ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references in this section to "we," "our," and "us" refer to Empire State Realty OP, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 and the notes related thereto which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “aims," "anticipates," "approximately," "believes," "contemplates," "continues," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "hope," "intends," "may," "plans," "seeks," "should," "thinks," "will," "would" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance, dividend policy and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, all of our statements regarding anticipated growth in our portfolio from operations, acquisitions and anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control, and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all).
Many important factors could cause actual results, performance, achievements, and future events to differ materially from those set forth, implied, anticipated, expected, projected, assumed or contemplated in the forward-looking statements, including, among other things: (i) economic, market, political and social impact of, and uncertainty relating to, any catastrophic events, including pandemics, epidemics or other outbreaks of disease, climate-related risks such as natural disasters and extreme weather events, terrorism and other armed hostilities, as well as cybersecurity threats and technology disruptions; (ii) a failure of conditions or performance regarding any event or transaction described herein; (iii) resolution of legal proceedings involving the Company; (iv) reduced demand for office, multifamily or retail space, including as a result of the changes in the use of office space and remote work; (v) changes in our business strategy; (vi) a decline in Observatory visitors due to changes in domestic or international tourism, including due to health crises, geopolitical events, currency exchange rates, and/or competition from other observatories; (vii) defaults on, early terminations of, or non-renewal of, leases by tenants; (viii) increases in the Company’s borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors; (ix) declining real estate valuations and impairment charges; (x) termination of our ground leases; (xi) limitations on our ability to pay down, refinance, restructure or extend our indebtedness or borrow additional funds; (xii) decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; (xiii) difficulties in executing capital projects or development projects successfully or on the anticipated timeline or budget; (xiv) difficulties in identifying and completing acquisitions; (xv) impact of changes in governmental regulations, tax laws and rates and similar matters; (xvi) our failure to qualify as a REIT; (xvii) incurrence of taxable capital gain on disposition of an asset due to failure of compliance with a 1031 exchange program; (xviii) our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, including any material weakness; and (xix) failure to achieve sustainability metrics and goals, including as a result of tenant collaboration, and impact of governmental regulation on our sustainability efforts. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact the Company's future results, performance or transactions, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
While forward-looking statements reflect the Company's good faith beliefs, they do not guarantee future performance. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events, or other changes after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as required by applicable law. Prospective investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to the Company (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements).
Overview
2024 Highlights
•Net income attributable to the Company of $76.2 million.
•Core Funds From Operations ("Core FFO") of $256.2 million attributable to common unitholders.
•Signed a total of 1,324,824 rentable square feet of new, renewal and expansion leases.
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Results of Operations
Overview
The discussion below relates to the financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. For a discussion of our 2022 financial results as compared to our 2023 financial results, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
The following table summarizes the historical results of operations:
Years Ended December 31,
Revenues:
Operating expenses:
Other income (expense):
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (553) — (553) — — — (553) N/A
Real Estate Segment
Rental Revenue
The increase in rental revenue was primarily attributable to higher occupancy and higher operating and real estate tax expense escalations driving a $29.6 million increase during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increases were partially offset by a net $14.2 million decrease in revenue from our recent transaction activity as
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disclosed in "Financial Statements - Note 3. Acquisitions and Dispositions" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Property Operating Expenses
The increase in property operating expenses was primarily due to higher repair and maintenance costs, cleaning costs, and payroll costs in 2024 relating to increased building utilization and certain local law compliance costs.
Real Estate Taxes
The increase in real estate taxes was primarily attributable to a $4.6 million increase in real estate tax expense due to higher assessed values for multiple properties, partially offset by a net $2.9 million decrease from our recent transaction activity as disclosed in "Financial Statements - Note 3. Acquisitions and Dispositions" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization is lower for the year ended December 31, 2024 than for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to disposition activity during the comparative period.
Interest Income
The increase in interest income reflects larger cash balances in the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Interest Expense
The increase in interest expense reflects interest on new debt instruments in the year ended December 31, 2024, partially offset by the interest expense on debt associated with First Stamford Place being recognized separately as interest expense associated with property in receivership. See "Financial Statements — Note 5. Debt" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Gain on Sale/Disposition of Property
The gain on disposition activity for the year ended December 31, 2024 relates to the derecognition of assets and certain liabilities in connection with the consensual foreclosure of First Stamford Place in Stamford, Connecticut as disclosed in "Financial Statements - Note 3. Acquisitions and Dispositions" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The gain on disposition activity for the year ended December 31, 2023 relates to the dispositions of 500 Mamaroneck in Harrison, New York in April 2023 and 69-97 and 103-107 Main Street in Westport, Connecticut in February 2023.
Observatory Segment
Observatory Revenue
Observatory revenues were higher driven by increased revenue per visitor from pricing increases during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Observatory Expenses
Theincreasein Observatoryexpenseswasdrivenbyincreasedincremental costssuchas labor, marketing and maintenance costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain our assets and operations, including lease-up costs, fund our redevelopment and repositioning programs, acquire properties, make distributions to our securityholders and fulfill other general business needs. Based on the historical experience of our management and our business strategy, in the foreseeable future we anticipate we will generate positive cash flows from operations. In order for ESRT to qualify as a REIT, ESRT is required under the Code to distribute to its stockholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. We expect to make quarterly distributions, as required, to our securityholders.
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While we may be able to anticipate and plan for certain liquidity needs, there may be unexpected increases in uses of cash that are beyond our control and which would affect our financial condition and results of operations. For example, we may be required to comply with new laws or regulations that cause us to incur unanticipated capital expenditures for our properties, thereby increasing our liquidity needs. Even if there are no material changes to our anticipated liquidity requirements, our sources of liquidity may be fewer than, and the funds available from such sources may be less than, anticipated or needed. Our primary sources of liquidity will generally consist of cash on hand, cash generated from our operating activities, debt issuances and unused borrowing capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility. We expect to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, including distributions, operating expenses, working capital, debt service, and capital expenditures from cash flows from operations, cash on hand, debt issuances, and available borrowing capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility. The availability of these borrowings is subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable loan agreements. We expect to meet our long-term capital requirements, including acquisitions, redevelopments and capital expenditures through our cash flows from operations, cash on hand, our unsecured revolving credit facility, mortgage financings, debt issuances, common and/or preferred equity issuances and asset sales. Our properties require periodic investments of capital for individual lease related tenant improvements allowances, general capital improvements and costs associated with capital expenditures. Our overall leverage will depend on our mix of investments and the cost of leverage. ESRT's charter does not restrict the amount of leverage that we may use.See ITEM 1A. "Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and Liquidity" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
At December 31, 2024, we had approximately $385.5 million available in cash and cash equivalents and there was $500.0 million available under our unsecured revolving credit facility.
At December 31, 2024, we had approximately $2.3 billion of total consolidated indebtedness outstanding, with a weighted average interest rate of 4.27% and a weighted average maturity of 5.2 years. As of December 31, 2024, excluding debt amortization, we have a debt maturity of $100.0 million in March 2025, $225.0 million in 2026, $155.0 million in 2027, $146.1 million in 2028, $441.6 million in 2029, and $1.2 billion thereafter. As of December 31, 2024, interest expense obligations and debt amortization from 2025 through 2029 and thereafter amount to $506.0 million and $34.0 million, respectively.
In connection with our three ground leases (i.e. long-term leaseholds of the land and the improvements) at 1350 Broadway, 111 West 33rd Street and 1400 Broadway, we also have contractual rent obligations totaling $66.8 million as of December 31, 2024, of which $7.5 million is due within the next five years.
Portfolio Transaction Activity
Refer to Part I. ITEM 2. "Properties - Portfolio Transaction Activity" for a summary of our portfolio transaction activity.
Refer to "Financial Statements - Note 3 Acquisitions and Dispositions" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Unsecured Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities
In March 2024, we closed on a $715.0 million, five-year unsecured credit agreement which consists of a $620.0 million revolver and a $95.0 million term loan facility, each of which mature on March 8, 2029, inclusive of the extension periods. See "Financial Statements — Note 5 Debt" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a summary of our unsecured revolving credit and term loan facilities.
Financial Covenants
As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the following financial covenants related to our unsecured facilities:
Financial Covenant Required December 31, 2024 In Compliance
Maximum total leverage < 60% 33.2 % Yes
Maximum secured leverage < 40% 11.7 % Yes
Minimum fixed charge coverage > 1.50x 2.8x Yes
Minimum unencumbered interest coverage > 1.75x 4.6x Yes
Maximum unsecured leverage < 60% 25.4 % Yes
Mortgage Debt
As of December 31, 2024, mortgage notes payable, net, amounted to $692.2 million. We have no mortgage debt maturity until April 2026.
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In April 2024, we worked with the First Stamford Place mortgage lender to structure a consensual foreclosure. In May 2024, the First Stamford Place property was placed in receivership and accordingly, we reclassified the related debt and applicable accrued interest to debt associated with property under receivership and accrued interest associated with property in receivership, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2024, this debt consists of a $164.0 million mortgage loan bearing interest at 4.09% and a $11.9 million loan bearing interest at 6.25%. In connection with this we recorded a contract asset which represents the amount of obligation we expect to be released upon the final resolution of the foreclosure process on the First Stamford Place property. Subsequent to year end, in February 2025, title of the property was transferred to the mortgage lender and we were released of our mortgage obligation.
In July 2024, we executed an agreement for the refinance of the mortgage for the Metro Center property that was due to mature in November 2024. Beginning in November 2024, the new loan balance of $71.6 million is interest-only at an interest rate of 3.59%, with a four-year term plus a one-year extension option.
See "Financial Statements — Note 5 Debt" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on mortgage debt.
Senior Unsecured Notes
On June 17, 2024, we closed on the issuance and sale of an aggregate $225.0 million principal amount of notes, consisting of (a) $155.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.20% Series I Green Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 17, 2029, (b) $45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.32% Series J Green Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 17, 2031 and (c) $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.41% Series K Green Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 17, 2034.
See "Financial Statements — Note 5 Debt" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on senior unsecured notes.
Leverage Policies
We expect to employ leverage in our capital structure in amounts determined from time to time by ESRT's Board of Directors.In the evaluation of our level of indebtedness, ESRT's Board of Directors will consider a number of factors including the mix of recourse or non-recourse debt and cross-collateralized debt, mix of fixed or floating rate debt, and cost of leverage. ESRT's charter and bylaws do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness that we may incur nor do they restrict the form in which our indebtedness will be taken. ESRT's overall leverage will depend on our mix of investments and the cost of leverage. ESRT's Board of Directors may from time to time modify our leverage policies in light of the then-current economic conditions, access to and relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our properties, general market conditions for debt and equity securities, fluctuations in the market price of ESRT's common stock and our traded OP units, growth and acquisition opportunities and other factors. See ITEM 1A. "Risk Factors - Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and Liquidity" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Capital Expenditures
The following tables summarize our tenant improvement costs, leasing commission costs and our capital expenditures for each of the periods presented (dollars in thousands, except per square foot amounts).
Office Properties(1)(2)
Years Ended December 31,
Increase in mark-to-market rent $ 3.63 $ 5.50 $ 2.63
Leasing commission costs per square foot(5) $ 19.46 $ 19.51 $ 18.49
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Retail Properties(2)(6)
Years Ended December 31,
Number of leases signed(4) 9 8 14
Decrease in mark-to-market rent $ (59.70) $ (60.99) $ (19.14)
Leasing commission costs per square foot(5) $ 74.29 $ 54.62 $ 62.30
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(1)Excludes an aggregate of 475,744, 498,682, and 499,012 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(2)The tables above exclude our multifamily properties.
(3)Beginning in 2024, the number of leases signed include "Early Renewals" which are leases signed over two years prior to the lease expiration. Amounts for number of leases signed, total square feet, leasing commission costs per square foot and tenant improvement costs per square foot have been adjusted to include the impact of early renewals for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
(4)Presents a renewed and expansion lease as one lease signed.
(5)Presents all tenant improvement and leasing commission costs as if they were incurred in the period in which the lease was signed, which may be different than the period in which they were actually paid.
(6)Includes an aggregate of 475,744, 498,682, and 499,012 rentable square feet of retail space in our Manhattan office properties in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(amounts in thousands) Years Ended December 31,
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(1)Includes all capital expenditures, excluding tenant improvements and leasing commission costs.
As of December 31, 2024, we expect to incur additional costs relating to obligations under signed new leases of approximately $130.8 million for tenant improvements and leasing commissions. We intend to fund the tenant improvements and leasing commission costs through a combination of operating cash flow, cash on hand and other borrowings.
Capital expenditures are considered part of both our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements. We intend to fund the capital improvements through a combination of operating cash flow, cash on hand and borrowings.
Distribution Policy
We intend to distribute our net taxable income to our securityholders in a manner intended to satisfy REIT distribution requirements and to avoid U.S. federal income tax liability.
Before we pay any distribution, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet bothour operating requirements and obligations to make payments of principal and interest, if any. However, under somecircumstances, we may be required to use cash reserves, incur debt or liquidate assets at rates or times that we regard asunfavorableormakeataxabledistributionofoursharesinordertosatisfy REITdistribution requirements.
We declared dividends of $0.035 per share for each quarter of 2024, which equates to an annualized rate of $0.14 per share. The Board of Directors will continue its regular review of its dividend and capital allocation policies at each Board meeting.
Distribution to Equity Holders
Distributions and dividends have been made to equity holders in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as follows (amounts in thousands):
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Stock and Publicly Traded Operating Partnership Unit Repurchase Program
ESRT's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of ESRT Class A common stock and our Series ES, Series 250 and Series 60 operating partnership units from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025. Under the program, ESRT may purchase ESRT Class A common stock and we may purchase our Series ES, Series 250 and Series 60 operating partnership units in accordance with applicable securities laws from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined by ESRT and us at our discretion and will be subject to stock price, availability, trading volume, general market conditions, and applicable securities laws. The authorization does not obligate ESRT or us to acquire any particular amount of securities, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at ESRT's and our discretion without prior notice. As of December 31, 2024, ESRT had $500.0 million remaining of the authorized repurchase amount. There were no repurchases of equity securities during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024.
The following table summarizes our purchases of equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Cash Flows
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2024 to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Net cash. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were $429.3 million and $407.0 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to new financings in 2024 and changes in working capital less the cash used for the acquisition of a portfolio of retail assets on North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $28.4 million to $260.9 million due to increased Observatory operating income, increased rental revenues in excess of property operating expenses and changes in working capital.
Investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities increased by $319.8 million to $397.1 million primarily due to the acquisition of a portfolio of retail assets on North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and capital expenditures.
Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities increased by $221.4 million to $158.6 million primarily due to the funding of senior unsecured notes during the year.
Net Operating Income
NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance. NOI is used by our management to evaluate and compare the performance of our properties and to determine trends in earnings and to compute the fair value of our properties as it is not affected by: (i) the cost of funds of the property owner, (ii) the impact of depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets that are included in net income computed in accordance with GAAP, (iii) acquisition expenses, loss on early extinguishment of debt, impairment charges and loss from derivative financial instruments, or (iv) general and administrative expenses and other gains and losses that are specific to the property owner. The cost of funds is eliminated from NOI because it is specific to the particular financing capabilities and constraints of the owner. The cost of funds is eliminated because it is dependent on historical interest rates and other costs of capital as well as past decisions made by us regarding the appropriate mix of capital which may have changed or may change in the future. Depreciation and amortization expenses as well as gains or losses from the sale of operating real estate assets are eliminated because they may not accurately represent the actual change in value in our office or retail properties that result from use of the properties or changes in market conditions. While certain aspects of real property do decline in value over time in a manner that is reasonably captured by depreciation and amortization, the value of the properties as a whole have historically increased or decreased as a result of changes in overall economic conditions instead of from actual use of the property or the passage of time. Gains and losses from the sale of real property vary from property to property and are affected by market conditions at the time of sale which will usually change from period to period. These gains and losses can create distortions when comparing one period to another or when comparing our operating results to the operating results of other real estate companies that have not made similarly-timed purchases or sales. We believe that eliminating these costs from net income is useful to investors because the resulting measure captures the actual revenue generated and actual expenses incurred in operating our properties as well as trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs.
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However, the usefulness of NOI is limited because it excludes general and administrative costs, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense and gains or losses from the sale of properties, and other gains and losses as stipulated by GAAP, the level of capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, all of which are significant economic costs. NOI may fail to capture significant trends in these components of net income which further limits its usefulness.
NOI is a measure of the operating performance of our properties but does not measure our performance as a whole. NOI is therefore not a substitute for net income as computed in accordance with GAAP. This measure should be analyzed in conjunction with net income computed in accordance with GAAP and discussions elsewhere in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations regarding components of net income that are eliminated in the calculation of NOI. Other companies may use different methods for calculating NOI or similarly titled measures and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies that do not define the measure exactly as we do.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to NOI:
Years Ended December 31,
Add:
Interest expense associated with property in receivership 4,471 — —
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 553 — —
Less:
Third-party management and other fees (1,170) (1,351) (1,361)
Other Net Operating Income Data
Amortization of acquired below-market ground leases $ 7,831 $ 7,831 $ 7,831
Funds From Operations
We present below a discussion of Funds From Operations ("FFO"). We compute FFO in accordance with the “White Paper” on FFO published by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, which defines FFO as net income (loss) (determined in accordance with GAAP), excluding impairment write-off of investments in depreciable real estate and investments in in-substance real estate investments, gains or losses from debt restructurings and sales of depreciable operating properties, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs), less distributions to non-controlling interests and gains/losses from discontinued operations and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. FFO is a widely recognized non-GAAP financial measure for REITs that we believe, when considered with financial statements determined in accordance with GAAP, is useful to investors in understanding financial performance and providing a relevant basis for comparison among REITs. In addition, we believe FFO is useful to investors as it captures features particular to real estate performance by recognizing that real estate has generally appreciated over time or maintains residual value to a much greater extent than do other depreciable assets. Investors should review FFO, along with GAAP net income, when trying to understand an equity REIT’s operating performance. We present FFO because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our operating performance and believe that it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs. However, because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization and captures neither the changes in the value of our properties that result from use or market conditions nor the level of capital expenditures and leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, all of which have real economic effect and could materially impact our results of operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of performance is limited. There can be no assurance that FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP or to cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. FFO is not indicative of cash available to fund ongoing cash needs, including the ability to make cash distributions. Although FFO is a measure used for
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comparability in assessing the performance of REITs, as the NAREIT White Paper only provides guidelines for computing FFO, the computation of FFO may vary from one company to another.
Modified Funds From Operations
Modified Funds From Operations ("Modified FFO") adds back an adjustment for any below-market ground lease amortization to traditionally defined FFO. We believe this is a useful supplemental measure in evaluating our operating performance due to the non-cash accounting treatment under GAAP, which stems from the third quarter 2014 acquisition of two option properties following our formation transactions as they carry significantly below market ground leases, the amortization of which is material to our overall results. We present Modified FFO because we believe it is an important supplemental measure of our operating performance in that it adds back the non-cash amortization of below-market ground leases. There can be no assurance that Modified FFO presented by us is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. Modified FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP or to cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. Modified FFO is not indicative of cash available to fund ongoing cash needs, including the ability to make cash distributions.
Core Funds From Operations
Core FFO adds back to Modified FFO the following items: Interest expense associated with property in receivership and loss on early extinguishment of debt. The Company believes Core FFO is an important supplemental measure of its operating performance because it excludes non-recurring items. There can be no assurance that Core FFO presented by the Company is comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. Core FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP or to cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. Core FFO is not indicative of cash available to fund ongoing cash needs, including the ability to make cash distributions. In future periods, we may also exclude other items from Core FFO that we believe may help investors compare our results.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to FFO, Modified FFO and Core FFO:
Years Ended December 31,
Non-controlling interests in other partnerships (4) (68) 243
Private perpetual preferred unit distributions (4,201) (4,201) (4,201)
Interest expense associated with property in receivership 4,471 — —
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 553 — —
Weighted average shares and Operating Partnership units
Critical Accounting Estimates
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value and the
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implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of that goodwill. Non-amortizing intangible assets, such as trade names and trademarks, are subject to an annual impairment test based on fair value and amortizing intangible assets are tested whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
We performed our annual goodwill testing in October 2024, where we bypassed the optional qualitative goodwill impairment assessment and proceeded directly to a quantitative assessment of the Observatory reportable segment and engaged a third-party valuation consulting firm to perform the valuation process. The quantitative analysis used a combination of the discounted cash flow method (a form of the income approach) utilizing Level 3 unobservable inputs and the guideline company method (a form of the market approach). Significant assumptions under the former included revenue and cost projections, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rate and income tax considerations while the latter included guideline company enterprise values, revenue multiples, EBITDA multiples and control premium rates. Our methodology to review goodwill impairment, which included a significant amount of judgment and estimates, provided a reasonable basis to determine whether impairment had occurred. The quantitative analysis performed concluded the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. Many of the factors employed in determining whether or not goodwill is impaired are outside of our control, and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation for time-based equity awards is measured at the fair value of the award on the date of grant and recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the shorter of (i) the stated vesting period, which is generally three, four or five years, or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes retirement eligible, which may occur upon grant. An employee is retirement eligible when the employee attains the (i) age of 65 for awards granted in 2020 and after and age of 60 for awards granted before 2020 and (ii) the date on which the employee has first completed the requisite years of continuous service with us or our affiliates. Share-based compensation for market-based equity awards and performance-based equity awards is measured at the fair value of the award on the date of grant and recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over three or four years. Additionally, for the performance-based equity awards, we assess, at each reporting period, whether it is probable that the performance conditions will be satisfied. We recognize expense respective to the number of awards we expect to vest at the conclusion of the measurement period. Changes in estimate are accounted for in the period of change through a cumulative catch-up adjustment. Any forfeitures of share-based compensation awards are recognized as they occur.
The determination of fair value of these awards is subjective and involves significant estimates and assumptions including expected volatility of ESRT stock, expected dividend yield, expected term, and assumptions of whether these awards will achieve parity with other Operating Partnership units or achieve performance thresholds. We believe that the assumptions and estimates utilized are appropriate based on the information available to management at the time of grant.
Accounting Standards Update
See "Financial Statements — Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies"in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information about recently issued and recently adopted accounting standards.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our future income, cash flows and fair values relevant to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market interest rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate changes primarily on our unsecured revolving credit facility and debt refinancings. Our objectives with respect to interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on operations and cash flows, and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we may borrow at fixed rates and may enter into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps or caps in order to mitigate our interest rate risk. We do not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.
Subject to maintaining ESRT's qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may mitigate the risk of interest rate volatility through the use of hedging instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements. Our primary objectives when undertaking hedging transactions and derivative positions will be to reduce our floating rate exposure and to fix a portion of the interest rate for anticipated financing and refinancing transactions. This in turn will reduce the risk that the variability of cash flows will impose on floating rate debt. However, we can provide no assurances that our efforts to manage interest rate volatility will successfully mitigate the risks of such volatility on our commercial portfolio. We are not subject to foreign currency risk.
As of December 31, 2024, we have interest rate SOFR swap and cap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $664.0 million and which mature between March 19, 2025 and November 1, 2033. The "variable to fixed" interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges and are deemed highly effective with fair values in an asset position of $13.1 million and are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.
As of December 31, 2024, the weighted average interest rate on the $2.3 billion of fixed-rate indebtedness outstanding was 4.27% per annum, each with maturities at various dates through March 17, 2035.
As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of our outstanding debt was approximately $2.1 billion which was approximately $153.4 million less than the book value as of such date. Interest risk amounts were determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on our financial instruments. These analyses do not consider the effect of any change in overall economic activity that could occur in that environment. Further, in the event of a change of that magnitude, we may take actions to further mitigate our exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, these analyses assume no changes in our financial structure.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements beginning on Page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including ESRT's Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As of December 31, 2024, the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of ESRT management, including ESRT's Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, regarding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures at the end of the period covered by this report.
44
Based on the foregoing, ESRT's Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer concluded, as of that time, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act (i) is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including ESRT's Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Remediation of the Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
As previously reported in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, management identified a material weakness in the design of certain IT general controls ("ITGCs"). During the year ended December 31, 2024, we (i) enhanced our control activities around change monitoring to detect if any changes were made outside of the Company's established change control processes across all relevant IT components, and (ii) implemented additional controls to manage the appropriate assignment and maintenance of permission configurations within access groups and the users they are assigned to. We tested the enhanced control activities for the period ended December 31, 2024 and management has concluded, through its testing, that the controls were operating effectively and the material weakness was remediated as of December 31, 2024.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except for the remediation of the material weakness noted above, no significant changes to our internal control over financial reporting were identified in connection with the evaluation referenced above that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
(a) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined under Rule 13(a)-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 as required by Rule 13(a)-15(c) under the Exchange Act. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in the framework in Internal Control–Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the "COSO criteria"). Based on our evaluation under the COSO criteria, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited our Financial Statements included in this Annual Report, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, which appears in paragraph (b) of this ITEM 9A.
(b) Attestation report of the independent registered public accounting firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Partners of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Empire State Realty OP, L.P.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Empire State Realty OP, L.P. (the Operating Partnership) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2024 consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership and our report dated February 28, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
45
Basis for Opinion
The Operating Partnership’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Operating Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
February 28, 2025
46
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) None.
(b) During the three months ended December 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We are managed by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. in its capacity as our sole general partner. The information required by ITEM 10 will be set forth in Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.'s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (which is scheduled to be held on May 15, 2025), to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, or the ESRT Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.
We have adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale and other dispositions of our securities by directors, officers and employees that we believe is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and listing standards applicable to us. We also follow procedures for the repurchase of our securities. We believe that our insider trading policy and repurchase procedures are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and listing standards applicable to us. A copy of our insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We are managed by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. in its capacity as our sole general partner. The information required by ITEM 11 will be set forth in the ESRT Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by ITEM 12 will be set forth in the ESRT Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
On May 9, 2024, the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”) was approved by ESRT's shareholders. The 2024 Plan provides for grants to directors, employees and consultants of ESRT and the Operating Partnership, including options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, dividend equivalents and other equity-based awards, including LTIP units, and replaced the First Amended and Restated Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan ("2019 Plan", and collectively with the 2024 Plan, the "Plans"). The shares of ESRT Class A common stock underlying any awards under the Plans that are forfeited, canceled or otherwise terminated, other than by exercise, will be added back to the shares of ESRT Class A common stock available for issuance under the 2024 Plan. For a further discussion of the Plans, see "Financial Statements — Note 10 Capital" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
47
The following table presents certain information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024:
Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders (1) N/A N/A 10,858,441 (2)
Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders — — —
______________
(1)These consist of the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan and the First Amended and Restated Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
(2)The number of securities remaining available for future issuance consists of shares remaining available for issuance under the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan adjusted for awards that have been forfeited, canceled or otherwise terminated, other than by exercise under the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan and the First Amended and Restated Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. and Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
As of December 31, 2024, we have issued 1,370,353 shares of restricted stock and 18,116,842 LTIP units under the Plans, including the Empire State Realty OP, L.P. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, since 2013.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by ITEM 13 will be set forth in the ESRT Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by ITEM 14 will be set forth in the ESRT Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.The consolidated financial statements are set forth in ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2.The following financial statement schedules should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in ITEM 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation as of December 31, 2024 on page F-40.
Schedules other than those listed are omitted as they are not applicable or the required or equivalent information has been included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(b) The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K (§229.601 of this chapter) are listed below:
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. Description
3.1 Certificate of Limited Partnership of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
48
49
50
19.1* Insider Trading Policy of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
21.1* Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Document
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Document
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document
Notes:
51
* Filed herewith.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P.
By: Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., its general partner
Date: February 28, 2025 By:/s/ Stephen V. Horn
Stephen V. Horn
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., as general partner of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
Anthony E. Malkin
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Christina Chiu President February 28, 2025
Christina Chiu
Stephen V. Horn
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Thomas J. DeRosa Director February 28, 2025
Thomas J. DeRosa
/s/ Steven J. Gilbert Lead Independent Director February 28, 2025
Steven J. Gilbert
/s/ S. Michael Giliberto Director February 28, 2025
S. Michael Giliberto
/s/ Patricia S. Han Director February 28, 2025
Patricia S. Han
/s/ Grant H. Hill Director February 28, 2025
Grant H. Hill
/s/ R. Paige Hood Director February 28, 2025
R. Paige Hood
/s/ James D. Robinson IV Director February 28, 2025
James D. Robinson IV
/s/ Christina Van Tassell Director February 28, 2025
Christina Van Tassell
/s/ Hannah Yang Director February 28, 2025
Hannah Yang
53
EMPIRE STATE REALTY OP, L.P.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 F-3
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9
Financial Statement Schedule:
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation F-40
54
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Partners of Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Empire State Realty OP, L.P. (the Operating Partnership) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, capital and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Operating Partnership at December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Operating Partnership's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 28, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Operating Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Operating Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Operating Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
F-1
Valuation of goodwill - observatory
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Operating Partnership’s auditor since 2010.
New York, New York
February 28, 2025
F-2
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
ASSETS
Commercial real estate properties, at cost:
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
Liabilities:
Unsecured revolving credit facility 120,000 —
Debt associated with property in receivership 177,667 —
Accrued interest associated with property in receivership 5,433 —
Deferred revenue and other liabilities 62,639 70,298
Commitments and contingencies
Capital:
Private perpetual preferred units:
Series PR operating partnership units:
Non-controlling interest in other partnerships — 15,407
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-3
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31,
(amounts in thousands, except per unit amounts) 2024 2023 2022
Revenues:
Operating expenses:
Other income (expense):
Interest expense associated with property in receivership (4,471) — —
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (553) — —
Private perpetual preferred unit distributions (4,201) (4,201) (4,201)
Total weighted average units:
Earnings per unit:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-4
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Year Ended December 31,
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Amount reclassified into interest expense (7,111) (7,819) 7,230
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-5
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Capital
General Partner Limited Partners
Repurchases of common units — — (11,571) (90,176) — — — — — — — — — (90,176)
Repurchases of common units — — (2,151) (13,105) — — — — — — — — — (13,105)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-6
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31,
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Amortization of non-cash items within interest expense 8,631 9,089 9,799
Amortization of acquired below-market ground leases 7,831 7,831 7,831
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 553 — —
Deferred revenue and other liabilities (620) (2,765) (3,664)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Net proceeds from disposition of real estate — 88,910 11,005
Acquisition of non-controlling interests in other partnerships (14,226) — —
Reduction of cash from derecognition of property in receivership (12,876) — —
Post-closing costs from a prior period sale of property (4,034) — —
Development costs (9) (12) (35)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-7
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
Year Ended December 31,
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from unsecured senior notes 225,000 — —
Proceeds from unsecured term loan 95,000 — —
Repayment of unsecured term loan (215,000) — —
Proceeds from unsecured revolving credit facility 120,000 — —
Contributions from consolidated joint ventures — 187 224
Deferred financing costs (12,070) — —
Private perpetual preferred unit distributions (4,201) (4,201) (4,201)
Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Derecognition of property in receivership and other assets, net (144,241) — —
Accrued interest associated with property in receivership 5,433 — —
Transfer of assets related to assets held for sale — — 35,538
Transfer of liabilities related to assets held for sale — — 5,943
Mortgage assumed in connection with sale of real estate — — 30,117
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-8
Empire State Realty OP, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Description of Business and Organization
As used in these consolidated financial statements, unless the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us,” "our," and the "Company,” mean Empire State Realty OP, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Empire State Realty OP, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership") is the entity through which Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT), a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets, conducts all of its business and owns (either directly or through subsidiaries) substantially all of its assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory that was declared the #1 Attraction in the World - and the #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year – in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.
As of December 31, 2024, our portfolio was comprised of approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 732 residential units. Our office portfolio included 10 properties (including three long-term ground leasehold interests). Nine of these office properties are located in midtown Manhattan and encompass approximately 7.6 million rentable square feet of office space and 0.5 million rentable square feet of retail space, including the Empire State Building. The remaining office property is located in Stamford, Connecticut, with immediate access to mass transportation. Additionally, we have entitled land adjacent to the Stamford office property that can support the development of either office or residential per local zoning. Our multifamily portfolio included 732 residential units in New York City.
We were organized as a Delaware limited partnership on November 28, 2011, and commenced operations upon completion of the initial public offering of ESRT’s Class A common stock and related formation transactions on October 7, 2013 (the "IPO"). ESRT's Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ESRT." ESRT, as the sole general partner in our Company, has responsibility and discretion in the management and control of our Company, and our limited partners, in such capacity, have no authority to transact business for, or participate in the management activities, of our Company. As of December 31, 2024, ESRT owned approximately 61.1% of our operating partnership units.
We have two entities that elected, together with ESRT, to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, of ESRT. The TRSs, through several wholly owned limited liability companies, conduct third-party services businesses, which include the Empire State Building Observatory, cleaning services, cafeteria, restaurant, health clubs, townhall and lounge, amenity center, and asset and property management services.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, represent our assets and liabilities and operating results. The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and our partially owned and wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
We consolidate entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. In determining whether we have a controlling financial interest in a partially owned entity and the requirement to consolidate the accounts of that entity, we consider factors such as ownership interest, board representation, management representation, authority to make decisions, and contractual and substantive participating rights of the partners/members. For variable interest entities ("VIE"), we consolidate the entity if we are deemed to have a variable interest in the entity and through that interest we are deemed the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the entity that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the VIE. As of December 31, 2024, we had a variable interest in certain of the intermediary entities that hold title to the assets of the North 6th Street Collection acquired in 2024. The intermediary entities were utilized to execute like-kind exchanges and subsequent to December 31, 2024, most of the
F-9
like-kind exchanges were completed and the intermediary entities assigned its ownership interests in these entities to the Operating Partnership. We had no VIEs as of December 31, 2023.
We will assess the accounting treatment for each investment we may have in the future. This assessment will include a review of each entity’s organizational agreement to determine which party has what rights and whether those rights are protective or participating. For all VIEs, we will review such agreements in order to determine which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and benefit. In situations where we or our partner could approve, among other things, the annual budget, or leases that cover more than a nominal amount of space relative to the total rentable space at each property, we would not consolidate the investment as we consider these to be substantive participation rights that result in shared power of the activities that would most significantly impact the performance and benefit of such joint venture investment.
A non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary is defined as the portion of the equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Non-controlling interests are required to be presented as a separate component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets and in the consolidated statements of operations by requiring earnings and other comprehensive income to be attributed to controlling and non-controlling interests.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include allocation of the purchase price of acquired real estate properties among tangible and intangible assets, determination of the useful life of real estate properties and other long-lived assets, valuation and impairment analysis of commercial real estate properties, goodwill, right-of-use assets and other long-lived and indefinite-lived assets, estimate of tenant expense reimbursements, valuation of the allowance for doubtful accounts, and valuation of derivative instruments, ground lease liabilities, senior unsecured notes, mortgage notes payable, unsecured revolving credit and term loan facilities, and equity based compensation. These estimates are prepared using management’s best judgment, after considering past, current, and expected events and economic conditions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Rental Revenue
Rental revenue includes base rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its respective lease and is reported on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the lease which includes the effects of rent steps and rent abatements under the leases. In general, we commence rental revenue recognition when the tenant takes possession of the leased space or controls the physical use of the leased space and the leased space is substantially ready for its intended use. We account for all of our leases as operating leases and have elected not to separate non-lease components from lease components. Deferred rent receivables, including free rental periods and leasing arrangements allowing for increased base rent payments, are accounted for in a manner that provides an even amount of fixed lease revenues over the respective non-cancellable lease terms. Differences between rental income recognized and amounts due under the respective lease agreements are recognized as an increase or decrease to deferred rent receivables.
In addition to base rent, our tenants also generally will pay their pro rata share of increases in real estate taxes and operating expenses for the building over a base year. In some leases, in lieu of paying additional rent based upon increases in building operating expenses, the tenant will pay additional rent based upon increases in an index such as the Consumer Price Index over the index value in effect during a base year or contain fixed percentage increases over the base rent to cover escalations.
We recognize rental revenue of acquired in-place above- and below-market leases at their fair values over the terms of the respective leases, including, for below-market leases, fixed option renewal periods, if any.
Lease termination fees are recognized when the fees are determinable, tenant vacancy has occurred, collectability is reasonably assured, we have no continuing obligation to provide services to such former tenants and the payment is not subject to any conditions that must be met or waived.
Observatory Revenue
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Revenues from the sale of Observatory tickets are recognized upon admission or ticket expirations. Deferred revenue related to unused and unexpired tickets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, and is included in deferred revenue and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Gains on Sale/Disposition of Real Estate
We record a gain on sale/disposition of real estate pursuant to provisions under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 610-20, Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. Under ASC 610-20, we must first determine whether the transaction is a sale to a customer or non-customer. We do not sell real estate within the ordinary course of our business and therefore, expect that sale transactions will not be contracts with customers. We will next determine whether we would have a controlling financial interest in the property after the sale. If we determine that we do not have a controlling financial interest in the real estate, we would evaluate whether a contract exists under ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and whether the buyer has obtained control of the asset that was sold. We recognize the full gain on sale/disposition of real estate when the derecognition criteria under ASC 610-20 have been met.
Third-Party Management and Other Fees
We earn revenue arising from contractual agreements with related party entities for asset and property management services. This revenue is recognized as the related services are performed under the respective agreements in place.
Other Revenues and Fees
Other revenues and fees include parking income, legal, tax and insurance settlements, demand response energy use earnings and sales from our restaurant at the Empire State Building.
Advertising and Marketing Costs
Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $11.6 million, $10.9 million and $10.8 million, respectively, and are included within operating expenses, observatory expenses, and general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Real Estate Properties and Related Intangible Assets
Land and buildings and improvements are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The recorded cost includes cost of acquisitions, development and construction and tenant allowances and improvements. Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to property operating expense as incurred. Significant replacements and betterments which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized. Tenant improvements which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of its lease, the unamortized balance of any tenant improvements are written off if they are replaced or have no future value. For developed properties, direct and indirect costs that clearly relate to projects under development are capitalized. Costs include construction costs, professional services such as architectural and legal costs, capitalized interest and direct payroll costs. We begin capitalization when the project is probable. The assets relating to the project are stated at cost and are not depreciated. Once construction is completed and the assets are placed in service, the assets are reclassified to the appropriate asset class and depreciated in accordance with the useful lives as indicated below. Capitalization of interest ceases when the asset is ready for its intended use, which is generally near the date that a certificate of occupancy is obtained. There was no capitalized interest for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over the shorter of 39 years, the useful life, or the remaining term of any leasehold interest. Tenant improvement costs, which are included in building and improvements in the consolidated balance sheets, are depreciated over the shorter of (i) the related remaining lease term or (ii) the life of the improvement. Corporate and other equipment is depreciated over three to seven years.
Acquisitions of properties are accounted for utilizing the acquisition method, and accordingly the purchase cost is allocated to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on their relative fair values. The fair value of tangible assets acquired is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, applying methods similar to those used by independent appraisers of income-producing property. The resulting value is then allocated to land, buildings and improvements, and tenant improvements based on our determination of the fair value of these assets. The assumptions used in the allocation of fair values to assets acquired are based on our best estimates at the time of evaluation.
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Fair value is assigned to above-market and below-market leases based on the difference between (a) the contractual amounts to be paid by the tenant based on the existing lease and (b) our estimate of current market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, over the remaining terms of the in-place leases. Capitalized above-market lease amounts are amortized as a decrease to rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases. Capitalized below-market lease amounts are amortized as an increase to rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related intangible will be written off.
The aggregate value of other acquired intangible assets consists of acquired ground leases and acquired in-place leases and tenant relationships. The fair value allocated to acquired in-place leases consists of a variety of components including, but not necessarily limited to: (a) the value associated with avoiding the cost of originating the acquired in-place leases (i.e. the market cost to execute a lease, including leasing commissions, if any); (b) the value associated with lost revenue related to tenant reimbursable operating costs estimated to be incurred during the assumed lease-up period (i.e. real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses); (c) the value associated with lost rental revenue from existing leases during the assumed lease-up period; and (d) the value associated with any other inducements to secure a tenant lease.
We assess the potential for impairment of our long-lived assets, including real estate properties, annually or whenever events occur or a change in circumstances indicate that the recorded value might not be fully recoverable. We determine whether impairment in value has occurred by comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected from the use and eventual disposition of the asset to its carrying value. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, the real estate is adjusted to fair value and an impairment loss is recognized. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell and depreciation expense is no longer recorded.We do not believe that the value of any of our other properties and intangible assets were impaired during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, government money markets, demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Cash and cash equivalents held at major commercial banks may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit. To date, we have not experienced any losses on our invested cash.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of amounts held for tenants in accordance with lease agreements, such as security deposits and amounts held by lenders and/or escrow agents to provide for future real estate tax expenditures and insurance expenditures, tenant vacancy related costs and debt service obligations.
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments include time deposits with original maturities of greater than three months and remaining maturities of less than one year.
Tenant and Other Receivables
Tenant and other receivables, other than deferred rent receivable, are generally expected to be collected within one year.
Deferred Leasing Costs
Deferred leasing costs consist of fees incurred to initiate and renew leases, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term and the expense is included in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of income. Upon the early termination of a lease, unamortized deferred leasing costs are charged to depreciation and amortization expense.
Deferred Financing Costs
Fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing have been deferred and are amortized as a component of interest expense in our consolidated statements of income over the life of the respective long-term financing on the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are expensed when the associated debt
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is refinanced or repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in seeking debt, which do not close, are expensed in the period in which it is determined that the financing will not close.
Equity Method Investments
We account for investments under the equity method of accounting where we do not have control but have the ability to exercise significant influence. Under this method, investments are recorded at cost, and the investment accounts are adjusted for our share of the entities’ income or loss and for distributions and contributions. Equity income (loss) is allocated based on the portion of the ownership interest that is controlled by us. The agreements may designate different percentage allocations among investors for profits and losses; however, our recognition of the entity’s income or loss generally follows the entity’s distribution priorities, which may change upon the achievement of certain investment return thresholds.
To the extent that we contributed assets to an entity, our investment in the entity is recorded at cost basis in the assets that were contributed to the entity. Upon contributing assets to an entity, we make a judgment as to whether the economic substance of the transaction is a sale. In accordance with the provisions of ASC 610-20, we will recognize a full gain on both the retained and sold portions of real estate contributed or sold to an entity by recognizing our new equity method investment interest at fair value.
To the extent that the carrying amount of these investments on our combined balance sheets is different than the basis reflected at the entity level, the basis difference would be amortized over the life of the related asset and included in our share of equity in net income of the entity.
On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the carrying value of our investments in entities may be impaired on an other than temporary basis. An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment on an other than temporary basis. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the fair value of the investment.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had no equity method investments.
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value and the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of that goodwill. Non-amortizing intangible assets, such as trade names and trademarks, are subject to an annual impairment test based on fair value and amortizing intangible assets are tested whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Fair Value
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).
The methodologies used for valuing financial instruments have been categorized into three broad levels as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
Level 2 - Valuations based principally on other observable market parameters, including:
•Quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments;
•Quoted prices in less active or inactive markets for identical or similar instruments;
•Other observable inputs (such as risk free interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates); and
•Market corroborated inputs (derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data).
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Level 3 - Valuations based significantly on unobservable inputs, including:
•Valuations based on third-party indications (broker quotes or counterparty quotes) which were, in turn, based significantly on unobservable inputs or were otherwise not supportable; and
•Valuations based on internal models with significant unobservable inputs.
These levels form a hierarchy. We follow this hierarchy for our financial instruments measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis and other required fair value disclosures. The classifications are based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, tenant and other receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets, deferred revenue, tenant security deposits, accounts payable and accrued expenses carrying values approximate their fair values due to the short term maturity of these instruments.
The fair value of derivative instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. Although the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by ourselves and our counterparties. The impact of such credit valuation adjustments, determined based on the fair value of each individual contract, was not significant to the overall valuation. As a result, all of our derivatives were classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of our mortgage notes payable, senior unsecured notes (Series A-K), unsecured term loan facilities and unsecured revolving credit facility which are determined using Level 3 inputs are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates at which similar borrowings could be made by us.
Derivative Instruments
We are exposed to the effect of interest rate changes and manage these risks by following policies and procedures including the use of derivatives. To manage exposure to interest rates, derivatives are used primarily to fix the rate on debt based on floating-rate indices. We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. We incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. We measure the credit risk of our derivative instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. For derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges, we report the gain or loss on the derivative designated as a hedge as part of other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassify the gain or loss into income in the period that the hedged transaction affects income.
Income Taxes
We are generally not subject to federal and state income taxes as our taxable income or loss is reportable by our partners. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal and state income taxes. ESRT has elected, together with ESRT Observatory TRS, L.L.C., our subsidiary that holds our Observatory operations, to treat ESRT Observatory TRS, L.L.C. as a TRS. ESRT has elected, together with ESRT Holdings TRS, L.L.C., our subsidiary that holds our third-party management, restaurant, cafeteria, health clubs, certain cleaning operations, townhall and lounge, and amenity center to treat ESRT Holdings TRS, L.L.C. as a TRS. TRSs may participate in non-real estate activities and/or perform non-customary services for tenants and their operations are generally subject to regular corporate income taxes. Our TRSs account for their income taxes in accordance with GAAP, which includes an estimate of the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. The calculation of the TRSs' tax provisions may require interpreting tax laws and regulations and could result in the use of judgments or estimates which could cause its recorded tax liability to differ from the actual amount due. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The TRSs periodically assess the realizability of deferred tax assets and the adequacy of deferred tax liabilities, including the results of local, state, or federal statutory tax audits or estimates and judgments used.
We apply provisions for measuring and recognizing tax benefits associated with uncertain income tax positions. Penalties and interest, if incurred, would be recorded as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2024 and
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2023, we do not have a liability for uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2024, the tax years ended December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2024 remain open for an audit by the Internal Revenue Service, state or local authorities.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation for time-based equity awards is measured at the fair value of the award on the date of grant and recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the shorter of (i) the stated vesting period, which is generally three, four or five years, or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes retirement eligible, which may occur upon grant. An employee is retirement eligible when the employee attains the (i) age of 65 for awards granted in 2020 and after and age of 60 for awards granted before 2020 and (ii) the date on which the employee has first completed the requisite years of continuous service with us or our affiliates. Share-based compensation for market-based equity awards and performance-based equity awards is measured at the fair value of the award on the date of grant and recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over three or four years. Additionally, for the performance-based equity awards, we assess, at each reporting period, whether it is probable that the performance conditions will be satisfied. We recognize expense respective to the number of awards we expect to vest at the conclusion of the measurement period. Changes in estimate are accounted for in the period of change through a cumulative catch-up adjustment. Any forfeitures of share-based compensation awards are recognized as they occur.
The determination of fair value of these awards is subjective and involves significant estimates and assumptions including expected volatility of ESRT stock, expected dividend yield, expected term, and assumptions of whether these awards will achieve parity with other operating partnership units or achieve performance thresholds. We believe that the assumptions and estimates utilized are appropriate based on the information available to management at the time of grant.
Per Unit Data
Basic and diluted earnings per unit are computed based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the respective period.
Segment Reporting
The Company's operating segments are based on our method of internal reporting and include our office properties, retail portfolio, multifamily portfolio, and the Observatory. These operating segments have been aggregated for reporting into two reportable segments: (1) Real Estate and (2) Observatory. Our real estate segment includes all activities related to the ownership, management, operation, acquisition, repositioning and disposition of our real estate assets. Our Observatory segment operates the 86th and 102nd floor observatories at the Empire State Building. These two lines of businesses are managed separately because each business requires different support infrastructures, provides different services and has dissimilar economic characteristics such as investments needed, stream of revenues and different marketing strategies. We account for intersegment sales and rent as if the sales or rent were to third parties, that is, at current market prices.
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards
During November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, to improve the disclosures about reportable segments and add more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. The amendments in the ASU require public entities to disclose on an annual and interim basis significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and included within the reported measure of segment profit or loss, other segment items and a description of its composition by reportable segment, the title and position of the CODM, and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The ASU does not change the definition of a segment, the method for determining segments, the criteria for aggregating operating segments into reportable segments, or the current specifically enumerated segment expenses that are required to be disclosed. We adopted this standard for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, with retrospective application. Such adoption resulted in the enhanced disclosure including the title and position of the CODM, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within the reported measure of segment profit, and how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources.
During December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The standard enhances income tax disclosure requirements for all entities by requiring specified categories and greater disaggregation within the rate reconciliation table, disclosure of income taxes paid by jurisdiction, and providing clarification on uncertain tax positions and related financial
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statement impacts. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements.
During November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The standard requires that public business entities disclose additional information about specific expense categories in the notes to financial statements for interim and annual reporting periods. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements.
3. Acquisitions and Dispositions
Property Acquisitions
In September and October 2024, we closed on the acquisition of a portfolio of retail properties on North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a purchase price of $195.0 million.
In September 2024, we entered into an agreement for the acquisition of an additional retail property on North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for approximately $30.0 million.
In September 2023, we closed on the acquisition of a retail property in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, located on the corner of North 6th Street and Wythe Avenue for a purchase price of $26.4 million.
In December 2022, we closed on the acquisition of a multifamily asset located at 298 Mulberry Street in Manhattan for a purchase price of $114.9 million.
The following table summarizes properties acquired during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (amounts in thousands):
Intangibles
Property Date Acquired Land Building and Improvements Assets Liabilities Total
In March 2024, we executed a buyout of the 10% non-controlling interest in two of our multifamily properties located at 561 10th Avenue and 345 East 94th Street in Manhattan for $14.2 million in cash and the assumption of $18.0 million of in-place debt. As there was no change in control, we accounted for this acquisition as an equity transaction in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 810-10 and no gain or loss was recognized.
Property Dispositions
The following table summarizes properties disposed of during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (amounts in thousands):
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Property Date of Disposal Sales Price Gain on Disposition
In April 2024, we worked with the First Stamford Place mortgage lender to structure a consensual foreclosure. On May 22, 2024, a receiver was appointed and we ended our management of the property. In connection with this, we removed the related assets and liabilities from our consolidated balance sheet and recognized a gain in the consolidated statements of operations of $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. We also recorded a contract asset of $170.4 million that represents the amount of obligation, including applicable accrued interest, we expect to be released upon the final resolution of the foreclosure process on First Stamford Place. The gain recognized subsequent to the initial derecognition of the related assets and liabilities of First Stamford Place represents the additional obligation we expect to be released arising from the accrued interest expense associated with the First Stamford Place mortgage, net of certain closing costs. The related debt of $177.7 million and accrued interest of $5.4 million are included in debt associated with property under receivership and accrued interest associated with property under receivership, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Subsequent to year end, in February 2025, title of the property was transferred to the mortgage lender and we were released of our mortgage obligation.
4. Deferred Costs, Acquired Lease Intangibles and Goodwill
Deferred costs, net, consisted of the following:
Total deferred costs, excluding deferred financing costs 388,052 406,480
Acquired below-market ground leases, net, consisted of the following:
Acquired below-market leases, net, consisted of the following:
Acquired below-market leases, net $ (19,497) $ (13,750)
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The total amortization related to deferred costs and acquired lease intangibles consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
Rental revenue:
Depreciation and amortization:
Amortization related to acquired in-place lease value 5,196 7,421 11,839
The remaining weighted-average amortization periods as of December 31, 2024 are:
Weighted-average amortization period
Below-market ground leases 42.6 years
Above-market leases 5.8 years
In-place leases and deferred leasing costs 5.8 years
Below-market leases 6.0 years
We expect to recognize amortization expense and rental revenue from the acquired intangible assets and liabilities as follows (amounts in thousands):
As of December 31, 2024, we had goodwill of $491.5 million. In 2013, we acquired the interests in Empire State Building Company, L.L.C. and 501 Seventh Avenue Associates, L.L.C. for an amount in excess of their net tangible and identified intangible assets and liabilities and as a result we recorded goodwill related to the transaction. Goodwill was allocated $227.5 million to the Observatory operations of the Empire State Building, $250.8 million to Empire State Building, and $13.2 million to 501 Seventh Avenue.
We performed our annual goodwill testing in October 2024, where we bypassed the optional qualitative goodwill impairment assessment and proceeded directly to a quantitative assessment of the Observatory reportable segment and engaged a third-party valuation consulting firm to perform the valuation process. The quantitative analysis used a combination of the discounted cash flow method (a form of the income approach) utilizing Level 3 unobservable inputs and the guideline company method (a form of the market approach). Significant assumptions under the former included revenue and cost projections, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rate and income tax considerations while the latter included guideline company enterprise values, revenue multiples, EBITDA multiples and control premium rates. Our methodology to review goodwill impairment, which included a significant amount of judgment and estimates, provided a reasonable basis to determine whether impairment had occurred. The quantitative analysis performed concluded the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. Many of the factors employed in determining whether or not goodwill is impaired are outside of our control, and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods.
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5. Debt
Debt consisted of the following:
Principal Balance As of December 31, 2024
Fixed rate mortgage debt:
First Stamford Place (3) $ — $ 175,860 — — —
Senior unsecured notes: (5)
Deferred financing costs, net (10,123) (9,488)
Unamortized debt discount (6,183) (6,964)
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(1)The effective rate is the yield as of December 31, 2024 and includes the stated interest rate, deferred financing cost amortization and interest associated with variable to fixed interest rate swap agreements.
(2)Pre-payment is generally allowed for each loan upon payment of a customary pre-payment penalty.
(3)In April 2024, we worked with the First Stamford Place mortgage lender to structure a consensual foreclosure. In May 2024, the First Stamford Place property was placed in receivership and accordingly, we reclassified the related debt to debt associated with property under receivership in our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2024, this debt consists of $164.0 million mortgage loan bearing interest at 4.09% and a $11.9 million loan bearing interest at 6.25%. See Note 3 Acquisitions and Dispositions.
(4)In July 2024, this loan was refinanced and commencing in November 2024, the new principal balance of $71.6 million is interest-only at an interest rate of 3.59%, with a four-year term plus a one-year extension option.
(5)At December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.
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Principal Payments
Aggregate required principal payments at December 31, 2024 are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Year Amortization Maturities Total
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs, net, consisted of the following:
Deferred financing costs, included as a component of net debt $ 36,309 $ 34,887
Total deferred financing costs, net $ 18,977 $ 12,365
Amortization expense related to deferred financing costs was $4.3 million, $4.4 million, and $4.9 million, for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and was included in interest expense.
Unsecured Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities
On March 8, 2024, through our Operating Partnership, we entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and the other lenders party thereto, that amends and restates the amended and restated credit agreement, dated August 29, 2017, which governs our senior unsecured revolving credit facility and term loan facility (collectively, the “BofA Credit Facilities”). The BofA Credit Facilities are comprised of a $620.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $95.0 million term loan facility (the “BofA Term Loan Facility”). We may request that the BofA Credit Facilities be increased through one or more increases in the Revolving Credit Facility or one or more increases in the BofA Term Loan Facility or the addition of new pari passu term loan tranches, for a maximum aggregate principal amount under the second amended and restated credit agreement not to exceed $1.5 billion.
The Revolving Credit Facility matures on March 8, 2029, inclusive of twosix-month extension periods and replaced the existing revolving credit facility that was due to mature in March 2025. The BofA Term Loan Facility matures on March 8, 2029, inclusive of twotwelve-month extension periods and replaced the existing term loan facility that was due to mature in March 2025. Initial interest rates on the BofA Credit Facilities, which may change based on our leverage levels, are SOFR plus a benchmark adjustment of 10 basis points ("adjusted SOFR") plus 130 basis points for any drawn portion of the Revolving Credit Facility and adjusted SOFR plus 150 basis points for the BofA Term Loan Facility. In addition, the BofA Credit Facilities have a sustainability-linked pricing mechanism that reduces the borrowing spread if certain benchmarks are achieved each year. As of December 31, 2024, we had $120.0 million borrowings drawn on the Revolving Credit Facility and $95.0 million under the BofA Term Loan Facility.
On March 13, 2024, through our Operating Partnership, we entered into a third amendment to our credit agreement dated March 19, 2020 with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto, which governs a senior unsecured term loan facility (the “Wells Term Loan Facility”). The Wells Term Loan Facility is in the original principal amount of $175.0 million and matures on December 31, 2026. The third amendment provides for, among other things, certain conforming changes to the BofA Credit Facilities agreement, including increases to the capitalization rate for certain of our properties. No other changes were made to the amount of the commitments, the maturity date of the outstanding loans or the covenants. We may request the Wells Term Loan Facility be increased through one or more
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increases or the addition of new pari passu term loan tranches, for a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $225.0 million. As of December 31, 2024, our borrowings amounted to $175.0 million under the Wells Term Loan Facility.
The terms of both the BofA Credit Facilities and the Wells Term Loan Facility include customary covenants, including limitations on liens, investment, distributions, debt, fundamental changes, and transactions with affiliates and require certain customary financial reports. Both facilities also require compliance with financial ratios including a maximum leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratio, and a maximum unsecured leverage ratio. The agreements governing both facilities also contain customary events of default (subject in certain cases to specified cure periods), including but not limited to non-payment, breach of covenants, representations or warranties, cross defaults, bankruptcy or other insolvency events, judgments, ERISA events, invalidity of loan documents, loss of real estate investment trust qualification, and occurrence of a change of control. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with these covenants.
Senior Unsecured Notes
On June 17, 2024, we closed on the issuance and sale of an aggregate $225.0 million principal amount of notes, consisting of (a) $155.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.20% Series I Green Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 17, 2029, (b) $45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.32% Series J Green Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 17, 2031 and (c) $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.41% Series K Green Guaranteed Senior Notes due June 17, 2034.
The terms of these senior unsecured notes, like our Series A-H notes, include customary covenants, including limitations on liens, investment, distributions, debt, fundamental changes, and transactions with affiliates and require certain customary financial reports. The terms also require compliance with financial ratios including a maximum leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratio, and a maximum unsecured leverage ratio. The agreement also contains customary events of default (subject in certain cases to specified cure periods), including but not limited to non-payment, breach of covenants, representations or warranties, cross defaults, bankruptcy or other insolvency events, judgments, ERISA events, the occurrence of certain change of control transactions and loss of real estate investment trust qualification. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with these covenants.
6. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 54,779 44,169
Interest rate swap agreements liability — 85
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 132,016 $ 99,756
7. Financial Instruments and Fair Values
Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and such derivatives are not considered speculative. These derivative instruments are typically in the form of interest rate swap and forward agreements, and the primary objective is to minimize interest rate risks associated with investing and financing activities. The counterparties of these arrangements are major financial institutions with which we may also have other financial relationships. We are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by these counterparties; however, we currently do not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.
We have agreements with our derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if we either default or are capable of being declared in default on any of our indebtedness, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. As of December 31, 2024, we did not have derivatives in a net liability position.
F-21
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had interest rate swaps and caps with an aggregate notional value of $664.0 million and $573.2 million, respectively. The notional value does not represent exposure to credit, interest rate or market risks. As of December 31, 2024, the fair values of our derivative instruments amounted to $13.1 million, which is included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of our derivative instruments in an asset position amounted to $11.8 million which is included in prepaid expenses and other assets, and $0.1 million in a liability position which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. These interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges and hedge the variability in future cash flows associated with our existing variable-rate term loan facilities. Interest rate caps not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage our exposure to interest rate movements, but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements.
As of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 our cash flow hedges are deemed highly effective and for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 net unrealized gains (losses) of $6.7 million, $(2.2) million and $47.3 million, respectively, are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) relating to both active and terminated cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the debt. We estimate that $1.5 million net gain of the current balance held in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be reclassified into interest expense within the next 12 months.
The table below summarizes the terms of agreement and the fair value of our derivative financial instruments:
(amounts in thousands, except percentages) December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
The table below shows the effect of our derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Year Ended December 31,
F-22
The table below shows the effect of our derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated statements of operations:
Year Ended December 31,
Fair Valuation
The estimated fair values at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were determined by management, using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we could realize on disposition of the financial instruments. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
The following tables summarize the carrying and estimated fair values of our financial instruments:
Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value
(amounts in thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value
(amounts in thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
The fair value of debt associated with property in receivership, which has a carrying value of $177.7 million as of December 31, 2024, and categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, was $158.2 million as of December 31, 2024.
Disclosure about the fair value of financial instruments is based on pertinent information available to us as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Although we are not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the reasonable fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since that date and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
8. Leases
Lessor
We lease various commercial spaces to tenants over terms ranging from one to 30 years. Certain leases have termination options for a fee and/or renewal options. The leases provide for base monthly rentals and reimbursements for real estate taxes, escalations linked to the consumer price index or common area maintenance known as operating expense