long-lived assets, estimate of percentage of completion on construction contracts, and valuation of the allowance for doubtful accounts. These estimates are prepared using managements best judgment, after considering past, current, and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Real Estate
Commercial real estate properties are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The recorded cost includes cost of acquisitions, development and construction and tenant allowances and improvements. Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Significant replacements and betterments which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized. Tenant improvements which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of its lease, the unamortized balance of any tenant improvements are written off if they are replaced or have no future value.
Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Category |
Term |
|
Building (fee ownership) |
39 years | |
Building improvements |
Shorter of remaining life of the building or useful life | |
Building (leasehold interest) |
Lesser of 39 years or remaining term of the lease | |
Furniture and fixtures |
Four to seven years | |
Tenant improvements |
Shorter of remaining term of the lease or useful life |
Depreciation expense amounted to $35,302, $29,155 and $26,969 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
For commercial real estate properties acquired after June 30, 2001, we assess the fair value of acquired tangible and intangible assets (including land, buildings, tenant improvements, above- and below-market leases, origination costs, acquired in-place leases, other identified intangible assets and assumed liabilities in accordance with guidance included in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805) (formerly known as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141 (SFAS No. 141), which was later replaced by SFAS 141 (R)), and allocate the purchase price to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including land at appraised value and buildings as if vacant, based on estimated fair values. We assess and consider fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize discount and/or capitalization rates that we deem appropriate, as well as available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the
F-50
value of the property as if it were vacant. We also consider an allocation of purchase price of other acquired intangibles, including acquired in-place leases that may have a customer relationship intangible value, including (but not limited to) the nature and extent of the existing relationship with the tenants, the tenants credit quality and expectations of lease renewals. Based on our acquisitions to date, our allocation to customer relationship intangible assets has been immaterial. Real estate properties acquired prior to July 1, 2001 were accounted for under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) 16 (APB 16) using the purchase method. Under the provisions of APB 16, we did not allocate any of the purchase prices to acquired leases. APB 16 was superseded by SFAS 141 and later SFAS 141(R).
Acquired in-place lease costs (tenant improvements, leasing commissions and in-place lease costs) are amortized as amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the underlying leases. Acquired assumed above- and below-market leases are amortized on a straight-line basis as an adjustment to rental revenue over the remaining term of the underlying leases, including, for below-market leases, fixed option renewal periods, if any. To date, all such acquired lease intangibles were deemed to be immaterial and have been recorded as part of the cost of the acquired building. The fair values associated with below-market rental renewal options are determined based on our experience and the relevant facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the acquisitions. For below-market leases with fixed option renewal periods, we have applied a minimum threshold of a 10% differential between the fixed rate renewals and estimated market rents when evaluating recording a below-market lease intangible.
Results of operations of properties acquired are included in the combined statements of income from the date of acquisition. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred.
Should a tenant terminate its lease, any unamortized acquired in-place lease costs and acquired in-place lease assets and assumed above- and below-market leases associated with that tenant will be written off to amortization expense or rental revenue, as indicated above.
For properties which we construct, we capitalize the cost to acquire and develop the property. The costs to be capitalized include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes, salaries and related costs of personnel directly involved and other costs incurred during the period of development.
Construction in progress is stated at cost, which includes the cost of construction, other direct costs and overhead costs attributable to the construction. Interest is capitalized if deemed material. No provision for depreciation is made on construction in progress until such time as the relevant assets are completed and put into use. Construction in progress, which is included in Building and Improvements, was $20,017 and $7,713 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
We cease capitalization on the portions of a construction property substantially completed and occupied or held available for occupancy, and capitalize only those costs associated with the portions under construction.
As a part of and concurrently with the IPO and the formation transactions, we will distribute our interest in certain residential buildings and land located in Stamford, Connecticut, which is zoned for residential use and held for future development. These interests have a historical cost of $15,500 and such residential buildings and land will be distributed to certain of the owners of the predecessor and therefore will not be acquired by us.
A property to be disposed of is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, less its cost to sell. Once an asset is held for sale, depreciation expense is no longer recorded and the historic results are reclassified as discontinued operations.
Investments in Non-Controlled Entities
We account for our investments under the equity method of accounting where we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence. Under this method, our investments are recorded at cost, and the
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investment accounts are adjusted for our share of the entities income or loss and for distributions and contributions. Equity income (loss) from non-controlled entities is allocated based on the portion of the ownership interest that is controlled by the Sponsor in each entity. The agreements may designate different percentage allocations among investors for profits and losses; however, our recognition of the entitys income or loss generally follows the entitys distribution priorities, which may change upon the achievement of certain investment return thresholds.
To the extent that we contributed assets to an entity, our investment in the entity is recorded at cost basis in the assets that were contributed to the entity. Upon contributing assets to an entity, we make a judgment as to whether the economic substance of the transaction is a sale. If so, gain or loss is recognized on the portion of the asset to which the other partners in the entity obtain an interest.
To the extent that the carrying amount of these investments on our combined balance sheets is different than the basis reflected at the entity level, the basis difference would be amortized over the life of the related asset and included in our share of equity in net income of the entity.
On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the carrying value of our investments in entities may be impaired on an other than temporary basis. An investment is impaired only if managements estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment on an other than temporary basis. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the fair value of the investment. None of our investments in non-controlled entities are other than temporarily impaired.
We recognize incentive income in the form of overage fees from certain uncombined entities (which include non-controlled and other properties not included in the predecessor) as income to the extent it has been earned and not subject to a clawback feature.
If our share of distributions and net losses exceeds our investments for certain of the equity method investments and if we remain liable for future obligations of the entity or may otherwise be committed to provide future additional financial support, the investment balances would be presented in the accompanying combined balance sheets as liabilities. The effects of material intercompany transactions with these equity method investments are eliminated. None of the entity debt is recourse to us.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, such as commercial real estate properties and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment on a property by property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our real estate properties may be impaired or that its carrying value may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, we first compare undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. We do not believe that the value of any of our properties and intangible assets were impaired during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
Income Taxes
We intend to elect and to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2013. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code,
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to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) to our stockholders and meet certain other requirements. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may also be subject to certain state, local, alternative minimum and franchise taxes. Under certain circumstances, U.S. federal income and excise taxes may be due on our undistributed taxable income.
During the periods presented, the entities included in the combined financial statements are treated as partnerships or S corporations for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes and, accordingly, are not subject to entity-level tax. Rather, each entitys taxable income or loss is allocated to its owners. Therefore, no provision or liability for U.S. federal or state income taxes has been included in the accompanying combined financial statements.
Two of the limited liability companies in the Predecessor have non-real estate income that is subject to New York City unincorporated business tax (NYCUBT). In 2012 and 2011, one of these entities generated a loss for NYCUBT purposes while the other entity generated income. In 2010, both entities generated losses for NYCUBT purposes. It is estimated that it is more likely than not that those losses will not provide future benefit.
No provision or liability for U.S. federal, state, or local income taxes has been included in these combined financial statements as current year taxable income as referred to above is fully offset by a NYCUBT net operating loss carry forward from previous years.
We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. ASC No. 740-10-65 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC No. 740-10-65, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. ASC No. 740-10-65 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes and accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we do not have a liability for uncertain tax positions. Potential interest and penalties associated with such uncertain tax positions would be recorded as a component of the income tax provision. As of December 31, 2012, the tax years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2012 remain open for an audit by the Internal Revenue Service. We have not received a notice of audit from the Internal Revenue Service for any of the open tax years.
As of December 31, 2012, the NYCUBT net operating loss carryforward was $15,846, expiring in the years 2021 to 2032. The carryforwards gave rise to a deferred tax asset of $634 and $612 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The deferred tax asset was fully reserved by a valuation allowance at December 31, 2012. The valuation allowance increased by $22 in 2012.
Segment Reporting
Management has determined that it operates in two reportable segments: a real estate segment and a construction contracting segment. Our real estate segment includes all activities related to the ownership, management, operation, acquisition, repositioning and disposition of our real estate assets, including properties which are accounted for by the equity method. Our construction segment includes all activities related to providing construction services to tenants and to other entities within and outside our company. These two lines of businesses are managed separately because each business requires different support infrastructures, provides different services and has dissimilar economic characteristics such as investments needed, stream of revenues and different marketing strategies. We account for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. Although our observatory operations are currently not
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presented as a segment in our predecessors historical financial statements since our predecessor has a non-controlling interest in such observatory operations, we anticipate that the operations of our observatory will encompass a reportable segment upon completion of the IPO and the formation transactions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The majority of our cash and cash equivalents are held at major commercial banks which may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit. To date, we have not experienced any losses on our invested cash.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of amounts held by lenders and/or escrow agents to provide for future real estate tax expenditures and insurance expenditures, tenant vacancy related costs, debt service obligations and amounts held for tenants in accordance with lease agreements such as security deposits, as well as amounts held by our third-party property managers.
Revenue Recognition
Rental Revenue
Rental revenue includes base rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its respective lease and is reported on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the lease 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 or controls the physical use of the leased space and the leased space is substantially ready for its intended use. In addition, many of our leases contain fixed percentage increases over the base rent to cover escalations. We account for all of our leases as operating leases. Deferred rent receivables, including free rental periods and leasing arrangements allowing for increased base rent payments are accounted for in a manner that provides an even amount of fixed lease revenues over the respective non-cancellable lease terms. Differences between rental income recognized and amounts due under the respective lease agreements are recognized as an increase or decrease to deferred rents receivable.
The timing of rental revenue recognition is impacted by the ownership of tenant improvements and allowances. When we are the owner of the tenant improvements, revenue recognition commences after both the improvements are completed and the tenant takes possession or control of the space. In contrast, if we determine that the tenant allowances we are funding are lease incentives, then we commence revenue recognition when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant. Tenant improvement ownership is determined based on various factors including, but not limited to, whether the lease stipulates how and on what a tenant improvement allowance may be spent, whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements at the end of the lease term, whether the tenant improvements are unique to the tenant or general-purpose in nature, and whether the tenant improvements are expected to have any residual value at the end of the lease.
In addition to base rent, our tenants also generally will pay their pro rata share of increases in real estate taxes and operating expenses for the building over a base year. In some leases, in lieu of paying additional rent based upon increases in building operating expenses, the tenant will pay additional rent based upon increases in the wage rate paid to porters over the porters wage rate in effect during a base year or increases in the Consumer Price Index over the index value in effect during a base year.
We will recognize rental revenue of acquired in-place above- and below-market leases at their fair values over the terms of the respective leases, including, for below-market leases, fixed option renewal periods, if any.
Lease cancellation fees are recognized when the fees are determinable, tenant vacancy has occurred, collectability is reasonably assured, we have no continuing obligation to provide services to such former tenants
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and the payment is not subject to any conditions that must be met or waived. Total lease cancellation fees for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $3,885, $684 and $11,869, respectively. Such fees are included in other income and fees in our combined statements of income.
Gains on Sale of Real Estate
We record a gain on sale of real estate when title is conveyed to the buyer and we have no substantial economic involvement with the property. If the sales criteria for the full accrual method are not met, we defer some or all of the gain recognition and accounts for the continued operations of the property by applying the finance, leasing, profit sharing, deposit, installment or cost recovery methods, as appropriate, until the sales criteria are met.
Gains from sales of depreciated properties are included in discontinued operations and the net proceeds from the sale of these properties are classified in the investing activities section of the combined statements of cash flows. During the periods presented, we did not sell any properties.
Third-Party Management, Leasing and Other Fees
We earn revenue arising from contractual agreements with affiliated entities of the Sponsors that are not presented as controlled entities. This revenue is recognized as the related services are performed under the respective agreements in place.
Construction Revenue
Revenues from construction contracts are recognized under the percentage-of completion method. Under this method, progress towards completion is recognized according to the ratio of incurred costs to estimated total costs. This method is used because management considers the cost-to-cost method the most appropriate in the circumstances.
Contract costs include all direct material, direct labor and other direct costs and an allocation of certain overhead related to contract performance. General and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We maintain an allowance against tenant and other receivables and deferred rents receivables for future potential tenant credit losses. The credit assessment is based on the estimated accrued rental revenue that is recoverable over the term of the respective lease. The computation of this allowance is based on the tenants payment history and current credit status, as well as certain industry or geographic specific credit considerations. If our estimate of collectability differs from the cash received, then the timing and amount of our reported revenue could be impacted. Bad debt expense is included in operating expenses on our combined statements of income and includes the impact of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts on our combined balance sheets, of $498, $1,226 and $2,410 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
Discontinued Operations
We reclassify material operations related to properties sold during the period or held for sale at the end of the period to discontinued operations for all periods presented. There were no discontinued operations in the periods presented.
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Deferred Lease Costs
Deferred lease costs consist of fees and direct costs incurred to initiate and renew leases, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term and the expense is included in depreciation and amortization in our combined statements of income. Upon the early termination of a lease, unamortized deferred leasing costs are charged to expense.
Deferred Financing Costs
Fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing have been deferred and are being amortized as a component of interest expense in our combined statements of income over the life of the respective mortgage on the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are expensed when the associated debt is refinanced or repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in seeking debt, which do not close, are expensed in the period in which it is determined that the financing will not close.
Advertising and Marketing Costs
Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $1,313, $1,553 and $1,841, respectively, and is included within operating expenses in our combined statements of income.
Fair Value
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entitys own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, tenant and other receivables, due from affiliated companies, prepaid expenses and other assets, accrued interest payable, due to affiliate companies, deferred revenue, tenant security deposits and accounts payable and accrued expenses in our combined balance sheets approximate their fair value due to the short term maturity of these instruments.
The fair value of our mortgage notes payable and unsecured loans and notes payable-related parties which are determined using Level 3 inputs, are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar borrowings could be made to us.
The methodologies used for valuing financial instruments have been categorized into three broad levels as follows:
Level 1 |
| Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. | ||||
Level 2 |
| Valuations based principally on other observable market parameters, including: | ||||
Quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments; | ||||||
Quoted prices in less active or inactive markets for identical or similar instruments; | ||||||
Other observable inputs (such as risk free interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates); and | ||||||
Market corroborated inputs (derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data). | ||||||
Level 3 |
| Valuations based significantly on unobservable inputs. |
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Valuations based on third-party indications (broker quotes or counterparty quotes) which were, in turn, based significantly on unobservable inputs or were otherwise not supportable as Level 3 valuations.
Valuations based on internal models with significant unobservable inputs.
These levels form a hierarchy. We follow this hierarchy for our financial instruments measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis and other required fair value disclosures. The classifications are based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Offering Costs and Formation Transaction Expenses
In connection with the IPO, we have incurred or will incur incremental accounting fees, legal fees and other professional fees. Such costs will be deferred and recorded as a reduction of proceeds of the IPO, or expensed as incurred if the IPO is not consummated. Certain costs associated with the IPO not directly attributable to the solicitation of consents of investors in the existing entities and the IPO, but rather related to structuring the formation transaction, are expensed as incurred.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the IASB (the Boards) on fair value measurements. The collective efforts of the Boards and their staffs, reflected in ASU 2011-04, have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term fair value. The Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied prospectively, and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our combined financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The update provides an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. In addition, an entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of the comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in this update are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2011, except for the amendment to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income which the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date on November 8, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our combined financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update (ASU) to enhance the disclosure requirements about an employers participation in a multiemployer pension plan. Employers that participate in a multiemployer pension plan will be required to provide a narrative description of the general nature of the plans and the employers participation in the plans that would indicate how the risks of these plans are different from single-employer plans and a disclosure of the minimum contributions required by the agreement. For each multiemployer pension plan that is individually significant, employers are required to provide additional disclosures including disaggregation of information. The guidance is effective for annual periods for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011. See note 9 for additional disclosures required by this guidance.
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In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance that concluded when a parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate as a result of default on the subsidiarys nonrecourse debt, the reporting entity must apply the accounting guidance for sales of real estate to determine whether it should derecognize the in substance real estate. The reporting entity is precluded from derecognizing the real estate until legal ownership has been transferred to the lender to satisfy the debt. The guidance is effective for calendar year-end public and nonpublic companies in 2013 and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption of the guidance is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our combined financial statements.
3. | Deferred Costs, Net |
Deferred costs, net consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Leasing costs |
$ | 78,865 | $ | 69,995 | ||||
Finance costs |
23,609 | 19,503 | ||||||
Offering costs |
27,789 | 13,512 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
130,263 | 103,010 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Less: Accumulated amortization |
38,037 | 30,964 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 92,226 | $ | 72,046 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense related to deferred leasing costs was $7,389, $6,357 and $7,071 and deferred financing costs was $4,881, $3,247 and $1,983, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Offering costs for work done by employees of the supervisor on behalf of the non-controlled entities of $1,304, $1,210 and $172 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, were incurred and advanced by our supervisor and have been reimbursed to our supervisor by the non-controlled entities. In addition, offering costs for work done by employees of the supervisor of approximately $608, $340 and $139 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, were incurred and advanced by our supervisor and have been reimbursed to our supervisor by the option entities.
Correction of an Immaterial Error in the Financial Statements
Our prior period financial results have been adjusted to reflect an immaterial correction which has no impact to the net change in cash reported on the statement of cash flows. During fiscal year 2012, we determined that certain costs related to the structuring of the formation transaction that were previously included in deferred offering costs should have been expensed in the periods incurred. The correction impacted the 2011 and 2010 periods and had accumulated to an amount of $3,652 as of December 31, 2011. Adhering to applicable guidance for accounting changes and error corrections, we concluded that the error was not material to any of our prior period financial statements. The correction resulted in immaterial changes to deferred costs and formation transaction expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. We applied the guidance for accounting changes and error corrections and revised our prior period financial statements presented.
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The following tables present the effect this correction had on the combined financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Additionally, financial information included in the notes to the financial statements that is impacted by the adjustment have been revised, as applicable.
As of December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||
As reported | Adjustment | As adjusted | ||||||||||
Owners equity (deficit) |
(10,758 | ) | (807 | ) | (11,565 | ) | ||||||
As of December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||
As reported | Adjustment | As adjusted | ||||||||||
Deferred costs, net |
$ | 75,698 | $ | (3,652 | ) | $ | 72,046 | |||||
Owners equity (deficit) |
4,946 | (3,652 | ) | 1,294 | ||||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||
As reported | Adjustment | As adjusted | ||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
$ | | $ | 2,845 | $ | 2,845 | ||||||
Net income |
60,242 | (2,845 | ) | 57,397 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
50,527 | (2,845 | ) | 47,682 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
8,285 | 2,845 | 11,130 | |||||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,715 | ) | | (1,715 | ) | |||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||
As reported | Adjustment | As adjusted | ||||||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
$ | | $ | 807 | $ | 807 | ||||||
Net income |
46,118 | (807 | ) | 45,311 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
74,381 | (807 | ) | 73,574 | ||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(45,600 | ) | 807 | (44,793 | ) | |||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
(6,056 | ) | | (6,056 | ) |
4. | Investments in Non-controlled Entities |
The investments in non-controlled entities consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011:
Entity |
Property | Nominal % Ownership | ||||
Empire State Building Company, L.L.C. |
350 Fifth Ave, New York, NY | 23.750 | % | |||
1333 Broadway Associates, L.L.C. |
1333 Broadway, New York, NY | 50.000 | % | |||
1350 Broadway Associates, L.L.C. |
1350 Broadway, New York, NY | 50.000 | % | |||
501 Seventh Avenue Associates, L.L.C. |
501 Seventh Ave, New York, NY | 20.469 | % |
Empire State Building Company, L.L.C. is the operating lessee of the property at 350 Fifth Avenue. The land and fee owner, Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., is a predecessor controlled entity whose operations are included in our combined financial statements. For the Observatory operations, revenues consist of admission fees to visit the observatory. Revenues from the sale of Observatory tickets are recognized upon admission or expiration. Revenues from photography, gifts and other products and services are recognized at the time of sale.
1333 Broadway Associates, L.L.C. owns the fee and leasehold positions at the same address.
1350 Broadway Associates, L.L.C. is the operating lessee of the property at the same address.
501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. is the operating lessee of the property at the same address. The fee owner, Seventh Avenue Building Associates L.L.C., is a predecessor controlled entity whose operations are included in our combined financial statements.
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Our share of income from these entities may exceed nominal ownership percentages based on the achievement of certain income thresholds as set forth in the relevant partnership agreements.
The following table reflects the activity in our investments in non-controlled entities for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of year |
$ | 72,626 | $ | 81,744 | ||||
Equity in Net income |
14,348 | 3,893 | ||||||
Distributions and other eliminations |
(10,095 | ) | (13,011 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at end of year |
$ | 76,879 | $ | 72,626 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The following reflects combined summarized financial information of the non-controlled entities:
December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheets |
Empire
State Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501 Seventh
Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Real estate |
$ | 195,304 | $ | 38,212 | $ | 40,317 | $ | 16,891 | $ | 290,724 | ||||||||||
Other assets |
145,949 | 37,741 | 22,150 | 17,283 | 223,123 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 341,253 | $ | 75,953 | $ | 62,467 | $ | 34,174 | $ | 513,847 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Mortgage and notes payable |
$ | | $ | 71,200 | $ | 50,427 | $ | | $ | 121,627 | ||||||||||
Other liabilities |
63,265 | 4,050 | 5,147 | 4,531 | 76,993 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities |
63,265 | 75,250 | 55,574 | 4,531 | 198,620 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Members/partners equity |
278,647 | 703 | 6,893 | 29,643 | 315,886 | |||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
(659 | ) | | | | (659 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total equity |
277,988 | 703 | 6,893 | 29,643 | 315,227 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities and members/partners equity |
$ | 341,253 | $ | 75,953 | $ | 62,467 | $ | 34,174 | $ | 513,847 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Our share of equity carrying value of our investments in non - controlled entities |
$ | 66,179 | $ | 847 | $ | 3,446 | $ | 6,407 | $ | 76,879 | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheets |
Empire
State Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501 Seventh
Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Real estate |
$ | 182,490 | $ | 35,772 | $ | 37,116 | $ | 17,131 | $ | 272,509 | ||||||||||
Other assets |
130,859 | 41,855 | 20,309 | 17,631 | 210,654 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 313,349 | $ | 77,627 | $ | 57,425 | $ | 34,762 | $ | 483,163 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Mortgage and notes payable |
$ | | $ | 71,200 | $ | 44,427 | $ | | $ | 115,627 | ||||||||||
Other liabilities |
62,992 | 2,251 | 3,720 | 5,405 | 74,368 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities |
62,992 | 73,451 | 48,147 | 5,405 | 189,995 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Members/partners equity |
252,164 | 4,176 | 9,278 | 29,357 | 294,975 | |||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
(1,807 | ) | | | | (1,807 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total equity |
250,357 | 4,176 | 9,278 | 29,357 | 293,168 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities and members/partners equity |
$ | 313,349 | $ | 77,627 | $ | 57,425 | $ | 34,762 | $ | 483,163 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Our share of equity carrying value of our investments in non-controlled entities |
$ | 59,890 | $ | 2,088 | $ | 4,639 | $ | 6,009 | $ | 72,626 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-60
December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statements of Income |
Empire
State Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501
Seventh Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 133,666 | $ | 14,539 | $ | 21,275 | $ | 18,827 | $ | 188,307 | ||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
91,870 | | | | 91,870 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total revenue |
225,536 | 14,539 | 21,275 | 18,827 | 280,177 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses rental |
119,482 | 7,528 | 10,667 | 13,101 | 150,778 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses overage rent |
24,199 | | | 2,497 | 26,696 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses observatory |
20,709 | | | | 20,709 | |||||||||||||||
Interest |
| 4,748 | 2,993 | | 7,741 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
13,615 | 1,112 | 3,489 | 1,496 | 19,712 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total expenses |
178,005 | 13,388 | 17,149 | 17,094 | 225,636 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 47,531 | $ | 1,151 | $ | 4,126 | $ | 1,733 | $ | 54,541 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Our share of equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
$ | 11,015 | $ | 576 | $ | 2,063 | $ | 694 | $ | 14,348 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statements of Income |
Empire
State Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501
Seventh Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 118,720 | $ | 14,670 | $ | 19,179 | $ | 17,713 | $ | 170,282 | ||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
80,562 | | | | 80,562 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total revenue |
199,282 | 14,670 | 19,179 | 17,713 | 250,844 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses rental |
122,381 | 7,072 | 10,328 | 13,169 | 152,950 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses overage rent |
28,780 | | | 1,545 | 30,325 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses observatory |
20,009 | | | | 20,009 | |||||||||||||||
Interest |
| 4,741 | 2,701 | | 7,442 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
15,833 | 3,053 | 3,117 | 1,870 | 23,873 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total expenses |
187,003 | 14,866 | 16,146 | 16,584 | 234,599 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Income (loss) |
$ | 12,279 | $ | (196 | ) | $ | 3,033 | $ | 1,129 | $ | 16,245 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Our share of equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
$ | 2,158 | $ | 391 | $ | 935 | $ | 409 | $ | 3,893 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-61
December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statements of Income |
Empire
State Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501
Seventh Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 114,520 | $ | 15,249 | $ | 18,347 | $ | 17,482 | $ | 165,598 | ||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
78,880 | | | | 78,880 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Revenue |
193,400 | 15,249 | 18,347 | 17,482 | 244,478 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses rental |
107,042 | 7,172 | 8,927 | 12,230 | 135,371 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses overage rent |
4,111 | | | 842 | 4,953 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses observatory |
18,249 | | | | 18,249 | |||||||||||||||
Interest |
| 4,483 | 2,691 | | 7,174 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
11,693 | 2,840 | 2,695 | 2,614 | 19,842 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total expenses |
141,095 | 14,495 | 14,313 | 15,686 | 185,589 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 52,305 | $ | 754 | $ | 4,034 | $ | 1,796 | $ | 58,889 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Our share of equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
$ | 12,423 | $ | 587 | $ | 2,017 | $ | 297 | $ | 15,324 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 | Debt |
Mortgage Notes Payable
Mortgage notes payable are collateralized by the following respective real estate properties and assignment of operating leases at December 31:
Principal Balance as of December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | Stated Rate |
Effective
Rate (1) |
Maturity
Date (2) |
||||||||||||||||
Mortgage debt collateralized by: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate debt |
||||||||||||||||||||
69-97 Main Street |
$ | 9,218 | $ | 9,364 | 5.64 | % | 5.95 | % | 5/1/2013 | |||||||||||
501 Seventh Avenue |
||||||||||||||||||||
(Note 1) |
1,075 | 1,110 | 5.75 | % | 6.60 | % | 8/1/2013 | |||||||||||||
(Note 2 ) ( 3) |
32,589 | 33,651 | 5.75 | % | 6.60 | % | 8/1/2013 | |||||||||||||
(Note 2 ) ( 3) |
7,107 | 7,312 | 6.04 | % | 6.89 | % | 8/1/2013 | |||||||||||||
1359 Broadway |
||||||||||||||||||||
(first lien mortgage loan) |
9,922 | 10,244 | 5.75 | % | 6.19 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) ( 4) |
5,761 | 5,948 | 5.75 | % | 6.21 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) ( 4) |
11,689 | 12,042 | 5.87 | % | 6.33 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) ( 4) |
19,068 | 19,531 | 6.40 | % | 6.87 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
One Grand Central Place |
||||||||||||||||||||
(first lien mortgage loan) |
73,922 | 76,009 | 5.34 | % | 5.74 | % | 11/5/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) ( 5) |
15,187 | 15,470 | 7.00 | % | 7.40 | % | 11/5/2014 | |||||||||||||
500 Mamaroneck Avenue |
33,256 | 33,915 | 5.41 | % | 5.76 | % | 1/1/2015 | |||||||||||||
250 West 57 th Street (first lien mortgage loan) |
26,442 | 27,220 | 5.33 | % | 5.95 | % | 1/5/2015 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan) |
11,524 | 11,780 | 6.13 | % | 6.75 | % | 1/5/2015 | |||||||||||||
Metro Center |
||||||||||||||||||||
(Note 1 ) ( 6) |
59,937 | 61,358 | 5.80 | % | 5.93 | % | 1/1/2016 | |||||||||||||
(Note 2 ) ( 6) |
38,151 | 38,719 | 6.02 | % | 6.15 | % | 1/1/2016 |
F-62
Principal Balance as of December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | Stated Rate |
Effective
Rate (1) |
Maturity
Date (2) |
||||||||||||||||
10 Union Square |
21,284 | 21,574 | 6.00 | % | 6.44 | % | 5/1/2017 | |||||||||||||
10 Bank Street |
33,963 | 34,499 | 5.72 | % | 5.90 | % | 6/1/2017 | |||||||||||||
1542 Third Avenue |
19,370 | 19,706 | 5.90 | % | 6.27 | % | 6/1/2017 | |||||||||||||
First Stamford Place |
248,716 | 250,000 | 5.65 | % | 5.87 | % | 7/5/2017 | |||||||||||||
1010 Third Avenue and 77 West 55 th Street |
28,570 | 29,018 | 5.69 | % | 6.06 | % | 7/5/2017 | |||||||||||||
383 Main Avenue |
30,924 | 31,417 | 5.59 | % | 5.79 | % | 7/5/2017 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total fixed rate debt |
737,675 | 749,887 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Floating rate debt |
||||||||||||||||||||
501 Seventh Avenue (third lien mortgage loan) |
6,540 | 6,540 | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | 8/1/2013 | |||||||||||||
The Empire State Building (secured term loan) |
219,000 | 159,000 | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | 7/26/2014 | |||||||||||||
250 West 57 th Street (third lien mortgage loan) |
14,935 | 5,935 | (9 | ) | (9 | ) | 1/5/2015 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total floating rate debt |
240,475 | 171,475 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total Mortgage Notes Payable |
$ | 978,150 | $ | 921,362 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | The effective rate is the yield as of December 31, 2012 including the effects of debt issuance costs. There are no discounts or premiums on the notes. |
(2) | Pre-payment is generally allowed for each loan upon payment of a customary pre-payment penalty. |
(3) | Represents the two tranches of the second lien mortgage loan. |
(4) | Represents three tranches of the second lien mortgage loan. |
(5) | Represents a second lien mortgage loan. |
(6) | Notes 1 and 2 are pari passu . |
(7) | Floating at 30 day LIBOR + 2.5%. The rate as of December 31, 2012 was 2.71%. The loan is collateralized by the Empire State Building. |
(8) | Floating at 30 day LIBOR + 2.0%. The rate as of December 31, 2012 was 2.21%. |
(9) | Interest is paid based on a floating rate that is greater of (i) 4.25% and (ii) prime plus 1%. Prior to January 5, 2015, we have the option to fix the interest rate on all or any portion of the principal then outstanding, up to three times and in minimum increments of $5,000 to an annual rate equal to either (i) the greater of (a) 4.75% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to January 5, 2015 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of two days prior to the effective date of the fixing of the interest rate, and (ii) the greater of (a) 5.00% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to January 5, 2015 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of 30 days prior to the effective date of the fixing of the interest rate. If option (i) is selected, we will be subject to the payment of pre-payment fees, and if option (ii) is selected, we may prepay the loan without any pre-payment fees. |
Contractual Principal Payments
Contractual aggregate required principal payments on mortgage notes payable at December 31, 2012 are as follows:
2013 |
$ | 69,731 | ||
2014 |
360,454 | |||
2015 |
90,887 | |||
2016 |
97,716 | |||
2017 |
359,362 | |||
|
|
|||
Total principal maturities |
$ | 978,150 | ||
|
|
F-63
The mortgage note payable balance of $978,150 does not include the accrued interest of $3,409, at December 31, 2012.
Unsecured Loan and Notes Payable
As of December 31, 2012, we hold unsecured notes payable totaling $14,739 to trusts which benefit parties related to the Sponsor. Accrued interest is $177. The notes bear interest at a rate of 1.2% compounded annually and are due on November 14, 2020. This liability will be distributed to certain owners of the predecessor and will not be assumed by us. Prior to November 15, 2011, the related liability consisted of a single demand note payable to one of the Sponsors. That previous loan was payable on demand and earned interest at the short term Applicable Federal Rate. On November 15, 2011, the note was transferred to the present owners and re-stated at the present terms.
On April 21, 2011, one of the combined entities (500 Mamaroneck, L.P.) entered into a promissory note agreement with the Sponsors, as agents for certain investors in 500 Mamaroneck, L.P. (2011 Promissory Note), under which the investors loaned $3,600 (including $1,174 from the Sponsors) to 500 Mamaroneck, L.P. Loans made pursuant to the 2011 Promissory Note earn interest at the rate of 10% per annum, payable quarterly, beginning July 1, 2011. The loans will mature on the earliest of (i) January 1, 2015, (ii) sale or transfer of title to the property, or (iii) satisfaction of the existing first mortgage loan on the property. Loans made under the 2011 Promissory Note may be repaid without penalty at any time in part or in full, along with all accrued interest.
6. | Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of December 31:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 24,711 | $ | 20,180 | ||||
Improvements payable |
1,926 | 518 | ||||||
Other |
252 | 1,195 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
$ | 26,889 | $ | 21,893 | ||||
|
|
|
|
7. | Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
Our estimates of the fair value of financial instruments at December 31, 2012 and 2011 were determined by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methods. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
The following table presents the aggregate carrying value of our debt and the corresponding estimates of fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||
Carrying
Amount |
Fair Value |
Carrying
Amount |
Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Mortgage notes payable |
$ | 978,150 | $ | 1,003,756 | $ | 921,362 | $ | 947,395 | ||||||||
Unsecured loans and notes payable related parties |
18,339 | 13,818 | 18,288 | 18,288 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 996,489 | $ | 1,017,574 | $ | 939,650 | $ | 965,683 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value of our mortgage notes payable, which is determined using Level 3 inputs, is based on a discounted cash flow model using currently available market rates assuming the loans are outstanding through maturity and considering the loan to value ratios. The unsecured loans and notes payable are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair value at inception.
F-64
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, tenant and other receivables, accrued interest payable, due from affiliated companies, due to affiliate companies, deferred revenue, tenant security deposits and accounts payable approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
8. | Rental Income |
We lease various office spaces to tenants over terms ranging from one to 18 years. Certain leases have renewal options for additional terms. The leases provide for base monthly rentals and reimbursements for real estate taxes, escalations linked to the consumer price index or common area maintenance known as operating expense escalation. Operating expense reimbursements are reflected in our combined statements of income as tenant expense reimbursement.
As of December 31, 2012, we were entitled to the following future contractual minimum lease payments on non-cancellable operating leases to be received which expire on various dates through 2030.
2013 |
$ | 165,333 | ||
2014 |
152,905 | |||
2015 |
135,635 | |||
2016 |
125,381 | |||
2017 |
112,767 | |||
Thereafter |
741,455 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 1,433,476 | |||
|
|
Future minimum rent as reflected above includes approximately $13,581 in 2013, $9,155 in 2014, $6,255 in each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 and $353,556 thereafter from Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (lease term as extended expires on January 4, 2076) and 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. (lease term as extended expires on March 31, 2050), which are lessees of two fee lessor positions included in the combined financial statements. The lessees are non-controlled entities and are included in the combined financial statements under the equity method. Upon acquisition by our company, the foregoing rental income will be eliminated in consolidation. For purposes of computing future minimum rent from Empire State Building Company, L.L.C. and 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C., it was assumed that mortgages maturing during this period will not be refinanced.
The above future minimum lease payments exclude tenant recoveries, amortization of deferred rent receivables and the net accretion of above-below-market lease intangibles. Some leases are subject to termination options generally upon payment of a termination fee. The preceding table is prepared assuming such options are not exercised.
9. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Legal Proceedings
In the normal course of business, we are subject to claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings. While it is not possible to ascertain with certainty the ultimate outcome of such matters, in our opinion, the liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts provided or covered by insurance, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our combined financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Litigation
Except as described below, we are not presently involved in any material litigation, nor, to our knowledge is any material litigation threatened against us or our properties, other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business such as disputes with tenants. We believe that the costs and related liabilities, if any, which may result from such actions, will not materially affect our combined financial position, operating results or liquidity.
F-65
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by participants in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (ESBA) and several other entities supervised by the supervisor (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs assert claims against the predecessors management companies, Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They allege, among other things, that the terms of the consolidation and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the participants in the existing entities, the consolidation provides excessive benefits to the supervisor and its affiliates and the then-draft prospectus/consent solicitation filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully informed decision about the proposed consolidation. The complaints seek money damages and injunctive relief preventing the proposed consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co-lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012. Furthermore, an underlying premise of the Class Actions, as noted in discussions among plaintiffs counsel and defendants counsel, was that the consolidation had been structured in such a manner that would cause participants in ESBA, 60 East 42 nd St. Associates L.L.C. and 250 West 57 th St. Associates L.L.C. (the subject LLCs) immediately to incur substantial tax liabilities.
The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The Stipulation of Settlement recites that the consolidation was approved by overwhelming consent of the participants in the private entities. The Stipulation of Settlement states that counsel for the plaintiff class satisfied themselves that they have received adequate access to relevant information, including the independent valuers valuation process and methodology, that the disclosures in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, are appropriate, that the transaction presents potential benefits, including the opportunity for liquidity and capital appreciation, that merit the participants serious consideration and that each of the named class representatives intends to support the transaction as modified. The Stipulation of Settlement further states that counsel for the plaintiff class are satisfied that the claims regarding tax implications, enhanced disclosures, appraisals and exchange values of the properties that would be consolidated into our company, and the interests of the participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities, have been addressed adequately, and they have concluded that the settlement pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and opportunity to consider the proposed transaction on the basis of revised consent solicitations are fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the plaintiff class.
The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement include, among other things (i) a payment of $55,000, with a minimum of 80% in cash and maximum of 20% in freely-tradable shares of common stock and/or freely-tradable operating partnership units to be distributed, after reimbursement of plaintiffs counsels court-approved expenses and payment of plaintiffs counsels court-approved attorneys fees and, in the case of shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units, after the termination of specified lock-up periods, to participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities pursuant to a plan of allocation to be prepared by counsel for plaintiffs; (ii) defendants agreement that (a) the IPO will be on the basis of a firm commitment underwriting; (b) if, during the solicitation period, any of the three subject LLCs percentage of total exchange value is lower than what is stated in the final prospectus/consent solicitation by 10% or more, such decrease will be promptly disclosed by defendants to participants in the subject LLCs; and (c) unless total gross proceeds of $600,000 are raised in the IPO, defendants will not proceed with the transaction without further approval of the subject LLCs; and (iii) defendants agreement to make additional disclosures in the prospectus/consent solicitation regarding certain matters (which are included therein). Participants in the subject LLCs and private entities will not be required to bear any portion of the settlement payment. The payment in settlement of the Class Actions will be made by the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley and affiliates of the supervisor (provided that none of the supervisors affiliates that would become our direct or indirect subsidiary in the consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain participants in the private entities who agree to contribute. We will not bear any of the settlement payment.
F-66
The settlement further provides for the certification of a class of participants in the three subject LLCs and all of the private entities, other than defendants and other related persons and entities, and a release of any claims of the members of the class against the defendants and related persons and entities, as well as underwriters and other advisors. The release in the settlement excludes certain claims, including but not limited to, claims arising from or related to any supplement to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that is declared effective to which the plaintiffs counsel objects in writing, which objection will not be unreasonably made or delayed, so long as plaintiffs counsel has had adequate opportunity to review such supplement. The settlement was subject to court approval. It is not effective until such court approval is final, including the resolution of any appeal. Defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the allegations in the Class Actions.
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of such settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing.
On January 28, 2013, six participants in ESBA filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross-moved to intervene in the Class Actions and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of ESBA participants. On February 21, 2013 the court denied the cross motion of such objecting participants, and the court denied permission for such objecting participants to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Actions, but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non-consenting participants in ESBA of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting participants assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in the supervisors favor, holding that the buyout provisions of the participation agreements with respect to ESBA are legally binding and enforceable and that participants do not have the rights that they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the Class Actions settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are participants in all of the subject LLCs and private entities included in the consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the consolidation or IPO. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15,000 in fees and $296 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11,590 in fees and $265 in expenses.
The participants who challenged the buyout provision appealed the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, the supervisor filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same participants filed additional notices of appeal from the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. They appealed (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class action on behalf of ESBA participants; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered
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May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. The timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful, cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material and adverse effect on us, and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting participants have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, we may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if we lose. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal. If the courts decision were reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on us, including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, the supervisor believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
There is a risk that other third parties will assert claims against us or our supervisor, including, without limitation, that our supervisor breached its fiduciary duties to investors in the existing entities or that the consolidation violates the relevant operating agreements, and third parties may commence litigation against us.
Unfunded Capital Expenditures
At December 31, 2012, we estimate that we will incur $79,255 of capital expenditures (including tenant improvements and leasing commissions) on our wholly-owned properties pursuant to existing lease agreements. We expect to fund these capital expenditures with operating cash flow, additional property level mortgage financings and cash on hand. Future property acquisitions may require substantial capital investments for refurbishment and leasing costs. We expect that these financing requirements will be met in a similar fashion.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that subject us to credit risk consist primarily of cash, restricted cash, due from affiliated companies, tenant and other receivables and deferred rent receivable.
Included in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31, 2012 and 2011 were $71,048 and $103,867 of bank balances in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation that were held on deposit at various major financial institutions. Included in these amounts are $34,025 and $67,184 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of money market mutual funds sponsored by those institutions. The underlying investments of those funds are divided between short-term United States Treasury securities and a diversified portfolio of other short-term obligations. Beginning January 1, 2013, non-interest bearing transaction accounts are no longer insured separately from depositors other accounts at the same FDIC Insured Depository Institution (IDI). Instead, non-interest bearing transaction accounts are added to any of a depositors other accounts in the applicable ownership category, and the aggregate balance will be insured up to at least the standard maximum deposit insurance amount of $250, per depositor, at each separately chartered IDI.
Real Estate Investments
Our properties are located in Manhattan, New York; Fairfield County, Connecticut; and Westchester County, New York. The latter locations are suburbs of the city of New York. The ability of the tenants to honor the terms of their respective leases is dependent upon the economic, regulatory and social factors affecting the markets in which the tenants operate. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our tenants for potential credit losses.
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Tenant Credit Evaluations
Our investments in real estate properties are subject to risks incidental to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. These risks include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in general economic conditions, trends in the real estate industry, creditworthiness of tenants, competition of tenants and customers, changes in tax laws, interest rate levels, the availability and cost of financing, and potential liability under environmental and other laws.
We may require tenants to provide some form of credit support such as corporate guarantees and/or other financial guarantees and we perform ongoing credit evaluations of tenants. Although the tenants operate in a variety of industries, to the extent we have a significant concentration of rental revenue from any single tenant, the inability of that tenant to make its lease payments could have an adverse effect on our company.
Major Customers and Other Concentrations
Excluding the revenues we recognized under operating leases with non-controlled entities, for the year ended December 31, 2012, three tenants were major tenants who made up more than 10% of the revenues in the aggregate. These tenants represent approximately 4.43%, 3.21% and 2.98% (total of 10.62%) of 2012 revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2011, three tenants were major tenants who made up more than 10% of the revenues in the aggregate. These tenants represent approximately 4.23%, 3.31% and 3.24% (total of 10.78%) of 2011 revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2010, three tenants were major tenants who made up more than 10% of the revenues in the aggregate. These tenants represent approximately 5.03%, 3.95%, and 3.45% (total of 12.43%) of 2010 revenues.
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, four properties individually accounted for more than 10% of total revenues, and for the year ended December 31, 2010, three properties individually accounted for more than 10% of total revenues. For 2012, One Grand Central Place represented approximately 24.20% of total revenues, Empire State Building represented approximately 17.53%, First Stamford Place represented approximately 13.93%, and 250 West 57 th Street represented approximately 10.44%. For 2011, One Grand Central Place represented approximately 23.55% of total revenues, Empire State Building represented approximately 18.76%, First Stamford Place represented approximately 14.17%, and 250 West 57 th Street represented approximately 10.14%. For 2010, One Grand Central Place represented approximately 26.53% of total revenues, First Stamford Place represented approximately 17.00%, and 250 West 57 th Street represented approximately 10.01%.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We are required to accrue costs that we are legally obligated to incur on retirement of our properties which result from acquisition, construction, development and/or normal operation of such properties. Retirement includes sale, abandonment or disposal of a property. Under that standard, a conditional asset retirement obligation represents a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement is conditional on a future event that may or may not be within a companys control and a liability for a conditional asset retirement obligation must be recorded if the fair value of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. Environmental site assessments and investigations have identified asbestos or asbestos-containing building materials in certain of our properties. As of December 31, 2012, management has no plans to remove or alter these properties in a manner that would trigger federal and other applicable regulations for asbestos removal, and accordingly, the obligations to remove the asbestos or asbestos-containing building materials from these properties have indeterminable settlement dates. As such, we are unable to reasonably estimate the fair value of the associated conditional asset retirement obligation. However ongoing asbestos abatement, maintenance programs and other required documentation are carried out as required and related costs are expensed as incurred.
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Other Environmental Matters
Certain of our properties have been inspected for soil contamination due to pollutants, which may have occurred prior to our ownership of these properties or subsequently in connection with its development and/or its use. Required remediation to such properties has been completed and as of December 31, 2012, management believes that there are no obligations related to environmental remediation other than maintaining the affected sites in conformity with the relevant authoritys mandates and filing the required documents. All such maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
We expect that resolution of the environmental matters relating to the above will not have a material impact on our business, assets, combined financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, we cannot be certain that we have identified all environmental liabilities at our properties, that all necessary remediation actions have been or will be undertaken at our properties or that we will be indemnified, in full or at all, in the event that such environmental liabilities arise.
Insurance Coverage
We carry insurance coverage on our properties of types and in amounts with deductibles that we believe are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties.
Multiemployer Pension and Defined Contribution Plans
We contribute to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects:
Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
If we choose to stop participating in some of our multiemployer plans, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.
We participate in various unions. The union which has significant employees and costs is as follows:
32BJ
We participate in the Building Service 32BJ, or Union, Pension Plan and Health Plan. The Pension Plan is a multi-employer, non-contributory defined benefit pension plan that was established under the terms of collective bargaining agreements between the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ, the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc. and certain other employees. This Pension Plan is administered by a joint board of trustees consisting of union trustees and employer trustees and operates under employer identification number 13-1879376. The Pension Plan year runs from July 1 to June 30. Employers contribute to the Pension Plan at a fixed rate on behalf of each covered employee. Separate actuarial information regarding such pension plans is not made available to the contributing employers by the union administrators or trustees, since the plans do not maintain separate records for each reporting unit. However, on September 28, 2011 and September 28, 2012, the actuary certified that for the plan years beginning July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012, respectively, the Pension Plan was in critical status under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The Pension Plan trustees adopted a rehabilitation plan consistent with this requirement. No surcharges have been paid to the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2012. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Pension Plan received contributions from employers totaling $212,700, $201,266 and $193,250, respectively.
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The Health Plan was established under the terms of collective bargaining agreements between the Union, the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc. and certain other employers. The Health Plan provides health and other benefits to eligible participants employed in the building service industry who are covered under collective bargaining agreements, or other written agreements, with the Union. The Health Plan is administered by a Board of Trustees with equal representation by the employers and the Union and operates under employer identification number 13-2928869. The Health Plan receives contributions in accordance with collective bargaining agreements or participation agreements. Generally, these agreements provide that the employers contribute to the Health Plan at a fixed rate on behalf of each covered employee. Pursuant to the contribution diversion provision in the collective bargaining agreements, the collective bargaining parties agreed, beginning January 1, 2009, to divert to the Pension Plan $1,950 of employer contributions per quarter that would have been due to the Health Plan. Effective October 1, 2010, the diversion of contributions was discontinued. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Health Plan received contributions from employers totalling $893,300, $843,205 and $770,837, respectively.
Terms of Collective Bargaining Agreements
The most recent collective bargaining agreement for Local 32BJ commenced from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015 (prior agreement was from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011).
Contributions
Contributions we made to the multi-employer plans for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are included in the table below:
Benefit Plan |
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
Pension Plans (pension and annuity) * |
$ | 768 | $ | 750 | $ | 728 | ||||||
Health Plans ** |
2,013 | 1,899 | 1,850 | |||||||||
Other *** |
160 | 165 | 72 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total plan contributions |
$ | 2,941 | $ | 2,814 | $ | 2,650 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Pension plans include $349, $354 and $349 for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, from multiemployer plans not discussed above. |
** | Health plans include $495, $474 and $456 for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, from multiemployer plans not discussed above. |
*** |
Other includes $77, $50 and $39 for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in connection with One Grand Central Place and 250 West 57 th Street for multiemployer plans not discussed above for union costs which were not itemized between pension and health plans. |
10. | Related Party Transactions |
Services are provided by us to affiliates of the Sponsors that are not part of the predecessor. These affiliates are related parties because beneficial interests in the predecessor and the affiliated entities are held, directly or indirectly, by the Sponsors, their affiliates and their family members.
During 2012, 2011 and 2010, we engaged in various transactions with affiliates of the Sponsors and their family members. These transactions are reflected in our combined statements of income as third-party management and other fees and the unpaid balances are reflected in the due from affiliated companies on the combined balance sheet.
Supervisory Fee Revenue
We earned supervisory fees from affiliated entities not included in the combined financial statements of $1,866, $2,096 and $1,512 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Third-party management and other fees.
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We earned supervisory fees from uncombined entities included in the combined financial statements on the equity method of $827, $1,231 and $413 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Third-party management and other fees.
Property Management Fee Revenue
We earned property management fees from affiliated entities not included in the combined financial statements of $985, $944 and $1,055 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Third-party management and other fees.
We earned property management fees from uncombined entities included in these combined financial statements on the equity method of $1,195, $723 and $178 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Third-party management and other fees.
Lease Commissions
We earned leasing commissions from affiliated entities not included in the combined financial statements of $198, $2 and $2 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Profit Share
We received additional payments equal to a specified percentage of distributions in excess of specified amounts, both being defined, from affiliated entities not included in the combined financial statements. Our profits interest totaled $749, $809 and $824 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Other income and fees.
We received additional payments equal to a specified percentage of distributions in excess of specified amounts, both being defined, from uncombined entities included in these combined financial statements on the equity method. Our profits interest totaled $925, $862 and $491 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Other income and fees.
Other Fees and Disbursements from Non-Controlled Affiliates
We earned other fees and disbursements from affiliated entities not included in the combined financial statements of $619, $946 and $561 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Other income and fees.
We earned other fees and disbursements from uncombined entities included in these combined financial statements on the equity method of $1,326, $1,234 and $201 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These fees are included within Other income and fees. Included in these other fees are reimbursements for offering costs related to the IPO of $1,304, $1,210 and $172 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of which $359, $936 and $0 were included in Due from affiliated companies as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Family Office Services
Family office services mainly comprise accounting and bookkeeping services. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we provided certain family office services to the Sponsors. The Sponsors reimbursed us for direct costs in the amount of $805, $759 and $705, in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Aircraft Use
Malkin Properties CT, one of the companies that comprise the predecessor, owned interests in three aircraft for use by the predecessors management companies and the Sponsors. A significant portion of the aircraft use was for the personal use of Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin. The costs of the aircraft, and attendant
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expenses, which were attributable to such personal use, were not deductible for income tax purposes. An amount, in accordance with a formula set forth in the Code, was added to the compensation of Peter L. Malkin and Anthony E. Malkin. Personal use expenses amounted to $0, $214 and $581 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These expenses are included within marketing, general and administrative expenses.
In May 2011, Malkin Properties CT sold all of its interests in two of the aircraft for $238. All of the interests in the third aircraft were sold in May 2011 to Air Malkin LLC (a company owned by Peter L. Malkin) at their estimated fair value of $383. There was no material income or loss to us in connection with these transactions.
Receivable in Connection with Officers Life Insurance
Malkin Properties CT paid the premium on a split dollar life insurance policy with a face amount of $11,000 carried on the life of Anthony E. Malkin, President of Malkin Properties CT. The owner and beneficiary of the policy was a trust whose beneficiaries are members of the family of Mr. Malkin. The trust reimburses Malkin Properties CT a portion of the annual premium of this policy, at a rate determined to be solely the cost of the insurance protection.
The trustee of the trust had assigned to Malkin Properties CT the right to receive an amount equal to the cumulative annual premiums it has paid on the policy since origination (i) from amounts payable to the trust on account of death of the insured or (ii) upon surrender of the policy by the trust. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the amounts due to Malkin Properties CT was $0 and $1,331, respectively. This amount was included within Tenant and other receivables.
The insurance policy terminated on December 31, 2011 and was not renewed. Malkin Properties CT was reimbursed for the cumulative premiums paid on behalf of Anthony E. Malkin of $1,331 upon surrender of the policy in January 2012. The cash surrender value of the insurance policy was used to repay all of the monies due to Malkin Properties CT.
Other
Included in Tenant and other receivables are amounts due from partners and shareholders of $515 and $530 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
11. | Segment Reporting |
Our reportable segments consist of a real estate segment and a construction contracting segment. Management internally evaluates the operating performance and financial results of our segments based on net operating income. We also have certain general and administrative level activities, including legal and accounting, that are not considered separate operating segments. Our reportable segments are on the same basis of accounting as described in Note 2.
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The following table provides components of segment profit for each segment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, as reviewed by management:
2012 | ||||||||||||
Real Estate |
Construction
Contracting |
Totals | ||||||||||
Revenues from external customers |
$ | 241,292 | $ | 18,902 | $ | 260,194 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues |
74 | 5,714 | 5,788 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
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Total revenues |
241,366 | 24,616 | 265,982 | |||||||||
All operating expenses, excluding noncash items |
(85,848 | ) | (24,734 | ) | (110,582 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
(54,394 | ) | | (54,394 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
(42,661 | ) | (29 | ) | (42,690 | ) | ||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
14,348 | | 14,348 | |||||||||
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Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 72,811 | $ | (147 | ) | $ | 72,664 | |||||
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Segment assets |
$ | 964,160 | $ | 11,514 | $ | 975,674 | ||||||
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Investment in non-controlled entities |
$ | 76,879 | $ | | $ | 76,879 | ||||||
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Expenditures for segment assets |
$ | 87,659 | $ | | $ | 87,659 | ||||||
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|
2011 | ||||||||||||
Real Estate |
Construction
Contracting |
Totals | ||||||||||
Revenues from external customers |
$ | 247,191 | $ | 47,560 | $ | 294,751 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues |
73 | 6,476 | 6,549 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
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Total revenues |
247,264 | 54,036 | 301,300 | |||||||||
All operating expenses, excluding noncash items |
(85,833 | ) | (52,122 | ) | (137,955 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
(54,746 | ) | | (54,746 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
(35,481 | ) | (32 | ) | (35,513 | ) | ||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
3,893 | | 3,893 | |||||||||
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Segment profit |
$ | 75,097 | $ | 1,882 | $ | 76,979 | ||||||
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Segment assets |
$ | 916,617 | $ | 15,728 | $ | 932,345 | ||||||
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Investment in non-controlled entities |
$ | 72,626 | $ | | $ | 72,626 | ||||||
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Expenditures for segment assets |
$ | 60,582 | $ | | $ | 60,582 | ||||||
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2010 | ||||||||||||
Real Estate |
Construction
Contracting |
Totals | ||||||||||
Revenues from external customers |
$ | 219,368 | $ | 27,139 | $ | 246,507 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues |
72 | 11,843 | 11,915 | |||||||||
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Total revenues |
219,440 | 38,982 | 258,422 | |||||||||
All operating expenses, excluding noncash items |
(87,651 | ) | (38,297 | ) | (125,948 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
(52,264 | ) | | (52,264 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
(34,008 | ) | (33 | ) | (34,041 | ) | ||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
15,324 | | 15,324 | |||||||||
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Segment profit |
$ | 60,841 | $ | 652 | $ | 61,493 | ||||||
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Segment assets |
$ | 819,778 | $ | 9,221 | $ | 828,999 | ||||||
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Investment in non-controlled entities |
$ | 81,744 | $ | | $ | 81,744 | ||||||
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Expenditures for segment assets |
$ | 35,262 | $ | 0 | $ | 35,262 | ||||||
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The following table provides a reconciliation of segment data to the combined financial statements:
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
Revenue reconciliation |
||||||||||||
Total revenues for reportable segments |
$ | 265,982 | $ | 301,300 | $ | 258,422 | ||||||
Other revenues |
100 | 37 | 38 | |||||||||
Elimination for intersegment revenues |
(5,788 | ) | (6,549 | ) | (11,915 | ) | ||||||
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Total combined revenues |
$ | 260,294 | $ | 294,788 | $ | 246,545 | ||||||
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Profit or loss |
||||||||||||
Total profit or loss for reportable segments |
$ | 72,664 | $ | 76,979 | $ | 61,493 | ||||||
Other profit or loss items |
(20,963 | ) | (15,541 | ) | (13,214 | ) | ||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
(2,247 | ) | (2,845 | ) | (807 | ) | ||||||
Elimination for intersegment profit or loss |
(911 | ) | (959 | ) | (1,489 | ) | ||||||
Unallocated amounts: |
||||||||||||
Investment income |
100 | 37 | 38 | |||||||||
Aircraft expenses |
| (274 | ) | (710 | ) | |||||||
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Net income |
$ | 48,643 | $ | 57,397 | $ | 45,311 | ||||||
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12. | Subsequent Events |
An additional $50,000 was drawn on the Secured Term Loan of the Empire State Building on February 26, 2013 bringing the total amount advanced to $269,000. Additionally, except as disclosed in Note 9-Commitments and Contingencies-Litigation and described above, there have not been any other events that have occurred that would require adjustments to or disclosure in our combined financial statements.
During April 2013, we closed on a $9,500 loan collateralized by 69-97 Main Street, Westport, CT. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.40% or Prime plus 0.50%. The loan matures on April 29, 2015 and has two one-year extension options. The proceeds of the loan were used to pay off an existing loan which matured on May 1, 2013.
During April 2013, we received a loan from an entity, which is controlled by and interests in which are held by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, made to fund cash needs at First Stamford Place. The loan has a
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principal amount of $4.5 million, an outstanding balance of approximately $1.5 million and bears interest at 2.5% over 30-day LIBOR.
During May 2013, we closed on a $12,000 loan collateralized by One Grand Central Place. $382 was drawn at closing and $4,000 was drawn during June 2013. The loan bears interest at the greater of (i) Prime plus 0.5.% and (ii) 3.75% and matures on November 5, 2014.
During June 2013, we extended the maturity of a $47.0 million loan collateralized by 501 Seventh Avenue from August 1, 2013 to February 1, 2014. The loan bears interest at Prime plus 100 basis points and we have the option to extend the maturity date of the loan for an additional six months to August 1, 2014.
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Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(amounts in thousands)
Description |
Balance At
Beginning of Year |
Additions
Charged Against Operations |
Uncollectible
Accounts Written-Off |
Balance at
End of Year |
||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2012 |
||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$ | 1,652 | $ | 498 | $ | (1,227 | ) | $ | 923 | |||||||
Year ended December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$ | 1,493 | $ | 1,226 | $ | (1,067 | ) | $ | 1,652 | |||||||
Year ended December 31, 2010 |
||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$ | 1,164 | $ | 2,410 | $ | (2,081 | ) | $ | 1,493 |
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Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Schedule III Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
(amounts in thousands)
Initial Cost to the Company |
Cost Capitalized
Subsequent to Acquisition |
Gross Amount at which Carried at 12/31/12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Development |
Type | Encumbrances | Land |
Building &
Leasehold |
Improvements |
Carrying
Costs |
Land |
Buildings &
Improvements |
Total |
Accumulated
Depreciation |
Date of
Construction |
Date
Acquired |
Life on which
depreciation in latest income statement is computed |
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250 West 57 th Street, New York, NY |
office/retail | 52,901 | 2,117 | 5,041 | 62,439 | n/a | 2,117 | 67,480 | 69,597 | (17,388 | ) | 1921 | 1953 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee ownership position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY |
office/retail | 47,311 | 1,100 | 2,600 | 45,759 | n/a | 1,100 | 48,359 | 49,459 | (24,077 | ) | 1923 | 1950 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1359 Broadway, New York, NY |
office/retail | 46,440 | 1,233 | 1,809 | 41,653 | n/a | 1,233 | 43,462 | 44,695 | (14,246 | ) | 1924 | 1953 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee ownership position of 350 Fifth Avenue (Empire State Building), New York, NY |
office/retail | 219,000 | 21,551 | 38,934 | 108,533 | n/a | 21,551 | 147,467 | 169,018 | (19,409 | ) | 1930 | 1961/ 2002 A | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One Grand Central Place, New York, NY |
office/retail | 89,109 | 7,240 | 17,490 | 128,390 | n/a | 7,240 | 145,880 | 153,120 | (51,308 | ) | 1930 | 1954 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT |
office | 248,716 | 22,952 | 122,739 | 37,011 | n/a | 24,862 | 157,840 | 182,702 | (49,459 | ) | 1986 | 2001 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One Station Place, Stamford, CT (Metro Center) |
office | 98,088 | 5,313 | 28,602 | 8,846 | n/a | 5,313 | 37,448 | 42,761 | (23,033 | ) | 1987 | 1984 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT |
office | 30,924 | 2,262 | 12,820 | 8,086 | n/a | 2,262 | 20,906 | 23,168 | (8,661 | ) | 1985 | 1994 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY |
office | 33,256 | 4,571 | 25,915 | 14,836 | n/a | 4,571 | 40,751 | 45,322 | (14,077 | ) | 1987 | 1999 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10 Bank Street, White Plains, NY |
office | 33,963 | 5,612 | 31,803 | 8,503 | n/a | 5,612 | 40,306 | 45,918 | (13,138 | ) | 1989 | 1999 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10 Union Square, New York, NY |
retail | 21,284 | 5,003 | 12,866 | 1,594 | n/a | 5,003 | 14,460 | 19,463 | (5,444 | ) | 1987 | 1996 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1542 Third Avenue, New York, NY |
retail | 19,370 | 2,239 | 15,266 | 106 | n/a | 2,239 | 15,372 | 17,611 | (5,245 | ) | 1991 | 1999 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1010 Third Avenue, New York, NY and 77 West 55 th Street, New York, NY |
retail | 28,570 | 4,462 | 15,819 | 778 | n/a | 4,462 | 16,597 | 21,059 | (6,027 | ) | 1962 | 1998 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
69-97 Main Street, Westport, CT |
retail | 9,218 | 2,782 | 15,766 | 921 | n/a | 2,782 | 16,687 | 19,469 | (4,064 | ) | 1922 | 2003 | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
103-107 Main Street, Westport, CT |
retail | | 1,243 | 7,043 | (39 | ) | n/a | 1,243 | 7,004 | 8,247 | (1,125 | ) | 1900 | 2006 | various | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property for development at the Transportation Hub in Stamford CT |
land | | 10,885 | | 16,039 | | 10,885 | 16,039 | 26,924 | | na | na | na | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other * |
| | 797 | | | 797 | 797 | (390 | ) | na | na | various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Totals |
978,150 | 100,565 | 354,513 | 484,252 | | 102,475 | 836,855 | 939,330 | (257,091 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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* | Assets acquired by the management companies (mainly furniture and fixtures). |
A | Purchased the master operating position in 1961 and the fee position in 2002. |
F-78
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Notes to Schedule III Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
(amounts in thousands)
1. Reconciliation of Investment Properties
The changes in our investment properties for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
$ | 856,151 | $ | 796,008 | $ | 768,733 | ||||||
Improvements |
85,409 | 70,821 | 36,688 | |||||||||
Disposals |
(2,230 | ) | (10,678 | ) | (9,413 | ) | ||||||
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Balance, end of year |
$ | 939,330 | $ | 856,151 | $ | 796,008 | ||||||
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The unaudited aggregate cost of investment properties for federal income tax purposes as of December 31, 2012 was $900,066.
2. Reconciliation of Accumulated Depreciation
The changes in our accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
$ | 224,019 | $ | 205,542 | $ | 185,829 | ||||||
Depreciation Expense |
35,302 | 29,155 | 26,969 | |||||||||
Disposals |
(2,230 | ) | (10,678 | ) | (7,256 | ) | ||||||
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Balance, end of year |
$ | 257,091 | $ | 224,019 | $ | 205,542 | ||||||
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Depreciation of investment properties reflected in the combined statements of income is calculated over the estimated original lives of the assets as follows:
Buildings |
39 years | |
Building improvements |
39 years | |
Tenant improvements |
Term of related lease |
F-79
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Condensed Combined Balance Sheets
June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
(amounts in thousands)
June 30,
2013 |
December 31,
2012 |
|||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Commercial real estate properties, at cost: |
||||||||
Land |
$ | 102,475 | $ | 102,475 | ||||
Development costs |
15,947 | 16,039 | ||||||
Building and improvements |
654,139 | 631,814 | ||||||
Building leasehold interests and improvements |
212,205 | 189,002 | ||||||
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984,766 | 939,330 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
(270,866 | ) | (257,091 | ) | ||||
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713,900 | 682,239 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
80,516 | 51,499 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
32,155 | 32,268 | ||||||
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance of $277 and $188 as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively |
8,144 | 8,701 | ||||||
Deferred rent receivables, net of allowance of $661 and $735 as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively |
51,808 | 49,827 | ||||||
Investment in non-controlled entities |
82,515 | 76,879 | ||||||
Deferred costs, net |
96,917 | 92,226 | ||||||
Due from affiliated companies |
14,808 | 46,413 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
13,010 | 12,501 | ||||||
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Total Assets |
$ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,052,553 | ||||
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Liabilities and Owners Equity (Deficit) |
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Mortgage notes payable |
$ | 1,025,655 | $ | 978,150 | ||||
Unsecured loan and notes payablerelated parties |
19,839 | 18,339 | ||||||
Accrued interest payable |
3,332 | 3,409 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
22,075 | 26,889 | ||||||
Due to affiliated companies |
30,459 | 12,376 | ||||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
4,072 | 7,390 | ||||||
Tenants security deposits |
17,714 | 16,859 | ||||||
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Total Liabilities |
1,123,146 | 1,063,412 | ||||||
Owners Deficit |
(29,373 | ) | (10,859 | ) | ||||
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Total Liabilities and Owners Equity (Deficit) |
$ | 1,093,773 | $ | 1,052,553 | ||||
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-80
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Condensed Combined Statements of Income
(unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 and 2012
(amounts in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Revenues |
||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 88,905 | $ | 86,268 | ||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
13,634 | 14,681 | ||||||
Third-party management and other fees |
4,183 | 3,170 | ||||||
Construction revenue |
12,400 | 8,144 | ||||||
Other income and fees |
2,867 | 4,983 | ||||||
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Total Revenues |
121,989 | 117,246 | ||||||
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Operating Expenses |
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Operating expenses |
25,958 | 28,185 | ||||||
Marketing, general, and administrative expenses |
13,174 | 7,575 | ||||||
Construction expenses |
12,789 | 8,700 | ||||||
Real estate taxes |
15,787 | 14,699 | ||||||
Formation transaction expenses |
3,000 | 723 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
25,267 | 20,877 | ||||||
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Total Operating Expenses |
95,975 | 80,759 | ||||||
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Income from Operations before Interest Expense and Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
26,014 | 36,487 | ||||||
Interest expense |
28,911 | 26,488 | ||||||
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(Loss) income from Operations before Equity in Net Income of Non-controlled Entities |
(2,897 | ) | 9,999 | |||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
7,898 | 7,586 | ||||||
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Net Income |
$ | 5,001 | $ | 17,585 | ||||
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-81
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Condensed Combined Statement of Owners Deficit
(unaudited)
June 30, 2013
(amounts in thousands)
Owners Deficit at December 31, 2012 |
$ | (10,859 | ) | |
Net income January 1 through June 30, 2013 |
5,001 | |||
Contributions from owners January 1 through June 30, 2013 |
3,912 | |||
Distributions to owners January 1 through June 30, 2013 |
(27,427 | ) | ||
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Owners Deficit at June 30, 2013 |
$ | (29,373 | ) | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-82
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 and 2012
(amounts in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 5,001 | $ | 17,585 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
28,799 | 22,920 | ||||||
Straight-lining of rental revenue |
(1,907 | ) | (1,190 | ) | ||||
Bad debts (recoveries) |
(365 | ) | 480 | |||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
(7,898 | ) | (7,586 | ) | ||||
Distributions of cumulative earnings of non-controlled entities |
2,262 | 7,215 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Restricted cash |
1,469 | 483 | ||||||
Tenant and other receivables |
848 | 6,990 | ||||||
Deferred leasing costs |
(7,432 | ) | (5,321 | ) | ||||
Due to/ from affiliated companies, net |
29,838 | 33,642 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(509 | ) | (1,230 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(2,314 | ) | (5,148 | ) | ||||
Accrued interest payable |
(77 | ) | (54 | ) | ||||
Deferred revenue and other liabilities |
(3,318 | ) | (2,040 | ) | ||||
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Total adjustments |
39,396 | 49,161 | ||||||
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
44,397 | 66,746 | ||||||
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
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Decrease (increase) in restricted cash for investing activities |
(501 | ) | 2 | |||||
Development costs |
92 | | ||||||
Increase in due from affiliates for advances for leasehold interests and improvements |
| (15,061 | ) | |||||
Additions to building and improvements and building leasehold interests |
(33,011 | ) | (48,050 | ) | ||||
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Net cash used in investing activities |
(33,420 | ) | (63,109 | ) | ||||
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
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Proceeds from mortgage notes payable |
63,882 | 30,000 | ||||||
Repayment of mortgage notes payable |
(16,377 | ) | (5,394 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from unsecured loan payable |
1,500 | 138 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs |
(2,325 | ) | (1,172 | ) | ||||
Offering costs |
(5,125 | ) | (7,384 | ) | ||||
Contributions from owners |
3,912 | 1,642 | ||||||
Distributions to owners |
(27,427 | ) | (43,907 | ) | ||||
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Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
18,040 | (26,077 | ) | |||||
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Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
29,017 | (22,440 | ) | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents beginning of period |
51,499 | 86,316 | ||||||
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Cash and Cash Equivalents end of period |
$ | 80,516 | $ | 63,876 | ||||
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Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: |
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Interest paid during the period |
$ | 25,451 | $ | 24,499 | ||||
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-83
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor
Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements
(amounts in thousands)
1. Organization and Description of Business
As used in these condensed combined financial statements, unless the context otherwise requires, we, us, and our company mean the predecessor (as defined below) for the periods presented and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and its combined subsidiaries upon consummation of its initial public offering, or IPO, and the formation transactions defined below.
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, Inc.) is a Maryland corporation formed on July 29, 2011 to acquire the assets or equity interests of entities owning various controlling and non-controlling interests in real estate assets and certain management businesses controlled and/or managed by Mr. Peter L. Malkin and Mr. Anthony E. Malkin, or the Sponsors.
Prior to or concurrently with the completion of the IPO, we will engage in a series of formation transactions pursuant to which we will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, these assets, interests and businesses which we refer to as our formation transactions. The formation transactions are intended to enable us to (i) combine the ownership of our property portfolio under our operating partnership subsidiary, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. (formerly known as Empire Realty Trust, L.P.), a Delaware limited partnership, or our operating partnership; (ii) succeed to the asset management, property management, leasing and construction businesses of the predecessor; (iii) facilitate the IPO; and (iv) elect and qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2013. We will not have any operating activity until the consummation of our IPO and the formation transactions. Accordingly, we believe that a discussion of the results of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. would not be meaningful for the periods covered by these financial statements prior to that acquisition.
The Predecessor
The predecessor is not a legal entity but rather a combination of (i) controlling interests in (a) 16 office and retail properties, (b) one development parcel, and (c) certain management companies, which are owned by certain entities that the Sponsors own interests in and control, which we collectively refer to as the controlled entities, and (ii) non-controlling interests in four office properties (which include two of the 16 properties set forth in (i) above), held through entities which we collectively refer to as the non-controlled entities, and are presented as uncombined entities in our combined financial statements. Specifically, the term the predecessor means (i) Malkin Holdings LLC, a New York limited liability company that acts as the supervisor of, and performs various asset management services and routine administration with respect to, certain of the existing entities (as described below), which we refer to as the supervisor; (ii) the limited liability companies or limited partnerships that currently (a) own, directly or indirectly and either through a fee interest or a long-term leasehold in the underlying land, and/or (b) operate, directly or indirectly and through a fee interest, an operating lease, an operating sublease or an operating sub-sublease, the 18 office and retail properties (which include non-controlling interests in four office properties for which Malkin Holdings LLC acts as the supervisor but that are not consolidated into our predecessor for accounting purposes) and entitled land that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage that we will own after the formation transactions, which we refer to as the existing entities; (iii) Malkin Properties, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Manhattan, which we refer to as Malkin Properties; (iv) Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., a New York limited liability company that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in Westchester County, New York, which we refer to as Malkin Properties NY; (v) Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., a Connecticut corporation that serves as the manager and leasing agent for certain of the existing entities in the State of Connecticut, which we refer to as Malkin Properties CT; and (vi) Malkin
F-84
Construction Corp., a Connecticut corporation that is a general contractor and provides services to certain of the existing entities and third parties (including certain tenants at the properties in our portfolio), which we refer to as Malkin Construction. The term the predecessors management companies refers to the supervisor, Malkin Properties, Malkin Properties NY, Malkin Properties CT and Malkin Construction, collectively. The predecessor accounts for its investment in the non-controlled entities under the equity method of accounting.
Controlled Entities:
As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, properties that the Sponsors own interests in and control, and whose operations are 100% consolidated into the financial statements of the predecessor include:
Office:
One Grand Central Place, New York, New York
250 West 57 th Street, New York, New York
1359 Broadway, New York, New York
First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut
Metro Center, Stamford, Connecticut
383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, New York
10 Bank Street, White Plains, New York
Fee ownership position of 350 Fifth Avenue (Empire State Building), New York, New York
Fee ownership position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York
Retail:
10 Union Square, New York, New York
1010 Third Avenue, New York, New York
77 West 55 th Street, New York, New York
1542 Third Avenue, New York, New York
69-97 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
103-107 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut
Land Parcels:
We own entitled land at the Stamford Transportation Center in Stamford, Connecticut, adjacent to one of our office properties that will support the development of an approximately 380,000 rentable square foot office building and garage.
The acquisition of interests in our predecessor will be recorded at historical cost at the time of the formation transactions.
Non-Controlled Entities:
As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, properties in which the Sponsors own and control non-controlling interests and whose operations are reflected in our predecessors combined financial statements as an equity interest include:
Office:
Master operating lease position of 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York Empire State Building Company L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 1350 Broadway, New York, New York 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (long term ground lease)
F-85
1333 Broadway, New York, New York 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Master operating lease position of 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
All of our business activities will be conducted through our operating partnership. We will be the sole general partner of our operating partnership. Pursuant to the formation transactions, our operating partnership will (i) acquire interests in the office and retail properties owned by the controlled entities (including our predecessor management companies) and the non-controlled entities and (ii) assume related debt and other specified liabilities of such assets and businesses, in exchange for shares of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock, operating partnership units, and/or cash.
We will be self-administered and self-managed. Additionally, we will form or acquire one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, that will be owned by our operating partnership. The TRSs, through several wholly-owned limited liability companies, will conduct third-party services businesses, which may include the Empire State Building Observatory, cleaning services, cafeteria, restaurant and fitness center, property management and leasing, construction, and property maintenance.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Quarterly Presentation and Principles of Combination
The accompanying unaudited condensed combined financial statements of the predecessor are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for interim financial information, and with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted in accordance with such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Predecessors management, all adjustments and eliminations (including intercompany balances and transactions), consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements have been included.
The condensed combined financial statements include all the accounts and operations of our predecessor. The real estate entities included in the accompanying condensed combined financial statements have been combined on the basis that, for the periods presented, such entities were under common control, common management and common ownership of the Sponsors. Equity interests in the combining entities that are not controlled by the Sponsors are shown as investments in non-controlled entities. We will also acquire these interests.
The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the corresponding full years. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012.
We consolidate a variable interest entity, or VIE, in which we are considered a primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
Included in commercial real estate properties on our combined balance sheets for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 are approximately $477,079 and $444,259, respectively, related to our combined VIEs. Included in mortgages and other loans payable on our combined balance sheets as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are approximately $660,187 and $609,910, respectively, related to our combined VIEs.
F-86
We will assess the accounting treatment for each investment we may have in the future. This assessment will include a review of each entitys organizational agreement to determine which party has what rights and whether those rights are protective or participating. For all VIEs, we will review such agreements in order to determine which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and benefit. In situations where we or our partner could approve, among other things, the annual budget, the entitys tax return before filing, and leases that cover more than a nominal amount of space relative to the total rentable space at each property, we would not consolidate the investment as we consider these to be substantive participation rights that result in shared power of the activities that would most significantly impact the performance and benefit of such joint venture investment. Such agreements could also contain certain protective rights such as the requirement of partner approval to sell, finance or refinance the investment and the payment of capital expenditures and operating expenditures outside of the approved budget or operating plan.
A non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary is defined as the portion of the equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Non-controlling interests are required to be presented as a separate component of equity in the combined balance sheets and in the combined statements of income by requiring earnings and other comprehensive income to be attributed to controlling and non-controlling interests. As the financial statements of the predecessor have been prepared on a combined basis, there is no non-controlling interest for the periods presented.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the condensed combined financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include allocation of the purchase price of acquired real estate properties among tangible and intangible assets, determination of the useful life of real estate properties and other long-lived assets, valuation and impairment analysis of combined and uncombined commercial real estate properties and other long-lived assets, estimate of percentage of completion on construction contracts, and valuation of the allowance for doubtful accounts. These estimates are prepared using managements best judgment, after considering past, current, and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Income Taxes
As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the New York City unincorporated business tax (NYCUBT) net operating loss carry forward was $15,045 and $15,846, respectively, expiring in the years 2021 to 2033. Taxable income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012 was approximately $800 and $197, respectively. The net operating loss carry forwards net of the taxable income in 2013 gave rise to a deferred tax asset of $602 and $634 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The deferred tax asset was fully reserved by a valuation allowance at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The valuation allowance decreased by $32 and $8 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Fair Value
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entitys own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).
F-87
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, tenant and other receivables, due from affiliated companies, prepaid expenses and other assets, accrued interest payable, due to affiliate companies, deferred revenue, tenant security deposits, accounts payable and accrued expenses in our combined balance sheets approximate their fair value due to the short term maturity of these instruments.
The fair value of our mortgage notes payable and unsecured loans and notes payable-related parties, which are determined using Level 3 inputs, are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar borrowings could be made to us.
The methodologies used for valuing financial instruments have been categorized into three broad levels as follows:
Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
Level 2 Valuations based principally on other observable market parameters, including:
Quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments;
Quoted prices in less active or inactive markets for identical or similar instruments;
Other observable inputs (such as risk free interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates); and
Market corroborated inputs (derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data).
Level 3 Valuations based significantly on unobservable inputs.
Valuations based on third-party indications (broker quotes or counterparty quotes) which were, in turn, based significantly on unobservable inputs or were otherwise not supportable as Level 3 valuations.
Valuations based on internal models with significant unobservable inputs.
These levels form a hierarchy. We follow this hierarchy for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis and other required fair value disclosures. The classifications are based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Offering Costs and Formation Transaction Expenses
In connection with the IPO, we have incurred or will incur incremental accounting fees, legal fees and other professional fees. Such costs will be deferred and recorded as a reduction of proceeds of the IPO, or expensed as incurred if the IPO is not consummated. Certain costs associated with the IPO not directly attributable to the solicitation of consents of investors in the existing entities and the IPO, but rather related to structuring the formation transaction, are expensed as incurred.
F-88
3. Deferred Costs, Net
Deferred costs, net consisted of the following at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
June 30,
2013 |
December 31,
2012 |
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Leasing costs |
$ | 81,083 | $ | 78,865 | ||||
Financing costs |
25,934 | 23,609 | ||||||
Offering costs |
30,267 | 27,789 | ||||||
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Total |
137,284 | 130,263 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated amortization |
40,367 | 38,037 | ||||||
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Deferred Costs, net |
$ | 96,917 | $ | 92,226 | ||||
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Amortization expense related to deferred leasing costs was $4,013 and $3,799 and deferred financing costs was $3,532 and $2,043, for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Offering costs for work done by employees of the supervisor on behalf of the non-controlled entities of $429 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and $314 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 were incurred and advanced by our supervisor and have been reimbursed to our supervisor by the non-controlled entities. In addition, offering costs for work done by employees of the supervisor of approximately $141 and $88 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were incurred and advanced by our supervisor and have been reimbursed to our supervisor by the option entities.
4. Investments in Non-controlled Entities
The following table reflects the activity in our investments in non-controlled entities for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:
Six months ended
June 30, |
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2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of year |
$ | 76,879 | $ | 72,626 | ||||
Equity in net income |
7,898 | 7,586 | ||||||
Distributions |
(2,262 | ) | (7,215 | ) | ||||
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Balance at end of period |
$ | 82,515 | $ | 72,997 | ||||
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F-89
The following reflects combined summarized financial information of the non-controlled entities as of June 30, 2013:
Balance Sheets |
Empire State
Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501 Seventh
Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Real estate and development in process, net |
$ | 189,699 | $ | 39,777 | $ | 41,823 | $ | 17,917 | $ | 289,216 | ||||||||||
Other assets |
146,149 | 35,567 | 21,613 | 14,444 | 217,773 | |||||||||||||||
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Total assets |
$ | 335,848 | $ | 75,344 | $ | 63,436 | $ | 32,361 | $ | 506,989 | ||||||||||
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Mortgage and notes payable |
$ | | $ | 70,863 | $ | 53,346 | $ | | $ | 124,209 | ||||||||||
Other liabilities |
42,723 | 2,834 | 3,764 | 2,366 | 51,687 | |||||||||||||||
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Total liabilities |
42,723 | 73,697 | 57,110 | 2,366 | 175,896 | |||||||||||||||
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Members/partners equity |
293,021 | 1,647 | 6,326 | 29,995 | 330,989 | |||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
104 | | | | 104 | |||||||||||||||
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Total equity |
293,125 | 1,647 | 6,326 | 29,995 | 331,093 | |||||||||||||||
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Total liabilities and equity |
$ | 335,848 | $ | 75,344 | $ | 63,436 | $ | 32,361 | $ | 506,989 | ||||||||||
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Our share of equity carrying value of our investments in non-controlled entities |
$ | 73,019 | $ | 206 | $ | 3,163 | $ | 6,127 | $ | 82,515 | ||||||||||
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Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statements of Operations |
Empire State
Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501 Seventh
Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
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Rental revenue |
$ | 62,866 | $ | 7,062 | $ | 10,622 | $ | 8,865 | $ | 89,415 | ||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
44,052 | | | | 44,052 | |||||||||||||||
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Total revenue |
106,918 | 7,062 | 10,622 | 8,865 | 133,467 | |||||||||||||||
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Expenses: |
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Operating expenses rental |
57,602 | 3,315 | 5,051 | 6,578 | 72,546 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses overage rent |
14,424 | | | 450 | 14,874 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses observatory |
10,669 | | | | 10,669 | |||||||||||||||
Interest |
| 2,369 | 1,567 | | 3,936 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
7,287 | 1,459 | 2,157 | 761 | 11,664 | |||||||||||||||
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Total expenses |
89,982 | 7,143 | 8,775 | 7,789 | 113,689 | |||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) |
$ | 16,936 | $ | (81 | ) | $ | 1,847 | $ | 1,076 | $ | 19,778 | |||||||||
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Our share of equity in net income (loss) of non - controlled entities |
$ | 7,267 | $ | (41 | ) | $ | 803 | $ | (131 | ) | $ | 7,898 | ||||||||
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F-90
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statements of Operations |
Empire State
Building Co. |
1333
Broadway Associates |
1350
Broadway Associates |
501 Seventh
Avenue Associates |
Total | |||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
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Rental revenue |
$ | 68,229 | $ | 7,342 | $ | 10,689 | $ | 9,210 | $ | 95,470 | ||||||||||
Observatory revenue |
39,906 | | | | 39,906 | |||||||||||||||
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Total revenue |
108,135 | 7,342 | 10,689 | 9,210 | 135,376 | |||||||||||||||
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Expenses: |
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Operating expenses rental |
62,060 | 3,525 | 5,525 | 6,417 | 77,527 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses overage rent |
14,747 | | | 1,377 | 16,124 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses observatory |
9,522 | | | | 9,522 | |||||||||||||||
Interest |
| 2,374 | 1,434 | | 3,808 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
6,818 | 1,697 | 1,710 | 758 | 10,983 | |||||||||||||||
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Total expenses |
93,147 | 7,596 | 8,669 | 8,552 | 117,964 | |||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) |
$ | 14,988 | $ | (254 | ) | $ | 2,020 | $ | 658 | $ | 17,412 | |||||||||
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Our share of equity in net income (loss) of non - controlled entities |
$ | 6,568 | $ | (127 | ) | $ | 1,010 | $ | 135 | $ | 7,586 | |||||||||
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5. Debt
Mortgage Notes Payable
Mortgage notes payable are collateralized by the following respective real estate properties and assignment of operating leases at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
Principal
Balance as of June 30, 2013 |
Principal
Balance as of December 31, 2012 |
Stated
Rate |
Effective
Rate (1) |
Maturity
Date (2) |
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Mortgage debt collateralized by: |
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Fixed rate debt |
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501 Seventh Avenue |
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(Note 1) |
$ | 1,056 | $ | 1,075 | 5.75 | % | 6.59 | % | 2/1/ 2014 | |||||||||||
(Note 2 ) (3) |
32,030 | 32,589 | 5.75 | % | 6.59 | % | 2/1/ 2014 | |||||||||||||
(Note 2 ) (3) |
6,999 | 7,107 | 6.04 | % | 6.86 | % | 2/1/ 2014 | |||||||||||||
1359 Broadway |
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(first lien mortgage loan) |
9,751 | 9,922 | 5.75 | % | 6.15 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) (4) |
5,662 | 5,761 | 5.75 | % | 6.17 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) (4) |
11,502 | 11,689 | 5.87 | % | 6.28 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) (4) |
18,823 | 19,068 | 6.40 | % | 6.78 | % | 8/1/2014 | |||||||||||||
One Grand Central Place |
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(first lien mortgage loan) |
72,837 | 73,922 | 5.34 | % | 6.04 | % | 11/5/2014 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan ) (5) |
15,038 | 15,187 | 7.00 | % | 6.34 | % | 11/5/2014 | |||||||||||||
500 Mamaroneck Avenue |
32,914 | 33,256 | 5.41 | % | 6.73 | % | 1/1/2015 | |||||||||||||
250 West 57 th Street |
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(first lien mortgage loan) |
26,037 | 26,442 | 5.33 | % | 6.68 | % | 1/5/2015 | |||||||||||||
(second lien mortgage loan) |
11,390 | 11,524 | 6.13 | % | 7.55 | % | 1/5/2015 | |||||||||||||
Metro Center |
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(Note 1 ) (6) |
59,195 | 59,937 | 5.80 | % | 5.92 | % | 1/1/2016 | |||||||||||||
(Note 2 ) (6) |
37,853 | 38,151 | 6.02 | % | 6.11 | % | 1/1/2016 | |||||||||||||
10 Union Square |
21,128 | 21,284 | 6.00 | % | 6.36 | % | 5/1/2017 | |||||||||||||
10 Bank Street |
33,684 | 33,963 | 5.72 | % | 5.90 | % | 6/1/2017 |
F-91
Principal
Balance as of June 30, 2013 |
Principal
Balance as of December 31, 2012 |
Stated
Rate |
Effective
Rate (1) |
Maturity
Date (2) |
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1542 Third Avenue |
19,191 | 19,370 | 5.90 | % | 6.11 | % | 6/1/2017 | |||||||||||||
First Stamford Place |
247,205 | 248,716 | 5.65 | % | 5.83 | % | 7/5/2017 | |||||||||||||
1010 Third Avenue and 77 West 55 th Street |
28,336 | 28,570 | 5.69 | % | 6.07 | % | 7/5/2017 | |||||||||||||
383 Main Avenue |
30,667 | 30,924 | 5.59 | % | 5.73 | % | 7/5/2017 | |||||||||||||
69-97 Main Street (7) |
| 9,218 | 5.64 | % | | 5/1/2013 | ||||||||||||||
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Total fixed rate debt |
721,298 | 737,675 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Floating rate debt |
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501 Seventh Avenue (third lien mortgage loan) |
6,540 | 6,540 | (8 ) | (8 ) | 2/1/2014 | |||||||||||||||
The Empire State Building (secured term loan) |
269,000 | 219,000 | (9 ) | (9 ) | 7/26/2014 | |||||||||||||||
One Grand Central Place (third lien mortgage loan) |
4,382 | | (10) | (10) | 11/5/2014 | |||||||||||||||
250 West 57 th Street (third lien mortgage loan) |
14,935 | 14,935 | (11) | (11) | 1/5/2015 | |||||||||||||||
69-97 Main Street |
9,500 | | (12) | (12) | 4/29/2015 | |||||||||||||||
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Total floating rate debt |
304,357 | 240,475 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total Mortgage Notes Payable |
$ | 1,025,655 | $ | 978,150 | ||||||||||||||||
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(1) | The effective rate is the yield as of June 30, 2013, including the effects of debt issuance costs. There are no discounts or premiums on the notes. |
(2) | Pre-payment is generally allowed for each loan upon payment of a customary pre-payment penalty. |
(3) | Represents the two tranches of the second lien mortgage loan. |
(4) | Represents three tranches of the second lien mortgage loan. |
(5) | Represents a second lien mortgage loan. |
(6) | Notes 1 and 2 are pari passu . |
(7) | This loan was paid off with the proceeds of a new $9,500 loan which we closed on during April 2013. |
(8) | Floating at 30 day LIBOR plus 2.0%. The rate as of June 30, 2013 was 2.19%. |
(9) | Floating at 30 day LIBOR plus 2.5%. The rate as of June 30, 2013 was 2.69%. The loan is collateralized by the Empire State Building. |
(10) | Interest at the greater of (i) Prime plus 0.50% and (ii) 3.75%. |
(11) | Interest is paid based on a floating rate that is greater of (i) 4.25% and (ii) prime plus 1%. Prior to January 5, 2015, we have the option to fix the interest rate on all or any portion of the principal then outstanding, up to three times and in minimum increments of $5,000 to an annual rate equal to either (i) the greater of (a) 4.75% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to January 5, 2015 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of two days prior to the effective date of the fixing of the interest rate, and (ii) the greater of (a) 5.00% or (b) 300 basis points in excess of the weekly average yield on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a maturity closest to January 5, 2015 as most recently made available by the Federal Reserve Board as of 30 days prior to the effective date of the fixing of the interest rate. If option (i) is selected, we will be subject to the payment of pre-payment fees, and if option (ii) is selected, we may prepay the loan without any pre-payment fees. |
(12) | Floating at 30 day LIBOR plus 1.40% or Prime plus 0.50%. |
F-92
Contractual Principal Payments
Contractual aggregate required principal payments on mortgage notes payable at June 30, 2013 are as follows:
2013 (July 1, 2013 December 31, 2013) |
$ | 7,370 | ||
2014 |
460,761 | |||
2015 |
100,387 | |||
2016 |
97,716 | |||
2017 |
359,421 | |||
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Total principal maturities |
$ | 1,025,655 | ||
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The mortgage note payable balance of $1,025,655 does not include accrued interest of $3,332 at June 30, 2013.
Unsecured Loan and Notes Payable
As of June 30, 2013, we hold unsecured notes payable totaling $14,739 to trusts which benefit parties related to the Sponsors. The notes bear interest at a rate of 1.2% compounded annually and are due on November 14, 2020. This liability will be distributed to certain owners of the predecessor and will not be assumed by us.
On April 21, 2011, one of the combined entities (500 Mamaroneck, L.P.) entered into a promissory note agreement with the Sponsors, as agents for certain investors in 500 Mamaroneck, L.P. (2011 Promissory Note), under which the investors loaned $3,600 (including $1,174 from the Sponsors) to 500 Mamaroneck, L.P. Loans made pursuant to the 2011 Promissory Note earn interest at the rate of 10% per annum, payable quarterly, beginning July 1, 2011. The loans will mature on the earliest of (i) January 1, 2015, (ii) sale or transfer of title to the property, or (iii) satisfaction of the existing first mortgage loan on the property. Loans made under the 2011 Promissory Note may be repaid without penalty at any time in part or in full, along with all accrued interest.
During April 2013, we received a loan from an entity, which is controlled by Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, made to fund cash needs including the payment of leasing commissions and expenditures on tenant installations at First Stamford Place. The loan has a principal amount of $4,500, an outstanding balance of $1,500, and bears interest at 30-day LIBOR plus 2.5% (2.69% at June 30, 2013).
6. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
June 30, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 19,791 | $ | 24,711 | ||||
Other |
2,284 | 2,178 | ||||||
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
$ | 22,075 | $ | 26,889 | ||||
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7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following disclosures of estimated fair value at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were determined by management, using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we could realize on disposition of the financial instruments. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
F-93
The following table presents the aggregate carrying value of our debt and the corresponding estimates of fair value based on discounted cash flow models, based on Level 3 inputs including current interest rates at which similar borrowings could be made by us as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments is based on pertinent information available to us as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Although we are not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the reasonable fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
8. Rental Income
We lease various office spaces to tenants over terms ranging from one to 18 years. Certain leases have renewal options for additional terms. The leases provide for base monthly rentals and reimbursements for real estate taxes, escalations linked to the consumer price index or common area maintenance known as operating expense escalation. Operating expense reimbursements are reflected in our combined statements of income as tenant expense reimbursement.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
In the normal course of business, we are subject to claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings. While it is not possible to ascertain with certainty the ultimate outcome of such matters, in our opinion, the liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts provided or covered by insurance, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our combined financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Litigation
Except as described below, we are not presently involved in any material litigation, nor, to our knowledge is any material litigation threatened against us or our properties, other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business such as disputes with tenants. We believe that the costs and related liabilities, if any, which may result from such actions, will not materially affect our combined financial position, operating results or liquidity.
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by participants in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (ESBA) and several other entities supervised by the supervisor (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs assert claims against the predecessors management companies, Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They allege, among other things, that the terms of the consolidation and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the participants in the existing entities, the consolidation provides excessive benefits to the supervisor and its affiliates and the then-draft prospectus/consent solicitation filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully informed decision about the
F-94
proposed consolidation. The complaints seek money damages and injunctive relief preventing the proposed consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co-lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012. Furthermore, an underlying premise of the Class Actions, as noted in discussions among plaintiffs counsel and defendants counsel, was that the consolidation had been structured in such a manner that would cause participants in ESBA, 60 East 42 nd St. Associates L.L.C. and 250 West 57 th St. Associates L.L.C. (the subject LLCs) immediately to incur substantial tax liabilities.
The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The Stipulation of Settlement recites that the consolidation was approved by overwhelming consent of the participants in the private entities. The Stipulation of Settlement states that counsel for the plaintiff class satisfied themselves that they have received adequate access to relevant information, including the independent valuers valuation process and methodology, that the disclosures in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, are appropriate, that the transaction presents potential benefits, including the opportunity for liquidity and capital appreciation, that merit the participants serious consideration and that each of the named class representatives intends to support the transaction as modified. The Stipulation of Settlement further states that counsel for the plaintiff class are satisfied that the claims regarding tax implications, enhanced disclosures, appraisals and exchange values of the properties that would be consolidated into our company, and the interests of the participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities, have been addressed adequately, and they have concluded that the settlement pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and opportunity to consider the proposed transaction on the basis of revised consent solicitations are fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the plaintiff class.
The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement include, among other things (i) a payment of $55,000, with a minimum of 80% in cash and maximum of 20% in freely-tradable shares of common stock and/or freely-tradable operating partnership units to be distributed, after reimbursement of plaintiffs counsels court-approved expenses and payment of plaintiffs counsels court-approved attorneys fees (which are included within the $55,000 settlement payment) and, in the case of shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units, after the termination of specified lock-up periods, to participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities pursuant to a plan of allocation to be prepared by counsel for plaintiffs; (ii) defendants agreement that (a) the IPO will be on the basis of a firm commitment underwriting; (b) if, during the solicitation period, any of the three subject LLCs percentage of total exchange value is lower than what is stated in the final prospectus/consent solicitation by 10% or more, such decrease will be promptly disclosed by defendants to participants in the subject LLCs; and (c) unless total gross proceeds of $600,000 are raised in the IPO, defendants will not proceed with the transaction without further approval of the subject LLCs; and (iii) defendants agreement to make additional disclosures in the prospectus/consent solicitation regarding certain matters (which are included therein). Participants in the subject LLCs and private entities will not be required to bear any portion of the settlement payment. The payment in settlement of the Class Actions will be made by the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley and affiliates of the supervisor (provided that none of the supervisors affiliates that would become our direct or indirect subsidiary in the consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain participants in the private entities who agree to contribute. We will not bear any of the settlement payment.
The settlement further provides for the certification of a class of participants in the three subject LLCs and all of the private entities, other than defendants and other related persons and entities, and a release of any claims of the members of the class against the defendants and related persons and entities, as well as underwriters and other advisors. The release in the settlement excludes certain claims, including but not limited to, claims arising from or related to any supplement to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that is declared effective to which the plaintiffs counsel objects in writing, which objection will not be unreasonably made or delayed, so long as plaintiffs counsel has had adequate opportunity to review such supplement. The settlement was subject to court approval. It is not effective until such court approval is final, including the resolution of any appeal. Defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the allegations in the Class Actions.
F-95
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of such settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing.
On January 28, 2013, six participants in ESBA filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross-moved to intervene in the Class Actions and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of ESBA participants. On February 21, 2013 the court denied the cross motion of such objecting participants, and the court denied permission for such objecting participants to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Actions, but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non-consenting participants in ESBA of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting participants assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in the supervisors favor, holding that the buyout provisions of the participation agreements with respect to ESBA are legally binding and enforceable and that participants do not have the rights that they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the Class Actions settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are participants in all of the subject LLCs and private entities included in the consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the consolidation or IPO. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15,000 in fees and $296 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11,590 in fees and $265 in expenses (which are included within the $55,000 settlement payment).
The participants who challenged the buyout provision filed a notice of appeal of the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, the supervisor filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay. On July 16, 2013, these participants filed their brief and other supporting papers on their appeal of the April 30, 2013 decision, which is required to perfect the appeal.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same participants filed additional notices of appeal from the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. These notices of appeal related to (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class action on behalf of ESBA participants; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. The timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful, cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material and adverse effect on us, and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting participants have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
F-96
As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, we may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if we lose. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal. If the courts decision were reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on us, including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
There is a risk that other third parties will assert claims against us or our supervisor, including, without limitation, that our supervisor breached its fiduciary duties to investors in the existing entities or that the consolidation violates the relevant operating agreements, and third parties may commence litigation against us.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that subject us to credit risk consist primarily of cash, restricted cash, due from affiliated companies, tenant and other receivables and deferred rent receivables.
Beginning January 1, 2013, non interest bearing transaction accounts are no longer insured separately from depositors other accounts at the same Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Insured Depository Institution (IDI). Instead, non interest bearing transaction accounts are added to any of a depositors other accounts in the applicable ownership category, and the aggregate balance will be insured up to at least the standard maximum deposit insurance amount of $250, per depositor, at each separately chartered IDI. At June 30, 2013, we held on deposit at various major financial institutions cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balances in excess of amounts insured by the FDIC.
Major Customers and Other Concentrations
Excluding the revenues we recognized under operating leases with non-controlled entities, for the six months ended June 30, 2013, three tenants were major tenants who made up more than 10% of the revenues in the aggregate. These tenants represent approximately 3.46%, 3.45%, and 3.55% (total of 10.46%) of 2013 revenues. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, three tenants were major tenants who made up more than 10% of the revenues in the aggregate. These tenants represent approximately 4.87%, 3.22% and 3.65% (total of 11.74%) of 2012 revenues.
For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, three properties accounted for more than 10% of total revenues in the aggregate. For 2013, One Grand Central Place represented approximately 27.61% of total revenues, First Stamford Place represented approximately 14.65%, and 250 West 57 th Street represented approximately 11.58%. For 2012, One Grand Central Place represented approximately 27.10% of total revenues, First Stamford Place represented approximately 15.79%, and 250 West 57 th Street represented approximately 11.72%.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We are required to accrue costs that we are legally obligated to incur on retirement of our properties which result from acquisition, construction, development and/or normal operation of such properties. Retirement includes sale, abandonment or disposal of a property. Under that standard, a conditional asset retirement obligation represents a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement is conditional on a future event that may or may not be within a companys control and a liability for a conditional asset retirement obligation must be recorded if the fair value of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. Environmental site assessments and investigations have identified asbestos or asbestos-containing building materials in certain of our properties. As of June 30, 2013, management has no plans to remove or alter these properties in a manner that would trigger federal and other applicable regulations for asbestos removal, and accordingly, the obligations to remove the asbestos or asbestos-containing building materials from these properties have indeterminable settlement dates. As such, we are unable to reasonably estimate the fair value of
F-97
the associated conditional asset retirement obligation. However ongoing asbestos abatement, maintenance programs and other required documentation are carried out as required and related costs are expensed as incurred.
Other Environmental Matters
Certain of our properties have been inspected for soil contamination due to pollutants, which may have occurred prior to our ownership of these properties or subsequently in connection with its development and/or its use. Required remediation to such properties has been completed and as of June 30, 2013, management believes that there are no obligations related to environmental remediation other than maintaining the affected sites in conformity with the relevant authoritys mandates and filing the required documents. All such maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
We expect that resolution of the environmental matters relating to the above will not have a material impact on our business, assets, combined financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, we cannot be certain that we have identified all environmental liabilities at our properties, that all necessary remediation actions have been or will be undertaken at our properties or that we will be indemnified, in full or at all, in the event that such environmental liabilities arise.
Insurance Coverage
We carry insurance coverage on our properties of types and in amounts with deductibles that we believe are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties.
10. Related Party Transactions
Services are provided by us to affiliates of the Sponsors that are not part of the predecessor. These affiliates are related parties because beneficial interests in the predecessor and the affiliated entities are held, directly or indirectly, by the Sponsors, their affiliates and their family members.
During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, we engaged in various transactions with affiliates of the Sponsors and their family members. These transactions are reflected in our combined statements of income as third-party management and other fees and the unpaid balances are reflected in the due from affiliated companies on the combined balance sheets.
Supervisory Fee Revenue
We earned supervisory fees from affiliated entities not included in the condensed combined financial statements of $1,894 and $1,065 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within third-party management and other fees.
We earned supervisory fees from uncombined entities included in the condensed combined financial statements on the equity method of $413 and $413 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively. These fees are included within third-party management and other fees.
Property Management Fee Revenue
We earned property management fees from affiliated entities not included in the condensed combined financial statements of $1,338 and $587 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within third-party management and other fees.
We earned property management fees from uncombined entities included in the condensed combined financial statements on the equity method of $108 and $1,077 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within third-party management and other fees.
F-98
Lease Commissions
We earned leasing commissions from affiliated entities not included in the condensed combined financial statements of $6 and $12 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within third-party management and other fees.
Profit Share
We received additional payments equal to a specified percentage of distributions in excess of specified amounts, both being defined, from affiliated entities not included in the condensed combined financial statements. Our profits interest totaled $419 and $528 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within other income and fees.
We received additional payments equal to a specified percentage of distributions in excess of specified amounts, both being defined, from uncombined entities included in these condensed combined financial statements on the equity method. Our profits interest totaled $273 and $654 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within other income and fees.
Other Fees and Disbursements from Non - Controlled Affiliates
We earned other fees and disbursements from affiliated entities not included in the condensed combined financial statements of $213 and $149 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within other income and fees.
We earned other fees and disbursements from uncombined subsidiaries included in the condensed combined financial statements on the equity method of $685 and $398 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are included within other income and fees.
Included in these other fees are reimbursements from uncombined entities included in these condensed combined financial statements on the equity method for offering costs related to the IPO of $685 and $403 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, of which $260 and $90 were included in due from affiliated companies as of June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Family Office Services
Family office services mainly comprise accounting and bookkeeping services. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, we provided certain family office services to the Sponsors. The Sponsors reimbursed us for direct costs in the amount of $442 and $196, in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Other
Included in Tenant and other receivables are amounts due from partners and shareholders of $325 at June 30, 2013 and $515 at December 31, 2012.
11. Segment Reporting
Our reportable segments consist of a real estate segment and a construction contracting segment. Management internally evaluates the operating performance and financial results of our segments based on net operating income. We also have certain general and administrative level activities, including legal and accounting, that are not considered separate operating segments. Our reportable segments are on the same basis of accounting as described in footnote 2.
F-99
The following table provides components of segment profit for each segment for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, as reviewed by management:
Six months ended June 30, 2013 |
Real Estate |
Construction
Contracting |
Totals | |||||||||
Revenues from external customers |
$ | 109,478 | $ | 12,400 | $ | 121,878 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues |
37 | 4,807 | 4,844 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total revenues |
109,515 | 17,207 | 126,722 | |||||||||
All operating expenses, excluding noncash items |
(41,745 | ) | (17,028 | ) | (58,773 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
(28,911 | ) | | (28,911 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
(25,267 | ) | | (25,267 | ) | |||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
7,898 | | 7,898 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Segment profit |
$ | 21,490 | $ | 179 | $ | 21,669 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Segment assets |
$ | 999,902 | $ | 11,356 | $ | 1,011,258 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Investment in non - controlled entities |
$ | 82,515 | $ | | $ | 82,515 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Expenditures for segment assets |
$ | 33,011 | $ | | $ | 33,011 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2012 |
Real Estate |
Construction
Contracting |
Totals | |||||||||
Revenues from external customers |
$ | 109,091 | $ | 8,144 | $ | 117,235 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues |
37 | 3,051 | 3,088 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total revenues |
109,128 | 11,195 | 120,323 | |||||||||
All operating expenses, excluding noncash items |
(42,734 | ) | (11,438 | ) | (54,172 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense |
(26,488 | ) | | (26,488 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
(20,861 | ) | (16 | ) | (20,877 | ) | ||||||
Equity in net income of non-controlled entities |
7,586 | | 7,586 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 26,631 | $ | (259 | ) | $ | 26,372 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Segment assets |
$ | 915,926 | $ | 9,465 | $ | 925,391 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Investment in non - controlled entities |
$ | 72,997 | $ | | $ | 72,997 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Expenditures for segment assets |
$ | 48,331 | $ | | $ | 48,331 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-100
The following table provides a reconciliation of segment data to the combined financial statements:
For the Six
Months Ended June 30, |
||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Revenue reconciliation |
||||||||
Total revenues for reportable segments |
$ | 126,722 | $ | 120,323 | ||||
Other revenues |
111 | 11 | ||||||
Elimination for intersegment revenues |
(4,844 | ) | (3,088 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total combined revenues |
$ | 121,989 | $ | 117,246 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Profit or loss |
||||||||
Total profit or loss for reportable segments |
$ | 21,669 | $ | 26,372 | ||||
Other profit or loss items |
(13,174 | ) | (7,575 | ) | ||||
Formation transaction expenses |
(3,000 | ) | (723 | ) | ||||
Elimination for intersegment profit or loss |
(605 | ) | (500 | ) | ||||
Unallocated amounts: |
||||||||
Investment income |
111 | 11 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income |
$ | 5,001 | $ | 17,585 | ||||
|
|
|
|
12. Subsequent Events
During July and September 2013, an additional $1,500 and $750, respectively, was drawn on the $4,500 loan at First Stamford Place.
An additional $31,000 was drawn on the Secured Term Loan of the Empire State Building on August 26, 2013 bringing the total amount advanced to $300,000.
F-101
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
Empire State Building Company L.L.C.
(a Limited Liability Company)
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (the Company) and Affiliates as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal controls over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
March 28, 2013
F-102
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
December 31, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Property at cost: |
||||||||
Leasehold improvements |
$ | 176,313,109 | $ | 168,225,715 | ||||
Subtenant improvements |
70,255,123 | 62,001,552 | ||||||
Leasehold |
99,150 | 740,000 | ||||||
Equipment |
5,002,576 | 5,436,001 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
251,669,958 | 236,403,268 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
56,365,487 | 53,913,170 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Property |
195,304,471 | 182,490,098 | ||||||
Other Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
25,514,656 | 32,210,735 | ||||||
Cash restricted tenants security deposits |
9,421,191 | 5,890,221 | ||||||
Cash tenant improvement escrow |
15,374,241 | 7,268,591 | ||||||
Accounts receivable net |
3,932,682 | 1,507,232 | ||||||
Rent receivable net |
3,056,141 | 3,800,230 | ||||||
Unbilled rent receivable net |
56,665,930 | 43,796,054 | ||||||
Loans receivable |
1,115,356 | 1,235,179 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
16,158,302 | 16,390,511 | ||||||
Deferred charges and other deferred costs, net of accumulated amortization |
14,410,558 | 12,392,263 | ||||||
Due from Lessor |
| 6,067,806 | ||||||
Due from Supervisor |
300,000 | 300,000 | ||||||
Other assets |
231 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Assets |
$ | 341,253,759 | $ | 313,348,920 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities and Equity |
||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 9,025,174 | $ | 19,384,473 | ||||
Tenants security deposits payable |
9,421,191 | 5,890,221 | ||||||
Overage rent due to Lessor |
24,199,368 | 28,780,449 | ||||||
Due to Lessor |
11,913,872 | | ||||||
Deferred income |
8,705,402 | 8,935,964 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Liabilities |
63,265,007 | 62,991,107 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Equity (Deficit): |
||||||||
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. members equity |
278,647,337 | 252,164,398 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest |
(658,585 | ) | (1,806,585 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Equity |
277,988,752 | 250,357,813 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Liabilities and Equity |
$ | 341,253,759 | $ | 313,348,920 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-103
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Income: |
||||||||
Rent: |
||||||||
Minimum rental revenue |
$ | 76,847,823 | $ | 71,027,944 | ||||
Tenant reimbursements |
25,100,017 | 25,652,065 | ||||||
Antenna license fees |
17,061,076 | 16,410,246 | ||||||
Other |
4,427,863 | 5,504,740 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Rent |
123,436,779 | 118,594,995 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Real Estate Tax Refund net |
10,131,396 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Observatory: |
||||||||
Revenue |
91,870,220 | 80,562,446 | ||||||
Expenses |
20,708,587 | 20,009,225 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Observatory Net Income |
71,161,633 | 60,553,221 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Income |
204,729,808 | 179,148,216 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating Expenses: |
||||||||
Basic rent expense |
10,227,898 | 8,439,772 | ||||||
Overage rent |
24,199,368 | 28,780,449 | ||||||
Real estate taxes |
26,340,502 | 30,009,907 | ||||||
Payroll and related costs |
22,174,690 | 23,025,267 | ||||||
Repairs and maintenance |
17,445,198 | 14,697,053 | ||||||
Utilities |
12,717,984 | 12,557,405 | ||||||
Supervisory fees |
591,567 | 583,368 | ||||||
Professional fees |
5,892,769 | 5,340,405 | ||||||
Insurance |
7,239,712 | 7,422,948 | ||||||
Advertising |
2,324,696 | 2,113,253 | ||||||
Cleaning |
2,862,839 | 2,881,196 | ||||||
Administrative |
1,972,563 | 1,580,273 | ||||||
Acquisition fees |
7,894,232 | 8,305,666 | ||||||
Depreciation |
11,695,513 | 12,795,037 | ||||||
Amortization |
1,919,149 | 3,038,347 | ||||||
Bad debts, net |
1,797,652 | 5,423,352 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Operating Expenses |
157,296,332 | 166,993,698 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating Income |
47,433,476 | 12,154,518 | ||||||
Interest and Dividend Income |
97,463 | 125,011 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Income |
47,530,939 | 12,279,529 | ||||||
Net Income of Affiliate Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest |
(1,148,000 | ) | (1,200,000 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Income Attributable to Empire State Building Company L.L.C. |
$ | 46,382,939 | $ | 11,079,529 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-104
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 | ||||||||||||
Total |
Empire State
Building Company L.LC. Members Equity |
Noncontrolling
Interest |
||||||||||
Equity (Deficit) January 1, 2011 |
$ | 279,078,284 | $ | 282,084,869 | $ | (3,006,585 | ) | |||||
Distributions 2011 |
(41,000,000 | ) | (41,000,000 | ) | | |||||||
Net Income 2011 |
12,279,529 | 11,079,529 | 1,200,000 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Equity (Deficit) December 31, 2011 |
250,357,813 | 252,164,398 | (1,806,585 | ) | ||||||||
Distributions 2012 |
(19,900,000 | ) | (19,900,000 | ) | | |||||||
Net Income 2012 |
47,530,939 | 46,382,939 | 1,148,000 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Equity (Deficit) December 31, 2012 |
$ | 277,988,752 | $ | 278,647,337 | $ | (658,585 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-105
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 47,530,939 | $ | 12,279,529 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation |
11,695,513 | 12,795,037 | ||||||
Amortization |
1,919,149 | 3,038,347 | ||||||
Bad debts |
1,899,435 | 5,423,352 | ||||||
Net change in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(2,425,450 | ) | 756,360 | |||||
Rent receivable |
(2,111,292 | ) | (4,478,387 | ) | ||||
Unbilled rent receivable |
(12,869,876 | ) | (8,392,856 | ) | ||||
Loans receivable |
119,823 | 118,396 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
232,209 | (365,719 | ) | |||||
Deferred charges leasing commissions and costs |
(3,937,444 | ) | (435,655 | ) | ||||
Overage rent due from/to Lessor |
(4,581,081 | ) | 30,669,078 | |||||
Other assets |
(231 | ) | 314,445 | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
(11,115,822 | ) | 5,062,734 | |||||
Deferred income |
(230,562 | ) | 2,943,959 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
26,125,310 | 59,728,620 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
||||||||
Property additions |
(22,797,417 | ) | (7,025,547 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities |
(22,797,417 | ) | (7,025,547 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Members distributions |
(19,900,000 | ) | (41,000,000 | ) | ||||
Reimbursements from Lessor |
75,060,186 | 48,189,857 | ||||||
Outlays on behalf of Lessor |
(57,078,508 | ) | (64,835,291 | ) | ||||
Other deferred costs |
| 941,202 | ||||||
Tenant improvement escrow, net |
(8,105,650 | ) | (6,585,444 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities |
(10,023,972 | ) | (63,289,676 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
(6,696,079 | ) | (10,586,603 | ) | ||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents beginning of year |
32,210,735 | 42,797,338 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents end of year |
$ | 25,514,656 | $ | 32,210,735 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Purchases of property additions included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 1,052,147 | $ | 295,480 | ||||
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Activities |
||||||||
In connection with a new tenant, as an inducement for an existing tenant to vacate its space, the Company forgave the existing tenants outstanding rent receivable. |
||||||||
Decrease in rent receivable |
$ | (955,946 | ) | $ | | |||
Increase in subtenant improvements |
955,946 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | | $ | | |||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-106
1. Organization and Nature of Business
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (ESB) was originally organized on August 15, 1961 as a joint venture to lease and sublease the approximately 2,900,000 square foot office building and Observatory, more commonly known as the Empire State Building situated at 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, (the Property), At December 31, 2012, the Property was approximately 69% occupied. On April 2, 1971, ESB converted from a joint venture to a general partnership. On December 17, 2001, ESB converted from a general partnership to a New York limited liability company and is now known as Empire State Building Company L.L.C. Although limited liability companies are unincorporated associations, their members have limited personal liability for the obligations or debts of the entity similar to stockholders of a corporation.
ESB commenced operations on August 15, 1961 and is to continue until the earlier of the complete disposition of all of the Companys assets, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the Operating Agreement or by law.
On February 9, 1962, Empire State Building, Inc. (the Observatory or Inc.) was formed to sublease from ESB and operate the observation decks located on the 86th and 102nd floors of the Property. A new lease was entered into in 2010 (the 2010 Lease) under which Inc. acted as agent for a joint venture (the Joint Venture) owned 99% by ESB and 1% by Inc. The Joint Venture arrangement has no significant impact on the financial position or results of operations reported in the consolidated financial statements. The 2010 Lease expired on December 31, 2010 and was not renewed.
On January 1, 2011, ESB entered into a lease for the observation decks with Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC (formerly ESB Observatory LLC), a newly organized limited liability company owned 99% by ESB and 1% by ESB 102 Corporation (which, in turn, is owned 100% by ESB), for a five-year term commencing January 1, 2011 and expiring December 31, 2015. Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC is to pay fixed annual rent of $6,700,000, adjusted each year commencing 2012 to reflect the increase in the Consumer Price Index, plus additional rent, as defined in the lease. The new leasing arrangement does not have a significant impact on the financial position or results of operations reported in the consolidated financial statements.
On July 15, 2009, ESB Captive Insurance Company L.L.C. (the Captive) was formed in the State of Vermont, as a captive insurance company to insure the Property and business interruption risks of ESB and the Observatory, including, but not limited to, terrorism risks. The Captive was formed as a single member limited liability company, wholly owned by ESB. For income tax reporting purposes, a single member LLC is classified as a division of its member, accordingly, the single member LLCs taxable income or loss is reportable by its member. The Captive reinsures certain coinsurance amounts. There were no losses incurred through December 31, 2012.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of consolidation : The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and its wholly owned subsidiaries: ESB Captive Insurance Company L.L.C, ESB 102 Corporation, and Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC; and Empire State Building, Inc. (collectively, the Company).
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company follows the provisions pertaining to noncontrolling interests of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810, Consolidation. A noncontrolling interest is the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Among other matters, the noncontrolling interest standards require that noncontrolling interests be reported as part of equity in the consolidated balance sheet (separately from the controlling interests equity). The noncontrolling interest
F-107
standards also require companies to disclose the changes in the noncontrolling interest in the statement of equity or in a separate note to the financial statements; and require that net income include earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest with disclosure on the face of the statements of income of the amounts attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest.
The Companys interest in Empire State Building, Inc. is classified as a noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications : For purposes of comparison, certain items shown in the 2011 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the presentation used for 2012.
Variable interest entities : Under FASB ASC 810, Consolidation, when a reporting entity (ESB) is the primary beneficiary of an entity that is a variable interest entity as defined in FASB ASC 810, the variable interest entity must be consolidated into the financial statements of the reporting entity. The determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE is based on a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis. An entity is required to consolidate a VIE if it has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
Prior to January 1, 2011, ESB had determined that both Inc. and the Joint Venture were VIEs of which ESB was the primary beneficiary. As a result, ESB consolidated both the Joint Venture and Inc. at December 31, 2010, as ESB through its design of the Joint Venture and Inc. and its lease to the Joint Venture, had both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact both the Joint Venture and Inc.s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of both the Joint Venture and Inc. and the right to receive benefits from both the Joint Venture and Inc. that could be significant to both the Joint Venture and Inc.
On January 1, 2011, ESB deconsolidated the Joint Venture as a result of the expiration of the 2010 Lease. As of December 31, 2012, ESB continued to report an estimated $762,000 income tax liability relating to uncertain tax positions of Inc. as ESB is responsible for such liability.
The deconsolidation of the Joint Venture had no impact on ESBs consolidated balance sheets and statement of income as ESB owned 99% of the Joint Venture.
The aggregate assets, liabilities and deficit of Inc. as of December 31, 2012 were $4,574,414, $5,232,999 and $(658,585) respectively, and net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 consisted of an income tax benefit of $1,148,000. The liabilities of Inc. consist of $762,000 of income tax liability and approximately $4,470,000 of intercompany payable due to ESB, which eliminates in consolidation. The aggregate assets, liabilities and deficit of Inc. as of December 31, 2011 were $4,574,414, $6,380,999 and $(1,806,585), respectively, and net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of an income tax benefit of $1,200,000. The liabilities of Inc. consist of $1,910,000 of income tax liability and approximately $4,470,000 of intercompany payable due to ESB, which eliminates inconsolidation.
Revenue recognition
Empire State Building Company L.L.C . : Minimum rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the subleases. The excess of rents so recognized over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying subleases is included in unbilled rents receivable on the accompanying balance sheets. Leases generally contain provisions under which tenants reimburse the Company for a portion of property operating expenses, real estate taxes and other recoverable costs. Receivables for escalation and expense reimbursements are accrued in the period to which they relate. Rental payments received before they are recognized as income are recorded as deferred income.
ESB provides an estimated allowance for uncollectible rent and loans receivable based upon an analysis of tenant and loan receivables and historical bad debts, tenant concentrations, tenant credit worthiness, tenant
F-108
security deposits (including letters of credit and lease guarantees provided by the tenant), current economic trends and changes in tenant payment terms. Rent receivable is shown net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,359,000 at December 31, 2012 ($1,455,000 at December 31, 2011). Unbilled rent receivable is shown net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts of $830,000 at December 31, 2012 ($710,000 at December 31, 2011).
Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC and Empire State Building, Inc . : Revenues from the sale of Observatory tickets are recognized upon admission or ticket expiration. Deferred income related to unused and unexpired tickets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $3,200,000 and $3,400,000, respectively.
Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC provides an estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable based upon an analysis of accounts receivable and historical bad debts, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in payment terms. Management believes no allowance is necessary for outstanding accounts receivable balances at December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Cash and cash equivalents : The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
At times the Company has demand and other deposits with a bank in excess of federally insured limits. The possibility of loss exists if the bank holding uninsured deposits were to fail.
Property : The Company reviews real estate assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by those assets are less than the assets carrying amount. Impaired assets are recorded at their estimated fair value calculated based on the discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. No impairment loss has been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Depreciation and amortization : Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of forty years for the leasehold improvements and seven years for equipment. The leasehold is being depreciated by the straight-line method over the term of the sublease. Subtenant improvements, leasing commissions and leasing costs are amortized by the straight-line method over the terms of the related tenant leases.
Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures which increase the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.
Sales tax : Sales tax collected by ESB from tenants for sub-metered electricity is presented in the financial statements on a gross basis and, accordingly, included in revenue and expenses. Observatory admission ticket sales are reported net of sales tax and, accordingly, excluded from revenue and expenses.
Income taxes : ESB and Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC are not subject to federal and state income taxes and, accordingly, make no provision for federal and state income taxes in the accompanying financial statements. ESBs rental operations are not subject to local income taxes. ESBs taxable income or loss (which includes the income or loss of the Captive) is reportable by its members.
Inc. has elected to be taxed under the Subchapter S provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable New York State income tax law effective January 1, 1971. Accordingly, the Company has not provided for federal or state income taxes since all income is passed through directly to the stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. ESB and Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC are subject to New York City Unincorporated Business tax which totaled approximately $196,000 and $177,000 for the years ended
F-109
December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. ESB 102 Corporation is subject to federal, New York State and New York City corporation tax, which totaled approximately $12,000 and $11,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company follows the provisions pertaining to uncertain tax positions of FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, which provides a financial statement recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under FASB ASC 740 the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may only be recognized if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Among other matters, FASB ASC 740 also provides guidance on accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has recorded a liability of $762,000 for uncertain tax positions, which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Companys consolidated balance sheet (including $262,000 of accrued interest and penalty). During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $1,148,000 and $1,200,000 (inclusive of reductions in interest and penalties of $358,000 and $330,000) as a component of Observatory Income, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The liability is based on amounts of possible outcomes, using facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. Interest and penalties are included as a component of income tax benefit on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Taxable years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are subject to IRS and other jurisdictions tax examinations.
Advertising : The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of $4,902,995 and $4,703,117, respectively (inclusive of $2,578,299 and $2,589,864, respectively, incurred by Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC), for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Environmental costs : The Property contains asbestos. The asbestos is appropriately contained, in accordance with current environmental regulations. As certain demolition of the space occurs, environmental regulations are in place, which specify the manner in which the asbestos must be handled and disposed. Because the obligation to remove the asbestos has an indeterminable settlement date, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the fair value of this obligation. Asbestos abatement costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Estimates : The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company regards the allowance for uncollectible rents (including unbilled rent receivable) as being particularly sensitive. Further, when tenants experience financial difficulties, uncertainties associated with assessing the recoverability of subtenant improvements and leasing commissions increase.
Other items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the determination of the useful life of real estate and other long-lived assets as well as the valuation and impairment analysis of real property and other long-lived assets.
The real estate industry has historically been cyclical and sensitive to changes in economic conditions such as interest rates, credit availability and unemployment levels. Changes in these economic conditions could affect the assumptions used by management in preparing the accompanying financial statements.
New accounting pronouncements : In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP. This ASU provides guidance setting forth additional requirements relating to disclosures about fair
F-110
value. In accordance with the guidance the Company requires additional disclosures, including: (i) quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs, for Level 3 fair value measurements; (ii) fair value of financial instruments not measured at fair value but for which disclosure of fair value is required, based on their levels in the fair value hierarchy; and (iii) transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. For nonpublic companies this ASC is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update on January 1, 2012 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-9, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Multiemployer Plans (Subtopic 715-80): Disclosures about an Employers Participation in a Multiemployer Plan. The ASU requires substantially more disclosures regarding the multiemployer plan the Company participates in, the nature of the Companys commitment to the plan and other disclosures. The current recognition and measurement guidance is unchanged. For nonpublic companies this ASU is effective for annual periods for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2012.
3. Members Equity
Profits, losses and distributions are allocated to the members pursuant to the Companys Operating Agreement.
The Company must maintain minimum capital and surplus of $250,000 in accordance with Vermont captive insurance regulations.
4. Deferred Charges
Deferred charges consist of the following as of:
December 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||
Leasing commissions |
$ | 22,617,759 | $ | 20,315,761 | ||||
Leasing costs and other deferred costs |
1,002,978 | 872,891 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
23,620,737 | 21,188,652 | |||||||
Less accumulated amortization |
9,210,179 | 8,796,389 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 14,410,558 | $ | 12,392,263 | ||||
|
|
|
|
5. Loans Receivable
During 2010, the Company entered into lease modification agreements with two tenants which had rent receivable balances in arrears totaling $1,399,909. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method and recognized on the accrual basis. As of December 31, 2012, loans receivable consist of the following:
Date of Loan |
Outstanding Principal
Balance |
Interest Rate | Maturity | |||||||||
February 28, 2010 |
$ | 935,356 | LIBOR (*) + 3.5% | December 1, 2024 | ||||||||
December 28, 2010 |
180,000 | Prime (**) + 3.0% | December 1, 2015 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
$ | 1,115,356 | |||||||||||
|
|
(*) | 0.3095% (three month LIBOR) at December 31, 2012. |
(**) | 3.25% at December 31, 2012. |
F-111
Future principal payments due are as follows:
2013 |
$ | 123,000 | ||
2014 |
125,000 | |||
2015 |
128,000 | |||
2016 |
70,000 | |||
2017 |
73,000 | |||
Thereafter |
596,356 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 1,115,356 | |||
|
|
6. Related Party Transactions
ESB (the Lessee) entered into a lease agreement with Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (the Lessor) which was set to expire on January 4, 2013. On February 11, 2010, the Company exercised the remaining lease renewal options for the period January 4, 2013 to January 4, 2076. The lease provides for an annual basic minimum rent equal to $6,018,750 through January 4, 2013; thereafter, the annual basic minimum rent is equal to $5,895,625.
In accordance with the 3 rd lease modification dated as of July 26, 2011, the minimum basic rent described above has been increased to cover debt service on the outstanding principal balance (in an amount not to exceed $159,000,000 without the Lessees consent) in excess of $60,500,000 on the Lessors $300,000,000 new mortgage Loan obtained July 26, 2011 (the Loan), of which $159,000,000 has been advanced as of December 31, 2011. Provided no event of default has occurred, and subject to other conditions, upon Lessors request, HSBC has also agreed to source further additional commitments aggregating up to $200,000,000 in the sole discretion of the lenders. Any further advances under the Loan are subject to the consent of Lessee.
On July 26, 2011, the Lessor closed on a new mortgage loan with HSBC Bank USA and other participating banks (the Lenders) with an initial advance of $159,000,000 to be used to pay and discharge all existing mortgage loans secured by the Property, to fund operations and working capital requirements relating to the Property (including for improvements) and certain other general purposes. Subject to the conditions set forth in the Loan agreement, the Lenders may provide the Lessor with additional advances of up to $76,000,000 and use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for additional commitments from other financial institutions in an aggregate amount equal to $65,000,000. On November 2, 2011 the Loan was amended to increase the loan amount to $300,000,000. An additional $30,000,000 was drawn on the Loan on April 5, 2012 bringing the total amount advanced to $189,000,000. Under the fourth modification of the sublease dated as of April 5, 2012, the Company agreed to an increase in basic rent to cover the debt service on such $30,000,000 draw. An additional $30,000,000 was drawn on the Loan on July 9, 2012 bringing the total amount advanced to $219,000,000. Under the fifth modification of the sublease dated as of July 9, 2012, the Company agreed to an increase in basic rent to cover the debt service on such $30,000,000 draw. The Lessor must also maintain a debt yield as specified in the Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Loan, the outstanding principal amount of the loan shall bear interest at a rate equal to 2.5% per annum above 30-day LIBOR, unless such rate is not available, in which event the Loan would bear interest at 2.5% per annum in excess of (i) HSBCs prime rate or (ii) the BBA LIBOR Daily Floating Rate. The aggregate rate was 2.71% at December 31, 2012. The Lessor is obligated to repay the outstanding amount of the Loan plus accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts due under the Loan and related documents on July 26, 2014, which the Lessor may extend to July 26, 2015 and thereafter to July 26, 2016, in each case, subject to an extension fee of 0.25% of the total availability under the Loan at the time of such extension. Such extensions are subject to customary conditions, including the maintenance of a certain loan-to-value ratio and debt yield and the absence of an event of default. The Lessor incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $2,400,000 in connection with the repayment of the old notes. On October 11, 2012 the Secured Term Loan was amended to increase the Lenders respective commitments from an aggregate of $300,000,000 to an aggregate of $500,000,000 and provides that a condition for any advance in respect of such increased amount
F-112
(in addition to the other conditions in the loan agreement) is the delivery of an updated appraisal to the effect that the Loan-To-Value Ratio (as defined in the loan agreement) does not then exceed 50%. Upon execution of the amendment, Registrant paid the Lenders a facility fee of 0.75% of such increase ($1,500,000) and an arrangement fee of 0.25% of such increase ($500,000).
Improvement and tenanting costs funded out of the proceeds from the Lessors mortgage loans which are secured by the Property are borne by the Lessor and capitalized as property improvements or tenanting costs in the Lessors financial statements. Improvement and tenanting costs funded out of the ESBs operating cash flow are borne by ESB and are capitalized in its financial statements as leasehold improvements or tenanting costs.
In connection with the July 2011 refinancing of Lessors mortgage loans with the new $159,000,000 mortgage, approximately $58,000,000 became available to fund property improvements and tenanting costs allowing reimbursement to the Company subsequent to June 30, 2011 of approximately $34,000,000 it had incurred and recorded on its financial statements during the first six months of 2011 for fixed asset additions of $24,400,000 and deferred leasing costs of $9,600,000. The foregoing was effected in the third quarter of 2011 and resulted in 1) Companys removal of such asset additions and Lessors recording of same on its financial statements, and 2) Companys accrual of overage rent payable to the Lessor equal to approximately 50% thereof. Through December 31, 2012, the Company has incurred approximately $121,390,000 for improvements and tenanting costs.
In accordance with the 2 nd lease modification dated as of February 25, 2009, the minimum basic rent described above was increased to cover debt service on the Lessors $31,500,000 second mortgage loan obtained on February 25, 2009 that was repaid on July 26, 2011 with the proceeds from the Loan described above. The basic rent was increased to cover debt service, which consisted of only interest during the period the second mortgage loan was outstanding and totaled $1,132,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The lease also provides for additional rent (Overage Rent) through all renewal terms equal to 50% of the Lessees annual net operating profit, as defined, in excess of $1,000,000, in each lease year.
In addition to the above, the Lessee is required to pay for all operating and maintenance expenses, real estate taxes, and necessary repairs and replacements, and keep the Property adequately insured against fire and accident.
Beginning in 2008 when participants in the Lessor consented to a building improvements program (the Program), a program has been undertaken by the Company to maintain and enhance the Property, and its competitive position. Through December 31, 2012 the Company has incurred costs related to the Program of approximately $171,599,000 (which consisted of building improvements and tenant leasing costs of approximately $94,080,000 and $77,519,000, respectively), and the Lessor has incurred costs related to the Program of approximately $130,461,000 (which consisted of building improvements and tenant leasing costs of approximately $64,827,000 and $65,634,000, respectively). In addition, during the period from 2006-2008, the Company incurred building improvement costs of $15,684,000. The Company currently estimates that the total costs of all Program-related projects will be approximately $650,000,000 to $670,000,000. Lessor intends to seek additional financing to fund future Property improvements and tenanting costs.
The Company is financing the Program and billing the Lessor for certain costs incurred. The Program (1) grants the ownership of improvements and tenanting costs funded by Lessor to Lessor and acknowledges Lessors desire to finance such costs through an increase in the fee mortgage, and (2) allows for the increased mortgage charges to be paid by Lessor from an equivalent increase in basic rent paid by the Company, all to the extent the Company joins Lessor in approving such mortgage increase. Since additional rent will be decreased by one-half of that increase in basic rent, the net effect of the lease modification is to have the Company and Lessor share the costs of the Program equally, assuming the Companys profitability continues to obligate it to pay overage rent.
F-113
In connection with the Loan, the Company has assigned all subleases and rents to the lender as additional collateral.
The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments as of December 31, 2012 assuming there are no additional principal drawdowns, the Loan continues to bear interest at the aggregate rate in effect as of December 31, 2012 and the Loan is repaid on its initial maturity date):
2013 |
$ | 10,250,000 | ||
2014 |
9,460,000 | |||
2015 |
5,900,000 | |||
2016 |
5,900,000 | |||
2017 |
5,900,000 | |||
Thereafter |
342,010,000 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 379,420,000 | |||
|
|
Due from Supervisor at December 31, 2012 and 2011 of $300,000 and $300,000, respectively, represents cash held on our behalf by the Supervisor.
Due to Lessor at December 31, 2012 of $11,913,872 represents advances made for building improvements made on its behalf. Due from Lessor at December 31, 2011 of $6,067,806 represents unpaid outlays for building improvements made on its behalf.
Distributions are paid from a cash account held by Malkin Holdings. That account is reflected on the balance sheet as Due from Supervisor.
Supervisory and other services are provided to the Company by its Supervisor, Malkin Holdings LLC (Malkin Holdings), a related party.
Beneficial interests in the Company are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
Fees and payments to Malkin Holdings during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Basic supervisory fees |
$ | 591,567 | $ | 583,368 | ||||
Offering costs for work done by the employees of the Supervisor |
1,064,025 | * | 983,027 | * | ||||
Other fees and disbursements |
335,717 | * | 660,318 | * | ||||
Service fee on security deposit accounts |
31,528 | 24,610 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 2,022,837 | $ | 2,251,323 | ||||
|
|
|
|
* | Offering costs for work done by the employees of the Supervisor and other fees and disbursements are included within professional fees in the Consolidated Statements of Income. |
For administration and investment of each tenant security deposit account, Malkin Holdings has earned since 1973 a service fee of 1% of the account balance, which fee totaled $31,528 and $24,610 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As this service fee is deducted from interest otherwise payable to tenants, these financial statements show no related expense to the Company.
Through December 31, 2012, the Company has been charged an aggregate of $16,297,266, $7,894,232 for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in acquisition fees and professional fees, of which $1,697,050 is
F-114
included in accrued liabilities at December 31, 2012, to reimburse Malkin Holdings for services and third-party fees it had advanced in connection with a proposed consolidation of the Company, other public and private entities supervised by Malkin Holdings and Malkin Holdings and certain affiliated management companies into Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a newly formed real estate investment trust (collectively the Consolidation) and the initial public offering of Class A common stock of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (the IPO). Prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, acquisition fees were capitalized. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that such costs should be written off and charged to expense. Such fees are borne entirely by the Company and are not shared indirectly with the Lessor through Overage Rent deductions. If the Consolidation and IPO is completed, the Company will be reimbursed for all such costs from the proceeds of the IPO.
Under separate agreements to which the Company is not a party, Malkin Holdings, members of Mr. Malkins immediate family and other persons having no management role or ownership interest in Malkin Holdings receive additional payments from investors in the Company in varying percentages, based upon current year distributions. These third party payments do not impose any obligation upon the Company or affect its assets and liabilities.
Malkin Holdings also serves as supervisor for the Companys Lessor and receives from Lessor a basic annual fee and a payment in respect of a profits interest based on distributions to Lessors investors. Beneficial interests in Lessor are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
7. Rental Income Under Operating Subleases
Future minimum rentals (including antenna license fees) assuming neither renewals nor extensions of leases which may expire during the periods, on noncancelable operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:
2013 |
$ | 100,470,000 | ||
2014 |
106,640,000 | |||
2015 |
103,650,000 | |||
2016 |
92,670,000 | |||
2017 |
89,380,000 | |||
Thereafter |
565,910,000 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 1,058,720,000 | |||
|
|
At December 31, 2012, two tenants, a consumer goods sourcing company and a fragrance company comprised approximately 48% of future minimum rental income. There were no other tenants which comprised over 10% of the future minimum rental income.
In connection with a lease entered into during 2008, the Company was required to escrow funds for the Companys contribution for improvement work to be performed. These funds will be disbursed as the work is completed (as defined).
In March 2012, the Company concluded an agreement with New York City for a reduction in real estate taxes for the tax years 2002/2003 2011/2012 resulting in gross tax savings of approximately $16,900,000, of which approximately $12,400,000 was in the form of a refund and the balance through future tax reductions to be phased in through 2015/2016. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a real estate tax refund of $10,131,396 which is net of professional fees totaling $1,736,018 (including $867,505 paid to Malkin Holdings) and $510,337 of real estate tax escalation rent over-billings (resulting from the tax reduction) due to existing tenants.
F-115
8. Leasing Agreements
The Company has engaged Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) as leasing agent for the non-retail space of the Property. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, NKF commissions capitalized by the Company totaled approximately $1,166,000 and $-0- respectively.
The Company has engaged CB Richard Ellis, Inc. (CBRE) as leasing agent for the retail space of the Property. There were no CBRE leasing commissions incurred for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, CBRE commissions capitalized by the Company totaled $986,000 and $-0- respectively.
9. Multiemployer Pension Plan
The Company contributes to a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees. The risks of participating in the multiemployer plan are different from a single-employer plan in the following aspects:
|
Assets contributed to the multiemployer defined plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. |
|
If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. |
|
If the Company chooses to stop participating in its multiemployer plan, the Company may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. |
The union which has significant employees and costs is as follows:
32BJ
The Company participates in the Building Service 32BJ, or Union, Pension Plan and Health Plan. The Pension Plan is a multi-employer, non-contributory defined benefit pension plan that was established under the terms of collective bargaining agreements between the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ, the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc. and certain other employees. This Pension Plan is administered by a joint board of trustees consisting of union trustees and employer trustees and operates under employer identification number 13-1879376. The Pension Plan year runs from July 1 to June 30. Employers contribute to the Pension Plan at a fixed rate on behalf of each covered employee. Separate actuarial information regarding such pension plans is not made available to the contributing employers by the union administrators or trustees, since the plans do not maintain separate records for each reporting unit. However, on September 28, 2012 and 2011, the actuary certified that for the plan years beginning July 1, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Pension Plan was in critical status under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The Pension Plan trustees adopted a rehabilitation plan consistent with this requirement. No surcharges have been paid to the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2012. For the years ended December 31, 2012, and 2011, the Pension Plan received contributions from employers totaling approximately $212,741,000, and $201,266,000, respectively.
The Health Plan was established under the terms of collective bargaining agreements between the Union, the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc. and certain other employers. The Health Plan provides health and other benefits to eligible participants employed in the building service industry who are covered under collective bargaining agreements, or other written agreements, with the Union, The Health Plan is administered by a Board of Trustees with equal representation by the employers and the Union and operates under employer identification number 13-2928869. The Health Plan receives contributions in accordance with collective bargaining agreements or participation agreements. Generally, these agreements provide that the employers contribute to the Health Plan at a fixed rate on behalf of each covered employee. For the years ended
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December 31, 2012, and 2011, the Health Plan received contributions from employers totaling approximately $893,329,000 and $843,205,000, respectively.
Terms of Collective Bargaining Agreements
The most recent collective bargaining agreement for Local 32BJ commenced from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015 (prior agreement was from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011).
Contributions we made to the multiemployer plans for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are included in the table below:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Benefit Plan |
||||||||
Pension plans (pension and annuity)* |
$ | 1,640,100 | $ | 1,526,796 | ||||
Health plans** |
4,106,861 | 3,735,727 | ||||||
Other*** |
114,964 | 162,554 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total plan contributions |
$ | 5,861,925 | $ | 5,425,077 | ||||
|
|
|
|
* | Pension plans include $266,075 and $348,207 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, from multiemployer plans not discussed above. |
** | Health plans include $638,509 and $475,484 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, from multiemployer plans not discussed above. |
*** | Other includes $20,969 and $15,602 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, from multiemployer plans not discussed above for union costs which were not itemized between pension and health plans. |
10. Pension Plan
The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan (the Plan) which covers substantially all employees of the Company who meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Plan documents.
The Plan allows the Company to make discretionary employer contributions. There were no employer contributions for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. The Plan may be terminated at the option of the Company.
11. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents (including tenants security deposits and tenant improvement escrows), accounts receivable, rent receivable, due from Lessor, due from Supervisor, tenant security deposit payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, deferred income and overage rent due to Lessor are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values, due to the short maturities of the instruments. Loans receivable are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values at inception due to no known changes in the credit worthiness of the borrowers. Loans receivable are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values on the basis of estimated market interest rates for loans of comparable quality and maturity.
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12. Observatory Operations
The operations of the Empire State Building Observatory are summarized as follows:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Income: |
||||||||
Admissions |
$ | 83,738,541 | $ | 72,992,182 | ||||
Ancillary income |
581,272 | 295,442 | ||||||
Credit card and other sales fees |
(1,178,254 | ) | (1,116,105 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Income |
83,141,559 | 72,171,519 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating Expenses: |
||||||||
Payroll and related costs |
15,683,395 | 15,620,010 | ||||||
Advertising |
2,578,300 | 2,589,864 | ||||||
Commercial rent and other taxes |
918,848 | 835,500 | ||||||
Repairs and maintenance |
638,213 | 457,918 | ||||||
Professional fees |
1,278,007 | 1,183,622 | ||||||
Administrative |
658,041 | 522,311 | ||||||
Bad debts |
101,783 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Operating Expenses |
21,856,587 | 21,209,225 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
*Operating Income |
61,284,972 | 50,962,294 | ||||||
Income Tax Benefit |
1,148,000 | 1,200,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income prior to income received directly by Empire State Building Company L.L.C. |
62,432,972 | 52,162,294 | ||||||
Revenue received directly by Empire State Building Company L.L.C.: |
||||||||
Observatory license fees |
5,315,739 | 4,869,531 | ||||||
Photography income |
2,741,518 | 2,590,487 | ||||||
Audio tour income |
123,031 | 170,544 | ||||||
Other income |
548,373 | 760,365 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Observatory Income, net |
$ | 71,161,633 | $ | 60,553,221 | ||||
|
|
|
|
* | Prior to rent paid and profit sharing to ESB which eliminates in consolidation. |
13. Litigation
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings. While it is not possible to ascertain with certainty the ultimate outcome of such matters, in managements opinion, the liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts provided or covered by insurance, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
(1) 1997 Arbitration/Litigation Proceeding
Malkin Holdings and Peter L. Malkin, a member in the Company, were engaged in a proceeding with Helmsley-Spear, Inc. commenced in 1997, concerning the management, leasing and supervision of the Property, in which Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin sought an order removing Helmsley-Spear. In this connection, certain costs for legal and professional fees and other expenses were paid by Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin. Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin have represented that such costs will be recovered only to the extent that (a) a competent tribunal authorizes payment by the Company or (b) an investor voluntarily agrees that his or her proportionate share be paid. Mr. Malkin has requested, or intends to request, such voluntary agreement from all investors, which may include renewing such request in the future for any investor who previously received such request and failed to confirm
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agreement at that time. Because any related payment has been, or will be, made only by consenting investors, the Company has not provided for the expense and related liability with respect to such costs in these consolidated financial statements and such consent has not been received at December 31, 2012.
The original action was commenced in June 1997 and was referred to arbitration. The March 30, 2001 decision of the Arbitrators, which was confirmed by the court, (i) reaffirmed the right of the investors to vote to terminate Helmsley-Spear without cause, (ii) dismissed Helmsley-Spears claims against Malkin Holdings and Peter Malkin, and (iii) rejected the termination of Helmsley-Spear for cause. The parts of the decision under appeal were initially affirmed by the Appellate Division, and the New York Court of Appeals declined to review such ruling. On October 6, 2003, the United States Supreme Court granted Malkin Holdings petition, vacated the judgment of the Appellate Division and remanded the case to the New York court.
On October 14, 2004, the Appellate Division issued a unanimous decision reversing the Arbitrators. The Appellate Division decided (i) that there was a covert assignment without the Companys knowledge or consent and (ii) that the corporation controlled by Irving Schneider and now named Helmsley-Spear, which had represented itself to be the Companys managing agent since September 1997, in fact never received a valid assignment to become the Companys managing agent. The Companys previously authorized managing agent, the original corporation named Helmsley-Spear, was owned by Harry B. Helmsley and had become inactive. On February 21, 2006, the Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Appellate Division and reinstated the decision of the Arbitrators, including items (i), (ii) and (iii) in the preceding paragraph. On July 21, 2006, Malkin Holdings filed a certiorari petition seeking review by the U.S. Supreme Court, which it later withdrew as part of the August 29, 2006 settlement agreement terminating claims broadly by exchange of general releases between Helmsley-Spear, Irving Schneider, and their related parties, on one hand, and Leona M. Helmsley, Peter L. Malkin, Malkin Holdings, various property owners supervised by Malkin Holdings, and their related parties, on the other.
(2) 1998-2002 Irving Schneider Actions against the Companys Supervisor and Member
In January 1998, Irving Schneider, who was then one of the controlling principals of Helmsley-Spear and has never had a record or beneficial interest in the Company, brought litigation against the Companys supervisor, Malkin Holdings, and member, Peter L. Malkin, claiming misconduct and seeking damages and disqualification from performing services for the Company. In March 2002, the court dismissed Mr. Schneiders claims. Although Mr. Schneider thereafter appealed the dismissal, the claim was withdrawn prior to 2006.
Also in April 2002, an attorney whose fees were reportedly paid by Mr. Schneider submitted to the Departmental Disciplinary Committee of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department, copies of Mr. Schneiders complaints in the foregoing and related litigation with such attorneys letter asserting that the activities of Mr. Malkin and Malkin Holdings, as alleged in those complaints, violated the Code of Professional Responsibility. No action was ever taken by the Disciplinary Committee against Mr. Malkin or Malkin Holdings regarding any of these matters.
During 2002, acting upon a complaint of Mr. Schneider and his attorney, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office conducted an investigation of Mr. Malkin and Malkin Holdings regarding Malkin Holdings receipt of a 1% fee for administering the tenant security accounts of the Company and other supervised entities. Malkin Holdings made submissions through counsel to show that the fee was expressly permitted under statute and was in accord with prior agreement. By letter dated July 23, 2002, the District Attorneys Office advised that it had concluded its investigation and that no charge would be brought against Mr. Malkin or Malkin Holdings.
In accord with a written legal opinion from Thelen Reid & Priest dated April 29, 2005, both Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin are entitled to reimbursement from the Company for their expenses to various service providers (including Dewey, Pegno & Kramarsky and Malkin Holdings) in the successful defense against all these Section (2) claims to the extent relating to the Company, as follows: (a) $238,069 for the successful defense
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against the 1998-2002 litigations, (b) $39,621 for the successful defense against Mr. Schneiders complaint to the District Attorney, and (c) $13,827 for the successful defense against the related complaint to the Disciplinary Committee. These reimbursements were deferred without any charge for interest until the Companys operations were stabilized and its cash and borrowing position permitted payment in June 2008.
All reimbursed expenses funded by the Company under this Section (2) were deducted in computing Overage Rent under the Lease with the Companys Lessor. Accordingly, the Company effectively bore only 50% of such expenses.
(3) 2006 Settlement Agreement
As stated above, the August 29, 2006 settlement agreement terminated Helmsley-Spear, Inc. as managing and leasing agent at the Property as of August 30, 2006. The Company is now self-managing the Property, while engaging third party leasing agents, CB Richard Ellis, Inc. for retail space since August 30, 2006 and Newmark Knight Frank for non-retail space since October 21, 2009.
Based upon relative building area and revenue among all the properties at which Helmsley-Spear was terminated pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Companys allocable share of the contract settlement payment was $3,056,000. Such amount was funded during 2006 with $1,834,000 from the Companys cash reserves and $1,222,000 by a capital contribution to the Company from Mrs. Helmsley. There was no change in Mrs. Helmsleys share of the Companys distributions and profits as a result of such capital contribution, but an equivalent amount of the settlement expense was allocated to her.
The Companys allocable share of the fees to service providers (including Dewey, Pegno & Kramarsky and Malkin Holdings) in connection with the settlement and related transition is $405,174, including preparation of a draft solicitation for a vote to remove Helmsley-Spear, submission to the Real Estate Board of New York of claims regarding Helmsley-Spear, negotiation and conclusion of the settlement agreement, and conclusion of a new leasing agreement with CB Richard Ellis. These fees were advanced by Malkin Holdings without any charge for interest and, pursuant to consent of the Companys members, reimbursed by the Company in June 2008.
The expenses funded by the Company under this Section (3) were deducted in computing Overage Rent under the Lease with the Companys Lessor. Accordingly, the Company effectively bore only 50% of such expenses.
(4) Class Action Lawsuits challenging the Consolidation
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by participants in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (ESBA) and several other entities supervised by Malkin Holdings (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs assert claims against Malkin Holdings, Malkin Properties, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., Malkin Construction Corp., Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They allege, among other things, that the terms of the Consolidation and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the participants, the Consolidation provides excessive benefits to Malkin Holdings and its affiliates and the then-draft prospectus/consent solicitation filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully informed decision about the proposed Consolidation. The complaints seek money damages and injunctive relief preventing the proposed Consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co-lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012. Furthermore, an underlying premise of the Class Actions, as noted in discussions among plaintiffs counsel and defendants counsel, was that the Consolidation had been structured in such a manner that would cause the participants in ESBA, 60 East 42nd St. Associates, LLC and 250 West 57 th St. Associates, LLC (the subject LLCs) immediately to incur substantial tax liabilities.
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The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The Stipulation of Settlement recites that the Consolidation was approved by overwhelming consent of the participants in the private entities. The Stipulation of Settlement states that counsel for the plaintiff class satisfied themselves that they have received adequate access to relevant information, including the independent valuers valuation process and methodology, that the disclosures in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, are appropriate, that the transaction presents potential benefits, including the opportunity for liquidity and capital appreciation, that merit the participants serious consideration and that each of the named class representatives intends to support the transaction as modified. The Stipulation of Settlement further states that counsel for the plaintiff class are satisfied that the claims regarding tax implications, enhanced disclosures, appraisals and exchange values of the properties that would be consolidated into Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., and the interests of the participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities, have been addressed adequately, and they have concluded that the settlement pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and opportunity to consider the proposed transaction on the basis of revised consent solicitations are fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the plaintiff class.
The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement include, among other things (i) a payment of $55 million, with a minimum of 80% in cash and maximum of 20% in freely-tradable shares of common stock and/or freely-tradable operating partnership units to be distributed, after reimbursement of plaintiffs counsels court-approved expenses and payment of plaintiffs counsels court-approved attorneys fees and, in the case of shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units, after the termination of specified lock-up periods, to participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities pursuant to a plan of allocation to be prepared by counsel for plaintiffs; (ii) defendants agreement that (a) the IPO will be on the basis of a firm commitment underwriting; (b) if, during the solicitation period, any of the three subject LLCs percentage of total exchange value is lower than what is stated in the final prospectus/consent solicitation by 10% or more, such decrease will be promptly disclosed by defendants to participants in the subject LLCs; and (c) unless total gross proceeds of $600,000,000 are raised in the IPO, defendants will not proceed with the transaction without further approval of the subject LLCs; and (iii) defendants agreement to make additional disclosures in the prospectus/consent solicitation regarding certain matters (which are included therein). Participants in the subject LLCs and private entities will not be required to bear any portion of the settlement payment. The payment in settlement of the Class Actions will be made by the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley and affiliates of Malkin Holdings (provided that none of Malkin Holdings affiliates that would become a direct or indirect subsidiary of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. in the Consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain participants in the private entities who agree to contribute. Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. will not bear any of the settlement payment.
The settlement further provides for the certification of a class of participants in the three subject LLCs and all of the private entities, other than defendants and other related persons and entities, and a release of any claims of the members of the class against the defendants and related persons and entities, as well as underwriters and other advisors. The release in the settlement excludes certain claims, including but not limited to, claims arising from or related to any supplement to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that is declared effective to which the plaintiffs counsel objects in writing, which objection will not be unreasonably made or delayed, so long as plaintiffs counsel has had adequate opportunity to review such supplement. The settlement was subject to court approval. It is not effective until such court approval is final, including the resolution of any appeal. Defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the allegations in the Class Actions.
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of such settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing.
On January 28, 2013, six participants in ESBA filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross-moved to intervene in the Class Actions and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of ESBA participants.
F-121
On February 21, 2013 the court denied the cross motion of such objecting participants, and the court denied permission for such objecting participants to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Actions but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non-consenting participants in ESBA of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting participants assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in the Supervisors favor, holding that the buyout provisions of the participation agreements with respect to ESBA are legally binding and enforceable and that participants do not have the rights that they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the Class Actions settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are participants in all of the subject LLCs and private entities included in the Consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the Consolidation or IPO. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15.0 million in fees and $295,895 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11.59 million in fees and $265,282 in expenses.
The participants who challenged the buyout provision appealed the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, Malkin Holdings filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same participants filed additional notices of appeal from the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. They appealed (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the Consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class action on behalf of ESBA participants; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. The timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful, cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material and adverse effect on Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Empire State Realty OP, L.P. or Malkin Holdings and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting participants have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if the defendants lose. The timing or outcome of an appeal cannot be predicted. If the courts decision were
F-122
reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company, including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
There is a risk that other third parties will assert claims against Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Empire State Realty OP, L.P. or Malkin Holdings, including, without limitation, that our supervisor breached its fiduciary duties to investors in the existing entities or that the Consolidation violates the relevant operating agreements, and third parties may commence litigation against Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Empire State Realty OP, L.P. or Malkin Holdings.
14. Subsequent Events
Overage Rent of $24,199,368 was paid to Associates, $2,000,000 on January 11, 2013 and $22,199,368 on March 4, 2013. On March 8, 2013, out of such Overage Rent, $13,254,000 was distributed to the Participants in Associates and $846,000 was paid to Malkin Holdings, representing the balance of its additional payment for 2012.
An additional $50,000,000 was drawn on the Secured Term Loan on February 26, 2013 bringing the total amount advanced to $269,000,000.
The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through March 28, 2013 the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
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Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
June 30, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Property at cost: |
||||||||
Leasehold improvements |
$ | 176,066,431 | $ | 176,313,109 | ||||
Subtenant improvements |
68,924,235 | 70,255,123 | ||||||
Leasehold |
99,150 | 99,150 | ||||||
Equipment |
5,984,449 | 5,002,576 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
251,074,265 | 251,669,958 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
61,374,775 | 56,365,487 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Property |
189,699,490 | 195,304,471 | ||||||
Other Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
17,109,238 | 25,514,656 | ||||||
Cash restricted tenants security deposits |
9,498,518 | 9,421,191 | ||||||
Cash tenant improvement escrow |
9,099,159 | 15,374,241 | ||||||
Accounts receivable net |
3,263,544 | 3,932,682 | ||||||
Rent receivable net |
2,860,678 | 3,056,141 | ||||||
Unbilled rent receivable net |
64,800,247 | 56,665,930 | ||||||
Loans receivable |
1,196,358 | 1,115,356 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
15,941,075 | 16,158,302 | ||||||
Deferred charges and other deferred costs, net of accumulated amortization |
13,386,818 | 14,410,558 | ||||||
Due from Lessor |
8,657,351 | | ||||||
Due from Supervisor |
300,000 | 300,000 | ||||||
Other assets |
35,365 | 231 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Assets |
$ | 335,847,841 | $ | 341,253,759 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities and Equity |
||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 9,981,811 | $ | 9,025,174 | ||||
Tenants security deposits payable |
9,498,518 | 9,421,191 | ||||||
Overage rent due to Lessor |
14,423,974 | 24,199,368 | ||||||
Due to Lessor |
| 11,913,872 | ||||||
Deferred income |
8,818,603 | 8,705,402 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Liabilities |
42,722,906 | 63,265,007 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Equity (Deficit): |
||||||||
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. members equity |
293,021,234 | 278,647,337 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest |
103,701 | (658,585 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Equity |
293,124,935 | 277,988,752 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Liabilities and Equity |
$ | 335,847,841 | $ | 341,253,759 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-124
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, |
2013 | 2012 | ||||||
Income: |
||||||||
Rent: |
||||||||
Minimum rental revenue |
$ | 42,633,023 | $ | 35,470,227 | ||||
Tenant reimbursements |
9,425,609 | 12,065,671 | ||||||
Antenna license fees |
8,435,524 | 9,013,538 | ||||||
Other |
2,336,869 | 2,392,773 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Rent |
62,831,025 | 58,942,209 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Real Estate Tax Refund net |
| 9,124,934 | ||||||
Observatory: |
||||||||
Revenue |
44,051,564 | 39,906,282 | ||||||
Expenses |
10,668,600 | 9,522,157 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Observatory Net Income |
33,382,964 | 30,384,125 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Income |
96,213,989 | 98,451,268 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating Expenses: |
||||||||
Basic rent expense |
5,896,269 | 4,787,284 | ||||||
Overage rent |
14,423,974 | 14,746,763 | ||||||
Real estate taxes |
14,887,315 | 15,332,256 | ||||||
Payroll and related costs |
12,118,398 | 11,238,345 | ||||||
Repairs and maintenance |
5,599,333 | 9,615,549 | ||||||
Utilities |
5,945,394 | 6,838,467 | ||||||
Supervisory fees |
313,889 | 300,216 | ||||||
Professional fees |
2,024,043 | 2,487,726 | ||||||
Insurance |
3,740,492 | 3,578,052 | ||||||
Advertising |
1,152,356 | 1,017,925 | ||||||
Cleaning |
1,492,281 | 1,247,212 | ||||||
Administrative |
999,175 | 981,606 | ||||||
Acquisition fees |
3,458,943 | 3,649,950 | ||||||
Depreciation |
6,311,458 | 5,906,091 | ||||||
Amortization |
975,170 | 912,499 | ||||||
Bad debts (recovery), net |
(26,105 | ) | 985,026 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Operating Expenses |
79,312,385 | 83,624,967 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating Income |
16,901,604 | 14,826,301 | ||||||
Interest and Dividend Income |
34,579 | 161,742 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Income |
16,936,183 | 14,988,043 | ||||||
Net Income of Affiliate Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest |
(762,286 | ) | (1,170,000 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Income Attributable to Empire State Building Company L.L.C. |
$ | 16,173,897 | $ | 13,818,043 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-125
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Year Ended December 31, 2012 and Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 |
Total |
Empire State
Building Company L.L.C. Members Equity |
Noncontrolling
Interest |
|||||||||
Equity (Deficit) January 1, 2012 |
$ | 250,357,813 | $ | 252,164,398 | $ | (1,806,585 | ) | |||||
Distributions 2012 |
(19,900,000 | ) | (19,900,000 | ) | | |||||||
Net Income 2012 |
47,530,939 | 46,382,939 | 1,148,000 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Equity (Deficit) January 1, 2013 |
277,988,752 | 278,647,337 | (658,585 | ) | ||||||||
Distributions 2013 (unaudited) |
(1,800,000 | ) | (1,800,000 | ) | | |||||||
Net Income 2013 (unaudited) |
16,936,183 | 16,173,897 | 762,286 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Equity (Deficit) June 30, 2013 |
$ | 293,124,935 | $ | 293,021,234 | $ | 103,701 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-126
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Six months Ended June 30, |
2013 | 2012 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 16,936,183 | $ | 14,988,043 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation |
6,341,010 | 5,906,091 | ||||||
Amortization |
975,170 | 912,499 | ||||||
Bad debts (recovery), net |
(26,105 | ) | 1,086,809 | |||||
Other |
294,414 | | ||||||
Net change in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Cash other escrow, net |
(77,327 | ) | (207,754 | ) | ||||
Accounts receivable |
669,138 | (1,229,559 | ) | |||||
Rent receivable |
221,568 | (1,277,800 | ) | |||||
Unbilled rent receivable |
(8,134,317 | ) | (3,683,242 | ) | ||||
Loans receivable |
(81,002 | ) | 59,485 | |||||
Prepaid expenses |
217,227 | 316,913 | ||||||
Overage rent due from/to Lessor |
(9,775,394 | ) | (14,033,685 | ) | ||||
Other assets |
(35,134 | ) | | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
1,826,371 | (8,175,689 | ) | |||||
Deferred income |
113,201 | (769,202 | ) | |||||
Tenants security deposits payable |
77,327 | 207,754 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities |
9,542,330 | (5,899,337 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
||||||||
Property additions |
(2,034,020 | ) | | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities |
(2,034,020 | ) | | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Members distributions |
(1,800,000 | ) | (18,100,000 | ) | ||||
Reimbursements from Lessor |
22,745,137 | 50,158,103 | ||||||
Outlays on behalf of Lessor |
(43,133,947 | ) | (34,649,267 | ) | ||||
Tenant improvement escrow net |
6,275,082 | (8,090,324 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities |
(15,913,728 | ) | (10,681,488 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
(8,405,418 | ) | (16,580,825 | ) | ||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents beginning of period |
25,514,656 | 32,210,735 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents end of period |
$ | 17,109,238 | $ | 15,629,910 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-Cash Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of property additions included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 182,413 | $ | 3,245,290 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-127
1. Organization and Nature of Business
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. (ESB) was originally organized on August 15, 1961 as a joint venture to lease and sublease the approximately 2,900,000 square foot office building and Observatory, more commonly known as the Empire State Building situated at 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, (the Property). At June 30, 2013, the Property was approximately 78% occupied. On April 2, 1971, ESB converted from a joint venture to a general partnership. On December 17, 2001, ESB converted from a general partnership to a New York limited liability company and is now known as Empire State Building Company L.L.C. Although limited liability companies are unincorporated associations, their members have limited personal liability for the obligations or debts of the entity similar to stockholders of a corporation.
ESB commenced operations on August 15, 1961 and is to continue until the earlier of the complete disposition of all of the Companys assets, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the Operating Agreement or by law.
On February 9, 1962, Empire State Building, Inc. (the Observatory or Inc.) was formed to sublease from ESB and operate the observation decks located on the 86 th and 102 nd floors of the Property. A new lease was entered into in 2010 (the 2010 Lease) under which Inc. acted as agent for a joint venture (the Joint Venture) owned 99% by ESB and 1% by Inc. The Joint Venture arrangement has no significant impact on the financial position or results of operations reported in the consolidated financial statements. The 2010 Lease expired on December 31, 2010 and was not renewed.
On January 1, 2011, ESB entered into a lease for the observation decks with Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC (formerly ESB Observatory LLC), a newly organized limited liability company owned 99% by ESB and 1% by ESB 102 Corporation (which, in turn, is owned 100% by ESB), for a five-year term commencing January 1, 2011 and expiring December 31, 2015. Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC is to pay fixed annual rent of $6,700,000, adjusted each year commencing 2012 to reflect the increase in the Consumer Price Index, plus additional rent, as defined in the lease. The new leasing arrangement does not have a significant impact on the financial position or results of operations reported in the consolidated financial statements.
On July 15, 2009, ESB Captive Insurance Company L.L.C. (the Captive) was formed in the State of Vermont, as a captive insurance company to insure the Property and business interruption risks of ESB and the Observatory, including, but not limited to, terrorism risks. The Captive was formed as a single member limited liability company, wholly owned by ESB. For income tax reporting purposes, a single member LLC is classified as a division of its member, accordingly, the single member LLCs taxable income or loss is reportable by its member. The Captive reinsures certain coinsurance amounts. There were no losses incurred through June 30, 2013.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and its wholly owned subsidiaries: ESB Captive Insurance Company L.L.C., ESB 102 Corporation, and Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC; and Empire State Building, Inc. (collectively, the Company).
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, for interim financial information. In the opinion of the Companys management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any interim period or the full year.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
F-128
The Company follows the provisions pertaining to noncontrolling interests of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810, Consolidation . A noncontrolling interest is the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Among other matters, the noncontrolling interest standards require that noncontrolling interests be reported as part of equity in the consolidated balance sheet (separately from the controlling interests equity). The noncontrolling interest standards also require companies to disclose the changes in the noncontrolling interest in the statement of equity or in a separate note to the financial statements; and require that net income include earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest with disclosure on the face of the statements of income of the amounts attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest.
The Companys interest in Empire State Building, Inc. is classified as a noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Variable interest entities Under FASB ASC 810, Consolidation, when a reporting entity (ESB) is the primary beneficiary of an entity that is a variable interest entity as defined in FASB ASC 810, the variable interest entity must be consolidated into the financial statements of the reporting entity. The determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE is based on a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis. An entity is required to consolidate a VIE if it has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entitys economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
Prior to January 1, 2011, ESB had determined that both Inc. and the Joint Venture were VIEs of which ESB was the primary beneficiary. As a result, ESB consolidated both the Joint Venture and Inc. at December 31, 2010, as ESB through its design of the Joint Venture and Inc. and its lease to the Joint Venture, had both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact both the Joint Venture and Inc.s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of both the Joint Venture and Inc. and the right to receive benefits from both the Joint Venture and Inc. that could be significant to both the Joint Venture and Inc.
On January 1, 2011, ESB deconsolidated the Joint Venture as a result of the expiration of the 2010 Lease.
The deconsolidation of the Joint Venture had no impact on ESBs consolidated balance sheets and statement of income as ESB owned 99% of the Joint Venture.
The aggregate assets, liabilities and deficit of Inc. as of June 30, 2013 were $4,574,414, $4,678,114, and $103,701 respectively, and net income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 consisted of an income tax benefit of $762,286. The liabilities of Inc. consist of approximately $4,470,000 of intercompany payable due to ESB, which eliminates in consolidation. The aggregate assets, liabilities and deficit of Inc. as of December 31, 2012 were $4,574,414, $5,232,999 and $(658,585), respectively, and net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 consisted of an income tax benefit of $1,148,000. The liabilities of Inc. consisted of $762,000 of income tax liability and approximately $4,470,000 of intercompany payable due to ESB, which eliminates in consolidation.
Revenue recognition:
Empire State Building Company L.L.C. Minimum rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the subleases. The excess of rents so recognized over amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying subleases is included in unbilled rents receivable on the accompanying balance sheets. Leases generally contain provisions under which tenants reimburse the Company for a portion of property operating expenses, real estate taxes and other recoverable costs. Receivables for escalation and expense reimbursements are accrued in the period to which they relate. Rental payments received before they are recognized as income are recorded as deferred income.
ESB provides an estimated allowance for uncollectible rent and loans receivable based upon an analysis of tenant and loan receivables and historical bad debts, tenant concentrations, tenant credit worthiness, tenant security
F-129
deposits (including letters of credit and lease guarantees provided by the tenant), current economic trends and changes in tenant payment terms. Rent receivable is shown net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts of $792,000 at June 30, 2013 ($1,359,000 at December 31, 2012). Unbilled rent receivable is shown net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts of $177,000 at June 30, 2013 ($830,000 at December 31, 2012).
Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC and Empire State Building, Inc. Revenues from the sale of Observatory tickets are recognized upon admission or ticket expiration. Deferred income related to unused and unexpired tickets as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was approximately $4,200,000 and $3,200,000, respectively.
Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC provides an estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable based upon an analysis of accounts receivable and historical bad debts, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in payment terms. Management believes no allowance is necessary for outstanding accounts receivable balances at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of six months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
At times the Company has demand and other deposits with a bank in excess of federally insured limits. The possibility of loss exists if the bank holding uninsured deposits were to fail.
Property The Company reviews real estate assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by those assets are less than the assets carrying amount. Impaired assets are recorded at their estimated fair value calculated based on the discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. No impairment loss has been recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
Depreciation and amortization Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of forty years for the leasehold improvements and seven years for equipment. The leasehold is being depreciated by the straight-line method over the term of the sublease. Subtenant improvements, leasing commissions and leasing costs are amortized by the straight-line method over the terms of the related tenant leases.
Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures which increase the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.
Sales tax Sales tax collected by ESB from tenants for sub-metered electricity is presented in the financial statements on a gross basis and, accordingly, included in revenue and expenses. Observatory admission ticket sales are reported net of sales tax and, accordingly, excluded from revenue and expenses.
Income taxes ESB and Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC are not subject to federal and state income taxes and, accordingly, make no provision for federal and state income taxes in the accompanying financial statements. ESBs rental operations are not subject to local income taxes. ESBs taxable income or loss (which includes the income or loss of the Captive) is reportable by its members.
Inc. has elected to be taxed under the Subchapter S provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable New York State income tax law effective January 1, 1971. Accordingly, the Company has not provided for federal or state income taxes since all income is passed through directly to the stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. ESB and Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC are subject to New York City Unincorporated Business tax which totaled approximately $440,000 and $386,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. ESB 102 Corporation is subject to federal, New York State and New York City corporation tax, which totaled approximately $35,000 and $18,500 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
F-130
The Company follows the provisions pertaining to uncertain tax positions of FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, which provides a financial statement recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under FASB ASC 740 the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may only be recognized if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Among other matters, FASB ASC 740 also provides guidance on accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has recorded a liability of $762,000 for uncertain tax positions, which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Companys consolidated balance sheet (including $262,000 of accrued interest and penalty). During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $762,286 and $1,170,000 (inclusive of reductions in interest and penalties of $262,286 and $380,000) as a component of Observatory Income, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The liability is based on amounts of possible outcomes, using facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. Interest and penalties are included as a component of income tax benefit on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Taxable years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are subject to IRS and other jurisdictions tax examinations.
Advertising The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of $1,979,968 and $2,213,636, respectively (inclusive of $827,612 and $1,195,711, respectively, incurred by Empire State Realty Observatory TRS, LLC), for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
Environmental costs The Property contains asbestos. The asbestos is appropriately contained, in accordance with current environmental regulations. As certain demolition of the space occurs, environmental regulations are in place, which specify the manner in which the asbestos must be handled and disposed. Because the obligation to remove the asbestos has an indeterminable settlement date, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the fair value of this obligation. Asbestos abatement costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company regards the allowance for uncollectible rents (including unbilled rent receivable) as being particularly sensitive. Further, when tenants experience financial difficulties, uncertainties associated with assessing the recoverability of subtenant improvements and leasing commissions increase.
Other items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the determination of the useful life of real estate and other long-lived assets as well as the valuation and impairment analysis of real property and other long-lived assets.
The real estate industry has historically been cyclical and sensitive to changes in economic conditions such as interest rates, credit availability and unemployment levels. Changes in these economic conditions could affect the assumptions used by management in preparing the accompanying financial statements.
New accounting pronouncements In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP. This ASU provides guidance setting forth additional requirements relating to disclosures about fair value. In accordance with the guidance the Company requires additional disclosures, including: (i) quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs, for Level 3 fair value measurements; (ii) fair value of financial instruments not measured at fair value but for which disclosure of fair
F-131
value is required, based on their levels in the fair value hierarchy; and (iii) transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. For nonpublic companies this ASC is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this update on January 1, 2012 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-9, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Multiemployer Plans (Subtopic 715-80): Disclosures about an Employers Participation in a Multiemployer Plan. The ASU requires substantially more disclosures regarding the multiemployer plan the Company participates in, the nature of the Companys commitment to the plan and other disclosures. The current recognition and measurement guidance is unchanged. For nonpublic companies this ASU is effective for annual periods for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2012.
3. Members Equity
Profits, losses and distributions are allocated to the members pursuant to the Companys Operating Agreement.
The Company must maintain minimum capital and surplus of $250,000 in accordance with Vermont captive insurance regulations.
4. Deferred Charges
Deferred charges consist of the following as of:
June 30, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Leasing commissions |
$ | 22,122,356 | $ | 22,617,759 | ||||
Leasing costs and other deferred costs |
955,564 | 1,002,978 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
23,077,920 | 23,620,737 | |||||||
Less accumulated amortization |
9,691,102 | 9,210,179 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 13,386,818 | $ | 14,410,558 | ||||
|
|
|
|
5. Loans Receivable
During 2010, the Company entered into lease modification agreements with two tenants which had rent receivable balances in arrears totaling $1,399,909. In addition, during 2013, the company entered into a lease modification agreement with one tenant which had rent receivable balances in arrears totaling $162,000. Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method and recognized on the accrual basis. As of June 30, 2013, loans receivable consist of the following:
Date of Loan |
Outstanding Principal
Balance |
Interest Rate | Maturity | |||||||||
February 28, 2010 |
$ | 904,256 | LIBOR (*) + 3.5% | December 1, 2024 | ||||||||
December 28, 2010 |
150,000 | Prime (**) + 3.0% | December 1, 2015 | |||||||||
March 31, 2013 |
142,102 | 3.0% | June 15, 2014 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
$ | 1,196,358 | |||||||||||
|
|
(*) | .2737% (three month LIBOR) at June 30, 2013. |
(**) | 3.25% at June 30, 2013. |
F-132
Future principal payments due are as follows:
2013 (six months ended December 31, 2013) |
$ | 142,000 | ||
2014 |
186,000 | |||
2015 |
128,000 | |||
2016 |
70,000 | |||
2017 |
73,000 | |||
2018 |
76,000 | |||
Thereafter |
521,358 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 1,196,358 | |||
|
|
6. Related Party Transactions
ESB (the Lessee) entered into a lease agreement with Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (the Lessor) which was set to expire on January 4, 2013. On February 11, 2010, the Company exercised the remaining lease renewal options for the period January 4, 2013 to January 4, 2076. The lease provides for an annual basic minimum rent equal to $6,018,750 through January 4, 2013; thereafter, the annual basic minimum rent is equal to $5,895,625.
In accordance with the 3 rd lease modification dated as of July 26, 2011, the minimum basic rent described above has been increased to cover debt service on the outstanding principal balance (in an amount not to exceed $159,000,000 without the Lessees consent) in excess of $60,500,000 on the Lessors $300,000,000 new mortgage Loan obtained July 26, 2011 (the Loan), of which $159,000,000 has been advanced as of December 31, 2011. Provided no event of default has occurred, and subject to other conditions, upon Lessors request, HSBC has also agreed to source further additional commitments aggregating up to $200,000,000 in the sole discretion of the lenders. Any further advances under the Loan are subject to the consent of Lessee.
On July 26, 2011, the Lessor closed on a new mortgage loan with HSBC Bank USA and other participating banks (the Lenders) with an initial advance of $159,000,000 to be used to pay and discharge all existing mortgage loans secured by the Property, to fund operations and working capital requirements relating to the Property (including for improvements) and certain other general purposes. Subject to the conditions set forth in the Loan agreement, the Lenders may provide the Lessor with additional advances of up to $76,000,000 and use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for additional commitments from other financial institutions in an aggregate amount equal to $65,000,000. On November 2, 2011 the Loan was amended to increase the loan amount to $300,000,000. An additional $30,000,000 was drawn on the Loan on April 5, 2012 bringing the total amount advanced to $189,000,000. Under the fourth modification of the sublease dated as of April 5, 2012, the Company agreed to an increase in basic rent to cover the debt service on such $30,000,000 draw. An additional $30,000,000 was drawn on the Loan on July 9, 2012 bringing the total amount advanced to $219,000,000. Under the fifth modification of the sublease dated as of July 9, 2012, the Company agreed to an increase in basic rent to cover the debt service on such $30,000,000 draw. An additional $50,000,000 was drawn on the Loan on February 26, 2013, bringing the total amount advanced to $269,000,000. Under the sixth modification of the sublease dated as of February 26, 2013, the Company agreed to an increase in basic rent to cover the debt service on such $50,000,000 draw. The Lessor must also maintain a debt yield as specified in the Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Loan, the outstanding principal amount of the loan shall bear interest at a rate equal to 2.5% per annum above 30-day LIBOR, unless such rate is not available, in which event the Loan would bear interest at 2.5% per annum in excess of (i) HSBCs prime rate or (ii) the BBA LIBOR Daily Floating Rate. The aggregate rate was 2.70% at June 30, 2013. The Lessor is obligated to repay the outstanding amount of the Loan plus accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts due under the Loan and related documents on July 26, 2014, which the Lessor may extend to July 26, 2015 and thereafter to July 26, 2016, in each case, subject to an extension fee of 0.25% of the total availability under the Loan at the time of such extension. Such extensions are subject to customary conditions, including the maintenance of a certain loan-to-value ratio and debt yield and the absence of an event of default. The Lessor incurred a prepayment penalty of approximately $2,400,000 in
F-133
connection with the repayment of the old notes. On October 11, 2012 the Secured Term Loan was amended to increase the Lenders respective commitments from an aggregate of $300,000,000 to an aggregate of $500,000,000 and provides that a condition for any advance in respect of such increased amount (in addition to the other conditions in the loan agreement) is the delivery of an updated appraisal to the effect that the Loan-To-Value Ratio (as defined in the loan agreement) does not then exceed 50%. Upon execution of the amendment, ESB paid the Lenders a facility fee of 0.75% of such increase ($1,500,000) and an arrangement fee of 0.25% of such increase ($500,000).
Improvement and tenanting costs funded out of the proceeds from the Lessors mortgage loans which are secured by the Property are borne by the Lessor and capitalized as property improvements or tenanting costs in the Lessors financial statements. Improvement and tenanting costs funded out of the ESBs operating cash flow are borne by ESB and are capitalized in its financial statements as leasehold improvements or tenanting costs.
In connection with the July 2011 refinancing of Lessors mortgage loans with the new $159,000,000 mortgage, approximately $58,000,000 became available to fund property improvements and tenanting costs allowing reimbursement to the Company subsequent to June 30, 2011 of approximately $34,000,000 it had incurred and recorded on its financial statements during the first six months of 2011 for fixed asset additions of $24,400,000 and deferred leasing costs of $9,600,000. The foregoing was effected in the third quarter of 2011 and resulted in 1) Companys removal of such asset additions and Lessors recording of same on its financial statements, and 2) Companys accrual of overage rent payable to the Lessor equal to approximately 50% thereof. Through June 30, 2013, the Company has incurred approximately $164,707,000 for improvements and tenanting costs.
In accordance with the 2 nd lease modification dated as of February 25, 2009, the minimum basic rent described above was increased to cover debt service on the Lessors $31,500,000 second mortgage loan obtained on February 25, 2009 that was repaid on July 26, 2011 with the proceeds from the Loan described above. The basic rent was increased to cover debt service, which consisted of only interest during the period the second mortgage loan was outstanding and totaled $1,132,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The lease also provides for additional rent (Overage Rent) through all renewal terms equal to 50% of the Lessees annual net operating profit, as defined, in excess of $1,000,000, in each lease year.
In addition to the above, the Lessee is required to pay for all operating and maintenance expenses, real estate taxes, and necessary repairs and replacements, and keep the Property adequately insured against fire and accident.
Beginning in 2008 when participants in the Lessor consented to a building improvements program (the Program), a program has been undertaken by the Company to maintain and enhance the Property, and its competitive position. Through June 30, 2013 the Company has incurred costs related to the Program of approximately $171,599,000 (which consisted of building improvements and tenant leasing costs of approximately $94,080,000 and $77,519,000, respectively), and the Lessor has incurred costs related to the Program of approximately $173,778,000 (which consisted of building improvements and tenant leasing costs of approximately $80,707,000 and $93,071,000, respectively). In addition, during the period from 2006-2008, the Company incurred building improvement costs of $15,684,000. The Company currently estimates that the total costs of all Program-related projects will be approximately $730,000,000 to $750,000,000. Lessor intends to seek additional financing to fund future Property improvements and tenanting costs.
The Company is financing the Program and billing the Lessor for certain costs incurred. The Program (1) grants the ownership of improvements and tenanting costs funded by Lessor to Lessor and acknowledges Lessors desire to finance such costs through an increase in the fee mortgage, and (2) allows for the increased mortgage charges to be paid by Lessor from an equivalent increase in basic rent paid by the Company, all to the extent the Company joins Lessor in approving such mortgage increase. Since additional rent will be decreased by one-half of that increase in basic rent, the net effect of the lease modification is to have the Company and Lessor share the costs of the Program equally, assuming the Companys profitability continues to obligate it to pay overage rent.
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In connection with the Loan, the Company has assigned all subleases and rents to the lender as additional collateral.
The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments as of June 30, 2013 assuming there are no additional principal drawdowns, the Loan continues to bear interest at the aggregate rate in effect as of June 30, 2013 and the Loan is repaid on its initial maturity date):
2013 (six months ended December 31, 2013) |
$ | 5,870,000 | ||
2014 |
9,120,000 | |||
2015 |
5,900,000 | |||
2016 |
5,900,000 | |||
2017 |
5,900,000 | |||
2018 |
5,900,000 | |||
Thereafter |
336,100,000 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 374,690,000 | |||
|
|
Due from Supervisor at June 30, 2013 and 2012 of $300,000 represents cash held on our behalf by the Supervisor.
Due from Lessor at June 30, 2013 of $8,657,351 represents unpaid outlays for building improvements made on its behalf. Due to Lessor at December 31, 2012 of $11,913,872 represents advances made for building improvements made on its behalf.
Distributions are paid from a cash account held by Malkin Holdings. That account is reflected on the balance sheet as Due from Supervisor.
Supervisory and other services are provided to the Company by its Supervisor, Malkin Holdings LLC (Malkin Holdings), a related party.
Beneficial interests in the Company are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
Fees and payments to Malkin Holdings during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, are as follows:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Basic supervisory fees |
$ | 305,004 | $ | 300,216 | ||||
Offering costs for work done by the employees of the Supervisor |
524,556 | * | 314,863 | * | ||||
Other fees and disbursements |
34,602 | * | 130,122 | * | ||||
Service fee on security deposit accounts |
20,070 | 14,801 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 884,232 | $ | 760,002 | ||||
|
|
|
|
* | Offering costs for work done by the employees of the Supervisor and other fees and disbursements are included within professional fees in the Consolidated Statements of Income. |
For administration and investment of each tenant security deposit account, Malkin Holdings has earned since 1973 a service fee of 1% of the account balance, which fee totaled $20,070 and $14,801 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As this service fee is deducted from interest otherwise payable to tenants, these financial statements show no related expense to the Company.
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Through June 30, 2013, the Company has been charged an aggregate of $20,597,703, $4,120,645 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 included in acquisition fees and professional fees, of which $2,990,808 is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at June 30, 2013, to reimburse Malkin Holdings for services and third-party fees it had advanced in connection with a proposed consolidation of the Company, other public and private entities supervised by Malkin Holdings and Malkin Holdings and certain affiliated management companies into Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a newly formed real estate investment trust (collectively the Consolidation) and the initial public offering of Class A common stock of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (the IPO). Prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, acquisition fees were capitalized. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that such costs should be written off and charged to expense. Such fees are borne entirely by the Company and are not shared indirectly with the Lessor through Overage Rent deductions. If the Consolidation and IPO is completed, the Company will be reimbursed for all such costs from the proceeds of the IPO.
Under separate agreements to which the Company is not a party, Malkin Holdings, members of Mr. Malkins immediate family and other persons having no management role or ownership interest in Malkin Holdings receive additional payments from investors in the Company in varying percentages, based upon current year distributions. These third party payments do not impose any obligation upon the Company or affect its assets and liabilities.
Malkin Holdings also serves as supervisor for the Companys Lessor and receives from Lessor a basic annual fee and a payment in respect of a profits interest based on distributions to Lessors investors. Beneficial interests in Lessor are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
7. Rental Income Under Operating Subleases
Future minimum rentals (including antenna license fees) assuming neither renewals nor extensions of leases which may expire during the periods, on noncancelable operating leases in effect as of June 30, 2013 are as follows:
2013 (six months ended December 2013) |
$ | 49,990,000 | ||
2014 |
118,080,000 | |||
2015 |
117,380,000 | |||
2016 |
106,000,000 | |||
2017 |
102,570,000 | |||
2018 |
93,340,000 | |||
Thereafter |
618,220,000 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 1,205,580,000 | |||
|
|
At June 30, 2013, two tenants, a consumer goods sourcing company and a fragrance company comprised approximately 46% of future minimum rental income. There were no other tenants which comprised over 10% of the future minimum rental income.
In connection with a lease entered into during 2008, the Company was required to escrow funds for the Companys contribution for improvement work to be performed. These funds will be disbursed as the work is completed (as defined).
In March 2012, the Company concluded an agreement with New York City for a reduction in real estate taxes for the tax years 2002/2003 2011/2012 resulting in gross tax savings of approximately $16,900,000, of which approximately $12,400,000 was in the form of a refund and the balance through future tax reductions to be phased in through 2015/2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded a real estate tax refund of $9,124,934 which is net of professional fees totaling $1,736,018 (including $867,505 paid to Malkin Holdings) and $510,337 of real estate tax escalation rent over-billings (resulting from the tax reduction) due to existing tenants.
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8. Leasing Agreements
The Company has engaged Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) as leasing agent for the non-retail space of the Property. There were no NKF leasing commissions incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
The Company has engaged CB Richard Ellis, Inc. (CBRE) as leasing agent for the retail space of the Property. There were no CBRE leasing commissions incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
9. Pension Plan
The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan (the Plan) which covers substantially all employees of the Company who meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Plan documents.
The Plan allows the Company to make discretionary employer contributions. Employer contributions were $28,567 and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Plan may be terminated at the option of the Company.
10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents (including tenants security deposits and tenant improvement escrows), accounts receivable, rent receivable, due from Lessor, due from Supervisor, tenant security deposit payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, deferred income and overage rent due to Lessor are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values, due to the short maturities of the instruments. Loans receivable are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values at inception due to no known changes in the credit worthiness of the borrowers. Loans receivable are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values on the basis of estimated market interest rates for loans of comparable quality and maturity.
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11. Observatory Operations
The operations of the Empire State Building Observatory are summarized as follows:
Six months Ended June 30, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Income: |
||||||||
Admissions |
$ | 39,813,936 | $ | 36,309,124 | ||||
Ancillary income |
679,643 | 83,821 | ||||||
Credit card and other sales fees |
(565,875 | ) | (517,170 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Income |
39,927,704 | 35,875,775 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating Expenses: |
||||||||
Payroll and related costs |
8,401,347 | 7,791,214 | ||||||
Advertising |
827,612 | 1,195,711 | ||||||
Commercial rent and other taxes |
730,766 | 617,745 | ||||||
Repairs and maintenance |
326,336 | 276,586 | ||||||
Professional fees |
357,371 | 372,392 | ||||||
Administrative |
846,048 | 336,726 | ||||||
Bad debts (recovery), net |
(88,146 | ) | 101,783 | |||||
Depreciation |
29,552 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Operating Expenses |
11,430,886 | 10,692,157 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
*Operating Income |
28,496,818 | 25,183,618 | ||||||
Income Tax Benefit |
762,286 | 1,170,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income prior to income received directly by Empire State Building Company L.L.C.: |
29,259,104 | 26,353,618 | ||||||
Revenue received directly by Empire |
||||||||
State Building Company L.L.C.: |
||||||||
Observatory license fees |
2,622,287 | 2,470,929 | ||||||
Photography income |
1,141,153 | 1,138,656 | ||||||
Audio tour income |
200,464 | 92,415 | ||||||
Other income |
159,956 | 328,507 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Observatory Income, net |
$ | 33,382,964 | $ | 30,384,125 | ||||
|
|
|
|
* | Prior to rent paid and profit sharing to ESB which eliminates in consolidation. |
12. Litigation
The Company is a party to certain routine legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, all such matters are adequately covered by insurance, or, if not so covered, are without merit or are of such kind or involve such amounts, that an unfavorable disposition would not have a material effect on the financial position of the Company.
(1) 1997 Arbitration/Litigation Proceeding
Malkin Holdings and Peter L. Malkin, a member in the Company, were engaged in a proceeding with Helmsley-Spear, Inc. commenced in 1997, concerning the management, leasing and supervision of the Property, in which Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin sought an order removing Helmsley-Spear. In this connection, certain costs for legal and professional fees and other expenses were paid by Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin. Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin have represented that such costs will be recovered only to the extent that (a) a competent tribunal authorizes payment or (b) an investor voluntarily agrees that his or her proportionate share be paid. Mr. Malkin has requested, or intends to request, such voluntary agreement from all investors, which may
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include renewing such request in the future for any investor who previously received such request and failed to confirm agreement at that time. Because any related payment has been, or will be, made only by consenting investors, the Company has not provided for the expense and related liability with respect to such costs in these financial statements.
The original action was commenced in June 1997 and was referred to arbitration. The March 30, 2001 decision of the Arbitrators, which was confirmed by the court, (i) reaffirmed the right of the investors to vote to terminate Helmsley-Spear without cause, (ii) dismissed Helmsley-Spears claims against Malkin Holdings and Peter Malkin, and (iii) rejected the termination of Helmsley-Spear for cause. The parts of the decision under appeal were initially affirmed by the Appellate Division, and the New York Court of Appeals declined to review such ruling. On October 6, 2003, the United States Supreme Court granted Malkin Holdings petition, vacated the judgment of the Appellate Division and remanded the case to the New York court.
On October 14, 2004, the Appellate Division issued a unanimous decision reversing the Arbitrators. The Appellate Division decided (i) that there was a covert assignment without the Companys knowledge or consent and (ii) that the corporation controlled by Irving Schneider and now named Helmsley-Spear, which had represented itself to be the Companys managing agent since September 1997, in fact never received a valid assignment to become the Companys managing agent. The Companys previously authorized managing agent, the original corporation named Helmsley-Spear, was owned by Harry B. Helmsley and had become inactive. On February 21, 2006, the Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Appellate Division and reinstated the decision of the Arbitrators, including items (i), (ii) and (iii) in the preceding paragraph. On July 21, 2006, Malkin Holdings filed a certiorari petition seeking review by the U.S. Supreme Court, which it later withdrew as part of the August 29, 2006 settlement agreement terminating claims broadly by exchange of general releases between Helmsley-Spear, Irving Schneider, and their related parties, on one hand, and Leona M. Helmsley, Peter L. Malkin, Malkin Holdings, various property owners supervised by Malkin Holdings, and their related parties, on the other.
(2) 1998-2002 Irving Schneider Actions against the Companys Supervisor and Member
In January 1998, Irving Schneider, who was then one of the controlling principals of Helmsley-Spear and has never had a record or beneficial interest in the Company, brought litigation against the Companys supervisor, Malkin Holdings, and member, Peter L. Malkin, claiming misconduct and seeking damages and disqualification from performing services for the Company. In March 2002, the court dismissed Mr. Schneiders claims. Although Mr. Schneider thereafter appealed the dismissal, the claim was withdrawn prior to 2006.
Also in April 2002, an attorney whose fees were reportedly paid by Mr. Schneider submitted to the Departmental Disciplinary Committee of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department, copies of Mr. Schneiders complaints in the foregoing and related litigation with such attorneys letter asserting that the activities of Mr. Malkin and Malkin Holdings, as alleged in those complaints, violated the Code of Professional Responsibility. No action was ever taken by the Disciplinary Committee against Mr. Malkin or Malkin Holdings regarding any of these matters.
During 2002, acting upon a complaint of Mr. Schneider and his attorney, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office conducted an investigation of Mr. Malkin and Malkin Holdings regarding Malkin Holdings receipt of a 1% fee for administering the tenant security accounts of the Company and other supervised entities. Malkin Holdings made submissions through counsel to show that the fee was expressly permitted under statute and was in accord with prior agreement. By letter dated July 23, 2002, the District Attorneys Office advised that it had concluded its investigation and that no charge would be brought against Mr. Malkin or Malkin Holdings.
In accord with a written legal opinion from Thelen Reid & Priest dated April 29, 2005, both Malkin Holdings and Mr. Malkin are entitled to reimbursement from the Company for their expenses to various service providers (including Dewey, Pegno & Kramarsky and Malkin Holdings) in the successful defense against all these Section (2) claims to the extent relating to the Company, as follows: (a) $238,069 for the successful defense against the
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1998-2002 litigations, (b) $39,621 for the successful defense against Mr. Schneiders complaint to the District Attorney, and (c) $13,827 for the successful defense against the related complaint to the Disciplinary Committee. These reimbursements were deferred without any charge for interest until the Companys operations were stabilized and its cash and borrowing position permitted payment in June 2008.
All reimbursed expenses funded by the Company under this Section (2) were deducted in computing Overage Rent under the Lease with the Companys Lessor. Accordingly, the Company effectively bore only 50% of such expenses.
(3) 2006 Settlement Agreement
As stated above, the August 29, 2006 settlement agreement terminated Helmsley-Spear, Inc. as managing and leasing agent at the Property as of August 30, 2006. The Company is now self-managing the property while engaging third party leasing agents, CB Richard Ellis, Inc. for retail space since August 30, 2006 and Newmark Knight Frank for non-retail space since October 21, 2009.
Based upon relative building area and revenue among all the properties at which Helmsley-Spear was terminated pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Companys allocable share of the contract settlement payment was $3,056,000. Such amount was funded during 2006 with $1,834,000 from the Companys cash reserves and $1,222,000 by a capital contribution to the Company from Mrs. Helmsley. There was no change in Mrs. Helmsleys share of the Companys distributions and profits as a result of such capital contribution, but an equivalent amount of the settlement expense was allocated to her.
The Companys allocable share of the fees to service providers (including Dewey, Pegno & Kramarsky and Malkin Holdings) in connection with the settlement and related transition is $405,174, including preparation of a draft solicitation for a vote to remove Helmsley-Spear, submission to the Real Estate Board of New York of claims regarding Helmsley-Spear, negotiation and conclusion of the settlement agreement, and conclusion of a new leasing agreement with CB Richard Ellis. These fees were advanced by Malkin Holdings without any charge for interest and, pursuant to consent of the Companys members, reimbursed by the Company in June 2008.
The expenses funded by the Company under this Section (3) were deducted in computing Overage Rent under the Lease with the Companys Lessor. Accordingly, the Company effectively bore only 50% of such expenses.
(4) Class action lawsuits challenging the consolidation.
In March 2012, five putative class actions, or the Class Actions, were filed in New York State Supreme Court, New York County by participants in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (ESBA) and several other entities supervised by Malkin Holdings (on March 1, 2012, March 7, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 14, 2012 and March 19, 2012). The plaintiffs assert claims against Malkin Holdings LLC, Malkin Properties, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc., Malkin Construction Corp., Anthony E. Malkin, Peter L. Malkin, the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and/or aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. They allege, among other things, that the terms of the Consolidation and the process by which it was structured (including the valuation that was employed) are unfair to the participants in the existing entities, the Consolidation provides excessive benefits to Malkin Holdings and its affiliates and the then-draft prospectus/consent solicitation filed with the SEC failed to make adequate disclosure to permit a fully informed decision about the proposed Consolidation. The complaints seek money damages and injunctive relief preventing the proposed Consolidation. The Class Actions were consolidated and co-lead plaintiffs counsel were appointed by the New York State Supreme Court by order dated June 26, 2012. Furthermore, an underlying premise of the Class Actions, as noted in discussions among plaintiffs counsel and defendants counsel, was that the Consolidation had been structured in such a manner that would cause participants in ESBA, 60 East 42 nd St. Associates L.L.C. and 250 West 57 th St. Associates L.L.C. (the subject LLCs) immediately to incur substantial tax liabilities.
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The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012, resolving the Class Actions. The Stipulation of Settlement recites that the Consolidation was approved by overwhelming consent of the participants in the private entities. The Stipulation of Settlement states that counsel for the plaintiff class satisfied themselves that they have received adequate access to relevant information, including the independent valuers valuation process and methodology, that the disclosures in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, are appropriate, that the Consolidation presents potential benefits, including the opportunity for liquidity and capital appreciation, that merit the participants serious consideration and that each of the named class representatives intends to support the Consolidation as modified. The Stipulation of Settlement further states that counsel for the plaintiff class are satisfied that the claims regarding tax implications, enhanced disclosures, appraisals and exchange values of the properties that would be consolidated into Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., and the interests of the participants in the subject LLCs and the private entities, have been addressed adequately, and they have concluded that the settlement pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and opportunity to consider the proposed Consolidation on the basis of revised consent solicitations are fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the plaintiff class.
The defendants in the Stipulation of Settlement denied that they committed any violation of law or breached any of their duties and did not admit that they had any liability to the plaintiffs.
The terms of the settlement include, among other things (i) a payment of $55 million, with plaintiffs counsels court-approved attorneys fees which are included within the $55,000,000 payment and, in the case of shares of common stock and/or operating partnership units, after the termination of specified lock-up periods, to participants in the subject LLCs, a minimum of 80% in cash and maximum of 20% in freely-tradable shares of common stock and/or freely-tradable operating partnership units to be distributed, after reimbursement of plaintiffs counsels court-approved expenses and payment of the subject LLCs and the private entities pursuant to a plan of allocation to be prepared by counsel for plaintiffs; (ii) defendants agreement that (a) the IPO will be on the basis of a firm commitment underwriting; (b) if, during the solicitation period of the subject LLCs, any of the three subject LLCs percentage of total exchange value is lower than what is stated in the final prospectus/consent solicitation statement by 10% or more, such decrease will be promptly disclosed by defendants to participants in the subject LLCs; and (c) unless total gross proceeds of $600,000,000 are raised in the IPO, defendants will not proceed with the Consolidation without further approval of the subject LLCs; and (iii) defendants agreement to make additional disclosures in the prospectus/consent solicitation regarding certain matters (which were included therein). The payment in settlement of the Class Actions will be made by the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley and affiliates of Malkin Holdings (provided that none of Malkin Holdings and its affiliates that would become a direct or indirect subsidiary of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. in the Consolidation will have any liability for such payment) and certain participants in the private entities who agree to contribute. Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. will not bear any of the settlement payment.
The settlement further provides for the certification of a class of participants in the three subject LLCs and all of the private entities, other than defendants and other related persons and entities, and a release of any claims of the members of the class against defendants and related persons and entities, as well as underwriters and other advisors. The release in the settlement excludes certain claims, including but not limited to, claims arising from or related to any supplement to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that is declared effective to which the plaintiffs counsel objects in writing, which objection will not be unreasonably made or delayed, so long as plaintiffs counsel has had adequate opportunity to review such supplement. The settlement is subject to court approval. It is not effective until such court approval is final, including the resolution of any appeal. Defendants continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the allegations in the Class Actions.
On January 18, 2013, the parties jointly moved for preliminary approval of such settlement, for permission to send notice of the settlement to the class, and for the scheduling of a final settlement hearing (collectively, preliminary approval).
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On January 28, 2013, six participants in ESBA filed an objection to preliminary approval, and cross-moved to intervene in the Class Action and for permission to file a separate complaint on behalf of ESBA participants. The court denied the cross motion of such objecting participants, and the court denied permission for such objecting participants to file a separate complaint as part of the Class Action, but permitted them to file a brief solely to support their allegation that the buyout would deprive non-consenting participants in ESBA of fair value in violation of the New York Limited Liability Company Law. The court rejected the objecting participants assertion that preliminary approval be denied and granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
Pursuant to a decision issued on April 30, 2013, the court rejected the allegation regarding the New York Limited Liability Company Law and ruled in the Supervisors favor, holding that such buyout provisions are legally binding and enforceable and that participants do not have the rights they claimed under the New York Limited Liability Company Law.
On May 2, 2013, the court held a hearing regarding final approval of the Class Actions settlement, at the conclusion of which the court stated that it intended to approve the settlement. On May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order. The court rejected the objections by all objectors and upheld the settlement in its entirety. Of the approximately 4,500 class members who are participants in all of the subject LLCs and private entities included in the Consolidation, 12 opted out of the settlement. Those who opted out will not receive any share of the settlement proceeds, but can pursue separate claims for monetary damages. They are bound by the settlement agreement regarding equitable relief, so they cannot seek an injunction to halt the Consolidation or IPO. The settlement will not become final until resolution of any appeal.
Also on May 17, 2013, the court issued its Opinion and Order on attorneys fees. Class counsel applied for an award of $15.0 million in fees and $295,895 in expenses, which the court reduced to $11.59 million in fees and $265,282 in expenses, which are included within the $55,000,000 payment.
The participants who challenged the buyout provision filed a notice of appeal of the courts April 30, 2013 decision and moved before the appellate court for a stay of all proceedings relating to the settlement, including such a stay as immediate interim relief. On May 1, 2013, their request for immediate interim relief was denied. On May 13, 2013, the Supervisor filed its brief in opposition to the motion for the stay. On June 18, 2013, the appellate court denied the motion for the stay. On July 16, 2013, these participants filed their brief and other supporting papers on their appeal of the April 30, 2013 decision, which is required to perfect the appeal.
In addition, on June 20, 2013, these same participants filed additional notices of appeal of the trial courts rulings in the Class Actions. These notices of appeals related to (i) the order entered February 22, 2013 granting preliminary approval of the Class Action settlement and setting a hearing for final approval; (ii) the order entered February 26, 2013, refusing to sign a proposed order to show cause for a preliminary injunction regarding the Consolidation; (iii) an order entered April 2, 2013, denying the motion to intervene and to file a separate class action on behalf ESBA participants; (iv) the order entered April 10, 2013, refusing to sign the order to show cause seeking to extend the deadline for class members to opt out of the Class Action settlement; (v) the Final Judgment and Order entered May 17, 2013; (vi) the order entered May 17, 2013 approving the Class Action settlement; and (vii) the order entered May 17, 2013 awarding class counsel attorneys fees and costs.
Any decision on the appeal on the New York Limited Liability Law issue could take many months. Malkin Holdings cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal process or any related relief, if such appeal were successful. If the courts decision were reversed by the appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., which could take the form of monetary damages or other equitable relief, and the court could order some or all of the relief that the objecting participants have requested, as described above. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
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As noted, class members who objected to the Class Action settlement filed notices of appeal from the courts decision to approve the Stipulation of Settlement. As a result, Malkin Holdings and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. may incur costs associated with defending any such appeal or paying any judgment if defendants lose. Malkin Holdings cannot predict the timing or outcome of an appeal. If the courts decision were reversed by an appellate court, there is a risk that it could have a material adverse effect on Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., including the imposition of monetary damages, injunctive relief or both. Although there can be no assurance, Malkin Holdings believes that the trial courts decision was correct, and that it will be upheld on appeal.
13. Subsequent Events
An additional $31,000,000 was drawn on the Secured Term Loan on August 26, 2013 bringing the total amount advanced to $300,000,000.
The Company has evaluated events and transactions or potential recognition or disclosure through September 18, 2013, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Shareholder of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses of 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (the Company) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses that are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the statements of revenues and certain expenses based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statements of revenues and certain expenses are free of material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the statements of revenues and certain expenses. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the statements of revenues and certain expenses, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entitys preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entitys internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the statements of revenues and certain expenses referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the revenues and certain expenses described in Note 2 to the financial statements of 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis of Accounting
As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the statements of revenues and certain expenses have been prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the registration statement on Form S-11 of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., and are not intended to be a complete presentation of the Companys revenue and expenses. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 10, 2013
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1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
(In Thousands)
For the six
months ended June 30, 2013 |
For the six
months ended June 30, 2012 |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 6,466 | $ | 6,329 | $ | 12,757 | $ | 13,156 | $ | 13,584 | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursements |
463 | 467 | 1,079 | 1,010 | 1,280 | |||||||||||||||
Other property income |
129 | 538 | 691 | 486 | 362 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenue Total |
7,058 | 7,334 | 14,527 | 14,652 | 15,226 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Certain expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental operating |
559 | 893 | 1,611 | 1,342 | 1,837 | |||||||||||||||
Utilities |
490 | 491 | 1,080 | 1,051 | 1,479 | |||||||||||||||
Repairs and maintenance |
255 | 339 | 561 | 602 | 771 | |||||||||||||||
Insurance |
118 | 99 | 210 | 175 | 139 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
1,070 | 1,046 | 2,116 | 2,266 | 2,440 | |||||||||||||||
Management fees |
70 | 68 | 141 | 132 | 121 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
168 | 172 | 345 | 374 | 312 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Certain Expenses Total |
2,730 | 3,108 | 6,064 | 5,942 | 7,099 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues in excess of certain expenses |
$ | 4,328 | $ | 4,226 | $ | 8,463 | $ | 8,710 | $ | 8,127 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
F-145
1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited) and
years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
The accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses include the operations of 1333 Broadway (the Property), an office property, located in New York, NY. The Property is owned by 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (the Company). The Predecessor of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. has a non-controlling 50% co-member interest in the Company, and the Property is supervised by Malkin Holdings LLC (formerly, Wien & Malkin LLC) (Malkin Holdings), a related party.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses have been prepared for the purpose of complying with Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, the statements are not representative of the actual results of operations for the periods presented as revenues and certain expenses, which may not be directly attributable to the revenues and expenses to be incurred in the future operations of the Property, have been excluded. Such excluded items include interest income, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, supervisory and related party fees and amortization of above and below market leases.
Revenue Recognition
Rental revenue includes base rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its respective lease and is reported on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the lease which includes the effects of rent steps and rent abatements under the leases. The Company commences 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, many of the leases contain fixed percentage increases over the base rent to cover escalations.
In addition to base rent, tenants also generally will pay their pro rata share of increases in real estate taxes and operating expenses for the building over a base year. In some leases, in lieu of paying additional rent based upon increases in building operating expenses, the tenant will pay additional rent based upon increases in the Consumer Price Index over the index value in effect during a base year. Rental revenue from month-to-month leases or leases with no scheduled rent increases or other adjustments is recognized on a monthly basis when earned.
Lease cancellation fees are recognized when the fees are determinable and collectability is reasonably assured, the Company has no continuing obligation to provide services to such former tenants and the payment is not subject to any conditions that must be met or waived. No lease cancellation fees were recognized for any of the periods presented.
Bad Debt Expense
The Company incurred bad debt expense, which is included in rental operating expenses in the accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses of $2,027, $8,143, $148,431, and $24,687 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and the six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. There was no bad debt expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
F-146
1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited) and
years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances may affect the reported revenues and certain expenses. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
NOTE 3. MINIMUM FUTURE LEASE RENTALS
The Company leases various office spaces to tenants over terms ranging from five to seventeen years. Certain leases have renewal options for additional terms. The leases provide for base monthly rentals and reimbursements for real estate taxes, escalations linked to the Consumer Price Index or common area maintenance known as operating expense escalation. Operating expense reimbursements are reflected in tenant expense reimbursements in the accompanying statements of revenue and certain expenses.
At December 31, 2012, the Company was entitled to the following future contractual minimum lease payments on non-cancellable operating leases to be received which expire on various dates through 2027 (in thousands):
2013 |
$ | 12,986 | ||
2014 |
13,077 | |||
2015 |
13,286 | |||
2016 |
13,229 | |||
2017 |
13,149 | |||
Thereafter |
69,098 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 134,825 | ||
|
|
NOTE 4. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Four tenants comprised approximately 83% of rental revenue for the year ended December 31, 2010. Four tenants comprised approximately 82% of rental revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011. Three tenants comprised approximately 80% of rental revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012. Three tenants comprised approximately 81% and 80% of rental revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012, respectively.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following expenditures are not reflected in the statements of revenues and certain expenses, but represent transactions between the Company and its supervisor, Malkin Holdings, a related party.
Supervisory and other professional services are provided to the Company by Malkin Holdings. Beneficial interests in the Company are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
For administration and investment of the Companys supervisory account, Malkin Holdings has earned since 1979 a service fee of 10% of the account interest.
F-147
1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited) and
years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
In addition to the above service fees, Malkin Holdings was reimbursed for certain expenses incurred in prior years relating to the successful defense against various claims by an investor and the final settlement agreement with Helmsley-Spear, Inc. Separately, Malkin Holdings and Peter L. Malkin have requested or intend to request voluntary reimbursement pro rata from each investor individually for certain other unreimbursed expenses advanced by them relating to the arbitration to remove and replace Helmsley-Spear, Inc. as managing agent for the Property. Such reimbursement would be paid only by consenting investors, and thus the Companys financial statements do not show any related cost or liability.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company entered into contracts with third parties for building repairs, alterations, or replacements. Some of these contracts may span more than one year in duration. The total amount of these commitments has not been determined.
The Company is not presently involved in any material litigation, nor, to our knowledge is any material litigation threatened against the Company, other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business such as disputes with tenants. The Company believes that the costs and related liabilities, if any, which may result from such actions will not materially affect the Companys operating results
NOTE 7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through September 18, 2013, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
F-148
Report of Independent Auditors
To the Shareholder of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses of 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (the Company) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses that are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the statements of revenues and certain expenses based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statements of revenues and certain expenses are free of material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the statements of revenues and certain expenses. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the statements of revenues and certain expenses, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entitys preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entitys internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the statements of revenues and certain expenses referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the revenues and certain expenses described in Note 2 to the financial statements of 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis of Accounting
As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the statements of revenues and certain expenses have been prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the registration statement on Form S-11 of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., and are not intended to be a complete presentation of the Companys revenue and expenses. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 10, 2013
F-149
1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses (In Thousands)
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the six
months ended June 30, 2013 |
For the six
months ended June 30, 2012 |
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 9,382 | $ | 8,842 | $ | 18,099 | $ | 16,564 | $ | 15,612 | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursements |
1,046 | 1,042 | 2,271 | 2,376 | 2,593 | |||||||||||||||
Other property income |
194 | 791 | 849 | 238 | 138 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenue Total |
10,622 | 10,675 | 21,219 | 19,178 | 18,343 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Certain expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental operating |
1,104 | 1,259 | 2,437 | 2,140 | 2,466 | |||||||||||||||
Utilities |
789 | 668 | 1,413 | 1,403 | 1,649 | |||||||||||||||
Repairs and maintenance |
527 | 669 | 882 | 1,151 | 1,088 | |||||||||||||||
Insurance |
81 | 98 | 177 | 161 | 140 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
1,734 | 1,658 | 3,391 | 3,241 | 2,960 | |||||||||||||||
Ground rent expense |
49 | 49 | 97 | 97 | 123 | |||||||||||||||
Management fees |
97 | 85 | 193 | 204 | 128 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
155 | 111 | 270 | 187 | 228 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Certain Expenses Total |
4,536 | 4,597 | 8,860 | 8,584 | 8,782 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues in excess of certain expenses |
$ | 6,086 | $ | 6,078 | $ | 12,359 | $ | 10,594 | $ | 9,561 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
F-150
1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
and years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
The accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses include the operations of 1350 Broadway (the Property), an office property, located in New York, NY. 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. (the Company) holds a long-term ground leasehold interest in the Property. The Predecessor of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. has a non-controlling 50% co-member interest in the Company, and the Property is supervised by Malkin Holdings LLC (formerly, Wien & Malkin LLC) (Malkin Holdings), a related party.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses have been prepared for the purpose of complying with Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, the statements are not representative of the actual results of operations for the periods presented as revenues and certain expenses, which may not be directly attributable to the revenues and expenses to be incurred in the future operations of the Property, have been excluded. Such excluded items include interest income, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, supervisory and related party fees and amortization of above and below market leases.
Revenue Recognition
Rental revenue includes base rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its respective lease and is reported on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the lease which includes the effects of rent steps and rent abatements under the leases. The Company commences 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, many of the leases contain fixed percentage increases over the base rent to cover escalations.
In addition to base rent, tenants also generally will pay their pro rata share of increases in real estate taxes and operating expenses for the building over a base year. In some leases, in lieu of paying additional rent based upon increases in building operating expenses, the tenant will pay additional rent based upon increases in the Consumer Price Index over the index value in effect during a base year. Rental revenue from month-to-month leases or leases with no scheduled rent increases or other adjustments is recognized on a monthly basis when earned.
Lease cancellation fees are recognized when the fees are determinable and collectability is reasonably assured, the Company has no continuing obligation to provide services to such former tenants and the payment is not subject to any conditions that must be met or waived. There were no cancellation fees for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Bad Debt Expense
The Company incurred bad debt expense, which is included in rental operating expenses in the accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses of $170,847, $70,800, $111,951, $76,958 and $82,593 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
F-151
1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
and years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances may affect the reported revenues and certain expenses. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
NOTE 3. MINIMUM FUTURE LEASE RENTALS
The Company leases various office spaces to tenants over terms ranging from three to sixteen years. Certain leases have renewal options for additional terms. The leases provide for base monthly rentals and reimbursements for real estate taxes, escalations linked to the Consumer Price Index or common area maintenance known as operating expense escalation. Operating expense reimbursements are reflected in tenant expense reimbursements in the accompanying statements of revenue and certain expenses.
At December 31, 2012, the Company was entitled to the following future contractual minimum lease payments on non-cancellable operating leases to be received which expire on various dates through 2025 (in thousands):
2013 |
$ | 17,776 | ||
2014 |
17,379 | |||
2015 |
16,099 | |||
2016 |
14,450 | |||
2017 |
13,938 | |||
Thereafter |
61,462 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 141,104 | ||
|
|
NOTE 4. GROUND LEASE
On July 30, 1965, a ground lease with an initial term ending July 31, 1976 with Aetna Life Insurance Company, as Lessor, (the Ground Lease) was assigned to the Company by 1350 Broadway Realty Corporation. On April 25, 1978, the Company exercised the second renewal option on the Ground Lease from August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2026 at an annual rent of $108,000. Aetna Life Insurance Company sold the fee title to GSL Enterprises, Inc. in 1983.
On August 23, 2010, the Company exercised an option to extend the Ground Lease for an additional term commencing on August 1, 2026 and expiring on July 31, 2050 at an annual rent of $72,000.
Minimum annual rentals are expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Rent expense was $97,387, $97,387 and $122,906 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $48,694 for each of the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, which is included in the accompanying statements of revenue and certain expenses.
F-152
1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
and years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Future minimum rents under the Ground Lease for each of the next five years and in the aggregate (through July 31, 2050) as of December 31, 2012 are (in thousands):
Years Ending December 31, |
Amount
(in thousands) |
|||
2013 |
$ | 108 | ||
2014 |
108 | |||
2015 |
108 | |||
2016 |
108 | |||
2017 |
108 | |||
Thereafter |
2,655 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 3,195 | ||
|
|
NOTE 5. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Two tenants comprised approximately 23%, 25%, 27%, 23% and 25% of rental revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
NOTE 6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following expenditures are not reflected in the statements of revenues and certain expenses, but represent transactions between the Company and its supervisor, Malkin Holdings, a related party.
Supervisory and other professional services are provided to the Company by Malkin Holdings. Beneficial interests in the Company are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
For administration and investment of the Companys supervisory account, Malkin Holdings has earned since 1978 a service fee of 10% of the account interest.
Under a separate agreement to which the Company is not a party, Malkin Holdings also receives additional payments in respect of its profits interest from certain investors in the Company based upon current year distributions in excess of an annual threshold. These third party payments do not impose any obligation upon the Company or affect its operations.
In addition to the above service fees, Malkin Holdings was reimbursed for certain expenses incurred in prior years relating to the successful defense against various claims by an investor and the final settlement agreement with Helmsley-Spear, Inc. Separately, Malkin Holdings and Peter L. Malkin have requested or intend to request voluntary reimbursement pro rata from each investor individually for certain other unreimbursed expenses advanced by them relating to the arbitration to remove and replace Helmsley-Spear, Inc. as managing agent for the Property. Such reimbursement would be paid only by consenting investors, and thus the Companys financial statements do not show any related cost or liability.
NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company entered into contracts with third parties for building repairs, alterations, or replacements. Some of these contracts may span more than one year in duration. The total amount of these commitments has not been determined.
F-153
1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
and years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
The Company is not presently involved in any material litigation, nor, to our knowledge is any material litigation threatened against the Company, other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business such as disputes with tenants. The Company believes that the costs and related liabilities, if any, which may result from such actions will not materially affect the Companys operating results.
NOTE 8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through September 18, 2013, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
F-154
Report of Independent Auditors
To the Shareholder of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses of 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. (the Company) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses that are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the statements of revenues and certain expenses based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statements of revenues and certain expenses are free of material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the statements of revenues and certain expenses. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the statements of revenues and certain expenses, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entitys preparation and fair presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entitys internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the statements of revenues and certain expenses.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the statements of revenues and certain expenses referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the revenues and certain expenses described in Note 2 to the financial statements of 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis of Accounting
As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the statements of revenues and certain expenses have been prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the registration statement on Form S-11 of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., and are not intended to be a complete presentation of the Companys revenue and expenses. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 10, 2013
F-155
501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
(In Thousands)
For the
six months ended June 30, 2013 |
For the
six months ended June 30, 2012 |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental revenue |
$ | 7,601 | $ | 7,680 | $ | 15,214 | $ | 14,717 | $ | 13,883 | ||||||||||
Tenant expense reimbursement |
1,130 | 1,243 | 3,083 | 2,831 | 3,429 | |||||||||||||||
Other property income |
134 | 285 | 530 | 164 | 170 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues Total |
8,865 | 9,208 | 18,827 | 17,712 | 17,482 | |||||||||||||||
Certain expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rental operating |
922 | 1,007 | 1,959 | 2,260 | 2,286 | |||||||||||||||
Utilities |
939 | 899 | 1,921 | 1,857 | 2,195 | |||||||||||||||
Repairs and maintenance |
458 | 425 | 878 | 846 | 1,062 | |||||||||||||||
Insurance |
75 | 66 | 133 | 147 | 133 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate taxes |
1,454 | 1,386 | 2,841 | 2,762 | 2,759 | |||||||||||||||
Management fees |
104 | 99 | 225 | 225 | 206 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
241 | 230 | 292 | 427 | 665 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Certain Expenses Total |
4,193 | 4,112 | 8,249 | 8,524 | 9,306 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues in excess of certain expenses |
$ | 4,672 | $ | 5,096 | $ | 10,578 | $ | 9,188 | $ | 8,176 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
F-156
501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
and years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
The accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses include the operations of 501 Seventh Avenue (the Property), an office property, located in New York, NY. The Property is owned by 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. (the Company). The Predecessor of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. has a non-controlling 20.5% co-member interest in the Company, and the Property is supervised by Malkin Holdings LLC (formerly, Wien & Malkin LLC) (Malkin Holdings), a related party. The Property is currently subject to a ground lease with Seventh and 37th Building Associates L.L.C. (Lessor), an affiliate of the Predecessor of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses have been prepared for the purpose of complying with Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, the statements are not representative of the actual results of operations for the periods presented as revenues and certain expenses, which may not be directly attributable to the revenues and expenses to be incurred in the future operations of the Property have been excluded. Such excluded items include interest income, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, ground rent (payable to affiliate), supervisory and related party fees and amortization of above and below market leases.
Revenue Recognition
Rental revenue includes base rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its respective lease and is reported on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the lease which includes the effects of rent steps and rent abatements under the leases. The Company commences 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, many of the leases contain fixed percentage increases over the base rent to cover escalations.
In addition to base rent, tenants also generally will pay their pro rata share of increases in real estate taxes and operating expenses for the building over a base year. In some leases, in lieu of paying additional rent based upon increases in building operating expenses, the tenant will pay additional rent based upon increases in the Consumer Price Index over the index value in effect during a base year. Rental revenue from month-to-month leases or leases with no scheduled rent increases or other adjustments is recognized on a monthly basis when earned.
Lease cancellation fees are recognized when the fees are determinable and collectability is reasonably assured, the Company has no continuing obligation to provide services to such former tenants and the payment is not subject to any conditions that must be met or waived. No lease cancellation fees were recognized for any of the periods presented.
Bad Debt Expense
The Company incurred bad debt expense, which is included in rental operating expenses in the accompanying statements of revenues and certain expenses, of $75, $345, $342, $25 and $85 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
F-157
501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
and years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances may affect the reported revenues and certain expenses. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
NOTE 3. MINIMUM FUTURE LEASE RENTALS
The Company leases various office spaces to tenants over terms ranging from one to fifteen years. Certain leases have renewal options for additional terms. The leases provide for base monthly rentals and reimbursements for real estate taxes, escalations linked to the Consumer Price Index or common area maintenance known as operating expense escalation. Operating expense reimbursements are reflected in tenant expense reimbursements in the accompanying statements of revenue and certain expenses.
At December 31, 2012, the Company was entitled to the following future contractual minimum lease payments on non-cancellable operating leases to be received which expire on various dates through 2026 (in thousands):
2013 |
$ | 15,242 | ||
2014 |
15,067 | |||
2015 |
14,208 | |||
2016 |
12,529 | |||
2017 |
7,483 | |||
Thereafter |
33,658 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 98,187 | ||
|
|
NOTE 4. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Two tenants comprised 52%, 54% and 57% of rental revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 52% for each of the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following expenditures are not reflected in the statements of revenues and certain expenses, but represent transactions between the Company and its supervisor, Malkin Holdings, a related party.
Supervisory and other professional services are provided to the Company by Malkin Holdings. Beneficial interests in the Company are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
For administration and investment of the Companys supervisory account, Malkin Holdings has earned since 1978 a service fee of 10% of the account interest.
Under a separate agreement, Malkin Holdings also receives additional payments in respect of its profits interest from the Company based upon current year distributions to the investors in excess of an annual threshold.
Malkin Holdings also serves as supervisor for the Companys Lessor and receives from Lessor a basic annual fee and a payment in respect of a profits interest based on distributions to Lessors investors. Beneficial interests in Lessor are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Malkin Holdings and/or their family members.
F-158
501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C.
Notes to Statements of Revenues and Certain Expenses
Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
and years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
In addition to the above service fees, Malkin Holdings was reimbursed for certain expenses incurred in prior years relating to the successful defense against various claims by an investor. Separately, Malkin Holdings and Peter L. Malkin have requested or intend to request voluntary reimbursement pro rata from each investor individually for certain other unreimbursed expenses advanced by them relating to the arbitration to remove and replace Helmsley-Spear, Inc. as managing agent for the Property. Such reimbursement would be paid only by consenting investors, and thus the Companys financial statements do not show any related cost or liability.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company entered into contracts with third parties for building repairs, alterations, or replacements. Some of these contracts may span more than one year in duration. The total amount of these commitments has not been determined.
The Company is not presently involved in any material litigation, nor, to our knowledge is any material litigation threatened against the Company, other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business such as disputes with tenants. The Company believes that the costs and related liabilities, if any, which may result from such actions, will not materially affect the Companys operating results.
NOTE 7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through September 18, 2013, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
F-159
Until (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.
71,500,000 Shares
Class A Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
Joint Book-Running Managers
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
BofA Merrill Lynch
Barclays
Citigroup
Deutsche Bank Securities
Wells Fargo Securities
Capital One Securities
HSBC
KeyBanc Capital Markets
PNC Capital Markets LLC
RBS
Stifel
Lebenthal Capital Markets
Loop Capital Markets
Ramirez & Co., Inc.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 31. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
The following table shows the fees and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby. All amounts are estimates except the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fee.
SEC registration fee |
$ | 114,600 | ||
FINRA filing fee |
$ | 75,500 | ||
NYSE listing fee |
$ | 250,000 | ||
Legal fees and expenses (including Blue Sky fees) |
* | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
* | |||
Printing and engraving expenses |
* | |||
Transfer agent fees and expenses |
* | |||
Miscellaneous |
* | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | * | ||
|
|
* | To be furnished by amendment. |
Item 32. | Sales to Special Parties. |
None.
Item 33. | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities. |
On July 29, 2011, Anthony E. Malkin purchased 1,000 shares of our Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $100.00 in a private offering. We will repurchase these shares at cost upon completion of this offering. Such issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.
Prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, based on the mid-point of the range of prices on the cover of the prospectus, we will acquire, through a series of contributions and merger transactions, the assets and liabilities of the entities through which our predecessor holds our predecessor and the related properties and will issue 148,839,571 operating partnership units and 17,715,085 shares of our Class A common stock and will pay $717.8 million in cash to holders of interests in our predecessor and the related properties. In addition, prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering, we will issue 1,130,006 shares of our Class B common stock to certain holders of interest in our predecessor and the related properties that receive operating partnership units. All of such persons had a substantive, pre-existing relationship with us and irrevocably committed to the transfer of such interests prior to the initial filing of this registration statement, and all such persons who will receive operating partnership units and/or shares of our common stock are accredited investors as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act. Each such person is a holder of an interest in our predecessor and we have dealt with such persons throughout the time that such persons held interests in our predecessor. The issuance of such operating partnership units and common stock will be effected in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) under the Securities Act and pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act. All such persons were provided with and had access to information about the issuers of these securities including business objectives and historical property and financial information.
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Item 34. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision and eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
| the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
| the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
| in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or in any proceeding charging improper personal benefit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct, was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by the corporation or in its right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
In addition, the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations receipt of:
| a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and |
| a written undertaking by the director or officer or on the directors or officer's behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct. |
Our charter and bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:
| any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
| any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of such corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. |
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Our charter and bylaws also permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such. In addition, our equity incentive plan requires us to indemnify our directors and members of our compensation committee in connection with the performance of their duties, responsibilities and obligations under our equity incentive plan, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Upon completion of this offering, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors, executive officers and chairman emeritus, and certain other parties, providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against (i) our directors, executive officers and chairman emeritus and (ii) our executive officers, chairman emeritus and certain other parties who are former members, managers, shareholders, directors, limited partners, general partners, officers or controlling persons of our predecessor in their capacities as such. In addition, our operating partnership's partnership agreement provides that we, as general partner, and our officers and directors are indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law. Furthermore, following completion of this offering, we intend to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of all of our directors and executive officers against or incurred by them in their official capacities, whether or not we are required or have the power to indemnify them against the same liability and, pursuant to the indemnification agreements, we will be required to maintain a comparable "tail" directors' and officers' liability insurance policy for six years after each director or executive officer ceases to serve in such capacity.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 35. | Treatment of Proceeds from Stock Being Registered. |
None of the proceeds will be credited to an account other than the appropriate capital share account.
Item 36. | Exhibits. |
(b) | Exhibits . The following is a complete list of exhibits filed as part of the registration statement, which are incorporated herein: |
Exhibit
|
Exhibit Description |
|
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and the underwriters named therein | |
3.1** | Form of Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
3.2** | Bylaws of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
4.1** | Form of Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
4.2** | Form of Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
5.1* | Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (including consent of such firm) | |
8.1* | Tax Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (including consent of such firm) | |
10.1** | Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Empire State Realty OP, L.P. | |
10.2** | Form of Registration Rights Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and the persons named therein | |
10.3 | Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan |
- II-3 -
10.4* | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance-Based) | |
10.5* | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Time-Based) | |
10.6* | Form of LTIP Agreement (Performance-Based) | |
10.7* | Form of LTIP Agreement (Time-Based) | |
10.8** | Form of Tax Protection Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Empire State Realty OP, L.P., and the parties named therein | |
10.9** | Form of Indemnification Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and its directors and officers | |
10.10** | Contribution Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and certain members of the Malkin Group listed on the signature pages thereto | |
10.11 | Amended and Restated Contribution Agreement dated July 2, 2012 among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and certain entities affiliated with the Helmsley estate listed on the signature pages thereto | |
10.12** | Form of Contribution Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and each of the private existing entities contributing properties in the consolidation | |
10.13** | Form of Contribution Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty OP, L.P. and each of the public existing entities contributing properties in the consolidation | |
10.14** | Form of Merger Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and each of the predecessor management companies | |
10.15** | Representation, Warranty and Indemnity Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P., Anthony E. Malkin, Cynthia M. Blumenthal and Scott D. Malkin | |
10.16 | Employment Agreement between Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Anthony E. Malkin | |
10.17** | Option Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C. | |
10.18** | Option Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and 112 West 34 th Street Company L.L.C. | |
10.19** | Option Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and 1400 Broadway Associates L.L.C. | |
10.20** | Form of Asset Management Agreement | |
10.21** | Form of Services Agreement | |
10.22** | Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.23** | First Amendment to Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.24** | Second Amendment to Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.25** | Replacement Promissory Note A-1 among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C. and Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association | |
10.26** | Consolidated, Amended and Restated Fee and Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Security Agreement among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association |
- II-4 -
10.27** | Third Amendment to Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.28** | Commitment Letter for Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility among Bank of America, N.A., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. | |
10.29** | Agreement to Amend Commitment Letter for Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility among Bank of America, N.A., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. | |
10.30 | Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement | |
10.31 | Form of Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility among Empire State Realty OP, L.P., ESRT Empire State Building, L.L.C., Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., the subsidiaries of Empire State Realty OP, L.P. from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and the other lenders party thereto. | |
21.1** | List of Subsidiaries of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
23.1* | Consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) | |
23.2 | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP | |
23.3** | Consent of Rosen Consulting Group | |
23.4** | Consent of William H. Berkman | |
23.5** | Consent of Alice M. Connell | |
23.6** | Consent of Steven J. Gilbert | |
23.7** | Consent of S. Michael Giliberto | |
23.8** | Consent of Lawrence E. Golub | |
23.9** | Consent of Thomas J. DeRosa | |
24.1** | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the registration statement) | |
99.1** | Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012 and Amendment thereto, dated October 10, 2012 |
* | To be filed by amendment. |
** | Previously filed. |
Item 37. | Undertakings. |
(a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser. |
(b) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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(c) | The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that: |
(1) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
(2) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-11 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on September 19, 2013.
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Anthony E. Malkin | |
Anthony E. Malkin Chief Executive Officer and President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signatures |
Title |
Date |
||||
By: |
/s/ Anthony E. Malkin
Anthony E. Malkin |
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) | September 19, 2013 | |||
By: |
/s/ David A. Karp
David A. Karp |
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | September 19, 2013 |
- II-7 -
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
|
Exhibit Description |
|
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and the underwriters named therein | |
3.1** | Form of Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
3.2** | Bylaws of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
4.1** | Form of Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
4.2** | Form of Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
5.1* | Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (including consent of such firm) | |
8.1* | Tax Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (including consent of such firm) | |
10.1** | Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Empire State Realty OP, L.P. | |
10.2** | Form of Registration Rights Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and the persons named therein | |
10.3 | Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan | |
10.4* | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance-Based) | |
10.5* | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Time-Based) | |
10.6* | Form of LTIP Agreement (Performance-Based) | |
10.7* | Form of LTIP Agreement (Time-Based) | |
10.8** | Form of Tax Protection Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Empire State Realty OP, L.P., and the parties named therein | |
10.9** | Form of Indemnification Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and its directors and officers | |
10.10** | Contribution Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and certain members of the Malkin Group listed on the signature pages thereto | |
10.11 | Amended and Restated Contribution Agreement dated July 2, 2012 among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and certain entities affiliated with the Helmsley estate listed on the signature pages thereto | |
10.12** | Form of Contribution Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and each of the private existing entities contributing properties in the consolidation | |
10.13** | Form of Contribution Agreement among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty OP, L.P. and each of the public existing entities contributing properties in the consolidation | |
10.14** | Form of Merger Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and each of the predecessor management companies | |
10.15** | Representation, Warranty and Indemnity Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, Inc., Empire Realty Trust, L.P., Anthony E. Malkin, Cynthia M. Blumenthal and Scott D. Malkin | |
10.16 | Employment Agreement between Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Anthony E. Malkin | |
10.17** | Option Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and 112 West 34 th Street Associates L.L.C. |
- 1 -
10.18** | Option Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and 112 West 34 th Street Company L.L.C. | |
10.19** | Option Agreement among Empire Realty Trust, L.P. and 1400 Broadway Associates L.L.C. | |
10.20** | Form of Asset Management Agreement | |
10.21** | Form of Services Agreement | |
10.22** | Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.23** | First Amendment to Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.24** | Second Amendment to Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.25** | Replacement Promissory Note A-1 among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C. and Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association | |
10.26** | Consolidated, Amended and Restated Fee and Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Security Agreement among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association | |
10.27** | Third Amendment to Secured Term Loan among Empire State Land Associates L.L.C., Empire State Building Associates L.L.C., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and other institutional lenders | |
10.28** | Commitment Letter for Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility among Bank of America, N.A., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. | |
10.29** | Agreement to Amend Commitment Letter for Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility among Bank of America, N.A., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. | |
10.30 | Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement | |
10.31 | Form of Secured Revolving and Term Credit Facility among Empire State Realty OP, L.P., ESRT Empire State Building, L.L.C., Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., the subsidiaries of Empire State Realty OP, L.P. from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and the other lenders party thereto. | |
21.1** | List of Subsidiaries of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. | |
23.1* | Consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1) | |
23.2 | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP | |
23.3** | Consent of Rosen Consulting Group | |
23.4** | Consent of William H. Berkman | |
23.5** | Consent of Alice M. Connell | |
23.6** | Consent of Steven J. Gilbert | |
23.7** | Consent of S. Michael Giliberto | |
23.8** | Consent of Lawrence E. Golub | |
23.9** | Consent of Thomas J. DeRosa | |
24.1** | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to the registration statement) | |
99.1** | Stipulation of Settlement dated September 28, 2012 and Amendment thereto, dated October 10, 2012 |
* | To be filed by amendment. |
** | Previously filed. |
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Exhibit 10.3
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC.
EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P.
2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose.
The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company and the Partnership in attracting, retaining, motivating, and rewarding certain key employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company, the Partnership and their respective Affiliates and promoting the creation of long-term value for stockholders of the Company by closely aligning the interests of such individuals with those of such stockholders. The Plan authorizes the award of equity-based incentives to Eligible Persons to encourage such persons to expend maximum effort in the creation of stockholder and partner value.
2. Definitions.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.
(b) Award means any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Appreciation Right, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent Right or other equity-based award granted under the Plan.
(c) Award Agreement means an Option Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, an RSU Agreement, an SAR Agreement, a Performance Award Agreement, or an agreement governing the grant of any Dividend Equivalent Right or other equity-based Award granted under the Plan.
(d) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) Cause means, with respect to any Participant and in the absence of an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement otherwise defining Cause, (1) the Participants conviction of or indictment for any crime (whether or not involving the Company or its Affiliates) (i) constituting a felony or (ii) that has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the performance of the Participants duties to the Service Recipient, or otherwise has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates, (2) conduct of the Participant, in connection with his employment or service, that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in material injury to the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates, (3) any material violation of the policies of the Company or its Affiliates, including but not limited to those relating to sexual harassment or the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Company or its Affiliates, or (4) willful neglect in the performance of the Participants duties for the Service Recipient or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties. In the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant
Agreement defining Cause, Cause shall have the meaning provided in such agreement, and a Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause hereunder shall not be deemed to have occurred unless all applicable notice and cure periods in such Award Agreement or Participant Agreement are complied with.
(f) Change in Control means:
(1) a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or pursuant to a Non-Control Transaction) whereby any person (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act) or any two or more persons deemed to be one person (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or any of its Affiliates, an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates (or its related trust), or any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Companys securities eligible to vote in the election of the Board (the Company Voting Securities );
(2) the date, within any consecutive twenty-four (24) month period commencing on or after the Effective Date, upon which individuals who constitute the Board as of the Effective Date (the Incumbent Board ) cease for any reason (other than by reason of death) to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual who becomes a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then constituting the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such individual is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (including but not limited to a consent solicitation) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;
(3) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Affiliates that requires the approval of the Companys stockholders (whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction or otherwise) (a Reorganization ), unless immediately following such Reorganization (i) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of (A) the corporation resulting from such Reorganization (the Surviving Company ) or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that has, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of one hundred percent (100%) of the voting securities of
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the Surviving Company (the Parent Company ), is represented by Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Reorganization), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among holders thereof immediately prior to the Reorganization, (ii) no Person, other than an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company (or its related trust), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Company, or if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Company, or if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company, following the consummation of the Reorganization are members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the Boards approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization (any Reorganization which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (i), (ii), and (iii) above shall be a Non-Control Transaction ); or
(4) the sale or disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any person (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act) or to any two or more persons deemed to be one person (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than the Companys Affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company Voting Securities as a result of an acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company that reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then occur, and (y) with respect to the payment of any amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code payable upon a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred, unless the Change in Control constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code.
(g) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.
(h) Committee means the Board or such other committee consisting of two or more individuals appointed by the Board to administer the Plan and each other individual or committee of individuals designated to exercise authority under the Plan.
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(i) Company means Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and its successors by operation of law.
(j) Company Voting Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(1) hereof.
(k) Corporate Event has the meaning set forth in Section 12(b) hereof.
(l) Data has the meaning set forth in Section 22(c) hereof.
(m) Disability means, in the absence of an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement otherwise defining Disability, the permanent and total disability of such Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. In the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement defining Disability, Disability shall have the meaning provided in such Award Agreement or Participant Agreement.
(n) Disqualifying Disposition means any disposition (including any sale) of Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option made within the period that ends either (i) two years after the date on which the Participant was granted the Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the date upon which the Participant acquired the Stock.
(o) Dividend Equivalent Right means a right granted to a Participant under Section 10 hereof, to receive cash, Stock or other property equal in value to all or some portion of the regular cash dividends that are or would be payable with respect to shares of Stock subject to an Award.
(p) Effective Date means [ ], 2013.
(q) Eligible Person means (1) each employee and officer of the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates, including each such employee and officer who may also be a director of the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates, (2) each non-employee director of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (3) each other natural person who provides substantial services to the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates as a consultant or advisor and who is designated as eligible by the Committee, and (4) each natural person who has been offered employment by the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates; provided that such prospective employee may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such person has commenced employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates; provided further, however, that (i) with respect to any Award that is intended to qualify as a stock right that does not provide for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the term Affiliate as used in this Section 2(q) shall include only those corporations or other entities in the unbroken chain of corporations or other entities beginning with the Company where each of the corporations in the unbroken chain other than the last corporation owns stock possessing at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain, and (ii) with respect to any Award that is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, the term Affiliate as used in this Section 2(q)
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shall include only those entities that qualify as a subsidiary corporation with respect to the Company within the meaning of Code Section 424(f). An employee on an approved leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.
(r) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules and regulations thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.
(s) Expiration Date means the date upon which the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right expires, as determined under Section 5(b) or 8(b) hereof, as applicable.
(t) Fair Market Value means, as of any date when the Stock is listed on one or more national securities exchanges, the closing price reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Stock is listed and traded on the date of determination, or if the closing price is not reported on such date of determination, the closing price on the most recent date on which such closing price is reported. If the Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value shall mean the amount determined by the Board in good faith, and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, to be the fair market value per share of Stock.
(u) Incentive Stock Option means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(v) Incumbent Board shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(ii) hereof.
(w) Initial Public Offering means the Companys first underwritten public offering of its Stock to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
(x) LTIP Unit means an LTIP Unit as defined in the Partnership Agreement. An LTIP Unit granted under this Plan represents the right to receive the benefits, payments or other rights in respect of an LTIP Unit set forth in the Partnership Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement and the Partnership Agreement.
(y) Non-Control Transaction has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(3) hereof.
(z) Nonqualified Stock Option means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(aa) Option means a conditional right, granted to a Participant under Section 5 hereof, to purchase Stock at a specified price during a specified time period.
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(bb) Option Agreement means a written agreement (including an electronic writing to the extent permitted by applicable law) between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.
(cc) OP Unit means an OP Unit as defined in the Partnership Agreement.
(dd) Parent Company has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(3) hereof.
(ee) Participant means an Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under the Plan, or if applicable, such other Person who holds an Award.
(ff) Participant Agreement means an employment or other services agreement or a severance or change in control agreement between a Participant and the Service Recipient and is effective as of the date of determination.
(gg) Partnership means Empire State Realty OP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
(hh) Partnership Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Empire State Realty OP, L.P., dated [ ], 2012, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with its terms.
(ii) Performance Award means an Award granted to a Participant under Section 9 hereof, which Award is subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives during a Performance Period. A Performance Award shall be designated as a Performance Share or a Performance Unit at the time of grant.
(jj) Performance Award Agreement means a written agreement (including an electronic writing to the extent permitted by applicable law) between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Performance Award grant.
(kk) Performance Objectives means the performance objectives established pursuant to this Plan for Participants who have received Performance Awards.
(ll) Performance Period means the period designated for the achievement of Performance Objectives.
(mm) Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or other entity.
(nn) Plan means this Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
(oo) Qualified Member means a member of the Committee who is a Non-Employee Director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an outside director within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(c) under Section 162(m) of the Code.
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(pp) Qualified Performance-Based Award means an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Performance Award that is intended to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(qq) Qualifying Committee has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof.
(rr) Reorganization has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(3) hereof.
(ss) Restricted Stock means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6 hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
(tt) Restricted Stock Agreement means a written agreement (including an electronic writing to the extent permitted by applicable law) between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Restricted Stock grant.
(uu) Restricted Stock Unit means a notional unit representing the right to receive one share of Stock (or the cash value of one share of Stock, if so determined by the Committee) on a specified settlement date.
(vv) RSU Agreement means a written agreement (including an electronic writing to the extent permitted by applicable law) between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual grant of Restricted Stock Units.
(ww) SAR Agreement means a written agreement (including an electronic writing to the extent permitted by applicable law) between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(xx) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including rules and regulations thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.
(yy) Service Recipient means, with respect to a Participant holding a given Award, either the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates by which the original recipient of such Award is, or following a Termination was most recently, principally employed or to which such original recipient provides, or following a Termination was most recently providing, services, as applicable.
(zz) Stock means the Companys Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted for such stock pursuant to Section 12 hereof.
(aaa) Stock Appreciation Right means a conditional right to receive an amount equal to the value of the appreciation in the Stock over a specified period. Except in the event of extraordinary circumstances, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, or pursuant to Section 12(b) hereof, Stock Appreciation Rights shall be settled in Stock.
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(bbb) Surviving Company has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f)(3) hereof.
(ccc) Termination means the termination of a Participants employment or service, as applicable, with the Service Recipient; provided, however , that, if so determined by the Committee at the time of any change in status in relation to the Service Recipient (e.g., a Participant ceases to be an employee and begins providing services as a consultant, or vice versa), such change in status will not be deemed a Termination hereunder. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that any Service Recipient ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company (by reason of sale, divestiture, spin-off, or other similar transaction), unless a Participants employment or service is transferred to another entity that would constitute a Service Recipient immediately following such transaction, such Participant shall be deemed to have suffered a Termination hereunder as of the date of the consummation of such transaction. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Participants change in status in relation to the Service Recipient (for example, a change from employee to consultant) shall not be deemed a Termination hereunder with respect to any Awards constituting nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination unless such change in status constitutes a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments in respect of an Award constituting nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination shall be delayed for such period as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. On the first business day following the expiration of such period, the Participant shall be paid, in a single lump sum without interest, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule applicable to such Award.
(ddd) Underwriters means the underwriters in the Initial Public Offering.
(eee) Underwriters Option means the Underwriters option to purchase up to an additional [ ] shares of Stock in connection with the Initial Public Offering.
3. Administration.
(a) Authority of the Committee . Except as otherwise provided below, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to (1) select Eligible Persons to become Participants, (2) grant Awards, (3) determine the type, number of shares of Stock or other equity interests (including, without limitation, LTIP Units) subject to, other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, (4) prescribe Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, (5) construe and interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and correct defects, supply
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omissions, and reconcile inconsistencies therein, (6) suspend the right to exercise Awards during any period that the Committee deems appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, and thereafter extend the exercise period of an Award by an equivalent period of time, and (7) make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, including, without limitation, the Company, its Affiliates, Eligible Persons, Participants, and beneficiaries of Participants. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall have the authority to take all actions under the Plan that the Committee is permitted to take.
(b) Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority . At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to a Qualified Performance-Based Award or relating to an Award granted or to be granted to a Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company, must be taken by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee or the Board, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members (a Qualifying Committee ). Any action authorized by such a Qualifying Committee shall be deemed the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan. The express grant of any specific power to the Qualifying Committee, and the taking of any action by the Qualifying Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.
(c) Delegation . To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to officers or employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions under the Plan, including, but not limited to, administrative functions, as the Committee may determine appropriate. The Committee may appoint agents to assist it in administering the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, any Award granted under the Plan to any Eligible Person who is not an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (including any non-employee director of the Company or any Affiliate) or to any Eligible Person who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or is to be granted a Qualified Performance-Based Award must be expressly approved by the Committee or Qualifying Committee in accordance with subsection (b) above.
(d) Section 409A . All Awards made under the Plan that are intended to be deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall be interpreted, administered and construed to comply with Section 409A, and all Awards made under the Plan that are intended to be exempt from Section 409A shall be interpreted, administered and construed to comply with and preserve such exemption. The Committee shall have full authority to give effect to the intent of the foregoing sentence. To the extent necessary to give effect to this intent, in the case of any conflict or potential inconsistency between the Plan and a provision of any Award or Award Agreement with respect to an Award, the Plan shall govern. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any liability to any person in the event Section 409A applies to any Award in a manner that results in adverse tax consequences for the Participant or any of his beneficiaries or transferees.
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4. Shares Available Under the Plan.
(a) Number of Shares Available for Delivery . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 hereof, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall not exceed 5% of issued and outstanding shares of Stock as of the later of the Initial Public Offering or the last closing date of any shares of Stock sold pursuant to the Underwriters exercise of the Underwriters Option (on a fully diluted basis (assuming, if applicable, the exercise of all outstanding stock options, the conversion of all warrants and convertible securities into shares of Stock and the exchange of all outstanding interests in the Partnership that may be convertible into shares of Stock) and including shares of Stock sold pursuant to the Underwriters exercise of the Underwriters Option, but excluding any shares of Stock issued or issuable under the Plan). Shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares or previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company on the open market or by private purchase. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of shares of Stock available for issuance hereunder shall not be reduced by shares issued pursuant to Awards issued or assumed in connection with a merger or acquisition as contemplated by, as applicable, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) and IM-5635-1, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, AMEX Company Guide Section 711, or other applicable stock exchange rules, and their respective successor rules and listing exchange promulgations.
(b) Share Counting Rules . The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double-counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award. Other equity-based Awards that are LTIP Units shall reduce the total number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan on a one-for-one basis, i.e., each LTIP Unit shall be treated as an award of a single share of Stock. Shares of Stock into which LTIP Units are converted shall deemed to be issued under the Plan but shall not reduce the total number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan. To the extent that an Award expires or is canceled, forfeited, or otherwise terminated without a delivery to the Participant of the full number of shares of Stock (or LTIP Units) to which the Award related, the undelivered shares of Stock (or LTIP Units) will again be available for grant. Shares of Stock withheld in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to an Award and shares equal to the number surrendered in payment of any exercise price or taxes relating to an Award shall be deemed to constitute shares delivered to the Participant and shall not again be available for Awards under the Plan.
(c) 162(m) Limitation; Incentive Stock Options .
(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, during any time that the Company is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Performance Awards, in each case and to the extent the Award is intended to qualify as a Qualified Performance-Based Award, may be granted to any individual in any one calendar year shall not exceed [ ]. The maximum value of the aggregate payment that
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any individual may receive with respect to a Qualified Performance-Based Award that is valued in dollars in respect of any annual Performance Period is $[ ], and for any Performance Period in excess of one (1) year, such amount multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months in the Performance Period and the denominator of which is twelve (12). No Qualified Performance-Based Awards may be granted hereunder following the first (1 st ) meeting of the Companys stockholder that occurs in the fifth (5 th ) year following the year in which the Companys stockholders most recently approved the terms of the Plan for purposes of satisfying the qualified performance-based compensation exemption under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code. For purposes of the Plan, the Company shall not be treated as being subject to Section 162(m) of the Code during the period Awards granted hereunder are exempt from the limitation on tax deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code by reason of the post-initial public offering transition relief set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(f).
(2) No more than [ ] shares of Stock reserved for issuance hereunder may be issued or transferred upon exercise or settlement of Incentive Stock Options.
5. Options.
(a) General . Certain Options granted under the Plan are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options. Options may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or an Affiliate (as such definition is limited pursuant to Section 2(q) hereof) of the Company. The provisions of separate Options shall be set forth in separate Option Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
(b) Term . The term of each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(c) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Stock for each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that if an Option is intended to qualify as either (1) a stock right that does not provide for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (2) a Qualified Performance-Based Award, or (3) an Incentive Stock Option, then in each case the applicable exercise price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, subject to subsection (g) below in the case of any Incentive Stock Option.
(d) Payment for Stock . Payment for shares of Stock acquired pursuant to Options granted hereunder shall be made in full upon exercise of an Option (1) in immediately available funds in United States dollars, or by certified or bank cashiers check, (2) by delivery of shares of Stock having a value equal to the exercise price, (3) by a broker-assisted cashless exercise in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee, whereby payment of the
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Option exercise price or tax withholding obligations may be satisfied, in whole or in part, with shares of Stock subject to the Option by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate exercise price and, if applicable, the amount necessary to satisfy the Companys withholding obligations, or (4) by any other means approved by the Committee (including, by delivery of a notice of net exercise to the Company, pursuant to which the Participant shall receive the number of shares of Stock underlying the Option so exercised reduced by the number of shares of Stock equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option divided by the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise). Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Committee determines that any form of payment available hereunder would be in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, such form of payment shall not be available.
(e) Vesting . Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in an Option Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Option at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of an Option shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participants Termination for any reason. If an Option is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Option expires.
(f) Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in an Option Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise:
(1) In the event of a Participants Termination for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participants death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participants outstanding Options shall cease, (B) each of such Participants outstanding unvested Options shall expire as of the date of such Termination, and (C) each of such Participants outstanding vested Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the applicable Expiration Date and the date that is ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination.
(2) In the event of a Participants Termination by reason of such Participants death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participants outstanding Options shall cease, (ii) each of such Participants outstanding unvested Options shall expire as of the date of such Termination, and (iii) each of such Participants outstanding vested Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the applicable Expiration Date and the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such Termination. In the event of a Participants death, such Participants Options shall remain exercisable by the person or persons to whom a Participants rights under the Options pass by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution until their expiration, but only to the extent that the Options were vested by such Participant at the time of such Termination.
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(3) In the event of a Participants Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participants outstanding Options (whether or not vested) shall immediately expire as of the date of such Termination.
(g) Special Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options .
(1) No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person who, at the time the Option is granted, owns directly, or indirectly within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary thereof, unless such Incentive Stock Option (i) has an exercise price of at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of the grant of such Option and (ii) cannot be exercised more than five (5) years after the date it is granted.
(2) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of Stock for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, such excess Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
(3) Each Participant who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.
6. Restricted Stock.
(a) General . Restricted Stock may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Awards of Restricted Stock shall be set forth in separate Restricted Stock Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(b), and except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall generally have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participants Restricted Stock Agreement (1) cash dividends and stock dividends, if any, with respect to Restricted Stock subject to performance-based vesting shall be withheld by the Company for the Participants account, and shall be subject to forfeiture to the same degree as the shares of Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate and (2) cash dividends and stock dividends, if any, with respect to all other Restricted Stock shall be paid to Participants at the same time as such dividends are paid to stockholders. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any cash dividends withheld.
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(b) Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer . Restricted Stock shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement; provided, however , that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Award of Restricted Stock at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participants Termination for any reason. In addition to any other restrictions set forth in a Participants Restricted Stock Agreement, until such time as the Restricted Stock has vested pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber the Restricted Stock.
(c) Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in a Restricted Stock Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participants Termination for any reason prior to the time that such Participants Restricted Stock has vested, all vesting with respect to such Participants Restricted Stock shall cease, and all unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited to the Company by the Participant for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.
7. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) General . Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Restricted Stock Units shall be set forth in separate RSU Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
(b) Vesting . Restricted Stock Units shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Restricted Stock Unit at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participants Termination for any reason.
(c) Settlement . Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in Stock, cash, or property, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, on the date or dates determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participants RSU Agreement, a Participant shall not be entitled to dividends, if any, with respect to Restricted Stock Units prior to the actual delivery of shares of Stock.
(d) Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in an RSU Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participants Termination for any reason prior to the time that such Participants Restricted Stock
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Units have been settled, (1) all vesting with respect to such Participants Restricted Stock Units shall cease, (2) each of such Participants outstanding unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (3) any shares remaining undelivered with respect to vested Restricted Stock Units then held by such Participant shall be delivered on the delivery date or dates specified in the RSU Agreement.
8. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) General . Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Stock Appreciation Rights shall be set forth in separate SAR Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
(b) Term . The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(c) Base Price . The base price per share of Stock for each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that if a Stock Appreciation Right is intended to qualify as either (1) a stock right that does not provide for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code or (2) a Qualified Performance-Based Award, then in each case the applicable base price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
(d) Vesting . Stock Appreciation Rights shall vest and become exercisable in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a SAR Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Stock Appreciation Right at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of a Stock Appreciation Right shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participants Termination for any reason. If a Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Stock Appreciation Right expires.
(e) Payment upon Exercise . Payment upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right may be made in cash, Stock, or property as specified in the SAR Agreement or determined by the Committee, in each case having a value in respect of each share of Stock underlying the portion of the Stock Appreciation Right so exercised, equal to the difference between the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right and the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the exercise date. For purposes of clarity, each share of Stock to be issued in settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right is deemed to have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the exercise date. In no event shall fractional shares be issuable upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, and in the event that fractional shares would otherwise be issuable, the number of shares issuable will be rounded down to the next lower whole number of shares, and the Participant will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the value of such fractional share.
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(f) Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in a SAR Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise:
(1) In the event of a Participants Termination for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participants death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participants outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights shall cease, (B) each of such Participants outstanding unvested Stock Appreciation Rights shall expire as of the date of such Termination, and (C) each of such Participants outstanding vested Stock Appreciation Rights shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the applicable Expiration Date and the date that is ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination.
(2) In the event of a Participants Termination by reason of such Participants death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participants outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights shall cease, (ii) each of such Participants outstanding unvested Stock Appreciation Rights shall expire as of the date of such Termination, and (iii) each of such Participants outstanding vested Stock Appreciation Rights shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the applicable Expiration Date and the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such Termination. In the event of a Participants death, such Participants Stock Appreciation Rights shall remain exercisable by the person or persons to whom a Participants rights under the Stock Appreciation Rights pass by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution until their expiration, but only to the extent that the Stock Appreciation Rights were vested by such Participant at the time of such Termination.
(3) In the event of a Participants Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participants outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights (whether or not vested) shall immediately expire as of the date of such Termination.
9. Performance Awards.
(a) General . Performance Awards may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Performance Awards, including the determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of Performance Awards, shall be set forth in separate Performance Award Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
(b) Value of Performance Units and Performance Shares . Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant. In addition to any other non-performance terms included in the Performance Award Agreement, the Committee shall set the applicable Performance Objectives in its discretion, which objectives, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the
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value and number of Performance Units or Performance Shares, as the case may be, that will be paid out to the Participant. With respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards, the Committee shall establish the applicable Performance Objectives in writing not later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of the Performance Period or, if earlier, the date as of which twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed.
(c) Earning of Performance Units and Performance Shares . Upon the expiration of the applicable Performance Period or other non-performance-based vesting period, if longer, the holder of Performance Units or Performance Shares, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive payout on the value and number of the applicable Performance Units or Performance Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Objectives have been achieved and any other non-performance-based terms met. No payment shall be made with respect to a Qualified Performance-Based Award prior to certification by the Committee that the Performance Objectives have been attained.
(d) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units and Performance Shares . Payment of earned Performance Units and Performance Shares shall be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the Performance Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units and Performance Shares in the form of cash, Stock, or other Awards (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the earned Performance Units or Performance Shares, as the case may be, at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period. Any cash, Stock, or other Awards issued in connection with a Performance Award may be issued subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee.
(e) Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in a Performance Award Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, if, prior to the time that the applicable Performance Period has expired, a Participant undergoes a Termination for any reason, all of such Participants Performance Awards shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company for no consideration.
(f) Performance Objectives .
(1) Each Performance Award shall specify the Performance Objectives that must be achieved before such Award shall become earned. The Company may also specify a minimum acceptable level of achievement below which no payment will be made and may set forth a formula for determining the amount of any payment to be made if performance is at or above such minimum acceptable level but falls short of the maximum achievement of the specified Performance Objectives.
(2) Performance Objectives may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of an individual Participant, the specific Service Recipient, or a division, department, or function within the Company or the Service Recipient. Performance Objectives may be measured on an
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absolute or relative basis. Relative performance may be measured by comparison to a group of peer companies or to a financial market index. With respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards, Performance Objectives shall be limited to specified levels of or increases in one or more of the following: (i) earnings, including net earnings, total earnings, operating earnings, earnings growth, operating income, earnings before or after taxes, earnings before or after interest, depreciation, amortization, or extraordinary or special items or book value per share (which may exclude nonrecurring items); (ii) Funds From Operations (FFO); (iii) earnings per share (basic or diluted); (iv) operating profit; (v) revenue, revenue growth, or rate of revenue growth; (vi) return on assets (gross or net), return on investment, return on capital, return on equity, financial return ratios, or internal rates of return; (vii) returns on sales or revenues; (viii) operating expenses; (ix) stock price appreciation; (x) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations or cash flow in excess of cost of capital, working capital turnover; (xi) implementation or completion of critical projects or processes; (xii) economic value created; (xiii) balance sheet measurements; (xiv) cumulative earnings per share growth; (xv) operating margin, profit margin, or gross margin; (xvi) stock price or total stockholder return; (xvii) cost or expense targets, reductions and savings, productivity and efficiencies; (xviii) sales or sales growth; (xix) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration, market share, portfolio growth, geographic business expansion, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources management, supervision of litigation, information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and similar transactions, and budget comparisons; and (xx) personal professional objectives, including any of the foregoing performance goals, the implementation of policies and plans, the negotiation of transactions, the development of long term business goals, the formation of joint ventures, research or development collaborations, and the completion of other corporate transactions.
(3) The Committee shall adjust Performance Objectives and the related minimum acceptable level of achievement if, in the sole judgment of the Committee, events or transactions have occurred after the applicable date of grant of a Performance Award that are unrelated to the performance of the Company or Participant and result in a distortion of the Performance Objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement. Potential transactions or events giving rise to adjustment include, but are not limited to, (i) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items or events, and other unusual or nonrecurring charges; (ii) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Companys management; and (iii) a change in tax law or accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles.
10. Dividend Equivalents
The Committee may include in the Award Agreement with respect to any Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) a Dividend Equivalent Right in such form
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and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. A Dividend Equivalent Right (if such right is a dividend equivalent within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(e)) shall be treated separately from the right to other amounts under the Award for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. In the event such a provision is included in an Award Agreement, the Committee will determine whether such payments will be made in cash, in shares of Stock or in another form of property, whether they will be conditioned upon the exercise of the Award to which they relate, the time or times at which they will be made, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee will deem appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, a Participants right under an Award Agreement to dividend equivalent payments in the case of an Award that is subject to vesting conditions shall be treated as unvested so long as such Award remains unvested, and any such dividend equivalent payments that would otherwise have been paid during the vesting period shall instead be accumulated (and, if paid in cash, reinvested in additional shares of Stock based on the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of reinvestment) and paid within thirty (30) days following the date on which such Award is determined by the Company to have vested.
11. Other Equity-Based Awards.
The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based upon or related to Stock or other equity interests of the Company or the Partnership (including, without limitation, LTIP Units), as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. The grant of LTIP Units must satisfy the requirements of the Partnership Agreement. The Committee may also grant Stock or other equity interests of the Company or the Partnership (including, without limitation, LTIP Units) as a bonus (whether or not subject to any vesting requirements or other restrictions on transfer), and may grant other awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or an Affiliate to pay cash or deliver other property under this Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee. The terms and conditions applicable to such Awards shall be determined by the Committee and evidenced by Award Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
12. Adjustment for Recapitalization, Merger, etc.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments . The aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be granted or purchased pursuant to Awards (as set forth in Section 4 hereof), the number of shares of Stock or other equity interests (including, without limitation, LTIP Units) covered by each outstanding Award, and the price per share of Stock or other equity interest (including, without limitation, LTIP Units) underlying each such Award shall be equitably and proportionally adjusted or substituted, as determined by the Committee, as to the number, price, or kind of a share of Stock or other equity interest (including, without limitation, LTIP Units) or other consideration subject to such Awards (1) in the event of changes in the outstanding Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of stock splits, reverse stock splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, combinations,
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exchanges, or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of grant of any such Award (including any Corporate Event); (2) in connection with any extraordinary dividend (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) declared and paid in respect of shares of Stock, whether payable in the form of cash, stock, or any other form of consideration; or (3) in the event of any change in applicable laws or circumstances that results in or could result in, in either case, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, any substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, Participants in the Plan.
(b) Corporate Events . Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in connection with (i) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, (ii) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of shares of Stock receive securities of another corporation or other property or cash, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) the reorganization, dissolution or liquidation of the Company (each, a Corporate Event ), the Committee may, in its discretion, so long as it determines there is no adverse economic impact on the Participants as of the date any action is taken under this Section 12(b), provide for any one or more of the following:
(1) The assumption or substitution of any or all Awards in connection with such Corporate Event, in which case the Awards shall be subject to the adjustment set forth in subsection (a) above, and to the extent that such Awards are Performance Awards or other Awards that vest subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives or similar performance criteria, such Performance Objectives or similar performance criteria shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect the Corporate Event;
(2) The acceleration of vesting of any or all Awards, subject to the consummation of such Corporate Event, with any Performance Awards or other Awards that vest subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives or similar performance criteria deemed earned (i) based on actual performance through the date of the Corporate Event, or (ii) at the target level (or if no target is specified, the maximum level), in the event actual performance cannot be measured through the date of the Corporate Event, in each case, with respect to all unexpired Performance Periods;
(3) The cancellation of any or all Awards (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event, together with the payment to the Participants holding vested Awards (including any Awards that would vest upon the Corporate Event but for such cancellation) so canceled of an amount in respect of cancellation based upon the per-share consideration being paid for the Stock in connection with such Corporate Event, less, in the case of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise, the applicable exercise or base price; provided, however, that holders of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise shall be entitled to consideration in respect of cancellation of such Awards only if the per-share consideration less the applicable exercise or base price is greater than zero dollars ($0), and to the extent that the per-share consideration is less than or equal to the applicable exercise or base price, such Awards shall be canceled for no consideration; and
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(4) The replacement of any or all Awards (other than Awards that are intended to qualify as stock rights that do not provide for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) with a cash incentive program that preserves the value of the Awards so replaced (determined as of the consummation of the Corporate Event), with subsequent payment of cash incentives subject to the same vesting conditions as applicable to the Awards so replaced and payment to be made within thirty (30) days of the applicable vesting date.
Payments to holders pursuant to paragraph (3) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or a combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable exercise or base price). In addition, in connection with any Corporate Event, prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this subsection (b), the Committee may require a Participant to (A) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to his Awards, (B) bear such Participants pro-rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Stock, and (C) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.
(c) Fractional Shares . Any adjustment provided under this Section 12 may, in the Committees discretion, provide for the elimination of any fractional share that might otherwise become subject to an Award.
13. Use of Proceeds.
The proceeds received from the sale of Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
14. Rights and Privileges as a Stockholder.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, no person shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of Stock ownership in respect of shares of Stock that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued to that person.
15. Transferability of Awards.
Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and to the extent subject to exercise, Awards may not be exercised during the lifetime of the grantee other than by the grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to Incentive Stock Options, Awards and a Participants rights under the Plan shall be transferable for no value to the extent provided in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee.
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16. Employment or Service Rights.
No individual shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for the grant of any other Award. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
17. Compliance with Laws.
The obligation of the Company to deliver Stock upon vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale or resale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan or any shares of Stock to be issued upon exercise or settlement of Awards. If the shares of Stock offered for sale or sold under the Plan are offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares and may legend the Stock certificates representing such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.
18. Withholding Obligations.
As a condition to the vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award (or upon the making of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), the Committee may require that a Participant satisfy, through deduction or withholding from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant, or through such other arrangements as are satisfactory to the Committee, the minimum amount of all federal, state, and local income and other taxes of any kind required or permitted to be withheld in connection with such vesting, exercise, or settlement (or election). A Participant may elect to have such tax withholding satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold a number of shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to an Award with a Fair Market Value as of the vesting, exercise or settlement date of the Award, as applicable equal to the amount of the required withholding tax, (ii) transferring to the Company shares of Stock owned by the Participant with a Fair Market Value as of the vesting, exercise or settlement date of the Award, as applicable, equal to the amount of the required withholding tax, or (iii) in the case of a Participant who is an employee of the Company at the time such
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withholding is effected, by withholding from the cash compensation payable to such Participant as of such date, equal to the amount of the required withholding tax; provided, however , that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the number of shares of Stock that may be used to satisfy tax withholding requirements may not exceed the minimum statutorily required withholding amount with respect to such Award.
19. Amendment of the Plan or Awards.
(a) Amendment of Plan . The Board or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time.
(b) Amendment of Awards . The Board or the Committee may amend the terms of any one or more Awards at any time and from time to time.
(c) Stockholder Approval; No Material Impairment . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall be effective without stockholder approval if such amendment would cause the Plan to fail to comply with any applicable legal requirement or applicable rules of any national securities exchange on which the Stock or OP Units are listed or similar requirement. Additionally, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall materially impair a Participants rights under any Award unless the Participant consents in writing (it being understood that no action taken by the Board or the Committee that is expressly permitted under the Plan, including, without limitation, any actions described in Section 12 hereof, shall constitute an amendment to the Plan or an Award for such purpose). Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, and without an affected Participants consent, the Board or the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan or any one or more Awards from time to time as necessary to bring such Awards into compliance with applicable law, including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code.
(d) No Repricing of Awards Without Stockholder Approval . Notwithstanding subsection (a) or (b) above, or any other provision of the Plan, the repricing of Awards shall not be permitted without stockholder approval. For this purpose, a repricing means any of the following (or any other action that has the same effect as any of the following): (1) changing the terms of an Award to lower its exercise or base price (other than on account of capital adjustments resulting from share splits, etc., as described in Section 12(a) hereof), (2) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, and (3) repurchasing for cash or canceling an Award in exchange for another Award at a time when its exercise or base price is greater than the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock, unless the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with an event set forth in Section 12(b) hereof.
20. Termination or Suspension of the Plan.
The Board or the Committee may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated; provided, however , that following any suspension or
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termination of the Plan, the Plan shall remain in effect for the purpose of governing all Awards then outstanding hereunder until such time as all Awards under the Plan have been terminated, forfeited, or otherwise canceled, or earned, exercised, settled, or otherwise paid out, in accordance with their terms.
21. Effective Date of the Plan.
The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date, subject to stockholder approval.
22. Miscellaneous.
(a) Certificates . Stock acquired pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that (1) such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Stock, (2) the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and (3) the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that the Stock shall be held in book-entry form rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of any applicable restrictions.
(b) Clawback/Recoupment Policy . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, all Awards granted under the Plan shall be and remain subject to any incentive compensation clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Board and, in each case, as may be amended from time to time. No such policy adoption or amendment shall in any event require the prior consent of any Participant.
(c) Data Privacy . As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this section by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing the Plan and Awards and the Participants participation in the Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including, but not limited to, the Participants name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and details of all Awards (the Data ). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participants participation in the Plan, the Company and its Affiliates may each transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participants participation in the Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participants country or elsewhere, and the Participants country and any given recipients country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in
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electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participants participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Plan and Awards and the Participants participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his local human resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participants eligibility to participate in the Plan, and in the Committees discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
(d) Participants Outside of the United States . The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then a resident or primarily employed or providing services, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by nonUnited States tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participants residence, employment, or providing services abroad, shall be comparable to the value of such Award to a Participant who is a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, in the United States. An Award may be modified under this Section 22(d) in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation or result in actual liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act for the Participant whose Award is modified. Additionally, the Committee may adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Eligible Persons who are nonUnited States nationals or are primarily employed or providing services outside the United States.
(e) No Liability of Committee Members . Neither any member of the Committee nor any of the Committees permitted delegates shall be liable personally by reason of any contract or other instrument executed by such member or on his behalf in his capacity as a member of the Committee or for any mistake of judgment made in good faith, and the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and each other employee, officer, or director of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan may be allocated or delegated, against all costs and expenses (including counsel fees) and liabilities (including sums paid in settlement of a claim) arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan, unless arising out of such persons own fraud or willful misconduct; provided, however , that approval of the Board shall be required for the payment of any amount in settlement of a claim against any such person. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Companys certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws, each as may be amended from time to time, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
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(f) Payments Following Accidents or Illness . If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, or any other person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.
(g) Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Maryland without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
(h) Funding . No provision of the Plan shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company be required to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records, or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees and service providers under general law.
(i) Reliance on Reports . Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in relying, acting, or failing to act, and shall not be liable for having so relied, acted, or failed to act in good faith, upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and upon any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any Person or Persons other than such member.
(j) Titles and Headings . The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
- 26 -
Exhibit 10.11
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
by and among
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.,
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
and
the entities affiliated with the Helmsley Estate listed on the signature pages hereto
Dated and effective as of November 28, 2011 and amended
and restated as of July 2, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 |
CONTRIBUTION |
3 | ||||
Section 1.1 |
Contribution of Contributed Interests |
3 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Designation of Assignee |
3 | ||||
Section 1.3 |
Consideration |
3 | ||||
Section 1.4 |
Tax Treatment |
5 | ||||
Section 1.5 |
Helmsley Entity Consent |
6 | ||||
Section 1.6 |
Term of Agreement |
7 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 |
CLOSING |
7 | ||||
Section 2.1 |
Conditions Precedent |
7 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Time and Place; Closing and IPO Closing |
8 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Closing Deliveries |
9 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
IPO Closing Deliveries |
9 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
[Intentionally Omitted.] |
10 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
10 | ||||
Section 3.1 |
Representations and Warranties with Respect to the Company and the Operating Partnership |
10 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Representations and Warranties of the Helmsley Group Members |
12 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Survival of Representations and Warranties |
17 | ||||
ARTICLE 4 |
COVENANTS |
17 | ||||
Section 4.1 |
Covenants of the Helmsley Group Members |
17 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Indemnification |
19 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Commercially Reasonable Efforts |
20 | ||||
ARTICLE 5 |
MISCELLANEOUS |
20 | ||||
Section 5.1 |
Defined Terms |
20 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Notices |
23 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Counterparts |
24 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Entire Agreement; Third-Party Beneficiaries |
24 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
Governing Law |
25 | ||||
Section 5.6 |
Amendment; Waiver |
25 | ||||
Section 5.7 |
Assignment |
25 | ||||
Section 5.8 |
Jurisdiction |
25 | ||||
Section 5.9 |
Severability |
26 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Rules of Construction |
26 | ||||
Section 5.11 |
Time of the Essence |
26 | ||||
Section 5.12 |
Descriptive Headings |
26 |
Section 5.13 |
No Personal Liability Conferred |
26 | ||||
Section 5.14 |
Changes to Form Agreements |
26 | ||||
Section 5.15 |
Further Assurances |
27 | ||||
Section 5.16 |
Reliance |
27 | ||||
Section 5.17 |
Survival |
27 | ||||
Section 5.18 |
Equitable Remedies; Limitation on Damages |
27 | ||||
EXHIBITS |
||||||
A Helmsley Entities, REIT Contributing Entities and Participation Interests |
||||||
B Articles |
||||||
C Form of Registration Rights Agreement |
||||||
D Form of Lock-Up Agreement |
||||||
SCHEDULES |
||||||
Schedule 1 Transaction Documents |
AMENDED AND RESTATED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (including all exhibits, hereinafter referred to as this Agreement ) is made and entered into as of November 28, 2011 (the Effective Date ) and amended and restated as of July 2, 2012 by and among Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company ), Empire State Realty OP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Operating Partnership ), the entities affiliated with the Helmsley Estate (defined below) set forth on Exhibit A (individually, a Helmsley Entity and collectively, the Helmsley Entities ), The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (the Contributing Trust ), and the Estate of Leona M. Helmsley (the Helmsley Estate ). Terms used but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 5.1 .
RECITALS
A. WHEREAS, in conjunction with the Companys formation transactions and the initial public offering of the Company (the IPO ), the Company desires, among other things, (1) to consolidate (a) the ownership of the Participation Interests held by the Participants in 23 limited liability companies and limited partnerships (the REIT Contributing Entities ) which own fee, ground leasehold interests or operating leasehold interests in the 18 real properties and the two acres of vacant land as described in each REIT Contributing Entitys Consent Solicitation Statement/Offering Memorandum or the Prospectus/Consent Solicitation Statement included in the registration statement on Form S-4, as applicable (each, a Consent Solicitation ) and (b) Malkin Holdings LLC, Malkin Properties, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C., Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc. and Malkin Construction Corp. (the Management Companies ) and (2) to have an option (the Option Transaction ) to acquire the interests owned by three limited liability companies (the Optional Contributing Entities ) which may be exercised upon the final resolution of certain ongoing litigation with respect to the real properties owned by such companies. Such consolidations into the Company and/or the Operating Partnership will be completed immediately prior to or concurrently with the completion of the IPO (as more particularly described below and in the Consent Solicitations (collectively, the Consolidation Transaction ) pursuant to various contribution agreements (the Contribution Agreements ) by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and the applicable REIT Contributing Entity, and merger agreements by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and the applicable Management Company.
B. WHEREAS, the Consolidation Transaction and the Option Transaction will entail, among other things, a series of transactions, pursuant to which the REIT Contributing Entities, the Optional Contributing Entities (if the Company exercises the related option) and/or their Participants, and the equity holders of the Management Companies, will receive, as applicable, units of limited partnership interest (the OP Units ) to be issued by the Operating Partnership, shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the Class A Common Stock ), to be issued by the Company, shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (together with the Class A Common Stock, the Common Stock ), to be issued by the Company and/or cash (subject to a cap), which (to the extent received by the REIT Contributing Entities and not directly by the Participants or equity holders, as the case may be, therein) will each be distributed to the Participants or equity holders, as the case may be, therein. The holder of a Participation Interest in a REIT Contributing Entity, as applicable, is referred to individually as a Participant and collectively as the Participants .
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C. WHEREAS, the Helmsley Entities hold the Participation Interests in the REIT Contributing Entities as set forth on Exhibit A, and each Helmsley Entity desires to consent to the Consolidation Transaction in respect of the applicable REIT Contributing Entity in which such Helmsley Entity holds Participation Interests on the Effective Date prior to the mailing of the Consent Solicitations.
D. WHEREAS, prior to the Consolidation Transaction, (1) Supervisory Management Corp. shall transfer its Participation Interests as set forth on Exhibit A to a newly formed single purpose Delaware limited liability company ( Supervisory LLC which, for purposes of this Agreement shall constitute a Contributed Helmsley Entity (as defined below), and (2) the Helmsley Estate expects to cause the transfer of Supervisory LLC and the entities set forth on Exhibit A and identified as Helmsley Entities (LLCs) (excluding LMH Equities LLC, which shall transfer its Participation Interests as set forth on Exhibit A to LMH 1350 LLC prior to such time, and together with Supervisory LLC, the Contributed Helmsley Entities ) to the Contributing Trust such that, prior to the Closing, the Contributed Helmsley Entities are expected to be wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Contributing Trust.
E. WHEREAS, at the Closing, the Contributing Trust (or, to the extent the applicable Contributed Helmsley Entity is not so transferred to the Contributing Trust, the Helmsley Estate) desires to transfer all of the equity interests in the Contributed Helmsley Entities, and Foundation desires to transfer its Participation Interests as set forth on Exhibit A (such equity interests and such Participation Interests to be so transferred collectively, the Contributed Interests ), directly to the Operating Partnership or a Subsidiary thereof for cash, OP Units and/or Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock (in an amount that will not exceed 2.048% of the OP Units issued to the Contributors) in lieu of the process described in Recital B above (the Contributions ), and the Charitable Entities (and, to the extent set forth herein, the Helmsley Estate) desire to receive the benefit of any transfer tax savings to the Operating Partnership or such Subsidiary thereof resulting from such transfers to the Operating Partnership or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the structure described in this Recital E.
F. WHEREAS, this Agreement was executed on November 28, 2011 and is effective as of such date (and all representations, warranties and covenants are, and shall remain, made as of such date) and the parties hereto desire to amend and restate this Agreement as of July 2, 2012.
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NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual undertakings set forth below, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
TERMS OF AGREEMENT
ARTICLE 1
CONTRIBUTION
Section 1.1 Contribution of Contributed Interests . At the Closing and subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, the Contributors shall contribute, transfer, assign, convey and deliver to the Operating Partnership, and the Operating Partnership shall acquire and accept, all right, title and interest held by the applicable Contributor in the Contributed Interests (other than Excluded Assets) directly, free and clear of all Liens.
Section 1.2 Designation of Assignee . The Operating Partnership reserves the right, by written notice to the Contributors, to reallocate any of the Contributed Interests slated for acquisition by the Operating Partnership pursuant to this Agreement, such that the Contributed Interests will instead be contributed to and acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or the Operating Partnership; provided that such reallocation does not adversely affect the Tax treatment of the Contributions contemplated herein.
Section 1.3 Consideration .
(a) At the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall, in exchange for the transfer of the Contributed Interests, (i) pay to the applicable Contributor or its designee in cash, to the extent cash is payable to such Contributor in respect of the exercise by the applicable Helmsley Entity of the cash election as described in the Consent Solicitation, with the balance in Class A Common Stock (up to the number of shares of Class A common stock that together with the Class B common stock to be issued to the Contributor will not exceed the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit (as such term is defined in the Articles)) and the remainder in OP Units and Class B common stock, up the maximum number of Class B common stock issuable to the Contributor) equal to, as applicable, each Contributed Helmsley Entitys and the Foundations portion (based on percentage ownership) of the Value of the respective REIT Contributing Entity (as will be determined in accordance with such REIT Contributing Entitys Contribution Agreement, its Organizational Documents and its Consent Solicitation), and (ii) pay to the applicable Contributor an amount equal to the New York City real property transfer tax that would be payable with respect to the transfers by the applicable Contributor contemplated under this Agreement but that are not payable by any person as a result of such Contributors exemption from the New York City real property transfer tax under Section 11-2106(b)(2) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York (the Reimbursement Amount , such amount together with the amount described in subsection (i) above in respect of all Contributed Interests in the aggregate, the Total Consideration ). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if all of the transfers of the Participation Interests (excluding the transfers hereunder by the Charitable Entities and the Helmsley Estate (to the extent applicable) and the transfers by non-accredited Participants and Participants who qualify for the exemption provided under Section 11-2106(b)(2) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York) in any REIT Contributing Entity are eligible for the reduced New York City transfer tax rate described in Section 11-2102(e) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York and are properly reported in a manner consistent with such eligibility, then the Reimbursement Amount with respect to the transfers of the Participation Interests in such REIT Contributing Entity shall be calculated (for all purposes of this Agreement) as if the transfers from the applicable Contributor
3
were eligible for the reduced New York City real property transfer tax rate described in Section 11-2102(e) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and as if the consideration for such transfers was determined under Section 11-2102(e)(3) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if all such transfers of the Participating Interests in a REIT Contributing Entity are not eligible for the reduced New York City transfer tax rate described in Section 11-2102(e) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, then the Reimbursement Amount shall be calculated (for all purposes of this Agreement) as if the transfers of the Participation Interests in such REIT Contributing Entity from the applicable Contributor were not eligible for the reduced New York City real property transfer tax rate described in Section 11-2102(e) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and as if the consideration for such transfers was determined under Section 11-2101(9) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. In either case, the Reimbursement Amount shall be calculated taking into account Section 23-02, Consideration (2) of the Rules of the City of New York. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the Helmsley Estate is a Contributor hereunder, the amount described under clause (ii) of this Section 1.3(a) with respect to the transfer by or caused by the Helmsley Estate shall not be paid by the Operating Partnership at the Closing, but rather such amount shall be paid by the Operating Partnership to the Helmsley Estate or its designee promptly after the expiration of the period of limitations with respect to the New York City real property transfer tax applicable to such transfer provided under Section 11-2116 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. The Contributors agree that the Operating Partnership shall reasonably determine the manner in which the aggregate shares of OP Units, Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and cash payable to the Contributors under clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 1.3(a) or payable under Section 1.3(b) hereof shall be allocated among the Contributed Helmsley Entities and the Foundation, and each Contributor agrees that it shall treat the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in a manner consistent with such allocation for all purposes, provided that no such allocation shall result in any OP Units being issued to any Contributor other than the Helmsley Estate without the consent of the Helmsley Estate.
(b) In addition to the foregoing, in the event that the underwriters in the IPO exercise all or any portion of their option to purchase additional shares of Class A Common Stock, the applicable Contributor (as determined by the Helmsley Estate) or its designee shall be entitled to receive on each closing with respect to such exercise the proceeds from such exercise in an amount equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock sold pursuant to such option multiplied by the difference between the IPO Price and the Underwriting Discount in lieu of the OP Units such Contributor otherwise would have been entitled to receive, or, if such closing occurs following the Closing, in exchange for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock then held by such Contributor, in each case, as set forth in the applicable REIT Contributing Entitys Contribution Agreement. No other Participant shall be entitled to receive any of such proceeds.
(c) No fractional OP Units or shares of Class A Common Stock shall be issued to a Contributor pursuant to this Agreement. If aggregating all OP Units or shares of Class A Common Stock that a Contributor would otherwise be entitled to receive as a result of the Consolidation Transaction would require the issuance of a fractional OP Unit or share of Class A Common Stock, in lieu of such fractional OP Unit or share of Class A Common Stock, the Contributor shall be entitled to receive one OP Unit or one share of Class A Common Stock
4
for each fractional OP Unit or share of Class A Common Stock of 0.50 or greater. The Company will not issue an OP Unit or a share of Class A Common Stock for any fractional OP Unit or share of Class A Common Stock of less than 0.50.
(d) As soon as practicable following the determination of the price per share of Class A Common Stock in the IPO and prior to the Closing, all calculations relating to the Total Consideration shall be performed in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Company and the Operating Partnership, and, absent manifest error, shall be final and binding upon the Contributors.
(e) The parties acknowledge that the transfer pursuant to this Section 1.3 of (i) OP Units shall be evidenced by an amendment (the Amendment ) to the OP Agreement admitting the Contributors receiving OP Units hereunder as limited partners of the Operating Partnership and (ii) the Class A Common Stock shall be evidenced through the electronic registration of such Class A Common Stock with the Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ( DTC Registered REIT Stock ). Each Contributor that will receive OP Units shall be instructed to execute, in connection with its consent to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, an agreement to become a party to and be bound by the OP Agreement. The Operating Partnership may withhold distribution of any OP Units to any Contributor until such Contributor executes an agreement to be become a party to and be bound by the OP Agreement.
(f) Each REIT Contributing Entity must distribute certain cash, if any, held on or prior to the Closing Date to its Participants (including the respective Contributed Helmsley Entity and the Foundation) in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Organizational Documents and the Contribution Agreement of such REIT Contributing Entity (together with Excluded Assets as defined in each REIT Contribution Agreement, the Excluded Assets ). The Operating Partnership agrees and acknowledges that none of the Excluded Assets, nor any right, title or interest of the applicable REIT Contributing Entity or Participant therein, shall be deemed to constitute a part of the assets and liabilities contributed to the Operating Partnership, and that such assets and liabilities will be retained by such REIT Contributing Entity or such Participant at the Closing. The Operating Partnership agrees and acknowledges that (i) each such REIT Contributing Entity must transfer or distribute the Excluded Assets to its Participants (including the respective Contributed Helmsley Entity and the Foundation) at any time and from time to time prior to the Closing and after the Closing (in which case, the respective Contributed Helmsley Entity shall assign, or the Company shall cause each such Contributed Helmsley Entity to assign, to the applicable Contributor such Contributed Helmsley Entitys portion of such distributions and the Company shall cause all amounts received by it, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Company or the Operating Partnership from such distributions in respect of the Participation Interests contributed by the Foundation to be paid over to the Foundation) and (ii) the applicable Contributor shall be entitled to its respective share of any distributions (including distributions of Excluded Assets) made by each REIT Contributing Entity in respect of the Participation Interests contributed directly or indirectly by such Contributor.
Section 1.4 Tax Treatment .
(a) The parties intend and agree that the Contributions by the Contributors pursuant to the Consolidation Transaction, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, shall constitute
5
an assets over partnership merger of the REIT Contributing Entity and the Operating Partnership within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(3)(i) and, as a result, that (i) any distribution of cash and/or Class A Common Stock to a Contributor who receives solely cash and/or Class A Common Stock in respect of its Contributed Interest in the relevant REIT Contributing Entity shall be treated as a sale by such Contributor of its Contributed Interest in such REIT Contributing Entity and a purchase by the Operating Partnership of such Contributed Interest for the cash and/or Class A Common Stock received by such Contributor in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(4), (ii) any distribution of cash and/or Class A Common Stock to a Contributor who receives a combination of OP Units and cash and/or Class A Common Stock in respect of its Contributed Interest in the relevant REIT Contributing Entity shall be treated (a) as a reimbursement of capital expenditures under Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), to the extent that the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of such Class A Common Stock does not exceed such Contributors proportionate share of the capital expenditures of such REIT Contributing Entity to be specified on Schedule 1.9 (which shall be provided on or prior to the Closing Date) and (b) as a sale by such Contributor of its Participation Interest in the REIT Contributing Entity and a purchase by the Operating Partnership of such Contributed Interest in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(4), to the extent (if any) that the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of such Class A Common Stock exceeds such Contributors proportionate share of the capital expenditures of such REIT Contributing Entity as of the Closing Date as will be specified on a schedule to be provided on or prior to the Closing Date). At or prior to the Closing Date, the parties will agree to a revision of such schedule reflecting the capital expenditures that each REIT Contributing Entity will have incurred as of the Closing Date. Each such Contributor who accepts such cash and/or Class A Common Stock explicitly agrees to the treatment described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) as a condition to receiving such cash and/or Class A Common Stock. The portion of any transfer, assignment and exchange of Contributed Interests for OP Units by a Contributor effectuated pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute a Capital Contribution by the REIT Contributing Entity to the Operating Partnership pursuant to Article IV of the OP Agreement and is intended to be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as a contribution to a partnership pursuant to Section 721 of the Code.
(b) The Operating Partnership shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any portion of the Total Consideration to be distributed to the Contributors such amount as it is required to deduct and withhold from such payment under the Code or any provision of U.S. federal, state, local or foreign tax law; provided, that notice of such withholding is delivered to the Contributors in advance. To the extent that amounts are withheld by the Operating Partnership, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the applicable Contributor in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Operating Partnership.
Section 1.5 Helmsley Entity Consent . Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, each Helmsley Entity shall deliver its irrevocable consent (the Helmsley Consent ) to (a) the Consolidation Transaction, including an Alternate Transaction and (b) a third-party portfolio sale proposal ( Portfolio Sale ) (each as more fully described in the Consent Solicitations) in respect of the REIT Contributing Entity in which it holds a Participation Interest.
6
Section 1.6 Term of Agreement . If the Closing does not occur by December 31, 2014 (the Termination Date ), or such earlier time as the Company determines not to proceed with the IPO, this Agreement shall be deemed terminated and shall be of no further force and effect and none of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any Helmsley Group Member shall have any further obligations hereunder except as specifically set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
CLOSING
Section 2.1 Conditions Precedent .
(a) Condition to Each Partys Obligations . The obligations of each party to effect the transactions with respect to each Contribution of a Contributed Interest contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
(i) No order, statute, rule, regulation, executive order, injunction, stay, decree, judgment or restraining order shall have been enacted, issued, entered, promulgated or enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction or Governmental Authority that prohibits the consummation of the transactions with respect to such Contribution contemplated hereby (which condition may not be waived by any party), nor shall any proceeding brought by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction be pending that seeks the foregoing;
(ii) The IPO Closing shall have occurred simultaneously with the Closing (or the Closing shall occur prior to, but conditioned upon the immediate subsequent occurrence of, the IPO Closing) and the Class A Common Stock and OP Units shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance. This condition may not be waived by any party; and
(iii) With respect to each REIT Contributing Entity in which a Contributor owns (directly or indirectly) a Participation Interest, the closing of such REIT Contributing Entitys participation in the Consolidation Transaction pursuant to its Contribution Agreement shall have occurred.
(b) Conditions to Obligations of the Company and the Operating Partnership . The obligations of the Company and Operating Partnership to effect a Contribution transaction of a Contributed Interest contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions with respect to such Contributed Interest (it being understood that the provisions of Section 2.1(a) and this Section 2.1(b) shall be the only conditions to the obligations of the Company and the Operating Partnership with respect to such Contribution and that, without limiting any Helmsley Group Members duties, covenants or obligations expressed elsewhere in this Agreement, the provisions of Section 2.1(a) and this Section 2.1(b) shall be only conditions to Closing and shall not independently create any additional covenants on the part of such Helmsley Group Member):
(i) The representations and warranties of the Helmsley Group Members contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects at the Closing Date as if made again at that time (except to the extent that any representation or warranty speaks as of an earlier date, in which case it must be true and correct only as of that earlier date).
7
(ii) Each Helmsley Group Member shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.
(iii) Each Helmsley Group Member shall have executed and delivered to the Company the documents required to be delivered by it pursuant to Sections 2.3 and 2.4 hereof.
Any or all of the foregoing conditions may be waived by the Operating Partnership on behalf of itself and the Company in its sole and absolute discretion.
(c) Conditions to Obligations of the Helmsley Group Members . The obligations of each Helmsley Group Member to effect the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions (it being understood that the provisions of Section 2.1(a) and this Section 2.1(c) shall be the only conditions to the obligations of such entities and that, without limiting any of the Companys or the Operating Partnerships duties, covenants or obligations expressed elsewhere in this Agreement, the provisions of Section 2.1(a) and this Section 2.1(c) shall be only conditions to Closing and shall not independently create any additional covenants of the Company or the Operating Partnership):
(i) The representations and warranties of each of the Operating Partnership and the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct at the Closing Date as if made again at that time (except to the extent that any representation or warranty speaks as of an earlier date, in which case it must be true and correct only as of that earlier date).
(ii) The Company and the Operating Partnership shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.
(iii) The Company and the Operating Partnership each shall have executed and delivered to the Helmsley Group Members the documents required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 2.3 and 2.4 hereof.
Section 2.2 Time and Place; Closing and IPO Closing . Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 1.6 , and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions in Section 2.1 , the closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder (the Closing or Closing Date ) shall occur concurrently with (or prior to, but conditioned upon the immediate subsequent occurrence of) the IPO Closing. The Closing shall take place at the New York offices of Clifford Chance US LLP or such other place as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. The date, time and place of the consummation of the IPO, which shall occur concurrently with or immediately following the Closing, shall be referred to in this Agreement as the IPO Closing .
8
Section 2.3 Closing Deliveries . On the Closing Date, the parties shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver the legal documents and items required to be executed or delivered in connection with the Closing (collectively the Closing Documents ) to which it is a party or for which it is otherwise responsible that are necessary to carry out the intention of this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated to take place in connection therewith. The Closing Documents and other items to be delivered at the Closing are the following:
(a) The Amendment or other evidence of the transfer of OP Units to the Contributors and evidence of the DTC Registered REIT Stock, which shall bear the legend set forth in the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as amended and restated and in effect immediately prior to the Closing in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B (the Articles ) or a written statement of information that the Company will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge, which restrictions shall be substantially the same as those set forth in the Articles;
(b) Any other documents that are in the possession of a Contributor or which can be obtained through such Contributors reasonable efforts which are reasonably requested by the Company or the Operating Partnership and are reasonably necessary or desirable to assign, transfer, convey, contribute and deliver the Contributed Interests directly, free and clear of all Liens and effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby;
(c) The Operating Partnership and the Company on the one hand and the Helmsley Group Members on the other hand shall provide to the other a certified copy of all appropriate corporate resolutions or partnership, limited liability company or other actions, as applicable, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by the Operating Partnership and the Company (if so requested by a Helmsley Group Member) and any Helmsley Group Member (if so requested by the Operating Partnership or the Company) of this Agreement, any related documents and the documents listed in this Section 2.3 ;
(d) The Operating Partnership and the Company on the one hand and the Helmsley Group Members on the other hand shall provide to the other a certification regarding the accuracy in all material respects of each of their respective representations and warranties in this Agreement at the Closing Date (except to the extent that any representation or warranty speaks as of an earlier date, in which case it must be true and correct only as of that earlier date);
(e) The Contributors shall each provide the Operating Partnership with a certificate of non-foreign status that complies in form and in substance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b); and
(f) Any applicable books, records and Organizational Documents relating to each Contributed Helmsley Entity that are in the possession of each Contributed Helmsley Entity or the applicable Contributor or which can be obtained through such entities reasonable efforts.
Section 2.4 IPO Closing Deliveries . At the IPO Closing, (a) the Closing Documents shall be delivered to the applicable parties, and the Closing shall be deemed to have occurred (if
9
such Closing has not otherwise occurred immediately prior thereto), and (b) the parties shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver, the legal documents and other items to which it is a party or for which it is otherwise responsible that are necessary to carry out the intention of this Agreement, which IPO Closing Documents and other items are the following:
(a) The Registration Rights Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the Registration Rights Agreement ); and
(b) The Lock-up Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D .
Section 2.5 [Intentionally Omitted.]
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 3.1 Representations and Warranties with Respect to the Company and the Operating Partnership . The Operating Partnership and the Company hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Helmsley Group Members as set forth below in this Section 3.1 , which representations and warranties are true and correct as of the Effective Date (or such other date specifically set forth below):
(a) Organization; Authority .
(i) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and each agreement or other document listed on Schedule 1 (the Transaction Documents ) to which it is a party, and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and to own, lease and/or operate its property, as applicable, and its other assets, and to carry on its business as presently conducted. The Company, to the extent required under applicable Laws, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than such failures to be so qualified as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) The Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation and has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and each agreement or other document contemplated by this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and to own, lease and/or operate its property, as applicable, and its other assets, and to carry on its business as presently conducted. The Operating Partnership, to the extent required under applicable Laws, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than such failures to be so qualified as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Due Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by the Company and the Operating Partnership of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions required of the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively. This Agreement and each Transaction Document executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively, each enforceable against the Company and the Operating Partnership, respectively, in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(c) Consents and Approvals . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Helmsley Group Members made hereunder, no consent, order, waiver, approval or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any Person or Governmental Authority or under any applicable Laws (each, a Consent ) is required to be obtained by the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Subsidiaries in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement to which the Company or the Operating Partnership is a party, or any agreements or transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for those consents, orders, waivers, approvals, authorizations, registrations, qualifications, designations, declarations or filings, the failure of which to obtain or to make, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as contemplated in the Registration Rights Agreement.
(d) No Violation . None of the execution, delivery or performance by the Company or the Operating Partnership of this Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement to which the Company or the Operating Partnership is a party, or any agreement or transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under or give to others any right of termination, acceleration, cancellation or other right under, (i) the Organizational Documents of the Company and the Operating Partnership, (ii) any agreement, document or instrument to which the Company or the Operating Partnership is a party thereto or (iii) any term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction, or decree binding on the Company or the Operating Partnership, except for, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii), any such breaches or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) OP Units and Class A Common Stock . The OP Units and Class A Common Stock, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for the consideration described in this Agreement, will have been (i) duly authorized by the Company or the Operating Partnership, as applicable, and when issued against the consideration therefor, will be validly issued by the Company or the Operating Partnership, respectively, (ii) fully paid and non-assessable with respect to the Class A Common Stock, (iii) not subject to preemptive or similar rights created by statute or any agreement to which the Company or the Operating Partnership is a party or by which it is bound and (iv) free and clear of all Liens created by the Company or the Operating Partnership (other than Liens created by the Articles or the OP Agreement).
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(f) No Broker . None of the Company, the Operating Partnership, any of their Subsidiaries, or any of their officers, directors or employees, to the extent applicable, has entered into any agreement with any broker, finder or similar agent or any Person or firm that will result in the obligation of any Helmsley Group Member or any of their Affiliates to pay any finders fee, brokerage fees or commissions or similar payment in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Act.
(g) Taxes .
(i) At the effective time of the IPO and the Closing, the Company shall be organized in a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust pursuant to Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. The Company intends to elect to be taxed and to operate in a manner that will allow it to qualify as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ending December 31 of the year in which the Closing takes place.
(ii) At the effective time of the IPO and at the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall be classified as a partnership and not an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(h) No Other Representations or Warranties . Other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Section 3.1 , neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership shall be deemed to have made any other representation or warranty in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. All representations and warranties of the Company and the Operating Partnership contained in this Agreement shall expire at Closing.
Section 3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Helmsley Group Members . Each Helmsley Entity and Contributed Helmsley Entity severally and not jointly hereby represents and warrants as to itself and not as to any other Helmsley Group Member and each of the Helmsley Estate and the Contributing Trust jointly and severally hereby represents and warrants as to itself to the Company and the Operating Partnership as set forth below in this Section 3.2 , which representations and warranties are true and correct as of the Effective Date (or such other date specifically set forth below):
(a) Organization; Authority . The Contributing Trust is a tax exempt charitable entity organized as a charitable trust duly formed and validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of New York. Each Contributed Helmsley Entity is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and, in each case, has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and each Transaction Document and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each Contributed Helmsley Entity, to the extent required under applicable Laws, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary. None of the Contributed Helmsley Entities has any Subsidiaries.
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(b) Due Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by such Helmsley Group Member of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions required of such entity. This Agreement and each Transaction Document executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Helmsley Group Member constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Helmsley Group Member, each enforceable against such entity in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(c) Litigation . Except for litigation relating to the REIT Contributing Entities or the assets held thereby, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Helmsley Estate or the Contributing Trust, threatened against or involving any Contributed Helmsley Entity or any Contributor relating to any Contributed Interest. There is no outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority against such Helmsley Group Member relating to or affecting all or any portion of the Contributed Interests that would materially impair such Helmsley Group Members ability to execute, deliver or perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(d) Compliance with Laws . Each Contributed Helmsley Entity has conducted its business in compliance in all material resects with all applicable Laws. None of the Helmsley Estate or the Contributing Trust has knowledge of, or has been informed in writing of, any continuing material violation of any Laws relating to the conduct of the business of any of the Contributed Helmsley Entities or the commencement of any investigation respecting any such possible violation.
(e) Ownership of Contributed Interests . As of the Closing, (i) the Helmsley Estate or, if not the Helmsley Estate, the Contributing Trust will be the record and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding membership interests of the Contributed Helmsley Entities or, to the extent the Contributing Trust is not the record and beneficial owner (as contemplated by Section 4.1(b) ), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Helmsley Estate will be the record owner of such interest [and the Contributing Trust will be the beneficial owner of such interest as the sole beneficiary of the Helmsley Estate] and (ii) all of the Participation Interests set forth on Exhibit A will be owned beneficially and of record by the Helmsley Estate, the Contributing Trust, a Helmsley Entity or a Contributed Helmsley Entity. Each Helmsley Entity is the record and beneficial owner of the Participation Interests in each respective REIT Contributing Entity as set forth on Exhibit A as of the Effective Date, and the applicable Contributor will have the power and authority on the Closing Date to transfer, sell, assign and convey to the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Subsidiaries, as applicable, the Contributed Interests free and clear of any Liens and, upon delivery of the Total Consideration for such Contributed Interests as provided herein, the Company, the Operating Partnership or such Subsidiary, as applicable, will acquire good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Liens. The Participation Interests set forth on Exhibit A constitute all of the Participation Interests owned
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directly or indirectly by any Helmsley Group Member or their controlled Affiliates. Except as provided for or contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing, there will not be any rights, subscriptions, warrants, options, conversion rights, preemptive rights, agreements, instruments or understandings of any kind outstanding (A) relating to the Contributed Interests or the Participation Interests set forth on Exhibit A or (B) to purchase, transfer or to otherwise acquire, or to in any way encumber, any of the interests which comprise such Contributed Interests or Participation Interests set forth on Exhibit A or any securities or obligations of any kind convertible into any of the interests which comprise such Contributed Interests and such Participation Interests. As of the Closing, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in each Contributed Helmsley Entity has been duly authorized and is validly issued.
(f) Consents and Approvals . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Operating Partnership made hereunder, no Consent is required to be obtained by such Helmsley Group Member in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement to which such Helmsley Group Member is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for those Consents (i) the failure of which to obtain or to make would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Contributors to effect the Contributions required hereby or (ii) that will have been obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date.
(g) No Violation . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Operating Partnership made hereunder, none of the execution, delivery or performance by such Helmsley Group Member of this Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement to which such entity is a party, or any agreement or transaction contemplated hereby or thereby does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under or give to others any right of termination, acceleration, cancellation or other right under, (i) the Organizational Documents of any such entity, (ii) any material agreement, document or instrument to which such Helmsley Group Member or any of their respective assets or properties are bound or (iii) any material term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction, or decree binding on any such entity.
(h) Taxes .
(i) (A) Each of the Contributed Helmsley Entities is and has been since its formation treated as an entity disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (B) none of the Contributed Helmsley Entities has received written notice from any Governmental Authority responsible for the assessment or collection of Tax challenging the treatment described in clause (A).
(ii) (A) All material Tax returns and reports in respect of taxes required to be filed by or on behalf of the Contributed Helmsley Entities have been timely filed (taking into account valid extensions) and are true correct and complete in all material respects, (B) all material Taxes required to be paid by Supervisory Management Corp. and the Contributed Helmsley Entities or with respect to income attributable to the Participation Interests owned by the Supervisory Management Corp. and Contributed
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Helmsley Entities have been timely (taking into account valid extensions) and properly paid (other than Taxes being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings) and (C) except as set forth in Schedule 3.2(h)(ii)(C) of this Agreement, there are no pending, or to the knowledge of the Helmsley Estate or the Contributing Trust, threatened (in writing) actions or proceedings for the assessment or collection of Taxes against Supervisory Management Corp. or the Contributed Helmsley Entities.
(iii) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than statutory Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable and for Taxes being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings) upon any Contributed Interests of the Contributors. Each of the Charitable Entities qualifies for the exemption from the New York City real property transfer tax described in Section 11-2106(b)(2) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York with respect to the transfers contemplated by this Agreement.
(i) Non-Foreign Status . None of the Contributors (or if any of the foregoing is a disregarded entity within the meaning of Section 1.1445-2(d)(iii), its sole owner for such purposes) is a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.
(j) Bankruptcy . No bankruptcy or similar insolvency proceeding has been filed or is currently contemplated with respect to any Contributor or any Contributed Helmsley Entity.
(k) Investment .
(i) Each Contributor is acquiring Class A Common Stock solely for its own account for the purpose of investment and not as a nominee or agent for any other Person and with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of U.S. federal securities laws. Each Contributor agrees and acknowledges that it may not, directly or indirectly, offer, transfer, sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (hereinafter, Transfer ) any of the Class A Common Stock, unless (i) the Transfer is pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act (or an exemption from such registration in accordance with clause (ii) below) and qualification or other compliance under applicable blue sky or state securities laws, (ii) if requested by the Company, counsel for the transferor (which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company) shall have furnished the Company with an opinion, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, to the effect that no such registration is required because of the availability of an exemption from registration under the Act and (iii) the Transfer otherwise is permitted by the Articles.
(ii) Each Contributor is knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in business and financial matters and fully understands the limitations on transfer imposed by U.S. federal securities laws. Each Contributor is able to bear the economic risk of holding the Class A Common Stock for an indefinite period and is able to afford the complete loss of its investment in the Class A Common Stock. Each Contributor has received and reviewed all information and documents about or pertaining to the issuance of the Class A Common Stock as the Contributor deems necessary or desirable, and has been given the opportunity to obtain any additional information or documents and to ask
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questions and receive answers about such information and documents, the Company, the Operating Partnership and the business and prospects of the Company and the Operating Partnership which the Contributor deems necessary or desirable to evaluate the merits and risks related to its investment in the Class A Common Stock; and each Contributor understands and has taken cognizance of all risk factors related to the purchase of the Class A Common Stock set forth in the applicable Consent Solicitations. The Contributor is relying upon its own independent analysis and assessment (including with respect to Taxes), and the advice of such Contributors advisors (including tax advisors), and not upon that of the Company or the Operating Partnership or any of the Companys or the Operating Partnerships Affiliates, for purposes of evaluating, entering into, and consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.
(l) Holding Period . Each Contributor acknowledges that it has been advised that the shares of Common Stock and OP Units issued pursuant to this Agreement are restricted securities (unless registered in accordance with applicable U.S. securities laws) under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and may be Transferred only in accordance with Section 3.2(k)(i) and such Contributor understands that the Company has no obligation or intention to register any shares of Class A Common Stock, except to the extent set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
(m) Accredited Investor . At the time of her death, Leona M. Helmsley would have qualified as an accredited investor under the Act as such term is defined on the date hereof. As of the date hereof, the Helmsley Estate has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 and its investment decisions are made by one or more persons who possess such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of a prospective investment in the Company. Each Charitable Entity and each Helmsley Entity is an accredited investor under the Act. Each Charitable Entity and each Helmsley Entity previously has provided the Operating Partnership and the Company with an Accredited Investor Questionnaire duly executed by such entity. No event or circumstance has occurred since delivery of such Questionnaire to make the statements contained therein false or misleading.
(n) Limited Activities . Each Contributed Helmsley Entity is a single purpose entity formed solely to own the Participation Interests in its respective REIT Contributing Entity and such Contributed Helmsley Entity has not engaged in any business or other activities, except in connection with ownership of its Participation Interests in a REIT Contributing Entity. Each Contributed Helmsley Entitys sole asset is its Participation Interest in a REIT Contributing Entity. None of the Contributed Helmsley Entities has incurred any liabilities or any other obligations of any nature whatsoever, except liabilities or other obligations as a Participant in the REIT Contributing Entities.
(o) No Broker . Such Helmsley Group Member has not, nor, to the knowledge of the Contributing Trust or the Helmsley Estate, any of such Helmsley Group Members members, managing members, partners, general partners, directors, officers or employees, to the extent applicable, has entered into any agreement with any broker, finder or similar agent or any Person or firm that will result in the obligation of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Affiliates to pay any finders fee, brokerage fees or commissions or similar payment in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , however , that if a
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finders fee, brokerage fee, commission or similar payment is due from any of the foregoing in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to any broker, finder or similar agent or any Person or firm, such fee, commission or payment due will not be the obligation of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Affiliates.
(p) No Other Representations or Warranties . Other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Section 3.2 , none of the Helmsley Group Members shall be deemed to have made any other representation or warranty in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.3 Survival of Representations and Warranties . Except as otherwise provided, all representations and warranties contained in Section 3.2 or in any certificate or affidavit delivered by a Helmsley Group Member pursuant to the Agreement shall survive until the first anniversary of the Closing; provided, however, that:
(a) the representations and warranties in Sections 3.2(h) and (i) shall survive until 60 days after the expiration of the relevant period of limitations with respect to any Taxes to which such representations pertain, and
(b) the representations and warranties in Sections 3.2(a) , (b) , (e) , (g) and (o) shall survive the Closing.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.1 Covenants of the Helmsley Group Members .
(a) From the Effective Date through the Closing, and except as contemplated by this Agreement, the applicable Helmsley Group Member will not, without the prior written consent of the Operating Partnership, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed:
(i) Sell, transfer (or agree to sell or transfer) or otherwise dispose of, or cause the sale, transfer or disposition of (or agree to do any of the foregoing) all or any portion of the Contributed Interests;
(ii) Pledge, hypothecate or encumber all or any portion of the Contributed Interests;
(iii) Cause or take any action that would render any of the representations or warranties set forth in Section 3.2 untrue in any material respect;
(iv) Authorize or consent to any of the actions prohibited by this Agreement or any of the Closing Documents;
(v) Amend the Organizational Documents of the Contributed Helmsley Entities;
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(vi) Adopt a plan of liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization that would prevent the transfer the Contributed Interests pursuant to this Agreement; and
(vii) With respect to the Contributed Helmsley Entities only, make or change any material Tax elections; settle or compromise any material claim, notice, audit report or assessment in respect of Taxes; change any Tax accounting period; adopt or change any method of Tax accounting; file any amended Tax return; enter into any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement, Tax protection agreement, Tax allocation agreement or similar contract or Tax closing or settlement agreement relating to any Tax; surrender of any right to claim a Tax refund; or consent to any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment; in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice.
(b) The Helmsley Estate acknowledges that it intends to cause the transfer, on or prior to the Closing Date, of a portion of the interests beneficially owned by it in each Contributed Helmsley Entity to the Contributing Trust, and to the extent such transfers to the Contributing Trust have not been consummated or are not effective as of the Closing, the Helmsley Estate agrees it shall, with respect to any Contributed Helmsley Entity not so transferred to the Contributing Trust (i) remain bound by and perform all obligations of the Helmsley Estate under all agreements to which it is a party or is otherwise bound relating to the Consolidation Transaction in respect of such Contributed Helmsley Entity and the related Contributed Interests and the Participation Interests held by such Contributed Helmsley Entity and (ii) perform all obligations that the Contributing Trust would have been required to perform hereunder if such Contributed Helmsley Entity had been transferred to the Contributing Trust.
(c) Each Helmsley Group Member (other than the Helmsley Estate) agrees to assume the rights and obligations of the Helmsley Estate and any of its Affiliates that are not Helmsley Group Members under each agreement to which the Helmsley Estate or any such Affiliate is a party or is otherwise bound that was executed prior to the date hereof in connection with the Consolidation Transaction or directly relating to a REIT Contributing Entity in which a Helmsley Entity or a Contributed Helmsley Entity is a Participant to the extent required to carryout the purposes and intent of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) The Helmsley Estate, directly or indirectly, shall cause each Contributed Helmsley Entity to perform all of the obligations required to be performed by such Contributed Helmsley Entity under this Agreement. To the extent the Helmsley Estate does not have the power to do so but the Contributing Trust does have such power, the Contributing Trust, directly or indirectly, shall cause each Contributed Helmsley Entity to perform all of the obligations required to be performed by such Contributed Helmsley Entity under this Agreement.
(e) The Contributors shall prepare and file all material transfer tax returns required to be filed with respect to the transfers contemplated by this Agreement and in connection therewith, take any actions reasonably necessary to claim an exemption from the New York City real property transfer tax under Section 11-2106(b)(2) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. At least fifteen (15) days before the Closing, the Contributors
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shall provide the Operating Partnership a draft of such returns and shall consider in good faith all comments that are reasonably made by the Company or the Operating Partnership. The Contributors shall reasonably cooperate with the Company and the Operating Partnership in the preparation and filing of all transfer tax and other tax returns relating to the Consolidation Transaction, including, without limitation, (i) providing the Company and the Operating Partnership with any requested information that is reasonably required in order prepare and file such returns and (ii) signing and jointly filing any transfer tax returns with the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary as required by law.
(f) If a finders fee, brokerage fee, commission or similar payment is due to a broker, finder or similar agent or any Person or firm as a result of an agreement with a Helmsley Group Member or a member, managing member, partner, general partner, director, officer or employee of such Helmsley Group Member that results in the payment of such obligation by the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Affiliates, such fee will be reimbursed by the applicable Contributor.
Section 4.2 Indemnification . (a) From and after the Closing, the Contributors shall indemnify and hold harmless, without duplication, the Company, the Operating Partnership and any of their Subsidiaries from and against any Losses, including without limitation, Taxes due and penalties and interest accrued thereon, arising out of, relating to or in connection with (i) any material breach by a Helmsley Group Member of any representation or warranty contained in Section 3.2 , (ii) any material breach by a Helmsley Group Member of any covenant contained in this Agreement (iii) the ownership of the Participation Interests, the conduct of the business of any Contributed Helmsley Entity or any other facts or circumstances relating to any Contributed Helmsley Entity arising during any period occurring prior to the Closing Date and (iv) any transfer taxes described in Section 1.3(a)(ii) required to be paid by the Operating Partnership due to (A) the failure of the transfers by the Charitable Entities to qualify for the exemption from the New York City real property transfer tax described in Section 11-2106(b)(2) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York or (B) any action or inaction of the Charitable Entities, the Helmsley Estate or any Contributed Helmsley Entity; provided that, in the case of clause (iv) above, in no event shall such amount exceed the Reimbursement Amount previously paid to the Charitable Entities under Section 1.3(a)(ii) hereof increased by any interest and penalties on such transfer taxes (provided that, if the Reimbursement Amount was calculated as if the transfers from the applicable Contributor were eligible for the reduced New York City real property transfer tax rate described in Section 11-2102(e) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and as if the consideration for such transfers was determined under Section 11-2102(e)(3) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, then the amount of any such interest and penalties shall be determined assuming that the transfers from the applicable Charitable Entity were eligible for the reduced New York City real property transfer tax rate described in Section 11-2102(e) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and the consideration for such transfers was determined under Section 2102(e)(3) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and taking into account Section 23-02, Consideration (2) of the Rules of the City of New York); provided further, that this clause (iv) above shall be the exclusive provision under this Section 4.2(a) addressing the indemnification relating to transfer taxes.
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(b) The Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries shall indemnify and hold harmless the Charitable Entities and the Helmsley Estate for any New York City real property transfer tax and New York State real estate transfer tax (in each case, including any interest, penalties and similar additions thereto) due with respect to the transfers by the Contributors contemplated under this Agreement to the extent that any such transfer taxes are paid by the Charitable Entities or the Helmsley Estate, except to the extent that any Charitable Entity would be required to make a payment to the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any such taxes under Section 4.2(a)(iv) if such taxes were paid by the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 4.3 Commercially Reasonable Efforts . Subject to the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement, each of the Company, the Operating Partnership and each Helmsley Group Member covenants and agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts and cooperate with each other in (a) promptly determining whether any filings are required to be made or consents, approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations are required to be obtained (under any applicable Laws or from any Governmental Authority or third party) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) promptly making any such filings, furnishing information required in connection therewith and timely seeking to obtain any such consents, approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations and (c) taking all actions and doing, or causing to be done, all things necessary, proper and/or appropriate to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE 5
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 5.1 Defined Terms .
(a) Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:
TERM | SECTION | |
Agreement |
Preamble | |
Articles |
2.3(a) | |
Class A Common Stock |
Recital B | |
Closing |
2.2 | |
Closing Date |
2.2 | |
Closing Documents |
2.3 | |
Common Stock |
Recital B | |
Company |
Preamble | |
Consent |
3.1(c) | |
Consent Solicitation |
Recital A | |
Consolidation Transaction |
Recital A | |
Contributed Helmsley Entity |
Recital D |
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TERM | SECTION | |
Contributed Interests |
Recital E | |
Contributing Trust |
Preamble | |
Contributions |
Recital E | |
Contribution Agreement |
Recital A | |
DTC Registered REIT Stock |
1.3(e) | |
Effective Date |
Preamble | |
Excluded Asset |
1.3(f) | |
Foundation |
Preamble | |
Helmsley Consent |
1.5 | |
Helmsley Entities |
Preamble | |
Helmsley Estate |
Preamble | |
IPO |
Recital A | |
IPO Closing |
2.2 | |
Management Company |
Recital A | |
OP Units |
Recital B | |
Operating Partnership |
Preamble | |
Option Transaction |
Recital A | |
Optional Contributing Entities |
Recital A | |
Participant |
Recital B | |
Portfolio Sale |
1.5 | |
REIT Contributing Entities |
Recital A | |
Registration Rights Agreement |
2.4(a) | |
Side Letters |
5.4 | |
Supervisory LLC |
Recital D | |
Termination Date |
1.6 | |
Total Consideration |
1.3(a) | |
Transaction Documents |
3.1(a)(i) | |
Transfer |
3.2(k)(i) |
(b) For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below.
Act means Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, the terms controlled by and under common control with) as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
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Alternate Transaction means (i) the restructuring of the Consolidation Transaction as either (A) a merger of a REIT Contributing Entity or a Subsidiary with and into either the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or the Operating Partnership or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership or (B) a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of either the Company or the Operating Partnership with and into a REIT Contributing Entity or a Subsidiary, in each case, to the extent such alternate transaction does not adversely affect the economic benefits to its Participants (taking into account the Tax treatment of such alternate transaction) or (ii) any other transaction pursuant to which the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Subsidiaries acquire a REIT Contributing Entity or all of its assets in a transaction pursuant to which the economic benefits (taking into account the Tax treatment of such alternate transaction) to the Company, the Operating Partnership and such REIT Contributing Entitys Participants are not adversely affected by such alternate transaction as compared to the economic benefits to be received by the Company, the Operating Partnership and its Participants pursuant to each REIT Contributing Entitys Contribution Agreement.
Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York.
Charitable Entities means the Contributing Trust and the Foundation.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Committee means one or more committees formed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case consisting of representatives of the Supervisor and the Helmsley Estate, each of which has such powers and authority as the parties agree and all actions of which shall require unanimous approval.
Contributors means each of the Charitable Entities and the Helmsley Estate.
Foundation means the The Leona and Harry B. Helmsley Foundation, Inc.
Governmental Authority means any government or agency, bureau, board, commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal or other instrumentality of any government, whether federal, state or local, domestic or foreign.
Helmsley Group Member means each Helmsley Entity, each Contributed Helmsley Entity, the Helmsley Estate and the Contributing Trust.
Laws means applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, codes, orders, ordinances, judgments, injunctions and decrees of any Governmental Authority.
Lien means all pledges, claims, liens, charges, restrictions, controls, easements, rights of way, exceptions, reservations, leases, licenses, grants, covenants and conditions, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever.
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Losses means all losses, damages, liabilities, fees, charges, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever, including without limitation, amounts paid in settlement, reasonable attorneys fees, costs of investigation, costs of investigative judicial or administrative proceedings or appeals therefrom and costs of attachment or similar bonds.
Material Adverse Effect means, a material adverse effect on the Company, the Operating Partnership and their Subsidiaries and their properties taken as a whole, after giving effect to the Consolidation Transaction and the IPO.
OP Agreement means the agreement of limited partnership of the Operating Partnership, as amended and restated and in effect immediately prior to the Closing.
Organizational Documents means with respect to any entity, the certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or operating agreement, participating agreements, certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, limited partnership agreement and any other governing instrument, as applicable.
Participation Interests means the limited liability company, general or limited partnership interests in a REIT Contributing Entity, as applicable and, to the extent a limited liability company, general or limited partnership interests are held by an agent for the benefit of participants, the beneficial ownership of such interests.
Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.
Subsidiary means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other legal entity which the applicable Person owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii)(A) 50% or more of the equity interests or (B) 50% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other legal entity. As used herein, Subsidiary or Subsidiaries refers to the Subsidiaries of the Company or the Operating Partnership, as applicable, unless the context otherwise requires.
Supervisor means Malkin Holdings LLC or any of it Affiliates, in such Persons capacity as the supervisor of certain of the REIT Contributing Entities, as applicable.
Taxes means all applicable U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income, withholding, property, sales, franchise, employment, transfer, excise and other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any nature whatsoever, including estimated taxes, together with penalties, interest or additions to taxes with respect thereto.
Section 5.2 Notices . All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when (a) delivered personally, (b) five (5) Business Days after being mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier or (d) transmitted by facsimile if confirmed within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a), (b) or (c) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by notice from such party).
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To the Company and/or the Operating Partnership :
One Grand Central Place
60 East 42nd Street
New York, New York 10165
Phone: (212) 953-0888
Facsimile: (212) 986-8795
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Clifford Chance US LLP
31 West 52 nd Street
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 878-8000
Facsimile: (212) 878-8375
Attn: Larry P. Medvinsky, Esq.
To a Helmsley Group Member :
c/o Helmsley Enterprises, Inc.
230 Park Ave
Ste 659
New York, NY 10169
Phone (212) 679-3600
Fax (212) 867-7570
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 735-2600
Facsimile: (917) 777-2600
Attn: Benjamin F. Needell, Esq.
Section 5.3 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party.
Section 5.4 Entire Agreement; Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement and the Closing Documents, including, without limitation, the exhibits hereto and thereto, constitute the entire agreement and supersede each prior agreement and understanding, whether written or oral, among the parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement and the Closing Documents.
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This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies on any Person other than the parties hereto and the Subsidiaries of the Company or the Operating Partnership in respect of Section 4.2 hereof. Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the rights of Malkin Holdings LLC, the Helmsley Estate or any Affiliate of the Helmsley Estate pursuant to (a) that certain side letter agreement, of even date herewith, between Malkin Holdings LLC and the Helmsley Estate in respect of the Committee, and that certain side letter agreement, dated January 14, 2011, between Malkin Holdings and the Helmsley Estate affiliates party thereto relating to actions to be taken in connection with the Consolidation Transaction (collectively, the Side Letters ), and in the event of a conflict between either Side Letter agreement and this Agreement the terms of such Side Letter shall control and (b) the Helmsley Consent.
Section 5.5 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of New York, regardless of any Laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of laws thereof.
Section 5.6 Amendment; Waiver . Any amendment hereto shall be in writing and signed by all parties hereto. No waiver of any provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
Section 5.7 Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their permitted respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided , however , that this Agreement may not be assigned (except by operation of law) by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void and of no force and effect, except that (a) the Operating Partnership may designate assignees pursuant to Section 1.2 and otherwise may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership and (b) the Helmsley Estate may transfer or cause the transfer of any of the equity interests in any Helmsley Entity or any Participation Interest held by a Helmsley Entity to an Affiliate of the Helmsley Estate; provided that any such transferee shall be deemed a Helmsley Entity , and, to the extent not already a party hereto, shall execute an agreement to become a party to and be bound by the this Agreement, and to the extent such transferee is contributed to the Company, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Company or the Operating Partnership as contemplated hereby shall constitute a Contributed Helmsley Entity for purposes of this Agreement, and shall have all of the rights and obligations in respect of a Helmsley Entity or a Contributed Helmsley Entity, as applicable, except as otherwise agreed by the Operating Partnership. For the avoidance of doubt, any reference to an acquisition by the Operating Partnership shall also be deemed to refer to an acquisition by any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 5.8 Jurisdiction . The parties hereby (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in New York County, New York with respect to any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to the extent such courts would have subject matter jurisdiction with respect to such dispute and (b) irrevocably waive, and agree not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the action is improper.
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Section 5.9 Severability . Each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted so as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision never had been included in this Agreement.
Section 5.10 Rules of Construction .
(a) The parties agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any Law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.
(b) The words hereto, hereof, herein and herewith and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and article, section, paragraph, exhibit and schedule references are to the articles, sections, paragraphs, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings contained herein when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such terms. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time, amended, qualified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements and instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.
Section 5.11 Time of the Essence . Time is of the essence with respect to all obligations under this Agreement.
Section 5.12 Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 5.13 No Personal Liability Conferred . This Agreement shall not create or permit any personal liability or obligation on the part of any shareholder, managing member, member, general partner, trustee, executor, director, officer or employee of any Helmsley Group Member, the Supervisor, the Company or the Operating Partnership, to the extent applicable, in their capacities as such.
Section 5.14 Changes to Form Agreements . Each Contributor agrees and confirms that the terms of the Class A Common Stock and the Consent Solicitation are not final and may be
26
modified depending on the prevailing market conditions at the time of the IPO. In addition, each applicable Helmsley Group Member acknowledges that (a) the information presented in the Consent Solicitation for the REIT Contributing Entity in which it directly or indirectly owns Participation Interests and the attachments thereto will be preliminary and is subject to change (particularly managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation, the financial statements and footnotes thereto, the preliminary pro forma financial statements and footnotes thereto, the property information, the IPO price and the assumed range of shares estimated to be offered in the IPO) in connection with the completion of the audit, the review and comments of the SEC and the investor feedback received during the course of the IPO, (c) the Consolidation Transactions may be consummated even if less than all of the REIT Contributing Entities participate in the Consolidation Transactions, provided that the Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. and Empire State Building Company L.L.C. must participate in the Consolidation Transactions, (d) the participation of each Contributed Helmsley Entity in the Consolidation Transactions is not conditioned on the participation of any other Contributed Helmsley Entity, (e) there is likely to be an extended period of time before the Consolidation Transactions are completed and the terms of the Consolidation Transactions as described in the Consent Solicitation, including the exchange values of each REIT Contributing Entity, may be significantly different than described in such documents existing as of the date hereof and (f) notwithstanding the foregoing differences, this Agreement will be binding.
Section 5.15 Further Assurances . The Helmsley Group Members, on the one hand, and the Company and the Operating Partnership, on the other hand, shall promptly take any and all such other actions and execute such additional documents prior to and following the Closing as the other may reasonably request in order to effect the transactions contemplated hereby, including the transfer of the Contributed Interests to the Company, the Operating Partnership or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, as contemplated hereby.
Section 5.16 Reliance . Each party to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that it is not relying on tax advice or other advice from the other party to this Agreement, and that it has consulted with or will consult with its own advisors.
Section 5.17 Survival . The covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall not survive the Closing, except for those covenants and agreements contained herein and therein which by their terms apply in whole or in part after the Closing and then only to such extent.
Section 5.18 Equitable Remedies; Limitation on Damages . The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the specific terms hereof or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court located in New York (as to which the parties agree to submit to jurisdiction for the purpose of such action), this being in addition to any other remedy to which the parties are entitled under this Agreement; provided , however , that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to permit any Contributed Helmsley Entity to enforce consummation of the IPO.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed and delivered this Amended and Restated Contribution Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY | ||
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Anthony E. Malkin |
|
Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer | ||
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP | ||
EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P. | ||
By: |
/s/ Anthony E. Malkin |
|
Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer |
HELMSLEY ENTITIES | ||
LMH 1333 LLC | ||
By: Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., as non-member manager | ||
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
LMH EQUITIES LLC | ||
By: Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., as non-member manager | ||
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
LMH 1350 LLC | ||
By: Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., as non-member manager | ||
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
LMH MARLBORO LLC | ||
By: Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., as non-member manager | ||
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
LMH EBC, LLC | ||
By: Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., as non-member manager |
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
LMH LINCOLN LLC | ||
By: Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., as non-member manager | ||
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
LMH FISK LLC | ||
By: Helmsley Enterprises, Inc., as non-member manager | ||
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
SUPERVISORY MANAGEMENT CORP. | ||
By: |
/s/ Harold A. Meriam |
|
Name: | Harold A. Meriam | |
Title: | Vice President | |
HARRY AND LEONA HELMSLEY FOUNDATION, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ John Codey |
|
Name: | John Codey | |
Title: | Vice President |
CONTRIBUTING TRUST | ||
THE LEONA M. AND HARRY B. HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST |
||
By: |
/s/ Sandor Frankel |
|
Name: | Sandor Frankel | |
Title: | Trustee | |
By: |
/s/ David Panzirer |
|
Name: | David Panzirer | |
Title: | Trustee | |
HELMSLEY ESTATE | ||
ESTATE OF LEONA M. HELMSLEY | ||
By: |
/s/ Sandor Frankel |
|
Name: | Sandor Frankel | |
Title: | Executor | |
By: |
/s/ David Panzirer |
|
Name: | David Panzirer | |
Title: | Executor |
EXHIBIT A
TO
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Helmsley Entities (LLCs) |
REIT Contributing Entity |
Participation Interest Owned by Helmsley Entity in REIT Contributing Entity |
||
LMH 1333 LLC | 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C. | 50% of membership interests | ||
LMH Equities LLC * and LMH 1350 LLC | 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. | 65% of participation interests in one 50% group | ||
LMH Marlboro LLC | Marlboro Building Associates L.L.C. | 6.666666% of participation interests in one 16.667% group | ||
LMH EBC, LLC | Empire State Building Company L.L.C. | 63.75% of membership interests | ||
LMH Lincoln LLC | Lincoln Building Associates L.L.C. | 30% of membership interests | ||
LMH Fisk LLC | Fisk Building Associates L.L.C. | 35% of membership interests |
Helmsley Entities (Corporations) |
REIT Contributing Entity |
Participation Interest Owned by Helmsley Entity in REIT Contributing Entity |
||
Supervisory Management Corp. | 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. | 59.375% of membership interests |
EXHIBIT B
TO
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
ARTICLES
EXHIBIT C
TO
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT D
TO
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE 1
TO
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS
Closing Documents (as defined in Section 2.3 )
Helmsley Consents
Side Letters
Registration Rights Agreement
Lock-up Agreement
Contribution Agreements
Merger Agreements with Management Companies
Option Agreements with Optional Contributing Entities
SCHEDULE 3.2(h)(ii)(C)
TO
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Supervisory Management Corp. - New York City Hotel Room Occupancy Tax audit underway for the period 3/1/09-5/31/11.
Exhibit 10.16
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is made and entered into as of this [ ] day of [ ] 2013, by and between Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company ), and Anthony E. Malkin (the Executive ).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, Malkin Holdings LLC (the Supervisor ) intends to effect the consolidation of certain office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area and management businesses supervised by the Supervisor as set forth on Exhibit A into Empire State Realty Trust OP, L.P. (the Partnership ) and/or the Company, which Consolidation is conditioned, among other things, upon the closing of an initial public offering of the Companys Class A common stock (the Consolidation ); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive and to enter into this Agreement embodying the terms of such employment, and Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to accept such employment, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) Accounting Firm shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.
(b) Accelerated Equity Vesting shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b)(iv) hereof.
(c) Accrued Obligations shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date, (ii) any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred through the Termination Date in accordance with Section 4(g) hereof through the Termination Date, (iii) any accrued but unused vacation time through the Termination Date in accordance with the applicable Company Group policy and (iv) any benefits provided under the Companys employee benefit plans upon a termination of employment, in accordance with the terms contained therein.
(d) Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
(e) Annual Bonus shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) hereof.
(f) Base Salary shall mean the salary provided for in Section 4(a) hereof or any increased salary granted to Executive pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof.
(g) Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) Cause shall mean (i) fraudulent actions by Executive in the conduct of his duties for the Company or the conviction of Executive of a felony, (ii) Executives gross neglect of, or willful refusal or failure to perform, the duties assigned to him (other than by reason of physical or mental incapacity), (iii) Executives material breach of this Agreement, or (iv) Executives material breach of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Company or any member of the Company Group. Any such occurrence described in clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) in the preceding sentence that is curable shall constitute Cause only after the Company has given Executive sixty (60) days written notice of such violation, and then only if such occurrence is not cured; provided, however , that Executive shall be provided such additional time as is reasonably necessary to cure if Executive has, within such sixty (60) day period, taken reasonable steps designed to cure such violation.
(i) Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.
(j) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(k) Company shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
(l) Company Group shall mean the Company together with any direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Company.
(m) Compensation Committee shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(n) Confidential Information shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b) hereof.
(o) Consolidation shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
(p) Delay Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) hereof.
(q) Disability shall mean any physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive that prevents the performance of Executives duties for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days or (ii) one hundred eighty (180) non-consecutive days during any twelve (12) month period. Any question as to the existence, extent, or potentiality of Executives Disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician mutually agreed to by the Company and Executive. The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.
(r) Earned Bonus shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b)(ii) hereof.
(s) Excise Tax shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.
(t) Executive shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
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(u) Good Reason shall mean, without Executives written consent, (i) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement, any equity award agreement or any other written agreement between the Company and Executive; (ii) a diminution of, or reduction or adverse alteration of, Executives titles, duties, authorities or responsibilities or reporting lines, or the Companys assignment of duties, responsibilities or reporting requirements that are materially inconsistent with his positions or that materially expand his duties, responsibilities, or reporting requirements, including a failure (A) of the Board to nominate Executive for election to the Board or (B) to elect or re-elect, or the removal of, Executive as a member of the Board; (iii) any requirement by the Company that Executive relocate to a principal place of business outside of the New York City metropolitan area; or (iv) a material reduction in Executives base salary or target Annual Bonus opportunity.
(v) Indemnification Agreement shall mean the Indemnification Agreement by and between Executive, the Company and the Partnership dated [], 2013.
(w) Malkin Family shall mean Executive, Peter L. Malkin, each of their lineal descendants (including spouses of any of the foregoing), any estates of any of the foregoing, any trusts now or hereafter established for the benefit of any of the foregoing, or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity controlled by Executive or any permitted successor in such entity for the benefit of any of the foregoing.
(x) Payment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.
(y) Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non-charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.
(z) Proceeding shall mean any threatened or actual action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, appellate or other.
(aa) Pro-Rata Bonus shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) hereof.
(bb) Release of Claims shall mean the Release of Claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .
(cc) Restricted Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(c) hereof.
(dd) Safe Harbor Amount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.
(ee) Severance Benefits shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(i) hereof.
(ff) Term shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2 hereof.
(gg) Termination Date shall mean the date Executives employment with the Company terminates.
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Section 2. Acceptance and Term.
The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to serve the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Term shall commence on the Consolidation and, unless terminated sooner as provided in Section 5 hereof, shall continue during the period ending on the close of business of the three (3) year anniversary of the Consolidation (the Initial Term ), provided that the Term shall be automatically extended subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 5 hereof, for up to two successive additional one (1) year periods (the Additional Terms ), unless, at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or the then Additional Term, the Company or Executive has notified the other in writing that the Term shall terminate at the end of the then current Term (which notice and non-extension of the Term shall not be treated as a termination by the Company without Cause or an event that constitutes Good Reason, and Executive shall not be entitled to any Severance Benefits upon such termination of this Agreement). The term of Executives employment hereunder as from time to time extended or renewed is hereafter referred to as the Term .
Section 3. Position, Duties, and Responsibilities; Place of Performance.
(a) Position, Duties, and Responsibilities . During the Term, Executive shall be employed and serve as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. In this capacity, Executive shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities consistent with such positions as may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the Board. Executive shall report directly and exclusively to the Board and shall be the most senior executive officer of the Company with all employees of the Company Group reporting to him or his designees.
(b) Board Membership. The Board shall take such action as may be necessary to appoint or elect Executive as a member of the Board as of the Consolidation. Thereafter, until the later of the date on which (i) Executive is no longer serving as Chief Executive Officer and (ii) Executive and Executives affiliates (including the Malkin Family) no longer hold (x) on a consolidated basis at least fifty percent (50%) of the Companys Class A common stock, Class B common stock and operating partnership units in the Partnership held by Executive and Executives affiliates (including the Malkin Family) as of the Consolidation and (y) ten percent (10%) or more of the voting power of the Companys common stock voting together as a single class, the Board shall cause Executive to be nominated for re-election to the Board at the expiration of the then current term; provided, however , that, unless Executive has resigned as a director, if the ownership thresholds are satisfied the foregoing obligation shall survive the expiration of the Term if Executives employment with the Company continues beyond the expiration of the Term or the termination of Executives employment for any reason (other than for Cause) and shall not be required to the extent prohibited by legal or regulatory requirements. Executive also agrees to serve as an officer and/or director of any other member of the Company Group if so elected or appointed from time to time, in each case without additional compensation.
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(c) Performance . Executive shall devote a majority of his business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the performance of his duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) serving as a member of the board of directors or advisory boards of any organization (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) with the prior written consent of the Board (provided that the Board will consider any request made by Executive in good faith and such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (ii) engaging in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing his and his familys personal investments (including properties and businesses that are not being contributed to the Company Group in the Consolidation), including providing services to or maintaining a family office for purposes of managing such investments; provided , however , that (x) the activities set out in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) shall be limited by Executive so as not to interfere materially, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict and (y) with respect to the activities set out in clause (iii), such activities shall be limited to non-controlling investments to the extent such investments are office or retail real estate properties located in New York County, New York, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Westchester County, New York, and any other geographic area in which the Company invests in such properties. The Company hereby acknowledges that Executive shall be entitled to continue serving as a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Real Estate Roundtable, the Board of Governors of the Real Estate Board of New York, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, the Advisory Council of the National Resource Defense Councils Center for Market Innovation, the Advisory Council of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and the advisory board of MissionPoint Capital Partners and as a Senior Advisor to RRE Ventures.
(d) Principal Place of Employment . Executives principal place of business will be at the Companys headquarters office located in New York, New York, although Executive understands and agrees that he may be required to travel from time to time for business reasons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive and the Company acknowledge and agree that the foregoing shall not preclude Executive from performing his duties hereunder at other locations from time to time.
Section 4. Compensation and Benefits.
During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to the following:
(a) Base Salary . Executive shall be paid an annualized Base Salary, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of not less than $500,000, subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee for increase, but not decrease.
(b) Annual Bonus . Executive shall be eligible for an annual cash incentive bonus award determined by the Compensation Committee in respect of each fiscal year during the Term (the Annual Bonus ). The target Annual Bonus for each fiscal year shall be 200% of Base Salary, with the actual Annual Bonus payable being based upon the level of achievement of annual Company and individual performance objectives for such fiscal year, as determined by the Compensation Committee in good faith after consultation with Executive. The Annual Bonus shall be reasonable in light of the contribution made by Executive for such fiscal year in relation to the contributions made by and bonuses paid to other senior executives of the Company Group and shall be paid to Executive at the same time as annual bonuses are generally payable to other senior executives of the Company Group, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates.
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(c) Long-Term Incentive Awards . Executive shall be eligible for equity grants and other long-term incentives at the same time as equity grants and other long-term incentive awards are granted to other senior executives of the Company Group generally, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee in its discretion. The amount of such equity grants or other long-term incentives, if any, shall be no less than that granted to other senior executives of the Company Group and shall be reasonable in light of the contribution made by Executive in relation to the contributions made by and long-term incentives granted to other senior executives of the Company Group and the terms and conditions of such grants or incentives shall be no less favorable than those applicable to awards of a similar nature made to other senior executives of the Company Group.
(d) Vacation . Executive shall be entitled to vacation in accordance with the applicable Company Group policy, as in effect from time to time, but in no event less than five (5) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year.
(e) Benefits . Executive shall be eligible to participate in all employee benefit programs and perquisites, including any group insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, vision, health and accident, disability, life insurance, deferred compensation, fringe benefit and retirement plans of the Company Group to the extent that he is eligible under the general provisions thereof and on a basis which is no less favorable than is provided to other senior executives of the Company Group generally. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the Companys ability to amend, suspend, or terminate any employee benefit program or perquisite at any time without providing Executive notice, and the right to do so is expressly reserved.
(f) Automobile . The Company shall make available to Executive a leased or company-owned automobile and driver during the Term for Executives business and personal use for up to $150,000 (as adjusted to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for the New York City metropolitan area) for each twelve (12) month period during the Term.
(g) Business Expenses . The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for documented, out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in the course of performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder, which are consistent with the Companys policies in effect from time to time with respect to business expenses and the reporting of such expenses. Any payments or reimbursements will be made within thirty (30) days after submission of written documentation substantiating such expenses, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company.
(h) Office and Support . So long as Executive is providing services to the Company in any capacity, whether during or after the Term, the Company shall provide Executive with an administrative assistant and office space and business services that are appropriate with respect to the level of services provided by Executive. The provisions of this Section 4(h) shall survive the expiration of the Term if Executives employment with the Company continues beyond the expiration of the Term or the termination of Executives employment for any reason.
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Section 5. Termination of Employment.
(a) General . The Term shall terminate earlier than as provided in Section 2 hereof upon the earliest to occur of (i) Executives death, (ii) a termination by reason of a Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company with or without Cause, and (iv) a termination by Executive with or without Good Reason. Upon any termination of Executives employment for any reason, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, Executive shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships, and any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any other member of the Company Group. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payment (or commencement of a series of payments) hereunder of any nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) upon a termination of employment shall be delayed until such time as Executive has also undergone a separation from service as defined in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(h), at which time such nonqualified deferred compensation (calculated as of the Termination Date) shall be paid (or commence to be paid) to Executive on the schedule set forth in this Section 5 as if Executive had undergone such termination of employment (under the same circumstances) on the date of his ultimate separation from service.
(b) Termination Due to Death or Disability . Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon his death. The Company may terminate Executives employment immediately upon the occurrence of a Disability, such termination to be effective upon Executives receipt of written notice of such termination. Upon Executives death or in the event that Executives employment is terminated due to his Disability, Executive or his estate or his beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to:
(i) The Accrued Obligations;
(ii) Any earned but unpaid Annual Bonus with respect to any completed fiscal year that has ended prior to the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid at such time annual bonuses are generally paid to other senior executives of the Company Group, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates ( Earned Bonus );
(iii) Subject to achievement of the applicable performance conditions for the fiscal year of the Company in which Executives termination occurs (disregarding any subjective performance goals and any other exercise by the Compensation Committee of negative discretion), payment of the Annual Bonus that would otherwise have been earned in respect of the fiscal year in which such termination occurred, pro-rated to reflect the number of days Executive was employed during such fiscal year, which amount shall be paid at such time annual bonuses are generally paid to other senior executives of the Company Group, but in no event later than March 15 th following the last day of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurred (the Pro-Rata Bonus ); and
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(iv) Any service-based vesting or service requirements with respect to any equity grant and other long-term incentive award previously granted to Executive and then outstanding shall become vested and non-forfeitable as of the Termination Date and any performance-based equity grant and other long-term incentive award previously granted to Executive and then outstanding that has not been earned as of the Termination Date shall be earned at a pro-rata amount based on the actual performance for the performance period as of the Termination Date, and, in other respects, such awards shall be governed by the plans, programs, agreements, or other documents, as applicable, pursuant to which such awards were granted. In addition, all stock options held by Executive on the Termination Date shall remain exercisable until the earliest of (x) the expiration of the original term and (z) the three (3) year anniversary of the Termination Date. The benefits provided for by this Section 5(b)(iv) are referred to as Accelerated Equity Vesting .
(c) Termination by the Company with Cause .
(i) The Company may terminate Executives employment at any time with Cause, effective upon Executives receipt of written notice of such termination, provided, such notice is given within one hundred eighty (180) days of the discovery of the Cause event by the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board or Chairman of the Compensation Committee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause without (A) advance written notice provided to Executive of not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the Termination Date setting forth the Companys intention to consider terminating Executive for Cause including a statement of the anticipated date of termination and the basis for such termination for Cause, (B) an opportunity for Executive, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board during the fourteen (14) day period preceding the anticipated date of termination, (C) a duly adopted resolution of the Board stating that the actions of Executive constituted Cause and the basis for such termination for Cause, and (D) a written determination provided by the Board setting forth the acts and/or omissions that form the basis of such termination for Cause. Any resolution or determination made by the Board described in the immediately preceding sentence shall require an affirmative vote of at least a two-thirds majority of the members of the Board (other than Executive) and shall be subject to de novo review by an arbitrator. Any purported termination of employment of Executive by the Company which does not meet each requirement described herein shall be treated for all purposes as a termination of employment without Cause as described in Section 5(d) hereof.
(ii) In the event that the Company terminates Executives employment with Cause, he shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations.
(d) Termination by the Company without Cause . The Company may terminate Executives employment at any time without Cause, effective upon Executives receipt of written notice of such termination. In the event that Executives employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), Executive shall be entitled to:
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(i) The Accrued Obligations;
(ii) The Earned Bonus;
(iii) The Pro-Rata Bonus;
(iv) Accelerated Equity Vesting;
(v) An amount equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the sum of (x) Executives then-current Base Salary and (y) the average Annual Bonus paid to Executive over the most recently completed three (3) fiscal years (or if Executive was not eligible to receive an Annual Bonus with respect to any of the three (3) fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, the average shall be determined for that period of fiscal years, if any, for which Executive was eligible to receive an Annual Bonus), which amount shall be paid in a lump-sum on the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the Termination Date; and
(vi) To the extent permitted by applicable law and without penalty to the Company, subject to Executives election of COBRA continuation coverage under the Companys group health plan, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of each month for the eighteen (18)-month period commencing after the Termination Date, the Company will pay Executive an amount equal to the difference between Executives monthly COBRA premium cost and the premium cost to Executive as if Executive were an employee of the Company (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employees ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars); provided , that any payments described herein shall cease in the event that Executive becomes eligible to receive health benefits from another employer that are substantially similar to those Executive was entitled to receive immediately prior to the Termination Date.
(e) Termination by Executive with Good Reason . Executive may terminate his employment with Good Reason by providing the Company thirty (30) days written notice setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that constitutes Good Reason, which written notice, to be effective, must be provided to the Company within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of such event. During such thirty (30) day notice period, the Company shall have a cure right (if curable), and if not cured within such period, Executives termination will be effective upon expiration of such cure period, and Executive shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section 5(d) hereof for a termination by the Company without Cause, subject to the same conditions on payment and benefits as described in Section 5(d) hereof.
(f) Termination by Executive without Good Reason . Executive may terminate his employment without Good Reason by providing the Company thirty (30) days written notice of such termination. In the event of a termination of employment by Executive under this Section 5(f), Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations and the Earned Bonus. In the event of termination of Executives employment under this Section 5(f), the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written notice accelerate such date of termination without changing the characterization of such termination as a termination by Executive without Good Reason.
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(g) Termination following a Change in Control . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that Executives employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability) or by Executive with Good Reason during the two (2) year period commencing on the date of a Change in Control, Executive shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section 5(d) hereof for a termination by the Company without Cause, subject to the same conditions on payment and benefits as described in Section 5(d) hereof, except that (i) for purposes of the Accelerated Equity Vesting provided pursuant to Section 5(d)(iv), any performance-based equity grant and other long-term incentive award previously granted to Executive and then outstanding that has not been earned as of the Termination Date shall be earned based on the actual performance for the performance period as of the Termination Date and (ii) for purposes of the payment pursuant to Section 5(d)(v), the applicable percentage shall be three hundred percent (300%).
(h) Employment following Expiration of the Term . If Executives employment with the Company continues beyond the expiration of the Term, Executive shall be considered an at-will employee and shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits under this Agreement upon any subsequent termination of employment for any reason whatsoever. For the sake of clarity, the Restricted Period shall automatically expire on the expiration of the Term if Executives employment with the Company continues beyond the expiration of the Term.
(i) Release . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of any amount or provision of any benefit pursuant to subsection (b), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of this Section 5 (other than the Accrued Obligations) (collectively, the Severance Benefits ) shall be conditioned upon Executives execution, delivery to the Company, and non-revocation of the Release of Claims (and the expiration of any revocation period contained in such Release of Claims) within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date. If Executive fails to execute the Release of Claims in such a timely manner so as to permit any revocation period to expire prior to the end of such sixty (60) day period, or timely revokes his acceptance of such release following its execution, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits. Further, to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision of any benefit otherwise scheduled to occur prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, but for the condition on executing the Release of Claims as set forth herein, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date following such sixtieth (60th) day, after which any remaining Severance Benefits shall thereafter be provided to Executive according to the applicable schedule set forth herein. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a termination due to Executives death or Disability, Executives obligations herein to execute and not revoke the Release of Claims may be satisfied on his behalf by his estate or a person having legal power of attorney over his affairs.
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Section 6. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) General . Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) the agreements and covenants contained in this Section 6 are (A) reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects and (B) essential to protect the value of the Company Groups business and assets, and (ii) by his employment with the Company, Executive will obtain knowledge, contacts, know-how, training, and experience, and there is a substantial probability that such knowledge, know-how, contacts, training, and experience could be used to the substantial advantage of a competitor of the Company Group and to the Company Groups substantial detriment.
(b) Confidential Information . Except as directed or authorized by the Company, Executive agrees that he will not, at any time during or after the Term, make use of or divulge to any other Person any trade or business secret, process, method, or means, or any other confidential information concerning the business or policies of the Company Group that he may have learned in connection with his employment hereunder and that he knows to be confidential or proprietary ( Confidential Information ). Executives obligation under this Section 6(b) shall not apply to any information that (i) is known publicly without the fault of Executive, (ii) is in the public domain or hereafter enters the public domain without the fault of Executive, or (iii) is required to be disclosed by Executive to, or by, any governmental or judicial authority ( provided that Executive provides the Company Group with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and reasonably cooperates with the Company Group at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Executive agrees not to remove from the premises of any member of the Company Group, except as an employee, officer or director of the Company Group in pursuit of the business of the Company Group or except as specifically permitted in writing by the Board, any document or other object containing or reflecting any such Confidential Information. Executive recognizes that all such documents and objects, whether developed by him or by someone else, will be the sole exclusive property of the Company Group. Upon termination of his employment hereunder, Executive shall forthwith deliver to the Company Group all such Confidential Information, including, without limitation, all lists of customers, correspondence, accounts, records, and any other documents or property made or held by him or under his control in relation to the business or affairs of the Company Group, and no copy of any such Confidential Information shall be retained by him.
(c) Non-Competition . Executive covenants and agrees that during the period commencing on the Consolidation and ending on the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the Termination Date (the Restricted Period ), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (individually, or through or on behalf of another entity as owner, partner, agent, employee, consultant, or in any other capacity), engage, participate or assist, as an owner, partner, employee, consultant, director, officer, trustee or agent in any element of the Business (as defined below) (other than in connection with Executives services to, and ownership interests in, the Company Group); provided, however , the foregoing restrictions shall not prohibit Executive from (x) engaging in any activities permitted under Section 3(c), (y) acquiring as an investment securities representing not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding voting securities of any publicly held corporation engaged in the Business or from indirectly acquiring securities of any company engaged in the Business as a result of being a passive investor in any mutual fund, hedge fund, private equity fund, or similar pooled account so long as Executives interest therein is less than one percent (1%) and he has no role in selecting, managing or advising with respect to investments thereof, or (z) providing services to a subsidiary, division or unit of any entity that engages in the Business so long as Executive and such subsidiary, division or unit does not engage in the Business so long as Executive provides written notice to the
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Company at least ten (10) business days prior to the commencement of providing any services to such subsidiary, division or unit. For the purposes of this Section 6(c), the Business shall mean the acquisition, development, management, leasing or financing of any office or retail real estate property located in New York County, New York, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Westchester County, New York, and any other geographic area in which the Company engages in such activities and any business activity that represents a significant portion of the business activity of the Company (measured as at least ten percent (10%) of the Companys revenues on a trailing 12-month basis); provided, however, that (i) if Executive is directly or indirectly engaged in any business activity before the Company engages in such business activity, Executive and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such conflict prior to the Company treating such conflict as a violation of this Section 6(c) and (ii) Executive shall not be permitted to commence any new business activity if the Company previously engaged in such activity regardless of whether the revenues from such activity exceeds the ten percent (10%) threshold.
(d) Non-Interference . During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for his own account or for the account of any other Person, (i) encourage, solicit or induce, or in any manner attempt to encourage, solicit or induce, any Person employed by, or providing consulting services to the Company Group to terminate such Persons employment or services (or, in the case of a consultant, to materially reduce such services) with the Company Group, or (ii) hire any Person who was employed by the Company Group within the [twelve (12)] month period prior to the date of such hiring.
(e) Mutual Non-Disparagement . During the Term and at all times following Executives termination of employment for any reason, (i) Executive covenants and agrees that he will not, nor induce others to, disparage any member of the Company Group, its past and present officers, directors, employees, products or services and (ii) the Company shall not, and shall instruct members of its Board and the senior executives of the Company Group not to, disparage Executive. Nothing herein shall prohibit any party (i) from disclosing that Executive is no longer employed by the Company, (ii) from responding truthfully to any governmental investigation, legal process or inquiry related thereto, (iii) from making a good faith rebuttal of the other partys untrue or misleading statement. For purposes of this Agreement, the term disparage means any statements, whether orally, in writing or through any medium (including, but not limited to, the press or other media, computer networks or bulletin boards, or any other form of communication), that intentionally disparage, defame, or otherwise damage or assail the reputation, integrity or professionalism of the other party.
(f) Post-Termination Cooperation . Executive agrees that following the termination of his employment, he will continue to provide reasonable cooperation to the Company and/or any other member of the Company Group and its or their respective counsel in connection with any Proceeding relating to any matter that occurred during Executives employment in which Executive was involved or of which Executive has knowledge. The Company shall pay Executive at an hourly rate based upon Executives Base Salary as of the Termination Date and reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred with respect to his compliance with this Section 6(f). Executive also agrees that, in the event that he is subpoenaed by any Person (including, but not limited to, any government agency) to give testimony or provide documents (in a deposition, court proceeding, or otherwise) that in any way relates to his employment by the Company and/or any other member of the Company Group, he
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will give prompt notice of such request to the Company and will make no disclosure until the Company Group has had a reasonable opportunity to contest the right of the requesting Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent any member of the Company Group seeks Executives assistance, the Company Group will use reasonable commercial efforts, whenever possible, to provide him with reasonable advance notice of its need for him and will attempt to coordinate with him the time and place at which his assistance will be provided with the goal of minimizing the impact of such assistance on any other material pre-scheduled business commitment that Executive may have. Executives cooperation described in this Section 6(f) shall be subject to the maintenance of the indemnification and directors and officers liability insurance policy described in Section 18 hereof.
(g) Blue Pencil . If any court of competent jurisdiction shall at any time deem the duration or the geographic scope of any of the provisions of this Section 6 unenforceable, the other provisions of this Section 6 shall nevertheless stand, and the duration and/or geographic scope set forth herein shall be deemed to be the longest period and/or greatest size permissible by law under the circumstances, and the parties hereto agree that such court shall reduce the time period and/or geographic scope to permissible duration or size.
(h) Breach of Restrictive Covenants . Without limiting the remedies available to the Company Group, Executive acknowledges that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Section 6 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Company Group for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely, and that in the event of such a breach or threat thereof, the Company Group shall be entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary or permanent injunction, without the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach of Section 6 hereof, restraining Executive from engaging in activities prohibited by Section 6 hereof or such other relief as may be required specifically to enforce any of the covenants in Section 6 hereof.
Section 7. Representations and Warranties of Executive.
Executive represents and warrants to the Company that
(a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that his employment hereunder and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will not conflict with or result in the breach by him of any agreement to which he is a party or by which he may be bound;
(b) Executive has not violated, and in connection with his employment with the Company will not violate, any non-solicitation, non-competition, or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer by which he is or may be bound; and
(c) in connection with his employment with the Company, Executive will not use any confidential or proprietary information he may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer.
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Section 8. Golden Parachute Tax Provisions.
If there is a change in ownership or control of the Company that would cause any payment or distribution by the Company or any other Person or entity to Executive or for Executives benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise) (a Payment ) to be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (such excise tax, together with any interest or penalties incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax, the Excise Tax ), then Executive will receive the greatest of the following, whichever gives Executive the highest net after-tax amount (after taking into account federal, state, local and social security taxes): (a) the Payments or (b) one dollar less than the amount of the Payments that would subject Executive to the Excise Tax (the Safe Harbor Amount ). If a reduction in the Payments is necessary so that the Payments equal the Safe Harbor Amount and none of the Payments constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), then the reduction shall occur in the manner Executive elects in writing prior to the date of payment. If any Payment constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation or if Executive fails to elect an order, then the Payments to be reduced will be determined in a manner which has the least economic cost to Executive and, to the extent the economic cost is equivalent, will be reduced in the inverse order of when payment would have been made to Executive, until the reduction is achieved. All determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when the Safe Harbor Amount is required and the amount of the reduction of the Payments and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Company (the Accounting Firm ). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon Company and Executive.
Section 9. Taxes.
The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment, and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has not provided any tax advice to him in connection with this Agreement and that he has been advised by the Company to seek tax advice from his own tax advisors regarding this Agreement and payments that may be made to him pursuant to this Agreement, including specifically, the application of the provisions of Section 409A of the Code to such payments.
Section 10. Set Off; Mitigation.
The Companys obligation to pay Executive the amounts provided and to make the arrangements provided hereunder shall not be subject to set-off, counterclaim, or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to the Company or its affiliates. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided pursuant to this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, and except as provided in Section 5(d)(vi), the amount of any payment provided for pursuant to this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned as a result of Executives other employment or otherwise.
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Section 11. Additional Section 409A Provisions.
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary
(a) Any payment otherwise required to be made hereunder to Executive at any date as a result of the termination of Executives employment shall be delayed for such period of time as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (the Delay Period ). On the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period, Executive shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule set forth herein.
(b) Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(c) To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided , that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.
(d) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in accordance with such intent.
Section 12. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
(a) The Company . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, obligations, or interests arising hereunder may be assigned by the Company to a Person (other than another member of the Company Group, or its or their respective successors) without Executives prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned); provided , however , that in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any direct or indirect division or subsidiary thereof to which Executives employment primarily relates, the Company will provide that this Agreement will be assigned to, and assumed by, the acquiror of such assets, it being agreed that in such circumstances, Executives consent will not be required in connection therewith.
(b) Executive . Executives rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided , however , that if Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executives devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there be no such designee, to Executives estate.
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(c) No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise set forth in Section 5(b) or Section 12(b) hereof, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the other members of the Company Group, and Executive any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.
Section 13. Waiver and Amendments.
Any waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto; provided , however , that any such waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification must be consented to on the Companys behalf by the Board. No waiver by either of the parties hereto of their rights hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or transactions hereunder unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a continuing waiver.
Section 14. Severability.
If any covenants or such other provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired, and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof shall be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof.
Section 15. Governing Law; Interpretation.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed for all purposes by the laws and public policy (other than conflict of laws principles) of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to be wholly performed therein.
Section 16. Dispute Resolution.
Except to the extent necessary for the Company or any member of the Company Group or their successors or assigns to seek injunctive relief or other equitable relief described in Section 6(h), arbitration will be the method of resolving disputes under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that before proceeding to arbitration, they will attempt in good faith to promptly resolve such dispute by mediation in New York, New York. The mediation will commence within forty-five (45) days of request therefore and will be before a single mediator selected by the Company and Executive from a list provided by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ( JAMS ). If the parties are unable to mutually select a mediator, then the mediator shall be appointed by JAMS. If any dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the parties in mediation or, unless the parties mutually agree otherwise, the dispute remains unresolved following thirty (30) days after the commencement of the mediation, the arbitration shall be held before a single arbitrator selected by the Company and Executive from a
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list provided by JAMS. All arbitrations arising out of this Agreement shall be conducted in New York, New York in accordance with the JAMS rules then in effect for executive employment disputes and arbitrations. If the Company and Executive cannot agree on a single arbitrator, the arbitration shall be conducted before a panel of three arbitrators, one selected by each party hereto and the third arbitrator selected by the parties two arbitrators from a list provided by JAMS. Any award entered by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by either party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable. The arbitrators shall have no authority to modify any provision of this Agreement or to award a remedy for a dispute involving this Agreement other than a benefit specifically provided under or by virtue of this Agreement. The Company shall be responsible for paying the fees and costs of the mediator and arbitrator along with other mediation or arbitration-specific fees (except, if applicable, Executives petitioners filing fees) and its own expenses and Executive shall be responsible for his own expenses relating to the conduct of the mediation or arbitration (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses), provided, however , the Company shall reimburse Executive for his costs and expenses in connection with such contest or dispute in the event Executive prevails, as determined by the arbitrator.
Section 17. Legal Fees.
The Company will promptly pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable and documented legal fees and related expenses incurred in connection with the drafting, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and any other documents and agreements entered into by him in connection with his commencement of employment with the Company or the Consolidation.
Section 18. Indemnification; Liability Insurance.
(a) In the event that Executive is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding, other than any Proceeding initiated by Executive or the Company related to any contest or dispute between Executive and the Company or any member of the Company Group with respect to this Agreement or Executives employment hereunder, by reason of the fact that Executive is or was a director or officer of the Company or any member of the Company Group, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law from and against all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys fees). To the fullest extent permitted by law, costs and expenses incurred by Executive in defense of such Proceeding (including attorneys fees) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of Executive to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined than Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 18(a) shall in no way limit, and shall be in addition to, Executives rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided under the Companys by-laws or the Indemnification Agreement.
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(b) During the Term and, while potential liability exists, thereafter, the Company or its successor shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors and officers liability insurance providing coverage to Executive on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to directors and senior executives of the Company Group.
Section 19. Notices.
(a) Place of Delivery . Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be mailed to or delivered to the party for whom or which it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided; provided , that unless and until some other address be so designated, all notices and communications by Executive to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal executive office, and all notices and communications by the Company to Executive may be given to Executive personally or may be mailed to Executive at Executives last known address, as reflected in the Companys records.
(b) Date of Delivery . Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given or received (i) if delivered by hand, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if mailed by courier or by overnight mail, on the first business day following the date of such mailing, and (iii) if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.
Section 20. Section Headings.
The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof.
Section 21. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement (together with any exhibits attached hereto or thereto) constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto regarding the employment of Executive. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings, and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.
Section 22. Survival of Operative Sections.
Upon any termination of Executives employment, the provisions of Section 5 through 23 of this Agreement (together with any related definitions set forth in Section 1 hereof) shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof.
Section 23. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this Agreement may be by actual signature or by signature delivered by facsimile or by e-mail as a portable data format (.pdf) file or image file attachment.
* * *
[ Signatures to appear on the following page. ]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Title: |
EXECUTIVE | ||
ANTHONY E. MALKIN |
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Exhibit A
The following office and retail properties being contributed to the Partnership and/or the Company in the Consolidation:
| Empire State Building, New York, New York |
| One Grand Central Place, New York, New York |
| 250 West 57th Street, New York, New York |
| 501 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York |
| 1333 Broadway, New York, New York |
| 1350 Broadway, New York, New York |
| 1359 Broadway, New York, New York |
| 10 Bank Street, White Plains, New York |
| 1542 Third Avenue, New York, New York |
| 383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut |
| 69-97 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut |
| 77 West 55th Street, New York, New York |
| 1010 Third Avenue, New York, New York |
| Metro Center, One Station Place, Stamford, Connecticut |
| 10 Union Square, New York, New York |
| 103-107 Main Street, Westport, Connecticut |
| First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut |
| 500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, New York |
| Metro Tower (Parcel of land known as Parcel T), Stamford, Connecticut |
The following management companies are being merged into the Partnership and/or the Company in the Consolidation:
| Malkin Holdings LLC |
| Malkin Properties, L.L.C. |
| Malkin Properties of New York, L.L.C. |
| Malkin Properties of Connecticut, Inc. |
| Malkin Construction Corp. |
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Exhibit B
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This General Release of Claims (this Release ), dated as of , 20__, confirms the following understandings and agreements between Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, (the Company ) and Anthony E. Malkin (hereinafter referred to as you or your ).
In consideration of the promises set forth in that certain employment agreement between you and the Company, dated as of , 2012 (the Employment Agreement ), as well as any promises set forth in this Release, you and the Company agree as follows:
Section 1. Opportunity for Review and Revocation . You have [twenty-one (21)][forty-five (45)] 1 days to review and consider this Release. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Release will not become effective or enforceable for a period of seven (7) calendar days following the date of its execution, during which time you may revoke your acceptance of this Release by notifying , in writing. To be effective, such revocation must be received by the Company no later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh calendar day following its execution. Provided that this Release is executed and you do not revoke it, the eighth (8 th ) day following the date on which this Release is executed shall be its effective date (the Effective Date ). In the event of your revocation of this Release pursuant to this Section 1, this Release will be null and void and of no effect, and the Company will have no obligations hereunder.
Section 2. Employee Release and Waiver of Claims .
(a) As used in this Release, the term claims will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys fees, judgments, losses and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise.
(b) For and in consideration of the Severance Benefits (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and other good and valuable consideration, you, for and on behalf of yourself and your heirs, administrators, executors, and assigns, effective as of the Effective Date, do fully and forever release, remise, and discharge the Company, its direct and indirect parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, and their respective successors and assigns, together with their respective officers, directors, partners, stockholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the Group ), from any and all claims whatsoever up to the date hereof which you had, may have had, or now have against the Group, whether known or unknown, for or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, including any claim arising out of or attributable to your employment or the termination of your employment with the Company, whether for tort, breach of express or
1 |
To be selected based on whether the applicable termination was in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967). |
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implied employment contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, unjust dismissal, defamation, libel or slander, or under any federal, state or local law dealing with discrimination based on age, race, sex, national origin, handicap, religion, disability or sexual orientation. This release of claims includes, but is not limited to, all claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ( ADEA ), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Equal Pay Act, each as may be amended from time to time, and all other federal, state and local laws, the common law and any other purported restriction on an employers right to terminate the employment of employees.
(c) You acknowledge and agree that as of the date you execute this Release, you have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws listed in the preceding paragraph.
(d) You specifically release all claims relating to your employment and its termination under ADEA, a United States federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Release to the contrary, by executing this Release, you are not releasing any claims relating to: (i) your rights with respect to the Severance Benefits and any other rights under your Employment Agreement or any other written agreement by and between you and the Company that survive the termination of your employment; (ii) any rights to accrued, vested benefits that you have under the employee benefit and fringe benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Group; (iii) any claims that cannot be waived by law and any claims that may arise after the date on which you sign this Release; (iv) any rights that you have as a stockholder of the Company or an equity holder of any member of the Group; (v) any indemnification rights (including advancement and reimbursement of legal fees and expenses) you may have as a former officer or director of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or coverage under directors and officers liability insurance; or (vi) a breach of this Release by the Company.
Section 3. Knowing and Voluntary Waiver . You expressly acknowledge and agree that you:
(a) Are able to read the language, and understand the meaning and effect, of this Release;
(b) Have no physical or mental impairment of any kind that has interfered with your ability to read and understand the meaning of this Release or its terms, and that your not acting under the influence of any medication, drug, or chemical of any type in entering into this Release;
(c) Are specifically agreeing to the terms of the release contained in this Release because the Company has agreed to pay you the Severance Benefits in consideration for your agreement to accept it in full settlement of all possible claims you might have or ever have had, and because of your execution of this Release;
(d) Acknowledge that, but for your execution of this Release, you would not be entitled to the Severance Benefits;
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(e) Understand that, by entering into this Release, you do not waive rights or claims under ADEA that may arise after the date you execute this Release;
(f) Had or could have had [twenty-one (21)][forty-five (45)] days from the date of your termination of employment (the Release Expiration Date ) in which to review and consider this Release and that if I execute this Release prior to the Release Expiration Date, you have voluntarily and knowingly waived the remainder of the review period;
(g) Have not relied upon any representation or statement not set forth in this Release or the Employment Agreement made by the Company or any of its representatives;
(h) Were advised to consult with your attorney regarding the terms and effect of this Release; and
(i) Have signed this Release knowingly and voluntarily.
Section 4. No Suit . You represent and warrant that you have not previously filed, and to the maximum extent permitted by law agree that you will not file, a complaint, charge, or lawsuit against any member of the Group regarding any of the claims released herein. If, notwithstanding this representation and warranty, you have filed or file such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit, you agree that you shall cause such complaint, charge, or lawsuit to be dismissed with prejudice and you shall pay any and all costs required in obtaining a dismissal of such complaint, charge, or lawsuit, including without limitation the attorneys fees of any member of the Group against whom I have filed such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit. This paragraph shall not apply, however, to a claim of age discrimination under ADEA or to any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the EEOC ); provided , however , that if the EEOC were to pursue any claims relating to your employment with the Company, you agree that you shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or any other remedies or benefits as a result and that this Release and Section 5 of the Employment Agreement will control as the exclusive remedy and full settlement of all such claims by you. You hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any other member of the Group and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any other member of the Group.
Section 5. Company Release and Waiver of Claims .
(a) For and in consideration of the promises set forth in Section 6 of the Employment Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, effective as of the Effective Date, fully and forever releases, remises and discharges you, together with your heirs, administrators, executors and assigns (you and each such person, an Employee Releasee , and collectively, the Employee Releasees ) from any and all claims which the Company and its direct and indirect parents, subsidiaries and affiliates has against you whatsoever up to the date hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5 shall not apply with respect to (i) any rights or
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claims that the Company may have for a breach of the Release by you, (ii) any claims that are based on fraud, embezzlement or material and willful misconduct while employed as an employee of the Company or while serving as an officer or director of the Company, to the extent based on facts which are not known to the Group as of the date hereof, or (iii) any claims that may arise after the date on which this Release is signed on behalf of the Company. For purposes of the preceding sentence, no act of yours shall be considered willful if you believed in good faith that such act was in the best interests of the Company or the Group.
(b) The Company represents and warrants that the Company has not filed, commenced or participated in any way in any complaints, claims, actions or proceedings of any kind against you with any federal, state or local court or any administrative, regulatory or arbitration agency or body and the Company agrees not to file, assert or commence any complaint, claim, action or proceeding against any Employee Releasee with any federal, state or local court or any administrative, regulatory or arbitration agency or body with respect to any matter from the beginning of the world to the date hereof. The Company acknowledges and agrees that as of the Effective Date, it has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims against you.
Section 6. Successors and Assigns . The provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of your heirs, executors, administrators, legal personal representatives and assigns and shall be binding upon your heirs, executors, administrators, legal personal representatives and assigns.
Section 7. Severability . If any provision of this Release shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall be of no force and effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, shall have no effect upon and shall not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.
Section 8. Non-Admission . Nothing contained in this Release will be deemed or construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of you or the Company.
Section 9. Governing Law . This Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Federal law and the laws of the State of New York, applicable to releases made and to be performed in that State.
Section 10. Dispute Resolution . Arbitration will be the method of resolving disputes under this Release. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that before proceeding to arbitration, they will attempt in good faith to promptly resolve such dispute by mediation in New York, New York. The mediation will commence within forty-five (45) days of request therefore and will be before a single mediator selected by the Company and you from a list provided by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ( JAMS ). If the parties are unable to mutually select a mediator, then the mediator shall be appointed by JAMS. If any dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the parties in mediation or, unless the parties mutually agree otherwise, the dispute remains unresolved following thirty (30) days after the commencement of the mediation, the arbitration shall be held before a single arbitrator selected by the Company and you from a list provided by JAMS. All arbitrations arising out of this Release shall be conducted in New York, New York in accordance with the JAMS rules then in
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effect for executive employment disputes and arbitrations. If the Company and you cannot agree on a single arbitrator, the arbitration shall be conducted before a panel of three arbitrators, one selected by each party hereto and the third arbitrator selected by the parties two arbitrators from a list provided by JAMS. Any award entered by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by either party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable. The arbitrators shall have no authority to modify any provision of this Release or to award a remedy for a dispute involving this Release other than a benefit specifically provided under or by virtue of this Release. The Company shall be responsible for paying the fees and costs of the mediator and arbitrator along with other mediation or arbitration-specific fees (except, if applicable, your petitioners filing fees) and its own expenses and you shall be responsible for your own expenses relating to the conduct of the mediation or arbitration (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses), provided , however , the Company shall reimburse you for your costs and expenses in connection with such contest or dispute in the event you prevail, as determined by the arbitrator.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Release as of the date first written above.
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ANTHONY E. MALKIN |
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Exhibit 10.30
CHANGE IN CONTROL
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is made and entered into as of this [__] day of [ ], 2013, by and between Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company ), and [ ] (the Executive ).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, Malkin Holdings LLC (the Supervisor ) intends to effect the consolidation of certain office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area and management businesses supervised by the Supervisor as set forth on Exhibit A into Empire State Realty Trust OP, L.P. (the Partnership ) and/or the Company, which Consolidation is conditioned, among other things, upon the closing of an initial public offering of the Companys Class A common stock (the Consolidation ); and
WHEREAS , the Company considers the establishment and maintenance of a sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its stockholders; and
WHEREAS , the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change of control may arise and that such possibility may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to ensure Executives continued and undivided dedication to Executives duties in the event of any threat or occurrence of, or negotiation or other action that could lead to, or create the possibility of, a Change in Control (as defined in Section 1).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) Accounting Firm shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.
(b) Accrued Obligations shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid base salary through the Termination Date, (ii) any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred through the Termination Date in accordance with Company policy, subject to submission of written documentation substantiating such expenses, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, (iii) any accrued but unused vacation time through the Termination Date in accordance with the applicable Company Group policy and (iv) any benefits provided under the Companys employee benefit plans upon a termination of employment, in accordance with the terms contained therein.
(c) Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
(d) Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) Cause shall mean (i) fraudulent actions by Executive in the conduct of his/her duties for the Company or the conviction of Executive of a felony, (ii) Executives gross neglect of, or willful refusal or failure to perform, the duties assigned to him/her (other than by reason of physical or mental incapacity), (iii) Executives material breach of any written agreement with the Company, or (iv) Executives material breach of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Company or any member of the Company Group. Any such occurrence described in clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) in the preceding sentence that is curable shall constitute Cause only after the Company has given Executive sixty (60) days written notice of such violation, and then only if such occurrence is not cured; provided, however , that Executive shall be provided such additional time as is reasonably necessary to cure if Executive has, within such sixty (60) day period, taken reasonable steps designed to cure such violation. Cause shall not exist without (A) advance written notice provided to Executive of not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the Termination Date setting forth the Companys intention to consider terminating Executive for Cause including a statement of the anticipated date of termination and the basis for such termination for Cause, (B) an opportunity for Executive, together with Executives counsel, to be heard before the Board during the fourteen (14) day period preceding the anticipated date of termination, (C) a duly adopted resolution of the Board stating that the actions of Executive constituted Cause and the basis for such termination for Cause, and (D) a written determination provided by the Board setting forth the acts and/or omissions that form the basis of such termination for Cause. Any resolution or determination made by the Board described in the immediately preceding sentence shall require an affirmative vote of at least a two-thirds majority of the members of the Board (other than Executive if Executive is a Board member) and shall be subject to de novo review by an arbitrator. Any purported termination of employment of Executive by the Company which does not meet each requirement described herein shall be treated for all purposes as a termination by the Company other than by reason of a Nonqualifying Termination.
(f) Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in the [Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.
(g) Change in Control Termination Period shall mean the period of time beginning with a Change in Control following the Consolidation and ending two (2) years following such Change in Control.
(h) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(i) Company shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
(j) Company Group shall mean the Company together with any direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Company.
(k) Compensation Committee shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.
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(l) Confidential Information shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b) hereof.
(m) Consolidation shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
(n) Delay Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) hereof.
(o) Disability shall mean any physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive that prevents the performance of Executives duties for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days or (ii) one hundred eighty (180) non-consecutive days during any twelve (12) month period. Any question as to the existence, extent, or potentiality of Executives Disability upon which Executive and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician mutually agreed to by the Company and Executive. The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.
(p) Earned Bonus shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.
(q) Excise Tax shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.
(r) Executive shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
(s) Good Reason shall mean, without Executives written consent, (i) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement, any agreement evidencing an equity grant or other long-term incentive award, or any other written agreement between the Company and Executive, (ii) a diminution of, or reduction or adverse alteration of, Executives titles, duties, authorities or responsibilities or reporting lines, (iii) any requirement by the Company that Executive relocate to a principal place of business outside of the New York City metropolitan area, or (iv) a material reduction in Executives base salary or target annual bonus opportunity. Good Reason shall not exist without Executive providing thirty (30) days written notice of termination to the Company setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that constitutes Good Reason, which written notice to be effective, must be provided to the Company within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of such event. During such thirty (30) day notice period, the Company shall have the right to cure (if curable) the event that constitutes Good Reason.
(t) Nonqualifying Termination shall mean a termination of Executives employment with the Company (i) by the Company for Cause, (ii) by Executive for any reason other than for Good Reason, (iii) as a result of Executives death or (iv) by the Company as a result of Executives Disability.
(u) Payment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.
(v) Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non-charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.
(w) Proceeding shall mean any threatened or actual action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, appellate or other.
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(x) Release of Claims shall mean the Release of Claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .
(y) Restricted Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(c) hereof.
(z) Safe Harbor Amount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.
(aa) Severance Benefits shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof.
(bb) Termination Date shall mean the date Executives employment with the Company terminates.
Section 2. Severance Payments.
If Executives employment with the Company is terminated during the Change in Control Termination Period other than by reason of a Nonqualifying Termination, then the Company shall pay or provide Executive with the following payments or benefits:
(a) The Accrued Obligations;
(b) Any earned but unpaid annual bonus with respect to any completed fiscal year that has ended prior to the Termination Date, which amount shall be paid at such time annual bonuses are generally paid to other senior executives of the Company Group, but in no event later than March 15 th following the end of the fiscal year to which such annual bonus relates ( Earned Bonus );
(c) Subject to achievement of the applicable performance conditions for the fiscal year of the Company in which Executives termination occurs (disregarding any subjective performance goals and any other exercise by the Compensation Committee of negative discretion), payment of the annual bonus that would otherwise have been earned in respect of the fiscal year in which such termination occurred, pro-rated to reflect the number of days Executive was employed during such fiscal year, which amount shall be paid at such time annual bonuses are generally paid to other senior executives of the Company Group, but in no event later than March 15 th following the last day of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurred;
(d) Any service-based vesting or service requirements with respect to any equity grant and other long-term incentive award previously granted to Executive and then outstanding shall become vested and non-forfeitable as of the Termination Date and any performance-based equity grant and other long-term incentive award previously granted to Executive and then outstanding that has not been earned as of the Termination Date shall be earned at a pro-rata amount based on the actual performance for the performance period as of the Termination Date, and, in other respects, such awards shall be governed by the plans, programs, agreements, or other documents, as applicable, pursuant to which such awards were granted;
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(e) An amount equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the sum of (i) Executives then-current base salary and (ii) the average annual cash bonus paid to Executive over the most recently completed three (3) fiscal years (or if Executive was not eligible to receive an annual cash bonus with respect to any of the three (3) fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, the average shall be determined for that period of fiscal years, if any, for which Executive was eligible to receive an annual cash bonus), which amount shall be paid in a lump-sum on the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the Termination Date; and
(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law and without penalty to the Company, subject to Executives election of COBRA continuation coverage under the Companys group health plan, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of each month for the eighteen (18)-month period commencing after the Termination Date, the Company will pay Executive an amount equal to the difference between Executives monthly COBRA premium cost and the premium cost to Executive as if Executive were an employee of the Company (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employees ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars); provided , that any payments described herein shall cease in the event that Executive becomes eligible to receive health benefits from another employer that are substantially similar to those Executive was entitled to receive immediately prior to the Termination Date.
Section 3. Payments Upon Nonqualifying Termination of Employment.
If Executives employment with the Company shall terminate during the Change in Control Termination Period by reason of a Nonqualifying Termination, then Executive (or Executives beneficiary or estate) shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations and, unless Executive is terminated by the Company for Cause, the Earned Bonus.
Section 4. Release.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of any amount or provision of any benefit pursuant to Section 2 hereof (other than the Accrued Obligations) (collectively, the Severance Benefits ) shall be conditioned upon Executives execution, delivery to the Company, and non-revocation of the Release of Claims (and the expiration of any revocation period contained in such Release of Claims) within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date. If Executive fails to execute the Release of Claims in such a timely manner so as to permit any revocation period to expire prior to the end of such sixty (60) day period, or timely revokes his/her acceptance of such release following its execution, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits. Further, to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision of any benefit otherwise scheduled to occur prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, but for the condition on executing the Release of Claims as set forth herein, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date following such sixtieth (60th) day, after which any remaining Severance Benefits shall thereafter be provided to Executive according to the applicable schedule set forth herein.
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Section 5. Resignations.
Upon any termination of Executives employment with the Company, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, Executive shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships, and any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any other member of the Company Group.
Section 6. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) General . Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) the agreements and covenants contained in this Section 6 are (A) reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects and (B) essential to protect the value of the Company Groups business and assets, and (ii) by Executives employment with the Company, Executive will obtain knowledge, contacts, know-how, training, and experience, and there is a substantial probability that such knowledge, know-how, contacts, training, and experience could be used to the substantial advantage of a competitor of the Company Group and to the Company Groups substantial detriment.
(b) Confidential Information . Except as directed or authorized by the Company, Executive agrees that he/she will not, at any time during his/her employment with the Company or thereafter, make use of or divulge to any other Person any trade or business secret, process, method, or means, or any other confidential information concerning the business or policies of the Company Group that he/she may have learned in connection with his/her employment and that he/she knows to be confidential or proprietary ( Confidential Information ). Executives obligation under this Section 6(b) shall not apply to any information that (i) is known publicly without the fault of Executive, (ii) is in the public domain or hereafter enters the public domain without the fault of Executive, (iii) is known to Executive prior to his/her receipt of such information from the Company Group, (iv) is hereafter disclosed to Executive by a third party not under an obligation of confidence to the Company Group, or (v) is required to be disclosed by Executive to, or by, any governmental or judicial authority ( provided that Executive provides the Company Group with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and reasonably cooperates with the Company Group at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Executive agrees not to remove from the premises of any member of the Company Group, except as an employee, officer or director of the Company Group in pursuit of the business of the Company Group or except as specifically permitted in writing by the Board, any document or other object containing or reflecting any such Confidential Information. Executive recognizes that all such documents and objects, whether developed by him/her or by someone else, will be the sole exclusive property of the Company Group. Upon termination of Executives employment, Executive shall forthwith deliver to the Company Group all such Confidential Information, including, without limitation, all lists of customers, correspondence, accounts, records, and any other documents or property made or held by him/her or under his/her control in relation to the business or affairs of the Company Group, and no copy of any such Confidential Information shall be retained by him/her.
(c) Non-Competition . Executive covenants and agrees that during the period commencing on the Consolidation and ending on the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the Termination Date (the Restricted Period ), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (individually, or through or on behalf of another entity as owner, partner, agent, employee,
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consultant, or in any other capacity), engage, participate or assist, as an owner, partner, employee, consultant, director, officer, trustee or agent in any element of the Business (as defined below). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 6(c) shall not prevent Executive from (i) acquiring as an investment securities representing not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding voting securities of any publicly held corporation engaged in the Business or from indirectly acquiring securities of any company engaged in the Business as a result of being a passive investor in any mutual fund, hedge fund, private equity fund, or similar pooled account so long as Executives interest therein is less than one percent (1%) and he/she has no role in selecting, managing or advising with respect to investments thereof, or (ii) providing services to any entity whose primary business activity is not an element of the Business or a subsidiary, division or unit of any entity that engages in the Business so long as Executive and such subsidiary, division or unit does not engage in the Business so long as Executive provides written notice to the Company at least ten (10) business days prior to the commencement of providing any services to such subsidiary, division or unit. For the purposes of this Section 6(c), the Business shall mean the acquisition, development, management, leasing or financing of any office or retail real estate property located in New York County, New York, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Westchester County, New York, and any other geographic area in which the Company engages in such activities and any business activity that represents a significant portion of the business activity of the Company (measured as at least ten percent (10%) of the Companys revenues on a trailing 12-month basis).
(d) Non-Interference . During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for his/her own account or for the account of any other Person, (i) encourage, solicit or induce, or in any manner attempt to encourage, solicit or induce, any Person employed by, or providing consulting services to the Company Group to terminate such Persons employment or services (or, in the case of a consultant, to materially reduce such services) with the Company Group, (ii) hire any Person who was employed by the Company Group within the [twelve (12)] month period prior to the date of such hiring, or (iii) encourage, solicit or induce, or in any manner attempt to encourage, solicit or induce any tenant, customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation to cease doing business with or reduce the amount of business conducted with the Company Group, or in any way interfering with the relationship of any such tenant, customer, supplier, licensee, or other business relation and the Company Group.
(e) Mutual Non-Disparagement . During Executives employment with the Company and at all times following Executives termination of employment for any reason, (i) Executive covenants and agrees that he/she will not, nor induce others to, disparage any member of the Company Group, its past and present officers, directors, employees, products or services and (ii) the Company shall not, and shall instruct members of its Board and the senior executives of the Company Group not to, disparage Executive. Nothing herein shall prohibit any party (i) from disclosing that Executive is no longer employed by the Company, (ii) from responding truthfully to any governmental investigation, legal process or inquiry related thereto, (iii) from making a good faith rebuttal of the other partys untrue or misleading statement. For purposes of this Agreement, the term disparage means any statements, whether orally, in writing or through any medium (including, but not limited to, the press or other media, computer networks or bulletin boards, or any other form of communication), that intentionally disparage, defame, or otherwise damage or assail the reputation, integrity or professionalism of the other party.
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(f) Post-Termination Cooperation . Executive agrees that following the termination of his/her employment, he/she will continue to provide reasonable cooperation to the Company and/or any other member of the Company Group and its or their respective counsel in connection with any Proceeding relating to any matter that occurred during Executives employment in which Executive was involved or of which Executive has knowledge. The Company shall pay Executive at an hourly rate based upon Executives Base Salary as of the Termination Date and reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred with respect to his/her compliance with this Section 6(f). Executive also agrees that, in the event that he/she is subpoenaed by any Person (including, but not limited to, any government agency) to give testimony or provide documents (in a deposition, court proceeding, or otherwise) that in any way relates to his/her employment by the Company and/or any other member of the Company Group, he/she will give prompt notice of such request to the Company and will make no disclosure until the Company Group has had a reasonable opportunity to contest the right of the requesting Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent any member of the Company Group seeks Executives assistance, the Company Group will use reasonable commercial efforts, whenever possible, to provide Executive with reasonable advance notice of its need for him/her and will attempt to coordinate with Executive the time and place at which Executives assistance will be provided with the goal of minimizing the impact of such assistance on any other material pre-scheduled business commitment that Executive may have. Executives cooperation described in this Section 6(f) shall be subject to the term of the indemnification agreement between Executive, the Company and the Partnership and the indemnification provisions under the Companys by-laws.
(g) Blue Pencil . If any court of competent jurisdiction shall at any time deem the duration or the geographic scope of any of the provisions of this Section 6 unenforceable, the other provisions of this Section 6 shall nevertheless stand, and the duration and/or geographic scope set forth herein shall be deemed to be the longest period and/or greatest size permissible by law under the circumstances, and the parties hereto agree that such court shall reduce the time period and/or geographic scope to permissible duration or size.
(h) Breach of Restrictive Covenants . Without limiting the remedies available to the Company Group, Executive acknowledges that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Section 6 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Company Group for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely, and that in the event of such a breach or threat thereof, the Company Group shall be entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary or permanent injunction, without the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach of Section 6 hereof, restraining Executive from engaging in activities prohibited by Section 6 hereof or such other relief as may be required specifically to enforce any of the covenants in Section 6 hereof.
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Section 7. Golden Parachute Tax Provisions .
If there is a change in ownership or control of the Company that would cause any payment or distribution by the Company or any other Person or entity to Executive or for Executives benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise) (a Payment ) to be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (such excise tax, together with any interest or penalties incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax, the Excise Tax ), then Executive will receive the greatest of the following, whichever gives Executive the highest net after-tax amount (after taking into account federal, state, local and social security taxes): (a) the Payments or (b) one dollar less than the amount of the Payments that would subject Executive to the Excise Tax (the Safe Harbor Amount ). If a reduction in the Payments is necessary so that the Payments equal the Safe Harbor Amount and none of the Payments constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation, then the reduction shall occur in the manner Executive elects in writing prior to the date of payment. If any Payment constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) or if Executive fails to elect an order, then the Payments to be reduced will be determined in a manner which has the least economic cost to Executive and, to the extent the economic cost is equivalent, will be reduced in the inverse order of when payment would have been made to Executive, until the reduction is achieved. All determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when the Safe Harbor Amount is required and the amount of the reduction of the Payments and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Company (the Accounting Firm ). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon Company and Executive.
Section 8. Taxes.
The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment, and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has not provided any tax advice to him/her in connection with this Agreement and that Executive has been advised by the Company to seek tax advice from his/her own tax advisors regarding this Agreement and payments that may be made to him/her pursuant to this Agreement, including specifically, the application of the provisions of Section 409A of the Code to such payments.
Section 9. Scope of Agreement.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to alter the at-will nature of Executives employment or entitle Executive to continued employment with the Company.
Section 10. Set Off; Mitigation.
The Companys obligation to pay Executive the amounts provided and to make the arrangements provided hereunder shall not be subject to set-off, counterclaim, or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to the Company or its affiliates. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided pursuant to this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, and except as provided in Section 2(f), the amount of any payment provided for pursuant to this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned as a result of Executives other employment or otherwise.
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Section 11. Additional Section 409A Provisions.
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary
(a) Any payment otherwise required to be made hereunder to Executive at any date as a result of the termination of Executives employment shall be delayed for such period of time as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (the Delay Period ). On the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period, Executive shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule set forth herein.
(b) Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(c) To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided , that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.
(d) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in accordance with such intent.
Section 12. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
(a) The Company . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, obligations, or interests arising hereunder may be assigned by the Company to a Person (other than another member of the Company Group, or its or their respective successors) without Executives prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned); provided , however , that in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any direct or indirect division or subsidiary thereof to which Executives employment primarily relates, the Company will provide that this Agreement will be assigned to, and assumed by, the acquiror of such assets, it being agreed that in such circumstances, Executives consent will not be required in connection therewith.
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(b) Executive . Executives rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided , however , that if Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executives devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there be no such designee, to Executives estate.
(c) No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise set forth in Section 12(b) hereof, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the other members of the Company Group, and Executive any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.
Section 13. Waiver and Amendments.
Any waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto; provided , however , that any such waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification must be consented to on the Companys behalf by the Board. No waiver by either of the parties hereto of their rights hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or transactions hereunder unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a continuing waiver.
Section 14. Severability.
If any covenants or such other provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired, and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof shall be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof.
Section 15. Governing Law; Interpretation.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed for all purposes by the laws and public policy (other than conflict of laws principles) of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to be wholly performed therein.
Section 16. Dispute Resolution.
Except to the extent necessary for the Company or any member of the Company Group or their successors or assigns to seek injunctive relief or other equitable relief described in Section 6(h), arbitration will be the method of resolving disputes under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that before proceeding to arbitration, they will attempt in good faith to promptly resolve such dispute by mediation in New York, New York. The mediation will commence within forty-five (45) days of request therefore and will be before a single mediator selected by the Company and Executive from a list provided by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ( JAMS ). If the parties are unable to mutually select a
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mediator, then the mediator shall be appointed by JAMS. If any dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the parties in mediation or, unless the parties mutually agree otherwise, the dispute remains unresolved following thirty (30) days after the commencement of the mediation, the arbitration shall be held before a single arbitrator selected by the Company and Executive from a list provided by JAMS. All arbitrations arising out of this Agreement shall be conducted in New York, New York in accordance with the JAMS rules then in effect for executive employment disputes and arbitrations. If the Company and Executive cannot agree on a single arbitrator, the arbitration shall be conducted before a panel of three arbitrators, one selected by each party hereto and the third arbitrator selected by the parties two arbitrators from a list provided by JAMS. Any award entered by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by either party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable. The arbitrators shall have no authority to modify any provision of this Agreement or to award a remedy for a dispute involving this Agreement other than a benefit specifically provided under or by virtue of this Agreement. The Company shall be responsible for paying the fees and costs of the mediator and arbitrator along with other mediation or arbitration-specific fees (except, if applicable, Executives petitioners filing fees) and its own expenses and Executive shall be responsible for his/her own expenses relating to the conduct of the mediation or arbitration (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses), provided, however , the Company shall reimburse Executive for his/her costs and expenses in connection with such contest or dispute in the event Executive prevails, as determined by the arbitrator.
Section 17. Notices.
(a) Place of Delivery . Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be mailed to or delivered to the party for whom or which it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided; provided , that unless and until some other address be so designated, all notices and communications by Executive to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal executive office, and all notices and communications by the Company to Executive may be given to Executive personally or may be mailed to Executive at Executives last known address, as reflected in the Companys records.
(b) Date of Delivery . Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given or received (i) if delivered by hand, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if mailed by courier or by overnight mail, on the first business day following the date of such mailing, and (iii) if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.
Section 18. Section Headings.
The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof.
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Section 19. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement, together with any exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto regarding the employment of Executive. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings, and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.
Section 20. Survival of Operative Sections.
Upon any termination of Executives employment, the provisions of Section 2 through Section 22 of this Agreement (together with any related definitions set forth in Section 1 hereof) shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof.
Section 21. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this Agreement may be by actual signature or by signature delivered by facsimile or by e-mail as a portable data format (.pdf) file or image file attachment.
Section 22. Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall terminate two (2) years after the date of any written notification from the Company to Executive terminating this Agreement; provided, however , that if a Change in Control occurs while this Agreement is still operative, any written notification to Executive terminating this Agreement (including any written notification given prior to such Change in Control), shall not be effective prior to the end of the Change in Control Termination Period; and provided, further , that this Agreement shall continue in effect following any termination of employment that is not a Nonqualifying Termination which occurs prior to such termination with respect to all rights and obligations accruing as a result of such termination.
* * *
[ Signatures to appear on the following page. ]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXECUTIVE
|
Name: |
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Exhibit A
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Exhibit B
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
In consideration of the promises set forth in that certain Change in Control Severance Agreement between [ ] (hereinafter referred to as you or your ) and Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland Corporation (the Company ), dated as of , 2012 (the Change in Control Severance Agreement ), you agree as follows in this General Release of Claims (this Release ), dated as of , 20__:
Section 1. Opportunity for Review and Revocation . You have [twenty-one (21)][forty-five (45)] 1 days to review and consider this Release. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Release will not become effective or enforceable for a period of seven (7) calendar days following the date of its execution, during which time you may revoke your acceptance of this Release by notifying , in writing. To be effective, such revocation must be received by the Company no later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh calendar day following its execution. Provided that this Release is executed and you do not revoke it, the eighth (8 th ) day following the date on which this Release is executed shall be its effective date (the Effective Date ). In the event of your revocation of this Release pursuant to this Section 1, this Release will be null and void and of no effect, and the Company will have no obligations hereunder.
Section 2. Release and Waiver of Claims .
(a) As used in this Release, the term claims will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys fees, judgments, losses and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise.
(b) For and in consideration of the Severance Benefits (as defined in the Change in Control Severance Agreement), and other good and valuable consideration, you, for and on behalf of yourself and your heirs, administrators, executors, and assigns, effective as of the Effective Date, do fully and forever release, remise, and discharge the Company, its direct and indirect parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, and their respective successors and assigns, together with their respective officers, directors, partners, stockholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the Group ), from any and all claims whatsoever up to the date hereof which you had, may have had, or now have against the Group, whether known or unknown, for or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, including any claim arising out of or attributable to your employment or the termination of your employment with the Company, whether for tort, breach of express or implied employment contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, unjust dismissal, defamation, libel or slander, or under any federal, state or local law dealing with discrimination based on age, race, sex, national
1 |
To be selected based on whether the applicable termination was in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967). |
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origin, handicap, religion, disability or sexual orientation. This release of claims includes, but is not limited to, all claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ( ADEA ), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Equal Pay Act, each as may be amended from time to time, and all other federal, state and local laws, the common law and any other purported restriction on an employers right to terminate the employment of employees.
(c) You acknowledge and agree that as of the date you execute this Release, you have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws listed in the preceding paragraph.
(d) You specifically release all claims relating to your employment and its termination under ADEA, a United States federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Release to the contrary, by executing this Release, you are not releasing any claims relating to: (i) your rights with respect to the Severance Benefits and any other rights under your Change in Control Severance Agreement or any other written agreement by and between you and the Company that survive the termination of your employment; (ii) any rights to accrued, vested benefits that you have under the employee benefit and fringe benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Group; (iii) any claims that cannot be waived by law and any claims that may arise after the date on which you sign this Release; (iv) any rights that you have as a stockholder of the Company or an equity holder of any member of the Group; or (v) any indemnification rights (including advancement and reimbursement of legal fees and expenses) you may have as a former officer or director of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or coverage under directors and officers liability insurance.
Section 3. Knowing and Voluntary Waiver . You expressly acknowledge and agree that you:
(a) Are able to read the language, and understand the meaning and effect, of this Release;
(b) Have no physical or mental impairment of any kind that has interfered with your ability to read and understand the meaning of this Release or its terms, and that your not acting under the influence of any medication, drug, or chemical of any type in entering into this Release;
(c) Are specifically agreeing to the terms of the release contained in this Release because the Company has agreed to pay you the Severance Benefits in consideration for your agreement to accept it in full settlement of all possible claims you might have or ever have had, and because of your execution of this Release;
(d) Acknowledge that, but for your execution of this Release, you would not be entitled to the Severance Benefits;
(e) Understand that, by entering into this Release, you do not waive rights or claims under ADEA that may arise after the date you execute this Release;
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(f) Had or could have had [twenty-one (21)][forty-five (45)] days from the date of your termination of employment (the Release Expiration Date ) in which to review and consider this Release and that if I execute this Release prior to the Release Expiration Date, you have voluntarily and knowingly waived the remainder of the review period;
(g) Have not relied upon any representation or statement not set forth in this Release or the Change in Control Severance Agreement made by the Company or any of its representatives;
(h) Were advised to consult with your attorney regarding the terms and effect of this Release; and
(i) Have signed this Release knowingly and voluntarily.
Section 4. No Suit . You represent and warrant that you have not previously filed, and to the maximum extent permitted by law agree that you will not file, a complaint, charge, or lawsuit against any member of the Group regarding any of the claims released herein. If, notwithstanding this representation and warranty, you have filed or file such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit, you agree that you shall cause such complaint, charge, or lawsuit to be dismissed with prejudice and you shall pay any and all costs required in obtaining a dismissal of such complaint, charge, or lawsuit, including without limitation the attorneys fees of any member of the Group against whom I have filed such a complaint, charge, or lawsuit. This paragraph shall not apply, however, to a claim of age discrimination under ADEA or to any non-waivable right to file a charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the EEOC ); provided , however , that if the EEOC were to pursue any claims relating to your employment with the Company, you agree that you shall not be entitled to recover any monetary damages or any other remedies or benefits as a result and that this Release and Section 2 of the Change in Control Severance Agreement will control as the exclusive remedy and full settlement of all such claims by you. You hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any other member of the Group and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any other member of the Group.
Section 5. Successors and Assigns . The provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of your heirs, executors, administrators, legal personal representatives and assigns and shall be binding upon your heirs, executors, administrators, legal personal representatives and assigns.
Section 6. Severability . If any provision of this Release shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall be of no force and effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, shall have no effect upon and shall not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.
Section 7. Governing Law . This Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Federal law and the laws of the State of New York, applicable to releases made and to be performed in that State.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Release has been executed as of the date first written above.
|
[EXECUTIVE] |
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Exhibit 10.31
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of , 2013
among
EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P.,
and
ESRT EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, L.L.C.
as Borrowers,
and
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC.
and
THE SUBSIDIARIES OF
EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P.
FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO ,
and
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. ,
as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender
and
L/C Issuer,
and
The Other Lenders Party Hereto
and
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
as Syndication Agent
and
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
and
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA ,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section |
Page | |||||
ARTICLE I. |
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS |
1 | ||||
1.01 |
Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.02 |
Other Interpretive Provisions | 46 | ||||
1.03 |
Accounting Terms | 46 | ||||
1.04 |
Rounding | 47 | ||||
1.05 |
Times of Day; Rates | 47 | ||||
1.06 |
Letter of Credit Amounts | 47 | ||||
ARTICLE II. |
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
48 | ||||
2.01 |
The Loans | 48 | ||||
2.02 |
Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans | 50 | ||||
2.03 |
Mortgage Debt Assignments | 52 | ||||
2.04 |
. | 52 | ||||
2.04 |
Competitive Loans | 56 | ||||
2.05 |
Letters of Credit | 60 | ||||
2.06 |
Swing Line Loans | 70 | ||||
2.07 |
Prepayments | 73 | ||||
2.08 |
Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments | 74 | ||||
2.09 |
Repayment of Loans | 75 | ||||
2.10 |
Interest | 76 | ||||
2.11 |
Fees | 76 | ||||
2.12 |
Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate | 77 | ||||
2.13 |
Evidence of Debt | 78 | ||||
2.14 |
Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback | 78 | ||||
2.15 |
Sharing of Payments by Lenders; Sharing of Proceeds from a Foreclosure or other Exercise of Remedies in respect of the Assigned Mortgages | 82 | ||||
2.16 |
Extension of Maturity Date in respect of Revolving Credit Facility | 84 | ||||
2.17 |
Increase in Revolving Credit Facility | 85 | ||||
2.18 |
Increase in Term Facility | 87 | ||||
2.19 |
Borrowing Base Properties | 89 | ||||
2.20 |
Cash Collateral | 94 | ||||
2.21 |
Defaulting Lenders | 95 | ||||
2.22 |
Assigned Mortgages; Terminations and Assignments of Assigned Mortgages; Release and Indemnity by Loan Parties; Authorization by Lenders | 97 | ||||
2.23 |
. | 97 | ||||
ARTICLE III. |
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY |
109 | ||||
3.01 |
Taxes | 109 | ||||
3.02 |
Illegality | 114 | ||||
3.03 |
Inability to Determine Rates | 115 | ||||
3.04 |
Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans | 116 | ||||
3.05 |
Compensation for Losses | 117 |
i
3.06 |
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 118 | ||||
3.07 |
Survival | 119 | ||||
ARTICLE IV. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
119 | ||||
4.01 |
Conditions of Effectiveness | 119 | ||||
4.02 |
Conditions to all Credit Extensions | 123 | ||||
ARTICLE V. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
124 | ||||
5.01 |
Existence, Qualification and Power | 124 | ||||
5.02 |
Authorization; No Contravention | 124 | ||||
5.03 |
Governmental Authorization; Other Consents | 124 | ||||
5.04 |
Binding Effect | 124 | ||||
5.05 |
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect | 125 | ||||
5.06 |
Litigation | 125 | ||||
5.07 |
No Default | 125 | ||||
5.08 |
Ownership of Property; Liens | 126 | ||||
5.09 |
Environmental Compliance | 126 | ||||
5.10 |
Insurance | 127 | ||||
5.11 |
Taxes | 127 | ||||
5.12 |
ERISA Compliance | 127 | ||||
5.13 |
Subsidiaries; Equity Interests | 128 | ||||
5.14 |
Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act | 129 | ||||
5.15 |
Disclosure | 129 | ||||
5.16 |
Compliance with Laws | 129 | ||||
5.17 |
[Reserved] | 129 | ||||
5.18 |
Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. | 129 | ||||
5.19 |
OFAC | 130 | ||||
5.20 |
Solvency | 130 | ||||
5.21 |
Casualty, Etc | 130 | ||||
5.22 |
Labor Matters | 130 | ||||
5.23 |
Collateral Documents | 130 | ||||
5.24 |
Mortgage Recording Taxes | 130 | ||||
5.25 |
Properties Subject to Assigned Mortgages | 130 | ||||
ARTICLE VI. |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
131 | ||||
6.01 |
Financial Statements | 131 | ||||
6.02 |
Certificates; Other Information | 132 | ||||
6.03 |
Notices | 134 | ||||
6.04 |
Payment of Obligations | 135 | ||||
6.05 |
Preservation of Existence, Etc. | 135 | ||||
6.06 |
Maintenance of Properties | 135 | ||||
6.07 |
Maintenance of Insurance | 135 | ||||
6.08 |
Compliance with Laws | 136 | ||||
6.09 |
Books and Records | 136 | ||||
6.10 |
Inspection Rights | 137 | ||||
6.11 |
Use of Proceeds | 137 | ||||
6.12 |
Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors; Additional Borrowers | 137 | ||||
6.13 |
Compliance with Environmental Laws | 139 | ||||
6.14 |
Ownership of Borrowers | 139 |
ii
6.15 |
Further Assurances | 139 | ||||
6.16 |
Maintenance of REIT Status; New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Listing | 140 | ||||
6.17 |
Information Regarding Collateral | 140 | ||||
6.18 |
Lien Searches | 140 | ||||
ARTICLE VII. |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
141 | ||||
7.01 |
Liens | 143 | ||||
7.02 |
Investments | 145 | ||||
7.03 |
Indebtedness | 146 | ||||
7.04 |
Fundamental Changes | 146 | ||||
7.05 |
Dispositions | 147 | ||||
7.06 |
Restricted Payments | 148 | ||||
7.07 |
Change in Nature of Business | 148 | ||||
7.08 |
Transactions with Affiliates | 148 | ||||
7.09 |
Burdensome Agreements | 148 | ||||
7.10 |
Use of Proceeds | 149 | ||||
7.11 |
Financial Covenants | 149 | ||||
7.12 |
Accounting Changes | 149 | ||||
7.13 |
Amendment, Waivers and Terminations of Organization Documents | 150 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES |
150 | ||||
8.01 |
Events of Default | 150 | ||||
8.02 |
Remedies Upon Event of Default | 152 | ||||
8.03 |
Application of Funds | 153 | ||||
ARTICLE IX. |
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
154 | ||||
9.01 |
Appointment and Authority | 154 | ||||
9.02 |
Rights as a Lender | 154 | ||||
9.03 |
Exculpatory Provisions | 155 | ||||
9.04 |
Reliance by Administrative Agent | 156 | ||||
9.05 |
Delegation of Duties | 156 | ||||
9.06 |
Resignation of Administrative Agent | 156 | ||||
9.07 |
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 158 | ||||
9.08 |
No Other Duties, Etc. | 158 | ||||
9.09 |
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding | 158 | ||||
9.10 |
Collateral and Guaranty Matters | 160 | ||||
9.11 |
Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements | 160 | ||||
ARTICLE X. |
MISCELLANEOUS |
161 | ||||
10.01 |
Amendments, Etc. | 161 | ||||
10.02 |
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication | 163 | ||||
10.03 |
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement | 165 | ||||
10.04 |
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 166 | ||||
10.05 |
Payments Set Aside | 169 | ||||
10.06 |
Successors and Assigns | 169 | ||||
10.07 |
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 174 | ||||
10.08 |
Right of Setoff | 175 | ||||
10.09 |
Interest Rate Limitation | 175 |
iii
10.10 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 176 | ||||
10.11 |
Survival of Representations and Warranties | 176 | ||||
10.12 |
Severability | 176 | ||||
10.13 |
Replacement of Lenders | 177 | ||||
10.14 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. | 177 | ||||
10.15 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 178 | ||||
10.16 |
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 179 | ||||
10.17 |
Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents | 179 | ||||
10.18 |
USA PATRIOT Act | 179 | ||||
10.19 |
Releases of Collateral; Releases of Subsidiaries of ESR OP from Guaranty Agreement; Borrower Releases | 180 | ||||
10.20 |
Joint and Several Liability | 186 | ||||
10.21 |
ESR OP as Borrower Representative | 186 | ||||
10.22 |
Keepwell | 187 | ||||
SIGNATURES | S-1 |
iv
SCHEDULES |
||
I |
Empire Reserve | |
II |
Excluded Pledge Subsidiaries | |
III |
Excluded Subsidiaries | |
IV |
Subsidiary Guarantors | |
V |
Certain Excluded Subsidiaries | |
2.01 |
Commitments and Applicable Percentages | |
5.12(d) |
Pension Plans | |
5.13 |
Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments; Loan Parties | |
5.22 |
Labor Matters | |
7.01 |
Existing Liens | |
7.09 |
Burdensome Agreements | |
10.02 |
Administrative Agents Office, Certain Addresses for Notices, Taxpayer Identification Numbers | |
EXHIBITS |
||
Form of | ||
A |
Committed Loan Notice |
|
B-1 |
Competitive Bid Request |
|
B-2 |
Competitive Bid |
|
C |
Swing Line Loan Notice |
|
D-1 |
Term A Note |
|
D-2 |
Term B Note |
|
D-3 |
Revolving Credit Note |
|
E |
Compliance Certificate |
|
F-1 |
Assignment and Assumption |
|
F-2 |
Administrative Questionnaire |
|
G |
Availability Certificate |
|
H |
Guaranty Agreement |
|
I |
Pledge Agreement |
|
J |
[Intentionally omitted] |
|
K |
Solvency Certificate |
|
L |
United States Tax Compliance Certificate |
|
M-1 |
Perfection Certificate |
|
M-2 |
Perfection Certificate Supplement |
v
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT ( Agreement ) is entered into as of , 2013, among EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC., a Maryland corporation (the Parent ), EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ( ESR OP ), ESRT EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ( ESRT LLC ), each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of ESR OP that, in accordance with Section 6.12(c) , becomes a co-borrower hereunder after the Closing Date (together with ESR OP and ESRT LLC, each a Borrower and collectively, the Borrowers ), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the Lenders and individually, a Lender ), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.
The Borrowers have requested that the Lenders provide term loan and revolving credit facilities to the Borrowers, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Absolute Rate means a fixed rate of interest expressed in multiples of 1/100th of one basis point.
Absolute Rate Loan means a Competitive Loan that bears interest at a rate determined with reference to an Absolute Rate.
Act has the meaning set forth in Section 10.18 .
Additional Secured Obligations means all obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.
Adjusted EBITDA means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (i) EBITDA (excluding Observatory EBITDA) for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) , multiplied by four, plus (ii) Observatory EBITDA for the then most recently ended period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) , minus (iii) the aggregate Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustments for all Investment Properties on such date.
Administrative Agent means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
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Administrative Agents Office means the Administrative Agents address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrowers and the Lenders.
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit F-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
Affiliated Investor means ESR OP, any Subsidiary of ESR OP or any Unconsolidated Affiliate, in each case that owns, or is the lessee under a ground lease in respect of, an Investment Property.
Aggregate Mortgageability Cash Flow means, at any time, the aggregate Mortgageability Cash Flow from all Borrowing Base Properties at such time.
Agreement means this Credit Agreement.
Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustment means, without duplication, (i) for any Investment Property that is an office property or the Empire State Observatory, an amount equal to the product of (x) $0.25, multiplied by (y) the aggregate net rentable area (determined on a square feet basis) of such Investment Property and (ii) for any Investment Property that is a retail property, an amount equal to the product of (x) $0.15, multiplied by (y) the aggregate net rentable area (determined on a square feet basis) of such Investment Property.
Applicable Percentage means (a) in respect of the Term A Facility, with respect to any Term A Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term A Facility represented by (i) on or prior to the Closing Date, such Term A Lenders Term A Commitment at such time and (ii) thereafter, the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of such Term A Lenders Term A Loans at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of such Term A Lenders Delayed Draw Term Loans at such time, (b) in respect of the Term B Facility, with respect to any Term B Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term B Facility represented by (i) on or prior to the Closing Date, such Term B Lenders Term B Commitments at such time and (ii) thereafter, the aggregate principal amount of such Term B Lenders Term B Loans at such time , (c) in respect of the Term Facility, with respect to any Term Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term Facility represented by (i) on or prior to the Closing Date, such Term Lenders Term Commitments at such time and (ii) thereafter, the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of such Term Lenders Term Loans at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of such Term Lenders Delayed Draw Term Loans at such time, (d) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Revolving Credit Facility represented by such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, provided , that if the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and Mortgage Debt Assignment Fundings and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit
2
Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , or if the Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (e) in respect of all Facilities, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Facilities represented by (i) on or prior to the Closing Date, the sum of (x) such Lenders Term Commitments at such time and (y) such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment at such time and (ii) thereafter, the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of such Lenders Term Loans at such time, (y) the aggregate principal amount of such Lenders Delayed Draw Term Loans at such time, and (z) such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment at such time; provided , that if the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and Mortgage Debt Assignment Fundings and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , or if the Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of all Facilities shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender in respect of all Facilities most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of each Facility and all Facilities is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption or New Lender Joinder Agreement pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
Applicable Rate means (i) at any time prior to the Investment Grade Pricing Effective Date, the Leveraged-Based Applicable Rate in effect at such time and (ii) at any time on and after the Investment Grade Pricing Effective Date, the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate in effect at such time.
Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage means, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Percentage in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.
Appropriate Lender means, at any time, (a) with respect to the Term Facility, a Lender that has a Term A Commitment, Term B Commitment, Delayed Draw Term Commitment, Term A Loan, Term B Loan and/or Delayed Draw Term Loan at such time, (b) with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, a Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment and/or a Revolving Credit Loan at such time, (c) with respect to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (i) the L/C Issuer and (ii) if any Letters of Credit have been issued pursuant to Section 2.05(a) , the Revolving Credit Lenders and (c) with respect to the Swing Line Sublimit, (i) the Swing Line Lender and (ii) if any Swing Line Loans are outstanding pursuant to Section 2.06(a) , the Revolving Credit Lenders.
Approved Fund means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
3
Arrangers means, collectively, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.
Assigned Empire State Mortgage means the Existing Empire State Mortgage, as modified by the ESB Mortgage Modification Agreement.
Assigned Mortgages means, collectively, the Assigned Empire State Mortgage and each Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage.
Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(v)(E) .
Assignee Group means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.
Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit F-1 or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by MarkitClear or other electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.
Assumed Mortgage Debt means, at any time, (i) with respect to any Investment Property being acquired by a Borrower after the Closing Date, all Indebtedness owing by the seller of such Investment Property at such time that is (x) secured solely by one or more Mortgages on such Investment Property (which Mortgage(s) may include an assignment of leases and rents) and (y) being assumed by such Borrower in connection with such acquisition and (ii) with respect to any Existing Mortgaged Investment Property, all Indebtedness at such time that is secured solely by the Mortgage(s) on such Existing Mortgaged Investment Property (which Mortgage(s) may include an assignment of leases and rents) in favor of the existing third-party mortgage lender(s).
Attributable Indebtedness means, on any date, in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.
Audited Financial Statements means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Predecessor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Predecessor, including the notes thereto.
Availability means, at any time, the lesser of (a) the sum of (i) amount of the Revolving Credit Facility at such time and (ii) the amount of the Term Facility at such time and (b) the Mortgageability Amount at such time minus , in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b) above, the sum of (x) Total Outstandings at such time and (y) the Empire Reserve at such time.
Availability Certificate means a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of ESR OP, substantially in the form of Exhibit G (or another form acceptable to the Administrative
4
Agent) setting forth the calculation of Availability, in such detail as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. All calculations of Availability in connection with the preparation of any Availability Certificate shall originally be made by the Borrowers and certified to the Administrative Agent; provided , that the Administrative Agent shall have the right to review and adjust, in consultation with the Borrowers, any such calculation (x) to reflect any discrepancies in any of the components of the amounts set forth therein with any information received by the Administrative Agent and (y) to the extent the Administrative Agent determines that such calculation contains errors or is not otherwise in accordance with this Agreement.
Availability Period means (a) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08 and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and Mortgage Debt Assignment Fundings and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02 and (b) in respect of the Delayed Draw Term Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date for the Term Facility, (ii) the date on which the third Delayed Draw Term Borrowing occurs, (iii) the date on which the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans is reduced to $0, (iv) the date on which the Assigned Empire State Mortgage is terminated or released in full in accordance with Section 2.22(b) or (c) , and (v) the date of termination of the commitment of each Term A Lender to make Delayed Draw Term Loans pursuant to Section 8.02 .
Bank of America means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
Bank of America Fee Letter means the letter agreement regarding certain fees payable in connection with the Facilities, dated October 5, 2012, among ESR OP, the Parent, the Administrative Agent and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
Base Rate means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. The prime rate is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of Americas costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
Base Rate Loan means a Revolving Credit Loan, a Term Loan or a Delayed Draw Term Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Borrower and Borrowers have the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrower Materials has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .
5
Borrowing means a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Swing Line Borrowing, a Delayed Draw Term Borrowing, a Term A Borrowing, a Term B Borrowing or a Competitive Borrowing, as the context may require.
Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a) .
Borrowing Base NOI means, (a) with respect to any Borrowing Base Property (other than the Empire State Observatory) at any time, an amount equal to (i) (x) the Net Operating Income of such Borrowing Base Property for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) , plus (y) the following to the extent allocable to such Borrowing Base Property and deducted in calculating such Net Operating Income for such fiscal quarter: (A) if such Borrowing Base Property is not self-managed (i.e., not managed by a member of the Consolidated Group), management fees paid in cash during such fiscal quarter in respect of such Borrowing Base Property and (B) if such Borrowing Base Property is self-managed (i.e., managed by a member of the Consolidated Group), expenses incurred during such fiscal quarter in connection with the management of such Borrowing Base Property that under a customary management agreement with a third party manager that is not an Affiliate of the Parent would be borne by such third party manager, multiplied by (ii) four and (b) with respect to the Empire State Observatory at any time, an amount equal to (i) the Net Operating Income of the Empire State Observatory for the then most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Parent for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) , plus (ii) the following to the extent allocable to the Empire State Observatory and deducted in calculating such Net Operating Income: (x) if the Empire State Observatory is not self-managed (i.e., not managed by a member of the Consolidated Group), management fees paid in cash during such four fiscal quarter period in respect of the Empire State Observatory and (y) if the Empire State Observatory is self-managed (i.e., managed by a member of the Consolidated Group), expenses incurred during such four fiscal quarter period in connection with the management of the Empire State Observatory that under a customary management agreement with a third party manager that is not an Affiliate of the Parent would be borne by such third party manager. For the avoidance of doubt, the Net Operating Income with respect to any Borrowing Base Property that is owned or leased by a Loan Party for less than one full fiscal quarter shall be included in the calculation of Borrowing Base NOI of such Borrowing Base Property, on a pro forma basis, as if such Borrowing Base Property was owned or leased by such Loan Party for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) .
Borrowing Base Properties means, collectively, the Initial Borrowing Properties and any other Investment Property which, in each case, at all times satisfies each of the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria and as to which the Borrowers have delivered a request contemplated by Section 2.19(a)(i) .
Borrowing Base Proposal Package means, with respect to any proposed Borrowing Base Property, the following items, each in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (a) a detailed description of such property, (b) a projected cash flow analysis of such property, (c) a statement of operating expenses for such property for the immediately preceding
6
36 consecutive calendar months or such shorter period to the extent (x) such property has been in operation for less than 36 months or (y) statements for a shorter period have been made available by a seller of such property, (d) an operating expense and capital expenditures budget for such property for the next succeeding 12 consecutive months, (e) if such property is then the subject of an acquisition transaction, a copy of the purchase agreement with respect thereto and a schedule of the proposed sources and uses of funds for such transaction, (f) if such property is subject to a ground lease, a copy of such ground lease and (g) such additional documents and information as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent with respect to such proposed Borrowing Base Property.
Borrowing Base Subsidiary means, at any time, any Subsidiary of ESR OP that (i) (x) owns a Borrowing Base Property at such time and/or (y) is the lessee under an Eligible Ground Lease in respect of a Borrowing Base Property at such time or (ii) owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests in a Subsidiary of the type specified in clause (i) of this definition.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agents Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.
Capitalization Rate means (a) in the case of (i) any office property located in the New York City central business district and (ii) the Empire State Observatory, six percent (6.00%), (b) in the case of any office property (other than a New York City central business district office property), seven percent (7.00%) and (c) in the case of any retail property, seven and one-quarter percent (7.25%).
Cash Collateralize means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. Cash Collateral shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
Cash Equivalents means any of the following types of Investments:
(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof;
(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System,
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(ii) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as described in clause (c) of this definition and (iii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000, in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(c) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least Prime-2 (or the then equivalent grade) by Moodys or at least A-2 (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof;
(d) reverse repurchase agreements with terms of not more than seven days from the date acquired, for securities of the type described in clause (a) above and entered into only with commercial banks having the qualifications described in clause (b) above; and
(e) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions that have at least the second highest rating obtainable from either Moodys or S&P, and the portfolios of which are limited solely to Investments of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this definition.
Cash Management Agreement means any agreement that is not prohibited by the terms hereof to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.
Cash Management Bank means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Cash Management Agreement that, at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Persons Affiliate ceased to be a Lender); provided , however , that for any of the foregoing to be included as a Secured Cash Management Agreement on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Cash Management Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.
CERCLA means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.
CERCLIS means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental
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Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Change in Tax Law means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to any law (including the Code), treaty, regulation or rule (or in the official interpretation of any law, treaty, regulation or rule by any Governmental Authority (including a court)) relating to U.S. income taxation.
Change of Control means an event or series of events by which:
(a) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an option right )), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the equity securities of the Parent entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Parent on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right);
(b) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Parent cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii) , any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors); or
(c) (i) the Parent shall cease to be the sole general partner of ESR OP or shall cease to own, directly, 100% of the general partnership interests of ESR OP, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Collateral Liens) or (ii) any holder of a limited partnership interest in ESR OP is provided with or obtains voting rights with respect to such limited partnership interest that are more expansive in any material respect than the voting rights afforded to limited partners of ESR OP under the Organization Documents of ESR OP in effect on the Closing Date.
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Closing Date means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01 .
Closing Date Tangible Net Worth means Tangible Net Worth as of the Closing Date, which amount shall be set forth in the certificate delivered by the Parent to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(a) ; provided , that at all times prior to delivery of such certificate, Closing Date Tangible Net Worth shall be deemed to be $ .
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Collateral means collectively, (i) all of the Collateral referred to in the Pledge Agreement, (ii) each Investment Property that is subject to an Assigned Mortgage and all proceeds thereof, and (iii) all of the other property that is or is intended under the terms of any of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Pledge Agreement, each Assigned Mortgage and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
Commitment means a Term Commitment, a Delayed Draw Term Commitment or a Revolving Credit Commitment, as the context may require.
Committed Loan Notice means a notice of (a) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (b) a Delayed Draw Term Borrowing, (c) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (d) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A .
Commodity Exchange Act means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq .), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Competitive Bid means a written offer by a Revolving Credit Lender to make one or more Competitive Loans substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 , duly completed and signed by such Revolving Credit Lender.
Competitive Bid Request means a written request for one or more Competitive Loans substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 .
Competitive Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Competitive Loans of the same Type from each of the Revolving Credit Lenders whose offer to make one or more Competitive Loans as part of such borrowing has been accepted under the auction bidding procedures described in Section 2.04 .
Competitive Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.04 .
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Competitive Loan Lender means, in respect of any Competitive Loan, the Revolving Credit Lender making such Competitive Loan to the Borrowers.
Competitive Loan Sublimit means, at any time, 50% of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all Revolving Credit Lenders at such time. The Competitive Loan Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E .
Connection Income Taxes means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Consolidated Group means, collectively, the Loan Parties and their Consolidated Subsidiaries.
Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share means, with respect to any Unconsolidated Affiliate, the percentage interest held by the Consolidated Group, in the aggregate, in such Unconsolidated Affiliate determined by calculating the percentage of Equity Interests of such Unconsolidated Affiliate owned by the Consolidated Group.
Consolidated Subsidiaries means, as to any Person, all Subsidiaries of such Person that are consolidated with such Person for financial reporting purposes under GAAP.
Contractual Obligation means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto.
Credit Extension means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing, (b) an L/C Credit Extension, (c) a borrowing of Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.19 and (d) a Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding pursuant to Section 2.03 , the proceeds of which are used by the Administrative Agent to acquire the Assumed Mortgage Debt on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders.
Debt Rating means, as of any date of determination, the rating assigned by a Rating Agency to the Parents and/or ESR OPs non-credit enhanced, senior unsecured long term debt as in effect on such date.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
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Default means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
Default Rate means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate, plus (ii) the Applicable Rate for Base Rate Loans under the Term Facility (assuming that Pricing Level V applied in the then applicable Pricing Grid), plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided , however , that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to (i) the Eurodollar Rate, plus (ii) the Applicable Rate for Eurodollar Rate Loans under the Term Facility (assuming that Pricing Level V applied in the then applicable Pricing Grid), plus (iii) 2% per annum, and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate then applicable to Letter of Credit Fees plus 2% per annum (assuming that Pricing Level V applied in the then applicable Pricing Grid).
Defaulting Lender means, subject to Section 2.21(b) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans or Mortgage Debt Assignment Fundings within two Business Days of the date such Loans or Mortgage Debt Assignment Fundings were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in writing that such failure is the result of such Lenders determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lenders obligation to fund a Loan or a Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lenders determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrowers, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a
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Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.21(b) ) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.
Delayed Draw Term Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Delayed Draw Term Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Term A Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(c) .
Delayed Draw Term Commitment means, as to each Term A Lender at any time, its obligation to make Delayed Draw Term Loans to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(c) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Term A Loans of such Term A Lender outstanding at such time. On the last day of the Availability Period for the Delayed Draw Term Commitments, all Delayed Draw Term Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $0.
Delayed Draw Term Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(c) .
Designated Jurisdiction means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is the subject of any Sanction.
Disposed Investment Property means, as of any date of determination, any Investment Property that was, directly or indirectly, sold or otherwise disposed of to a Person (other than a member of the Consolidated Group) during the then most recently ended period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
Disposition or Dispose means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States.
EBITDA means, with respect to the Consolidated Group for any period, the sum of (a) Net Income for such period, in each case, excluding (without duplication), (i) any non recurring or extraordinary gains and losses for such period, (ii) any income or gain and any loss in each case resulting from the early extinguishment of indebtedness during such period and (iii) any net income or gain or any loss resulting from a Swap Contract (including by virtue of a termination thereof) during such period, plus (b) an amount which, in the determination of Net Income for such period pursuant to clause (a) above, has been deducted for or in connection with: (i) Interest Expense ( plus , amortization of deferred financing costs, to the extent included in the determination of Interest Expense in accordance with GAAP), (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) all other non-cash charges and (v) adjustments as a result of the straight lining of rents, all as determined in accordance with GAAP for such period, plus (c) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the foregoing items attributable to the Consolidated Groups interests in Unconsolidated Affiliates.
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Eligible Assignee means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) , (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) ).
Eligible Ground Lease means a ground lease with respect to an Investment Property that at all times satisfies each of the following conditions: (a) such ground lease is in full force and effect, (b) such ground lease has a remaining lease term of at least 30 years at the time such Investment Property becomes a Borrowing Base Property (but in no event shall such ground lease have a remaining term of less than 25 years at any time during which such Investment Property is included as a Borrowing Base Property) (including extension and renewal options, but only to the extent such extension and renewal options are controlled exclusively by the Affiliated Investor that is the ground lessee thereunder), (c) such ground lease permits the Affiliated Investor that is the ground lessee thereunder to grant a Lien on all of its right, title and interest therein in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure the Obligations, without the consent of any Person (other than any consent that has been obtained), (d) no Person party to such ground lease is in default of any of its obligations under such ground lease and (e) such ground lease is not encumbered by any Lien, negative pledge or encumbrance (other than any Liens, negative pledges or encumbrances encumbering the ground lessors interest in such ground lease).
Empire Reserve means, at any time, the greater of (a) $[47,692,622] 1 (which amount is based on Schedule I attached hereto), minus the aggregate principal amount of all Reserve-Related Expenditures made after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time and (b) $0.
Empire State Building means the Empire State Building located at 338-350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York.
Empire State Mortgage Transfer Documentation has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(iii)(B) .
Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notice has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(i) .
Empire State Observatory means the Investment Property consisting of the observatory at the Empire State Building.
Environmental Laws means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any Hazardous Material into the environment, including those related to air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
1 | Subject to change to the extent all or a portion of a reserve item is completed prior to the Closing Date. |
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Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Environmental Permit means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.
Environmental Report means an environmental assessment report provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(v)(F) , Section 2.19(a)(xv) or Section 4.01(a)(iv)(B) .
Equity Interests means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with a Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
ERISA Event means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (b) the withdrawal of a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a substantial employer as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvency; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Single Employer Plan under section 4041 of ERISA or the treatment of a Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Single Employer Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Single Employer Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Single Employer Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and
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432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.
ESB Mortgage Modification Agreement means the Modification Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among ESR OP, ESRT LLC and the Administrative Agent.
Eurodollar Bid Margin means the margin above or below the Eurodollar Rate to be added to or subtracted from the Eurodollar Rate, which margin shall be expressed in multiples of 1/100th of one basis point.
Eurodollar Margin Bid Loan means a Competitive Loan that bears interest at a rate based upon the Eurodollar Rate.
Eurodollar Rate means:
(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London interbank offered rate ( LIBOR ) or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and
(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;
provided that to the extent a comparable or successor rate to LIBOR is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied to the applicable Interest Period in a manner consistent with market practice; provided further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied to the applicable Interest Period as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.
Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan means a Revolving Credit Loan, a Term Loan or a Delayed Draw Term Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of Eurodollar Rate.
Eurodollar Rate Loan means a Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan or a Eurodollar Margin Bid Loan.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .
Excluded Pledge Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of ESR OP that (i) does not own all or any portion of a Borrowing Base Property, (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own all or any portion of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that owns a Borrowing Base Property and (iii) has Indebtedness that (x) is owed to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof, (y) is either unsecured Indebtedness recourse for which is limited to such Subsidiary or is Secured Indebtedness and (z) by its terms does not permit the Equity Interests in
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such Subsidiary to be pledged (provided, that if the terms of such Indebtedness permits 20% or more of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary to be pledged, such portion of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary that are permitted to be pledged shall be pledged as collateral for the Obligations) (clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as the Pledge Exclusion Conditions ); provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) each Subsidiary of ESR OP listed on Schedule IIA hereto shall be an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary until the earliest of (i) such time as the Secured Indebtedness of such Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date (the Closing Date Excluded Pledge Indebtedness ) is repaid, refinanced and/or replaced in full, unless such Subsidiary satisfies each of the Pledge Exclusion Conditions immediately after giving effect to such repayment, refinancing or replacement, (ii) such time as the provisions in the documentation evidencing the Closing Date Excluded Pledge Indebtedness that are ambiguous as to whether the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary can be pledged are amended or modified to clarify that the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary can be pledged as collateral for the Obligations and (iii) such time as such Subsidiary fails to satisfy any of the Pledge Exclusion Conditions (other than clause (iii)(z) thereof), and (B) each Subsidiary of ESR OP listed on Schedule IIB hereto shall be an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary so long as such Subsidiary is also an Excluded Subsidiary.
Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release has the meaning specified in Section 10.19(d) .
Excluded Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of ESR OP that is listed on Schedule V hereto or that (a) does not own all or any portion of any Borrowing Base Property and (b) does not, directly or indirectly, own all or any portion of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that owns a Borrowing Base Property; provided , that (x) such Subsidiary has Indebtedness that (A) is owed to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof, (B) is either unsecured Indebtedness recourse for which is limited to such Subsidiary or is Secured Indebtedness and (C) by its terms does not permit such Subsidiary to guarantee the Obligations and/or (y) ESR OP and/or its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries directly, indirectly or beneficially own more than 50% but less than 90% of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or members of any other governing body of such Subsidiary (this proviso, together with clauses (a) and (b) of this definition, being referred to herein collectively as the Guaranty Exclusion Conditions ); provided , further , that notwithstanding the foregoing, each Subsidiary of ESR OP listed on Schedule III hereto shall be an Excluded Subsidiary until the earliest of (i) such time as the Secured Indebtedness of such Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date (the Closing Date Excluded Subsidiary Indebtedness ) is repaid, refinanced and/or replaced in full, unless such Subsidiary satisfies each of the Guaranty Exclusion Conditions immediately after giving effect to such repayment, refinancing or replacement, (ii) such time as the provisions in the documentation evidencing the Closing Date Excluded Subsidiary Indebtedness that are ambiguous as to whether such Subsidiary can guaranty the Obligations are amended or modified to clarify that such Subsidiary can Guaranty the Obligations and (iii) such time as such Subsidiary fails to specify any of the Guaranty Exclusion Conditions (other than clause (x)(C) of the first proviso to this definition).
Excluded Subsidiary Equity Release has the meaning specified in Section 10.19(c) .
Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release has the meaning specified in Section 10.19(b) .
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Excluded Swap Obligation means, (i) with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantors failure for any reason to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.23 of this Agreement and Section 21 of the Guaranty Agreement and any and all guarantees of such Guarantors Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation and (ii) with respect to any Borrower, any Swap Obligation in respect of a Swap Contract to which such Borrower is not a party if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Obligations of such Borrower in respect of, or the grant by such Borrower of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Borrowers failure for any reason to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.23 of this Agreement and Section 21 of the Guaranty Agreement and any and all guarantees of such Borrowers Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Obligations of such Borrower includes such Swap Obligation.
Excluded Taxes means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, (i) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 10.13) or such Lender changes its Lending Office or (ii) any additional U.S. federal withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment after the date on which such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 10.13) or such Lender changes its Lending Office, except (x) in the case described in subsection (ii) of this clause (b), to the extent that any such additional U.S. federal withholding Tax is imposed as a result of a Change in Tax Law occurring after the date on which such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or such Lender changes its Lending Office or (y) in each of the cases described in subsections (i) and (ii) of this clause (b), pursuant to Section 3.01(b)(ii) or (d), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lenders assignor immediately before such Lender acquired such interest in the Loan or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 3.01(f) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
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Exemption Conditions means, at any time with respect to any Subsidiary, the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) such Subsidiary shall not have any Indebtedness (other than Secured Indebtedness) at such time, including, without limitation and for the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness (other than Secured Indebtedness) incurred under or in connection with notes or bonds issued pursuant to a Rule 144A Transaction, (ii) the Parent and/or ESR OP shall have received an Investment Grade Rating on or prior to such time and (iii) an Investment Grade Permitted Release shall have been effected on or prior to such time with respect any Subsidiary of ESR OP.
Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt means Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date in the aggregate principal amount of $ owing by ESRT LLC to the Existing Empire State Mortgage Lender pursuant to one or more promissory notes, which Indebtedness is secured solely by the Existing Empire State Mortgage.
Existing Empire State Mortgage means, collectively, the mortgages securing the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt immediately prior to giving effect to the ESB Mortgage Modification Agreement.
Existing Empire State Mortgage Lender means HSBC Bank USA, National Association.
Existing Mortgage Debt Lender has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(i) .
Existing Mortgaged Investment Property means, at any time, an Investment Property that (i) is located in the State of New York, (ii) is owned at such time by a Subsidiary of ESR OP that has, or pursuant to Section 6.12(c) will, become a Borrower and (iii) is encumbered by a Mortgage at such time in favor of a third-party lender securing Indebtedness (other than Obligations) owing to such third-party lender.
Existing NY Mortgage has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii) .
Facility means the Term A Facility, the Term B Facility, the Term Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility or any combination of the foregoing, as the context may require.
Facility Termination Date means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) all Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been made), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made).
FASB ASC means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or official practices adopted pursuant to any published intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.
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Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
Fee Letters means, collectively, the Bank of America Fee Letter and the Goldman Sachs Fee Letter.
Fitch means Fitch, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means the ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Parent of (i) Adjusted EBITDA as of the last day of such fiscal quarter to (ii) Fixed Charges for such fiscal quarter.
Fixed Charges means, for any fiscal quarter of the Parent, an amount equal to the product of (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i) Interest Expense for such fiscal quarter, (ii) scheduled payments of principal on Total Indebtedness made or required be made during such fiscal quarter (excluding any balloon payments payable on maturity of any such Total Indebtedness), (iii) the amount of dividends or distributions paid or required to be paid by any member of the Consolidated Group during such fiscal quarter in respect of its preferred Equity Interests and (iv) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the foregoing items attributable to the Consolidated Groups interests in Unconsolidated Affiliates, multiplied by (b) four.
Flood Insurance Laws means (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, (ii) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, (iii) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, and (iv) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 (in each case, any successor statute thereto)
Foreign Lender means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Fronting Exposure means, at any time there is a Revolving Credit Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.
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Fund means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
Funds From Operations means, with respect to any period and without double counting, an amount equal to the Net Income for such period, excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures; provided that Funds From Operations shall exclude impairment charges, charges from the early extinguishment of indebtedness and other non-cash charges as evidenced by a certification of a Responsible Officer of the Parent containing calculations in reasonable detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect Funds From Operations on the same basis. In addition, Funds from Operations shall be adjusted to remove any impact of the expensing of acquisition costs pursuant to FAS 141 (revised), as issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in December of 2007, and effective January 1, 2009, including, without limitation, (i) the addition to Net Income of costs and expenses related to ongoing consummated acquisition transactions during such period; and (ii) the subtraction from Net Income of costs and expenses related to acquisition transactions terminated during such period.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
Goldman Sachs Fee Letter means the letter agreement regarding certain fees payable in connection with the Facilities, dated October 5, 2012, among ESR OP, the Parent and Goldman Sachs Bank USA.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Grantor means a Loan Party that is party to a Collateral Document.
Guarantee means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the
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payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term Guarantee as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
Guarantors means, collectively, (i) the Parent and (ii) each Subsidiary of ESR OP listed on Schedule IV and each other Subsidiary of ESR OP that becomes a guarantor of the Obligations in accordance with Section 6.12(b) , in each case to the extent such Subsidiary is not released from its guarantee of the Obligations by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or the Guaranty Agreement.
Guaranty Agreement means the Continuing Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit H .
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
Hedge Bank means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Swap Contract that, at the time it enters into a Swap Contract not prohibited under Article VI or VII, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Persons Affiliate ceased to be a Lender); provided , in the case of a Secured Hedge Agreement with a Person who is no longer a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender), such Person shall be considered a Hedge Bank only through the stated termination date (without extension or renewal) of such Secured Hedge Agreement and provided further that for any of the foregoing to be included as a Secured Hedge Agreement on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Hedge Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.
Implied Debt Service means, as of any date with respect to the Total Outstandings on such date, an imputed annual amount of principal and interest that would be due on such Total Outstandings if such Total Outstandings were a fully amortizing loan with equal monthly payments of principal and interest over a period of thirty years at a per annum interest rate equal to the greater of (i) two and one-half percent (2.50%) in excess of the then most-recently
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published annual yield to maturity of the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity Series with a ten (10) year maturity, as such yield is reported on such date in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 Selected Interest Rates, or any successor publication, published by the FRB in effect on the date of calculation and (ii) 6.50%.
Incremental Term Loans has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a) .
Indebtedness means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;
(b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers acceptances and similar instruments (including bank guaranties, surety bonds, comfort letters, keep-well agreements and capital maintenance agreements);
(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business);
(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(f) capital leases and Synthetic Debt;
(g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person (other than the payment solely in Equity Interests of such Person), valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and
(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For all purposes hereof: (a) the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person, (b) the amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date and (c) the amount of any capitalized lease as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.
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Indemnified Taxes means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnitees has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b) .
Information has the meaning specified in Section 10.07 .
Initial Borrowing Base Properties means, collectively, (i) the Empire State Building and (ii) the Empire State Observatory.
Initial Public Offering means the issuance by the Parent of its common Equity Interests in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act.
Initial Revolver Maturity Date means , 2017.
Interest Expense means, for any period, without duplication, total interest expense of the Consolidated Group for such period determined in accordance with GAAP (including interest expense attributable to the Consolidated Groups ownership interests in Unconsolidated Affiliates and, for the avoidance of doubt, capitalized interest).
Interest Payment Date means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided , however , that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.
Interest Period means (a) as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan other than a Eurodollar Margin Bid Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrowers in a Committed Loan Notice, or one week, nine months or twelve months if requested by the Borrowers and consented to by all the Appropriate Lenders, (b) as to each Eurodollar Margin Bid Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Margin Bid Loan is disbursed and ending on the date one month, two months, three months, four months, five months or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrowers in a Competitive Bid Request, and (c) as to each Absolute Rate Loan, a period of not less than 14 days and not more than 180 days as selected by the Borrowers in a Competitive Bid Request; provided that:
(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
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(ii) any Interest Period of one month or an integral multiple thereof that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made.
Investment means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect (a) investment by such Person, consisting of (i) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or other securities of another Person or (ii) a loan, advance, other extension of credit or capital contribution to, or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, (b) purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit or all or a substantial part of the business of, such Person or (c) purchase, acquisition or other investment in any real property or real property-related assets (including (x) mortgage loans and other real estate-related debt investments and notes receivable, (y) investments in unimproved land holdings and Investment Properties and (z) costs to construct real property assets under development). For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Investment Grade Permitted Release has the meaning specified in Section 10.19(a) .
Investment Grade Pricing Effective Date means the first Business Day following the date on which (i) the Parent and/or ESR OP has obtained an Investment Grade Rating and (ii) the Parent has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent (x) certifying that an Investment Grade Rating has been obtained and is in effect (which certification shall also set forth the Debt Ratings received from each Ratings Agency as of such date) and (y) notifying the Administrative Agent that the Borrowers have irrevocably elected to have the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate apply to the pricing of the Facilities.
Investment Grade Rating means receipt of two of any of the following three Debt Ratings: (i) BBB- or higher from S&P, (ii) BBB- or higher from Fitch and (iii) Baa3 or higher from Moodys.
Investment Property means any parcel (or group of related parcels) of real property that is (i) owned by ESR OP, one or more Subsidiaries of ESR OP and/or one or more Unconsolidated Affiliates or (ii) subject to a ground lease under which ESR OP, one or more Subsidiaries of ESR OP and/or one or more Unconsolidated Affiliates is the ground lessee(s).
IP Rights has the meaning specified in Section 5.18 .
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
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ISP means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the International Standby Practices 1998 published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
Issuer Documents means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and a Borrower (or any Subsidiary of a Borrower) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.
Laws means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
L/C Advance means, with respect to each Revolving Credit Lender, such Lenders funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage.
L/C Borrowing means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.
L/C Credit Extension means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
L/C Issuer means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
L/C Obligations means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be outstanding in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
Lender has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes the Swing Line Lender.
Lender Swap Agreement means any Swap Contract that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.
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Lending Office means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lenders Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.
Letter of Credit means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder providing for the payment of cash upon the honoring of a presentation thereunder .
Letter of Credit Application means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.
Letter of Credit Expiration Date means the day that is five days prior to the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
Letter of Credit Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(h) .
Letter of Credit Sublimit means an amount equal to $100,000,000. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.
Leverage-Based Applicable Rate means the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.02(b) :
Pricing Level |
Ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value |
Facility
Fees |
Eurodollar
Rate Committed Loans under Revolving Credit Facility |
Base Rate
Loans under Revolving Credit Facility |
Eurodollar
Rate Committed Loans under Term Facility |
Base Rate
Loans under Term Facility |
||||||||||||||||
I |
< 35% | 0.20 | % | 1.20 | % | 0.20 | % | 1.35 | % | 0.35 | % | |||||||||||
II |
> 35% and < 45% | 0.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.25 | % | 1.45 | % | 0.45 | % | |||||||||||
III |
> 45% and < 50% | 0.25 | % | 1.45 | % | 0.45 | % | 1.65 | % | 0.65 | % | |||||||||||
IV |
> 50% and < 55% | 0.30 | % | 1.55 | % | 0.55 | % | 1.80 | % | 0.80 | % | |||||||||||
V |
> 55% and < 60% | 0.35 | % | 1.70 | % | 0.70 | % | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % |
Any increase or decrease in the Leverage-Based Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) ; provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then Pricing Level V shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, (i) from the Closing Date to the date on which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders receive a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) for the fiscal quarter of the Parent ending , 2013, the Pricing Level determined based on the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value as set forth in the Pro Forma Closing Date Leverage Certificate shall apply and (ii) the determination of the Leverage-Based Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(b) .
LIBOR has the meaning specified in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.
Lien means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
Loan means an extension of credit by a Lender to, or for the benefit of, the Borrowers under Article II in the form of a Term Loan, a Delayed Draw Term Loan, a Revolving Credit Loan, a Competitive Loan or a Swing Line Loan.
Loan Documents means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) the Collateral Documents, (d) the Guaranty Agreement, (e) the Fee Letters, (f) each Issuer Document, (g) each document, instrument and agreement delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(c) , and (h) each document, instrument and agreement delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(v) .
Loan Parties means, collectively, the Borrowers and the Guarantors.
London Banking Day means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
Material Adverse Effect means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, assets, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), or financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, or of the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under any Loan Document; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
Maturity Date means (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, the later of (i) the Initial Revolving Maturity Date and (ii) if the Initial Revolver Maturity Date is extended pursuant to Section 2.16 , such extended maturity date as determined pursuant to such Section and (b) with respect to the Term Facility, , 2018; provided , however , that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.
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Minimum Collateral Amount means, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during the existence of a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 103% of the Fronting Exposure of the L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (ii) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20(a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) , an amount equal to 103% of the Outstanding Amount of all LC Obligations, and (iii) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Mortgage means a mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or similar security instrument made by a Person owning an interest in real estate granting a Lien on such interest in real estate as security for the payment of Indebtedness.
Mortgageability Amount means, as of any date, the maximum amount of Total Outstandings that could be outstanding on such date such that the ratio of (i) Aggregate Mortgageability Cash Flow on such date to (ii) the Implied Debt Service of such Total Outstandings would equal or exceed 1.50 to 1.00.
Mortgageability Cash Flow means, as of any time with respect to any Borrowing Base Property, an amount equal to (i) the Borrowing Base NOI for such Borrowing Base Property at such time, minus (ii) the Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustment for such Borrowing Base Property at such time ( provided , that solely in the case of the Empire State Building, this clause (ii) shall not apply at any time to the extent that the Empire Reserve at such time is greater than $0), minus (iii) an amount equal to the greater of (x) two percent (2.00%) of the aggregate amount of rent paid in respect of such Borrowing Base Property during the then most recently ended period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) and (y) the aggregate amount of actual management fees (if any) paid in cash in respect of such Borrowing Base Property during the then most recently ended period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) .
Mortgage Debt Assignment has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a) .
Mortgage Debt Assignment Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c) .
Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(d) .
Mortgage Debt Assignment Price has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(i) .
Multiemployer Plan means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
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Multiple Employer Plan means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
Net Cash Proceeds means with respect to any issuance and sale by the Parent of any its Equity Interests, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received by the Parent in connection with such issuance and sale, less (ii) underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), incurred by the Parent in connection with such issuance, other than any such amounts paid or payable to an Affiliate of the Parent.
Net Income means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Consolidated Group for such period; provided , however , that Net Income shall exclude (a) extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses for such period, (b) the net income of any Subsidiary of the Parent during such period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such period, except that the Parents equity in any net loss of any such Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining Net Income, and (c) any income (or loss) for such period of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary of the Parent, except that the Parents equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Parent or a Subsidiary thereof as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary of the Parent, such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to the Parent as described in clause (b) of this proviso).
Net Operating Income means, with respect to any Investment Property for any period, an amount equal to (a) the aggregate gross revenues of the Consolidated Group derived from the operation of such Investment Property during such period, minus (b) the sum of all expenses and other proper charges incurred in connection with the operation of such Investment Property during such period (including accruals for real estate taxes and insurance and any management fees paid in cash, but excluding debt service charges, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses), which expenses and accruals shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP.
New Lender Joinder Agreement means a New Revolving Lender Joinder Agreement or a New Term Lender Joinder Agreement.
Newly-Acquired Investment Property means, as of any date of determination, any Investment Property acquired by any member of the Consolidated Group from any Person (other than a member of the Consolidated Group) during the then most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Parent.
New NY Property Mortgage Financing has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(i) .
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New Revolving Lender Joinder Agreement has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(c) .
New Term Lender Joinder Agreement has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(c) .
Non-Consenting Lender means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.01 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
Non-Defaulting Lender means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
Nonrecourse Indebtedness means, with respect to a Person, (a) Indebtedness, or a Guaranty of Indebtedness, in respect of which recourse for payment (except for customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar customary exceptions to nonrecourse liability) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness or Guaranty, (b) if such Person is a Single Asset Entity, any Indebtedness of such Person (other than Indebtedness described in the immediately following clause (c)), or (c) if such Person is a Single Asset Holding Company, any Indebtedness (Holdco Indebtedness) of such Single Asset Holding Company resulting from a Guarantee of, or Lien securing, Indebtedness of a Single Asset Entity that is a Subsidiary of such Single Asset Holding Company, so long as, in each case, either (i) recourse for payment of such Holdco Indebtedness (except for customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar customary exceptions to nonrecourse liability) is contractually limited to the Equity Interests held by such Single Asset Holding Company in such Single Asset Entity or (ii) such Single Asset Holding Company has no assets other than Equity Interests in such Single Asset Entity and cash and other assets of nominal value incidental to the ownership of the such Single Asset Entity.
Note means a Term A Note, a Term B Note or a Revolving Credit Note, as the context may require.
NPL means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.
NY Non-Borrowing Base Property has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(i) .
Obligations means (a) all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, or Letter of Credit, (b) all Additional Secured Obligations with respect to any Loan Party and (c) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that Obligations of a Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.
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Observatory EBITDA means, for any period, the portion of EBITDA of the Consolidated Group for such period that is derived from operation of the Empire State Observatory.
OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Organization Documents means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating or limited liability company agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Other Connection Taxes means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment or participation (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06 ).
Outstanding Amount means (i) with respect to any Loan on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Loan occurring on such date; and (ii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrowers of Unreimbursed Amounts.
Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(ii)(C) .
Participant has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d) .
Participant Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d) .
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PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Act means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
Pension Funding Rules means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
Pension Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by any Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
Perfection Certificate shall mean a certificate in the form of Exhibit M-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, as the same shall be supplemented from time to time by a Perfection Certificate Supplement or otherwise.
Perfection Certificate Supplement shall mean a certificate supplement in the form of Exhibit M-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Permitted Borrowing Base Property Liens means Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a ), (b) , (c) , (d) , (g) , (h) , (m) and (p) .
Permitted Collateral Liens means Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a) and (c) .
Permitted Self Insurance has the meaning specified in Section 6.07(a) .
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Plan means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
Platform has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .
Pledge Agreement means the Pledge Agreement between the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit I .
Predecessor means the predecessor referred to in the financial statements included in the registration statement filed in connection with the Initial Public Offering. The Predecessor is not a legal entity but rather a combination of (i) controlling interests in (a) sixteen office and retail properties, (b) one development parcel, and (c) certain management companies, which are owned by certain entities that Anthony E. Malkin and Peter L. Malkin own interests in and control, and (ii) non-controlling interests in four office properties (which include two of the sixteen properties set forth in (i) above), held through entities which are presented as uncombined entities in the Parents combined financial statements.
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Prepaid Insurance means insurance coverage obtained by or on behalf of the Parent or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to an arrangement whereby a lender prepays (or finances the prepayment of) the applicable insurance premium for the Parent or such Subsidiary in full and the obligation of the Parent or such Subsidiary to repay such lender is secured solely by the Parents or such Subsidiarys right under the policy of insurance to recover unearned premiums upon early termination of the policy.
Pricing Grid means (i) prior to the Investment Grade Pricing Effective Date, the pricing grid set forth in the definition of Leverage-Based Applicable Rate and (ii) on and after the Investment Grade Pricing Effective Date, the pricing grid set forth in the definition of Ratings-Based Applicable Rate.
Pro Forma Closing Date Leverage Certificate has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a)(xvi) .
Public Borrower Materials has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .
Public Lender has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .
Qualified ECP Loan Party means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guarantee or other incurrence of Obligations or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an eligible contract participant under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an eligible contract participant at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Rating Agency means any of S&P, Moodys or Fitch.
Ratings-Based Applicable Rate means the applicable percentages per annum determined, at any time, based on the range into which the Debt Ratings then fall, in accordance with the following table:
Pricing Level |
Debt Ratings (S&P and Fitch/Moodys) |
Facility
Fees |
Eurodollar
Rate Loans under Revolving Credit Facility |
Base Rate
Loans under Revolving Credit Facility |
Eurodollar
Rate Loans under Term Facility |
Base Rate
Loans under Term Facility |
||||||||||||||||
I |
> A- / A3 | 0.125 | % | 0.925 | % | 0.000 | % | 1.000 | % | 0.000 | % | |||||||||||
II |
BBB+ / Baa ¨ | 0.150 | % | 1.000 | % | 0.000 | % | 1.100 | % | 0.100 | % | |||||||||||
III |
BBB / Baa2 | 0.200 | % | 1.100 | % | 0.100 | % | 1.250 | % | 0.250 | % | |||||||||||
IV |
BBB- / Baa3 | 0.300 | % | 1.300 | % | 0.300 | % | 1.550 | % | 0.550 | % | |||||||||||
V |
< BBB- / Baa3 | 0.350 | % | 1.700 | % | 0.700 | % | 2.000 | % | 1.000 | % |
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If at any time the Parent and/or ESR OP has only two (2) Debt Ratings, and such Debt Ratings are split, then: (A) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is one ratings category (e.g. Baa2 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P or Fitch), the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the higher of the Debt Ratings were used; and (B) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is two ratings categories (e.g. Baa1 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P), the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the rating that is one higher than the lower of the applicable Debt Ratings were used. If at any time the Parent and/or ESR OP has three (3) Debt Ratings, and such Debt Ratings are split, then: (A) if the difference between the highest and the lowest such Debt Ratings is one ratings category (e.g. Baa2 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P or Fitch), the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the highest of the Debt Ratings were used; and (B) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is two ratings categories (e.g. Baa1 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P or Fitch) or more, the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the average of the two (2) highest Debt Ratings were used, provided that if such average is not a recognized rating category, then the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the second highest Debt Rating of the three were used.
Initially, the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate shall be determined based upon the Debt Ratings specified in the certificate delivered pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Investment Grade Pricing Effective Date. Thereafter, each change in the Ratings-Based Applicable Rate resulting from a publicly announced change in a Debt Rating shall be effective, in the case of an upgrade, during the period commencing on the date of delivery by the Parent to the Administrative Agent of notice thereof pursuant to Section 6.03(e) and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change and, in the case of a downgrade, during the period commencing on the date of the public announcement thereof and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.
Recipient means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.
Recourse Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, Indebtedness of such Person other than Nonrecourse Indebtedness of such Person and Indebtedness under the Loan Documents.
Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c) .
REIT means any Person that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
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Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Remaining Term Note has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(ii)(C) .
Replacement Mortgage Financing has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(d)(i) .
Reportable Event means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.
Request for Credit Extension means (a) with respect to a Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans or Delayed Draw Term Loans, or with respect to conversion or continuation of Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans or Delayed Draw Term Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, (b) with respect to a Competitive Loan, a Competitive Bid Request, (c) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, (d) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice and (e) with respect to any other Credit Extension, any notices required to be provided to the Administrative Agent under the terms hereof with respect to such Credit Extension.
Required Lenders means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lenders risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed held by such Revolving Credit Lender for purposes of this definition) other than the Outstanding Amount of Competitive Loans and (b) aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments (determined without giving effect to any Competitive Loans outstanding on such date); provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
Required Revolving Lenders means, as of any date of determination, Revolving Credit Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Revolving Credit Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lenders risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed held by such Revolving Credit Lender for purposes of this definition) other than the Outstanding Amount of Competitive Loans and (b) aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments (determined without giving effect to any Competitive Loans outstanding on such date); provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Revolving Lenders.
Required Term A Lenders means, as of any date of determination, Term A Lenders holding more than 50% of the Term A Facility; provided that the portion of the Term A Facility held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Term A Lenders.
Required Term Lenders means, as of any date of determination, Term Lenders holding more than 50% of the Term Facility; provided that the portion of the Term Facility held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Term Lenders.
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Reserve Items means the items listed on Schedule I hereto.
Reserve-Related Expenditure means a cash expenditure made by ESR OP or a Subsidiary thereof from proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan, Competitive Loan, Swing Line Loan or cash on hand as payment for a Reserve Item, in each case to the extent that the Borrowers have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of Parent setting forth the amount of such cash payment made and the Reserve Item to which it relates.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, and solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01 , the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
Restricted Payment means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Person or any Subsidiary thereof, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to such Persons stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof).
Revolver Increase Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(d) .
Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(e)(i) .
Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(e)(ii) .
Revolver Mortgage Spreading Documentation has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(e)(iii) .
Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(e)(i) .
Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Notice has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(d)(i) .
Revolver Secured Mortgage Note has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(d)(ii) .
Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Documentation has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(d)(iii)(B) .
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Revolving Credit Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(b) . For the avoidance of doubt, a Revolving Credit Borrowing shall not include a Mortgage Debt Assignment.
Revolving Credit Commitment means, as to each Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(b) , (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans and (d) make Mortgage Debt Assignment Fundings pursuant to Section 2.03 , in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption Revolving Credit Commitment or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption or New Revolving Lender Joinder Agreement pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
Revolving Credit Exposure means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and such Revolving Credit Lenders participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.
Revolving Credit Facility means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitments at such time. On the Closing Date, the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility is $ .
Revolving Credit Lender means, at any time, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment or holds a Revolving Credit Loan, a participation in a Letter of Credit or a participation in a Swing Line Loan at such time.
Revolving Credit Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b) , and shall include any Assumed Mortgage Debt acquired by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Required Lenders, that is amended and restated to be, and incorporated under this Agreement as, a Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with Section 2.03(e) .
Revolving Credit Note means a promissory note made by the Borrowers in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, evidencing all or any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 .
Rule 144A Transaction means a sale or issuance of notes or bonds that are exempt from registration with the SEC under Rule 144A of the Securities Act.
Sanction(s) means any international economic sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government, including OFAC, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority.
S&P means Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.
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SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
Secured Cash Management Agreement means any Cash Management Agreement between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank.
Secured Hedge Agreement means any interest rate, currency, foreign exchange, or commodity Swap Contract permitted under Article VII between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.
Secured Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, all Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a Lien.
Secured Parties means, collectively, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the Lenders, (c) the L/C Issuer, (d) the Hedge Banks, (e) each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05 , (f) any Lender (or any Affiliate of a Lender) in its capacity as a provider of any treasury management services to, for the benefit of or otherwise in respect of a Loan Party (including, without limitation, treasury management services consisting of intraday credit, Automated Clearing House (ACH) services, foreign exchange services, overdrafts and zero balance arrangements), and (g) and the other Persons to whom any Obligations are owing.
Secured Party Designation Notice means a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit N .
Secured Recourse Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, all Recourse Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a Lien.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Securities Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Self Insurance has the meaning specified in Section 6.07(a) .
Significant Subsidiary means, at any time, (i) each Borrowing Base Subsidiary, (ii) each Subsidiary of the Parent (other than a Borrowing Base Subsidiary) which represents (a) 10.0% or more of EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, (b) 10.0% or more of consolidated total assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries or (c) 10.0% or more of consolidated total revenues of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, in each case as determined at the end of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent based on the financial statements of the Parent delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) of this Agreement for such fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as applicable, and (iii) any Subsidiary of the Parent (other than a Borrowing Base Subsidiary) which, when aggregated with all other Subsidiaries of the Parent that are not otherwise Significant Subsidiaries, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under clause (ii) of this definition.
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Single Asset Entity means a Person (other than an individual) that (a) only owns a single Property and/or cash and other assets of nominal value incidental to such Persons ownership of such Property; (b) is engaged only in the business of owning, developing and/or leasing such Property; and (c) receives substantially all of its gross revenues from such Property. In addition, if the assets of a Person consist solely of (i) Equity Interests in one or more other Single Asset Entities and (ii) cash and other assets of nominal value incidental to such Persons ownership of the other Single Asset Entities, such Person shall also be deemed to be a Single Asset Entity for purposes of this Agreement (such an entity, a Single Asset Holding Company).
Single Asset Holding Company has the meaning given that term in the definition of Single Asset Entity.
Single Employer Pension Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan and excluding a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
Solvency Certificate means a Solvency Certificate of the chief financial officer of the Parent substantially in the form of Exhibit K .
Solvent and Solvency mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Persons ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Persons property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
Split Empire State Mortgage has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(ii)(C) .
Split Revolver Secured Mortgage has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(e)(ii) .
Subsidiary of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Parent. For the avoidance of doubt, ESR OP shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary of the Parent.
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Subsidiary Guarantors means, collectively, all of the Guarantors other than the Parent.
Swap Contract means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a Master Agreement ), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Swap Obligations means with respect to any Person any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap Contract, or any other agreement, contract or transaction, that constitutes a swap within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swap Termination Value means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) , the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Swing Line Borrowing means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.06 .
Swing Line Lender means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
Swing Line Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.06(a) .
Swing Line Loan Notice means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.06(b) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C .
Swing Line Sublimit means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $50,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Facility. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.
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Syndication Agent means Goldman Sachs Bank USA in its capacity as syndication agent under any of the Loan Documents.
Synthetic Debt means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination thereof, means liabilities and obligations of such Person in respect of off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act) which such Person would be required to disclose in the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K (or their equivalents) to be filed with the SEC.
Synthetic Lease Obligation means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
Tangible Net Worth means, for the Consolidated Group as of any date of determination, (a) Equity of the Consolidated Group, minus (b) all intangible assets (other than lease intangibles) of the Consolidated Group, plus (c) all accumulated depreciation of the Consolidated Group, in each case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Tax Protection Agreement means that certain Tax Protection Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2013 among the Parent, ESR OP, and the other parties named therein.
Term A Commitment means, as to each Term A Lender, its obligation to make a funding to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i) in a principal amount equal to the amount set forth opposite such Term A Lenders name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption Term A Commitment or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Term A Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, which proceeds of such funding will be used by the Administrative Agent to pay the purchase price for the Administrative Agents acquisition of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt on behalf of the Term A Lenders.
Term A Facility means, at any time, (a) on or prior to the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Term A Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Term A Loans of all Term A Lenders outstanding at such time and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loans of all Term A Lenders outstanding at such time. On the Closing Date, the amount of the Term A Facility is $ .
Term A Lender means (a) at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, any Lender that has a Term A Commitment and a Delayed Draw Term Commitment at such time, and (b) at any time after the Closing Date, any Lender that holds Term A Loans and/or Delayed Draw Term Loans at such time.
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Term A Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a)(i) .
Term A Note means a promissory note made by the Borrowers in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Term A Lenders, evidencing all or any portion of the Term A Loans, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 .
Term A Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term A Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Term A Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i) .
Term B Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term B Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Term B Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii) .
Term B Commitment means, as to each Term B Lender, its obligation to make a funding to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii) in a principal amount equal to the amount set forth opposite such Term B Lenders name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption Term B Commitment or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Term B Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
Term B Facility means, at any time, (a) on or prior to the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Term B Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter, the aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loans of all Term B Lenders outstanding at such time. On the Closing Date, the amount of the Term B Facility is $ .
Term B Lender means (a) at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, any Lender that has a Term B Commitment at such time, and (b) at any time after the Closing Date, any Lender that holds Term B Loans at such time.
Term B Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a)(ii) and shall, unless otherwise specified, include each Incremental Term Loan.
Term B Note means a promissory note made by the Borrowers in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Term B Lenders, evidencing all or any portion of the Term B Loans, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 .
Term Commitment means a Term A Commitment or a Term B Commitment.
Term Facility means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Term A Facility and the Term B Facility at such time.
Term Increase Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(d) .
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Term Lender means, at any time, a Term A Lender or a Term B Lender or both, as the context may require.
Term Loan means a Term A Loan or a Term B Loan or both, as the context may require.
Third Party Insurance Companies has the meaning specified in Section 6.07(a) .
Threshold Amount means (a) with respect to Recourse Indebtedness of any Person, $50,000,000, (b) with respect to Nonrecourse Indebtedness of any Person, $150,000,000 and (c) with respect to the Swap Termination Value owed by any Person, $50,000,000.
Total Asset Value means, with respect to the Consolidated Group at any time, the sum (without duplication) of the following: (a) an amount equal to (i) Net Operating Income derived from each Investment Property (other than the Empire State Observatory, each Disposed Investment Property, each Newly-Acquired Investment Property, each unimproved land holding and each Investment Property under development) owned by the Consolidated Group for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) , multiplied by four, plus Net Operating Income derived by the Consolidated Group from its operation of the Empire State Observatory (to the extent the Empire State Observatory is not a Disposed Investment Property at such time) for the then most recently ended period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) , divided by (ii) the Capitalization Rate for each such Investment Property, plus (b) the aggregate acquisition costs of all Newly-Acquired Investment Properties at such time, plus (c) the aggregate book value of all unimproved land holdings, Investments in respect of costs to construct Investment Properties ( i.e. , construction-in-progress), commercial mortgage loans, commercial real estate-related mezzanine loans and commercial real estate-related notes receivable, in each case owned by the Consolidated Group at such time, plus (d) the Consolidated Groups pro rata share of the foregoing items and components thereof attributable to interests in Unconsolidated Affiliates, plus (e) Unrestricted Cash at such time.
Total Indebtedness means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group determined on a consolidated basis and (ii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of Indebtedness of Unconsolidated Affiliates, in each case on such date.
Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(c)(ii)(B) .
Total Outstandings means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.
Total Revolving Credit Outstandings means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans, Competitive Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations.
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Total Secured Indebtedness means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of all Secured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group determined on a consolidated basis and (ii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of Secured Indebtedness of Unconsolidated Affiliates, in each case on such date.
Total Variable Rate Indebtedness means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of Total Indebtedness (with respect to which only the principal outstanding on such date shall be included) that accrues interest at a variable rate on such date. For purposes of this definition, Indebtedness that is effectively subject to a fixed or maximum interest rate by virtue of an interest rate protection agreement will not be deemed to accrue interest at a variable rate.
Type means, (a) with respect to a Competitive Loan, its character as an Absolute Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Margin Bid Loan and (b) with respect to any other Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan.
UCP means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce ( ICC ) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
Unconsolidated Affiliate means, at any date, any Person (x) in which the Consolidated Group, directly or indirectly, holds an Equity Interest, which investment is accounted for in the consolidated financial statements of the Consolidated Group on an equity basis of accounting and (y) whose financial results are not consolidated with the financial results of the Consolidated Group under GAAP.
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
Unreimbursed Amount means the amount, if any, of a drawing under a Letter of Credit that is not reimbursed by the Borrowers within the time frames specified in clause (x) or (y), as applicable, of the second sentence of Section 2.05(c)(i) .
Unrestricted Cash means, at any time, (a) the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents of the Parent, the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries at such time that are not subject to any pledge, Lien or control agreement (excluding statutory Liens in favor of any depositary bank where such cash and Cash Equivalents are maintained), minus (b) amounts included in the foregoing clause (a) that are held by a Person other than the Parent, the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries as a deposit or security for Contractual Obligations.
U.S. Person means any Person that is a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(f)(ii)(B)(III) .
Wholly Owned Subsidiary means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation 100% of whose Equity Interests (other than directors qualifying shares) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and (b) any partnership,
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association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity in which such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person have a 100% equity interest at such time. For the avoidance of doubt, ESR OP shall be deemed to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Parent.
Withholding Agent means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include , includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall . Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (iii) the words hereto , herein , hereof and hereunder , and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including ; the words to and until each mean to but excluding ; and the word through means to and including .
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
1.03 Accounting Terms.
(a) Generally . All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a
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manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
(b) Changes in GAAP . If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrowers shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that , until so amended, (A) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (B) the Borrowers shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.
(c) Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities . All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Parent is required to consolidate pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.
1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by one or more Loan Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05 Times of Day; Rates. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable). The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of Eurodollar Rate or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto or to LIBOR.
1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic
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increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 The Loans.
(a) | The Term Loans . |
(i) Term A Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, on the Closing Date, each Term A Lender severally agrees to fund to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to its Term A Commitment, the proceeds of which will be used by the Administrative Agent to acquire, on behalf of the Term A Lenders, all of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt from the Existing Empire State Mortgage Lender; provided , however , that after giving effect to such funding by the Term A Lenders (and the amendment, restatement and inclusion of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt as Term A Loans hereunder in accordance with the next sentence), Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0. Immediately upon consummation of the acquisition by the Administrative Agent of all of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt, (i) the terms and provisions of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt shall be automatically amended and restated to be, and incorporated herein as, term loans owing from the Borrowers to the Term A Lenders (each such term loan being referred to herein as a Term A Loan ), (ii) each Term A Lender shall be the holder of a Term A Loan in the principal amount equal to its Term A Commitment and (iii) the terms and provisions of the Existing Empire State Mortgage shall be automatically modified pursuant to the ESB Mortgage Modification Agreement, and the Assigned Empire State Mortgage shall secure the Term A Loans. All or any portion of the Term A Loans that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Term A Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.
(ii) The Term B Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term B Lender severally agrees to make a single term loan to the Borrowers (each such term loan being referred to herein as a Term B Loan ) on the Closing Date in an amount equal to its Term B Commitment; provided , however , that after giving effect to such funding of the Term B Loans by the Term B Lenders, Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(a)(ii) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Term B Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans as further provided herein.
(iii) Funding of Term Commitments .
(A) On the Closing Date, each Term A Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative
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Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on such date, an amount equal to its Term A Commitment. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of the funds from all of the Term A Lenders of the full amount of their respective Term A Commitments and upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 , the Administrative Agent shall use such funds so received from the Term A Lenders to consummate the purchase of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt from the Existing Empire State Mortgage Lender on behalf of the Term A Lenders.
(B) On the Closing Date, each Term B Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on such date, an amount equal to its Term B Commitment. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of the funds from all of the Term B Lenders of the full amount of their respective Term B Commitments and upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 , the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrowers in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrowers on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers.
(b) Revolving Credit Borrowings . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, together with any Assumed Mortgage Debt acquired by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Required Lenders, in accordance with Section 2.03 , a Revolving Credit Loan ) to the Borrowers from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, (i) Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0 (it being understood and agreed that for purposes of calculating Availability with respect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing all or a portion of the proceeds of which are to be used (and are actually used) within thirty (30) days following receipt thereof to make one or more Reserve-Related Expenditures, the Empire Reserve shall not include the amount of such Reserve-Related Expenditures that are to be made (and are actually made) within such thirty (30) day period from the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing) and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Competitive Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment. Within the limits of each Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.01(b) , prepay under Section 2.07 , and reborrow under this Section 2.01(b) . Revolving Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.
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(c) Delayed Draw Term Borrowings . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term A Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (each such term loan being referred to herein as a Delayed Draw Term Loan ) to the Borrowers from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period for the Delayed Draw Term Commitments, in an amount not to exceed such Term A Lenders Delayed Draw Term Commitment at such time; provided that (i) the Term A Lenders shall not be required to fund more than three borrowings of Delayed Draw Term Loans during the term of this Agreement, (ii) a Delayed Draw Term Borrowing may only be made on a date on which all or a portion of the Term A Loans are sold and assigned by the Term A Lenders in connection with the consummation of a New NY Property Mortgage Financing (and immediately following receipt by the Term A Lenders of their respective applicable portions of the purchase price paid for such Term A Loans in connection therewith), (iii) the amount of any Delayed Draw Term Borrowing requested on any date shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Term A Loans sold and assigned on such date pursuant to such New NY Property Mortgage Financing and (iv) after giving effect to any Delayed Draw Term Borrowing, Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(c) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Delayed Draw Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans as further provided herein.
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) Each Revolving Credit Borrowing and each Delayed Draw Term Borrowing, each conversion of Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans or Delayed Draw Term Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; provided , however , that if the Borrowers wish to request Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans having an Interest Period of one week, nine months or twelve months in duration as provided in the definition of Interest Period, the applicable notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. four Business Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Appropriate Lenders of such request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them. Not later than 11:00 a.m., three Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers (which notice may be by telephone) whether or not the requested Interest Period has been consented to by all the Appropriate Lenders. Each telephonic notice by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of each of the Borrowers. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.05(c) and 2.06(c) , each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Committed Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrowers are requesting a Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Delayed Draw Term Borrowing, a conversion of Term Loans,
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Revolving Credit Loans or Delayed Draw Term Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans or Delayed Draw Term Loans are to be converted (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto and (vi) in the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing all or a portion of the proceeds of which are to be used to make a Reserve-Related Expenditure, the amount of the Reserve-Related Expenditure that will be made from the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing and the Reserve Item(s) to which such Reserve-Related Expenditure relates. If the Borrowers fail to specify a Type of Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or if the Borrowers fail to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans or Delayed Draw Term Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans. If the Borrowers request a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
(b) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage under the applicable Facility of the applicable Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans or Delayed Draw Term Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Appropriate Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(a) . In the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Delayed Draw Term Borrowing, each Appropriate Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01 ), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrowers in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrowers on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers; provided , however , that if, on the date a Committed Loan Notice with respect to a Revolving Credit Borrowing is given by the Borrowers, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, first , shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second , shall be made available to the Borrowers as provided above.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.
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(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of any change in Bank of Americas prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.
(e) After giving effect to the Term A Borrowing, and all Term B Borrowings and Delayed Draw Term Borrowings, all conversions of Term Loans and Delayed Draw Term Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Term Loans and Delayed Draw Term Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five (5) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Term Facility. After giving effect to all Revolving Credit Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Credit Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than eight (8) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.
2.03 Mortgage Debt Assignments
(a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender agrees that the Borrowers may from time to time during the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility request that the Revolving Credit Lenders acquire by assignment all (but not less than all) of the Assumed Mortgage Debt secured by (i) an Investment Property located in the State of New York that is being acquired by a Borrower or (ii) an Existing Mortgaged Investment Property (each such acquisition of Assumed Mortgage Debt by the Revolving Credit Lenders being referred to herein as a Mortgage Debt Assignment ); provided , however , that after giving effect to any Mortgage Debt Assignment (and the amendment, restatement and inclusion of the acquired Assumed Mortgage Debt as Revolving Credit Loans hereunder in accordance with Section 2.03(e) ), (i) each of the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria is satisfied with respect to the subject Investment Property and the Affiliated Investor that is acquiring or that owns, as applicable, the subject Investment Property, (ii) Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0 and (iii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Competitive Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment.
(b) Requesting Mortgage Debt Assignments . The Borrowers may request that the Revolving Credit Lenders consummate a Mortgage Debt Assignment by delivering the following items to the Administrative Agent not later than fifteen (15) Business Days (or such shorter time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior to the requested date of such Mortgage Debt Assignment, each of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) a written notice executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent requesting that the Revolving Credit Lenders consummate a Mortgage Debt Assignment, which notice shall specify (1) the requested date of the Mortgage
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Debt Assignment (which shall be a Business Day), (2) the amount of Assumed Mortgage Debt requested to be assumed (which must be at least $35,000,000 and must equal the total outstanding principal amount of such Assumed Mortgage Debt, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon)(such amount being referred to herein as the Mortgage Debt Assignment Price ), and (3) the existing lender(s) under such Assumed Mortgage Debt (such lender(s), the Existing Mortgage Debt Lenders ),
(ii) a Borrowing Base Proposal Package with respect to the Investment Property to which such Assumed Mortgage Debt relates (to the extent not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.19 ); and
(iii) all documents, instruments and agreements evidencing, securing or relating to the Assumed Mortgage Debt to be assigned to the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to such Mortgage Debt Assignment, including, without limitation, (1) a copy of all promissory notes and loan agreements evidencing such Assumed Mortgage Debt and (2) a copy of the then existing Mortgage securing such Assumed Mortgage Debt, including all amendments thereto (such Mortgage, together with any amendments thereto, being referred to therein as the Existing NY Mortgage ), showing all recording information thereon, in each case certified as true, correct and complete by an Authorized Officer of the Parent.
Following receipt of the items specified above in this Section 2.03(b) , the Administrative Agent shall promptly provide such items to the Revolving Credit Lenders and notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the amount of its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Mortgage Debt Assignment Price.
(c) Conditions to Obligation of Revolving Credit Lenders to Consummate a Mortgage Debt Assignment . As conditions precedent to any Mortgage Debt Assignment, the Borrowers shall satisfy each of the following requirements (the date on which all such conditions precedent are satisfied being referred to herein as the Mortgage Debt Assignment Date ):
(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received the items listed in Section 2.03(b) and Section 2.19(a) within the time periods specified in such sections;
(ii) After giving effect to such Mortgage Debt Assignment (and the amendment, restatement and inclusion of the acquired Assumed Mortgage Debt as Revolving Credit Loans hereunder in accordance with Section 2.03(e) ), (1) each of the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria is satisfied with respect to the subject Investment Property and the Affiliated Investor that is acquiring or that owns, as applicable, the subject Investment Property, (2) Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0 and (3) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, plus such
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Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Competitive Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment;
(iii) The conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 with respect to such Mortgage Debt Assignment shall be satisfied;
(iv) The Affiliated Investor acquiring or that owns, as applicable, the Investment Property subject to the Existing NY Mortgage shall have become a Borrower in accordance with Section 6.12(c) ;
(v) The Mortgage Debt Assignment shall be in accordance with all applicable Laws;
(vi) The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(A) an assignment of the Assumed Mortgage Debt being acquired by the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to such Mortgage Debt Assignment, duly executed and delivered by each of the Existing Mortgage Debt Lenders, which assignment may be in the form of an endorsement to the promissory note evidencing the Assumed Mortgage Debt delivered under subclause (B) of this clause (v);
(B) the originals of each outstanding promissory note evidencing such Assumed Mortgage Debt, duly endorsed to the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the applicable Lenders) or, if such promissory note has been lost, a lost note affidavit with respect to such promissory note duly executed by the applicable Existing Mortgage Debt Lender(s);
(C) in the case of an Investment Property subject to an Existing NY Mortgage that is being acquired by a Borrower, evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such Borrower has assumed all obligations of the seller of such Investment Property in respect of the Assumed Mortgage Debt;
(D) an assignment of the Existing NY Mortgage, duly executed by each Existing Mortgage Debt Lender (or an authorized agent acting on their behalf, as applicable);
(E) an amendment or amendment and restatement of the Existing NY Mortgage containing such modifications to the terms of such Existing NY Mortgage that, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, satisfy the requirements of Section 2.03(e) (such amended or amended and restated Mortgage being referred to herein as an Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage ), which Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage shall secure Revolving Credit Loans in a principal amount equal to the applicable Mortgage Debt Assignment Price;
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(F) affidavits pursuant to Section 255 of the Tax Law of the State of New York and Section 275 of the Real Property Law of the State of New York duly executed by the applicable Affiliated Investor, it being understood that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required to execute any such affidavit or any other affidavit in connection with such Mortgage Debt Assignment;
(G) a copy of an environmental assessment report on the Investment Property subject to the Existing NY Mortgage in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that such Investment Property is free from environmental issues that, or that could reasonably be expected to, materially impair the operation of such Investment Property or otherwise result in a Material Adverse Effect, in each case unless such environmental issues are remediable through ordinary course capital expenditures and the Loan Parties are diligently pursuing the remediation thereof in accordance with applicable Law;
(H) (1) a completed Life-of-Loan Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination and (2) if the Investment Property subject to the Existing NY Mortgage is located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto), a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the applicable Borrower and the other Loan Parties relating thereto and evidence of flood hazard insurance that meets the applicable requirements set forth in Section 6.07 ; and
(I) such other documents, agreements and instruments as the Administrative Agent (or any Revolving Credit Lender through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request; and
(vii) the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Committed Loan Notice not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three Business Days prior to the requested date of the Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding (if Borrowers desire that the Assumed Mortgage Debt be amended and restated as Revolving Credit Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans) or (2) on the requested date of any Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding (if Borrowers desire that the Assumed Mortgage Debt be amended and restated as Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans), specifying (I) the Type of Revolving Credit Loans that the Assumed Mortgage Debt should be amended and restated as, (II) the aggregate principal amount of the Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding being requested, (III) the requested date of such Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding (which shall be a Business Day) and (IV) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto.
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(d) Funding of Mortgage Debt Assignment . On each Mortgage Debt Assignment Date, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on such date, an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Mortgage Debt Assignment Price (such funding made by a Revolving Credit Lender being referred to herein as a Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding ). Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of funds from the Revolving Credit Lenders equaling the entire Mortgage Debt Assignment Price and upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.03(c) , the Administrative Agent shall use the funds so received from the Revolving Credit Lenders to consummate the Mortgage Debt Assignment.
(e) Amendment and Restatement of Assumed Mortgage Debt as Revolving Credit Loans . Immediately upon consummation of a Mortgage Debt Assignment, (i) the terms and provisions of the Assumed Mortgage Debt acquired by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, shall be automatically amended and restated to be, and incorporated herein as, Revolving Credit Loans (which may be either Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans or Base Rate Loans, as selected by the Borrowers in the applicable Committed Loan Notice), (ii) the portion of the Assumed Mortgage Debt acquired by each Revolving Credit Lender shall be treated for all purposes hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as a Revolving Credit Loan made by such Revolving Credit Lender to the Borrowers in a principal amount equal to the amount of its Mortgage Debt Assignment Funding and (iii) the terms and provisions of the Existing NY Mortgage shall be automatically amended and restated pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage relating thereto, which Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage shall secure Revolving Credit Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Mortgage Debt Assignment Price.
2.04 Competitive Loans.
(a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender agrees that the Borrowers may from time to time request the Revolving Credit Lenders to submit offers to make loans (each such loan, a Competitive Loan ) to the Borrowers prior to the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility pursuant to this Section 2.04 ; provided , however , that (i) the Parent and/or ESR OP shall have received an Investment Grade Rating which is in effect at the time such request is made and at the time any such Competitive Loans are made, (ii) the Investment Grade Pricing Effective Date shall have occurred and (iii) after giving effect to any Competitive Borrowing, (x) Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0 (it being understood and agreed that for purposes of calculating Availability with respect to any Competitive Borrowing all or a portion of the proceeds of which are to be used (and are actually used) within thirty (30) days following receipt thereof to make one or more Reserve-Related Expenditures, the Empire Reserve shall not include the amount of such Reserve-Related Expenditures that are to be made (and are actually made) within such thirty (30) day period from the proceeds of such Competitive Borrowing) and (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Competitive Loans shall not exceed the Competitive Loan Sublimit. There shall not be more than three (3) different Interest Periods in effect with respect to Competitive Loans at any time.
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(b) Requesting Competitive Bids . The Borrowers may request the submission of Competitive Bids by delivering a Competitive Bid Request to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) one Business Day prior to the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Absolute Rate Loans or (ii) four Business Days prior to the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Eurodollar Margin Bid Loans. Each Competitive Bid Request shall specify (i) the requested date of the Competitive Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Competitive Loans requested (which must be $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof), (iii) the Type of Competitive Loans requested, (iv) the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto and (v) in the case of a Competitive Borrowing all or a portion of the proceeds of which are to be used to make a Reserve-Related Expenditure, the amount of the Reserve-Related Expenditure that will be made from the proceeds of such Competitive Borrowing and the Reserve Item(s) to which such Reserve-Related Expenditure relates, and shall be signed by a Responsible Officer of each of the Borrowers. No Competitive Bid Request shall contain a request for (i) more than one type of Competitive Loan or (ii) Competitive Loans having more than three (3) different Interest Periods. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees in its sole discretion, the Borrowers may not submit a Competitive Bid Request if it has submitted another Competitive Bid Request within the prior five Business Days.
(c) | Submitting Competitive Bids . |
(i) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of each Competitive Bid Request received by it from the Borrowers and the contents of such Competitive Bid Request.
(ii) Each Revolving Credit Lender may (but shall have no obligation to) submit a Competitive Bid containing an offer to make one or more Competitive Loans in response to such Competitive Bid Request. Such Competitive Bid must be delivered to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:30 a.m. (A) on the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Absolute Rate Loans, and (B) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Eurodollar Margin Bid Loans; provided , however , that any Competitive Bid submitted by Bank of America in its capacity as a Revolving Credit Lender in response to any Competitive Bid Request must be submitted to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:15 a.m. on the date on which Competitive Bids are required to be delivered by the other Revolving Credit Lenders in response to such Competitive Bid Request. Each Competitive Bid shall specify (A) the proposed date of the Competitive Borrowing; (B) the principal amount of each Competitive Loan for which such Competitive Bid is being made, which principal amount (x) may be equal to, greater than or less than the Revolving Credit Commitment of the bidding Lender, (y) must be $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (z) may not exceed the principal amount of Competitive Loans for which Competitive Bids were requested; (C) if the proposed Competitive Borrowing is to consist of Absolute Rate Bid Loans, the Absolute Rate offered for each such Bid Loan and the Interest Period applicable thereto; (D) if the proposed Competitive Borrowing is to consist of Eurodollar Margin Bid Loans, the Eurodollar Bid Margin with respect to each such Eurodollar Margin Bid Loan and the Interest Period applicable thereto; and (E) the identity of the bidding Revolving Credit Lender.
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(iii) Any Competitive Bid shall be disregarded if it (A) is received after the applicable time specified in clause (ii) above, (B) is not substantially in the form of a Competitive Bid as specified herein, (C) contains qualifying, conditional or similar language, (D) proposes terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the applicable Bid Request, or (E) is otherwise not responsive to such Competitive Bid Request. Any Revolving Credit Lender may correct a Competitive Bid containing a manifest error by submitting a corrected Competitive Bid (identified as such) not later than the applicable time required for submission of Competitive Bids. Any such submission of a corrected Competitive Bid shall constitute a revocation of the Competitive Bid that contained the manifest error. The Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, notify any Revolving Credit Lender of any manifest error it detects in such Lenders Competitive Bid.
(iv) Subject only to the provisions of Sections 3.02 , 3.03 and 4.02 and clause (iii) above, each Competitive Bid shall be irrevocable.
(d) Notice to the Borrowers of Competitive Bids . Not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Absolute Rate Loans or (ii) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Eurodollar Margin Bid Loans, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers of the identity of each Revolving Credit Lender that has submitted a Competitive Bid that complies with Section 2.04(c) and of the terms of the offers contained in each such Competitive Bid.
(e) Acceptance of Competitive Bids . Not later than 11:30 a.m. (i) on the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Absolute Rate Loans and (ii) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Competitive Borrowing that is to consist of Eurodollar Margin Bid Loans, the Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent of its acceptance or rejection of the Competitive Bids notified to it pursuant to Section 2.04(d) . The Borrowers shall be under no obligation to accept any Competitive Bid and may choose to reject all Competitive Bids. In the case of acceptance, such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of Competitive Bids for each Interest Period that is accepted. The Borrowers may accept any Competitive Bid in whole or in part; provided that:
(i) the aggregate principal amount of each Competitive Borrowing may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Competitive Bid Request;
(ii) the principal amount of each Competitive Loan must be $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iii) the acceptance of Competitive Bids may be made only on the basis of ascending Absolute Rates or Eurodollar Bid Margins within each Interest Period; and
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(iv) the Borrowers may not accept any Competitive Bid that is described in Section 2.04(c)(iii) or that otherwise fails to comply with the requirements hereof.
(f) Procedure for Identical Bids . If two or more Revolving Credit Lenders have submitted Competitive Bids at the same Absolute Rate or Eurodollar Bid Margin, as the case may be, for the same Interest Period, and the result of accepting all of such Competitive Bids in whole (together with any other Competitive Bids at lower Absolute Rates or Eurodollar Bid Margins, as the case may be, accepted for such Interest Period in conformity with the requirements of Section 2.04(e)(iii) ) would be to cause the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the applicable Competitive Borrowing to exceed the amount specified therefor in the related Competitive Bid Request, then, unless otherwise agreed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and such Revolving Credit Lenders, such Competitive Bids shall be accepted as nearly as possible in proportion to the amount offered by each such Revolving Credit Lender in respect of such Interest Period, with such accepted amounts being rounded to the nearest whole multiple of $1,000,000.
(g) Notice to Revolving Credit Lenders of Acceptance or Rejection of Competitive Bids . The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender having submitted a Competitive Bid whether or not its Competitive Bid has been accepted and, if its Competitive Bid has been accepted, of the amount of the Competitive Loan or Competitive Loans to be made by it on the date of the applicable Competitive Borrowing. Any Competitive Bid or portion thereof that is not accepted by the Borrowers by the applicable time specified in Section 2.04(e) shall be deemed rejected.
(h) Notice of Eurodollar Rate . If any Competitive Borrowing is to consist of Eurodollar Margin Bid Loans, the Administrative Agent shall determine the Eurodollar Rate for the relevant Interest Period, and promptly after making such determination, shall notify the Borrowers and the Revolving Credit Lenders that will be participating in such Competitive Borrowing of such Eurodollar Rate.
(i) Funding of Competitive Loans . Each Revolving Credit Lender that has received notice pursuant to Section 2.04(g ) that all or a portion of its Competitive Bid has been accepted by the Borrowers shall make the amount of its Competitive Loan(s) available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the requested Competitive Borrowing. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrowers in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.
(j) Notice of Range of Competitive Bids . After each Competitive Bid auction pursuant to this Section 2.04 , the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Credit Lender that submitted a Competitive Bid in such auction of the ranges of Competitive Bids submitted (without the bidders name) and accepted for each Competitive Loan and the aggregate amount of each Competitive Borrowing.
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2.05 Letters of Credit.
(a) | The Letter of Credit Commitment . |
(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05 , (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of a Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Revolving Credit Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of a Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Competitive Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Borrowers for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrowers that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrowers may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.
(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if, subject to Section 2.05(b)(iii) , the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer have approved such expiry date; provided that in no event will any Letter of Credit have an expiry date that is later than the first anniversary of the Maturity Date, subject to the requirements of Section 2.05(b)(v) .
(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
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Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;
(B) the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $500,000;
(D) the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars; or
(E) any Revolving Credit Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrowers or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuers actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iv )) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.
(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.
(v) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term Administrative Agent as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.
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(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit .
(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrowers delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Borrowers shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may require.
(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrowers and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Revolving Credit Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of a Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary thereof) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuers usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and
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hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.
(iii) If the Borrowers so request in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the Non-Extension Notice Date ) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrowers shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the first anniversary of the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, subject to the requirements of Section 2.05(b)(v) ; provided , however , that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.05(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Revolving Credit Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrowers that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
(v) If the expiry date of any Letter of Credit would occur after the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, the Borrowers hereby agree that they will at least thirty (30) days prior to such Maturity Date (or, in the case of a Letter of Credit issued or extended on or after thirty (30) days prior to the Maturity Date of the Revolving Credit Facility, on the date of such issuance or extension, as applicable) Cash Collateralize such Letter of Credit in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.
(c) | Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations . |
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(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent thereof (such notification provided by the L/C Issuer to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent being referred to herein as an L/C Draw Notice ). If an L/C Draw Notice with respect to a Letter of Credit is received by the Borrowers (x) on or prior to 10:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit (each such date a payment is made by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit being referred to herein as an Honor Date ), then, not later than 12:00 p.m. on the Honor Date, the Borrowers shall jointly and severally reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing or (y) after 10:00 a.m. on the Honor Date, then, not later than 11:00 a.m. on the first Business Day following the Honor Date, the Borrowers shall jointly and severally reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing (such date on which the Borrowers, pursuant to clauses (x) and (y) of this sentence, are required to reimburse the L/C Issuer for a drawing under a Letter of Credit is referred to herein as the L/C Reimbursement Date ); provided , however , that if the L/C Reimbursement Date for a drawing under a Letter of Credit is the Business Day following the Honor Date pursuant to clause (y) of this sentence, the Unreimbursed Amount shall accrue interest from and including the Honor Date until such time as the L/C Issuer is reimbursed in full therefor (whether through payment by the Borrowers and/or through a Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Borrowing made in accordance with paragraph (ii) or (iii) of this Section 2.05(c) ) at a rate equal to (A) for the period from and including the Honor Date to but excluding the first Business Day to occur thereafter, the rate of interest then applicable to a Revolving Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan and (B) thereafter, at the Default Rate applicable to a Revolving Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan. Interest accruing on the Unreimbursed Amount pursuant to the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence shall be payable by the Borrowers upon demand to the Administrative Agent, solely for the account of the L/C Issuer. If the Borrowers fail to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the full amount of the Unreimbursed Amount in accordance with the preceding sentence on the applicable L/C Reimbursement Date, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender that a payment was made on the Letter of Credit, the Honor Date, the L/C Reimbursement Date (if different from the Honor Date), the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the L/C Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Facility and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.05(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
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(ii) Each Revolving Credit Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agents Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.05(c)(iii) , each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.
(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Revolving Credit Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.05 .
(iv) Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.
(v) Each Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.05(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Credit Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , however , that each Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrowers of a Committed Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
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(vi) If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.05(c) by the time specified in Section 2.05(c)(ii) , then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Revolving Credit Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Revolving Credit Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) | Repayment of Participations . |
(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Lenders L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.05(c) , if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrowers or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.
(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Obligations Absolute . The obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
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(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;
(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that any Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuers protection and not the protection of the Borrowers or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrowers;
(v) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;
(vi) any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;
(vii) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
The Borrowers shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrowers instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. Each Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
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(f) Role of L/C Issuer . Each Lender and each Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Revolving Credit Lenders or the Required Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. Each Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided , however , that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrowers pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 2.05(e) ; provided , however , that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrowers may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrowers, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrowers which the Borrowers prove were caused by the L/C Issuers willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuers willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication ( SWIFT ) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.
(g) Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrowers when a Letter of Credit is issued the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to any Borrower for, and the L/C Issuers rights and remedies against each Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
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(h) Letter of Credit Fees . Each Borrower shall jointly and severally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance, subject to Section 2.21 , with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the Letter of Credit Fee ) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate then applicable to Eurodollar Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Revolving Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.
(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer . Each Borrower shall jointly and severally pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in the Bank of America Fee Letter, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . In addition, each Borrower shall jointly and severally pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(j) Conflict with Issuer Documents . In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries of Borrowers . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary of a Borrower, each Borrower shall be jointly and severally obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of any of its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrowers, and that the Borrowers business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
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2.06 Swing Line Loans.
(a) The Swing Line . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in this Section 2.06 , shall make loans (each such loan, a Swing Line Loan ) to the Borrowers from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Swing Line Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans, L/C Obligations and Competitive Loans may exceed the amount of the Swing Line Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment; provided , however , that (x) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0 (it being understood and agreed that for purposes of calculating Availability with respect to any Swing Line Borrowing all or a portion of the proceeds of which are to be used (and are actually used) within thirty (30) days following receipt thereof to make one or more Reserve-Related Expenditures, the Empire Reserve shall not include the amount of such Reserve-Related Expenditures that are to be made (and are actually made) within such thirty (30) day period from the proceeds of such Swing Line Borrowing) and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Competitive Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment, (y) no Borrower shall use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan, and (z) the Swing Line Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iv) ). Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.06 , prepay under Section 2.07 , and reborrow under this Section 2.06 . Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.
(b) Borrowing Procedures . Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day and (iii) in the case of a Swing Line Borrowing all or a portion of the proceeds of which are to be used to make a Reserve-Related Expenditure, the amount of the Reserve-Related Expenditure that will be made from the proceeds of such Swing Line Borrowing and the Reserve Item(s) to which such Reserve-Related Expenditure relates. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the
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Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Revolving Credit Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.06(a) , or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrowers at their office by crediting the account of the Borrowers on the books of the Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds or, if requested in the Swing Line Loan Notice delivered to the Swing Line Lender, by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank specified by the Borrowers for credit to an account at such bank specified by the Borrowers in such Swing Line Notice.
(c) | Refinancing of Swing Line Loans . |
(i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrowers (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Credit Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Committed Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02 , without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Facility then in effect and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrowers with a copy of the applicable Committed Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount specified in such Committed Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Committed Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.06(c)(ii) , each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06(c)(i) , the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the
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Revolving Credit Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving Credit Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.06(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
(iii) If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.06(c) by the time specified in Section 2.06(c)(i) , the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Revolving Credit Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(iv) Each Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Credit Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , however , that each Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrowers to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(d) | Repayment of Participations . |
(i) At any time after any Revolving Credit Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
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(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender . The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrowers for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.06 to refinance such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender . The Borrowers shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.
2.07 Prepayments.
(a) Optional . (i) The Borrowers may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and/or Delayed Draw Term Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (A) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (B) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (ii) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $3,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and (iii) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans and each Facility to which such prepayment shall apply (and if multiple Facilities are specified, the allocation among such Facilities). The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lenders ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lenders Applicable Percentage in respect of the relevant Facility). If such notice is given by the Borrowers, the Borrowers shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 .
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(i) No Competitive Loan may be prepaid voluntarily without the prior consent of the applicable Competitive Loan Lender.
(ii) The Borrowers may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrowers, the Borrowers shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.
(b) Mandatory . (i) If for any reason Availability is at any time less than $0, the Borrowers shall immediately prepay Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount necessary to cause Availability to be greater than or equal to $0 at such time.
(ii) Prepayments made pursuant to this Section 2.07(b) , Section 2.19(b) , or Section 2.19(c) , first , shall be applied ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans (without reduction of any of the Revolving Credit Commitments), second , shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (without reduction of any of the Revolving Credit Commitments) and Competitive Loans, third , shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Term B Loans and Delayed Draw Term Loans, fourth , shall be applied ratably to outstanding Term A Loans and fifth , shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations to the extent necessary to cause Availability to equal $0. Upon a drawing under any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from any Borrower or any other Loan Party) to reimburse the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as applicable.
2.08 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments.
(a) Optional . The Borrowers may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Revolving Credit Facility, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, or from time to time permanently reduce the Revolving Credit Facility, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce (A) the Revolving Credit Facility if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, Availability would be less than $0, (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit.
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(b) Mandatory . (i) The aggregate Term Commitments shall be reduced to zero automatically and permanently on the Closing Date (and immediately following the funding of the Term Commitments on such date).
(ii) The aggregate Delayed Draw Term Commitments shall be reduced to zero automatically and permanently on the last day of the Availability Period for the Delayed Draw Term Commitments.
(iii) The Revolving Credit Facility shall be reduced to zero automatically and permanently on the last day of the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility.
(iv) If after giving effect to any reduction or termination of Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section 2.08 , the Competitive Loan Sublimit, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the Revolving Credit Facility at such time, the Competitive Loan Sublimit, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.
(c) Application of Revolving Credit Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees . The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, Swing Line Sublimit or the Revolving Credit Commitment under this Section 2.08 . Upon any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender shall be reduced by such Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
2.09 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Term Loans . The Borrowers shall jointly and severally repay to the Term Lenders on the Maturity Date for the Term Facility the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans outstanding on such date.
(b) Delayed Draw Term Loans . The Borrowers shall jointly and severally repay to the Term Lenders on the Maturity Date for the Term Facility the aggregate principal amount of Delayed Draw Term Loans outstanding on such date.
(c) Revolving Credit Loans . The Borrowers shall jointly and severally repay to the Revolving Credit Lenders on the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date.
(d) Competitive Loans . The Borrowers shall jointly and severally repay each Competitive Loan on the last day of the Interest Period in respect thereof.
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(e) Swing Line Loans . The Borrowers shall jointly and severally repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date five Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility.
2.10 Interest.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurodollar Rate Committed Loan under a Facility shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate then applicable to Eurodollar Rate Committed Loans under such Facility; (ii) each Base Rate Loan under a Facility shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans under such Facility; (iii) each Competitive Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for the Interest Period therefor at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus (or minus) the Eurodollar Bid Margin, or at the Absolute Rate for such Interest Period, as the case may be, and (iv) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility.
(b) (i) While any Event of Default exists under Section 8.01(a)(i) or (f) , the Borrowers shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clause (b)(i) above), the Borrowers shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.11 Fees. In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.05 :
(a) Facility Fee . The Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage, a facility fee equal to the Applicable Rate then applicable to Facility Fees times the actual daily amount of the Revolving Credit Facility (or, if the Revolving Credit Facility has terminated, on the Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans, Swing
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Line Loans, Competitive Loans and L/C Obligations), regardless of usage. The facility fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility (and thereafter so long as any Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans or L/C Obligations remain outstanding), including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, on the last day of the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility (and, if applicable, thereafter on demand). The facility fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.
(b) Other Fees . (i) The Borrowers shall pay to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Bank of America Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(ii) The Borrowers shall pay to Goldman Sachs Bank USA for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Goldman Sachs Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(iii) The Borrowers shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.12 Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.
(a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made (or, in the case of Indebtedness acquired by the applicable Lenders that is amended, restated and incorporated herein as a Loan pursuant to Section 2.01(a) or Section 2.03 , on the date such Indebtedness becomes a Loan hereunder), and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.14(a) , bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(b) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Parent, or for any other reason, (i) the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value as calculated by the Borrowers as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation
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of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrowers shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Parent or any other Loan Party under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under Section 2.05(c)(iii) , 2.05(h) or 2.10(b) or under Article VIII . The Borrowers obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Facilities and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
2.13 Evidence of Debt.
(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. On the Closing Date, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a Revolving Credit Note, (ii) a Term A Note and (iii) a Term B Note, which Notes shall evidence the Appropriate Lenders Loans in addition to such accounts or records. The Administrative Agent may attach schedules to the applicable Notes and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of the applicable Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a) above, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.14 Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback.
(a) General . All payments to be made by the Borrowers shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agents Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will
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promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage in respect of the relevant Facility (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lenders Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrowers shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) (i) Funding of Loans by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Sections 2.01(a)(iii) and 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Sections 2.01(a)(iii) and 2.02 ) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrowers severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrowers to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans under the applicable Facility. If the Borrowers and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrowers the amount of such interest paid by the Borrowers for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrowers shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrowers may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Funding of Purchase of Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt by Term Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Term A Lender prior to the proposed date of purchase by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Term A Lenders, of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt and amendment and restatement thereof as Term A Loans pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i) (or, if such Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt being purchased will be amended and restated pursuant to this Agreement as Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such purchase) that such Term A Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Term A Lenders share of the purchase price for such Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt Assignment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Term
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Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.01(a)(i) , and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Existing Empire State Mortgage Lenders a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Term A Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable purchase price available to the Administrative Agent, then such Term A Lender and the Borrowers severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt is purchased on behalf of the Term A Lenders to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Term A Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Term Facility. If the Borrowers and such Term A Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrowers the amount of such interest paid by the Borrowers for such period. If such Term A Lender pays its share of the applicable purchase price to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Term A Lenders Term A Loan. Any payment by the Borrowers shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrowers may have against a Term A Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(iii) Funding of Purchases of Mortgage Debt Assignments by Revolving Credit Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Revolving Credit Lender prior to a proposed date of purchase by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, of Assumed Mortgage Debt and amendment and restatement thereof as Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.03 (or, if such Assumed Mortgage Debt being purchased will be amended and restated pursuant to this Agreement as Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such purchase) that such Revolving Credit Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Revolving Credit Lenders share of the Mortgage Debt Assignment Price for such Mortgage Debt Assignment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Revolving Credit Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.03 , and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Existing Mortgage Debt Lender a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Revolving Credit Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Mortgage Debt Assignment Price available to the Administrative Agent, then such Revolving Credit Lender and the Borrowers severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date the Assumed Mortgage Debt is purchased on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such
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Revolving Credit Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility. If the Borrowers and such Revolving Credit Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrowers the amount of such interest paid by the Borrowers for such period. If such Revolving Credit Lender pays its share of the applicable Mortgage Debt Assignment Price to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Loan. Any payment by the Borrowers shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrowers may have against a Revolving Credit Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(iv) Payments by Borrowers; Presumptions by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrowers prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Appropriate Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Appropriate Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrowers with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent . If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for (i) any Loan to be made by such Lender, (ii) the purchase of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt or (iii) the purchase of any Assumed Mortgage Debt, as applicable, as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II , and such funds are not made available to the Borrowers or to fund such purchase, as the case may be, by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Section 2.01(a) , 2.03 and/or Article IV , as applicable, are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
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(d) Obligations of Lenders Several . The obligations of the applicable Lenders hereunder to make Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans and Delayed Draw Term Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans, to purchase Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt and Assumed Mortgage Debt and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any applicable Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation, to make any such purchase or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation, to purchase its portion of Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt or Assumed Mortgage Debt or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c) .
(e) Funding Source . Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
2.15 Sharing of Payments by Lenders; Sharing of Proceeds from a Foreclosure or other Exercise of Remedies in respect of the Assigned Mortgages.
(a) Sharing of Payments by Lenders . If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations in respect of any of the Facilities due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations in respect of any of the Facilities owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Parties at such time) of payment on account of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of Obligations in respect of the Facilities then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:
(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
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(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (w) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (x) allocation of optional prepayments among the Facilities pursuant to Section 2.07(a) , (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.20 , or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Parent or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).
Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower or any Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower or such other Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
(b) Sharing of Proceeds from a Foreclosure or other Exercise of Remedies in respect of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage . Notwithstanding the fact that the Assigned Empire State Mortgage only secures the Indebtedness and other obligations of the Borrowers owing in respect of the Term A Loans (and not any Obligations in respect of any other Loans or Credit Extensions), each Term A Lender hereby agrees (and directs the Administrative Agent) that in the event of a foreclosure or other exercise of rights or remedies in respect of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage (whether pursuant to any contract, Law (including any Debtor Relief Law) or otherwise), all proceeds received in respect thereof shall be applied to all Obligations in accordance with Section 8.03 . In furtherance thereof, each Term A Lender hereby agrees that if, in connection with a foreclosure or other exercise of remedies in respect of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage, such Term A Lender obtains any payment in respect thereof in excess of its ratable share due to all Lenders under Section 8.03 , then such Term A Lender shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with Section 8.03 , provided that if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest.
Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower or any Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower or such other Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
(c) Sharing of Proceeds from a Foreclosure or other Exercise of Remedies in respect of the Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgages . Notwithstanding the fact that each Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage only secures Indebtedness and other obligations of the Borrowers owing in respect of a portion of the Revolving Credit Loans (and not any Obligations
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in respect of any other Loans or Credit Extensions), each Revolving Credit Lender hereby agrees (and directs the Administrative Agent) that in the event of a foreclosure or other exercise of remedies in respect of such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage (whether pursuant to any contract, Law (including any Debtor Relief Law) or otherwise), all proceeds received in respect thereof shall be applied to all Obligations in accordance with Section 8.03 . In furtherance thereof, each Revolving Credit Lender hereby agrees that if, in connection with a foreclosure or other exercise of remedies in respect of an Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage, such Revolving Credit Lender obtains any payment in respect thereof in excess of its ratable share due to all Lenders under Section 8.03 , then such Revolving Credit Lender shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with Section 8.03 , provided that if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest.
Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower or any Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower or such other Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
2.16 Extension of Maturity Date in respect of Revolving Credit Facility.
(a) Notification of Extension . The Borrowers may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent (such notice, an Extension Notice ) not earlier than 90 days and not later than 30 days prior to the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, elect to extend the Maturity Date in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility for an additional twelve (12) months from the Initial Revolver Maturity Date. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such Extension Notice promptly to the Lenders following its receipt thereof.
(b) Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of Maturity Date Extension . As conditions precedent to such extension, the Borrowers shall, on or prior to the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, satisfy each of the following requirements for such extension to become effective:
(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received an Extension Notice within the period required under clause (a) above;
(ii) On the date of such Extension Notice and both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such extension of the Maturity Date in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iii) The Borrowers shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders based on their respective Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages as of such date, an extension fee in an amount equal to 0.20% of the Revolving Credit Facility as in effect on the Initial Revolver Maturity Date (it being agreed that such Extension Fee shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason);
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(iv) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Parent dated as of the Initial Revolver Maturity Date signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent (i) (x) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by each Loan Party approving or consenting to such extension or (y) certifying that, as of the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, the resolutions delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on the Closing Date (which resolutions include approval for an extension of the Maturity Date in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility for an additional twelve (12) months from the Initial Revolver Maturity Date) are and remain in full force and effect and have not been modified, rescinded or superseded since the date of adoption and (ii) certifying that, before and after giving effect to such extension, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, except (x) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (y) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (z) for purposes of this Section 2.16 , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 , and (B) no Default exists; and
(v) The Borrowers and the other Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent such reaffirmations of their respective obligations under the Loan Documents (after giving effect to the extension), and acknowledgments and certifications that they have no claims, offsets or defenses with respect to the payment or performance of any of the Obligations, including, without limitation, reaffirmations of each of the Pledge Agreement, the Mortgage and the Guaranty Agreement, executed by the Loan Parties party thereto.
(c) Conflicting Provisions . This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.15 or 10.01 to the contrary.
2.17 Increase in Revolving Credit Facility.
(a) Request for Increase . Provided there exists no Default, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers may from time to time request an increase in the Revolving Credit Facility by an amount (in the aggregate for all such requests) not exceeding $450,000,000, less the aggregate amount of all increases in the Term Facility consummated pursuant to Section 2.18 on or prior to such time; provided that any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000 (or such lesser amount as Borrowers and Administrative Agent may agree). At the time of sending such notice, the Borrowers shall specify the identity of each Revolving Credit Lender and each Eligible Assignee to whom the Borrowers propose any portion of such increase in the Revolving Credit Facility be allocated; provided , however , that (i) any existing Revolving Credit Lender approached to provide all or a portion of such increase in the Revolving Credit Facility may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide all or a portion of such increase in the Revolving Credit Facility offered to it (and any Revolving Credit
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Lender that has failed to respond to any such request shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Revolving Credit Commitment) and (ii) any Eligible Assignee providing any portion of such increase in the Revolving Credit Facility that is not an existing Revolving Credit Lender (such Eligible Assignee, a New Revolving Credit Lender ) shall become a Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel (a New Revolving Lender Joinder Agreement ).
(b) Effective Date and Allocations . If the Revolving Credit Facility is increased in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall determine the effective date (the Revolver Increase Effective Date ) and the final allocation of such increase.
(c) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase . As conditions precedent to such increase, (i) the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Revolver Increase Effective Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (x) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (y) in the case of the Borrowers, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Revolver Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that (1) such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (2) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (3) that for purposes of this Section 2.17 , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 , and (B) no Default exists, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received (x) a New Revolving Lender Joinder Agreement for each New Revolving Credit Lender, if any, participating in such increase in the Revolving Credit Facility, which New Revolving Lender Joinder Agreement shall be duly executed by the Borrowers and such New Revolving Credit Lender and acknowledged and consented to in writing by the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer and (y) written confirmation from each existing Revolving Credit Lender, if any, participating in such increase of the amount by which its Revolving Credit Commitment will be increased and (iii) the Borrowers shall have paid to the Arrangers the fee, if any, required to be paid pursuant to the Fee Letters in connection therewith.
(d) Settlement Procedures . On each Revolver Increase Effective Date, promptly following fulfillment of the conditions set forth in clause (c) of this Section 2.17 , the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of the occurrence of the increase of the Revolving Credit Facility effected on such Revolver Increase Effective Date and the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment and Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender as a result thereof. In the event that the increase in the Revolving Credit Facility results in any change to the Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of any Revolving Credit Lender, then on the Revolver Increase Effective Date (i) the participation interests of the Revolving Credit Lenders in any outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans shall be automatically reallocated among the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages after giving effect to such increase, (ii) any
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New Revolving Credit Lender, and any existing Revolving Credit Lender whose Revolving Commitment has increased, shall pay to the Administrative Agent such amounts as are necessary to fund its new or increased Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of all existing Revolving Credit Loans, (iii) the Administrative Agent will use the proceeds thereof to pay to all existing Revolving Credit Lenders whose Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage is decreasing such amounts as are necessary so that each Revolving Credit Lenders participation in existing Revolving Credit Loans will be equal to its adjusted Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage, and (iv) if the Revolver Increase Effective Date occurs on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable to any outstanding Revolving Credit Loan that is a Eurodollar Rate Loan, then the Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay any amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 on account of the payments made pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence.
(e) Conflicting Provisions . This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.15 or 10.01 to the contrary.
2.18 Increase in Term Facility.
(a) Request for Increase . Provided there exists no Default, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers may from time to time request an increase in the Term B Facility by an amount (in the aggregate for all such requests) not exceeding $450,000,000, less the aggregate amount of all increases in the Revolving Credit Facility consummated pursuant to Section 2.17 on or prior to such time; provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000 (or such lesser amount as Borrower and Administrative Agent may agree). At the time of sending such notice, the Borrowers shall specify the identity of each Lender and each Eligible Assignee to whom the Borrowers propose any portion of such increase in the Term B Facility be allocated; provided , however , that (i) any existing Lender approached to provide all or a portion of such increase in the Term B Facility may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide all or a portion of such increase in the Term B Facility offered to it (and any Lender that has failed to respond to any such request shall be deemed to have declined to participate in such increase in the Term B Facility) and (ii) any Eligible Assignee providing any portion of such increase in the Term B Facility that is not an existing Lender (such Eligible Assignee, a New Term Lender ) shall become a Term B Lender pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel (a Term Lender Joinder Agreement ). Any increase in the Term B Facility pursuant to this Section 2.18 shall be in the form of one or more additional term loans made to the Borrowers (any such term loan being referred to herein as a Incremental Term Loan ).
(b) Effective Date and Allocations . If the Term B Facility is increased in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall determine the effective date (the Term Increase Effective Date ) and the final allocation of such increase. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Term Increase Effective Date.
(c) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase . As conditions precedent to such increase, (i) the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Term Increase Effective Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (x) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted
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by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (y) in the case of the Borrowers, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Term Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that (1) such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (2) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (3) that for purposes of this Section 2.18 , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 , (B) no Default exists and (C) Availability is greater than or equal to $0, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received (x) a New Term Lender Joinder Agreement for each New Term Lender, if any, participating in such increase in the Term B Facility, which New Term Lender Joinder Agreement shall be duly executed by the Borrowers and such New Term Lender and acknowledged and consented to in writing by the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and such consent not to be required if such New Term Lender is an Affiliate of an existing Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to an existing Lender) and (y) written confirmation from each existing Term Lender, if any, participating in such increase of the amount of the Incremental Term Loan that it has committed to make, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received a written notice setting forth the Type of Incremental Term Loans being requested not later than 11:00 a.m. (x) three Business Days prior to the Term Increase Effective Date (if the Incremental Term Loans requested are Eurodollar Rate Loans), and (ii) on the Term Increase Effective Date (if the Incremental Term Loans requested are Base Rate Loans); provided , however , that if the Borrowers wish to request Incremental Term Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans having an Interest Period of one week, nine months or twelve months in duration as provided in the definition of Interest Period, such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. four Business Days prior to the Term Increase Effective Date, (iv) all of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 shall be satisfied with respect to the funding of such Incremental Term Loans and (v) the Borrowers shall have paid to the Arrangers the fee, if any, required to be paid pursuant to the Fee Letters in connection therewith.
(d) Funding of Incremental Term Loans . On the Term Increase Effective Date, each existing Term Lender participating in such increase and each New Term Lender shall, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, make its Incremental Term Loan to the Borrowers. All terms and provisions of the Incremental Term Loans shall be identical to the Term B Loans and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in the other Loan Documents, all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to Term B Loans and Term Loans shall include the Incremental Term Loans; provided , however , that for the avoidance of doubt the Indebtedness secured by the Assigned Empire State Mortgage shall not include any Indebtedness in respect of any Incremental Term Loans.
(e) Conflicting Provisions . This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.15 or 10.01 to the contrary.
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2.19 Borrowing Base Properties.
(a) Requirements for an Investment Property to be Included as a Borrowing Base Property . Prior to any Investment Property being included as a Borrowing Base Property (and, in the case of the requirements set forth in clauses (iii) through (xi) below, at all times that such Investment Property is a Borrowing Base Property as provided in Section 2.19(b) ), each of the following requirements shall have been satisfied with respect to such Investment Property (such requirements being referred to herein as the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria ):
(i) The Borrowers shall have provided the Administrative Agent with a written request for such Investment Property to be included as a Borrowing Base Property, which request shall be accompanied by a Borrowing Base Proposal Package with respect to such Investment Property.
(ii) Within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the Borrowing Base Proposal Package, the Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Borrowers of whether the Administrative Agent has approved such proposed Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property; provided , that in case of an Investment Property that is subject to an Existing NY Mortgage in respect of which a Mortgage Debt Assignment has been requested by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.03(b) , any such approval of such Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property may be conditioned upon the consummation of such Mortgage Debt Assignment. The Administrative Agent shall not unreasonably withhold such approval so long as such proposed Borrowing Base Property satisfies all of the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of any proposed Borrowing Base Property to comply with one or more of the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria or the other requirements of this Section 2.19 shall not preclude the addition of such proposed Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property so long as the Required Lenders have expressly consented to the addition of such proposed Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property notwithstanding the failure to satisfy such conditions or requirements, as applicable.
(iii) Such Investment Property shall be used primarily for office and/or retail purposes.
(iv) The Affiliated Investor that owns such Investment Property (or, if applicable, that is the lessee under an Eligible Ground Lease in respect of such Investment Property) shall be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of ESR OP, and all of the Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor (together with all of the Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of ESR OP that owns any Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor) shall be pledged as Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Collateral Documents; provided , that if at any time the Exemption Conditions exist with respect to any Subsidiary that directly or indirectly owns any Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor, such Subsidiary shall not be required to pledge the Equity Interests it owns in such Affiliated Investor or in any direct or indirect parent thereof.
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(v) The Affiliated Investor that owns such Investment Property (or, if applicable, that is the lessee under an Eligible Ground Lease in respect of such Investment Property) shall be a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Borrower, and each Subsidiary of ESR OP that directly or indirectly owns any Equity Interests in such Affiliated Investor shall be a Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor; provided , that if at any time the Exemption Conditions exist with respect to (x) the Affiliated Investor that owns such Investment Property, such Affiliated Investor shall not be required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor or Borrower or (y) any Subsidiary of ESR OP that directly or indirectly owns any Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor, such Subsidiary shall not be required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor or Borrower.
(vi) The Affiliated Investor that owns such Investment Property (or, if applicable, that is the lessee under an Eligible Ground Lease in respect of such Investment Property) must be organized under the laws of, and have its principal place of business and chief executive office located in, the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
(vii) Such Investment Property shall be located in the United States of America.
(viii) Such Investment Property shall be free and clear of all negative pledges and/or encumbrances or restrictions on the ability of the Affiliated Investor that owns or leases such Investment Property to transfer or encumber such Investment Property or any income therefrom or proceeds thereof (other than any such encumbrances or restrictions contained in the Loan Documents).
(ix) The Affiliated Investor that owns such Investment Property shall not have any Indebtedness (other than Obligations) and shall not be subject to any proceedings under any Debtor Relief Law.
(x) Such Investment Property shall not be subject to any ground leases (other than Eligible Ground Leases).
(xi) There shall not exist any Lien or other encumbrance on (x) such Investment Property (or any income therefrom or proceeds thereof), other than Permitted Borrowing Base Property Liens, (y) any other assets or property of the Affiliated Investor that owns such Investment Property, other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01 or (z) any of the Equity Interests of the Affiliated Investor that owns such Investment Property (or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of ESR OP that owns any Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor), including any right to receive distributions or other amounts in respect of such Equity Interests, other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a) .
(xii) After giving pro forma effect to the inclusion of such Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property, the minimum aggregate occupancy for all
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Borrowing Base Properties (excluding for this purpose the Empire State Building) shall not be less than 75% (determined based on tenants in occupancy and paying rent); provided , that such Investment Property may be included as a Borrowing Base Property notwithstanding its failure to satisfy the provisions of this clause (ix), but subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.19 , so long as the failure to satisfy the minimum occupancy requirement set forth in this clause (ix) is cured and ceases to exist within forty-five (45) days following the occurrence thereof.
(xiii) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received an Availability Certificate from the Borrowers showing Availability after giving effect to the inclusion of such Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property.
(xiv) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received a copy of the limited liability company operating agreement, partnership agreement, bylaws or other similar organizational documents of the Affiliated Investor who owns such Investment Property (or, if applicable, that is the lessee under an Eligible Ground Lease in respect of such Investment Property) and each Subsidiary of ESR OP that directly or indirectly owns any Equity Interests in such Affiliated Investor, which organizational documents shall be (x) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent as being true, correct and complete.
(xv) The Administrative Agent shall have received environmental assessment reports, evidence of insurance and such other information concerning such Investment Property as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (in the case of environmental assessment reports) that demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that such Investment Property is free from environmental issues that, or that could reasonably be expected to, materially impair the operation of such Investment Property or otherwise result in a Material Adverse Effect, in each case unless such environmental issues are remediable through ordinary course capital expenditures and the Loan Parties are diligently pursuing the remediation thereof in accordance with applicable Law.
(b) Removal of Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property as a Result of Failure to Satisfy Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria . If, following the inclusion of any Investment Property as a Borrowing Base Property, such Investment Property fails to satisfy any of the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria set forth in Section 2.19(a)(iii) through (xi) for a period of thirty (30) days, then such Investment Property shall immediately cease to be a Borrowing Base Property on such thirtieth day. In addition in the event that (i) the minimum aggregate occupancy for all Borrowing Base Properties (excluding for this purpose the Empire State Building) becomes less than 75% (determined based on tenants in occupancy and paying rent) for more than 45 days, Investment Properties that are partially or fully vacant but still producing rental income and that otherwise satisfy the other Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria will cease to be Borrowing Base Properties to the extent necessary to cause such minimum occupancy requirement to be satisfied (which removal of Investment Properties from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties for purposes of satisfying this minimum occupancy requirement shall
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be in the order indicated by the Borrowers) and (ii) the Empire State Building at any time ceases to be a Borrowing Base Property for any reason, the Empire State Observatory shall also automatically cease to be a Borrowing Base Property at such time. If any Investment Property ceases to be a Borrowing Base Property as a result of any of the circumstances set forth in the prior two (2) sentences, the Borrowers shall immediately provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof, together with an Availability Certificate (giving pro forma effect to the removal of the applicable Investment Propert(ies) from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties). If, after giving effect to any such removal of the applicable Investment Propert(ies) from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties, Availability is less than $0, the Borrowers shall immediately prepay Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount necessary to cause Availability to be greater than or equal to $0 in the manner specified in Section 2.07(b)(ii) . If any Investment Property that is subject to an Assigned Mortgage ceases to be a Borrowing Base Property pursuant to this Section 2.19(b) , then such Assigned Mortgage shall be terminated in accordance with Section 2.22(b) ; provided , that if the Borrowers request that in lieu of such termination such Assigned Mortgage instead be transferred to another Borrowing Base Property located in the State of New York that is identified by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent may in its sole and absolute discretion permit such Assigned Mortgage to be transferred in its entirety to such other Borrowing Base Property (and if the Administrative Agent does agree to allow such transfer, (x) such transfer shall be made at the Borrowers sole cost and expense pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) on or prior to the time of such transfer, the Affiliated Investor that owns the Borrowing Base Property that will become subject to such Assigned Mortgage shall have become a Borrower in accordance with Section 6.12(c) ).
(c) Removal of Investment Property from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties by the Borrowers . An Investment Property may be removed from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties by the Borrowers upon the completion of the following conditions precedent to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:
(i) The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior to the date on which such removal is to be effected, a written notice of its desire to remove such Investment Property from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties;
(ii) If the proposed removal is with respect to the Empire State Building, the Empire State Observatory must also be removed from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties at the same time as the Empire State Building is removed (and the requirements set forth in clauses (iii) and (iv) of this Section 2.19(c) must also be satisfied with respect to the Empire State Observatory at the same time as such requirements are satisfied with respect to the Empire State Building).
(iii) If the proposed removal is with respect to a Borrowing Base Property that is subject to an Assigned Mortgage (other than any such proposed removal in connection with a Replacement Mortgage Financing, in which case the requirements of Section 2.22(d) shall be required to be satisfied), then such Assigned Mortgage shall be terminated in accordance with Section 2.22(b) ; provided , that if the Borrowers request
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that in lieu of such termination such Assigned Mortgage instead be transferred to another Borrowing Base Property located in the State of New York that is identified by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent may in its sole and absolute discretion permit such Assigned Mortgage to be transferred in its entirety to such other Borrowing Base Property (and if the Administrative Agent does agree to allow such transfer, (x) such transfer shall be made at the Borrowers sole cost and expense pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) on or prior to the time of such transfer, the Affiliated Investor that owns the Borrowing Base Property that will become subject to such Assigned Mortgage shall have become a Borrower in accordance with Section 6.12(c) ).
(iv) On or before the date that is five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior to the date of the proposed removal, the Borrowers shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent certifying to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that (1) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such release, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (2) immediately after giving effect to such release, the Loan Parties are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 on a pro forma basis as if the removal and the repayment contemplated Section 2.19(c)(v) below had occurred on the last day of the then mostly recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent for which financial statements have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) (and such certificate shall contain a reasonably detailed calculation thereof) and (3) the representations and warranties of the Borrowers and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such release and immediately after giving effect to such release, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (B) to the extent that any such representations and warranties relate to the Investment Property being released, (C) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (D) for purposes of this Section 2.19(c) , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 .
(v) On or before the date that is two (2) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior to the date of the proposed release, the Borrowers shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders an Availability Certificate giving pro forma effect to the proposed release of such Investment Property from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties. If, after giving effect to the proposed release of such Investment Property from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties, Availability would be less than $0, the Borrowers shall, simultaneously with or prior to the consummation of such release, prepay Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount necessary to cause Availability to be greater than or equal to $0 in the manner specified in Section 2.07(b)(ii) .
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2.20 Cash Collateral.
(a) Certain Credit Support Events . If (i) the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (iii) the Borrowers shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 8.02(c) , or (iv) there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, the Borrowers shall immediately (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within one Business Day (in all other cases) following any request by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv) above, after giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(b) Grant of Security Interest . The Borrowers, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.20(c) . If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrowers will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in one or more blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. The Borrowers shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.
(c) Application . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.20 or Sections 2.05 , 2.06 , 2.07 , 2.19 , 2.21 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.
(d) Release . Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released within one Business Day following (i) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer and/or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, of the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(b)(vi) ))
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or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided , however, the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
2.21 Defaulting Lenders.
(a) Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lenders right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definitions of Required Lenders, Required Revolving Lenders and Required Term Lenders and Section 10.01 .
(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.20 ; fourth , as the Borrowers may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lenders potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.20 ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrowers against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such
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Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Appropriate Lenders pro rata in accordance with the applicable Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iv) . Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.21(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) | Certain Fees . |
(A) No Revolving Credit Lender that is a Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.11(a) for any period during which that Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B) Each Revolving Credit Lender that is a Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.20 .
(C) With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.11(a) or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrowers shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lenders participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuers or Swing Line Lenders Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure . All or any part of such Defaulting Lenders participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Revolving Credit Lenders that are Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment) but only to the extent
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that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02(b) are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrowers shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lenders increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lenders Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.20 .
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans of the other Revolving Credit Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Credit Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iv) ), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
2.22 Assigned Mortgages; Terminations and Assignments of Assigned Mortgages; Release and Indemnity by Loan Parties; Authorization by Lenders.
(a) | Intentionally Omitted . |
(b) Terminations of Assigned Mortgages . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, (i) if at any time the Borrowers desire to have an Assigned Mortgage terminated and released, the Administrative Agent shall, upon at least ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior written notice from the Borrowers, terminate and release
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such Assigned Mortgage, (ii) if at any time any Investment Property subject to an Assigned Mortgage (x) ceases to be a Borrowing Base Property pursuant to Section 2.19(b) or (y) is removed from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.19(c) , then, subject to the proviso to the last sentence of Section 2.19(b) or the proviso to Section 2.19(c)(iii) , as applicable, the Administrative Agent shall terminate and release such Assigned Mortgage and (iii) the Administrative Agent may in its reasonable discretion, and shall at the direction of the Required Lenders acting in their reasonable discretion, terminate and release any or all of the Assigned Mortgages so long as the Administrative Agent shall have given the Borrowers written notice thereof at least five (5) days prior to any such termination and release; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to give any such prior notice to the Borrowers if the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable discretion, has determined that delay of such termination and release would be detrimental to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the applicable Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall, at the Borrowers sole cost and expense, enter into such documents and instruments as are required to effect any such termination and release of an Assigned Mortgage, which documents and instruments shall, (x) in the case of a termination and release pursuant to clause (i) of the prior sentence, be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers and (y) in the case of a termination and release pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of the prior sentence, be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Any notice provided to the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers pursuant to clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 2.22(b) may be revoked by the Borrowers at any time prior to the consummation of the applicable termination and release, provided that in the case of any such revocation, the Borrowers shall, jointly and severally, pay any amounts required to be paid under Section 3.05 resulting from such revocation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any termination or release of an Assigned Mortgage shall not constitute a waiver, termination or release of any of the other rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents.
(c) | Assignments of Assigned Empire State Mortgage . |
(i) General . If at any time after the Closing Date any Borrower decides to (x) obtain mortgage debt financing from a third-party lender with respect to an Investment Property (other than the Empire State Building or a Borrowing Base Property) located in the State of New York (such Investment Property being referred to herein as a NY Non-Borrowing Base Property ) and (y) secure such third-party debt financing by spreading the Lien created in favor of the Administrative Agent on the Empire State Building under the Assigned Empire State Mortgage to encumber such NY Non-Borrowing Base Property (and releasing all or a portion of the Administrative Agents Lien on the Empire State Building in connection therewith) (any such third-party debt financing contemplated under clauses (x) and (y) being referred to herein as a New NY Property Mortgage Financing ), then the Borrowers shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof (such notice, an Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notice ) within fifteen (15) Business Days (or such shorter period of time agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior to the consummation of such New NY Property Mortgage Financing, which Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notice shall contain the following information:
(A) Whether the entire Outstanding Amount of all Term A Loans will be sold and assigned to the lender(s) providing such New NY Property Mortgage Financing (or if not, the amount of the Outstanding Amount of the Term A Loans that will sold and assigned to such lender(s));
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(B) Whether the entire Assigned Empire State Mortgage will be assigned and transferred to the lender(s) providing such New NY Property Mortgage Financing (or if not, the amount of Indebtedness that will be secured by the portion of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage being assigned and transferred to such lender(s), which amount in any event will not exceed the Outstanding Amount of Term A Loans being sold and assigned in connection therewith);
(C) The names of the lender(s) (or agent on behalf of the lender(s)) (x) providing such New NY Property Mortgage Financing (and, if there is more than one such lender, the amount of the Term A Loans each such lender will be purchasing) and (y) that will be assigned all or a portion of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage, as applicable;
(D) The anticipated date of consummation of such New NY Property Mortgage Financing (which date shall be a Business Day); and
(E) Any other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (or any Term A Lender through the Administrative Agent) to effect the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.22 ;
provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowers may not submit more than three (3) Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notices during the term of this Agreement (exclusive of any Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notices that are revoked in accordance with the next sentence). An Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notice provided by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.22(c) may be revoked by the Borrowers at any time prior to the consummation of the applicable New NY Property Financing, provided that in the case of any such revocation, the Borrowers shall, jointly and severally, pay any amounts required to be paid under Section 3.05 resulting from such revocation.
The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notice to the Term A Lenders promptly following its receipt thereof.
(ii) Actions to be taken by Administrative Agent in connection with a New NY Property Mortgage Financing . Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.22(c)(iii) , the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost and expense of the Borrowers) take the following actions in connection with any New NY Property Mortgage Financing:
(A) if the Borrowers request that the entire Outstanding Amount of Term A Loans secured by the Assigned Empire State Mortgage, as well as the entire Assigned Empire State Mortgage, be assigned to the lender(s) providing such New NY Property Mortgage Financing, then the Administrative Agent will
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(x) spread the Lien of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage to cover such NY Non-Borrowing Base Property, and release the Lien of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage on the Empire State Building and (y) assign to such lender(s), on behalf of itself and the Term A Lenders, without any representation or warranty by, or recourse to, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all of the Administrative Agents and Term A Lenders right, title and interest in (1) the Term A Note for a purchase price equal to the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (provided, that immediately upon consummation of such assignment of the Term A Note, (I) all of the Loan Parties (other than the Subsidiary of ESR OP that is the mortgagor on the Assigned Empire State Mortgage after giving effect to such assignment) shall be released from all of their indebtedness, guarantees, liabilities and obligations under or in respect of the Term A Note and (II) the only collateral securing the Term A Note shall be the Assigned Empire State Mortgage) and (2) the Assigned Empire State Mortgage;
(B) if the Borrowers request that a portion (but not all) of the Outstanding Amount of Term A Loans secured by the Assigned Empire State Mortgage be assigned to the lender(s) providing such New NY Property Mortgage Financing, and the entire Assigned Empire State Mortgage be assigned to lender(s) in connection therewith, then the Administrative Agent will (1) split the then existing Term A Note into (x) a Term A Note evidencing the principal amount of Term A Loans being assigned to such lender(s) (such note, a Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note ) and (y) a Term A Note evidencing an aggregate principal of Term A Loans equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans outstanding at such time, less (B) the aggregate principal amount of Term A Loans evidenced by the Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note, (2) spread the Lien of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage to cover such NY Non-Borrowing Base Property, and release the Lien of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage on the Empire State Building, and (3) assign to such lender(s), on behalf of itself and the Term A Lenders, without any representation or warranty by, or recourse to, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all of the Administrative Agents and Term A Lenders right, title and interest in (I) the Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note for a purchase price equal to 100% of the portion of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans evidenced by the Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (provided, that immediately upon consummation of such assignment of the Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note, (a) all of the Loan Parties (other than the Subsidiary of ESR OP that is the mortgagor on the Assigned Empire State Mortgage after giving effect to such assignment) shall be released from all of their indebtedness, guarantees, liabilities and obligations under or in respect of the Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note and (b) the only collateral securing the Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note shall be the Assigned Empire State Mortgage) and (II) the Assigned Empire State Mortgage; or
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(C) if the Borrowers request that a portion (but not all) of the Outstanding Amount of Term A Loans secured by the Assigned Empire State Mortgage be assigned to the lender(s) providing such New NY Property Mortgage Financing, and a portion (but not all) of the Assigned Empire State Mortgage be assigned to such lender(s) in connection therewith, then the Administrative Agent will (1) split the then existing Term A Note into (x) a Term A Note evidencing the principal amount of Term A Loans being assigned to such lender(s) (such note, a Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note ) and (y) a Term A Note evidencing an aggregate principal of Term A Loans equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans outstanding at such time less (B) the aggregate principal amount of Term A Loans evidenced by the Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note (such Term A Note, the Remaining Term Note ), (2) split the Assigned Empire State Mortgage into (x) an Assigned Empire State Mortgage securing an aggregate principal amount of Term A Loans equal to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans evidenced under the Partial Empire State Mortgage Assigned Split Note (such Assigned Empire State Mortgage, a Split Empire State Mortgage ) and (y) an Assigned Empire State Mortgage securing an aggregate principal amount of Term A Loans equal to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans evidenced under the Remaining Term Note, (3) spread the Lien of the Split Empire State Mortgage to cover such NY Non-Borrowing Base Property, and release the Lien of the Split Empire State Mortgage on the Empire State Building, and (3) assign to such lender(s), on behalf of itself and the Term A Lenders, without any representation or warranty by, or recourse to, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all of the Administrative Agents and Term A Lenders right, title and interest in (I) the Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note for a purchase price equal to 100% of the portion of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term A Loans evidenced by the Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (provided, that immediately upon consummation of such assignment of the Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note, (a) all of the Loan Parties (other than the Subsidiary of ESR OP that is the mortgagor on the Split Empire State Mortgage after giving effect to such assignment) shall be released from all of their indebtedness, guarantees, liabilities and obligations under or in respect of the Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note and (B) the only collateral securing the Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note shall be the Split Empire State Mortgage) and (II) the Split Empire State Mortgage.
(iii) Conditions precedent to Administrative Agents Obligations . As conditions precedent to the obligation of the Administrative Agent to take any of the actions specified in Section 2.22(c)(ii) with respect to a New NY Property Mortgage Financing, each of the following requirements shall be satisfied:
(A) The Administrative Agent shall have received an Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notice within the time period required under clause (c)(i) above (and after giving effect to its receipt of such Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notice, not more than three (3) Empire State Mortgage Transfer Notices shall have been provided to the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers (exclusive of any such notices which did not result in the consummation of a New NY Property Mortgage Financing) );
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(B) All of the documentation (including, without limitation, any promissory notes, mortgages and assignments) necessary to effectuate the applicable transactions set forth in Section 2.22(c)(ii) (such documentation, the Empire State Mortgage Transfer Documentation ) shall be in customary form and otherwise satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in all respects; provided , however, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required to execute any affidavits in connection therewith, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 255 of the Tax Law of the State of New York or Section 275 of the Real Property Law of the State of New York;
(C) All Indebtedness and Liens incurred by any Loan Party in connection with such New NY Property Mortgage Financing shall be permitted under Sections 7.01 and 7.03 ;
(D) The Empire State Mortgage Transfer Documentation and the applicable transactions set forth in Section 2.22(c)(ii) shall be in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, without limitation, Section 255 of the Tax Law of the State of New York and all regulations applicable thereto; and
(E) Contemporaneously with the effectiveness of the Empire State Mortgage Transfer Documentation, the Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of the Term A Lenders, payment in full of the purchase price payable in connection with the sale and transfer of the Partial Mortgage Assignment Split Note or Total Mortgage Assignment Split Note, as applicable (which purchase price received by the Administrative Agent will be distributed by the Administrative Agent to each Term A Lender in the amount due to such Term A Lender in respect of its Term A Loans that were sold).
(d) Assignments of Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgages in connection with a Replacement Mortgage Financing.
(i) General . If at any time any Borrower decides to obtain mortgage debt financing from a third-party lender with respect to a Borrowing Base Property subject to an Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage, which mortgage debt financing will be effectuated by (x) having such third-party lender purchase from the Revolving Credit Lenders all (but not less than all) of the Revolving Credit Loans secured by such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage and (y) transferring such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage in its entirety to such third-party lender (any such debt third-party debt financing being referred to herein as a Replacement Mortgage Financing ), then the Borrowers shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof (such notice, a Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Notice ) within fifteen (15) Business Days (or such shorter period of time agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior to the consummation such Replacement Mortgage Financing, which Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Notice shall contain the following information:
(A) The names of the lender(s) (or agent on behalf of the lender(s)) (x) providing such Replacement Mortgage Financing that will be purchasing the Revolving Credit Loans secured by such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage (and, if there is more than one such lender, the amount of Revolving Credit Loans each such lender will be purchasing) and (y) that will be assigned such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage;
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(B) The anticipated date of consummation of such Replacement Mortgage Financing (which date shall be a Business Day); and
(C) Any other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (or any Revolving Credit Lender through the Administrative Agent).
A Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Notice provided by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.22(d) may be revoked by the Borrowers at any time prior to the consummation of the applicable Replacement Mortgage Financing; provided that in the case of any such revocation, the Borrowers shall, jointly and severally, pay any amounts required to be paid under Section 3.05 resulting from such revocation.
The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Notice to the Lenders promptly following its receipt thereof.
(ii) Actions to be taken by Administrative Agent in connection with a Replacement Mortgage Financing . Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.22(d)(iii) , the Borrowers shall (1) prepare a note payable to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders evidencing the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans secured by the Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage encumbering the subject Borrowing Base Property (such note, a Revolver Secured Mortgage Note ), the Revolver Secured Mortgage Note to be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and (2) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent the Revolver Secured Mortgage Note in the form approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost and expense of the Borrowers) in connection with any Replacement Mortgage Financing assign to the lender(s) providing such Replacement Mortgage Financing, on behalf of itself and the Revolving Credit Lenders, without any representation or warranty by, or recourse to, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all of the Administrative Agents and Revolving Credit Lenders right, title and interest in (x) such Revolver Secured Mortgage Note for a purchase price equal to 100% of the portion of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans evidenced by such Revolver Secured Mortgage Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (provided, that immediately upon consummation of such assignment of such Revolver Secured Mortgage, (I) all of the Loan Parties (other than the Subsidiary of ESR OP that is the mortgagor on such Revolver Secured Mortgage after giving effect to such assignment) shall be released from all of their indebtedness, guarantees, liabilities and obligations under or in respect of such Revolver Secured Mortgage Note and (B) the only collateral securing such Revolver Secured Mortgage Note shall be such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage) and (y) such
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Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage. For the avoidance of doubt, any assignment by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.22(d) of a Revolver Secured Mortgage Note (and the Revolving Credit Loans evidenced thereby) to any lender(s) providing a Replacement Mortgage Financing shall not include or result in an assignment of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender to such lender(s), nor shall it result in a reduction in the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender.
(iii) Conditions precedent to Administrative Agents Obligations . As conditions precedent to the obligation of the Administrative Agent to take any of the actions specified in Section 2.22(d)(ii) with respect to a Replacement Mortgage Financing, each of the following requirements shall be satisfied:
(A) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Notice within the time period required under clause (d)(i) above;
(B) All of the documentation (including, without limitation, promissory notes, mortgages and assignments) necessary to effectuate the applicable transactions set forth in Section 2.22(d)(ii) (such documentation, the Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Documentation ) shall be in customary form and otherwise satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in all respects; provided , however, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required to execute any affidavits in connection therewith, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 255 of the Tax Law of the State of New York or Section 275 of the Real Property Law of the State of New York;
(C) All Indebtedness and Liens incurred by any Loan Party in connection with such Replacement Mortgage Financing shall be permitted under Sections 7.01 and 7.03 ;
(D) The Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Documentation and the applicable transactions set forth in Section 2.22(d)(ii) shall be in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, without limitation, Section 255 of the Tax Law of the State of New York and all regulations applicable thereto;
(E) Contemporaneously with the effectiveness of the Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Documentation, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, shall have received payment in full of the purchase price payable in connection with sale or transfer of the Revolver Secured Mortgage Note (which purchase price received by the Administrative Agent will be distributed by the Administrative Agent to each Revolving Credit Lender in the amount due to such Revolving Credit Lender in respect of its Revolving Credit Loans that were sold); and
(F) Contemporaneously with the effectiveness of the Revolver Secured Mortgage Transfer Documentation, the Investment Property that is the subject of such Replacement Mortgage Financing shall be removed from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties in accordance with Section 2.19(d) .
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(e) | Spreading of Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgages . |
(i) General . If at any time after any Borrower decides to (x) obtain mortgage debt financing from a third-party lender with respect to a NY Non-Borrowing Base Property and (y) secure such third-party debt financing by spreading the Lien created in favor of the Administrative Agent under an Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage to encumber such NY Non-Borrowing Base Property (and releasing all or a portion of the Administrative Agents Lien on the Investment Property then subject such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage in connection therewith) (any such third-party debt financing contemplated under clauses (x) and (y) being referred to herein as a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing ), then the Borrowers shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof (such notice, an Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice ) within fifteen (15) Business Days (or such shorter period of time agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) prior to the consummation of such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing, which Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice shall contain the following information:
(A) Whether the entire Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans secured by such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage will be sold and assigned to the lender(s) providing such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing (or if not, the amount of the Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans that will sold and assigned to such lender(s));
(B) Whether the entire Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage will be assigned and transferred to the lender(s) providing such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing (or if not, the amount of Indebtedness that will be secured by the portion of the Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage being assigned and transferred to such lender(s), which amount in any event will not exceed the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans being sold and assigned in connection therewith);
(C) The names of the lender(s) (or agent on behalf of the lender(s)) (x) providing such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing (and, if there is more than one such lender, the amount of the Revolving Credit Loans each such lender will be purchasing) and (y) that will be assigned all or a portion of such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage, as applicable;
(D) The anticipated date of consummation of such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing (which date shall be a Business Day); and
(E) Any other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (or any Revolving Credit Lender through the Administrative Agent) to effect the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.22(e) ;
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provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowers may not submit more than five (5) Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notices during the term of this Agreement (exclusive of any Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice that are revoked in accordance with the next sentence). A Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice provided by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.22(e) may be revoked by the Borrowers at any time prior to the consummation of the applicable Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing; provided that in the case of any such revocation, the Borrowers shall, jointly and severally, pay any amounts required to be paid under Section 3.05 resulting from such revocation.
The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice to the Revolving Credit Lenders promptly following its receipt thereof.
(ii) Actions to be taken by Administrative Agent in connection with a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing . Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.22(e)(iii) , the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost and expense of the Borrowers) take the following actions in connection with any Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing:
(A) If the Borrowers request that the entire Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage be assigned to the lender(s) providing such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing, then the Borrowers shall (1) prepare a note payable to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders evidencing the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans secured by the Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage encumbering the subject Borrowing Base Property (such note, a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note ), the Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note to be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and (2) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent the Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note in the form approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders will (x) spread the Lien of such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage to cover such NY Non-Borrowing Base Property, and release the Lien of such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage on the Investment Property already subject thereto and (y) assign to such lender(s), on behalf of itself and the Revolving Credit Lenders, without any representation or warranty by, or recourse to, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all of the Administrative Agents and Revolving Credit Lenders right, title and interest in (1) the Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note for a purchase price equal to 100% of the portion of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans evidenced by such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (provided, that immediately upon consummation of such assignment of such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage, (I) all of the Loan Parties (other than the Subsidiary of ESR OP that is the mortgagor on such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage after giving effect to such assignment) shall be released from all of their indebtedness, guarantees, liabilities and obligations under or in respect of such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note and (II) the only collateral securing such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note shall be such Assigned Revolver Secured
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Mortgage) and (2) such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage. For the avoidance of doubt, any assignment by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.22(e)(ii)(A) of a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note (and the Revolving Credit Loans evidenced thereby) to any lender(s) providing a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing shall not include or result in an assignment of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender to such lender(s), nor shall it result in a reduction in the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender.
(B) If the Borrowers request that a portion (but not all) of the Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage be assigned to such lender(s) in connection therewith, then the Administrative Agent will (1) prepare, on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note evidencing the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans secured by such Assigned Revolving Secured Mortgage that will be sold and assigned to such lender(s), (2) split such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage into (x) an Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage securing an aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans equal to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans evidenced under such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note (such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage, a Split Revolver Secured Mortgage ) and (y) an Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage securing an aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans equal to the difference between (I) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans secured by such Assigned Revolver Secured Mortgage (prior to giving Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing), less (II) the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans evidenced under such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note, (2) spread the Lien of the Split Revolver Secured Mortgage to cover such NY Non-Borrowing Base Property, and release the Lien of the Split Revolver Secured Mortgage on the Investment Property already subject thereto, and (3) assign to such lender(s), on behalf of itself and the Revolving Credit Lenders, without any representation or warranty by, or recourse to, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all of the Administrative Agents and Revolving Credit Lenders right, title and interest in (I) the Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note for a purchase price equal to 100% of the portion of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans evidenced by such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (provided, that immediately upon consummation of such assignment of such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note, (a) all of the Loan Parties (other than the Subsidiary of ESR OP that is the mortgagor on the Split Revolver Secured Mortgage after giving effect to such assignment) shall be released from all of their indebtedness, guarantees, liabilities and obligations under or in respect of such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note and (B) the only collateral securing such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note shall be the Split Revolver Secured Mortgage) and (II) the Split Revolver Secured Mortgage. For the avoidance of doubt, any assignment by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.22(e)(ii)(B) of a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note (and the Revolving Credit Loans evidenced thereby) to any lender(s) providing a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing shall not
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include or result in an assignment of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender to such lender(s), nor shall it result in a reduction in the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender.
(iii) Conditions precedent to Administrative Agents Obligations . As conditions precedent to the obligation of the Administrative Agent to take any of the actions specified in Section 2.22(e)(ii) with respect to a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing, each of the following requirements shall be satisfied:
(A) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice within the time period required under clause (e)(i) above (and after giving effect to its receipt of such Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notice, not more than five (5) Revolver Mortgage Spreading Notices shall have been provided to the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers (exclusive of any such notices which did not result in the consummation of a Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing));
(B) All of the documentation (including, without limitation, any promissory notes, mortgages and assignments) necessary to effectuate the applicable transactions set forth in Section 2.22(e)(ii) (such documentation, the Revolver Mortgage Spreading Documentation ) shall be in customary form and otherwise satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in all respects; provided , however, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required to execute any affidavits in connection therewith, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 255 of the Tax Law of the State of New York or Section 275 of the Real Property Law of the State of New York;
(C) All Indebtedness and Liens incurred by any Loan Party in connection with such Revolver Mortgage Assignment Financing shall be permitted under Sections 7.01 and 7.03 ;
(D) The Revolver Mortgage Spreading Documentation and the applicable transactions set forth in Section 2.22(e)(ii) shall be in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, without limitation, Section 255 of the Tax Law of the State of New York and all regulations applicable thereto; and
(E) Contemporaneously with the effectiveness of the Revolver Mortgage Spreading Documentation, the Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, payment in full of the purchase price payable in connection with the sale and transfer of the Revolver Mortgage Assignment Note (which purchase price received by the Administrative Agent will be distributed by the Administrative Agent to each Revolving Credit Lender in the amount due to such Revolving Credit Lender in respect of its Revolving Credit Loans that were sold).
(f) Release and Indemnity. The Parent and each Borrower hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible
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for any losses, costs or expenses incurred by any Loan Party or Affiliate thereof in connection with the loss of any mortgage recording tax credits pertaining to any Assigned Mortgage, any Split Empire State Mortgage or any Split Revolver Secured Mortgage. Furthermore, and without limitation of any of the Borrowers obligations under Section 10.04(b) , each Borrower shall and hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each other Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, costs, claims, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, judgments or expenses of every kind and nature (including, without limitation, amounts paid in settlement, court costs and the fees and disbursements of counsel (which shall be limited to one special counsel to all such parties, where appropriate, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and one additional counsel for each Indemnitee for whom such joint representation results in a conflict of interest) incurred in connection with any litigation, investigation, claim or proceeding or any advice rendered in connection therewith) incurred by any Indemnitee in connection with, arising out of, or by reason of, any of the transactions or arrangements contemplated under this Section 2.22 ) or any suit, cause of action, claim, arbitration, investigation or settlement, consent decree, subpoena or other proceeding relating thereto, including, without limitation, any losses, costs, claims, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, judgments or expenses resulting from (i) the failure of any Person to pay any mortgage recording taxes associated with any Assigned Mortgage and/or any Split Empire State Mortgage and/or any Split Revolver Secured Mortgage and (ii) the splitting, spreading and/or assignment of any Assigned Mortgage and any related splitting and/or assignment of any Indebtedness under the Term A Note or any Revolving Credit Note.
(g) Lender Authorization . Each Lender hereby grants to the Administrative Agent all requisite authority to (i) acquire the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt on behalf of the Term A Lenders, and accept any Term A Note on their behalf, (ii) enter into Mortgage Debt Assignments on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, and accept any Revolving Credit Note on their behalf and (iii) enter into any of the transactions or arrangements contemplated under this Section 2.22 on behalf of the applicable Lenders, and to bind such Lenders thereto by the Administrative Agents entering into or otherwise becoming bound thereby, and no further consent or approval on the part of any Lender is or will be required in connection with any such actions taken by the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Defined Terms . For purposes of this Section 3.01, the term Lender includes the L/C Issuer.
(b) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes .
(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (f) below.
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(ii) If any Withholding Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the applicable Withholding Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the applicable Withholding Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (f) below, (B) the applicable Withholding Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01 ) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers . Without limiting the provisions of subsection (b) above, the Borrowers shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(d) Tax Indemnifications .
(i) The Borrowers shall, and do hereby, jointly and severally, indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01 ) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall, and do hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(d)(ii) below. For the avoidance of doubt, (A) to the extent the Administrative Agent indefeasibly receives payment in full from the Borrowers pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence for an amount that a Lender or the L/C Issuer was required to indemnify the Administrative Agent for pursuant to clause (y) or (z) of Section 3.01(d)(ii) , and subsequent thereto the Administrative Agent receives payment from such Lender or the L/C Issuer (including by way of set off pursuant
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to the last sentence of Section 3.01(d)(ii)) for that same indemnity that was previously paid in full by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent will promptly turn over to the Borrowers the amount so received (including by way of set off pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3.01(d)(ii)) from such Lender or the L/C Issuer (but in any event not in excess of the amount previously paid by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent in respect of such indemnity) and (B) to the extent the Administrative Agent receives a payment from the Borrowers pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence for an amount that a Lender or the L/C Issuer was required to indemnify the Administrative Agent for pursuant to clause (y) or (z) of Section 3.01(d)(ii) , such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall be liable to the Borrowers for reimbursement of such payment.
(ii) Each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that the Borrowers have not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lenders failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or the Borrowers in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii) .
(e) Evidence of Payments . Upon request by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrowers or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01 , the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrowers, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
(f) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation .
(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times
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reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(f)(ii)(A) , (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(I) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(II) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(III) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit L-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is
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not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a 10 percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or
(IV) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit L-2 or Exhibit L-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit L-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
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(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds . Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Borrower or with respect to which any Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01 , it shall pay to the Borrowers an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrowers under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrowers, upon the request of the Recipient, jointly and severally agree to repay the amount paid over to any Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to any Borrower pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrowers or any other Person.
(h) Survival . Each partys obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
3.02 Illegality . If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate
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Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates . If in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (a) the Administrative Agent determines that (i) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan (in each case with respect to clause (a) above, Impacted Loans ) or (b)the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrowers and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended, (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent upon the instruction of the Required Lenders revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrowers and the affected Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, (2) the Administrative Agent determines, or the affected Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest
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rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers written notice thereof.
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans .
(a) Increased Costs Generally . If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e) ) or the L/C Issuer;
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements . If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the L/C Issuers capital or on the capital of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the L/C Issuers policies and the policies of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company with respect to capital adequacy),
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then from time to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrowers of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
(e) Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans . The Borrowers shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as Eurocurrency liabilities), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrowers shall have received at least 10 days prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
3.05 Compensation for Losses . Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrowers shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b) any failure by the Borrowers (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrowers;
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(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 10.13 ; or
(d) the failure to borrow any Competitive Loan after accepting the Competitive Bid to make such Loan;
including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrowers shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 3.05 , each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , or requires the Borrowers to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01 , or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , then at the request of the Borrowers such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04 , as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , or if the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.06(a) , the Borrowers may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13 .
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3.07 Survival . All of the Borrowers obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
4.01 Conditions of Effectiveness . The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Administrative Agents receipt of the following, each of which shall be original, or e-mail (in a .pdf format) or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:
(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty Agreement, sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrowers;
(ii) a Revolving Credit Note, a Term A Note and a Term B Note, in each case executed by the Borrowers and made to the order of the Administrative Agent;
(iii) the Pledge Agreement, duly executed by each Loan Party, together with:
(A) certificates or instruments, if any, representing the Certificated Securities (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), if any, accompanied by all endorsements and/or powers required by the Pledge Agreement,
(B) proper financing statements, to be filed under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Pledge Agreement, covering the Collateral described in the Pledge Agreement,
(C) completed requests for information listing all effective financing statements filed in the jurisdictions referred to in clause (B) above that name any Loan Party as debtor, together with copies of such other financing statements,
(D) a Perfection Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit M-1 , duly executed by each of the Loan Parties;
(iv) the Assigned Empire State Mortgage, duly executed by each Loan Party party thereto, together with:
(A) all documents, instruments and agreements evidencing, securing or relating to the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt, including, without
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limitation, (1) a copy of all promissory notes and loan agreements evidencing the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt and (2) a copy of the Existing Empire State Mortgage, showing all recording information thereon, in each case certified as true, correct and complete by an Authorized Officer of the Parent;
(B) a copy of an environmental assessment report on the Empire State Building;
(C) a completed Life-of-Loan Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination confirming that the Empire State Building is not located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto); and
(D) such other documents, agreements and instruments as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request relating to the Empire State Building, the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt or the Existing Empire State Mortgage.
(v) evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Pledge Agreement have been taken (including receipt of duly executed payoff letters and UCC-3 terminations, if any);
(vi) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;
(vii) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and each Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(viii) a favorable opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(ix) a favorable opinion of Venable LLP, local counsel to the Loan Parties in Maryland, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
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(x) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;
(xi) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower (x) certifying that (1) no action, suit, investigation or proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority that (A) challenges the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or otherwise purports to restrict or prohibit the performance of all or any portion of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (B) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (2) since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has not occurred any event or condition that has had or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and (y) attaching copies of the operating agreements, partnership agreements or other applicable organizational documents of each Person whose Equity Interests are included in the Collateral, which organizational documents shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, permit the Administrative Agent to realize on such Collateral upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default;
(xii) an Availability Certificate duly certified by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower;
(xiii) a Solvency Certificate from the Parent certifying that, after giving effect to the transactions to occur on the Closing Date (including, without limitation, all Credit Extensions to occur on the Closing Date), the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis are Solvent;
(xiv) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect (and the amount, types and terms and conditions of all such insurance shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), together with the certificates of insurance and endorsements, naming the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured under each policy of liability insurance maintained with respect to each Initial Borrowing Base Property;
(xv) the financial statements referenced in Sections 5.05(a) and (b) ;
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(xvi) a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent calculating the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value as of the Closing Date (giving pro forma effect to the transactions to occur on the Closing Date, including, without limitation, all Credit Extensions to occur on the Closing Date)(such certificate, the Pro Forma Closing Date Leverage Certificate );
(b) An Initial Public Offering by the Parent shall have consummated with Net Cash Proceeds received by the Parent in respect thereof in an amount not less than $600,000,000, and at least three (3) Business Days prior to the consummation of such Initial Public Offering, the Administrative and the Lenders shall have received written notice from the Parent (A) setting forth the date on which such Initial Public Offering will be consummated (the IPO Effective Date ) and (B) requesting that the Term Lenders fund their Term Commitments on the IPO Effective Date in accordance with, and for the purposes set forth in, Section 2.01(a) .
(c) The total outstanding principal amount of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt (and all accrued and unpaid interest thereof) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Term A Commitments of all Term A Lenders as of the Closing Date and the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following documents, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: 2
(A) an assignment of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt, duly executed and delivered by the Existing Empire State Mortgage Lender;
(B) the originals of each outstanding promissory note evidencing the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt, duly endorsed to the Administrative Agent; and
(C) an assignment of the Existing Empire State Mortgage, duly executed by the Existing Empire State Mortgage Lender.
(d) (i) All fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid and (ii) all fees required to be paid to the Lenders on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.
(e) Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced (which invoice may be in summary form) prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings ( provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent).
2 | Note: List of items to be delivered in connection with the purchase of the Existing Empire State Mortgage Debt may be updated following further review/diligence. |
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Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03 , for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01 , each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions . The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Committed Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrowers and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of the proposed Credit Extension, except (i) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, (ii) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (iii) for purposes of this Section 4.02 , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 ;
(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.
(d) After giving effect to the proposed Credit Extension, Availability shall be greater than or equal to $0 (it being understood and agreed that for purposes of calculating Availability with respect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, Swing Line Loan Borrowing or Competitive Borrowing all or a portion of the proceeds of which are to be used (and are actually used) within thirty (30) days following receipt thereof to make one or more Reserve-Related Expenditures, the Empire Reserve shall not include the amount of such Reserve-Related Expenditures that are to be made (and are actually made) within such thirty (30) day period from the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, Swing Line Loan Borrowing or Competitive Borrowing, applicable).
Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Committed Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrowers shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) , (b) and (d) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
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ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Borrower and the Parent each represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power . Each Loan Party, and each of its Subsidiaries, (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, grant the Liens granted by such Loan Party pursuant to the Collateral Documents and consummate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (a) (solely with respect to any Person that is not a Loan Party), clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02 Authorization; No Contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Persons Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law, except with respect to any breach or contravention or payment referred to in clauses (b) and (c), to the extent that such conflict, breach, contravention or payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents . No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (c) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including the first priority nature thereof), except for filings and recording required under the UCC or (d) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents, except for the approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations, actions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect.
5.04 Binding Effect . This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered
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will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity.
5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Predecessor as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Predecessor as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheets of as of , and , and related statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flows, (i) accurately reflect all material adjustments necessary to give effect to the transactions contemplated under Section 4.01(b) and (ii) present fairly the pro forma consolidated financial position of as of their respective dates and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of as of the date thereof, including liabilities for Taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(c) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) The consolidated forecasted balance sheet, statement of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c) were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, the Parents best estimate of its future financial condition and performance; provided , such forecasts are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such forecasts may differ from such forecasts and that the differences may be material.
5.06 Litigation . There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers and the Parent, threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.07 No Default . Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
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5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens . Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has good record and insurable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The property of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01 .
5.09 Environmental Compliance.
(a) The Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries are not aware of any Environmental Liabilities or claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No property currently or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, is listed or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, formally proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, is adjacent to any such property except (i) with respect to any Borrowing Base Property, as disclosed in the Environmental Reports or as could not result in a material Environmental Liability for any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) with respect to any other property, as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on, at, under or from (i) any Borrowing Base Property except as disclosed in the Environmental Reports or in a manner, form or amount that could not reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Liability for any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or (ii) any property (other than a Borrowing Base Property) currently or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking, or has completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, or from any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law, that could result in a material Environmental Liability for any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (i) except, with respect to any Borrowing Base Property, as disclosed in the Environmental Reports or, with respect to any such investigation or assessment or remedial or response action initiated after the Closing Date, as disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing, or (ii) except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, with respect to any other property (other than a Borrowing Base Property) either currently or formerly owned or operated by any
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Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any other property to or at which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries has disposed of, transported or arranged for the transportation or disposal of any Hazardous Materials.
5.10 Insurance . The properties of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries are insured with one or more Third Party Insurance Companies and/or pursuant Permitted Self Insurance, in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.07 and otherwise in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where such Loan Party or the applicable Subsidiary operates.
5.11 Taxes . Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those (a) which are not overdue for more than thirty (30) days or (b) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is party to any tax sharing agreement; provided , that for the sake of clarity, the Tax Protection Agreement shall not be treated as a tax sharing agreement.
5.12 ERISA Compliance.
(a) Except to the extent that, either individually or in the aggregate, any failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Plan and, to the knowledge of the Borrowers and the Parent, each Multiemployer Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws, (ii) each Single Employer Pension Plan and, to the knowledge of the Borrowers and the Parent, each Multiemployer Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service and (iii) to the best knowledge of the Borrowers and the Parent, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers and the Parent, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12(c) , no ERISA Event has occurred, and neither any Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Single Employer Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) each Borrower and each ERISA
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Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Single Employer Pension Plan and Multiemployer Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) each Borrower and ERISA Affiliate has timely made all required contributions and payments to each Multiemployer Plan; (iv) as of the most recent valuation date for any Single Employer Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 60% or higher and neither any Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (v) neither any Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (vi) neither any Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vii) no Single Employer Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Single Employer Pension Plan.
(d) Neither any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or liability under, any active or terminated Single Employer Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan other than (A) on the Closing Date, those listed on Schedule 5.12(d) hereto and (B) thereafter, Single Employer Pension Plans or Multiemployer Plans not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement.
(e) The assets of each Borrower and each Guarantor are not plan assets within the meaning of 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101 as modified by section 3(42) or ERISA.
5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests . As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 5.13 , and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by a Loan Party in the amounts specified on Part (a) of Schedule 5.13 free and clear of all Liens except (i) in the case of Equity Interests of a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, Permitted Collateral Liens and (ii) in the case of Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of the Parent other than a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, those permitted under Section 7.01(a) or (i) . As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in Part (b) of Schedule 5.13 . All of the outstanding Equity Interests in each Loan Party have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Set forth on Part (c) of Schedule 5.13 is a complete and accurate list of all Loan Parties as of the Closing Date showing (as to each Loan Party) the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, the address of its chief executive office and principal place of business, the type of organization it is and its U.S. taxpayer identification number or, in the case of any non-U.S. Loan Party that does not have a U.S. taxpayer identification number, its unique identification number issued to it by the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. As of the Closing Date, the copy of the charter of each Loan Party and each amendment thereto provided pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(viii) is a true and correct copy of each such document, each of which is valid and in full force and effect.
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5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) No part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the FRB as in effect from time to time. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of any Loan Party only or of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 or Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between any Loan Party and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.
(b) None of the Parent, any Person Controlling the Parent, or any Subsidiary of the Parent is or is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5.15 Disclosure . The Borrowers and the Parent have disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which they or any of their respective Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), at the time so furnished, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrowers and the Parent represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
5.16 Compliance with Laws . Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.17 [Reserved].
5.18 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the Parent and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, IP Rights ) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person, (b) no slogan or other advertising device, product, process,
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method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Parent or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other Person and (c) no claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened.
5.19 OFAC . No Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity currently the subject of any Sanctions, nor is any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.
5.20 Solvency . The Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis are Solvent.
5.21 Casualty, Etc. Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Labor Matters . Effective as of the Closing Date, the Parent or its Subsidiaries will assume and will be parties to the collective bargaining agreements and contributing to the multi-employer funds listed on Schedule 5.22 and such assumptions themselves will not give rise to any withdrawal liability obligations under ERISA. As of the Closing Date, neither the Parent nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any of the Properties (inclusive of 112 West 34th Street, 1333 Broadway, 1350 Broadway, 1400 Broadway, 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C., 1359 Broadway, 60 East 42nd Street a/k/a One Grand Central Place, 350 Fifth Avenue, 250 West 57th Street, 500 Mamaroneck Avenue, 10 Bank Street, Fairfield MerrittView SPE L.L.C., First Stamford Place SPE L.L.C., Merrifield First Stamford SPE L.L.C. and One Station Place, Limited Partnership) owned by the Predecessor of the Parent or Subsidiaries, suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material labor difficulty within the last three years.
5.23 Collateral Documents . The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.01 which by operation of law or contract would have priority over the Liens securing the Obligations) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein. Except for filings completed prior to the Closing Date and delivery of the possessory collateral, in each case, as contemplated hereby and by the Collateral Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect or protect such Liens. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Borrowers do not make the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 5.23 with respect to the Assigned Mortgages.
5.24 Mortgage Recording Taxes . All mortgage recording taxes have been paid with respect to each Assigned Mortgage.
5.25 Properties Subject to Assigned Mortgages . None of the properties encumbered by an Assigned Mortgage located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or
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hereafter in effect or successor act thereto), unless a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance was duly executed by the applicable Borrower and the other Loan Parties relating thereto and such properties are covered by flood hazard insurance that meets the applicable requirements set forth in Section 6.07 .
ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
At all times prior to the Facility Termination Date, the Parent and each Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01 , 6.02 , and 6.03 ) cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to:
6.01 Financial Statements . Deliver to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013), a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case, to the extent required to be included in the Parents filings with the SEC, in comparative form the figures as of the end of and for the previous fiscal year (which comparative shall in the form and to the extent required to be included in the Parents filings with the SEC), all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concern or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; it being understood and agreed that the delivery by the Parent of its Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC (satisfying the SECs requirements for 10-K filings) within the time period described in this clause (a) accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders satisfying the requirements of this clause (a) shall satisfy the requirements of this clause (a); and
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended [September 30, 2013]), a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such fiscal quarter, the related consolidated statements of income or operations for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Parents fiscal year then ended, and the related consolidated statements of changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows for the portion of the Parents fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth in comparative form, as applicable, the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year (which comparatives shall in the form and to the extent required to be included in the Parents filings with the SEC), all in reasonable detail, certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows of the Consolidated Group in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; it being understood and agreed that the delivery by the
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Parent of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC (satisfying the SECs requirements for 10-Q filings) within the time period described in this clause (b) shall satisfy the requirements of this clause (b); and
(c) as soon as available, but in any event at least 45 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent, forecasts prepared by management of the Parent, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows of the Consolidated Group on a quarterly basis for such fiscal year (including the fiscal year in which the Maturity Date for the Term Facility occurs).
As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d) , the Borrowers and the Parent shall not be separately required to furnish such information under subsection (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrowers and the Parent to furnish the information and materials described in subsections (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.
6.02 Certificates; Other Information . Deliver to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event not later than the delivery of the financial statements referred in Section 6.01[(b)] for the [fiscal quarter of the Parent ending September 30, 2013], a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent (x) certifying to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the actual amount of Tangible Net Worth as of the Closing Date and (y) containing a reasonably detailed calculation thereof;
(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes);
(c) promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or similar governing body) (or the audit committee of the board of directors or similar governing body) of any Loan Party by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any audit of any of them;
(d) promptly after the same are available, (x) copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders or other equity holders of the Parent, (y) copies of each annual report, proxy, financial statement or other financial report sent to the limited partners of ESR OP, and (z) copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof files with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
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(e) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02 ;
(f) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding material issues concerning financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;
(g) promptly after the assertion or occurrence thereof, notice of any action or proceeding against or of any written notice of noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) on a quarterly basis (and in any case within 45 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent), or more frequently if requested by the Administrative Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default, an Availability Certificate;
(i) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent, a report summarizing the insurance coverage (specifying type, amount and carrier) in effect for each Loan Party and containing such additional information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably specify; and
(j) promptly, such additional material information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Parent posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Parents website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02 ; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Parents behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Parent shall notify the Administrative Agent (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e. , soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Parent with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
Each Borrower and the Parent hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the
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L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Parent or any Borrower hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials ) by posting the Borrower Materials on Debt Domain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak or another similar electronic system (the Platform ) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a Public Lender ) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Parent or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons securities. The Parent and each Borrower each hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be either (1) those Borrower Materials that are filed with the SEC or (2) those that are not filed with the SEC but are clearly and conspicuously marked PUBLIC which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word PUBLIC shall appear prominently on the first page thereof (collectively, Public Borrower Materials ); (x) by filing Borrower Materials with SEC or marking Borrower Materials that are not filed with the SEC PUBLIC, the Parent and each Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Parent or such Borrower or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07 ); (y) all Public Borrower Materials are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated Public Side Information; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not Public Borrowers Materials as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated Public Side Information.
6.03 Notices . Promptly notify the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender:
(a) of the occurrence of any Default;
(b) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;
(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including any determination by the Parent or the Borrowers referred to in Section 2.12(b) ; and
(e) of any announcement by Moodys, Fitch or S&P of any change or possible change in a Debt Rating; provided , that the provisions of this clause (e) shall not apply until such time, if any, as the Parent or ESR OP obtains an Investment Grade Rating.
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Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(e) ) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Parent setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Parent has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.04 Payment of Obligations . Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Parent, such Borrower or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property; and (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness, except in the case of the foregoing clauses (a) through (c) as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc . (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05 and except, solely in the case of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 Maintenance of Properties . (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order; (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities, except in each case of the foregoing clauses (a) through (c) where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.07 Maintenance of Insurance . Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies that are not Affiliates of the Parent ( Third Party Insurance Companies ), insurance with respect to its properties and business (i) against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons and (ii) if generally available at commercially reasonable rates, otherwise containing such amount, types and terms and conditions consistent in all material respects with the insurance maintained by the Parent and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date that has been approved by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(xiv) ; provided , that the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries may maintain such insurance under a plan by self-insurance, or a large deductible program, or a captive insurance arrangement (in excess of the amounts reinsured with Third Party Insurance Companies) (collectively, Self-Insurance ) instead of with one or
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more Third Party Insurance Companies if (but only if) the Administrative Agent has consented in writing to the amount, types and terms and conditions of all such Self Insurance (such written consent not to be unreasonably withheld), it being understood and agreed that all Self-Insurance existing on the Closing Date has been consented to by the Administrative Agent.
(b) Cause all liability insurance maintained by a Loan Party with respect to a Borrowing Base Property to (i) provide for not less than 30 days (or 10 days in the case of termination for failure to pay premiums) prior notice to the Administrative Agent of termination, lapse or cancellation of such insurance and (ii) name the Administrative Agent as additional insured on behalf of the Secured Parties (which additional insured status shall, in the case of Self Insurance, be provided via endorsement no less restrictive than ISO endorsement CG 20 10 07 04 or the then available lender loss payable endorsement).
(c) Without limiting any other provision of this Section 6.07, each Loan Party shall (i) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies fully paid flood hazard insurance on all or any portion of each Borrowing Base Property that is located in a federally designated flood hazard zone, on such terms and in such amounts as are customarily maintained for Persons engaged in the ownership or operation of similar properties in similar locations, and in any event on such terms as required by, and in amounts no lower than those required by the Flood Insurance Laws and as otherwise mandated under applicable law, (ii) upon request of the Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent evidence of the renewal (and payment of renewal premiums therefor) of all such policies prior to the expiration or lapse thereof, and (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any redesignation of any Borrowing Base Property into or out of a federally designated flood hazard zone.
(d) Each Loan Party shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against claims (alleged or real), actions, damages, liabilities and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorneys fees) arising out of, relating to or in any manner connected with such Loan Partys or any of its Subsidiaries failure to maintain the policies of insurance required by this Agreement, which indemnity will cover, among other matters, any amount of exposure resulting from: (i) such Loan Partys or Subsidiarys election to maintain Self-Insurance for any coverage required by this Agreement, (ii) the deductible amount under any insurance coverage for which such Loan Party or Subsidiary is responsible under this Agreement, (iii) liability in excess of the amount of any insurance coverage for which such Loan Party or Subsidiary is responsible under this Agreement, or (iv) any other uninsured or underinsured liability for which such Loan Party or Subsidiary is responsible under this Agreement.
6.08 Compliance with Laws . Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.09 Books and Records . (a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all
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financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Parent or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Parent or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
6.10 Inspection Rights . Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Borrowers and at such reasonable times during normal business hours, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrowers; provided , however , that so long as no Event of Default then exists, such visits shall be limited to once in any calendar year.
6.11 Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions for general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (including for working capital, capital expenditures, and acquisitions, development and redevelopment of real estate properties) not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.
6.12 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors; Additional Borrowers.
(a) Additional Collateral . With respect to (i) any property acquired after the Closing Date that is intended to be Collateral subject to the Lien created by any of the Collateral Documents but is not so subject (including, without limitation, all Equity Interests held by any Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor in any newly-formed or acquired Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary) of ESR OP) and/or (ii) all Equity Interests of a Subsidiary Guarantor that ceases to be an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary after the Closing Date, in each case unless the Exemption Conditions exist at such time with respect to the Subsidiary that is the owner of such property or Equity Interests, promptly (and in any event within 30 days after the acquisition thereof or the date on which such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary, as applicable) (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments or supplements to the relevant Collateral Documents or such other documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably deem necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties, a Lien on such property or Equity Interests subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a) , and (ii) take all actions necessary to cause such Lien to be duly perfected in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the delivery of the certificates representing any Equity Interests to be included in the Collateral (together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the holder(s) of such Equity Interests) and the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent. The Parent and the Borrowers shall otherwise take such actions and execute and/or deliver to the Administrative Agent such documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably require to confirm the validity, perfection and priority of the Lien of the Collateral Documents on any such properties or Equity Interests.
(b) Additional Guarantors . With respect to (i) any Person that is or becomes a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) of ESR OP after the Closing Date (to the extent
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such Person is not at such time required to become a Borrower in accordance with Section 6.12(c) below), and/or (ii) any Subsidiary of ESR OP that ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary after the Closing Date, on or prior to such time that such Person becomes a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, as applicable, (x) unless such Subsidiary is an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary at such time or the Exemption Conditions exist at such time with respect to all Persons that own any of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates, if any, representing all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary owned by ESR OP and/or its Subsidiaries, together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the holder(s) of such Equity Interests and (y) unless the Exemption Conditions exist at such time with respect to such Subsidiary, (1) cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder agreement to the Guaranty Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (2) cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder agreement to the Pledge Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) deliver to the Administrative Agent the items referenced in Section 4.01(a)(iii)(A)-(C) , (v) , (vi) and (vii) with respect to such Subsidiary, (4) if such Subsidiary is a Borrowing Base Subsidiary and solely to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, deliver to the Administrative Agent a favorable opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning Subsidiary and the Loan Documents to which Subsidiary is a party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request¸ (5) provide the Administrative Agent with the U.S. taxpayer identification for such Subsidiary (or the equivalent thereof, in the event such Subsidiary is not organized under the laws of the United State, any State thereof or the District of Columbia), (6) deliver to the Administrative Agent a Perfection Certificate Supplement, (7) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable in the opinion of the Administrative Agent to cause the Lien created by the Pledge Agreement to be duly perfected in accordance with all applicable Laws and (8) provide the Administrative Agent with all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) reasonably requests in order to comply with the Administrative Agents or such Lenders obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act, and the results of any such know your customer or similar investigation conducted by the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or such Lender.
(c) Additional Borrowers . With respect to any Subsidiary of ESR OP that, after the Closing Date, acquires or owns, as applicable, an Investment Property secured by Assumed Mortgage Debt in respect of which the Borrowers have requested that a Mortgage Debt Assignment be consummated pursuant to Section 2.03 , on or prior to such time that such Mortgage Debt Assignment is consummated, (i) unless already in the possession of the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates, if any, representing all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary owned by the Loan Parties, together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the holder(s) of such Equity Interests, (2) cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder agreement to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) to the extent such Subsidiary is not a party to the Pledge Agreement at such time, cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder agreement to the Pledge Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (4) to the
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extent not previously provided to the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) the items referenced in Section 4.01(a)(iii)(A)-(C) , (v) , (vi) and (vii) with respect to such Subsidiary and (y) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, a favorable opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning Subsidiary and the Loan Documents to which Subsidiary is a party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request¸ (5) provide the Administrative Agent with the U.S. taxpayer identification for such Subsidiary, (6) deliver to the Administrative Agent a Perfection Certificate Supplement, (7) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable in the opinion of the Administrative Agent to cause the Lien created by the Pledge Agreement to be duly perfected in accordance with all applicable Laws and (8) provide the Administrative Agent with all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) reasonably requests in order to comply with the Administrative Agents or such Lenders obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act, and the results of any such know your customer or similar investigation conducted by the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or such Lender.
6.13 Compliance with Environmental Laws . Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, comply, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws; provided , however , that neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any such cleanup, removal, remedial or other action to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.
6.14 Ownership of Borrowers . Cause ESR OP to at all times own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of each Borrower (other than ESR OP), subject to no Liens (other than Permitted Collateral Liens), except for a Disposition of a Borrower permitted under this Agreement.
6.15 Further Assurances . Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject any Loan Partys properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the
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Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so.
6.16 Maintenance of REIT Status; New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Listing . The Parent will elect to be taxed as a REIT commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2013, and will at all times beginning in that taxable year and thereafter continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT. The Parent will also at all times cause at least one class of its Equity Interests to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market.
6.17 Information Regarding Collateral.
(a) Not effect any change (i) in any Loan Partys legal name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Partys chief executive office, (iii) in any Loan Partys identity or organizational structure, (iv) in any Loan Partys Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (or equivalent thereof) or organizational identification number, if any, or (v) in any Loan Partys jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reorganizing or organizing in any other jurisdiction), unless (A) it shall have given the Administrative Agent not more than ten Business Days subsequent written notice (in the form of certificate signed by a Responsible Officer), or such longer notice period agreed to by the Administrative Agent, of such change, clearly describing such change and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (B) it shall have taken all action reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, if applicable. The Parent and the Borrowers hereby agree to provide the Administrative Agent, promptly following its request, with certified Organization Documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Parent and each Borrower hereby agrees that it will at all times maintain its jurisdiction of organization as one of the States within the United States of America or District of Columbia.
(b) Concurrently with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) , deliver to the Administrative Agent a Perfection Certificate Supplement and a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent and the chief legal officer of the Parent certifying that all actions required to be taken under the Collateral Documents to protect and perfect the security interests and Liens under the Collateral Documents for a period of not less than 18 months after the date of such certificate (including without limitation, the filing of all UCC financing statements or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations, including all refilings, rerecordings and reregistrations, containing a description of the Collateral in each appropriate governmental, municipal or other office) have been taken (except as noted therein with respect to any continuation statements of lien filings to be filed within such period).
6.18 Lien Searches . Promptly following receipt of the acknowledgment copy of any financing statement filed under the Uniform Commercial Code in any jurisdiction by or on behalf of the Secured Parties, deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of such filed financing statement.
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ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
At all times prior to the Facility Termination Date, the Parent and each Borrower shall not, nor shall they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
7.01 Liens . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or sign or file or suffer to exist under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction a financing statement that names the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as debtor, or assign any accounts or other right to receive income, other than the following:
(a) Liens securing the Obligations including, without limitation, the Assigned Mortgages;
(b) Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01 [and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided , that (i) the Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Nonrecourse Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03 , and (B) proceeds and products thereof and (ii) the renewal, extension or refinancing of the obligations secured or benefited by such Liens is permitted by Section 7.03 ] 3 ;
(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges which are (i) immaterial to the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or (iii) being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions or proceedings diligently conducted (which actions or proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property of assets subject to any such Lien), if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d) carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions or proceedings diligently conducted (which actions or proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property of assets subject to any such Lien), if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;
(e) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business (i) in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA or (ii) securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification for obligations of insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;
3 | Subject to review of Schedule 7.01 |
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(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(g) easements, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which (i) to the extent existing with respect to a Borrowing Base Property, do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person or (ii) to the extent existing with respect to an Investment Property that is not a Borrowing Base Property, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h) ;
(i) Liens securing Nonrecourse Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(c) or Secured Recourse Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(d) ; provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any Collateral or any Borrowing Base Property (or any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) and (ii) such Liens do not encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and any assets, rights or interests (including Equity Interests of the Person that owns the relevant property) related thereto;
(j) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law or under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;
(k) Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 7.02 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment, or (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 7.05 , in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;
(l) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits or other similar escrow arrangements made by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;
(m) Liens on property or assets under construction (and related rights) in favor of a contractor or developer or arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets;
(n) Liens with respect to Prepaid Insurance secured solely by the right under the applicable policy of insurance to recover unearned premiums upon early termination of the policy;
(o) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding leases entered into by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
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(p) with respect to any property, the rights of tenants under leases and subleases in entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided , that if such property is a Borrowing Base Property, (i) such Liens do not secure any Indebtedness and (ii) such leases and subleases do not in any case materially detract from the value of the Borrowing Base Property subject thereto (as determined by the Borrowers in their good faith judgment) or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(q) Liens on any property (other than a Borrowing Base Property) that are the primary responsibility of a tenant under a lease or sublease or an adjoining owner to remove;
(r) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Parent after the Closing Date; provided , that (i) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, (ii) such Lien does not secure any Indebtedness, (iii) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other property (other than the products or proceeds thereof) and (iv) such Lien does not extend to or cover any Borrowing Base Property (or any income or proceeds thereof) or any Collateral (or any proceeds thereof); and
(s) other Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $ 10,000,000;
provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing clauses of this Section 7.01 , in no event shall (i) any Liens (other than Permitted Borrowing Base Property Liens) encumber any of the Borrowing Base Properties (or any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) or (ii) any Liens (other than Permitted Collateral Liens) encumber any of the Collateral (or any proceeds thereof).
7.02 Investments . Make any Investments, except:
(a) Investments held by the Parent and its Subsidiaries in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(b) Investments by any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof in (i) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party or (ii) any Unconsolidated Affiliate so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (x) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(b)(ii) does not exceed 10% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (y) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(b)(ii) , when taken together with the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on Sections 7.02(c) , (d) and (e) , do not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time;
(c) Investments in unimproved land holdings so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (i) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(c) does not exceed 5% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(c) , when taken together with the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on Sections 7.02(b)(ii) , (d) and (e) , does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time;
(d) Investments (whether originated or acquired by the Parent or a Subsidiary thereof) consisting of commercial mortgage loans, commercial real estate-related mezzanine loans and
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commercial real estate-related notes receivable so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (i) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(d) does not exceed 10% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(d) , when taken together with the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on Sections 7.02(b)(ii) , (c) and (e) , does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time;
(e) Investments in respect of costs to construct Investment Properties ( i.e. , construction in progress), in each case so long as after giving effect to any such Investment, (i) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(e) (including as outstanding Investments for purposes of such calculation Borrowers reasonable projection of costs to complete construction of Investment Properties that are then under construction) does not exceed 20% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on this Section 7.02(e) , when taken together with the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on Sections 7.02(b)(ii) , (c) and (d) , does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time;
(f) Investments through any interest, whether fee, leasehold, operating or management contract or otherwise, in any Investment Property or other interest in real property (including any ancillary facilities, such as an observatory attached to or part of any such Investment Property or other real property) owned, held, leased or managed by ESR OP or a Subsidiary thereof, and other Investments incidental thereto not constituting (i) an Investment in an unimproved land holding, (ii) a commercial mortgage loan, commercial real estate-related mezzanine loan or commercial real estate-related note receivable, (iii) an Investment in an Unconsolidated Affiliate or (iv) an Investment in respect of costs to construct an Investment Property under development;
(g) equity Investments owned as of the Closing Date in Subsidiaries;
(h) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(i) the purchase or other acquisition of all or a portion of the Equity Interests of any Person that (x) owns, leases (whether pursuant to a master lease, ground lease or otherwise) or manages an Investment Property or an observatory or (y) owns a commercial mortgage loan, commercial real estate-related mezzanine loan or commercial real estate-related note receivable; provided that (A) to the extent required under the provisions of Section 6.12(b) or (c) , such Person becomes a Borrower or a Guarantor, (B) after giving effect to such purchase or other acquisition of such Equity Interests, such Person is not an Unconsolidated Affiliate, (C) if such Person owns an Investment of the type referred to in subclause (y) of this clause (i), the provisions of clause (d) of this Section 7.02 are satisfied (assuming that such Investment held by such Person, and not the Equity Interests of such Person, is being acquired), (D) if such Person owns an unimproved land holding, the provisions of clause (c) of this Section 7.02 are satisfied (assuming that the unimproved land holding held by such Person, and not the Equity Interests of such Person, is being acquired) and (E) if such Person owns an Investment Property under construction, the provisions of clause (e) of this Section 7.02 are satisfied (assuming that the Investment Property under construction held by such Person, and not the Equity Interests of such Person, is being acquired)
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(j) Investments in Swap Contracts permitted under Section 7.03(b) entered into in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a market view;
provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries make an Investment in reliance on any of clauses (b)(ii), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 7.02 if, immediately before or immediately after giving effect thereto, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom.
7.03 Indebtedness . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;
(b) obligations (contingent or otherwise) existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such Swap Contract is (or was) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of mitigating risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments to the defaulting party on outstanding transactions; provided , however , that the preceding proviso shall not impact the rights of the parties to such Swap Contract with respect to Section 2(a)(iii) of the applicable ISDA Master Agreement;
(c) unsecured Indebtedness and Nonrecourse Indebtedness; provided , that after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence thereof, (i) the Parent and Borrowers are in compliance with the financial covenants contained in Section 7.11 (which compliance shall, in the case of the financial covenants contained in Sections 7.11(a) , (b) and (e) , be tested as of the last day of the then most recently fiscal quarter of the Parent for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) ) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(d) Secured Recourse Indebtedness the incurrence of which would not cause a Default under Section 7.11(f) ; and
(e) intercompany loans and advances to the extent expressly permitted under Section 7.02(b) ; provided that all such intercompany Indebtedness owed by any Loan Party shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of any applicable promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;
provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing clauses of this Section 7.03 , in no event shall any Affiliated Investor that owns a Borrowing Base Property be an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a) and (e) above and unsecured Indebtedness permitted under clause (c) above).
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7.04 Fundamental Changes . Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:
(a) any Subsidiary of ESR OP may merge or consolidate with (i) a Borrower, provided that (x) a Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person and (y) if any Subsidiary of ESR OP is merging with ESR OP, ESR OP shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries of ESR OP (other than a Borrower), provided that if any Subsidiary Guarantor is merging with another Subsidiary of ESR OP that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person;
(b) any Subsidiary of ESR OP may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to ESR OP or another Subsidiary of ESR OP; provided that (i) if the transferor in such a transaction is a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then the transferee must be a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) if the property subject to such Disposition includes any Collateral, then, after giving effect to such Disposition, such property shall continue to constitute Collateral;
(c) the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent may merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into an Affiliate thereof, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Affiliate thereof, in each case, solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing such Person in any State of the United States of America or in the District of Columbia; and
(d) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.05 (other than Section7.05(c) ) shall be permitted.
7.05 Dispositions . Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, or, in the case of any Subsidiary of the Parent, issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any of such Subsidiarys Equity Interests to any Person, except:
(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out equipment, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;
(b) Dispositions of property by any Subsidiary of ESR OP to ESR OP or another Subsidiary of ESR OP; provided that (i) if the transferor is a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then the transferee must be a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) if the property subject to such Disposition includes any Collateral, then, after giving effect to such Disposition, such property shall continue to constitute Collateral;
(c) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04 ;
(d) the Disposition of (i) an Investment Property constituting a Borrowing Base Property or (ii) the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of ESR OP that, directly or indirectly, owns any Investment Property constituting a Borrowing Base Property, in each case only to the extent that such Investment Property is removed from the pool of Borrowing Base Properties in accordance with Section 2.19(c) concurrently with such Disposition;
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(e) Dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests of ESR OP or a Subsidiary thereof) not constituting a Borrowing Base Property;
(f) the sale or other Disposition of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of ESR OP that does not own (i) any Borrowing Base Property or (ii) Equity Interests, directly or indirectly, of any Affiliated Investor that owns any Borrowing Base Property; and
(g) the issuance, sale or other Disposition of limited partnership interests of ESR OP as consideration for the purchase by a Subsidiary of the Parent of an Investment Property, but solely to the extent that, after giving effect thereto, a Change of Control has not occurred.
7.06 Restricted Payments . Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that the following shall be permitted:
(a) each Subsidiary of ESR OP may make Restricted Payments pro rata to the holders of its Equity Interests;
(b) the Parent and each Subsidiary thereof may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person or its direct or indirect parent;
(c) (i) the Parent and each Subsidiary thereof may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests or warrants or options to obtain such Equity Interests issued by it with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its or its direct or indirect parents common stock or other common Equity Interests and (ii) the Parent and/or ESR OP may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire limited partnership interests of ESR OP held by a limited partner thereof in exchange for Equity Interests of the Parent so long as, after giving effect to any such purchase, redemption or other acquisition, a Change of Control does not occur;
(d) ESR OP shall be permitted to declare and pay pro rata dividends on its Equity Interests or make pro rata distributions with respect thereto, in an amount for any fiscal year of the Parent equal to the greater of (i) 95% of Funds From Operations for such fiscal year and (ii) such amount that will result in the Parent receiving the necessary amount of funds required to be distributed to its equity holders in order for the Parent to (x) maintain its status as a REIT for federal and state income tax purposes and (y) avoid the payment of federal or state income or excise tax; provided , however , (1) if an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, ESR OP shall only be permitted to declare and pay pro rata dividends on its Equity Interests or make pro rata distributions with respect thereto in an amount that will result in the Parent receiving the minimum amount of funds required to be distributed to its equity holders in order for the Parent to maintain its status as a REIT for federal and state income tax purposes and (2) no Restricted Payments shall be permitted under this clause (d) following an acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to Section 8.02 or following the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) or (g) ;
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(e) the Parent shall be permitted to make Restricted Payments with any amounts received by it from ESR OP pursuant to Section 7.06(d) ; and
(f) the Parent and ESR OP shall be permitted to make Restricted Payments pursuant to the Tax Protection Agreement.
7.07 Change in Nature of Business . Engage in any material line of business other than acquiring and developing income producing real properties and investments related thereto (including the operation of the Empire State Observatory or other observatory properties) or any business reasonably related or ancillary thereto or representing a reasonable extension thereof.
7.08 Transactions with Affiliates . Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Parent, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Parent or a Subsidiary thereof as would be obtainable by the Parent or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i) transactions between or among the Parent and its Subsidiaries, (ii) fees and compensation (whether in the form of cash, equity or otherwise) paid or provided to, and any indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Parent and in the ordinary course of business, (iii) payments contemplated by the Tax Protection Agreement, (iv) Restricted Payments not prohibited hereunder and (v) transactions and arrangements existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in the reports filed by the Parent with the SEC under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act prior to the Closing Date.
7.09 Burdensome Agreements . Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that limits the ability of (i) any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Parent, any Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to the Parent, any Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) the Parent or any Subsidiary of ESR OP (other than Excluded Subsidiary) to Guarantee any Obligations or (iii) any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person to secure any Obligations; provided , however , that clauses (i) and (iii) of this Section 7.09 shall not prohibit any limitation on Restricted Payments or negative pledges (A) incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(c) or (d) , (B) contained in (x) any agreement in effect on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.09 hereto and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole (as determined by the Borrowers in good faith), with respect to such restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Closing Date, (y) contained in any agreement in effect at the time any Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of ESR OP after the Closing Date, so long as such agreement was not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary of ESR OP or (z) any agreement in connection with a Disposition permitted by Section 7.05 (provided that such limitation shall only be effective against the assets or property that are the subject of Disposition), (C) by reason of customary provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements in the ordinary course of
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business, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements, (D) limitation on Restricted Payment by reason of customary provisions in joint venture agreements or other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 7.02 and applicable solely to such joint venture entered into in the ordinary course of business, (E) negative pledges by reason of customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (F) by reason of applicable Law, rule, regulation or order or the terms of any license, authorization, concession or permit and (G) limitations on Restricted Payments by reason of restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers, suppliers or landlords or required by insurance, surety or bonding companies, in each case, under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided , further , however , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any negative pledge relate to (x) any Collateral or (y) any Borrowing Base Property.
7.10 Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
7.11 Financial Covenants .
(a) Maximum Leverage Ratio . Permit Total Indebtedness as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent to exceed 60% of the Total Asset Value on such day.
(b) Maximum Secured Leverage Ratio . Permit Total Secured Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group under the Loan Documents) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Parent to exceed 40% of the Total Asset Value on such day.
(c) Minimum Tangible Net Worth . Permit Tangible Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum of (i) 80% of Closing Date Tangible Net Worth and (ii) 75% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Parent from issuances and sales of Equity Interests of the Parent occurring after the Closing Date (other than any such Net Cash Proceeds received in connection with any dividend reinvestment program).
(d) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . Permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Parent to be less than 1.50 to 1.00.
(e) Maximum Variable Rate Indebtedness . Permit Total Variable Rate Indebtedness at any time to exceed 25% of Total Asset Value at such time.
(f) Maximum Secured Recourse Indebtedness . Permit the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Secured Recourse Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group under the Loan Documents) of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries owing to Persons that are not members of the Consolidated Group at any time to exceed 10% of Total Asset Value at such time.
7.12 Accounting Changes . Make any change in (a) accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required or permitted by GAAP, or (b) fiscal year.
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7.13 Amendment, Waivers and Terminations of Organization Documents . Directly or indirectly, consent to, approve, authorize or otherwise suffer or permit any amendment, change, cancellation, termination or waiver in any respect of the terms of any Organization Document of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, other than amendments, changes and modifications that are not adverse in any material respect to the Parent, any of the other Loan Parties, any Subsidiary thereof, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events of Default . Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment . Any Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to (i) pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) pay within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) pay within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific Covenants . Any Borrower or the Parent fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 2.05(b)(v) , 6.02(f) , 6.02(h) , 6.03 (other than 6.03(d) and (e) ), 6.05 (with respect to Parent, ESR OP and each Borrowing Base Subsidiary), 6.07 (with respect to any Borrowing Base Property), or Article VII , or any of the Loan Parties fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in the Guaranty Agreement or any Collateral Document; or
(c) Other Defaults . Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days after the earlier of (x) the date upon which a Responsible Officer of any Borrower obtains knowledge of such failure or (y) the date upon which the Parent has received written notice of such failure from the Administrative Agent; or
(d) Representations and Warranties . Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or
(e) Cross-Default . (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Recourse Indebtedness or Guarantee of Recourse Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee, or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a
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trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof fails to observe or perform any agreement or condition relating to any Nonrecourse Indebtedness or Guarantee of Nonrecourse Indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount of more than the Threshold Amount, or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded or (iii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc . The Parent, ESR OP or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment . (i) The Parent, ESR OP or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments . There is entered against the Parent, ESR OP or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding $50,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least A by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
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(i) ERISA . (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the $50,000,000, (ii) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the $50,000,000, or (iii) the assets of any Borrower or Guarantor are deemed to be plan assets within the meaning of 29 C.F.R. as modified in operation by section 3(42) of ERISA; or
(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents . Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any provision of any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document; or
(k) Change of Control . There occurs any Change of Control; or
(l) Pledge Agreement . The Pledge Agreement after delivery thereof shall for any reason cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.01(a) ) on a material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby; or
(m) REIT Status . The Parent, after it has elected to be taxed as a REIT, shall, for any reason, fail to maintain its status as a REIT, after taking into account any cure provisions set forth in the Code that are complied with by the Parent.
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default . If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and Mortgage Debt Assignment Fundings and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers;
(c) require that the Borrowers Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and
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(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents;
provided , however , that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Parent, ESR OP or any Borrowing Base Subsidiary under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrowers to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
8.03 Application of Funds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02 ), or if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all Obligations then due hereunder, any amounts received on account of the Obligations (including any amounts received in respect of a foreclosure or other exercise of remedies in respect of an Assigned Mortgage) shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.20 and 2.21 , be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III ), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them ;
Fifth , to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrowers pursuant to Sections 2.05 and 2.20 ; and
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Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required by Law.
Subject to Sections 2.05(c) and 2.20 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Loan Party shall not be paid with amounts received from such Loan Party, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section 8.03 .
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received a Secured Party Designation Notice, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX for itself and its Affiliates as if a Lender party hereto.
ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01 Appointment and Authority . Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and neither any Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term agent herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
9.02 Rights as a Lender . The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Parent or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
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9.03 Exculpatory Provisions . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02 ) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default (other than a Default resulting from the failure to make any payment of or interest on any Loan or any L/C Obligation), unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or sufficiency of the Collateral or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
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9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
9.05 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent .
(a) The Administrative Agent may resign as the Administrative Agent upon thirty (30) days notice to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrowers. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall be consented to by the Borrowers at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall be deemed given if the Borrower fails to respond within ten (10) Business Days). If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 45 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders and the Borrowers) (the Resignation Effective Date ), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in the
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United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrowers and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall be deemed given if the Borrower fails to respond within ten (10) Business Days), appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the Removal Effective Date ), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(h) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrowers and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agents resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
(d) Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of
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its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.05(c) . If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.06(c) . Upon the appointment by the Borrowers of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
9.08 No Other Duties, Etc . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Arrangers or the Syndication Agent, in each case in their capacities as such, shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.05(h) and (i) , 2.11 , 2.12(b) and 10.04 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
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(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.11 , 2.12(b) and 10.04 .
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.
The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, to (a) credit bid and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) credit bid and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral at any other sale or foreclosure conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with applicable Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims being estimated for such purpose if the fixing or liquidation thereof would not unduly delay the ability of the Administrative Agent to credit bid and purchase at such sale or other disposition of the Collateral and, if such claims cannot be estimated without unduly delaying the ability of the Administrative Agent to credit bid, then such claims shall be disregarded, not credit bid, and not entitled to any interest in the asset or assets purchased by means of such credit bid) and the Secured Parties whose Obligations are credit bid shall be entitled to receive interests (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). Except as provided above and otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the other Collateral Documents, the Administrative Agent will not execute and deliver a release of any Lien on any Collateral. Upon request by the Administrative Agent or ESR OP at any time, the Secured Parties will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 9.09 .
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9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters . Without limiting the provisions of Section 9.09 , each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,
(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Facility Termination Date, (ii) that is sold or disposed of or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document to a Person that is not a Loan Party or Affiliate thereof, (iii) if required pursuant to Section 10.19 or Section 2.22 hereof, or (iv) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 10.01 ; and
(b) to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement if (i) such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder or (ii) required pursuant to Section 10.19 hereof.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release its interest in any Collateral or to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.10 . In each case as specified in this Section 9.10 , the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrowers expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents, or to release such Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10 .
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agents Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements .
Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of the provisions of Section 8.03, the Guaranty Agreement or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or any Collateral Document) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the
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Administrative Agent has received a Secured Party Designation Notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements in the case of a Facility Termination Date.
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS
10.01 Amendments, Etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrowers or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that (i) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, with the consent of the other (but without the consent of any Lender), amend, modify or supplement this Agreement and any other Loan Document to cure any ambiguity, omission, typographical error, mistake, defect or inconsistency if such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender and (ii) notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.01 (including the first proviso above), no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) in the case of the initial Credit Extension, waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01 or Section 4.02 , without the written consent of each Lender;
(b) without limiting the generality of clause (a) above, (i) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.02 as to any Credit Extension under the Revolving Credit Facility without the written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders or (ii) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.02 as to any Delayed Draw Term Borrowing without the written consent of the Required Term A Lenders (it being understood and agreed that a waiver or an amendment to a covenant, default or any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than Section 4.02 ) shall not constitute a waiver of any condition set forth in Section 4.02 );
(c) extend (except as provided in Section 2.16 ) or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 ) without the written consent of such Lender;
(d) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment;
(e) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01 ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive
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any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(f) (i) change any provision of Section 2.15(b) or 2.15(c) without the consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (ii) change any of the other terms or provisions in any Loan Document requiring pro rata payments, distributions, commitment reductions or sharing of payments without the consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (iii) change (A) any provision of Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby or (B) the order of application of any reduction in Commitments or any prepayment of Loans among the Facilities from the application thereof set forth in the applicable provisions of Section 2.07(b) or Section 2.08(c) in any manner that materially and adversely affects the Lenders under a Facility without the written consent of (1) if such Facility is the Term Facility, each Term Lender and (2) if such Facility is the Revolving Credit Facility, each Revolving Credit Lender, provided , that in each case under this clauses (f)(ii) and (f)(iii) such terms and provisions may be amended with the consent of the Required Lenders on customary terms in connection with an amend and extend transaction, but only if all Lenders that consent to such amend and extend transaction are treated on a pro rata basis;
(g) change (i) any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder (other than the definitions specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 10.01(g) ), without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (ii) the definition of Required Revolving Lenders, Required Term Lenders or Appropriate Lenders without the written consent of each Lender under the applicable Facility or (iii) the definition of Required Term A Lenders without the written consent of each Term A Lender;
(h) change the provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights of (i) Revolving Credit Lenders in respect of payments or Collateral differently from the rights of Term Lenders, without the written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders or (ii) Term Lenders in respect of payments or Collateral differently from the rights of Revolving Credit Lenders, without the written consent of the Required Term Lenders;
(i) release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender, except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents;
(j) release the Parent or any Borrower from their obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty Agreement, in each case without the written consent of each Lender, except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents; or
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(k) impose any greater restriction on the ability of any Lender under a Facility to assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of (i) if such Facility is the Term Facility, the Required Term Lenders and (iii) if such Facility is the Revolving Credit Facility, the Required Revolving Lenders;
and, provided further , that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iv) each Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) any Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender, (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (z) the outstanding principal balance of any Loan held by any Defaulting Lender may not be reduced without the consent of such Lender.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement , and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
(a) Notices Generally . Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to any Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02 ; and
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(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to any Borrower).
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b) .
(b) Electronic Communications . Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Borrowers may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) , if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
(c) The Platform . THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE. THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR
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ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the Agent Parties ) have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Borrowers, any Loan Partys or the Administrative Agents transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet.
(d) Change of Address, Etc . Each of the Parent, each Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the Private Side Information or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lenders compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the Public Side Information portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to any Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders . The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic Committed Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications, Competitive Bid Requests and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrowers even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrowers shall jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement . No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document
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shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.15 ), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided , further , that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) , (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.15 , any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses . The Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, any Arranger and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Arrangers, which shall be limited to one special counsel to all such parties and, where appropriate, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, which shall be limited to one special counsel to all such parties and, where appropriate, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
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(b) Indemnification by the Borrowers . Each Borrower shall jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the L/C Issuer, the Arrangers and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee ) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, which shall be limited to one special counsel to all such parties, where appropriate, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and one additional counsel for each Indemnitee for whom such joint representation results in the conflict of interest), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including any Borrower or any other Loan Party) other than such Indemnitee and its Related Parties arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, other than, with respect to any Indemnitee, any presence or release of Hazardous Materials or Environmental Liability resulting solely from acts or omissions by such Indemnitee after the Administrative Agent sells the respective property pursuant to a foreclosure or has accepted a deed in lieu of foreclosure or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or its Affiliates, (y) result from a claim brought by any Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee or its Affiliate for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitees or its Affiliates obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if any Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (z) resulting from any dispute solely among Indemnitees other than (A) any claims against the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) or any Arranger in their respective capacities, as or in fulfilling their respective roles, as an administrative agent or arranger in respect of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (B) any claims arising out of any act or omission on the part of any of the Borrowers or their respective Affiliates. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(d), this Section 10.4(b)
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shall not apply with respect to Taxes (including, without limitation, Taxes covered by Section 3.01 ) other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c) Reimbursement by Lenders . To the extent that the Borrowers for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section or Section 2.22(e) to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Syndication Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender, any Arranger or any Related Party of any of the foregoing (and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Syndication Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender, such Arranger or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such unpaid amount (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought); provided , that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Syndication Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Arranger in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Syndication Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Arranger in connection with such capacity; provided further that only the Revolving Lenders shall be obligated to indemnify the L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender hereunder. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.14(d) .
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereto shall not assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee or any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided , that nothing herein shall limit the Borrowers obligations under Section 10.04(a) and (b) . No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Payments . All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.
(f) Survival . The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Facilities and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
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10.05 Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Loan Party is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
10.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither any Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b) , participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans, but excluding, except as provided in Section 10.06(b)(ii)(B) , its Delayed Draw Term Commitment) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts .
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment under any Facility and the Loans at the time owing to it under such Facility or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
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(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder, but excluding any Delayed Draw Term Commitment) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided , however , that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met.
(ii) Proportionate Amounts .
(A) Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not (x) apply to rights in respect of Competitive Loans or the Swing Line Lenders rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans or (y) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Facilities on a non-pro rata basis;
(B) Each assignment by a Lender of any of its Term A Loans to an assignee during the Availability Period for the Delayed Draw Term Commitments shall also automatically constitute an assignment by such Lender to such assignee of such portion of its Delayed Draw Term Commitment equal to the exact principal amount of Term A Loans being assigned to such assignee by such Lender.
(iii) Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrowers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, (2) if such assignment is with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, such assignment is to a Revolving Credit Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Credit Lender or (except in the case of an assignment of all or any portion of any Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment)
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an Approved Fund or (3) if such assignment is with respect to the Term Facility, such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or (so long as there are no Delayed Draw Commitments outstanding) an Approved Fund ; provided that the Borrowers shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof;
(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and
(C) the consent of the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Revolving Credit Lender.
(iv) Assignment and Assumption . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided , however , that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons . No such assignment shall be made (A) to any Borrower or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of a Borrower, (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B) , or (C) to a natural Person.
(vi) Certain Additional Payments . In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and
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obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 , 3.05 , and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.
(c) Register . The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agents Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register ). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, any Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, a Defaulting Lender or a Borrower or any Affiliates or Subsidiaries of a Borrower) (each, a Participant ) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lenders participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation.
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Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.01(f) ) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(f) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 10.13 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04 , with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.15 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the Participant Register ); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e) Certain Pledges . Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(f) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitments and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii)
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upon 30 days notice to the Borrowers, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrowers shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided , however , that no failure by the Borrowers to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.05(c) ). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.06(c) . Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 , Section 2.18 or Section 10.01 or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to any Loan Party and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the consent of the Borrowers or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than a Loan Party. For purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from the
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Parent or any Subsidiary thereof relating to the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof, provided that, in the case of information received from the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Parent or a Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.
10.08 Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of such Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, L/C Issuer or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.21 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the Maximum Rate ).
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If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01 , this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g. pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date.
10.12 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12 , if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
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10.13 Replacement of Lenders . If the Borrowers are entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06 , or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06 ), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04 ) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a) the Borrowers shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.06(b) ;
(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05 ) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter or the Borrowers (or in the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Borrowers will in the future result in a reduction in compensation or payments that they are required to pay pursuant to Section 3.01 );
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and
(e) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK AND OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
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RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02 . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
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10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Parent and each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, and the extensions of credit made by the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender pursuant to this Agreement, are arms-length commercial transactions between the Parent and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, on the other hand, (B) each of the Parent and each Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Parent and each Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Parent or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender have any obligation to the Parent or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Parent and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender nor their respective Affiliates have any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Parent or any of its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Parent and each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
10.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents . The words execute, execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
10.18 USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the Act ), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and
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address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Act. The Borrowers shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.
10.19 Releases of Collateral; Releases of Subsidiaries of ESR OP from Guaranty Agreement; Borrower Releases . In addition to any releases of Collateral expressly provided for in the Pledge Agreement and in Section 2.22 above, and releases of Guarantors expressly provided for in the Guaranty Agreement, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
(a) Releases following receipt of Investment Grade Rating . If at any time the Parent and/or ESR OP obtains an Investment Grade Rating, the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost of the Borrowers and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) promptly (x) release its Liens on all (or such portion as requested by the Borrowers) of the Collateral granted by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and/or (y) release all (or such portion as requested by the Borrowers) of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under the Guaranty Agreement (each of the releases referred to clauses (x) and (y) being referred to herein as an Investment Grade Permitted Release ), in each case upon the completion of the following conditions precedent:
(i) At the time of such Investment Grade Permitted Release, any Subsidiary of ESR OP that is being released from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement and/or whose assets are being released from the Lien of the Pledge Agreement shall not have any Indebtedness (other than Secured Indebtedness), including, without limitation and for the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness (other than Secured Indebtedness) incurred under or in connection with notes or bonds issued pursuant to a Rule 144A Transaction;
(ii) The Parent shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) before the date on which such Investment Grade Permitted Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent (x) certifying that the Parent and/or ESR OP has obtained an Investment Grade Rating and (y) notifying the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the Investment Grade Permitted Release that it is requesting; and
(iii) The Borrowers shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, within one (1) Business Date prior to the date on which such Investment Grade Permitted Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent certifying to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Investment Grade Permitted Release, (1) no Default or Event of Default has
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occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (2) the representations and warranties of each Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such release and immediately after giving effect to such release, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, (B) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (C) for purposes of this Section 10.19(a) , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 ;
provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time following an Investment Grade Permitted Release involving a Subsidiary of ESR OP or any assets of such Subsidiary, such Subsidiary provides a Guarantee of, or otherwise incurs, any Indebtedness that is not Secured Indebtedness (including, without limitation and for the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness (other than Secured Indebtedness) that is incurred under or in connection with notes or bonds issued in a Rule 144A Transaction), then, unless such Subsidiary is an Excluded Subsidiary at such time, (1) the Parent shall immediately notify the Administrative Agent thereof, (2) the Guaranty of the Obligations previously provided by such Subsidiary shall be reinstated automatically in accordance with the Guaranty Agreement, and the obligations of such Subsidiary under the Pledge Agreement (including all Liens granted on assets of such Subsidiary in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, under the Pledge Agreement) shall be reinstated automatically in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement and (3) the Parent shall (x) cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver such reaffirmations of its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and cause all requirements of Section 6.12(b) to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary and (y) cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver such reaffirmations of its obligations (including reaffirmations of the Liens granted by such Subsidiary in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, on its assets) under the Pledge Agreement as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and take all actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect such Liens, and cause all requirements of Section 6.12(a) to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary.
(b) Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors that become Excluded Subsidiaries . If at any time any Subsidiary Guarantor becomes an Excluded Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost of the Borrowers and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) promptly (x) release its Liens on the Collateral of such Subsidiary granted by such Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and (y) release such Subsidiary released from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement (clauses (x) and (y) being referred to herein collectively as an Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release ), in each case upon the completion of the following conditions precedent:
(i) The Parent shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) before the date on which such Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent (x) certifying that such Subsidiary is (or, on or prior to the date of the requested Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release, will be) an Excluded Subsidiary and (y) notifying the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that it desires to effectuate an Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release with respect to such Subsidiary; and
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(ii) The Borrowers shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, within one (1) Business Date prior to the date on which such Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent certifying to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release, (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (2) the representations and warranties of each Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such release and immediately after giving effect to such release, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, (B) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (C) for purposes of this Section 10.19(b) , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 ;
provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time following the occurrence of an Excluded Subsidiary Permitted Release with respect to a Subsidiary of ESR OP, such Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, then, unless the Exemption Conditions exist at such time with respect to such Subsidiary, (1) the Parent shall immediately notify the Administrative Agent thereof, (2) the guaranty of the Obligations previously provided by such Subsidiary shall be reinstated automatically in accordance with the Guaranty Agreement, and the obligations of such Subsidiary under the Pledge Agreement (including all Liens granted on assets of such Subsidiary in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, under the Pledge Agreement) shall be reinstated automatically in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement and (3) the Parent shall (x) cause such Subsidiary to execute such reaffirmations of its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and cause all requirements of Section 6.12(b) to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary and (y) cause such Subsidiary to execute such reaffirmations of its obligations (including reaffirmations of the Liens granted by such Subsidiary in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, on its assets) under the Pledge Agreement as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and take such actions as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect such Liens, and cause all requirements of Section 6.12(a) to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary.
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(c) Release of Lien on Equity Interests of Excluded Subsidiaries . If at any time any Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor incurs any Secured Indebtedness permitted under Sections 7.01 and 7.03 secured by any Equity Interests owned by such Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor in an Excluded Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost of the Borrowers and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) promptly release its Lien on the Equity Interests of such Excluded Subsidiary (any such release being referred to herein as an Excluded Subsidiary Equity Release ) upon the completion of the following conditions precedent:
(i) The Parent shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) before the date on which such Excluded Subsidiary Equity Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent (x) certifying that the Secured Indebtedness secured by the Equity Interests of such Excluded Subsidiary is permitted under Sections 7.01 and 7.03 and (y) notifying the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that it requests a release of such Equity Interests from the Liens granted thereon under the Pledge Agreement; and
(ii) The Borrowers shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, within one (1) Business Date prior to the date on which such Excluded Subsidiary Equity Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent certifying to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Excluded Subsidiary Equity Releasee, (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (2) the representations and warranties of each Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such release and immediately after giving effect to such release, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, (B) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (C) for purposes of this Section 10.19(c) , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 ;
provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time following the occurrence of an Excluded Subsidiary Equity Release with respect to any Equity Interests of an Excluded Subsidiary, such Equity Interests cease to secure any Secured Indebtedness permitted under Sections 7.01 and 7.03 , then, unless the Exemption Conditions exist at such time with respect to
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the Loan Party that owns such Equity Interests, (1) the Parent shall immediately notify the Administrative Agent thereof, (2) all Liens granted on such Equity Interests shall be reinstated automatically in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement and (3) the Parent shall cause the applicable Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor that owns such Equity Interests to take all actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to (x) confirm that such Equity Interests are subject to the Lien of the Pledge Agreement and (y) perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such Equity Interests.
(d) Release of Liens on Subsidiaries of ESR OP that become Excluded Pledge Subsidiaries . If at any time any Subsidiary of ESR OP becomes an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost of the Borrowers and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) promptly release its Lien on the Equity Interests of such Excluded Pledge Subsidiary (any such release being referred to herein as an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release ), in each case upon the completion of the following conditions precedent:
(i) The Parent shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) before the date on which such Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent (x) certifying that such Subsidiary is (or, on or prior to the date of the requested Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release, will be) an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary and (y) notifying the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that it desires to effectuate an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release with respect to such Subsidiary; and
(ii) The Borrowers shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, within one (1) Business Date prior to the date on which such Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release is to be effected, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent certifying to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release, (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (2) the representations and warranties of each Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such release and immediately after giving effect to such release, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, (B) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (C) for purposes of this Section 10.19(b) , the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 ;
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provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time following the occurrence of an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary Permitted Equity Release with respect to a Subsidiary of ESR OP, such Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Pledge Subsidiary, then, unless the Exemption Conditions exist at such time with respect to the Loan Party that owns the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, (1) the Parent shall immediately notify the Administrative Agent thereof, (2) all Liens granted on the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, under the Pledge Agreement shall be reinstated automatically in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement and (3) the Parent shall cause the Loan Party that owns the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary to take all actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to (x) confirm that such Equity Interests are subject to the Lien of the Pledge Agreement and (y) perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such Equity Interests.
(e) Release of the Borrowers .
(i) If at any time (x) a Borrower (other than ESR OP) ceases to own any Investment Property secured by Assumed Mortgage Debt, (y) such Borrower (unless constituting an Excluded Subsidiary at such time or unless the Exemption Conditions exist with respect to such Borrower at such time) has become (or, at the time of consummation of such Borrower Release, will become) a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 6.12(b ) (including by delivering all documents and other items required to be delivered under Section 6.12(b) ) and (iii) ESR OP provides a written notice to the Administrative Agent requesting that such Borrower be released from its obligations as a Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (such written notice being referred to herein as a Borrower Release Notice ), the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost of the Borrowers and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), within ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) following its receipt of such Borrower Release Notice, release such Borrower from its obligations as a Borrower hereunder and under the Loan Documents (such release being referred to herein as a Borrower Release )(it being understood and agreed that, for the avoidance of doubt, such Borrower shall be subject to all obligations of a Guarantor and Grantor under this Agreement and other Loan Documents following consummation of such Borrower Release).
(ii) If at any time (x) a Borrower (other than ESR OP) ceases to own Investment Property secured by Assumed Mortgage Debt, (y) such Borrower constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary at such time or the Exemption Conditions exist with respect to such Borrower at such time and (iii) ESR OP provides a written notice to the Administrative Agent requesting that such Borrower be released from its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (such written notice being referred to herein as a Borrower Total Release Notice ), the Administrative Agent shall (at the sole cost of the Borrowers and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), within ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in writing) following its receipt of such Borrower Total Release Notice, release such Borrower from its obligations hereunder and under the Loan Documents.
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10.20 Joint and Several Liability . Each of the Borrowers shall be jointly and severally liable with the other Borrowers for the Obligations. Each Borrower acknowledges that it is a co-borrower hereunder and is jointly and severally liable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Any payment made by a Borrower in respect of Obligations owing by one or more Borrowers shall be deemed a payment of such Obligations by and on behalf of all Borrowers. All Loans or other Credit Extensions extended to or on behalf of any Borrower or requested by any Borrower shall be deemed to be Loans or Credit Extensions extended for or on behalf of each of the Borrowers, and each Borrower hereby authorizes each other Borrower to effectuate Loans and other Credit Extensions on its behalf. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or elsewhere, no Borrower shall by virtue of the joint and several nature of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents be liable for any Obligations that constitute Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Borrower.
Each Borrower agrees that the joint and several liability of the Borrowers provided for in this Section 10.20 shall not be impaired or affected by any modification, supplement, extension or amendment or any contract or agreement to which the other Borrowers may hereafter agree (other than an agreement signed by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders specifically releasing such liability), nor by any delay, extension of time, renewal, compromise or other indulgence granted by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any of the Obligations, nor by any other agreements or arrangements whatsoever with the other Borrowers or with any other person, each Borrower hereby waiving all notice of such delay, extension, release, substitution, renewal, compromise or other indulgence, and hereby consenting to be bound thereby as fully and effectually as if it had expressly agreed thereto in advance. The liability of each Borrower is direct and unconditional as to all Obligations, and may be enforced without requiring the Administrative Agent or any Lender first to resort to any other right, remedy or security. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each Borrower hereby expressly waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Obligations, the Notes, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Borrower or any other person or any collateral.
Each Borrower hereby irrevocably waives and releases each other Borrower from all claims (as defined in Section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code) to which such Borrower is or would be entitled by virtue of the provisions of the first paragraph of this Section 10.19 or the performance of such Borrowers obligations thereunder including, without limitation, any right of subrogation (whether contractual, under Section 509 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise), reimbursement, contribution, exoneration or similar right, or indemnity, or any right of recourse to security for any Obligations.
10.21 ESR OP as Borrower Representative . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely upon any request, notice or other communication received by them from ESR OP on behalf of all Borrowers, and shall be entitled to treat their giving of any notice hereunder to ESR OP in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement as notice to each and all Borrowers.
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10.22 Keepwell . Each Borrower that is a Qualified ECP Loan Party hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Borrower that is a Qualified ECP Loan Party shall only be liable under this Section 10.23 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 10.23 voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Borrower that is a Qualified ECP Loan Party under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date. Each Borrower that is a Qualified ECP Loan Party intends that this Section 10.23 constitute, and this Section 10.23 shall be deemed to constitute, a keepwell, support, or other agreement for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
BORROWERS: | ||
EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P. | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ESRT EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, L.L.C. | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 1
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
GUARANTORS: | ||
EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST, INC. | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[OTHERS] |
S - 2
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as | ||
Administrative Agent | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 3
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 4
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as a Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 5
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
CITIBANK, N.A., as a Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 6
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 7
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 8
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
RBS CITIZENS, N.A., as a Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 9
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
S - 10
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 11
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 12
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 13
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 14
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
CAPITAL ONE, N.A., as a Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S - 15
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption Experts and to the use of
(i) | our report dated July 10, 2013 with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. at December 31, 2012 and 2011; | |
(ii) | our report dated July 10, 2013 with respect to the combined financial statements and financial statement schedules of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Predecessor at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012; | |
(iii) | our report dated July 10, 2013 with respect to the statements of revenues and certain expenses of 1333 Broadway Associates L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012; | |
(iv) | our report dated July 10, 2013 with respect to the statements of revenues and certain expenses of 1350 Broadway Associates L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012; | |
(v) | our report dated July 10, 2013 with respect to the statements of revenues and certain expenses of 501 Seventh Avenue Associates L.L.C. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012; | |
(vi) | our report dated March 28, 2013 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Empire State Building Company L.L.C. and Affiliates at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2012; |
all included in the Registration Statement (Form S-11) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2013 and related Prospectus statement of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. for the registration of its common stock.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
September 18, 2013