ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves various risks. Investors should carefully consider the following risk factors in conjunction with the other information contained in this Annual Report before trading in our securities. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing impact on the U.S. economy could materially and adversely impact or disrupt our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and another pandemic in the future could have, repercussions across regional and global economies and financial markets. The spread of COVID-19 in many countries, including the United States, has significantly adversely impacted global economic activity and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. The global impact of the pandemic has been rapidly evolving and many countries, including the United States, continue to react by restricting many business and travel activities,
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mandating the partial or complete closures of certain business and schools and taking other actions to mitigate the spread of the virus, most of which have a disruptive effect on economic activity, including the use of and demand for office space. Many private businesses, including some of our customers, continue to recommend or mandate some or all of their employees work from home or are rotating employees in and out of the office to encourage social distancing in the workplace. Due to these events, during 2021, the usage of our assets and parking and parking-related revenues remained lower than pre-pandemic levels.
We cannot predict when, if and to what extent these restrictions and other actions will end and when, if and to what extent economic activity, including the use of and demand for office space, will return to pre-pandemic levels. The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting almost every industry directly or indirectly, including industries in which we and our customers operate.
The COVID-19 pandemic, or a future pandemic, could also have material and adverse effects on our ability to successfully operate and on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to, among other factors:
•the reduced economic activity, from circumstances such as a complete or partial closure of one or more of our properties, could severely impact our customers’ businesses, financial condition and liquidity and may cause one or more of our customers to be unable to meet their obligations to us in full, or at all, or to otherwise seek modifications of such obligations;
•the reduced economic activity could negatively impact our prospects for leasing additional space and/or renewing leases with existing customers;
•severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets, negative impacts to our credit ratings and deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may affect our ability to access debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, resulting in an inability to fund our business operations, including funding our development pipeline or addressing maturing liabilities on a timely basis, and such an environment may affect our customers’ ability to fund their business operations and meet their obligations to us;
•the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact our future compliance with financial covenants of our revolving credit facility and other debt agreements and result in a default and potentially an acceleration of repayment of indebtedness, which in turn could negatively impact our ability to make additional borrowings under our revolving credit facility and pay dividends, among other things;
•weaker economic conditions due to the pandemic could require us to recognize future impairment losses;
•a deterioration in our or our customers’ ability to operate in affected areas or delays in the supply of products or services to us or our customers from vendors that are needed for our or our customers’ operations could adversely affect our operations and those of our customers;
•potential changes in customer behavior, such as the continued social acceptance, desirability and perceived economic benefits of work-from-home arrangements, could materially and negatively impact the future demand for office space over the long-term even after the pandemic subsides; and
•the potential negative impact on the health of our employees, particularly if a significant number of them are impacted, could result in a deterioration in our ability to ensure business continuity during this disruption.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our operations and those of our customers will depend on future circumstances, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic and its resulting impact on economic activity, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic, social and behavioral effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others. Financial difficulties experienced by our customers, including the potential for bankruptcies or other early terminations of their leases, could reduce our cash flows, which could impact our ability to continue paying dividends to our stockholders at expected levels or at all. Moreover, many of the other risk factors set forth in this Annual Report should be interpreted as heightened risks as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Risks Related to our Operations
Adverse economic conditions in our markets that negatively impact the demand for office space, such as high unemployment, may result in lower occupancy and rental rates for our portfolio, which would adversely affect our results of operations. Our operating results depend heavily on successfully leasing and operating the office space in our portfolio. Economic growth and office employment levels in our core markets are important factors, among others, in predicting our future operating results.
The key components affecting our rental and other revenues are average occupancy, rental rates, cost recovery income, new developments placed in service, acquisitions and dispositions. Average occupancy generally increases during times of improving economic growth, as our ability to lease space outpaces vacancies that occur upon the expirations of existing leases. Average occupancy generally declines during times of slower or negative economic growth, when new vacancies tend to outpace our ability to lease space. In addition, the timing of changes in occupancy levels tends to lag the timing of changes in overall economic activity and employment levels. Occupancy in our office portfolio increased from 90.3% at December 31, 2020 to 91.2% at December 31, 2021. Average occupancy in future periods will be lower, perhaps significantly lower, if the COVID-19 pandemic causes vacancies and move-outs due to potential changes in customer behavior, such as the continued social acceptance, desirability and perceived economic benefits of work-from-home arrangements, which could materially and negatively impact the future demand for office space over the long-term. For additional information regarding our average occupancy and rental rate trends over the past five years, see “Item 2. Properties.” Lower rental revenues that result from lower average occupancy or lower rental rates with respect to our same property portfolio will adversely affect our results of operations unless offset by the impact of any newly acquired or developed properties or lower variable operating expenses, general and administrative expenses and/or interest expense.
We face considerable competition in the leasing market and may be unable to renew existing leases or re-let space on terms similar to the existing leases, or we may spend significant capital in our efforts to renew and re-let space, which may adversely affect our results of operations. In addition to seeking to increase our average occupancy by leasing current vacant space, we also concentrate our leasing efforts on renewing existing leases. Because we compete with a number of other developers, owners and operators of office and office-oriented, mixed-use properties, we may be unable to renew leases with our existing customers and, if our current customers do not renew their leases, we may be unable to re-let the space to new customers. To the extent that we are able to renew existing leases or re-let such space to new customers, heightened competition resulting from adverse market conditions may require us to utilize rent concessions and tenant improvements to a greater extent than we anticipate or have historically. Further, changes in space utilization by our customers due to technology, economic conditions, business culture and/or a need for less space due to the increasing prevalence of work-from-home arrangements by certain employers also affect the occupancy of our properties. As a result, customers may seek to downsize by leasing less space from us upon any renewal.
If our competitors offer space at rental rates below current market rates or below the rental rates we currently charge our customers, we may lose existing and potential customers, and we may be pressured to reduce our rental rates below those we currently charge in order to retain customers upon expiration of their existing leases. Even if our customers renew their leases or we are able to re-let the space, the terms and other costs of renewal or re-letting, including the cost of required renovations, increased tenant improvement allowances, leasing commissions, reduced rental rates and other potential concessions, may be less favorable than the terms of our current leases and could require significant capital expenditures. From time to time, we may also agree to modify the terms of existing leases to incentivize customers to renew their leases. If we are unable to renew leases or re-let space in a reasonable time, or if our rental rates decline or our tenant improvement costs, leasing commissions or other costs increase, our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.
Difficulties or delays in renewing leases with large customers or re-leasing space vacated by large customers could materially impact our results of operations. Our 20 largest customers account for a meaningful portion of our revenues. See “Item 2. Properties - Customers” and “Item 2. Properties - Lease Expirations.” There are no assurances that these customers, or any of our other large customers, will renew all or any of their space upon expiration of their current leases.
Some of our leases provide customers with the right to terminate their leases early, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Certain of our leases permit our customers to terminate their leases as to all or a portion of the leased premises prior to their stated lease expiration dates under certain circumstances, such as providing notice by a certain date and, in many cases, paying a termination fee. To the extent that our customers exercise early termination rights, our results of operations will be adversely affected, and we can provide no assurances that we will be able to generate an equivalent amount of net effective rent by leasing the vacated space to others.
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Our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by financial difficulties experienced by a major customer, or by a number of smaller customers, including bankruptcies, insolvencies or general downturns in business. Our operations depend on the financial stability of our customers. A default by a significant customer on its lease payments would cause us to lose the revenue and any other amounts due under such lease. In the event of a customer default or bankruptcy (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as landlord and may incur substantial costs re-leasing the property. We cannot evict a customer solely because of its bankruptcy. On the other hand, a court might authorize the customer to reject and terminate its lease. In such case, our claim against the bankrupt customer for unpaid, future rent would be subject to a statutory cap that might be substantially less than the remaining rent actually owed under the lease. As a result, our claim for unpaid rent would likely not be paid in full and we may be required to write-off deferred leasing costs and recognize credit losses on accrued straight-line rents receivable. These events could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
An oversupply of space in our markets often causes rental rates and occupancies to decline, making it more difficult for us to lease space at attractive rental rates, if at all. Undeveloped land in many of the markets in which we operate is generally more readily available and less expensive than in higher barrier-to-entry markets such as New York and San Francisco. As a result, even during times of positive economic growth, we and/or our competitors could construct new buildings that would compete with our existing properties. Any such oversupply could result in lower occupancy and rental rates in our portfolio, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations.
In order to maintain and/or increase the quality of our properties and successfully compete against other properties, we regularly must spend money to maintain, repair, renovate and improve our properties, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. If our properties are not as attractive to customers as properties owned by our competitors due to physical condition, lack of suitable nearby amenities or other similar factors, we could lose customers or suffer lower rental rates. As a result, we may from time to time make significant capital expenditures to maintain or enhance the competitiveness of our properties. There can be no assurances that any such expenditures would result in higher occupancy or higher rental rates or deter existing customers from relocating to properties owned by our competitors.
Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations may adversely affect our results of operations. All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and human health and safety. Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on customers, owners or operators for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. In addition, the presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly remediate these substances, may hinder our ability to sell, rent or pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings.
Compliance with new laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws may require us to incur significant expenditures. Future laws or regulations may impose significant environmental liability. Additionally, our customers’ operations, operations in the vicinity of our properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks, or activities of unrelated third parties may affect our properties. In addition, there are various local, state and federal fire, health, life-safety and similar regulations with which we may be required to comply and that may subject us to liability in the form of fines or damages for noncompliance. Any expenditures, fines or damages we must pay would adversely affect our results of operations. Proposed legislation to address climate change could increase utility and other costs of operating our properties.
Discovery of previously undetected environmentally hazardous conditions may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Under various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, a current or previous property owner or operator may be liable for the cost to remove or remediate hazardous or toxic substances on such property. These costs could be significant. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require significant expenditures or prevent us from entering into leases with prospective customers that may be impacted by such laws. Environmental laws provide for sanctions for noncompliance and may be enforced by governmental agencies or private parties. Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose liability for release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including asbestos-containing materials. Third parties may seek recovery from real property owners or operators for personal injury or property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances. The cost of defending against claims of liability, of complying with environmental regulatory requirements, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our same property results of operations would suffer if costs of operating our properties, such as real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, maintenance and other costs, rise faster than our ability to increase rental revenues and/or cost
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recovery income. While we receive additional rent from our customers that is based on recovering a portion of operating expenses, increased operating expenses will negatively impact our results of operations. Our revenues, including cost recovery income, are subject to longer-term leases and may not be quickly increased sufficient to recover an increase in operating costs and expenses. Furthermore, the costs associated with owning and operating a property are not necessarily reduced when circumstances such as market factors and competition cause a reduction in rental revenues from the property. Increases in same property operating expenses would adversely affect our results of operations unless offset by higher rental rates, higher cost recovery income, the impact of any newly acquired or developed properties, lower general and administrative expenses and/or lower interest expense.
Natural disasters and climate change could have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating results. Climate change may add to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters and severe weather conditions and create additional uncertainty as to future trends and exposures. Many of our buildings are located in areas that are subject to natural disasters and severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, snow storms, floods and fires. The impact of climate change or the occurrence of natural disasters can delay new development projects, increase investment costs to repair or replace damaged properties, increase operating costs, create additional investment costs to make improvements to existing properties to comply with climate change regulations or otherwise reduce the carbon footprint of our portfolio, increase future property insurance costs and negatively impact the demand for office space.
Our insurance coverage on our properties may be inadequate. We carry insurance on all of our properties, including insurance for liability, fire, windstorms, floods, earthquakes, environmental concerns and business interruption. Insurance companies, however, limit or exclude coverage against certain types of losses, such as losses due to terrorist acts, named windstorms, earthquakes and toxic mold. Thus, we may not have insurance coverage, or sufficient insurance coverage, against certain types of losses and/or there may be decreases in the insurance coverage available. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of our insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property or properties, as well as the anticipated future operating income from the property or properties. If any of our properties were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could disrupt our operations, delay revenue, result in large expenses to repair or rebuild the property and/or damage our reputation among our customers and investors generally. Further, if any of our insurance carriers were to become insolvent, we would be forced to replace the existing insurance coverage with another suitable carrier, and any outstanding claims would be at risk for collection. In such an event, we cannot be certain that we would be able to replace the coverage at similar or otherwise favorable terms. Such events could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We have obtained title insurance policies for each of our properties, typically in an amount equal to its original purchase price. However, these policies may be for amounts less than the current or future values of our properties, particularly for land parcels on which we subsequently construct a building. In such event, if there is a title defect relating to any of our properties, we could lose some of the capital invested in and anticipated profits from such properties.
Failure to comply with Federal government contractor requirements could result in substantial costs and loss of substantial revenue. We are subject to compliance with a wide variety of complex legal requirements because we are a Federal government contractor. These laws regulate how we conduct business, require us to administer various compliance programs and require us to impose compliance responsibilities on some of our contractors. Our failure to comply with these laws could subject us to fines and penalties, cause us to be in default of our leases and other contracts with the Federal government and bar us from entering into future leases and other contracts with the Federal government.
We face risks associated with security breaches through cyber attacks, cyber intrusions or otherwise, as well as other significant disruptions of our information technology (“IT”) networks and related systems. We face risks associated with security breaches, whether through cyber attacks or cyber intrusions over the Internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to e-mails, persons inside our organization or persons with access to systems inside our organization, and other significant disruptions of our IT networks and related systems. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. Our IT networks and related systems are essential to the operation of our business and our ability to perform day-to-day operations (including managing our building systems) and, in some cases, may be critical to the operations of certain of our customers. Although we make efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of IT networks and related systems, and we have implemented various measures to manage the risk of a security breach or disruption, there can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging. Even the most well protected information, networks, systems and facilities remain potentially vulnerable because the techniques used in such attempted security breaches evolve and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed not to be detected and, in fact, may not be detected. Accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate
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these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures, and thus it is impossible for us to entirely mitigate this risk.
A security breach or other significant disruption involving our IT networks and related systems could:
•disrupt the proper functioning of our networks and systems and therefore our operations and/or those of certain of our customers;
•result in misstated financial reports, violations of loan covenants, missed reporting deadlines and/or missed permitting deadlines;
•result in our inability to properly monitor our compliance with the rules and regulations regarding our qualification as a REIT;
•result in the unauthorized access to, and destruction, loss, theft, misappropriation or release of, proprietary, confidential, sensitive or otherwise valuable information of ours or others, which others could use to compete against us or which could expose us to damage claims by third-parties for disruptive, destructive or otherwise harmful purposes and outcomes;
•result in our inability to maintain the building systems relied upon by our customers for the efficient use of their leased space;
•require significant management attention and resources to remedy any damages that result;
•subject us to claims for breach of contract, damages, credits, penalties or termination of leases or other agreements; or
•damage our reputation among our customers and investors generally.
Additionally, we face potential heightened cybersecurity risks during the COVID-19 pandemic as our level of dependence on our IT networks and related systems increases, stemming from employees working remotely, and the number of malware campaigns and phishing attacks preying on the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic increases. These heightened cybersecurity risks may increase our vulnerability to cyber attacks and cause disruptions to our internal control procedures.
Any or all of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Risks Related to our Capital Recycling Activity
Recent and future acquisitions and development properties may fail to perform in accordance with our expectations and may require renovation and development costs exceeding our estimates. In the normal course of business, we typically evaluate potential acquisitions, enter into non-binding letters of intent, and may, at any time, enter into contracts to acquire additional properties. Acquired properties may fail to perform in accordance with our expectations due to lease-up risk, renovation cost risks and other factors. In addition, the renovation and improvement costs we incur in bringing an acquired property up to our standards may exceed our original estimates. We may not have the financial resources to make suitable acquisitions or renovations on favorable terms or at all.
Further, we face significant competition for attractive investment opportunities from an indeterminate number of other real estate investors, including investors with significantly greater capital resources and access to capital than we have, such as domestic and foreign corporations and financial institutions, publicly-traded and privately-held REITs, private institutional investment funds, investment banking firms, life insurance companies and pension funds. Moreover, owners of office properties may be reluctant to sell, resulting in fewer acquisition opportunities. As a result of such increased competition and limited opportunities, we may be unable to acquire additional properties or the purchase price of such properties may be significantly elevated, which would reduce our expected return from making any such acquisitions.
In addition to acquisitions, we periodically consider developing or re-developing properties. Risks associated with development and re-development activities include:
•the unavailability of favorable financing;
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•construction costs exceeding original estimates;
•construction and lease-up delays resulting in increased debt service expense and construction costs; and
•lower than anticipated occupancy rates and rents causing a property to be unprofitable or less profitable than originally estimated.
Development and re-development activities are also subject to risks relating to our ability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, any necessary zoning, land-use, building, occupancy and other required governmental and utility company authorizations. Further, we hold and expect to continue to acquire non-income producing land for future development. See “Item 2. Properties - Land Held for Development.” No assurances can be provided as to when, if ever, we will commence development projects on such land or if any such development projects would be on favorable terms. The fixed costs of acquiring and owning development land, such as the ongoing payment of property taxes, adversely affects our results of operations until such land is either placed in service or sold.
Illiquidity of real estate investments and the tax effect of dispositions could significantly impede our ability to sell assets or respond to favorable or adverse changes in the performance of our properties. Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, our ability to promptly sell one or more properties in our portfolio in response to changing economic, financial and investment conditions is limited. We intend to continue to sell some of our properties in the future as part of our investment strategy and activities. However, we cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms set by us, or whether the price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us. We also cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and close the sale of a property.
Certain of our properties have low tax bases relative to their estimated current market values, and accordingly, the sale of such assets would generate significant taxable gains unless we sold such properties in a tax-deferred exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code or another tax-free or tax-deferred transaction. For an exchange to qualify for tax-deferred treatment under Section 1031, the net proceeds from the sale of a property must be held by an escrow agent until applied toward the purchase of real estate qualifying for gain deferral. Given the competition for properties meeting our investment criteria, there could be a delay in reinvesting such proceeds or we may be unable to reinvest such proceeds at all. Any delay or limitation in using the reinvestment proceeds to acquire additional income producing assets could adversely affect our near-term results of operations. Additionally, in connection with tax-deferred 1031 transactions, our restricted cash balances may be commingled with other funds being held by any such escrow agent, which subjects our balance to the credit risk of the institution. If we sell properties outright in taxable transactions, we may elect to distribute some or all of the taxable gain to our stockholders under the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for REITs, which in turn could negatively affect our future results of operations and may increase our leverage. If a transaction’s gain that is intended to qualify as a Section 1031 deferral is later determined to be taxable, we may face adverse consequences, and if the laws applicable to such transactions are amended or repealed, we may not be able to dispose of properties on a tax-deferred basis.
Our use of joint ventures may limit our flexibility with jointly owned investments. From time to time, we own, develop and acquire properties in joint ventures with other persons or entities when circumstances warrant the use of these structures. Types of joint venture investments include noncontrolling ownership interests in entities such as partnerships and limited liability companies and tenant-in-common interests in which we own less than 100% of the undivided interests in a real estate asset. Our participation in joint ventures is subject to the risks that:
•we could become engaged in a dispute with any of our joint venture partners that might affect our ability to develop or operate a property;
•our joint ventures are subject to debt and the refinancing of such debt may require equity capital calls;
•our joint venture partners may default on their obligations necessitating that we fulfill their obligation ourselves;
•our joint venture partners may have different objectives than we have regarding the appropriate timing and terms of any renovation, sale or refinancing of properties;
•our joint venture partners may be structured differently than us for tax purposes, which could create conflicts of interest; and
•we or our joint venture partners may have competing interests in our markets that could create conflicts of interest.
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Risks Related to our Financing Activities
Our use of debt could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We are subject to risks associated with debt financing, such as the sufficiency of cash flow to meet required payment obligations, ability to comply with financial ratios and other covenants and the availability of capital to refinance existing indebtedness or fund important business initiatives. If we breach covenants in our debt agreements, the lenders can declare a default and, if the debt is secured, can take possession of the property securing the defaulted loan. In addition, certain of our unsecured debt agreements contain cross-default provisions giving the unsecured lenders the right to declare a default if we are in default under more than $35.0 million with respect to other loans in some circumstances. Unwaived defaults under our debt agreements could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Further, we obtain credit ratings from Moody’s Investors Service and Standard and Poor’s Rating Services based on their evaluation of our creditworthiness. These agencies’ ratings are based on a number of factors, some of which are not within our control. In addition to factors specific to our financial strength and performance, the rating agencies also consider conditions affecting REITs generally. We cannot assure you that our credit ratings will not be downgraded. If our credit ratings are downgraded or other negative action is taken, we could be required, among other things, to pay additional interest and fees on outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility and bank term loans.
We generally do not intend to reserve funds to retire existing debt upon maturity. We may not be able to repay, refinance or extend any or all of our debt at maturity or upon any acceleration. If any refinancing is done at higher interest rates, the increased interest expense would adversely affect our cash flow and ability to pay distributions. Any such refinancing could also impose tighter financial ratios and other covenants that restrict our ability to take actions that could otherwise be in our best interest, such as funding new development activity, making opportunistic acquisitions, repurchasing our securities or paying distributions. If we do not meet our mortgage financing obligations, any properties securing such indebtedness could be foreclosed on.
We depend on our revolving credit facility for working capital purposes and for the short-term funding of our development and acquisition activity and, in certain instances, the repayment of other debt upon maturity. Our ability to borrow under the revolving credit facility also allows us to quickly capitalize on opportunities at short-term interest rates. If our lenders default under their obligations under the revolving credit facility or we become unable to borrow additional funds under the facility for any reason, we would be required to seek alternative equity or debt capital, which could be more costly and adversely impact our financial condition. If such alternative capital were unavailable, we may not be able to make new investments and could have difficulty repaying other debt.
Increases in interest rates would increase our interest expense. At December 31, 2021, we had $220.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding not protected by interest rate hedge contracts. We may incur additional variable rate debt in the future. If interest rates increase, then so would the interest expense on our unhedged variable rate debt, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. From time to time, we manage our exposure to interest rate risk with interest rate hedge contracts that effectively fix or cap a portion of our variable rate debt. In addition, we utilize fixed rate debt at market rates. If interest rates decrease, the fair market value of any existing interest rate hedge contracts or outstanding fixed-rate debt would decline.
Our efforts to manage these exposures may not be successful. Our use of interest rate hedge contracts to manage risk associated with interest rate volatility may expose us to additional risks, including a risk that a counterparty to a hedge contract may fail to honor its obligations. Developing an effective interest rate risk strategy is complex and no strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. There can be no assurance that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition. Termination of interest rate hedge contracts typically involves costs, such as transaction fees or breakage costs.
Our revolving credit facility and bank term loans currently bear interest at a spread above LIBOR. The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) that regulates LIBOR intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR at some point in the future. As a result, a committee formed by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative to LIBOR in financial contracts. We are not able to predict when LIBOR will cease to be available or when there will be sufficient liquidity in the SOFR markets. If and when LIBOR is discontinued, our revolving credit facility and term loans will transition the reference rate under our variable rate debt from LIBOR to SOFR, which could be challenging and adversely affect our interest expense.
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Risks Related to our Status as a REIT
The Company may be subject to taxation as a regular corporation if it fails to maintain its REIT status, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s stockholders and on the Operating Partnership. We may be subject to adverse consequences if the Company fails to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. While we intend to operate in a manner that will allow the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT, we cannot provide any assurances that the Company will remain qualified as such in the future, which could have particularly adverse consequences to the Company’s stockholders. Many of the requirements for taxation as a REIT are highly technical and complex and depend upon various factual matters and circumstances that may not be entirely within our control. The fact that the Company holds its assets through the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries further complicates the application of the REIT requirements. Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize our REIT status. Furthermore, Congress and the Internal Revenue Service might change the tax laws and regulations and the courts might issue new rulings that make it more difficult, or impossible, for the Company to remain qualified as a REIT. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, it would (a) not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to stockholders in computing its taxable income, (b) be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates (and state and local taxes) and (c) unless entitled to relief under the tax laws, not be able to re-elect REIT status until the fifth calendar year after it failed to qualify as a REIT. Additionally, the Company would no longer be required to make distributions. As a result of these factors, the Company’s failure to qualify as a REIT could impair our ability to expand our business and adversely affect the price of our Common Stock.
Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. In addition, our taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to regular corporate federal, state and local taxes. Any of these taxes would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments. To remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our capital stock. In order to meet these tests, we may be required to forego investments we might otherwise make. Compliance with the REIT requirements may limit our growth prospects.
In particular, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government securities, securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities, securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total assets can be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The prohibited transactions tax may limit our ability to sell properties. A REIT’s net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. We may be subject to the prohibited transaction tax equal to 100% of net gain upon a disposition of real property. Although a safe harbor to the characterization of the sale of real property by a REIT as a prohibited transaction is available, we cannot assure you that we can in all cases comply with the safe harbor or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. Consequently, we may choose not to engage in certain sales of our properties or may conduct such sales through our taxable REIT subsidiary, which would be subject to federal and state income taxation.
Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends. Dividends payable by REITs to U.S. stockholders are taxed at a maximum individual rate of 33.4% (including the 3.8% net investment income tax and after factoring in a 20% deduction for pass-through income). The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are taxed at individual rates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our stock.
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We face possible tax audits. Because we are organized and qualify as a REIT, we are generally not subject to federal income taxes. We are, however, subject to federal, state and local taxes in certain instances. In the normal course of business, certain entities through which we own real estate have undergone tax audits. While tax deficiency notices from the jurisdictions conducting previous audits have not been material, there can be no assurance that future audits will not occur with increased frequency or that the ultimate result of such audits will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities
The price of our Common Stock is volatile and may decline. A number of factors may adversely influence the public market price of our Common Stock. These factors include:
•the level of institutional interest in us;
•the perceived attractiveness of investment in us, in comparison to other REITs;
•the attractiveness of securities of REITs in comparison to other asset classes;
•our financial condition and performance;
•the market’s perception of our growth prospects and potential future cash dividends;
•government action or regulation, including changes in tax laws;
•increases in market interest rates, which may lead investors to expect a higher annual yield from our distributions in relation to the price of our Common Stock;
•changes in our credit ratings;
•the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock, or the perception that such issuances might occur, including under our equity distribution agreements; and
•any negative change in the level or stability of our dividend.
Tax elections regarding distributions may impact the future liquidity of the Company or our stockholders. Under certain circumstances, we may consider making a tax election to treat future distributions to stockholders as distributions in the current year. This election, which is provided for in the Internal Revenue Code, may allow us to avoid increasing our dividends or paying additional income taxes in the current year. However, this could result in a constraint on our ability to decrease our dividends in future years without creating risk of either violating the REIT distribution requirements or generating additional income tax liability.
Tax legislative or regulatory action could adversely affect us or our stockholders. In recent years, numerous legislative, judicial and administrative changes have been made to the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to investments similar to an investment in our Common Stock. Additional changes to tax laws are likely to continue in the future, and we cannot assure you that any such changes will not adversely affect the taxation of us or our stockholders. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our Common Stock, on the market value of our properties or the attractiveness of securities of REITs generally in comparison to other asset classes.
We cannot assure you that we will continue to pay dividends at historical rates. We generally expect to use cash flows from operating activities to fund dividends. For information regarding our dividend payment history as well as a discussion of the factors that influence the decisions of the Company’s Board of Directors regarding dividends and distributions, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Dividends and Distributions.” Changes in our future dividend payout level could have a material effect on the market price of our Common Stock.
Cash distributions reduce the amount of cash that would otherwise be available for other business purposes, including paying off debt, reinvesting in our existing portfolio or funding future growth initiatives. For the Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT, it must annually distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. In addition, although capital gains are not required to be distributed to maintain REIT status, taxable
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capital gains, if any, that are generated as part of our capital recycling program are subject to federal and state income tax unless such gains are distributed to our stockholders. Cash distributions made to stockholders to maintain REIT status or to distribute otherwise taxable capital gains limit our ability to accumulate capital for other business purposes, including paying off debt, reinvesting in our existing portfolio or funding future growth initiatives.
Further issuances of equity securities may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and may be dilutive to current stockholders. The sales of a substantial number of Common Shares, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. We have filed a registration statement with the SEC allowing us to offer, from time to time, an indeterminate amount of equity securities (including Common Stock and Preferred Stock) on an as-needed basis and subject to our ability to effect offerings on satisfactory terms based on prevailing conditions. In addition, the Company’s board of directors has, from time to time, authorized the Company to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s equity sales agreements. The interests of our existing stockholders could be diluted if additional equity securities are issued to finance future developments and acquisitions or repay indebtedness. Our ability to execute our business strategy depends on our access to an appropriate blend of debt financing, including unsecured lines of credit and other forms of secured and unsecured debt, and equity financing, including common equity.
We may change our policies without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. Our operating and financial policies, including our policies with respect to acquisitions of real estate, growth, operations, indebtedness, capitalization and dividends, are exclusively determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Accordingly, our stockholders do not control these policies.
Limits on changes in control may discourage takeover attempts beneficial to stockholders. Provisions in the Company’s charter and bylaws as well as Maryland general corporation law may have anti-takeover effects that delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt. For example, these provisions may defer or prevent tender offers for our Common Stock or purchases of large blocks of our Common Stock, thus limiting the opportunities for the Company’s stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of Common Stock over then-prevailing market prices. These provisions include the following:
•Ownership limit. The Company’s charter prohibits direct, indirect or constructive ownership by any person or entity of more than 9.8% of the Company’s outstanding capital stock. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of capital stock in excess of the ownership limit without the consent of the Company’s board of directors will be void.
•Preferred Stock. The Company’s charter authorizes the board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more classes and establish the preferences and rights of any class of preferred stock issued. These actions can be taken without stockholder approval. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing someone from taking control of the Company, even if a change in control were in our best interest.
•Business combinations. Pursuant to the Company’s charter and Maryland law, the Company cannot merge into or consolidate with another corporation or enter into a statutory share exchange transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity or sell all or substantially all of its assets unless the board of directors adopts a resolution declaring the proposed transaction advisable and a majority of the stockholders voting together as a single class approve the transaction. Maryland law prohibits stockholders from taking action by written consent unless all stockholders consent in writing. The practical effect of this limitation is that any action required or permitted to be taken by the Company’s stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before an annual or special meeting of stockholders. The Company’s bylaws further provide that in order for a stockholder to properly bring any matter before a meeting, the stockholder must comply with requirements regarding advance notice. The foregoing provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next annual meeting stockholder actions that the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities favor. These provisions may also discourage another person from making a tender offer for the Company’s common stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, would likely be able to take action as a stockholder, such as electing new directors or approving a merger, only at a duly called stockholders meeting. Maryland law also establishes special requirements with respect to business combinations between Maryland corporations and interested stockholders unless exemptions apply. Among other things, the law prohibits for five years a merger and other similar transactions between a corporation and an interested stockholder and requires a supermajority vote for such transactions after the end of the five-year period. The Company’s charter contains a provision exempting the Company from the Maryland business combination statute. However, we cannot assure you that this charter provision will not be amended or repealed at any point in the future.
•Control share acquisitions. Maryland general corporation law also provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquirer or by officers or
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employee directors. The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or to acquisitions approved or exempted by the corporation’s charter or bylaws. The Company’s bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any stock acquired by any person. However, we cannot assure you that this bylaw provision will not be amended or repealed at any point in the future.
•Maryland unsolicited takeover statute. Under Maryland law, the Company’s board of directors could adopt various anti-takeover provisions without the consent of stockholders. The adoption of such measures could discourage offers for the Company or make an acquisition of the Company more difficult, even when an acquisition would be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.
•Anti‐takeover protections of operating partnership agreement. Upon a change in control of the Company, the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership requires certain acquirers to maintain an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust structure with terms at least as favorable to the limited partners as are currently in place. For instance, the acquirer would be required to preserve the limited partner’s right to continue to hold tax-deferred partnership interests that are redeemable for capital stock of the acquirer. Exceptions would require the approval of two-thirds of the limited partners of our Operating Partnership (other than the Company). These provisions may make a change of control transaction involving the Company more complicated and therefore might decrease the likelihood of such a transaction occurring, even if such a transaction would be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Properties
The following table sets forth information about in-service office properties that we wholly own by geographic location at December 31, 2021:
__________
(1)Annualized Cash Rental Revenue is cash rental revenue (base rent plus cost recovery income, excluding straight-line rent) from our office properties for the month of December 2021 multiplied by 12.
The following table sets forth the net changes in rentable square footage of in-service properties that we wholly own:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Developments Placed In-Service 897 — 898
Redevelopment/Other (3) (40) (6)
The following table sets forth operating information about in-service properties that we wholly own:
__________
(1)Annualized GAAP Rent Per Square Foot is rental revenue (base rent plus cost recovery income, including straight-line rent) for the month of December of the respective year multiplied by 12, divided by total occupied rentable square footage.
(2)Annualized Cash Rent Per Square Foot is cash rental revenue (base rent plus cost recovery income, excluding straight-line rent) for the month of December of the respective year multiplied by 12, divided by total occupied rentable square footage.
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Customers
The following table sets forth information concerning the 20 largest customers of properties that we wholly own at December 31, 2021:
(in thousands)
__________
(1)Annualized Cash Rental Revenue is cash rental revenue (base rent plus cost recovery income, excluding straight-line rent) for the month of December 2021 multiplied by 12.
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Lease Expirations
The following tables set forth scheduled lease expirations for existing leases at office properties that we wholly owned at December 31, 2021:
(in thousands)
__________
(1)Expirations that have been renewed are reflected above based on the renewal expiration date. Expirations include leases related to completed not stabilized development properties but exclude leases related to developments in-process.
(2)Annualized Cash Rental Revenue is cash rental revenue (base rent plus cost recovery income, excluding straight-line rent) for the month of December 2021 multiplied by 12.
(3)Includes 51,831 rentable square feet of leases that are on a month-to-month basis, which represent 0.2% of total annualized cash rental revenue.
In-Process Development
As of December 31, 2021, we were developing 0.4 million rentable square feet of office properties. The following table summarizes these announced and in-process office developments:
($ in thousands)
__________
(1)Includes deferred lease commissions which are classified in deferred leasing costs on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(2)Retail portion recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as land held for development, not development in-process.
(3)We own a 50% interest in this unconsolidated joint venture.
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Land Held for Development
At December 31, 2021, we estimate that we can develop approximately 4.7 million rentable square feet of office space on the wholly-owned development land that we consider core assets for our future development needs. Our core office development land is zoned and available for development, and nearly all of the land has utility infrastructure in place. We believe that our commercially zoned and unencumbered land gives us a development advantage over other commercial office development companies in many of our markets. We also own additional development land on which we or third parties can develop approximately 4.3 million square feet of mixed-use real estate projects, including retail and multi-family.
Joint Venture Investments
The following table sets forth information about our joint venture investments by geographic location at December 31, 2021:
Rentable Square Feet Weighted Average Ownership Interest (1) Occupancy
Market
__________
(1)Weighted Average Ownership Interest is calculated using Rentable Square Feet.
(2)Excluding our 26.5% ownership interest in a real estate brokerage services company.
(3)This joint venture, which is consolidated, owns a newly completed, but not yet stabilized office property.
In addition, we own a 50.0% interest in 2827 Peachtree, an unconsolidated joint venture. See “Item 2. Properties - In-Process Development.”
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are from time to time a party to a variety of legal proceedings, claims and assessments arising in the ordinary course of our business. We regularly assess the liabilities and contingencies in connection with these matters based on the latest information available. For those matters where it is probable that we have incurred or will incur a loss and the loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss is accrued and charged to income in our Consolidated Financial Statements. In other instances, because of the uncertainties related to both the probable outcome and amount or range of loss, a reasonable estimate of liability, if any, cannot be made. Based on the current expected outcome of such matters, none of these proceedings, claims or assessments is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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ITEM X. INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company’s executive officers:
Name Age Position and Background
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “HIW.” On December 31, 2021, the Company had 643 common stockholders of record. There is no public trading market for the Common Units. On December 31, 2021, the Operating Partnership had 103 holders of record of Common Units (other than the Company). At December 31, 2021, there were 104.9 million shares of Common Stock outstanding and 2.5 million Common Units outstanding not owned by the Company.
For information regarding our dividend payment history as well as a discussion of the factors that influence the decisions of the Company’s Board of Directors regarding dividends and distributions, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Dividends and Distributions.”
The following total return performance graph compares the performance of our Common Stock to the S&P 500 Index and the FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index. The total return performance graph assumes an investment of $100 in our Common Stock and the two indices on December 31, 2016 and further assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. The FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index is a free-float adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index of U.S. equity REITs. Constituents of the Index include all tax-qualified REITs with more than 50% of total assets in qualifying real estate assets other than mortgages secured by real property. Total return performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
For the Period from December 31, 2016 to December 31,
The performance graph above is being furnished as part of this Annual Report solely in accordance with the requirement under Rule 14a-3(b)(9) to furnish the Company’s stockholders with such information and, therefore, is not deemed to be filed, or incorporated by reference in any filing, by the Company or the Operating Partnership under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 327,682 shares of Common Stock to holders of Common Units in the Operating Partnership upon the redemption of a like number of Common Units in private offerings exempt from the registration requirements pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. Each of the holders of Common Units was an accredited investor under Rule 501 of the Securities Act. The resale of such shares was registered by the Company under the Securities Act.
The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) under which holders of Common Stock may elect to automatically reinvest their dividends in additional shares of Common Stock and make optional cash payments for additional shares of Common Stock. The Company satisfies its DRIP obligations by instructing the DRIP administrator to purchase Common Stock in the open market.
The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) pursuant to which employees may contribute up to 25% of their cash compensation for the purchase of Common Stock. At the end of each quarter, each participant’s account balance, which includes accumulated dividends, is applied to acquire shares of Common Stock at a cost that is calculated at 85% of the average closing price on the NYSE on the five consecutive days preceding the last day of the quarter. Generally, shares purchased under the ESPP must be held at least one year. The Company satisfies its ESPP obligations by issuing additional shares of Common Stock.
Information about the Company’s equity compensation plans and other related stockholder matters is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 10, 2022.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained elsewhere herein.
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the information in this Annual Report may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under this section and under the heading “Item 1. Business.” You can identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue” or other similar words. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that our plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including the following:
•buyers may not be available and pricing may not be adequate with respect to planned dispositions of non-core assets;
•comparable sales data on which we based our expectations with respect to the sales price of non-core assets may not reflect current market trends;
•the extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacts our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic and its impact on the U.S. economy and potential changes in customer behavior that could adversely affect the use of and demand for office space;
•the financial condition of our customers could deteriorate or further worsen, which could be further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;
•our assumptions regarding potential losses related to customer financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic could prove incorrect;
•counterparties under our debt instruments, particularly our revolving credit facility, may attempt to avoid their obligations thereunder, which, if successful, would reduce our available liquidity;
•we may not be able to lease or re-lease second generation space, defined as previously occupied space that becomes available for lease, quickly or on as favorable terms as old leases;
•we may not be able to lease newly constructed buildings as quickly or on as favorable terms as originally anticipated;
•we may not be able to complete development, acquisition, reinvestment, disposition or joint venture projects as quickly or on as favorable terms as anticipated;
•development activity in our existing markets could result in an excessive supply relative to customer demand;
•our markets may suffer declines in economic and/or office employment growth;
•unanticipated increases in interest rates could increase our debt service costs;
•unanticipated increases in operating expenses could negatively impact our operating results;
•natural disasters and climate change could have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating results;
•we may not be able to meet our liquidity requirements or obtain capital on favorable terms to fund our working capital needs and growth initiatives or repay or refinance outstanding debt upon maturity; and
•the Company could lose key executive officers.
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This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is not intended to be exhaustive. You should also review the other cautionary statements we make in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” set forth in this Annual Report. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Executive Summary
We are in the work-placemaking business. We believe that in creating environments and experiences where the best and brightest can achieve together what they cannot apart, we can deliver greater value to our customers, their teammates and, in turn, our stockholders. Our simple strategy is to own and manage high-quality workplaces in the BBDs within our footprint, maintain a strong balance sheet to be opportunistic throughout economic cycles, employ a talented and dedicated team and communicate transparently with all stakeholders. We focus on owning and managing buildings in the most dynamic and vibrant BBDs. BBDs are highly-energized and amenitized workplace locations that enhance our customers’ ability to attract and retain talent. They are both urban and suburban. Providing the most talent-supportive workplace options in these environments is core to our work-placemaking strategy.
Our investment strategy is to generate attractive and sustainable returns over the long term for our stockholders by developing, acquiring and owning a portfolio of high-quality, differentiated office buildings in the BBDs of our core markets. A core component of this strategy is to continuously strengthen the financial and operational performance, resiliency and long-term growth prospects of our existing in-service portfolio and recycle those properties that no longer meet our criteria.
Since the beginning of 2019, we have acquired 3.1 million square feet of trophy office assets for a total investment of $1.3 billion, placed in service 1.8 million square feet of highly pre-leased new office development for a total investment of $691 million and sold 6.7 million square feet of non-core office and industrial assets for $992 million. This series of transactions included our exit from Greensboro and Memphis and entry into Charlotte, a higher-growth market with greater future upside opportunities.
Our operating results depend heavily on successfully leasing and operating the office space in our portfolio. Economic growth and office employment levels in our core markets are important factors, among others, in predicting our future operating results. Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the U.S. economy. It is very difficult to predict when, if and to what extent economic activity will return to pre-COVID-19 levels. The COVID-19 pandemic did impact our 2021 financial results. While all buildings and parking facilities have remained open for business, the usage of our assets has continued to remain significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. As a result, compared to pre-pandemic levels, parking and parking-related revenues have continued to be low, largely offsetting reduced operating expenses, net of expense recoveries. Until usage increases, which will depend on the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is difficult to estimate, we expect that reduced usage will continue to result in reduced parking revenues, which will be partially offset by reduced operating expenses. We currently expect usage will gradually increase throughout 2022. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations are set forth under “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Revenues
The key components affecting our rental and other revenues are average occupancy, rental rates, cost recovery income, new developments placed in service, acquisitions and dispositions. Average occupancy generally increases during times of improving economic growth, as our ability to lease space outpaces vacancies that occur upon the expirations of existing leases. Average occupancy generally declines during times of slower or negative economic growth, when new vacancies tend to outpace our ability to lease space. Asset acquisitions, dispositions and new developments placed in service directly impact our rental revenues and could impact our average occupancy, depending upon the occupancy rate of the properties that are acquired, sold or placed in service. A further indicator of the predictability of future revenues is the expected lease expirations of our portfolio. As a result, in addition to seeking to increase our average occupancy by leasing current vacant space, we also concentrate our leasing efforts on renewing existing leases prior to expiration. For more information regarding our lease expirations, see “Item 2. Properties - Lease Expirations.” Occupancy in our office portfolio increased from 90.3% at December 31, 2020 to 91.2% at December 31, 2021. We expect average occupancy for our office portfolio to be approximately 90.5% to 91.5% for 2022. However, average occupancy in 2022 will be lower, perhaps significantly lower, if the COVID-19 pandemic causes vacancies and move-outs due to potential changes in customer behavior, such as the continued social acceptance, desirability and perceived economic benefits of work-from-home arrangements, which could materially and negatively impact the future demand for office space, resulting in slower overall leasing and negatively impacting our revenues.
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Whether or not our rental revenue tracks average occupancy proportionally depends upon whether GAAP rents under signed new and renewal leases are higher or lower than the GAAP rents under expiring leases. Annualized rental revenues from second generation leases expiring during any particular year are typically less than 15% of our total annual rental revenues. The following table sets forth information regarding second generation office leases signed during the fourth quarter of 2021 (we define second generation office leases as leases with new customers and renewals of existing customers in office space that has been previously occupied under our ownership and leases with respect to vacant space in acquired buildings):
New Renewal All Office
Average term (in years - rentable square foot weighted) 6.5 3.1 4.2
Rent concessions (per rentable square foot) (1) (1.65) (0.95) (1.18)
Tenant improvements (per rentable square foot) (1) $ 5.59 $ 1.95 $ 3.12
Leasing commissions (per rentable square foot) (1) $ 1.17 $ 0.74 $ 0.88
__________
(1) Weighted average per rentable square foot on an annual basis over the lease term.
Annual combined GAAP rents for new and renewal leases signed in the fourth quarter were $28.86 per rentable square foot, 11.6% higher compared to previous leases in the same office spaces.
We strive to maintain a diverse, stable and creditworthy customer base. We have an internal guideline whereby customers that account for more than 3% of our revenues are periodically reviewed with the Company’s Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2021, the Federal Government (4.0%) and Bank of America (3.7%) accounted for more than 3% of our annualized cash revenues. See “Item 2. Properties - Customers.”
Expenses
Our expenses primarily consist of rental property expenses, depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses and interest expense. From time to time, expenses also include impairments of real estate assets. Rental property expenses are expenses associated with our ownership and operation of rental properties and include expenses that vary somewhat proportionately to occupancy and usage levels, such as janitorial services and utilities, and expenses that do not vary based on occupancy, such as property taxes and insurance. Depreciation and amortization is a non-cash expense associated with the ownership of real property and generally remains relatively consistent each year, unless we buy, place in service or sell assets, since our properties and related building and tenant improvement assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over fixed lives. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of management and employee salaries and benefits, corporate overhead and short and long-term incentive compensation.
Net Operating Income
Whether or not we record increasing net operating income (“NOI”) in our same property portfolio typically depends upon our ability to garner higher rental revenues, whether from higher average occupancy, higher GAAP rents per rentable square foot or higher cost recovery income, that exceed any corresponding growth in operating expenses. Same property NOI was $5.4 million, or 1.2%, higher in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to an increase of $6.4 million in same property revenues offset by an increase of $1.0 million in same property expenses. We expect same property NOI to be lower in 2022 as compared to 2021 as an anticipated increase in same property expenses, mostly from the anticipated gradual increase in usage of our assets, is expected to more than offset higher anticipated same property revenues. We expect same property revenues to be higher due to higher average GAAP rents per rentable square foot and higher cost recovery and parking income.
In addition to the effect of same property NOI, whether or not NOI increases typically depends upon whether the NOI from our acquired properties and development properties placed in service exceeds the NOI from property dispositions. NOI was $26.5 million, or 5.2%, higher in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to the acquisitions of real estate assets from Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc. (“PAC”) in the third quarter of 2021 and our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in our Highwoods DLF Forum, LLC joint venture (the “Forum”) in the first quarter of 2021, development properties placed in service and higher same property NOI, partially offset by NOI lost from property dispositions. We expect NOI to be higher in 2022 as
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compared to 2021 due to the acquisition of real estate assets from PAC and development properties placed in service, partially offset by NOI lost from property dispositions and lower same property NOI.
Cash Flows
In calculating net cash related to operating activities, depreciation and amortization, which are non-cash expenses, are added back to net income. We have historically generated a positive amount of cash from operating activities. From period to period, cash flow from operations depends primarily upon changes in our net income, as discussed more fully below under “Results of Operations,” changes in receivables and payables and net additions or decreases in our overall portfolio.
Net cash related to investing activities generally relates to capitalized costs incurred for leasing and major building improvements and our acquisition, development, disposition and joint venture activity. During periods of significant net acquisition and/or development activity, our cash used in such investing activities will generally exceed cash provided by investing activities, which typically consists of cash received upon the sale of properties and distributions from our joint ventures.
Net cash related to financing activities generally relates to distributions, incurrence and repayment of debt, and issuances, repurchases or redemptions of Common Stock, Common Units and Preferred Stock. We use a significant amount of our cash to fund distributions. Whether or not we have increases in the outstanding balances of debt during a period depends generally upon the net effect of our acquisition, disposition, development and joint venture activity. We generally use our revolving credit facility for daily working capital purposes, which means that during any given period, in order to minimize interest expense, we may record significant repayments and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
For a discussion regarding dividends and distributions, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Dividends and Distributions.”
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We continue to maintain a conservative and flexible balance sheet and believe we have ample liquidity to fund our operations and growth prospects. As of January 28, 2022, we had approximately $22 million of existing cash and $70.0 million drawn on our $750 million revolving credit facility, which is scheduled to mature in March 2025. Assuming we are in compliance with our covenants, we have an option to extend the maturity for two additional six-month periods. At December 31, 2021, our leverage ratio, as measured by the ratio of our mortgages and notes payable and outstanding preferred stock to the undepreciated book value of our assets, was 39.4% and there were 107.4 million diluted shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Rental and other revenues are our principal source of funds to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. Other sources of funds for short-term liquidity needs include available working capital and borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which had $679.9 million of availability at January 28, 2022. Our short-term liquidity requirements primarily consist of operating expenses, interest and principal amortization on our debt, distributions and capital expenditures, including building improvement costs, tenant improvement costs and lease commissions. Building improvements are capital costs to maintain or enhance existing buildings not typically related to a specific customer. Tenant improvements are the costs required to customize space for the specific needs of customers. We anticipate that our available cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operating activities and planned financing activities, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility, will be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. We use our revolving credit facility for working capital purposes and for the short-term funding of our development and acquisition activity and, in certain instances, the repayment of other debt. Continued ability to borrow under the revolving credit facility allows us to quickly capitalize on strategic opportunities at short-term interest rates.
We generally believe existing cash and rental and other revenues will continue to be sufficient to fund short-term liquidity needs such as funding operating and general and administrative expenses, paying interest expense, maintaining our existing quarterly dividend and funding existing portfolio capital expenditures, including building improvement costs, tenant improvement costs and lease commissions.
Our long-term liquidity uses generally consist of the retirement or refinancing of debt upon maturity, funding of building improvements, new building developments and land infrastructure projects and funding acquisitions of buildings and development land. Our expected future capital expenditures for started and/or committed new consolidated and unconsolidated development projects were approximately $176 million at December 31, 2021. Additionally, we may, from time to time, retire
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outstanding equity and/or debt securities through redemptions, open market repurchases, privately negotiated acquisitions or otherwise.
We expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs through a combination of:
•cash flow from operating activities;
•bank term loans and borrowings under our revolving credit facility;
•the issuance of unsecured debt;
•the issuance of secured debt;
•the issuance of equity securities by the Company or the Operating Partnership; and
•the disposition of non-core assets.
We have no debt scheduled to mature during 2022, except for our $200.0 million unsecured bank term loan that is scheduled to mature in November 2022. During 2022, we forecast funding approximately $93 million of our $283 million consolidated and unconsolidated development pipeline, which was over 37% funded as of December 31, 2021. We generally believe we will be able to satisfy these obligations with existing cash, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, new bank term loans, issuance of other unsecured debt, mortgage debt and/or proceeds from the sale of additional non-core assets.
Investment Activity
As noted above, a key tenet of our strategic plan is to continuously upgrade the quality of our office portfolio through acquisitions, dispositions and development. We generally seek to acquire and develop office buildings that improve the average quality of our overall portfolio and deliver consistent and sustainable value for our stockholders over the long-term. Whether or not an asset acquisition or new development results in higher per share net income or funds from operations (“FFO”) in any given period depends upon a number of factors, including whether the NOI for any such period exceeds the actual cost of capital used to finance the acquisition or development. Additionally, given the length of construction cycles, development projects are not placed in service until, in some cases, several years after commencement. Sales of non-core assets could result in lower per share net income or FFO in any given period in the event the return on the resulting use of proceeds does not exceed the capitalization rate on the sold properties.
Results of Operations
Comparison of 2021 to 2020
Rental and Other Revenues
Rental and other revenues were $31.1 million, or 4.2%, higher in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to the acquisitions of real estate assets from PAC and our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in the Forum, development properties placed in service and higher same property revenues, which increased rental and other revenues by $43.0 million, $13.2 million and $6.4 million, respectively. Same property rental and other revenues were higher primarily due to higher average GAAP rents per rentable square foot, higher parking income and lower credit losses, partially offset by a decrease in average occupancy. These increases were partially offset by lost revenue of $31.7 million from property dispositions. We expect rental and other revenues to be higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to the acquisition of real estate assets from PAC, development properties placed in service and higher same property revenues, partially offset by lost revenue from property dispositions.
Operating Expenses
Rental property and other expenses were $4.6 million, or 2.0%, higher in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to the acquisitions of real estate assets from PAC and our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in the Forum, development properties placed in service and higher same property operating expenses, which increased operating expenses by $11.4 million, $2.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Same property operating expenses were higher primarily due to higher contract services and utilities, partially offset by lower repairs and maintenance. These increases were partially offset by a $10.8 million decrease in operating expenses from property dispositions. We expect rental property and other expenses to be higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to the acquisition of real estate assets from PAC, development properties placed in service and higher
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same property operating expenses due to the anticipated gradual increase in usage throughout 2022, partially offset by lower operating expenses from property dispositions.
Depreciation and amortization was $17.7 million, or 7.3%, higher in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to the acquisitions of real estate assets from PAC and our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in the Forum, development properties placed in service and higher same property lease related depreciation and amortization, partially offset by fully amortized acquisition-related intangible assets and property dispositions. We expect depreciation and amortization to be higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to the acquisition of real estate assets from PAC and development properties placed in service, partially offset by property dispositions.
We recorded an impairment of real estate assets of $1.8 million in 2020, which resulted from a change in market-based inputs and our assumptions about the use of the assets. We recorded no impairments in 2021.
General and administrative expenses were $0.5 million, or 1.2%, lower in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to lower salaries, benefits, severance and early retirement costs, partially offset by higher incentive compensation. We experienced lower salaries and benefits in 2021 as a result of the reduction in the number of employees throughout 2020 primarily due to our exiting of the Greensboro and Memphis markets and the subsequent closing of those division offices and the resulting synergies garnered from the ongoing simplification of our business. We expect general and administrative expenses to be higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to higher salaries and benefits and higher office rent, partially offset by lower incentive compensation.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $4.9 million, or 6.0%, higher in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to higher average debt balances, partially offset by higher capitalized interest and lower average interest rates. We expect interest expense to be higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to higher average debt balances and lower capitalized interest.
Other Income/(Loss)
Other income/(loss) was income of $1.4 million in 2021 as compared to a loss of $1.7 million in 2020 primarily due to losses on debt extinguishment in 2020.
Gains on Disposition of Property
Gains on disposition of property were $41.8 million lower in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to the net effect of the disposition activity in such periods.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates was $2.1 million, or 51.4%, lower in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to the acquisition of our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in the Forum.
Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted
Diluted earnings per common share was $0.34 lower in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to a decrease in net income for the reasons discussed above.
Comparison of 2020 to 2019
For a comparison of 2020 to 2019, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Statements of Cash Flows
We report and analyze our cash flows based on operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s cash flows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Comparison of 2021 to 2020
The change in net cash provided by operating activities in 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to higher net cash from the operations of acquired real estate assets from PAC and our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in the Forum, same properties and development properties placed in service and changes in operating assets, partially offset by property dispositions. We expect net cash related to operating activities to be higher in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to higher net cash from the operations of acquired real estate assets from PAC and development properties placed in service, partially offset by property dispositions.
The change in net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities in 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to the acquisitions of real estate assets from PAC and our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in the Forum and net proceeds from disposition activity in 2020, partially offset by higher investments in development in-process, tenant improvements and building improvements in 2020. We expect uses of cash for investing activities in 2022 to be primarily driven by whether or not we acquire and commence development of additional office buildings in the BBDs of our markets. Additionally, as of December 31, 2021, we have approximately $176 million left to fund of our previously-announced consolidated and unconsolidated development activity in 2022 and future years. We expect these uses of cash for investing activities will be partly offset by proceeds from property dispositions in 2022.
The change in net cash used in financing activities in 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to higher proceeds from the issuance of common stock in 2021, partially offset by higher net debt repayments in 2021. Assuming the net effect of our acquisition, disposition and development activity in 2022 results in an increase to our assets, we would expect outstanding debt and/or Common Stock balances to increase.
Comparison of 2020 to 2019
For a comparison of 2020 to 2019, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Capitalization
The following table sets forth the Company’s capitalization (in thousands, except per share amounts):
December 31,
Mortgages and notes payable, net, at recorded book value $ 2,788,915 $ 2,470,021
Preferred Stock, at liquidation value $ 28,821 $ 28,826
Common Units outstanding (not owned by the Company) 2,505 2,839
Per share stock price at year end $ 44.59 $ 39.63
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At December 31, 2021, our mortgages and notes payable and outstanding preferred stock represented 37.0% of our total capitalization and 39.4% of the undepreciated book value of our assets. See also “Executive Summary - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Our mortgages and notes payable as of December 31, 2021 consisted of $491.9 million of secured indebtedness with a weighted average interest rate of 3.63% and $2,312.2 million of unsecured indebtedness with a weighted average interest rate of 3.35%. The secured indebtedness, which includes four secured loans recorded at fair value of $403 million in the aggregate assumed as part of the acquisition of real estate assets from PAC, was collateralized by real estate assets with an undepreciated book value of $727.8 million. As of December 31, 2021, $220.0 million of our debt does not bear interest at fixed rates or is not protected by interest rate hedge contracts. On January 28, 2022, floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps with respect to an aggregate of $50.0 million of LIBOR-based borrowings expired. Subsequently, as of January 28, 2022, we had $270.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding not protected by interest rate hedge contracts.
Investment Activity
- Acquisitions
In the normal course of business, we regularly evaluate potential acquisitions. As a result, from time to time, we may have one or more potential acquisitions under consideration that are in varying stages of evaluation, negotiation or due diligence, including potential acquisitions that are subject to non-binding letters of intent or enforceable contracts. Consummation of any transaction is subject to a number of contingencies, including the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. No assurances can be provided that we will acquire any properties in the future. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Capital Recycling Activity – Recent and future acquisitions and development properties may fail to perform in accordance with our expectations and may require renovation and development costs exceeding our estimates.”
During the fourth quarter of 2021, we acquired various development land parcels in Nashville for an aggregate purchase price, including capitalized acquisition costs, of $35.1 million.
During the third quarter of 2021, we acquired a portfolio of real estate assets from PAC. The portfolio consists of the following assets:
Asset Market Submarket/BBD Square Footage
CAPTRUST Towers Raleigh North Hills 300,000
Capitol Towers Charlotte SouthPark 479,000
Morrocroft Centre Charlotte SouthPark 291,000
Galleria 75 Redevelopment Site Atlanta Cumberland/Galleria
Our total purchase price, net of closing credits and cash acquired, was $653.6 million, including $4.5 million of capitalized acquisition costs. The acquisition included the assumption of four secured loans recorded at fair value of $403 million in the aggregate, with a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.54% and a weighted average maturity of 10.7 years. We incurred $3.5 million of debt issuance costs related to these assumptions.
During the third quarter of 2021, we also acquired development land in Nashville for a purchase price, including capitalized acquisition costs, of $22.9 million.
During the second quarter of 2021, we acquired development land in Nashville for a purchase price of $16.1 million, including capitalized acquisition costs, of which $16.0 million is expected to be paid within two years.
During the first quarter of 2021, we acquired our joint venture partner’s 75.0% interest in our Highwoods DLF Forum, LLC joint venture (the “Forum”), which owned five buildings in Raleigh encompassing 636,000 rentable square feet, for a purchase price of $131.3 million. We previously accounted for our 25.0% interest in this joint venture using the equity method of accounting. The assets and liabilities of the joint venture are now wholly owned and we have determined the acquisition constitutes an asset purchase. As such, because the Forum is not a variable interest entity, we allocated our previously held equity interest at historical cost along with the consideration paid and acquisition costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at relative fair value as determined by management, with the assistance of third party specialists, based on information available at the acquisition date and on current assumptions as to future operations.
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- Dispositions
During the fourth quarter of 2021, we sold nine office buildings and various land parcels in Atlanta, Raleigh, Richmond and Tampa for an aggregate sale price of $191.2 million (before closing credits to buyer of $1.6 million) and recorded aggregate gains on disposition of property of $93.7 million, including land sale gains of $9.7 million.
During the third quarter of 2021, we sold two office buildings in Richmond and Memphis for an aggregate sale price of $119.7 million (before closing credits to buyer of $4.4 million) and recorded aggregate gains on disposition of property of $37.3 million.
We have a 50.0% ownership interest in Highwoods-Markel Associates, LLC (“Markel”), a consolidated joint venture. During the third quarter of 2021, Markel sold land in Richmond for a sale price of $3.0 million and recorded gain on disposition of property of $1.3 million.
During the second quarter of 2021, we sold an office building in Tampa for a sale price of $43.0 million (before closing credits to buyer of $0.9 million) and recorded a gain on disposition of property of $22.9 million.
During the first quarter of 2021, we sold an office building in Atlanta for a sale price of $30.7 million and recorded a gain on disposition of property of $18.9 million.
- New Joint Venture Investments
During the fourth quarter of 2021, we and Brand Properties, LLC (“Brand”) formed a joint venture (the “2827 Peachtree joint venture”) to construct 2827 Peachtree, a 135,000 square foot, multi-customer office building located in Atlanta’s Buckhead submarket. 2827 Peachtree has an anticipated total investment of $79.0 million. Construction of 2827 Peachtree began in the first quarter of 2022 with a scheduled completion date in the third quarter of 2023. At closing, we agreed to contribute cash of $13.3 million ($6.1 million of which was funded as of December 31, 2021) in exchange for a 50.0% interest in the 2827 Peachtree joint venture and Brand contributed land valued at $7.7 million and agreed to contribute cash of $5.6 million in exchange for the remaining 50.0% interest. We also committed to provide a $49.6 million interest-only secured construction loan to the 2827 Peachtree joint venture that is scheduled to mature in December 2024 with an option to extend for one year. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 300 basis points. As of December 31, 2021, no amounts under the loan have been funded.
- In-Process Development
As of December 31, 2021, we were developing 0.4 million rentable square feet of office properties. For a table summarizing our announced and in-process office developments, see “Item 2. Properties - In-Process Development.”
Financing Activity
During 2020, we entered into separate equity distribution agreements with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., BTIG, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., Jefferies LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Regions Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. Under the terms of the equity distribution agreements, the Company may offer and sell up to $300.0 million in aggregate gross sales price of shares of Common Stock from time to time through such firms, acting as agents of the Company or as principals. Sales of the shares, if any, may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as otherwise agreed with any of such firms (which may include block trades). During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company issued 156,913 shares of Common Stock at an average gross sales price of $46.75 per share and received net proceeds, after sales commissions, of $7.2 million. We paid an aggregate of $0.1 million in sales commissions to Jefferies, LLC during the fourth quarter of 2021.
During the first quarter of 2021, we entered into a new $750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced our previously existing $600.0 million revolving credit facility and includes an accordion feature that allows for an additional $550.0 million of borrowing capacity subject to additional lender commitments. Our new revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature in March 2025. Assuming no defaults have occurred, we have an option to extend the maturity for two additional six-month periods. The current interest rate on the new facility at our existing credit ratings is LIBOR plus 90 basis points and the annual facility fee is 20 basis points. The interest rate and facility fee are based on the higher of the publicly announced ratings from Moody’s Investors Service or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. The financial and other covenants under the new
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facility are substantially similar to our previous credit facility. We incurred $4.8 million of debt issuance costs, which are being amortized along with certain existing unamortized debt issuance costs over the remaining term of our new revolving credit facility. We recorded $0.1 million of loss on debt extinguishment. There was $70.0 million outstanding under our new revolving credit facility at both December 31, 2021 and January 28, 2022. At both December 31, 2021 and January 28, 2022, we had $0.1 million of outstanding letters of credit, which reduces the availability on our revolving credit facility. As a result, the unused capacity of our revolving credit facility at both December 31, 2021 and January 28, 2022 was $679.9 million.
We previously entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps through January 2022 with respect to an aggregate of $50.0 million LIBOR-based borrowings. These swaps effectively fix the underlying one-month LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 1.693%. As of January 28, 2022, these interest rate swaps have expired.
During the third quarter of 2021, in conjunction with the acquisition of real estate assets from PAC, we assumed four secured mortgage loans recorded at fair value of $403 million in the aggregate, with a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.54% and a weighted average maturity of 10.7 years. We incurred $3.5 million of debt issuance costs related to these assumptions, which will be amortized over the remaining terms of the loans.
During the third quarter of 2021, we also obtained a $200.0 million, six-month unsecured bridge facility. The bridge facility was originally scheduled to mature in January 2022. The bridge facility bore interest at LIBOR plus 85 basis points, had a commitment fee of 20 basis points and contained financial and other covenants that are similar to the covenants under our $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility. We incurred $1.0 million of debt issuance costs related to this bridge facility which were being amortized over the six-month term. As of December 31, 2021, this bridge facility was prepaid in full without penalty. We recorded $0.2 million of loss on debt extinguishment related to this prepayment.
During the second quarter of 2021, we prepaid without penalty the remaining $150.0 million principal amount of 3.20% unsecured notes that was scheduled to mature in June 2021. We recorded $0.1 million of loss on debt extinguishment related to this prepayment.
We regularly evaluate the financial condition of the financial institutions that participate in our credit facilities and as counterparties under interest rate swap agreements using publicly available information. Based on this review, we currently expect these financial institutions to perform their obligations under our existing facilities and swap agreements.
For information regarding our interest hedging activities and other market risks associated with our debt financing activities, see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
Covenant Compliance
We are currently in compliance with financial covenants and other requirements with respect to our consolidated debt. Although we expect to remain in compliance with these covenants and ratios for at least the next year, depending upon our future operating performance, property and financing transactions and general economic conditions, we cannot provide any assurances that we will continue to be in compliance.
Our revolving credit facility and bank term loans require us to comply with customary operating covenants and various financial requirements. Upon an event of default on our revolving credit facility, the lenders having at least 51.0% of the total commitments under our revolving credit facility can accelerate all borrowings then outstanding, and we could be prohibited from borrowing any further amounts under our revolving credit facility, which would adversely affect our ability to fund our operations. In addition, certain of our unsecured debt agreements contain cross-default provisions giving the unsecured lenders the right to declare a default if we are in default under more than $35.0 million with respect to other loans in some circumstances.
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As of December 31, 2021, the Operating Partnership had the following unsecured notes outstanding ($ in thousands):
Face Amount Carrying Amount Stated Interest Rate Effective Interest Rate
The indenture that governs these outstanding notes requires us to comply with customary operating covenants and various financial ratios. The trustee or the holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of any series of notes can accelerate the principal amount of such series upon written notice of a default that remains uncured after 60 days.
We may not be able to repay, refinance or extend any or all of our debt at maturity or upon any acceleration. If any refinancing is done at higher interest rates, the increased interest expense could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to pay distributions. Any such refinancing could also impose tighter financial ratios and other covenants that restrict our ability to take actions that could otherwise be in our best interest, such as funding new development activity, making opportunistic acquisitions, repurchasing our securities or paying distributions.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the fourth quarter of 2022, we and Brand formed the 2827 Peachtree joint venture. We own a 50% interest in this unconsolidated joint venture. For additional information, see “Investment Activity – New Joint Venture Investments.”
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth a summary regarding our known material contractual obligations on a cash basis, including required interest payments for those items that are interest bearing, at December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Amounts due during the years ending December 31,
Mortgages and Notes Payable:
Purchase Obligations:
Other Commitments:
Operating and Finance Lease Obligations:
__________
(1)Excludes amortization of premiums, discounts, debt issuance costs and/or purchase accounting adjustments.
(2)Consists primarily of commitments under signed leases and contracts for operating properties, excluding tenant-funded tenant improvements, and contracts for development/redevelopment projects. This includes $134.1 million of contractual commitments related to our consolidated development pipeline activity, newly acquired properties and future consideration for a parcel of development land, of which $80.1 million is scheduled to be funded in 2022. 2022 includes future spend for tenant improvements that can be used at the option of the customer during the remaining lease term. The timing of these lease and contractual commitments may fluctuate.
The interest payments due on mortgages and notes payable are based on the stated rates for the fixed rate debt and on the rates in effect at December 31, 2021 for the variable rate debt. The weighted average interest rate on our fixed (including debt with a variable rate that is effectively fixed by related interest rate swaps) and variable rate debt was 3.59% and 1.14%,
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respectively, at December 31, 2021. For additional information about our operating and finance lease obligations, mortgages and notes payable and purchase obligations, see Notes 2, 6 and 8, respectively, to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends and Distributions
To maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must pay dividends to stockholders that are at least 90.0% of its annual REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains. The partnership agreement requires the Operating Partnership to distribute at least enough cash for the Company to be able to pay such dividends. The Company’s REIT taxable income, as determined by the federal tax laws, does not equal its net income under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In addition, although capital gains are not required to be distributed to maintain REIT status, capital gains, if any, are subject to federal and state income tax unless such gains are distributed to stockholders. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities – Cash distributions reduce the amount of cash that would otherwise be available for other business purposes, including funding debt maturities, reducing debt or future growth initiatives.”
The amount of future distributions that will be made is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The following factors will affect such cash flows and, accordingly, influence the decisions of the Company’s Board of Directors regarding dividends and distributions:
•projections with respect to future REIT taxable income expected to be generated by the Company;
•debt service requirements after taking into account debt covenants and the repayment and restructuring of certain indebtedness and the availability of alternative sources of debt and equity capital and their impact on our ability to refinance existing debt and grow our business;
•scheduled increases in base rents of existing leases;
•changes in rents attributable to the renewal of existing leases or replacement leases;
•changes in occupancy rates at existing properties and execution of leases for newly acquired or developed properties;
•changes in operating expenses;
•anticipated leasing capital expenditures attributable to the renewal of existing leases or new leases;
•anticipated building improvements; and
•expected cash flows from financing and investing activities, including from the sales of assets generating taxable gains to the extent such assets are not sold in a tax-deferred exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code or another tax-free or tax-deferred transaction.
The Company declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.48 per share of Common Stock in the first and second quarter of 2021, respectively, and $0.50 per share of Common Stock in the third and fourth quarter of 2021, respectively.
On February 1, 2022, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.50 per share of Common Stock, which is payable on March 15, 2022 to stockholders of record as of February 21, 2022.
Current and Future Cash Needs
We anticipate that our available cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operating activities and other available financing sources, including the issuance of debt securities by the Operating Partnership, the issuance of secured debt, bank term loans, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, the issuance of equity securities by the Company or the Operating Partnership and the disposition of non-core assets, will be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, including the $200.0 million unsecured bank term loan that is scheduled to mature in November 2022 and the $250.0 million principal amount of unsecured notes that are scheduled to mature in January 2023. We generally believe existing cash and rental and other revenues will continue to be sufficient to fund operating and general and administrative expenses, interest expense, our existing quarterly dividend and existing portfolio capital expenditures, including building improvement costs, tenant improvement costs and lease commissions.
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We had $23.2 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021. The unused capacity of our revolving credit facility at both December 31, 2021 and January 28, 2022 was $679.9 million, excluding an accordion feature that allows for an additional $550.0 million of borrowing capacity subject to additional lender commitments.
We have a currently effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC pursuant to which, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings on an as-needed basis, the Company may sell an indefinite amount of common stock, preferred stock and depositary shares and the Operating Partnership may sell an indefinite amount of debt securities, subject to our ability to effect offerings on satisfactory terms based on prevailing market conditions.
The Company from time to time enters into equity distribution agreements with a variety of firms pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of common stock from time to time through such firms, acting as agents of the Company or as principals. Sales of the shares, if any, may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as otherwise agreed with any of such firms (which may include block trades).
In April 2021, we announced a plan to fund the acquisition of real estate assets from PAC by selling $500 million to $600 million of non-core assets by mid-2022. From the date of that announcement through December 31, 2021, we sold $353 million of properties no longer considered to be core assets due to location, age, quality and/or overall strategic fit. We can make no assurance, however, that we will sell any additional non-core assets or, if we do, what the timing or terms of any such sale will be.
See also “Executive Summary - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
The policies used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. However, certain of our significant accounting policies contain an increased level of assumptions used or estimates made in determining their impact in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Management has reviewed and determined the appropriateness of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.
We consider our critical accounting estimates to be those used in the determination of the reported amounts and disclosure related to the following:
•Acquisition of real estate assets and liabilities;
•Impairments of real estate assets; and
•Credit losses on lease related receivables.
Acquisition of Real Estate Assets and Liabilities
Primarily all of our acquisitions of real estate assets and liabilities are accounted for as asset acquisitions. As such, the purchase prices of acquired tangible and intangible assets and liabilities are recorded and allocated at fair value on a relative basis. The recorded allocations are based on estimated cash flow projections of the properties acquired which incorporates discount, capitalization and interest rates as well as available comparable market information. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding our specific procedures for purchase price allocation.
We use considerable judgement in our estimates of cash flow projections, discount, capitalization and interest rates, fair market lease rates, carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods and costs to execute similar leases. While our methodology for purchase price allocation did not change during the year ended December 31, 2021, the real estate market is fluid and our assumptions are based on information currently available in the market at the time of acquisition. Significant increases or decreases in these key estimates, particularly with regards to cash flow projections and discount and capitalization rates, would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement of the real estate assets being acquired.
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Impairments of Real Estate Assets
We record impairments of our real estate assets classified as held for use when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the sum of its undiscounted future operating and residual cash flows at the difference between estimated fair value of the asset and the carrying amount. We record impairments of our real estate assets classified as held for sale at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value using the estimated or contracted sales price less costs to sell. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding our specific procedures with respect to impairments of our real estate assets classified as held for use and held for sale.
Any real estate assets recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis as a result of our impairment analysis are valued using unobservable local and national industry market data such as comparable sales, appraisals, brokers’ opinions of value and/or terms of definitive sales contracts. Additionally, the analysis includes considerable judgement in our estimates of hold periods, projected cash flows and discount and capitalization rates. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs, particularly with regards to cash flow projections and discount and capitalization rates, would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement of the real estate assets being assessed.
Credit Losses on Lease Related Receivables
Credit losses on lease related receivables, which include accounts receivable and accrued straight-line rents receivable, are recorded as a reduction to rental and other revenues when the amount recorded is determined, in management’s judgement, to not be probable of collection. Management’s evaluation of collectability requires the exercise of considerable judgement in assessing the current credit quality of our customers using payment history and other available information about the financial condition of the customers. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we have not experienced significant credit losses based on management’s evaluation of collectability of our lease receivables. If management’s assumptions regarding the collectability of lease related receivables prove incorrect, we could experience credit losses in excess of what was recognized in rental and other revenues.
Non-GAAP Information
The Company believes that FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share are beneficial to management and investors and are important indicators of the performance of any equity REIT. Because these FFO calculations exclude such factors as depreciation, amortization and impairments of real estate assets and gains or losses from sales of operating real estate assets, which can vary among owners of identical assets in similar conditions based on historical cost accounting and useful life estimates, they facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and between other REITs. Management believes that historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, management believes the use of FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share, together with the required GAAP presentations, provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s performance relative to its competitors and a more informed and appropriate basis on which to make decisions involving operating, financing and investing activities.
FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share are non-GAAP financial measures and therefore do not represent net income or net income per share as defined by GAAP. Net income and net income per share as defined by GAAP are the most relevant measures in determining the Company’s operating performance because these FFO measures include adjustments that investors may deem subjective, such as adding back expenses such as depreciation, amortization and impairments. Furthermore, FFO available for common stockholders per share does not depict the amount that accrues directly to the stockholders’ benefit. Accordingly, FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share should never be considered as alternatives to net income, net income available for common stockholders, or net income available for common stockholders per share as indicators of the Company’s operating performance.
The Company’s presentation of FFO is consistent with FFO as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), which is calculated as follows:
•Net income/(loss) computed in accordance with GAAP;
•Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates;
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•Plus depreciation and amortization of depreciable operating properties;
•Less gains, or plus losses, from sales of depreciable operating properties, plus impairments on depreciable operating properties and excluding items that are classified as extraordinary items under GAAP;
•Plus or minus our share of adjustments, including depreciation and amortization of depreciable operating properties, for unconsolidated joint venture investments (to reflect funds from operations on the same basis); and
•Plus or minus adjustments for depreciation and amortization and gains/(losses) on sales of depreciable operating properties, plus impairments on depreciable operating properties, and noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates related to discontinued operations.
In calculating FFO, the Company includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, which the Company believes is consistent with standard industry practice for REITs that operate through an UPREIT structure. The Company believes that it is important to present FFO on an as-converted basis since all of the Common Units not owned by the Company are redeemable on a one-for-one basis for shares of its Common Stock.
The following table sets forth the Company’s FFO, FFO available for common stockholders and FFO available for common stockholders per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Year Ended December 31,
Funds from operations:
Impairments of depreciable properties — 1,778 1,400
Unconsolidated affiliates:
Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets 778 2,395 2,425
__________
(1)Includes assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive Common Stock equivalents.
In addition, the Company believes NOI and same property NOI are useful supplemental measures of the Company’s property operating performance because such metrics provide a performance measure of the revenues and expenses directly involved in owning real estate assets and a perspective not immediately apparent from net income or FFO. The Company defines NOI as rental and other revenues less rental property and other expenses. The Company defines cash NOI as NOI less lease termination fees, straight-line rent, amortization of lease incentives and amortization of acquired above and below market leases. Other REITs may use different methodologies to calculate NOI, same property NOI and cash NOI.
As of December 31, 2021, our same property portfolio consisted of 148 in-service properties encompassing 24.2 million rentable square feet that were wholly owned during the entirety of the periods presented (from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021). As of December 31, 2020, our same property portfolio consisted of 159 in-service properties encompassing 24.4 million rentable square feet that were wholly owned during the entirety of the periods presented (from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020). The change in our same property portfolio was due to the addition of one property encompassing 0.8 million rentable square feet acquired during 2019 and three newly developed properties encompassing 0.7 million rentable square feet placed in service during 2019. These additions were offset by the removal of 15 properties (13 office properties and two amenity retail properties) encompassing 1.7 million rentable square feet that were sold during 2021.
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Rental and other revenues related to properties not in our same property portfolio were $90.4 million and $65.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Rental property and other expenses related to properties not in our same property portfolio were $26.3 million and $22.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The following table sets forth the Company’s NOI, same property NOI and same property cash NOI (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (1,947) (4,005)
Impairments of real estate assets — 1,778
Non same property and other net operating income (64,185) (43,099)
__________
(1) Includes $2.9 million of repayments of temporary rent deferrals, net of additional temporary rent deferrals granted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2021, and $3.6 million of temporary rent deferrals, net of repayments, granted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2020.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The effects of potential changes in interest rates are discussed below. Our market risk discussion includes “forward-looking statements” and represents an estimate of possible changes in fair value or future earnings that would occur assuming hypothetical future movements in interest rates. Actual future results may differ materially from those presented. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our accounting policies and other information related to these financial instruments.
We borrow funds at a combination of fixed and variable rates. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility and bank term loans bear interest at variable rates. Our long-term debt, which consists of secured and unsecured long-term financings, typically bears interest at fixed rates. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit generally the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, from time to time we enter into interest rate hedge contracts such as collars, swaps, caps and treasury lock agreements in order to mitigate our interest rate risk with respect to existing and prospective debt instruments. We generally do not hold or issue these derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes.
At December 31, 2021, we had $2,534.1 million principal amount of fixed rate debt outstanding, a $250.1 million increase as compared to December 31, 2020, excluding debt with a variable rate that is effectively fixed by related interest rate hedge contracts. The estimated aggregate fair market value of this debt was $2,652.2 million. If interest rates had been 100 basis points higher, the aggregate fair market value of our fixed rate debt would have been $160.5 million lower. If interest rates had been 100 basis points lower, the aggregate fair market value of our fixed rate debt would have been $174.0 million higher.
At December 31, 2021, we had $220.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding not protected by interest rate hedge contracts, a $70.0 million increase as compared to December 31, 2020. If the weighted average interest rate on this variable rate debt had been 100 basis points higher or lower, the annual interest expense at December 31, 2021 would increase or decrease by $2.2 million.
See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Financing Activities – Increases in interest rates would increase our interest expense.”
At December 31, 2021, we had $50.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding with $50.0 million of related floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps. These swaps effectively fix the underlying one-month LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 1.693%. If the underlying LIBOR interest rates increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the aggregate fair market value of the swaps at December 31, 2021 would increase or decrease by less than $0.1 million. As of January 28, 2022, these interest rate swaps have expired.
We are exposed to certain losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties, which are major financial institutions, under the swaps. We regularly evaluate the financial condition of our counterparties using publicly available information. Based on this review, we currently expect the counterparties to perform fully under the swaps. However, if a counterparty defaults on its obligations under a swap, we could be required to pay the full rates on the applicable debt, even if such rates were in excess of the rate in the contract.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
General
The purpose of this section is to discuss our controls and procedures. The statements in this section represent the conclusions of Theodore J. Klinck, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and Brendan C. Maiorana, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).
The CEO and CFO evaluations of our controls and procedures include a review of the controls’ objectives and design, the controls’ implementation by us and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this Annual Report. We seek to identify data errors, control problems or acts of fraud and confirm that appropriate corrective action, including process improvements, is undertaken. Our controls and procedures are also evaluated on an ongoing basis by or through the following:
•activities undertaken and reports issued by employees responsible for testing our internal control over financial reporting;
•quarterly sub-certifications by representatives from appropriate business and accounting functions to support the CEO’s and CFO’s evaluations of our controls and procedures;
•other personnel in our finance and accounting organization;
•members of our internal disclosure committee; and
•members of the audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.
We do not expect that our controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Management’s Annual Report on the Company’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is required to establish and maintain internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets;
•provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors; and
•provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Under the supervision of the Company’s CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2021 based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
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We have concluded that, at December 31, 2021, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective. Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued their attestation report, which is included below, on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
Management’s Annual Report on the Operating Partnership’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Operating Partnership is also required to establish and maintain internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Under the supervision of the Company’s CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2021 based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting was effective. SEC rules do not require us to obtain an attestation report of Deloitte & Touche LLP on the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Highwoods Properties, Inc.:
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Highwoods Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 of the Company and our report dated February 8, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’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 Annual Report on the Company’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’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 Company in accordance with the US 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Raleigh, North Carolina
February 8, 2022
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. There were also no changes in the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
SEC rules require us to maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our annual and periodic reports filed with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. As defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act, disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. The Company’s CEO and CFO also concluded that the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information about the Company’s executive officers and directors, the code of ethics that applies to the Company’s chief executive officer and senior financial officers, which is posted on our website, and certain corporate governance matters is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 10, 2022. No changes have been made to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s board of directors since the 2021 annual meeting, which was held on May 11, 2021. See Item X in Part I of this Annual Report for biographical information regarding the Company’s executive officers. The Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information about the compensation of the Company’s directors and executive officers is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 10, 2022.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information about the beneficial ownership of Common Stock and the Company’s equity compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 10, 2022.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information about certain relationships and related transactions, if any, and the independence of the Company’s directors is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 10, 2022.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information about fees paid to and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 10, 2022.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibits
ExhibitNumber Description
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ExhibitNumber Description
21 Schedule of Subsidiaries
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP for the Company
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP for the Operating Partnership
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
__________
* Represents management contract or compensatory plan.
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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Highwoods Properties, Inc.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34) 53
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34) 63
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 72
Schedule III 104
__________
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is included in our Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Highwoods Properties, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Highwoods Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively, the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.