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ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Acadia Realty Trust (the "Trust") and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), is a fully-integrated equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") focused on the ownership, acquisition, redevelopment, and management of high-quality retail properties located primarily in high-barrier-to-entry, supply-constrained, densely-populated metropolitan areas in the United States.

All of the Company’s assets are held by, and all of its operations are conducted through, Acadia Realty Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership") and entities in which the Operating Partnership owns an interest. As of December 31, 2015, the Trust controlled approximately 95% of the Operating Partnership as the sole general partner. As the general partner, the Trust is entitled to share, in proportion to its percentage interest, in the cash distributions and profits and losses of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners primarily represent entities or individuals that contributed their interests in certain properties or entities to the Operating Partnership in exchange for common or preferred units of limited partnership interest ("Common OP Units" or "Preferred OP Units") and employees who have been awarded restricted Common OP Units ("LTIP Units") as long-term incentive compensation (Note 15). Limited partners holding Common OP and LTIP Units are generally entitled to exchange their units on a one-for-one basis for common shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ("Common Shares"). This structure is referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT or "UPREIT."

As of December 31, 2015, the Company has ownership interests in 90 properties within its core portfolio, which consist of those properties either 100% owned, or partially owned through joint venture interests, by the Operating Partnership, or subsidiaries thereof, not including those properties owned through its funds ("Core Portfolio"). The Company also has ownership interests in 57 properties within its opportunity funds, Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund I, LP ("Fund I"), Acadia Strategic Opportunity II, LLC ("Fund II"), Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund III LLC ("Fund III") and Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund IV LLC (("Fund IV") and together with Funds I, II, and III, the "Funds"). The 147 Core Portfolio and Fund properties primarily consist of street and urban retail, and dense suburban shopping centers. In addition, the Company, together with the investors in the Funds, invest in operating companies through Acadia Mervyn Investors I, LLC ("Mervyns I"), Acadia Mervyn Investors II, LLC ("Mervyns II") and Fund II, all on a non-recourse basis.

The Operating Partnership is the sole general partner or managing member of the Funds and Mervyns I and II and earns fees or priority distributions for asset management, property management, construction, redevelopment, leasing, and legal services. Cash flows from the Funds and Mervyns I and II are distributed pro-rata to their respective partners and members (including the Operating Partnership) until each receives a certain cumulative return ("Preferred Return"), and the return of all capital contributions. Thereafter, remaining cash flow is distributed 20% to the Operating Partnership ("Promote") and 80% to the partners or members (including the Operating Partnership).

Following is a table summarizing the general terms and Operating Partnership's equity interests in the Funds and Mervyns I and II:
Entity
Formation Date
Operating Partnership Share of Capital
Fund Size
Capital Called as of December 31, 2015 (4)
Unfunded Commitment
Equity Interest Held By Operating Partnership
Preferred Return
Total Distributions as of December 31, 2015 (4)
Fund I and Mervyns I (1)
9/2001
22.22
%
$
90.0

$
86.6

$

37.78
%
9
%
$
194.5

Fund II and Mervyns II (2)
6/2004
20.00
%
300.0

300.0

47.1

20.00
%
8
%
131.6

Fund III (3)
5/2007
24.54
%
502.5

387.5

62.5

24.54
%
6
%
445.7

Fund IV
5/2012
23.12
%
540.6

179.4

361.2

23.12
%
6
%
101.9

ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Notes:

(1) Fund I and Mervyns I have returned all capital and preferred return. The Operating Partnership is now entitled to a Promote on all future cash distributions.
(2) During 2013, a distribution of $47.1 million was made to the Fund II investors, including the Operating Partnership. This amount is subject to recontribution to Fund II until December 2016, if needed to fund the on-going development and construction of existing projects.
(3)
During 2015, the Company acquired an additional 4.6% interest in Fund III from a limited partner for $7.3 million, giving the Company an aggregate 24.54% interest.
(4) Represents the total for the Funds, including the Operating Partnership and noncontrolling interests' shares.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company and its controlling investments in partnerships and limited liability companies in which the Company has control in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810 "Consolidation" ("ASC Topic 810"). The ownership interests of other investors in these entities are recorded as noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities for which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over, but does not have financial or operating control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company’s share of the earnings (or losses) of these entities are included in consolidated net income.

Variable interest entities are accounted for within the scope of ASC Topic 810 and are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the enterprise that has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the variable interest entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the variable interest entity that could be significant to the variable interest entity. Management has evaluated the applicability of ASC Topic 810 to its investments in certain joint ventures and determined that these joint ventures are not variable interest entities or that the Company is not the primary beneficiary and, therefore, consolidation of these ventures is not required. These investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

The Company primarily accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method as it does not exercise control over significant asset decisions such as buying, selling or financing nor is it the primary beneficiary under ASC Topic 810, as discussed above. The Company does have significant influence over most of these investments, which requires equity method accounting. Under the equity method, the Company increases its investment for its proportionate share of net income and contributions to the joint venture and decreases its investment balance by recording its proportionate share of net loss and distributions. The Company accounts for some of its investments under the cost method. Due to its minor ownership of three investments as well as the terms of the underlying operating agreements, the Company has no influence over such entities' operating and financial policies. Other than the minority investor rights to which the Company is entitled pursuant to statute, it has no rights other than to receive its pro-rata share of cash distributions as declared by the managers of these investments. The Company recognizes income for distributions in excess of its investment where there is no recourse to the Company. For investments in which there is recourse to the Company, distributions in excess of the investment are recorded as a liability. Although the Company accounts for its investment in Albertson’s (Note 4) under the equity method of accounting, the Company adopted the policy of not recording its equity in earnings or losses of this unconsolidated affiliate until it receives the audited financial statements of Albertson’s to support the equity in earnings or losses in accordance with ASC Topic 323, "Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures."

The Company periodically reviews its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures for other-than-temporary losses in investment value. Any decline that is not expected to be recovered based on the underlying assets of the investment, is considered other than temporary and an impairment charge is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the investment. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were no impairment charges related to the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures.

ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Use of Estimates

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") require the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant assumptions and estimates relate to the valuation of real estate, depreciable lives, revenue recognition and the collectability of notes receivable and rents receivable. Application of these estimates and assumptions requires the exercise of judgment as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Real Estate and Real Estate Under Development

Real estate assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Real estate under development includes costs for significant property expansion and redevelopment. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of 30 to 40 years for buildings, the shorter of the useful life or lease term for tenant improvements and five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.

Upon acquisitions of real estate, the Company assesses the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities (including land, buildings and improvements, and identified intangibles such as above and below market leases and acquired in-place leases and customer relationships) and acquired liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 805 "Business Combinations" and ASC Topic 350 "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other," and allocates the acquisition price based on these assessments. Fixed-rate renewal options have been included in the calculation of the fair value of acquired leases where applicable. To the extent there were fixed-rate options at below-market rental rates, the Company included these along with the current term below-market rent in arriving at the fair value of the acquired leases. The discounted difference between contract and market rents is being amortized over the remaining applicable lease term, inclusive of any option periods. The Company assesses fair value based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property.

The Company capitalizes certain costs related to the development and redevelopment of real estate including initial project acquisition costs, pre-construction costs, interest, real estate taxes, insurance, construction costs and salaries and related costs of personnel directly involved with the specific project. Additionally, the Company capitalizes interest costs related to development and redevelopment activities. Capitalization of these costs begin when the activities and related expenditures commence, and cease when the property is held available for occupancy upon substantial completion of tenant improvements, but no later than one year from the completion of major construction activity at which time the project is placed in service and depreciation commences.

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when there is an event or a change in circumstances that indicates that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company measures and records impairment losses and reduces the carrying value of properties when indicators of impairment are present and the expected undiscounted cash flows related to those properties are less than their carrying amounts. In cases where the Company does not expect to recover its carrying costs on properties held for use, the Company reduces its carrying costs to fair value, and for properties held for sale, the Company reduces its carrying value to the fair value less costs to sell. During the year ended December 31, 2015, as a result of the loss of a key anchor tenant, one of the properties in the Company's Brandywine Portfolio, in which an unaffiliated third party has a 77.78% noncontrolling interest, did not generate sufficient cash flow to meet the full debt service requirements leading to a default on the mortgage loan. Management performed an analysis and determined that the carrying amount of this property was not recoverable. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $5.0 million, which is included in the statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Operating Partnership's share of this charge, net of the noncontrolling interest, was $1.1 million. The property is collateral for $26.3 million of non-recourse mortgage debt which matures July 1, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company determined that the values of the Walnut Hill Plaza and Fund III's Sheepshead Bay property were impaired. Accordingly, impairment charges of $1.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively were recorded. The Operating Partnership's share of the impairment charge related to Sheepshead Bay was $1.3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, no impairment charges were recorded. Management does not believe that the values of any other properties within the portfolio are impaired as of December 31, 2015.



ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

The Company recognizes property sales in accordance with ASC Topic 970 "Real Estate." The Company generally records the sales of operating properties and outparcels using the full accrual method at closing when the earnings process is deemed to be complete. Sales not qualifying for full recognition at the time of sale are accounted for under other appropriate deferral methods. The Company evaluates the held-for-sale classification of its real estate each quarter. Assets that are classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Assets are generally classified as held for sale once management has initiated an active program to market them for sale and has received a firm purchase commitment.

On occasion, the Company will receive unsolicited offers from third parties to buy individual Company properties. Under these circumstances, the Company will classify the properties as held for sale when a sales contract is executed with no contingencies and the prospective buyer has funds at risk to ensure performance.

Deferred Costs

Fees and costs paid in the successful negotiation of leases are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Fees and costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing are deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense over the term of the related debt obligation. The Company capitalizes salaries, commissions and benefits related to time spent by leasing and legal department personnel involved in originating leases.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Leases with tenants are accounted for as operating leases. Minimum rents are recognized, net of any rent concessions or tenant lease incentives, including free rent, on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases, beginning when the tenant is entitled to take possession of the space. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, unbilled rents receivable relating to the straight-lining of rents of $31.3 million and $28.0 million, respectively, are included in Rents Receivable, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Certain of these leases also provide for percentage rents based upon the level of sales achieved by the tenant. Percentage rent is recognized in the period when the tenants’ sales breakpoint is met. In addition, leases typically provide for the reimbursement to the Company of real estate taxes, insurance and other property operating expenses. These reimbursements are recognized as revenue in the period the related expenses are incurred.

The Company makes estimates of the uncollectability of its accounts receivable related to tenant revenues. An allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided against certain tenant accounts receivable that are estimated to be uncollectible. Once the amount is ultimately deemed to be uncollectible, it is written off. Rents receivable at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are shown net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $7.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

Notes Receivable and Preferred Equity

Notes receivable and preferred equity investments are intended to be held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. Interest income from notes receivable and preferred equity investments are recognized using the effective interest method over the expected life of the loan. Under the effective interest method, interest or fees collected at the origination of the investment or the payoff of the investment are recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield.

Allowances for real estate notes receivable are established based upon management’s quarterly review of the investments. In performing this review, management considers the estimated net recoverable value of the loan as well as other factors, including the fair value of any collateral, the amount and status of any senior debt, and the prospects for the borrower. Because this determination is based upon projections of future economic events, which are inherently subjective, the amounts ultimately realized from the loans may differ materially from their carrying values at the balance sheet date. Interest income recognition is generally suspended for loans when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. Income recognition is resumed when the suspended loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed.

During 2014, the Company recognized income of $2.7 million as a result of collections on notes that previously had reserves.


ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed the limits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances.

Restricted Cash and Cash in Escrow

Restricted cash and cash in escrow consist principally of cash held for real estate taxes, construction costs, property maintenance, insurance, minimum occupancy and property operating income requirements at specific properties as required by certain loan agreements.

Income Taxes

The Company has made an election to be taxed, and believes it qualifies, as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). To maintain REIT status for Federal income tax purposes, the Company is generally required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders as well as comply with certain other income, asset and organizational requirements as defined in the Code. Accordingly, the Company is generally not subject to Federal corporate income tax to the extent that it distributes 100% of its REIT taxable income each year.

Although it may qualify for REIT status for Federal income tax purposes, the Company is subject to state income or franchise taxes in certain states in which some of its properties are located. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRS") is fully subject to Federal, state and local income taxes.

The Company accounts for TRS income taxes under the liability method as required by ASC Topic 740, "Income Taxes." Under the liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the temporary differences between the GAAP basis and tax basis of the TRS income, assets and liabilities.

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, the Company believes that it has appropriate support for the income tax positions taken and, as such, does not have any uncertain tax positions that, if successfully challenged, could result in a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operation. The prior three years' income tax returns are subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company recognizes potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the provision for income taxes.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation pursuant to ASC Topic 718, "Compensation – Stock Compensation." As such, all equity based awards are reflected as compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated financial statements over their vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant.

ACADIA REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

During September 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-16, "Business Combinations - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments." ASU 2015-16 requires an entity to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 also requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted and shall be applied prospectively. ASU 2015-16 was adopted by the Company and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

During August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenues from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date." ASU 2015-14 defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 "Revenues from Contracts with Customers" from annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption of ASU 2014-09 is permitted only for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the consolidated financial statements.

During April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software." ASU 2015-05 provides guidance to help an entity evaluate the accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. ASU 2015-05 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. ASU 2015-05 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

During April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 modifies the treatment of debt issuance costs from a deferred charge to a deduction of the carrying value of the financial liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted and retrospective application. During August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 which clarifies that under ASU 2015-03, the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs relating to line-of-credit arrangements as assets. The Company adopted ASU 2015-15 and ASU 2015-03 during 2015, resulting in the reclassification of $11.7 million and $11.9 million from deferred charges, net to mortgages and other notes payable, net as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was no effect on the results of operations for any period presented.

During February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Consolidation - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU 2015-02 (i) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIE’s"), (ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and (iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIE’s, particularly those with fee arrangements and related party relationships. ASU 2015-02 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2015-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

During January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, "Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items." ASU 2015-01 eliminates the concept of extraordinary items. However, the presentation and disclosure requirements for items that are either unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence remain and will be expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence. ASU 2015-01 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. ASU 2015-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.