10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission file number 1-12993

ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
 
95-4502084
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 299, Pasadena, California 91101
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(626) 578-0777
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes ý   No  o

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.
Large accelerated filer ý
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No ý

As of April 15, 2016, 73,874,188 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interests for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 


i




GLOSSARY

The following abbreviations or acronyms that may be used in this document shall have the adjacent meanings set forth below:

ABR
Annualized Base Rent
AFFO
Adjusted Funds from Operations
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
ATM
At the Market
CIP
Construction in Progress
EBITDA
Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization
EPS
Earnings per Share
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FFO
Funds from Operations
GAAP
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
JV
Joint Venture
LEED®
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LIBOR
London Interbank Offered Rate
NAREIT
National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
NOI
Net Operating Income
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
R&D
Research & Development
REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust
RSF
Rentable Square Feet/Foot
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
SF
Square Feet/Foot
SoMa
South of Market (submarket of the San Francisco market)
U.S.
United States
VIE
Variable Interest Entity
YTD
Year To Date



ii




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
Investments in real estate
$
7,741,466

 
$
7,629,922

Investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures
127,165

 
127,212

Cash and cash equivalents
146,197

 
125,098

Restricted cash
14,885

 
28,872

Tenant receivables
9,979

 
10,485

Deferred rent
293,144

 
280,570

Deferred leasing costs
192,418

 
192,081

Investments
316,163

 
353,465

Other assets
130,115

 
133,312

Total assets
$
8,971,532

 
$
8,881,017

 
 
 
 
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests, and Equity
 
 
 
Secured notes payable
$
816,578

 
$
809,818

Unsecured senior notes payable
2,031,284

 
2,030,631

Unsecured senior line of credit
299,000

 
151,000

Unsecured senior bank term loans
944,637

 
944,243

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits
628,467

 
589,356

Dividends payable
64,275

 
62,005

Total liabilities
4,784,241

 
4,587,053

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies


 


 
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
14,218

 
14,218

 
 
 
 
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Series D cumulative convertible preferred stock
213,864

 
237,163

Series E cumulative redeemable preferred stock
130,000

 
130,000

Common stock
729

 
725

Additional paid-in capital
3,529,660

 
3,558,008

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(8,533
)
 
49,191

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
3,865,720

 
3,975,087

Noncontrolling interests
307,353

 
304,659

Total equity
4,173,073

 
4,279,746

Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and equity
$
8,971,532

 
$
8,881,017



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1




Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
Rental
$
158,276

 
$
143,608

Tenant recoveries
52,597

 
48,394

Other income
5,216

 
4,751

Total revenues
216,089

 
196,753

 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
Rental operations
65,837

 
61,223

General and administrative
15,188

 
14,387

Interest
24,855

 
23,236

Depreciation and amortization
70,866

 
58,920

Impairment of real estate
28,980

 
14,510

Total expenses
205,726

 
172,276

 
 
 
 
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures
(397
)
 
574

Income from continuing operations
9,966

 
25,051

Loss from discontinued operations
—

 
(43
)
Net income
9,966

 
25,008

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(4,030
)
 
(492
)
Net income attributable to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s stockholders
5,936

 
24,516

Dividends on preferred stock
(5,907
)
 
(6,247
)
Preferred stock redemption charge
(3,046
)
 
—

Net income attributable to unvested restricted stock awards
(801
)
 
(483
)
Net (loss) income attributable to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s common stockholders
$
(3,818
)
 
$
17,786

 
 
 
 
EPS attributable to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s common stockholders – basic and diluted:
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.25

Discontinued operations
—

 
—

EPS – basic and diluted
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.25

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.80

 
$
0.74



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


2




Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Net income
$
9,966

 
$
25,008

 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale equity securities:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
(47,423
)
 
28,435

 
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
(7,026
)
 
1,103

 
Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale equity securities, net
(54,449
)
 
29,538

 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized losses on interest rate swap agreements:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized interest rate swap losses arising during the period
(6,961
)
 
(3,013
)
 
Reclassification adjustment for amortization to interest expense included in net income
158

 
505

 
Unrealized losses on interest rate swap agreements, net
(6,803
)
 
(2,508
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains on foreign currency translation:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) arising during the period
3,528

 
(6,271
)
 
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income
—

 
9,236

 
Unrealized gains on foreign currency translation, net
3,528

 
2,965

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
(57,724
)
 
29,995

 
Comprehensive (loss) income
(47,758
)
 
55,003

 
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(4,030
)
 
(646
)
 
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s stockholders
$
(51,788
)
 
$
54,357

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


3




Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Noncontrolling Interests
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series D
Cumulative
Convertible
Preferred
Stock
 
Series E
Cumulative
Redeemable
Preferred
Stock
 
Number of
Common
Shares
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
237,163

 
$
130,000

 
72,548,693

 
$
725

 
$
3,558,008

 
$
—

 
$
49,191

 
$
304,659

 
$
4,279,746

 
$
14,218

Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,936

 
—

 
3,732

 
9,668

 
298

Total other comprehensive loss
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(57,724
)
 
—

 
(57,724
)
 
—

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,038
)
 
(1,038
)
 
(298
)
Issuances of common stock
 
—

 
—

 
293,235

 
3

 
25,275

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
25,278

 
—

Issuances pursuant to stock plan
 
—

 
—

 
31,604

 
1

 
7,767

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,768

 
—

Redemption of Series D preferred stock
 
(23,299
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
727

 
(3,046
)
 
—

 
—

 
(25,618
)
 
—

Dividends declared on common stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(59,100
)
 
—

 
—

 
(59,100
)
 
—

Dividends declared on preferred stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(5,907
)
 
—

 
—

 
(5,907
)
 
—

Distributions in excess of earnings
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(62,117
)
 
62,117

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance as of March 31, 2016
 
$
213,864

 
$
130,000

 
72,873,532

 
$
729

 
$
3,529,660

 
$
—

 
$
(8,533
)
 
$
307,353

 
$
4,173,073

 
$
14,218



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4




Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
9,966

 
$
25,008

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
70,866

 
58,920

Impairment of real estate
28,980

 
14,510

Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated real estate joint ventures
397

 
(574
)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated real estate joint ventures
98

 
491

Amortization of loan fees
2,760

 
2,834

Amortization of debt premiums
(86
)
 
(82
)
Amortization of acquired below-market leases
(974
)
 
(933
)
Deferred rent
(12,138
)
 
(9,901
)
Stock compensation expense
5,439

 
3,690

Investment gains
(5,891
)
 
(5,937
)
Investment losses
1,782

 
2,225

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
671

 
(51
)
Tenant receivables
521

 
(102
)
Deferred leasing costs
(7,083
)
 
(7,131
)
Other assets
(2,525
)
 
(3,247
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits
8,999

 
27,121

Net cash provided by operating activities
101,782

 
106,841

 
 
 
 
Investing Activities
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of real estate
—

 
67,616

Additions to real estate
(159,501
)
 
(104,632
)
Purchase of real estate
—

 
(93,938
)
Deposits for investing activities
—

 
(28,000
)
Investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures
(449
)
 
(2,539
)
Additions to investments
(22,085
)
 
(15,118
)
Sales of investments
10,913

 
2,345

Repayment of notes receivable
—

 
4,214

Net cash used in investing activities
$
(171,122
)
 
$
(170,052
)

5




Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Borrowings from secured notes payable
$
64,922

 
$
29,585

Repayments of borrowings from secured notes payable
(58,657
)
 
(7,934
)
Borrowings from unsecured senior line of credit
555,000

 
167,000

Repayments of borrowings from unsecured senior line of credit
(407,000
)
 
(50,000
)
Change in restricted cash related to financing activities
8,316

 
(1,369
)
Payment of loan fees
(377
)
 
(563
)
Redemption of Series D cumulative convertible preferred stock
(25,618
)
 
—

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
25,278

 
—

Dividends on common stock
(56,490
)
 
(53,295
)
Dividends on preferred stock
(6,247
)
 
(6,247
)
Financing costs paid for sales of noncontrolling interests
(6,420
)
 
—

Contributions by noncontrolling interests
—

 
340

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(1,927
)
 
(9,846
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
90,780

 
67,671

 
 
 
 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(341
)
 
170

 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
21,099

 
4,630

Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of period
125,098

 
86,011

Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of period
$
146,197

 
$
90,641

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of interest capitalized
$
14,068

 
$
15,514

 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Investing Activities
 
 
 
Change in accrued construction
$
29,197

 
$
7,249

Assumption of secured notes payable in connection with purchase of real estate
$
—

 
$
(82,000
)
 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Financing Activities
 
 
 
Payable for purchase of noncontrolling interest
$
—

 
$
(113,967
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


6

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1.
Background

As used in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, references to the “Company,” “Alexandria,” “ARE,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE), is an urban office REIT uniquely focused on world-class collaborative science and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations with a total market capitalization of $11.1 billion and an asset base in North America of 24.5 million square feet as of March 31, 2016. The asset base in North America includes 18.9 million RSF of operating properties and development and redevelopment projects (under construction or pre-construction), as well as an additional 5.6 million square feet of future ground-up development projects. Alexandria pioneered this niche in 1994 and has since established a dominant market presence in key locations, including Greater Boston, San Francisco, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle Park. Alexandria is known for its high-quality and diverse tenant base, with approximately 52% of total ABR as of March 31, 2016, generated from investment-grade tenants – a REIT industry-leading percentage. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A assets clustered in urban science and technology campuses that provide its innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity, and success. We believe these advantages result in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns, and greater long-term asset value. For additional information on Alexandria, please visit www.are.com.

Our asset base (including consolidated and unconsolidated real estate joint ventures) consisted of the following, as of March 31, 2016:
 
 
Square Feet (unaudited)
North America:
 
 
Operating properties
 
15,400,619

Projects under construction or pre-construction:
 
 
Projects to be delivered by 4Q16
 
1,465,977

Projects to be delivered in 2017 and 2018
 
2,036,828

Development and redevelopment projects
 
3,502,805

Operating properties, including development and redevelopment projects
 
18,903,424

Future value-creation projects
 
5,606,435

Value-creation pipeline
 
9,109,240

Total - North America
 
24,509,859

 
 
 
Asia:
 
 
Operating properties
 
1,200,683

Land parcels
 
(1) 

Asia
 
1,200,683


(1)
Aggregating 196 acres.

7




As of March 31, 2016:

•
Investment-grade tenants represented approximately 52% of our total ABR;
•
Approximately 96% of our leases (on an RSF basis) were triple net leases, requiring tenants to pay substantially all real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, common area expenses, and other operating expenses (including increases thereto) in addition to base rent;
•
Approximately 95% of our leases (on an RSF basis) contained effective annual rent escalations that were either fixed (generally ranging from 3% to 3.5%) or indexed based on a consumer price index or other index; and
•
Approximately 94% of our leases (on an RSF basis) provided for the recapture of certain capital expenditures (such as HVAC systems maintenance and/or replacement, roof replacement, and parking lot resurfacing) that we believe would typically be borne by the landlord in traditional office leases.

Any references to the number of buildings, square footage, number of leases, occupancy, ABR, yield on cost, and any amounts derived from these values in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited and outside the scope of our independent registered public accounting firm’s review of our interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

2.
Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies

We have prepared the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In our opinion, the interim consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect all adjustments, of a normal recurring nature, that are necessary to fairly present the interim consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Basis of presentation and consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current-period presentation.

Consolidation

On an ongoing basis, as circumstances indicate the need for reconsideration, we evaluate each legal entity that is not wholly owned by us, under the consolidation guidance, first under the variable interest model, then under the voting model. Our evaluation considers all of our variable interests, including equity ownership, as well as fees paid to us for our involvement in the management of each partially owned entity. The variable interest model applies to entities that meet both of the following criteria:

•
A legal structure has been established to conduct business activities and to hold assets; such entity can be in the form of a partnership, limited liability company or corporation, among others; and
•
The entity established has variable interests – i.e. it has variable interests that are contractual, such as equity ownership or other financial interests that change with changes in the fair value of the entity’s net assets.

If an entity meets both criteria above, we then evaluate such entity under the variable interest model. If an entity does not meet these criteria, then we evaluate such entity under the voting model or apply other GAAP, such as the cost or equity method of accounting.


8


2.
Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Variable interest model

A legal entity is determined to be a VIE if it has any of the following three characteristics:

1)
The entity does not have sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support;
2)
The entity is established with non-substantive voting rights (i.e., where the entity deprives the majority economic interest holder(s) of voting rights); or
3)
The equity holders, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. Equity holders meet this criterion if they lack any of the following:
•
The power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, as evidenced by:
•
Substantive participating rights in day-to-day management of the entity’s activities; or
•
Substantive kick-out rights over the party responsible for significant decisions
•
The obligation to absorb the entity’s expected losses; and
•
The right to receive the entity’s expected residual returns.

Once we consider the sufficiency of equity and voting rights of each legal entity, we then evaluate the characteristics of the equity holders’ interests, as a group, to see if they qualify as controlling financial interests. Our real estate joint ventures consist of limited partnerships or limited liability companies. For entities structured as limited partnerships or limited liability companies, our evaluation of whether the equity holders (equity partners other than us in each of our real estate joint ventures) lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest includes the determination of whether the limited partners or non-managing members (the noncontrolling equity holders) lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, defined as follows:

•
Participating rights – provide the noncontrolling equity holders the ability to direct significant financial and operating decisions made in the ordinary course of business that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance.
•
Kick-out rights – allow the noncontrolling equity holders to remove the general partner or managing member without cause.

If we conclude that any of the three characteristics of a VIE are met, including if equity holders lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest because they lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, we conclude that the entity is a VIE and evaluate it for consolidation under the variable interest model.

If an entity is determined to be a VIE, we evaluate whether we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary analysis is a qualitative analysis based on power and benefits. We consolidate a VIE if we have both power and benefits – that is, (i) we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance (power), and (ii) we have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that potentially could be significant to the VIE (benefits). We consolidate VIEs whenever we determine that we are the primary beneficiary. Refer to Note 3 – “Investments in Real Estate” for information on specific real estate joint ventures that qualify as VIEs. If we have a variable interest in a VIE but we are not the primary beneficiary, we account for our investment using the equity method of accounting.

Voting model

If a legal entity fails to meet any of the three characteristics of a VIE (insufficiency of equity, non-substantive voting rights, or lack of controlling financial interest), we then evaluate such entity under the voting model. Under the voting model, we consolidate the entity if we determine that we, directly or indirectly, have greater than 50% of the voting shares, and we determine that other equity holders do not have substantive participating rights. Refer to Note 4 – “Investments in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of this report for further information on our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures that qualify for evaluation under the voting model.

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and equity; the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements; and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.


9


2.
Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Investments in real estate and properties classified as held for sale

We recognize real estate acquired (including the intangible value of above- or below-market leases, acquired in-place leases, tenant relationships, and other intangible assets or liabilities), liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquired entity at their fair value as of the acquisition date. If there is a bargain fixed-rate renewal option for the period beyond the non-cancelable lease term of an in-place lease, we evaluate factors such as the business conditions in the industry in which the lessee operates, the economic conditions in the area in which the property is located, and the ability of the lessee to sublease the property during the renewal term, in order to determine the likelihood that the lessee will renew. When we determine there is reasonable assurance that such bargain purchase option will be exercised, we consider its impact in determining the intangible value of such lease and its related amortization period. The value of tangible assets acquired is based upon our estimation of value on an “as if vacant” basis. The value of acquired in-place leases includes the estimated costs during the hypothetical lease-up period and other costs that would have been incurred in the execution of similar leases under the market conditions at the acquisition date of the acquired in-place lease. We assess the fair value of tangible and intangible assets based on numerous factors, including estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property. We also recognize the fair values of assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in acquisitions of less than a 100% interest when the acquisition constitutes a change in control of the acquired entity. Acquisition-related costs related to the acquisition of businesses, including real estate acquired with in-place leases, are expensed as incurred.

The values allocated to buildings and building improvements, land improvements, tenant improvements, and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis using the shorter of the term of the respective ground lease and up to 40 years for buildings and building improvements, an estimated life of up to 20 years for land improvements, the respective lease term for tenant improvements, and the estimated useful life for equipment. The values of acquired above- and below-market leases are amortized over the terms of the related leases and recognized as either an increase (for below-market leases) or a decrease (for above-market leases) to rental income. The values of acquired above- and below-market ground leases are amortized over the terms of the related ground leases and recognized as either an increase (for below-market ground leases) or a decrease (for above-market ground leases) to rental operating expense. The values of acquired in-place leases are classified in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized over the remaining terms of the related leases.

We capitalize project costs, including predevelopment costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, and other costs directly related and essential to the development, redevelopment, predevelopment, or construction of a project. Capitalization of development, redevelopment, predevelopment, and construction costs is required while activities are ongoing to prepare an asset for its intended use. Fluctuations in our development, redevelopment, predevelopment, and construction activities could result in significant changes to total expenses and net income. Costs incurred after a project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use are expensed as incurred. Should development, redevelopment, predevelopment, or construction activity cease, interest, property taxes, insurance, and certain other costs would no longer be eligible for capitalization and would be expensed as incurred. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

A property is classified as held for sale when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (i) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the property; (ii) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary; (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell have been initiated; (iv) the sale of the property is probable and is expected to be completed within one year; (v) the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (vi) actions necessary to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Depreciation of assets ceases upon designation of a property as held for sale.

If the disposal of the property represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations or financial results, such as (i) a major line of business, (ii) a major geographic area, (iii) a major equity method investment, or (iv) other major parts of an entity, then the operations of the property, including any interest expense directly attributable to it, are classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income, and amounts for all prior periods presented are reclassified from continuing operations to discontinued operations. The disposal of an individual property generally will not represent a strategic shift and therefore will typically not meet the criteria for classification as discontinued operations.


10


2.
Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Impairment of long-lived assets

On a quarterly basis, we review current activities and changes in the business conditions of all of our properties prior to and subsequent to the end of each quarter to determine the existence of any triggering events requiring an impairment analysis. If triggering events are identified, we review an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows for the properties, including a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration.

Long-lived assets to be held for use, including our rental properties, CIP, land held for development, and intangibles, are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset to be held for use is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment indicators or triggering events for long-lived assets to be held for use, including our rental properties, CIP, land held for development, and intangibles are assessed by project and include significant fluctuations in estimated rental revenues less rental operating expenses, occupancy changes, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, construction costs, estimated completion dates, rental rates, and other market factors. We assess the expected undiscounted cash flows based upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, construction costs, available market information, current and historical operating results, known trends, current market/economic conditions that may affect the property, and our assumptions about the use of the asset, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration. Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value. If an impairment loss is not required to be recognized, the recognition of depreciation is adjusted prospectively, as necessary, to reduce the carrying amount of the real estate to its estimated disposition value over the remaining period that the real estate is expected to be held for use. We may adjust depreciation of properties that are expected to be disposed of or redeveloped prior to the end of their useful lives.

We use the held for sale impairment model for our properties classified as held for sale. The held for sale impairment model is different from the held for use impairment model. Under the held for sale impairment model, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset classified as held for sale exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. Because of these two different models, it is possible for a long-lived asset previously classified as held for use to require the recognition of an impairment charge upon classification as held for sale. Refer to Note 14 – “Assets Classified as Held for Sale” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Investments

We hold equity investments in certain publicly traded companies and investments in certain privately held entities and limited partnerships primarily involved in the science and technology industries. All of our equity investments in actively traded public companies are considered available-for-sale and are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Fair value has been determined based upon the closing price as of each balance sheet date, with unrealized gains and losses shown as a separate component of comprehensive income. The classification of each investment is determined at the time each investment is made, and such determination is reevaluated at each balance sheet date. The cost of each investment sold is determined by the specific identification method, with realized gains or losses classified in other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Investments in privately held entities are generally accounted for under the cost method when our interest in the entity is so minor that we have virtually no influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies. Certain investments in privately held entities require accounting under the equity method unless our interest in the entity is deemed to be so minor that we have virtually no influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies. Under the equity method of accounting, we recognize our investment initially at cost and adjust the carrying amount of the investment to recognize our share of the earnings or losses of the investee subsequent to the date of our investment. Additionally, we limit our ownership percentage in the voting stock of each individual entity to less than 10%. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, our ownership percentage in the voting stock of each individual entity was less than 10%.

We monitor each of our investments throughout the year for new developments, including operating results, results of clinical trials, capital-raising events, and merger and acquisition activities. Individual investments are evaluated for impairment when changes in conditions may indicate an impairment exists. The factors that we consider in making these assessments include, but are not limited to, market prices, market conditions, available financing, prospects for favorable or unfavorable clinical trial results, new product initiatives, and new collaborative agreements. If there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that might have an adverse effect on our cost method investments, we do not estimate the investment’s fair value. For all of our investments, if a decline in the fair value of an investment below the carrying value is determined to be other than temporary, such investment is written down to its estimated fair value with a charge to current earnings.


11


2.
Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Recognition of rental income and tenant recoveries

Rental income from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease terms. We classify amounts currently recognized as income, and expected to be received in later years as deferred rent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received currently but recognized as income in future years are classified in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We commence recognition of rental income at the date the property is ready for its intended use and the tenant takes possession or controls the physical use of the property.

Tenant recoveries related to reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs and maintenance, common area expenses, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenue in the period during which the applicable expenses are incurred.

Tenant receivables consist primarily of amounts due for contractual lease payments, reimbursements of common area maintenance expenses, property taxes, and other expenses recoverable from tenants. Tenant receivables are expected to be collected within one year. We may maintain an allowance for estimated losses that may result from the inability of our tenants to make payments required under the terms of the lease and for tenant recoveries due. If a tenant fails to make contractual payments beyond any allowance, we may recognize additional bad debt expense in future periods equal to the amount of uncollectible tenant receivables and deferred rent arising from the straight-lining of rent. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, we had no allowance for uncollectible tenant receivables and deferred rent.

Monitoring tenant credit quality

During the term of each lease, we monitor the credit quality of our tenants by (i) monitoring the credit rating of tenants that are rated by a nationally recognized credit rating agency, (ii) reviewing financial statements of the tenants that are publicly available or that are required to be delivered to us pursuant to the applicable lease, (iii) monitoring news reports regarding our tenants and their respective businesses, and (iv) monitoring the timeliness of lease payments. We have a team of employees who, among them, have graduate and undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry, and industrial biotechnology and experience in the science and technology industries, as well as in finance. Our research team is responsible for assessing and monitoring the credit quality of our tenants and any material changes in their credit quality.

Income taxes

We are organized and qualify as a REIT pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Under the Code, a REIT that distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders annually and meets certain other conditions is not subject to federal income taxes but could be subject to certain state and local taxes. We distribute 100% of our taxable income annually; therefore, a provision for federal income taxes is not required. In addition to our REIT returns, we file federal, state, and local tax returns for our subsidiaries. We file with jurisdictions located in the U.S., Canada, India, China, and other international locations. Our tax returns are subject to routine examination in various jurisdictions for 2010-2014 calendar years.

Other income

The following is a summary of other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Management fee income
 
$
253

 
$
554

Interest and other income
 
854

 
485

Investment income
 
4,109

 
3,712

Total other income
 
$
5,216

 
$
4,751



12


2.
Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Recent accounting pronouncements

On January 1, 2016, we adopted an ASU that requires debt issuance costs, excluding debt issuance costs associated with a line of credit, to be classified in our consolidated balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related debt. We were required to apply this ASU retrospectively to all prior periods. As a result of adopting the ASU, unamortized deferred financing costs aggregating $30.1 million as of January 1, 2016, were classified with the corresponding debt instrument appearing on our consolidated balance sheet, and deferred financing costs related to our unsecured senior line of credit, aggregating $11.9 million as of January 1, 2016, were classified in other assets. The ASU was applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The adoption of this ASU has no impact on our consolidated statement of income.

In January 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that amended the accounting for equity investments and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The ASU requires equity investments that have a readily determinable fair value (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Available-for-sale equity securities that under current GAAP require the recognition of unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income will no longer be permitted. An election will be available to measure equity investments without a readily determinable fair value at cost less impairments, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Changes in the carrying value from this measurement will also be reported in current earnings. A cumulative-effect adjustment will be recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings in the reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. As of March 31, 2016, we had $63.2 million of net unrealized gains related to our available-for-sale equity investments in publicly traded companies included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The ASU requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases, and operating leases. The ASU is expected to impact our consolidated financial statements as we have certain operating ground lease arrangements for which we are the lessee. As of March 31, 2016, the remaining contractual payments under our ground lease agreements aggregated $611.4 million. The ASU supersedes previous leasing standards. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an ASU, which further clarifies an ASU on revenue from contracts with customers issued in 2014 that outlined revenue recognition for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle is that entities will recognize revenue to represent the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in such exchange. Leases are specifically excluded from the ASU on revenue from contracts with customers and will be governed by the applicable lease codification; however, this update may have implications in certain variable payment terms included in lease agreements and in sale and leaseback transactions. The ASUs are effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2017. We are currently assessing the potential impact the adoption of these ASUs will have on our consolidated financial statements.



13




3.
Investments in real estate

Our consolidated investments in real estate consisted of the following as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
North America:
 
 
 
 
Land (related to rental properties)
 
$
661,881

 
$
677,649

Buildings and building improvements
 
6,608,884

 
6,644,634

Other improvements
 
288,961

 
260,605

Rental properties – North America
 
7,559,726

 
7,582,888

 
 
 
 
 
Development and redevelopment projects (under construction or pre-construction)
 
1,106,138

 
917,706

Future value-creation projects – North America
 
234,142

 
206,939

Value-creation pipeline – North America
 
1,340,280

 
1,124,645

 
 
 
 
 
Gross investments in real estate – North America
 
8,900,006

 
8,707,533

 
 
 
 
 
Gross investments in real estate – Asia
 
218,052

 
237,728

 
 
 
 
 
Gross investments in real estate
 
9,118,058

 
8,945,261

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
(1,376,592
)
 
(1,315,339
)
Investments in real estate
 
$
7,741,466

 
$
7,629,922


Refer to the section titled “Assets Located in Asia” in Note 14 – “Assets Classified as Held for Sale” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of this report.

Investments in consolidated real estate joint ventures

We own partial interests in the following Class A properties: (i) 30% interest in 225 Binney Street in our Cambridge submarket, (ii) 50.1% interest in 1500 Owens Street in our Mission Bay/SoMa submarket, and (iii) 60% interest in 409/499 Illinois Street in our Mission Bay/SoMa submarket. In each case, our joint venture partner, a high-quality institutional investor, is a non-managing member that owns the remaining interest of each legal entity that wholly owns each respective property. Under each of these real estate joint venture arrangements, we are the managing member and earn a management fee for continuing to manage the day-to-day operations of each property.

Based on the analysis detailed in Note 2 – “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” the institutional investor, as the non-managing member of these joint ventures, lacks the characteristics of a controlling financial interest in each of the joint ventures, including 225 Binney Street, because it does not have substantive kick-out rights or substantive participating rights. Therefore, the joint ventures meet the criteria to be considered VIEs and, therefore, are evaluated for consolidation under the VIE model.

After determining these joint ventures are VIEs, we determined that we are the primary beneficiary of each real estate joint venture, as, in our capacity as managing member, we have the power to make decisions that most significantly impact operations and economic performance of the joint ventures. In addition, through our investment in each joint venture, we have the right to receive benefits and participate in losses that can be significant to the VIEs. Since we are the primary beneficiary of each joint venture, we consolidate each entity.


14


3.
Investments in real estate (continued)

The following table summarizes the balance sheet information of our consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
 
Consolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures at 100%
 
 
225 Binney Street
 
1500 Owens Street
 
409/499 Illinois Street
Investments in real estate
 
$
162,484

 
$
82,121

 
$
360,224

Cash and cash equivalents
 
4,956

 
3,077

 
9,234

Other assets
 
6,968

 
6,376

 
23,820

Total assets
 
$
174,408

 
$
91,574

 
$
393,278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured notes payable
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Other liabilities
 
3,872

 
11,288

 
29,311

Total liabilities
 
3,872

 
11,288

 
29,311

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s share of equity
 
51,161

 
40,223

 
218,380

Noncontrolling interests share of equity
 
119,375

 
40,063

 
145,587

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
174,408

 
$
91,574

 
$
393,278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

There are no creditors or other partners of our consolidated VIEs who have recourse to our general credit. Our maximum exposure to all our VIEs is limited to our variable interests in each VIE.

Development and redevelopment projects under construction

As of March 31, 2016, we had 11 ground-up development projects, including two unconsolidated real estate joint venture development projects, and four redevelopment projects under construction in North America. The projects at completion will aggregate 4.2 million RSF, of which 721,349 RSF has been completed and was in service as of March 31, 2016.

Future value-creation projects

Future value-creation projects represent land held for future development or land undergoing predevelopment activities. If land is undergoing predevelopment activities prior to commencement of construction of aboveground building improvements, we capitalize project costs, including interest, property taxes, insurance, and other costs directly related and essential to the development or construction of a project, during periods when activities necessary to prepare an asset for its intended use are in progress. For all other land (that we plan to develop in the future, but for which, as of each period presented, no construction or predevelopment activities were ongoing), interest, property taxes, insurance, and other costs are expensed as incurred. As of March 31, 2016, we had $234.1 million of future value-creation projects supporting an aggregate of 5.6 million square feet of ground-up development in North America.

15

4.
Investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures

360 Longwood Avenue

We are currently developing a building aggregating 413,799 RSF in our Longwood Medical Area submarket of the Greater Boston market. The cost at completion for this real estate project is expected to be approximately $350 million. As of March 31, 2016, we had 262,367 RSF, or 63% of the project, leased and in service. The real estate joint venture has a non-recourse, secured construction loan with commitments aggregating $213.2 million, of which $180.4 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2016. The amount of $180.0 million classified as secured note payable as of March 31, 2016, consist of $180.4 million of face value of the secured note payable net of $470 thousand of unamortized deferred financing costs. The remaining cost to complete the development is expected to be funded primarily from the remaining commitments of $32.8 million under the secured construction loan. The secured construction loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.25% for approximately $175.2 million of the total aggregate commitments, and bears interest at a floating interest rate of LIBOR+3.75%, with a floor of 5.25%, for approximately $38.0 million of the total aggregate commitments. The maturity date of the loan is April 1, 2017, with two, one-year options to extend the stated maturity date to April 1, 2019, subject to certain conditions. We have a 27.5% effective interest in this real estate joint venture. Our equity investment in this real estate joint venture was $50.1 million as of March 31, 2016.

1455/1515 Third Street

We have a real estate joint venture with Uber Technologies, Inc. (“Uber”), for the development of two buildings aggregating 422,980 RSF at 1455/1515 Third Street in our Mission Bay/SoMa submarket of the San Francisco market. We have a 51% interest, and Uber has a 49% interest, in this real estate joint venture. The project is 100% leased to Uber for a 15-year term. Our equity investment in the real estate joint venture aggregated $77.0 million as of March 31, 2016.

As described in Note 2 – “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” we evaluate each of our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures, which are limited liability companies, using the consolidation guidance under the variable interest model first, and then under the voting model if the entity is not a VIE. We evaluated our 360 Longwood Avenue joint venture (27.5% interest held by the Company) and our 1455/1515 Third Street joint venture (51% interest held by the Company) under the variable interest model, based upon the following characteristics of a VIE:

1)
The entity does not have sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support.
•
360 Longwood Avenue – This entity has significant equity and non-recourse financing in place to fund the remainder of the development.
•
1455/1515 Third Street – This entity has significant equity, and non-recourse financing is available to fund the remainder of the development.

2)
The entity is established with non-substantive voting rights.
•
360 Longwood Avenue – Our 27.5% economic interest in 360 Longwood Avenue consists of an interest in a real estate joint venture with a development partner. The joint venture with our development partner holds an interest in the property with an institutional investor. Our development partner is responsible for day-to-day management of construction and development activities, and we are responsible for day-to-day administrative operations of components of the property once they are placed into service following development completion. At the property level, all major decisions (including the development plan, annual budget, leasing plan, and financing plan) require approval of all three investors. Although voting rights within the structure are disproportionate to the members’ economic interests, the activities of the ventures are conducted on behalf of all members, and therefore, the voting rights, while disproportionate, are substantive.
•
1455/1515 Third Street – We hold a 51% economic interest in this real estate joint venture, and our joint venture partner holds a 49% economic interest. However, both members are required to approve major decisions, resulting in equal voting rights. Although voting rights within the structure are disproportionate to the members’ economic interests, the activities of the ventures are conducted on behalf of both members, and therefore, the voting rights, while disproportionate, are substantive.

16




4.
Investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures (continued)

3)
The equity holders, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, as evidenced by lack of substantive kick-out rights or substantive participating rights.
•
360 Longwood Avenue – The other members have significant participating rights, including day-to-day management of development activities and participation in decisions related to the operations of the property.
•
1455/1515 Third Street – Our joint venture partner has significant participating rights, including joint decision making for the design of the project, overall development costs, future potential financing and operating activities of the joint venture, and disposal of the assets held by the joint venture.

Since the joint ventures do not meet the VIE criteria, we determined that these entities do not qualify for evaluation under the VIE model. Therefore, we evaluate each of these joint ventures under the voting model. Under the voting model, we consolidate the entity if we determine that we, directly or indirectly, have greater than 50% of the voting shares, and we determine that noncontrolling equity holders do not have substantive participating rights.

For our 360 Longwood Avenue joint venture, our interest is limited to 27.5%, and since we do not have other contractual rights, we account for this joint venture under the equity method of accounting.

For our 1455/1515 Third Street joint venture, both members have substantive participating rights, and therefore, we also account for this joint venture under the equity method of accounting.

5.
Investments

We hold equity investments in certain publicly traded companies and investments in certain privately held entities and limited partnerships primarily involved in the science and technology industries. All of our equity investments in actively traded public companies are considered available-for-sale and are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Our investments in privately held entities are primarily accounted for under the cost method.

Investments in available-for-sale equity securities with gross unrealized losses as of March 31, 2016, had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. We have the ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient for the recovery of our investment. We believe that these unrealized losses are temporary. Accordingly, there are no other-than-temporary impairments in accumulated other comprehensive income related to available-for-sale equity securities as of March 31, 2016, or December 31, 2015.

The following table summarizes our investments as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Available-for-sale equity securities, cost basis
$
22,237

 
$
20,022

Unrealized gains
65,069

 
118,392

Unrealized losses
(1,919
)
 
(793
)
Available-for-sale equity securities, at fair value
85,387

 
137,621

Investments accounted for under cost method
230,776

 
215,844

Total investments
$
316,163

 
$
353,465

    
The following table outlines our investment income, which is classified in other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Investment gains
$
5,891

 
$
5,937

Investment losses
(1,782
)
 
(2,225
)
Investment income
$
4,109

 
$
3,712



17




6.
Other assets

The following table summarizes the components of other assets as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Acquired below-market ground leases
$
13,085

 
$
13,142

Acquired in-place leases
26,860

 
27,997

Deferred compensation plan
8,547

 
8,489

Deferred financing costs – unsecured senior line of credit
10,916

 
11,909

Deposits
8,570

 
3,713

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment, net
14,185

 
13,682

Interest rate swap assets
25

 
596

Notes receivable
16,672

 
16,630

Prepaid expenses
10,305

 
17,651

Other assets
20,950

 
19,503

Total
$
130,115

 
$
133,312


7.
Fair value measurements

We are required to disclose fair value information about all financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. We measure and disclose the estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities utilizing a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions. This hierarchy consists of three broad levels, as follows: (i) quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, (ii) significant other observable inputs, and (iii) significant unobservable inputs. Significant other observable inputs can include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Significant unobservable inputs are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, since there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances in which the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. There were no transfers between the levels in the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

The following tables set forth the assets and liabilities that we measure at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2016
Description
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale equity securities
 
$
85,387

 
$
85,387

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest rate swap agreements
 
$
25

 
$
—

 
$
25

 
$
—

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$
10,546

 
$
—

 
$
10,546

 
$
—


18


7.
Fair value measurements (continued)

 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
Description
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale equity securities
 
$
137,621

 
$
137,621

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest rate swap agreements
 
$
596

 
$
—

 
$
596

 
$
—

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$
4,314

 
$
—

 
$
4,314

 
$
—


The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, tenant receivables, other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits approximate fair value. Our available-for-sale equity securities and our interest rate swap agreements have been recognized at fair value. Refer to Note 5 – “Investments” and Note 9 – “Interest Rate Swap Agreements” in our unaudited consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of this report for further details. The fair values of our secured notes payable, unsecured senior notes payable, unsecured senior line of credit, and unsecured senior bank term loans were estimated using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analyses of significant other observable inputs such as available market information on discount and borrowing rates with similar terms, maturities, and credit ratings. Because the valuations of our financial instruments are based on these types of estimates, the actual fair value of our financial instruments may differ materially if our estimates do not prove to be accurate. Additionally, the use of different market assumptions or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the book and estimated fair values of our available-for-sale equity securities, interest rate swap agreements, secured notes payable, unsecured senior notes payable, unsecured senior line of credit, and unsecured senior bank term loans were as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Book Value
 
Fair Value
 
Book Value
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale equity securities
$
85,387

 
$
85,387

 
$
137,621

 
$
137,621

Interest rate swap agreements
$
25

 
$
25

 
$
596

 
$
596

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
$
10,546

 
$
10,546

 
$
4,314

 
$
4,314

Secured notes payable
$
816,578

 
$
846,915

 
$
809,818

 
$
832,342

Unsecured senior notes payable
$
2,031,284

 
$
2,113,185

 
$
2,030,631

 
$
2,059,855

Unsecured senior line of credit
$
299,000

 
$
300,428

 
$
151,000

 
$
151,450

Unsecured senior bank term loans
$
944,637

 
$
957,490

 
$
944,243

 
$
951,098


Nonrecurring fair value measurements

Refer to the section titled “Assets Located in Asia” in Note 14 – “Assets Classified as Held for Sale” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of this report.

19

8.
Secured and unsecured senior debt

The following table summarizes our secured and unsecured senior debt as of March 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
Fixed-Rate/Hedged
Variable Rate
 
Unhedged
Variable Rate
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average
 
 
 
Total
 
Interest
 
Remaining Term
(in years)
 
 
 
Consolidated (1)
 
Percentage
 
Rate (2)
 
Secured notes payable
$
359,935

 
$
456,643

 
$
816,578

 
20.0
%
 
3.90
%
 
2.6
Unsecured senior notes payable
2,031,284

 
—

 
2,031,284

 
49.6

 
4.14

 
7.5
$1.5 billion unsecured senior line of credit
150,000

 
149,000

 
299,000

 
7.3

 
1.77

 
2.8
2019 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan
597,035

 
—

 
597,035

 
14.6

 
1.88

 
2.8
2021 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan
347,602

 
—

 
347,602

 
8.5

 
1.74

 
4.8
Total/weighted average
$
3,485,856

 
$
605,643

 
$
4,091,499

 
100.0
%
 
3.39
%
 
5.2
Percentage of total debt
85%

 
15%

 
100%

 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
In accordance with the ASU adopted in January 2016 as discussed in Note 2 – “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
(2)
Represents the weighted-average interest rate as of the end of the period plus the impact of debt premiums/discounts, interest rate swap agreements, and deferred financing costs.


20
    

8.
Secured and unsecured senior debt (continued)

The following table summarizes our outstanding indebtedness and respective principal payments as of March 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Stated 
Rate
 
Weighted-Average
Interest Rate(1)
 
Maturity
 
Principal Payments Remaining for the Periods Ending December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
Unamortized Premium/(Discount), (Deferred Financing Costs)
 
 
Debt
 
 
 
Date (2)
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Principal
 
 
Total
Secured notes payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
San Francisco
 
6.35
%
 
6.64
%
 
(3)
 
$
126,020

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
126,020

 
$
(34
)
 
$
125,986

San Francisco
 
L+1.50

 
2.83

 
(3)
 
47,821

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
47,821

 
(104
)
 
47,717

Maryland
 
2.44

 
2.91

 
1/20/17
 
—

 
76,000

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
76,000

 
(208
)
 
75,792

Greater Boston
 
L+1.35

 
2.00

 
8/23/17
(4) 
—

 
188,120

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
188,120

 
(1,857
)
 
186,263

Greater Boston
 
L+1.50

 
1.85

 
1/28/19
(5) 
—

 
—

 
—

 
150,162

 
—

 
—

 
150,162

 
(3,291
)
 
146,871

San Diego, Seattle, and Maryland
 
7.75

 
8.07

 
4/1/20
 
1,285

 
1,832

 
1,979

 
2,138

 
104,352

 
—

 
111,586

 
(1,336
)
 
110,250

San Diego
 
4.66

 
4.92

 
1/1/23
 
1,103

 
1,540

 
1,614

 
1,692

 
1,770

 
29,904

 
37,623

 
(444
)
 
37,179

Greater Boston
 
3.93

 
3.18

 
3/10/23
 
—

 
—

 
1,091

 
1,505

 
1,566

 
77,838

 
82,000

 
3,708

 
85,708

San Francisco
 
6.50

 
6.64

 
7/1/36
 
19

 
20

 
22

 
23

 
25

 
703

 
812

 
—

 
812

Weighted-average interest rate/subtotal
 
3.83
%
 
3.90

 
 
 
176,248

 
267,512

 
4,706

 
155,520

 
107,713

 
108,445


820,144

 
(3,566
)
 
816,578

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$1.5 billion unsecured senior line of credit
 
L+1.10
%
(6) 
1.77

 
1/3/19
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
299,000

 
—

 
—

 
299,000

 
—

 
299,000

2019 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan
 
L+1.20
%
 
1.88

 
1/3/19
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
600,000

 
—

 
—

 
600,000

 
(2,965
)
 
597,035

2021 Unsecured Senior Bank Term Loan
 
L+1.10
%
 
1.74

 
1/15/21
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
350,000

 
350,000

 
(2,398
)
 
347,602

Unsecured senior notes payable
 
2.75
%
 
2.95

 
1/15/20
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
400,000

 
—

 
400,000

 
(2,986
)
 
397,014

Unsecured senior notes payable
 
4.60
%
 
4.72

 
4/1/22
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
550,000

 
550,000

 
(3,886
)
 
546,114

Unsecured senior notes payable
 
3.90
%
 
4.02

 
6/15/23
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
500,000

 
500,000

 
(4,236
)
 
495,764

Unsecured senior notes payable
 
4.30
%
 
4.46

 
1/15/26
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
300,000

 
300,000

 
(4,669
)
 
295,331

Unsecured senior notes payable
 
4.50
%
 
4.58

 
7/30/29
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
300,000

 
300,000

 
(2,939
)
 
297,061

Unsecured debt weighted average/subtotal
 
 
 
3.26

 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
899,000

 
400,000

 
2,000,000

 
3,299,000

 
(24,079
)
 
3,274,921

Weighted-average interest rate/total
 
 
 
3.39
%
 
 
 
$
176,248

 
$
267,512

 
$
4,706

 
$
1,054,520

 
$
507,713

 
$
2,108,445

 
$
4,119,144

 
$
(27,645
)
 
$
4,091,499

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balloon payments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
173,135

 
$
264,120

 
$
—

 
$
1,049,162

 
$
503,979

 
$
2,100,487

 
$
4,090,883

 
$
—

 
$
4,090,883

Principal amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,113

 
3,392

 
4,706

 
5,358

 
3,734

 
7,958

 
28,261

 
(27,645
)
 
616

Total debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
176,248

 
$
267,512

 
$
4,706

 
$
1,054,520

 
$
507,713

 
$
2,108,445

 
$
4,119,144

 
$
(27,645
)
 
$
4,091,499

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-rate/hedged variable-rate debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
128,427

 
$
3,392

 
$
4,706

 
$
755,358

 
$
507,713

 
$
2,108,445

 
$
3,508,041

 
$
(22,185
)
 
$
3,485,856

Unhedged variable-rate debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47,821

 
264,120

 
—

 
299,162

 
—

 
—

 
611,103

 
(5,460
)
 
605,643

Total debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
176,248

 
$
267,512

 
$
4,706

 
$
1,054,520

 
$
507,713

 
$
2,108,445

 
$
4,119,144

 
$
(27,645
)
 
$
4,091,499


(1)
Represents the weighted-average interest rate as of the end of the period plus the impact of debt premiums/discounts, interest rate swap agreements, and deferred financing costs.
(2)
Reflects any extension options that we control.
(3)
In April 2016, we repaid the $47.8 million secured note payable with an effective interest rate of 2.83%. In May 2016, we repaid the $126.0 million secured note payable with an effective interest rate of 6.64%.
(4)
We have a one-year option to extend the stated maturity date to August 23, 2018, subject to certain conditions.
(5)
We have two, one-year options to extend the stated maturity date to January 28, 2021, subject to certain conditions.
(6)
Our unsecured senior line of credit contains a feature that allows lenders to competitively bid on the interest rate for borrowings under the facility. This may result in an interest rate that is below the stated rate of LIBOR+1.10%. In addition to the cost of borrowing, the facility is subject to an annual facility fee of 0.20%, based on the aggregate commitments. Unamortized deferred financing costs related to our unsecured senior line of credit are classified in other assets and are excluded from the calculation of the weighted-average interest rate. Refer to the ASU adopted in January 2016 as described in Note 2 – “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

21
    

8.
Secured and unsecured senior debt (continued)

Interest expense

The following table summarizes interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Gross interest
$
36,954

 
$
34,207

Capitalized interest
(12,099
)
 
(10,971
)
Interest expense
$
24,855

 
$
23,236


Repayment of secured notes payable

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we repaid three secured notes payable aggregating $57.2 million with a weighted-average effective interest rate of 4.36%.

In April 2016, we repaid a $47.8 million secured note payable with a an effective interest rate of 2.83%.

In May 2016, we repaid a $126.0 million secured note payable with an effective interest rate of 6.64%.

Secured construction loans

The following table summarizes our secured construction loans as of March 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
Market
 
Stated Rate
 
Maturity Date
 
Outstanding Balance
 
Remaining Commitments
 
Total Aggregate Commitments
259 East Grand Avenue/San Francisco
 
 
L+1.50%
 
(1) 
 
 
$
47,821

 
$
7,179

 
$
55,000

75/125 Binney Street/Greater Boston
 
 
L+1.35%
 
8/23/17
(2) 
 
188,120

 
62,280

 
250,400

50/60 Binney Street/Greater Boston
 
 
L+1.50%
 
1/28/19
(3) 
 
150,162

 
199,838

 
350,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
386,103

 
$
269,297

 
$
655,400


(1)
In April 2016, we repaid this secured note payable with an effective interest rate of 2.83%.
(2)
We have a one-year option to extend the stated maturity date to August 23, 2018, subject to certain conditions.
(3)
We have two, one-year options to extend the stated maturity date to January 28, 2021, subject to certain conditions.

During April 2016, we executed the following secured construction loan for our development project at 100 Binney Street, located in our Cambridge submarket (dollars in thousands):
Market
 
Stated Rate
 
Maturity Date
 
Outstanding Balance
 
Remaining Commitments
 
Total Aggregate Commitments
100 Binney Street/Greater Boston
 
 
L+2.00%
 
4/20/19
(1) 
 
$
—

 
$
304,281

 
$
304,281


(1)
We have two, one-year options to extend the stated maturity date to April 20, 2021, subject to certain conditions.


22

9.
Interest rate swap agreements

We use interest rate swap agreements to hedge the variable cash flows associated with certain of our existing LIBOR-based variable-rate debt, including our unsecured senior line of credit, unsecured senior bank term loans, and secured notes payable. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is required to be recognized directly in earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, our interest rate swap agreements were 100% effective; as a result, no hedge ineffectiveness was recognized in earnings. Changes in fair value, including accrued interest and adjustments for non-performance risk, on the effective portion of our interest rate swap agreements that are designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges are classified in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts classified in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. During the next 12 months, we expect to reclassify approximately $5.8 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings as an increase to interest expense. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the fair values of our interest rate swap agreements aggregating an asset balance were classified in other assets, and those aggregating a liability balance were classified in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits, based upon their respective fair values, without any offsetting pursuant to master netting agreements. Refer to Note 7 – “Fair Value Measurements” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of this report. Under our interest rate swap agreements, we have no collateral posting requirements.

The Company has agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision wherein (i) the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company’s default on the indebtedness; or (ii) if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. If the Company had breached any of these provisions as of March 31, 2016, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $10.6 million.

We had the following outstanding interest rate swap agreements that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk as of March 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Number of Contracts
 
Weighted-Average Interest Pay Rate(1)
 
Fair Value as of 3/31/16
 
Notional Amount in Effect as of
Effective Date
 
Maturity Date
 
 
 
 
3/31/16
 
12/31/16
 
12/31/17
 
12/31/18
September 1, 2015
 
March 31, 2017
 
2
 
0.57%
 
$
(5
)
 
$
100,000

 
$
100,000