XML 57 R37.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and the operating partnership are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Any references to the number of properties, acres and square footage are unaudited and outside the scope of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s audit of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with the standards of the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”).
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company, the operating partnership and all wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of the operating partnership include the accounts of the operating partnership and all wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

Under the consolidation guidance, the Company first evaluates an entity using the variable interest model, then the voting model. The Company ultimately consolidates all entities that the Company controls through either majority ownership or voting rights, including all variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for all other unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. In addition, the Company continually evaluates each legal entity that is not wholly-owned for reconsideration based on changing circumstances.

VIEs are defined as entities in which equity investors do not have:

•the characteristics of a controlling financial interest;

•sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties; and/or

•the entity is structured with non-substantive voting rights.
The entity that consolidates a VIE is known as its primary beneficiary and is generally the entity with both the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and the right to receive benefits from the VIE or the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to acquiring, developing and assessing the carrying values of its real estate properties, the fair value measurement of contingent consideration, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combination transactions, determining the incremental borrowing rate used in the present value calculations of its new or modified operating lessee agreements, its accrued liabilities, and the valuation of performance-based equity compensation awards. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current market conditions, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
Investment in Real Estate Properties
Acquisitions

The Company evaluates each acquisition to determine if the integrated set of assets and activities acquired meets the definition of a business and needs to be accounted for as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. An integrated set of assets and activities would fail to qualify as a business if either (i) substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in either a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets or (ii) the integrated set of assets and activities is lacking, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs (i.e., revenue generated before and after the transaction).

Acquisitions of real estate will generally not meet the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings and improvements and related intangible assets or liabilities) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay.

When the Company acquires properties that are considered asset acquisitions, the purchase price is allocated based on relative fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. There is no measurement period concept for asset acquisitions, with the purchase price accounting being final in the period of acquisition. Additionally, acquisition-related expenses associated with asset acquisitions are capitalized as part of the purchase price.

The Company assesses fair value based on Level 2 and Level 3 inputs within the fair value framework, which includes estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount, capitalization rates, renewal probability and available market information, which includes market rental rate and market rent growth rates. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions.

The fair value of tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant. The fair values of acquired “above- and below-” market leases are based on the estimated cash flow projections utilizing discount rates that reflect the risks associated with the leases acquired. The amount recorded is based on the present value of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for each in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the initial term plus the extended below-market term for any leases with below-market renewal options. Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values that are based on the Company’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease. Factors considered include estimates of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods, market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, the Company includes estimates of lost rents at market rates during the hypothetical expected lease-up periods, which are dependent on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, the Company considers commissions, legal and other leasing-related costs. The fair value of debt assumed is based on the estimated cash flow projections utilizing interest rates available for the issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.
Investment in Real Estate Properties

Cost Capitalization

The Company capitalizes costs associated with development and redevelopment activities, capital improvements, tenant improvements and leasing activity. Costs associated with development and redevelopment that are capitalized include interest, property taxes, insurance and other costs directly related and essential to the acquisition, development or construction of a real estate project. Indirect development costs, including salaries and benefits, office rent, and associated costs for those individuals directly responsible for and who spend their time on development activities are also capitalized and allocated to the projects to which they relate. Construction and development costs are capitalized while substantial activities are ongoing to prepare an asset for its intended use. The Company considers a construction project as substantially complete and held available for occupancy upon the completion of tenant improvements but no later than one year after cessation of major construction activity. Costs incurred after a project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, or after development activities have ceased, are expensed as they are incurred. Costs previously capitalized that related to abandoned acquisitions or developments are charged to earnings. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as they are incurred.
Business Combinations
Business Combinations

From time to time, we may enter into business combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the Company applies the acquisition method for acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination. Under the acquisition method, the Company estimates the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired entity on the acquisition date. Acquired intangible assets are valued using different methods under the income approach, including the excess earnings method for customer relationships, the relief-from-royalty method for trade names, and the lost profits method for non-compete agreements. Acquired property, plant and equipment is valued using the cost approach, including consideration of reproduction or replacement costs, economic depreciation and obsolescence. We measure goodwill as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is assigned to each reporting unit that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. Acquisition-related expenses and transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed in the period incurred which is included in the transaction-related expenses line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The acquisition method of accounting requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired entity on the acquisition date. The Company estimates the fair value using observable inputs classified as Level 2 and unobservable inputs classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Significant estimates and assumptions include subjective and/or complex judgments regarding items such as revenue growth rates, long-term growth rates, discount rates, customer retention rates, and other factors, including estimating future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets.
The acquisition method of accounting also requires us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record future impairment charges.
Operating Properties
The properties are generally carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company computes depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as represented in the table below:
Asset DescriptionEstimated Useful Life (Years)
Building and improvements
Shorter of the ground lease term or 39
Land improvements15
Furniture and fixtures
5 to 7
Tenant improvementsShorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term

The Company amortizes above- and below-market lease intangibles over the remaining non-cancellable lease terms and bargain renewal periods, if applicable. The in-place lease intangibles are amortized over the remaining non-cancellable lease term. When tenants vacate prior to the expiration of lease, the amortization of intangible assets and liabilities is accelerated. The Company amortizes above- and below-market ground lease intangibles over the remaining non-cancellable lease terms.
Held for sale
The Company classifies properties as held for sale when certain criteria set forth in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, are met. These criteria include (i) whether the Company is committed to a plan to sell, (ii) whether the asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale, (iii) whether an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell have been initiated, (iv) whether the sale of the asset or disposal group is probable (i.e., likely to occur) and the transfer is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, (v) whether the long-lived asset or disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, (vi) whether actions necessary to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. At the time a property is classified as held for sale, the Company reclassifies its assets and liabilities to held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for all periods presented and ceases recognizing depreciation expense.

Properties held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell. The estimated fair value is generally based on a purchase and sale agreement, letter of intent, or a broker estimated value of the property. The Company will recognize an impairment loss on real estate assets held for sale when the carrying value is greater than the fair value, which is based on the estimated sales price of the property, which is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company assesses the carrying value of real estate assets and related intangibles whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable in accordance with GAAP. Impairment losses are recorded on real estate assets held for investment when indicators of impairment are present and the future undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amount. The Company recognizes impairment losses to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, based Level 2 inputs.
According to ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements, the Company does not present the operating results in net loss from discontinued operations for disposals if they do not represent a strategic shift in the Company’s business.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses the carrying value of real estate assets and related intangibles for impairment on a quarterly basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable in accordance with GAAP. Impairment losses are recorded on real estate assets held for investment when indicators of impairment are present and the future undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amount. The Company recognizes impairment losses to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the properties based on Level 1 or Level 2 inputs, less estimated costs to sell.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $2.8 million of impairment charges related to its Del Amo office property due to a reduction in management’s intended hold period from a long-term hold period to a short-term hold period, which resulted in an estimated fair value of the property that was less than its carrying value. The estimated fair value of $17.4 million was based on the estimated sales price of the property, which is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded no impairment charges. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $52.2 million of impairment charges related to the sold Campus Center office property. The estimated fair value of $70.3 million was based on the sales price of the property, which is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets Goodwill is an unidentifiable intangible asset and is recognized as a residual, generally measured as the excess of consideration transferred in a business combination over the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination.
The Company tests its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit to which it is assigned, which can be an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. The Company has three operating segments: the management entity, Office, and Studio. The management entity and the Office operating segments are each a reporting unit. Within the Studio operating segment, there are two reporting units: Studio Properties and Studio Services, the latter of which consists of the Zio and Star Waggons businesses acquired in the year ended December 31, 2021. The assessment of goodwill for impairment may initially be performed based on qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, including goodwill. If so, a quantitative assessment is performed, and to the extent the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, impairment is recognized for the excess up to the amount of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit. Alternatively, the Company may bypass a qualitative assessment and proceed directly to a quantitative assessment.

A qualitative assessment considers various factors such as macroeconomic, industry and market conditions to the extent they affect the earnings performance of the reporting unit, changes in business strategy and/or management of the reporting unit, changes in composition or mix of revenues and/or cost structure of the reporting unit, financial performance and business prospects of the reporting unit, among other factors.
In a quantitative assessment, significant judgment, assumptions and estimates are applied in determining the fair value of reporting units. The Company generally uses the income approach to estimate fair value by discounting the projected net cash flows of the reporting unit, and may corroborate with market-based data where available and appropriate. Projection of future cash flows is based upon various factors, including, but not limited to, our strategic plans in regard to our business and operations, internal forecasts, terminal year residual revenue multiples, operating profit margins, pricing of similar businesses and comparable transactions where applicable, and risk-adjusted discount rates to present value future cash flows. Given the level of sensitivity in the inputs, a change in the value of any one input, in isolation or in combination, could significantly affect the overall estimation of fair value of the reporting unit.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash on hand and in banks, plus all short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. Restricted cash primarily consists of amounts held by lenders to fund reserves such as capital improvements, taxes, insurance, debt service and operating expenditures. 

The Company maintains some of its cash in bank deposit accounts that, at times, may exceed the federally insured limit. No losses have been experienced related to such accounts.
Receivables The Company accounts for receivables related to rental revenues according to ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). The guidance requires the Company to assess, at lease commencement and subsequently, collectability of future lease payments from its tenants. If the Company determines collectability is not probable, it recognizes an adjustment to lower income from rentals. For amounts deemed probable of collection, the Company may also record an allowance under other authoritative GAAP based on the evaluation of individual receivables, including specific credit enhancements and other relevant factors.
U.S. Government Securities The Company holds U.S. Government securities related to assumed debt held by a trust subsidiary. These securities are considered held to maturity investments and are carried at amortized cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has both the intent and ability to hold to maturity.
Non-Real Estate Investments The Company measures its investments in common stock and convertible preferred stock at fair value based on Level 1 and Level 2 inputs, respectively. The Company measures its investments in funds that do not have a readily determinable fair value using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) practical expedient and uses NAV reported without adjustment unless it is aware of information indicating the NAV reported does not accurately reflect the fair value of the investment. Changes in the fair value of these non-real estate investments are included in unrealized gain (loss) on non-real estate investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognized a net unrealized gain of $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and a net unrealized loss of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 due to the observable changes in fair value. Over the life of the investments, the Company recognized a net unrealized gain of $14.0 million due to the observable changes in fair value.
Stock Purchase Warrant The Company holds an investment in a stock purchase warrant that gives the Company the right to purchase a fixed number of shares of common stock of a non-real estate investee. The warrant meets the definition of a derivative and is measured at fair value based on Level 2 inputs. Changes in the fair value of the derivative asset are included in unrealized gain (loss) on non-real estate investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Lease Accounting The Company accounts for its leases under ASC 842, which requires companies to identify lease and non-lease components of a lease agreement. Lease components relate to the right to use the leased asset whereas non-lease components relate to payments for goods or services that are transferred separately from the right to use the underlying asset. For lessors, the guidance provides for a practical expedient, by class of underlying asset, to elect a combined single lease component presentation if (i) the timing and pattern of the transfer of the combined single lease component is the same, and (ii) the related lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The practical expedient was elected only for the Company’s leases related to the office properties. For the Company’s studio properties, the timing and pattern of the transfer of the lease components and non-lease components for studio properties are not the same and therefore the Company did not elect this practical expedient for the Company’s studio properties. The standalone selling price related to the studio non-lease components is readily available and does not require estimates.
Lessee Accounting The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company’s operating lease agreements relate to ground leases and facility leases and are reflected in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, the Company made an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset, not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities. The Company recognizes lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Variable lease payments are excluded from the ROU assets and lease liabilities and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company determines its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date, or the date of the ASC 842 adoption, in determining the present value of lease payments. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate used to calculate the ROU assets and liabilities was 5.5%. ROU assets also include any lease payments made and exclude lease incentives. Many of the Company’s lessee agreements include options to extend the lease, which the Company does not include in its minimum lease terms unless the option is reasonably certain to be exercised. Rental expense for lease payments related to operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The weighted average remaining lease term was 29 years as of December 31, 2021.
Lessor Accounting
The presentation of revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations reflects a single lease component that combines rental, tenant recoveries and other tenant-related revenues for the office portfolio, with the election of the lessor practical expedient. For the Company’s rentals at the studio properties, total lease consideration is allocated to lease and non-lease components on a relative standalone basis. The recognition of revenues related to lease components is governed by ASC 842, while revenue related to non-lease components is subject to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”).

The Company adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach that must be applied for leases that exist or are entered into after January 1, 2019. ASC 842 defines initial direct costs as only the incremental costs of signing a lease. Internal direct compensation costs and external legal fees related to the execution of successful lease agreements that no longer meet the definition of initial direct costs under ASC 842 are accounted for as office operating expense or studio operating expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of the adoption, the Company recognized $1.8 million as a cumulative adjustment to accumulated deficit for costs associated with leases that had not commenced as of January 1, 2019 that were previously capitalized and no longer met the definition of initial direct costs in accordance with ASC 842. The Company recognized $0.3 million as cumulative adjustments to accumulated deficit related to other transition adjustments.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue StreamComponentsFinancial Statement Location
Rental revenuesOffice, stage and storage rentalsOffice and studio segments: rental
Tenant recoveries and other tenant-related revenuesReimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance, other operating expenses and must-take parking revenuesOffice segment: rental
Studio segment: rental and service revenues and other
Ancillary revenuesRevenues derived from tenants’ use of power, HVAC and telecommunications (i.e., telephone and internet) and lighting, equipment and vehicle rentalsStudio segment: service revenues and other
Other revenuesParking revenue that is not associated with lease agreements and otherOffice and studio segments: service revenues and other
Sale of real estateGains on sales derived from cash consideration less cost basisGains on sale of real estate
Management fee incomeIncome derived from management services provided to unconsolidated joint venture entitiesFee income
Management services reimbursement income
Reimbursement of costs incurred by the Company in the management of unconsolidated joint venture entities
Management services reimbursement income—unconsolidated real estate entities

The Company recognizes rental revenue from tenants on a straight-line basis over the lease term when collectability is probable and the tenant has taken possession of or controls the physical use of the leased asset. If the lease provides for tenant improvements, the Company determines whether the tenant improvements, for accounting purposes, are owned by the tenant or the
Company. When the Company is the owner of the tenant improvements, the tenant is not considered to have taken physical possession or have control of the physical use of the leased asset until the tenant improvements are substantially completed. When the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements, any tenant improvement allowance that is funded is treated as a lease incentive and amortized as a reduction of revenue over the lease term. Tenant improvement ownership is determined based on various factors including, but not limited to:

•whether the lease stipulates how and on what a tenant improvement allowance may be spent;

•whether the tenant or landlord retains legal title to the improvements at the end of the lease term;

•whether the tenant improvements are unique to the tenant or general-purpose in nature; and

•whether the tenant improvements are expected to have any residual value at the end of the lease.

The Company recognizes tenant recoveries related to reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance and other operating expenses as revenue in the period during which the applicable expenses are incurred. The reimbursements are recognized and presented gross, as the Company is generally the primary obligor with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, has discretion in selecting the supplier and bears the associated credit risk.

Other tenant-related revenues include parking stipulated in lease agreements as must-take parking rentals. These revenues are recognized over the term of the lease.

Ancillary revenues, other revenues, management fee income and management services reimbursement income are accounted for under ASC 606. These revenues have single performance obligations and are recognized at the point in time when services are rendered.

The following table summarizes the Company’s revenue streams that are accounted for under ASC 606:
Year Ended December 31,
202120202019
Ancillary revenues$46,984 $16,781 $27,951 
Other revenues$15,168 $16,582 $28,066 
Studio-related tenant recoveries$1,962 $1,560 $2,261 
Management fee income$3,221 $2,815 $1,459 
Management services reimbursement income$1,132 $— $— 

The following table summarizes the Company’s receivables that are accounted for under ASC 606:
December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Ancillary revenues$7,381 $1,700 
Other revenues$1,078 $1,058 
Studio-related tenant recoveries$— $— 
In regards to sales of real estate, the Company applies certain recognition and measurement principles in accordance with ASC 606. The Company is required to evaluate the sales of real estate based on transfer of control. If a real estate sale contract includes ongoing involvement with the sold property by the seller, the seller must evaluate each promised good or service under the contract to determine whether it represents a performance obligation, constitutes a guarantee or prevents the transfer of control. The timing and pattern of revenue recognition might change as it relates to gains on sale of real estate if the sale includes continued involvement that represents a separate performance obligation.
Deferred Financing Costs and Debt Discount/Premium Deferred financing costs are amortized over the contractual loan term into interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Deferred financing costs, and related amortization, related to the unsecured revolving credit facility and undrawn term loans are presented within prepaid expenses and other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All other deferred financing costs and related amortization are included within the respective debt line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Debt discounts and premiums are amortized over the contractual loan term into interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amortization of discounts is recorded as additional interest expense and the accretion of premiums is recorded as a reduction to interest expense.
Derivative Instruments The Company manages interest rate risk associated with borrowings by entering into derivative instruments. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a gross basis at fair value. Derivative instruments are adjusted to fair value at the balance sheet date. The change in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The change in the fair value derivatives not designated as hedges is recorded within earnings immediately.
Stock-Based Compensation Compensation cost of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units under the Company’s equity incentive award plans are accounted for under ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). The Company accounts for forfeitures of awards as they occur. Share-based payments granted to non-employees are accounted for in the same manner as share-based payments granted to employees.
Income Taxes
In general, the Company’s property-owning subsidiaries are limited liability companies and are treated as pass-through entities or disregarded entities (or, in the case of the entities that own the 1455 Market, Hill7, Ferry Building and 1918 Eighth properties, REITs) for federal income tax purposes. In the case of the Bentall Centre property and the Sunset Waltham Cross Studios development, the Company owns its interest in the properties through non-U.S entities treated as TRSs for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the activities of these entities.

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2010. The Company believes that it has operated in a manner that has allowed the Company to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes commencing with such taxable year, and the Company intends to continue operating in such manner. To qualify as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains, to the Company’s stockholders and to meet the various other requirements imposed by the Code relating to such matters as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership.

Provided that it continues to qualify for taxation as a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to corporate level income tax on the earnings distributed currently to its stockholders. If the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and were unable to avail itself of certain savings provisions set forth in the Code, all of its taxable income would be subject to federal corporate income tax. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, the Company would be ineligible to elect to be treated as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year for which the Company loses its qualification. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances the Company would be entitled to this statutory relief.

The Company may acquire direct or indirect interests in one or more Subsidiary REITs. A Subsidiary REIT is subject to the various REIT qualification requirements and other limitations described herein that are applicable to the Company. If a subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, then (i) that Subsidiary REIT would become subject to federal income tax, (ii) shares in such REIT would cease to be qualifying assets for purposes of the asset tests applicable to REITs and (iii) it is possible that the Company would fail certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs, in which event the Company would fail to qualify as a REIT unless the Company could avail itself of certain relief provisions.    

The Company believes that its operating partnership is properly treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, the Company’s operating partnership is not subject to federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners, including the Company, is allocated, and may be required to pay tax with respect to, its share of the operating partnership’s income. As such, no provision for federal income taxes has been included for the operating partnership.     

The Company has elected, together with certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, to treat such subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) for federal income tax purposes. Certain activities that the Company may undertake, such as non-customary
services for the Company’s tenants and holding assets that the Company cannot hold directly, will be conducted by a TRS. A TRS is subject to federal and, where applicable, state income taxes on its net income. The Company’s TRSs did not have significant tax provisions or deferred income tax items for 2021, 2020 or 2019.

The Company is subject to the statutory requirements of the states in which it conducts business.

The Company periodically evaluates its tax positions to determine whether it is more likely than not that such positions would be sustained upon examination by a tax authority for all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations, based on their technical merits. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has not established a liability for uncertain tax positions.

The Company and certain of its TRSs file income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state and local jurisdictions. The Company and its TRSs are no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2017. The Company has assessed its tax positions for all open years, which as of December 31, 2021 included 2018 to 2020 for Federal purposes and 2017 to 2020 for state purposes, and concluded that there are no material uncertainties to be recognized.
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
The Company measures certain financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis while certain financial instruments and balances are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis (e.g., carrying value of impaired real estate and long-lived assets). Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

•Level 1: unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities;

•Level 2: quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

•Level 3: prices or valuation techniques where little or no market data is available that requires inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

When available, the Company utilizes quoted market prices from an independent third party source to determine fair value and classifies such items in Level 1 or Level 2. When the Company determines the market for a financial instrument owned by the Company to be illiquid or when market transactions for similar instruments do not appear orderly, the Company uses several valuation sources (including internal valuations, discounted cash flow analysis and quoted market prices) and establishes a fair value by assigning weights to the various valuation sources.

Changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies can have a material effect on these estimated fair values. In this regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.