QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 99.1

         LOGO

420 Lexington Avenue, New York City, NY 10170

CONTACT
Michael W. Reid
Chief Operating Officer
-or-
Thomas E. Wirth
Chief Financial Officer
(212) 594-2700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SL GREEN REALTY CORP. REPORTS IMPROVED
THIRD QUARTER FFO RESULTS

Release Highlights

Financial Results

        New York, NY, October 21, 2003—SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE:SLG) reported a 1% increase in operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2003. During this period, funds from operations (FFO) before minority interests totaled $31.8 million, or $0.87 per share (diluted), compared to $30.3 million, or $0.86 per share (diluted), for the same quarter in 2002.

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, operating results improved 6% as FFO before minority interest totaled $93.6 million, or $2.59 per share (diluted), compared to $85.6 million, or $2.45 per share (diluted), for the same period in 2002. The increase is primarily attributable to the acquisitions of 220 East 42nd Street and condominium interests in 125 Broad Street in the first quarter of 2003.

        Net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2003 totaled $19.4 million, or $0.59 per share (diluted), a 9% increase as compared to the same quarter in 2002 when net income

1



totaled $17.0 million, or $0.54 per share (diluted). The increase in net income is primarily due to the $3.7 million ($0.10 per share) gain from the sale of 1370 Broadway, partially offset by increased depreciation expense from the first quarter 2003 acquisitions of 220 East 42nd Street and condominium interests in 125 Broad Street.

        Net income available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 totaled $68.9 million, or $2.09 per share (diluted), an increase of 35% as compared to the same period in 2002 when net income totaled $47.9 million, or $1.55 per share (diluted). The increase is primarily due to $21.3 million in gains on the sales of 50 West 23rd Street and 1370 Broadway.

        The Company's third quarter weighted average diluted shares outstanding increased 1.4 million, or 4%, to 39.2 million in 2003 from 37.8 million in 2002. The increase is primarily attributable to (i) the issuance of units of limited partnership interests in the Company's operating partnership in connection with the acquisitions of 220 East 42nd Street and condominium interests in 125 Broad Street in the first quarter of 2003, (ii) employee stock grants and stock option redemptions and (iii) additional dilution from outstanding stock options.

Consolidated Results

        Total quarterly revenues increased 34% in the third quarter of 2003 to $81.3 million compared to $60.8 million in the same quarter in 2002. The $20.5 million growth in revenue resulted primarily from the following items:

        The Company's EBITDA increased $5.3 million to $42.7 million. The following items primarily drove the EBITDA increase:

        EBITDA margins (EBITDA divided by total revenue) before ground rent decreased to 62.7% compared to 75.1% for the same period last year. After ground rent, EBITDA margins decreased to 58.1% from 69.2% in the corresponding period. The reductions in margins were primarily due to (i) the reduction in investment income and preferred equity investment income, which decreased primarily due to lower outstanding balances, and (ii) increased operating costs.

        FFO improved $1.4 million primarily as a result of:

2


        The $2.7 million increase in interest expense was primarily associated with higher average debt levels associated with new investment activity ($3.8 million) and the funding of ongoing capital projects and working capital requirements ($0.1 million). These increases were partially offset by reduced loan balances due to previous disposition activity ($1.3 million) and lower interest rates ($0.1 million).

        The 2002 results have been restated to classify the operating results of 2003 sales as income from discontinued operations. The properties sold in 2003, which are included in this restatement, are 50 West 23rd Street (March 2003), 875 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, Connecticut (May 2003), and 1370 Broadway (July 2003).

Same-Store Results

        During the third quarter of 2003, same-store cash NOI increased $0.5 million to $26.1 million, as compared to $25.6 million over the same quarter in 2002. The increase in same-store cash NOI was driven by a $4.5 million (9%) increase in cash revenue. This increase in cash revenue was primarily due to:


        However, cash NOI margins before ground rent decreased year over year from 53.2% to 50.6%. The decrease in operating margins was primarily due to the $4.0 million (16%) increase in operating expenses resulted from the following:

        Approximately 90% of the quarterly electric expense was recovered through the utility clause in tenant leases and approximately 35% of the quarterly real estate tax expense was recovered through the escalation clause in tenant leases.

Leasing Activity

        For the third quarter of 2003, the Company signed 69 office leases totaling approximately 275,000 rentable square feet with starting office cash rents averaging $33.90 per square foot, a 3.2% increase

3



over previously fully-escalated cash rents averaging $32.86 per square foot. Tenant concessions averaged 1.1 months of free rent with an allowance for tenant improvements of $16.49 per rentable square foot. This leasing activity includes early renewals for 11 office leases totaling approximately 103,000 rentable square feet. Including retail and storage, the Company's quarterly leasing activity totaled 75 signed leases for approximately 289,000 rentable square feet.

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company signed 194 office leases totaling approximately 904,000 rentable square feet with starting office cash rents averaging $33.99 per square foot, a 5.9% increase over previously fully-escalated cash rents averaging $32.10 per square foot. Tenant concessions averaged 2.1 months of free rent with an allowance for tenant improvements of $18.64 per rentable square foot. This leasing activity includes early renewals for 24 office leases totaling approximately 157,000 rentable square feet.

Real Estate Activity

1370 Broadway
New York, New York

        On July 31, 2003 the Company sold 1370 Broadway for total consideration of $58.5 million, or $234 per square foot. This sale resulted in a gain of approximately $4.0 million. The $18.5 million taxable gain, inclusive of the deferred gain from the prior sale of 17 Battery South, was deferred into the acquisition of 461 Fifth Avenue.

461 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York

        On October 1, 2003, the Company acquired the long-term leasehold interest in 461 Fifth Avenue for $60.9 million, or $305 per square foot. The Company's initially announced purchase price of $62.3 million was subsequently reduced by $1.4 million of purchase price adjustments received at closing. The going-in unlevered cash NOI yield on investment is 7.92%. The leasehold acquisition was funded, in part, with the proceeds from the sale of 1370 Broadway. As a 1031 tax-free exchange, the transaction enabled the Company to defer gains from the sale of 1370 Broadway and from the sale of 17 Battery Place South, which gain was initially re-invested in 1370 Broadway. The balance of the acquisition was funded using the Company's unsecured line of credit.

125 Broad Street
New York, New York

        During the quarter, the Company exercised an option to acquire its portion of the underlying fee interest in 125 Broad Street for approximately $5.9 million. This transaction is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2004.

321 West 44th Street
New York, New York

        The joint venture, comprised of the Company and Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund III, L.P. ("MSREF") has entered into an agreement to sell 321 West 44th Street to Thor Equities LLC. The sale price is $35.0 million, or approximately $172 per square foot. 321 West 44th Street is a ten- story office building located mid-block between Eighth and Ninth Avenues on 44th Street. The Company purchased 321 West 44thin March 1998 for $17.0 million. In May 2000, the Company contributed the property into a joint venture with MSREF and retained a 35% ownership interest.

4



Structured Finance Activity

        During the third quarter of 2003, the Company originated $70.0 million of structured finance investments with an initial yield of 10.1%. In July 2003, the Company received proceeds from a redemption totaling $27.6 million.

        As of September 30, 2003, the par value of the Company's structured finance and preferred equity investments totaled $168.0 million. The weighted average balance outstanding for the third quarter was $128.0 million. During the third quarter 2003, the weighted average yield was 11.3% and the third quarter end run rate is 11.4%.

Financing Activity

180 Madison Mortgage Financing

        In July 2003, the Company completed a $45.0 million first mortgage refinancing of the property located at 180 Madison Avenue, owned through a joint venture with Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund. The mortgage bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.57% per annum and matures in July 2008. The financing proceeds were used to pay off the existing $31.6 million first mortgage. The Company's share of proceeds totaled $6.0 million and was used to reduce the outstanding balance on the Company's unsecured line of credit.

Conversion of Preferred Income
Equity Redeemable Shares

        On September 30, 2003, the Company converted all 4.6 million of the outstanding shares of its 8.0% Series A Preferred Income Equity Redeemable Shares ("PIERS" (SM)). Each share of the PIERS was converted into common stock at the rate of 1.0215 resulting in a 4.7 million common share issuance. Dividends were paid on the PIERS through the conversion date. The Company did not recognize an earnings charge on the conversion because the transaction did not involve either a redemption or an induced conversion.

Forward Swap Contract

        During October 2003, the Company entered into a $35.0 million five-year forward serial swap in connection with the anticipated final December 2003 draw from the $200 million unsecured term loan. The forward swap is stepped with a one-year rate of 2.95% that will increase to 5.61% in December 2004 through the term loan maturity date in June 2008.

Other

        Today, the Company's portfolio consists of interests in 26 properties, aggregating 12.8 million square feet.

        SL Green Realty Corp. is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") that acquires, owns, repositions and manages a portfolio of commercial office properties in Manhattan. The Company is the only publicly traded REIT which exclusively specializes in this niche.

Conference Call

        The Company will host a conference call and audio web cast on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 2 PM ET to discuss the financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (913) 981-5559. A replay of the call will be available through October 30, 2003 by dialing (719) 457-0820 or (888) 203-1112, pass-code 799921. The call will be simultaneously broadcast via the Internet and

5



individuals who wish to access the conference call should go to www.slgreen.com to log onto the call or to listen to a replay following the call.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        During the October 22, 2003 conference call, the Company may discuss non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. In addition, the Company has used non-GAAP financial measures in this press release. A reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure and the comparable GAAP financial measure (net income) can be found on pages seven and nine of this release and in our third quarter supplemental data package.

* Financial Tables attached

        To receive the Company's latest news release and other corporate documents, including the third quarter supplemental data, via FAX at no cost, please contact the Investor Relations office at 212-216-1601. All releases and supplemental data can also be downloaded directly from the SL Green website at: www.slgreen.com

Forward-looking Information

        This press release contains forward-looking information based upon the Company's current best judgment and expectations. Actual results could vary from those presented herein. The risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking information in this release include the strength of the commercial office real estate markets in New York, competitive market conditions, unanticipated administrative costs, timing of leasing income, general and local economic conditions, interest rates, capital market conditions, tenant bankruptcies and defaults, the availability and cost of comprehensive insurance, including coverage for terrorist acts, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking information. For further information, please refer to the Company's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

6




SL GREEN REALTY CORP.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS-UNAUDITED
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
 
  2003
  2002
  2003
  2002
 
Revenue:                          
Rental revenue, net   $ 59,908   $ 45,199   $ 170,830   $ 134,089  
SFAS 141 Revenue Adjustment     (42 )       (97 )    
Escalations & reimbursement revenues     13,387     8,489     31,586     20,801  
Signage rent     99     191     831     924  
Preferred equity investment income     658     1,960     2,945     5,805  
Investment income     3,201     3,871     9,280     11,420  
Other income     4,113     1,093     6,976     3,267  
   
 
 
 
 
  Total revenues     81,324     60,803     222,351     176,306  

Equity in net (loss) income from affiliates

 

 


 

 

21

 

 

(196

)

 

244

 
Equity in net income from unconsolidated joint ventures     3,036     5,784     10,863     13,115  

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Operating expenses     23,534     15,594     59,532     42,031  
Ground rent     3,366     3,159     9,796     9,478  
Real estate taxes     11,814     7,383     32,397     20,938  
Marketing, general and administrative     2,994     3,160     8,984     9,719  
   
 
 
 
 
  Total expenses     41,708     29,296     110,709     82,166  
   
 
 
 
 
Earnings Before Interest, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)     42,652     37,312     122,309     107,499  
Interest     11,584     9,069     32,809     26,308  
Depreciation and amortization     12,682     9,421     34,844     27,560  
   
 
 
 
 
Net income from Continuing Operations     18,386     18,822     54,656     53,631  
   
 
 
 
 

Income from Discontinued Operations, net of minority interests

 

 

482

 

 

1,785

 

 

3,173

 

 

4,795

 
Gain on sale of Discontinued Operations, net of minority interests     3,745         21,269      
Minority interests     (972 )   (1,171 )   (3,137 )   (3,252 )
Preferred stock dividends and accretion     (2,224 )   (2,423 )   (7,087 )   (7,268 )
   
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders   $ 19,417   $ 17,013   $ 68,874   $ 47,906  
   
 
 
 
 
Net income per share (Basic)   $ 0.62   $ 0.56   $ 2.22   $ 1.59  
Net income per share (Diluted)   $ 0.59   $ 0.54   $ 2.09   $ 1.55  

Funds From Operations (FFO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
FFO per share (Basic)   $ 0.95   $ 0.93   $ 2.81   $ 2.64  
FFO per share (Diluted)   $ 0.87   $ 0.86   $ 2.59   $ 2.45  

FFO Calculation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Income before minority interests, preferred stock dividends and accretion and discontinued operations   $ 18,386   $ 18,822   $ 54,656   $ 53,631  
Less:                          
Preferred stock dividend     (2,093 )   (2,300 )   (6,693 )   (6,900 )
Add:                          
Depreciation and amortization     12,682     9,421     34,844     27,560  
FFO from Discontinued Operations     617     2,293     4,134     6,724  
Joint venture FFO adjustment     3,477     3,072     10,302     7,666  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and depreciation of non-real estate assets     (1,237 )   (1,046 )   (3,608 )   (3,079 )
   
 
 
 
 
FFO before minority interests—BASIC     31,832     30,262     93,635     85,602  
Add: Preferred stock dividends     2,093     2,300     6,693     6,900  
   
 
 
 
 
FFO before minority interests—DILUTED   $ 33,925   $ 32,562   $ 100,328   $ 92,502  
   
 
 
 
 
Basic ownership interest                          
  Weighted average REIT common shares     31,269     30,357     31,021     30,185  
  Weighted average partnership units held by minority interests     2,306     2,180     2,304     2,224  
   
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares and units outstanding     33,575     32,537     33,325     32,409  
   
 
 
 
 
Diluted ownership interest                          
  Weighted average REIT common share and common share equivalents     32,273     30,932     31,776     30,850  
  Weighted average partnership units held by minority interests     2,306     2,180     2,304     2,224  
  Common share equivalents for preferred stock     4,607     4,699     4,668     4,699  
   
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares and units outstanding     39,186     37,811     38,748     37,773  
   
 
 
 
 

7



SL GREEN REALTY CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

 
  September 30,
2003

  December 31, 2002
 
 
  (Unaudited)

   
 
Assets              
Commercial real estate properties, at cost:              
Land and land interests   $ 167,816   $ 131,078  
Buildings and improvements     841,716     683,165  
Building leasehold and improvements     251,866     149,326  
Property under capital lease     12,208     12,208  
   
 
 
      1,273,606     975,777  
Less accumulated depreciation     (147,083 )   (126,669 )
   
 
 
      1,126,523     849,108  

Assets held for sale

 

 


 

 

41,536

 
Cash and cash equivalents     14,171     58,020  
Restricted cash     110,639     29,082  
Tenant and other receivables, net of allowance of $7,599 and $5,927 in 2003 and 2002, respectively     14,022     6,587  
Related party receivables     7,068     4,868  
Deferred rents receivable, net of allowance of $7,029 and $6,575 in 2003 and 2002, respectively     61,361     55,731  
Investment in and advances to affiliates         3,979  
Structured finance investments, net of discount of $85 and $205 in 2003 and 2002, respectively     167,954     145,640  
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures     205,821     214,644  
Deferred costs, net     36,969     35,511  
Other assets     20,619     28,464  
   
 
 
Total assets   $ 1,765,147   $ 1,473,170  
   
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity              
Mortgage notes payable   $ 532,426   $ 367,503  
Revolving credit facilities     95,000     74,000  
Unsecured term loan     165,000     100,000  
Derivative instruments at fair value     5,390     10,962  
Accrued interest payable     2,553     1,806  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     46,935     41,197  
Deferred compensation awards         1,329  
Deferred revenue/gain     9,267     3,096  
Capitalized lease obligations     16,090     15,862  
Deferred land lease payable     15,106     14,626  
Dividend and distributions payable     17,914     17,436  
Security deposits     21,110     20,948  
Liabilities related to assets held for sale         21,321  
   
 
 
Total liabilities     926,791     690,086  
Commitments and contingencies              
Minority interests     53,947     44,039  
Minority interest in partially owned assets     525     679  
8% Preferred Income Equity Redeemable Shares $0.01 par value, $25.00 mandatory liquidation preference, none and 4,600 outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002         111,721  
Stockholders' Equity              
Common stock, $0.01 par value 100,000 shares authorized, 35,876 and 30,422 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 30, 2002, respectively     358     304  
Additional paid—in capital     722,565     592,585  
Deferred compensation plan     (9,062 )   (5,562 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (5,382 )   (10,740 )
Retained earnings     75,405     50,058  
   
 
 
Total stockholders' equity     783,884     626,645  
   
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 1,765,147   $ 1,473,170  
   
 
 

8



SL GREEN REALTY CORP.
SELECTED OPERATING DATA-UNAUDITED

 
  September 30,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Operating Data:              
Net rentable area at end of period (in 000's)(1)     12,605     11,533  
Portfolio percentage leased at end of period     95.5 %   97.0 %
Same-Store percentage leased at end of period     97.5 %   96.9 %
Number of properties in operation     25     25  
Office square feet leased during quarter (rentable)     275,000     358,000  
Average mark-to-market percentage-office     3 %   44 %
Average starting cash rent per rentable square foot-office   $ 33.90   $ 33.24  

(1)
Includes wholly owned and majority and minority owned properties.


SL GREEN REALTY CORP.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,

 
  2003
  2002
Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA):   $ 42,652   $ 37,312
Add:            
Marketing, general & administrative expense     2,994     3,160
Operating income from discontinued operations     3,652     6,072

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 
Non-building revenue     9,598     9,986
   
 
GAAP net operating income (GAAP NOI)   $ 39,700   $ 36,558

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 
Operating income from discontinued operations     3,652     6,072
GAAP NOI from other consolidated properties     7,582     2,844
   
 
2003 Same-Store GAAP NOI   $ 28,466   $ 27,642
Less:            
Free Rent     1,301     1,472
Straight-line rent     1,314     1,386
Add:            
Ground lease straight-line rent expense     160     160
Credit loss     132     705
   
 
2003 Same-Store cash NOI   $ 26,143   $ 24,649
   
 

*
See page 7 for a reconciliation of FFO and EBITDA to net income.

9




QuickLinks

SL GREEN REALTY CORP. REPORTS IMPROVED THIRD QUARTER FFO RESULTS
SL GREEN REALTY CORP. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS-UNAUDITED (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
SL GREEN REALTY CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
SL GREEN REALTY CORP. SELECTED OPERATING DATA-UNAUDITED
SL GREEN REALTY CORP. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES* (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)