BRANDYWINE REALTY TRUST - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

OR

For the transition period from                    to                   

Commission file number

001-9106 (Brandywine Realty Trust)

000-24407 (Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P.)

Brandywine Realty Trust

Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (610) 325-5600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Units of General Partnership Interest (Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P.)

(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Brandywine Realty Trust:

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark whether the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of Exchange Act. ☐

Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P.:

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate market value of the Common Shares of Beneficial Interest held by non-affiliates of Brandywine Realty Trust was $3,040,624,004 based upon the last reported sale price of $17.53 per share on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2017. An aggregate of 178,442,517 Common Shares of Beneficial Interest was outstanding as of February 16, 2018.

As of June 30, 2017 the aggregate market value of the 1,479,799 common units of limited partnership (“Units”) held by non-affiliates of Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. was $25,940,876 based upon the last reported sale price of $17.53 per share on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2017 of the Common Shares of Beneficial Interest of Brandywine Realty Trust, the sole general partner of Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. (For this computation, the Registrant has excluded the market value of all Units beneficially owned by Brandywine Realty Trust.)

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Portions of the proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Brandywine Realty Trust are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 of Brandywine Realty Trust (the “Parent Company”) and Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”). The Parent Company is a Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, that owns its assets and conducts its operations through the Operating Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, and subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership. The Parent Company, the Operating Partnership and their consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to in this report as the “Company.” In addition, terms such as “we”, “us”, or “our” used in this report may refer to the Company, the Parent Company, or the Operating Partnership.

The Parent Company is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and as of December 31, 2017, owned a 99.2% interest in the Operating Partnership. The remaining 0.8% interest consists of common units of limited partnership interest issued by the Operating Partnership to third parties in exchange for contributions of properties to the Operating Partnership. As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, the Parent Company has full and complete authority over the Operating Partnership’s day-to-day operations and management.

As general partner with control of the Operating Partnership, the Parent Company consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes, and the Parent Company does not have significant assets other than its investment in the Operating Partnership. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership are the same in their respective financial statements. The separate discussions of the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership in this report should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the results of the Company’s operations on a consolidated basis and how management operates the Company.

Management operates the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership as one enterprise. The management of the Parent Company consists of the same members as the management of the Operating Partnership. These members are officers of both the Parent Company and of the Operating Partnership.

The Company believes that combining the annual reports on Form 10-K of the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership into a single report will result in the following benefits:

There are few differences between the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership, which are reflected in the footnote disclosures in this report. The Company believes it is important to understand the differences between the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership in the context of how these entities operate as an interrelated consolidated company. The Parent Company is a REIT, whose only material asset is its ownership of the partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. As a result, the Parent Company does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, issuing public equity from time to time and guaranteeing the debt obligations of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all the assets of the Company and directly or indirectly holds the ownership interests in the Company’s real estate ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the Company’s business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for net proceeds from equity issuances by the Parent Company, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for partnership units, the Operating Partnership generates the capital required by the Company’s business through the Operating Partnership’s operations, by the Operating Partnership’s direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness or through the issuance of partnership units of the Operating Partnership or equity interests in subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership.

The equity and noncontrolling interests in the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership’s equity are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership. The common units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership are accounted for as partners’ equity in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements while the common units of limited partnership interests held by parties other than the Parent Company are presented as noncontrolling interests in the Parent Company’s financial statements. The differences between the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership’s equity relate to the differences in the equity issued at the Parent Company and Operating Partnership levels.

To help investors understand the significant differences between the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership, this report presents the following as separate notes or sections for each of the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership:

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This report also includes separate Item 9A. (Controls and Procedures) disclosures and separate Exhibit 31 and 32 certifications for each of the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of each entity have made the requisite certifications and that the Parent Company and Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. § 1350.

In order to highlight the differences between the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership, the separate sections in this report for the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership specifically refer to the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership. In the sections that combine disclosures of the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership, this report refers to such disclosures as those of the Company. Although the Operating Partnership is generally the entity that directly or indirectly enters into contracts and real estate ventures and holds assets and debt, reference to the Company is appropriate because the business is one enterprise and the Parent Company operates the business through the Operating Partnership.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Filing Format

This combined Form 10-K is being filed separately by Brandywine Realty Trust (the “Parent Company”) and Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”).

Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This report and other materials filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (as well as information included in oral or other written statements made by us) contain statements that are forward-looking, including statements relating to business and real estate development activities, acquisitions, dispositions, future capital expenditures, financing sources, governmental regulation (including environmental regulation) and competition. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions of the 1995 Act. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ from expectations. Our actual future results and trends may differ materially from expectations depending on a variety of factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors include without limitation:

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Given these uncertainties, and the other risks identified in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this report, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

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PART I

Introduction

We are a self-administered and self-managed REIT that provides leasing, property management, development, redevelopment, acquisition and other tenant-related services for a portfolio of office, residential, retail and mixed-use properties. As of December 31, 2017, we owned 93 properties that contain an aggregate of approximately 16.4 million net rentable square feet and consist of 81 office properties, five mixed-use properties, one retail property (87 properties, collectively the “Core Properties”), two development properties and four redevelopment properties (collectively, the “Properties”). In addition, as of December 31, 2017, we owned interests in 13 unconsolidated real estate ventures (collectively, the “Real Estate Ventures”), seven of which own properties that contain an aggregate of approximately 6.7 million net rentable square feet of office space; three of which own, in aggregate, 4.4 acres of land held for development; one that owns 1.3 acres in active development; and two that own residential towers that contain 345 and 321 apartment units, respectively. Subsequent to December 31, 2017, we completed transactions that reduced our interest in Real Estate Ventures and, as of the date of this Form 10-K, we own interests in ten Real Estate Ventures. See Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

In addition to our Core Properties, as of December 31, 2017, we owned land held for development, comprised of 212 acres of undeveloped land, of which 13.1 acres were held for sale, and held options to purchase approximately 60 additional acres of undeveloped land. As of December 31, 2017, the total potential development that these land parcels could support, including the parcels under option, under current zoning and entitlements, amounted to an estimated 14.8 million square feet, of which 0.1 million square feet relates to 13.1 acres held for sale.

The Properties and the properties owned by the Real Estate Ventures are located in or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Metropolitan Washington, D.C.; Southern New Jersey; Richmond, Virginia; Wilmington, Delaware and Austin, Texas. In addition to managing properties that we own, as of December 31, 2017, we were managing approximately 8.8 million net rentable square feet of office and industrial properties for third parties and our Real Estate Ventures.  Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Form 10-K to “square feet” represent the net rentable area.  We do not have any foreign operations and our business is not seasonal. Our operations are not dependent on a single tenant or a few tenants and no single tenant accounted for more than 10% of our total 2017 revenue.

Organization

The Parent Company was organized and commenced its operations in 1986 as a Maryland REIT. The Parent Company owns its assets and conducts its operations through the Operating Partnership and subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership was formed in 1996 as a Delaware limited partnership. The Parent Company controls the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner. As of December 31, 2017, the Parent Company owned a 99.2% interest in the Operating Partnership. The remaining 0.8% interest in the Operating Partnership consists of common units of limited partnership interest issued to the holders in exchange for contributions of properties to the Operating Partnership. Our structure as an “UPREIT” is designed, in part, to permit persons contributing properties to us to defer some or all of the tax liability they might otherwise incur in a sale of properties.  Our executive offices are located at 2929 Walnut Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19104 and our telephone number is (610) 325-5600. We have offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Radnor, Pennsylvania; McLean, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Camden, New Jersey; Richmond, Virginia; and Austin, Texas. We have an internet website at www.brandywinerealty.com. We are not incorporating by reference into this report any material from our website. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference to the uniform resource locator (URL) and is for your reference only.

2017 Transactions

Real Estate Acquisitions

On October 13, 2017, we acquired, through a 99-year ground lease, the leasehold interest in an office property containing 282,709 rentable square feet located at 3025 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known as One Drexel Plaza, for a gross purchase price of $35.0 million and capitalized $2.8 million of acquisition related costs. The acquisition represents an investment in our Schuylkill Yards Project. See “Developments – Other Development Activities” section below for additional information.

On July 28, 2017, we acquired an office building containing 58,587 rentable square feet located at 3000 Market Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a gross purchase price of $32.0 million and capitalized $0.7 million of acquisition related costs. The acquisition was the Section 1031 exchange receiver for the sale of Concord Airport Plaza. See “Real Estate Dispositions” section below.

3025 Market Street and 3000 Market Street are located within the Schuylkill Yards Project site in the University City sub-market of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. See “Developments – Other Development Activities” section below for additional information.

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Real Estate Dispositions

We sold the following properties during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

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In addition to the amounts in the table above, we recorded a $0.5 million gain during the first quarter of 2017 from the receipt of additional proceeds from the disposition of Cira Square in 2016. For further information relating to this sale, see Note 3, “Real Estate Investments.”

We sold the following land parcels during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

The sales of properties referenced above do not represent a strategic shift that has a major effect on our operations and financial results. As a result, the operating results of these properties remain classified within continuing operations for all periods presented.

Held for Use Impairments

As of December 31, 2017, we evaluated the recoverability of the carrying value of our properties that triggered assessment. Based on the analysis, no impairment charges were identified during the three-month period ended December 31, 2017.

As of March 31, 2017, based on our held for use impairment analysis, we determined that we would not recover the carrying value of four office properties located in the Other segment. Because we determined that the carrying value of these properties exceeded their fair value, a $1.0 million impairment charge was recorded. 

Held for Sale

On December 14, 2017, we executed an agreement to sell a 13.1-acre parcel of land located in our Other segment. We classified the land parcel as held for sale as of December 31, 2017. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2017, $0.4 million was reclassified from ‘Land held for development’ to ‘Assets held for sale, net’ on the consolidated balance sheets.  There were no other reclassifications related to this parcel of land. As of December 31, 2017, the carrying value of the land was less than the fair value less the anticipated costs of sale and, as such, we expect to record a nominal gain on sale. The fair value measurement is based on the pricing in the purchase and sale agreement.

The sale of the land referenced above does not represent a strategic shift that has a major effect on our operations and financial results. As a result, the operating results of this property remains classified within continuing operations for all periods presented. See Note 20, "Subsequent Events," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding this disposition.

Unsecured Debt Activity

On November 17, 2017, we completed an underwritten offering of our $450.0 million 3.95% Guaranteed Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”) and reopened the 3.95% Guaranteed Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Notes”) for an additional $100.0 million. The 2027 Notes were priced at 99.25% of their face amount with a yield to maturity of 4.04%, representing a spread at the time of pricing of 1.70% over the ten-year treasury rate. The 2023 Notes were priced at 102.497% of their face amount with a yield to maturity of 3.40%, representing a spread at the time of pricing of 1.40% over the five-year treasury rate. We received $546.6 million after the deduction for underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

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On November 17, 2017, we used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2027 Notes and 2023 Notes to repurchase $115.1 million aggregate principal amount of the 4.95% Guaranteed Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), through a tender offer, which consisted of a $113.4 million principal repayment of the 2018 Notes, $1.2 million of prepayment penalties and $0.5 million of accrued interest. We recognized a $1.4 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the total repurchase.

On December 18, 2017, we redeemed in full the $211.6 million aggregate principle amount of 2018 Notes that remained outstanding following completion of the tender offer, at a cash redemption price of $215.7 million (inclusive of prepayment penalties of $2.3 million and accrued interest of $1.8 million). We recognized a $2.5 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the total repurchase.

Other Financing Activity

On January 10, 2017, we entered into a continuous offering program (the “Offering Program”), under which we may sell up to an aggregate of 16,000,000 common shares until January 10, 2020 in at the market offerings. In connection with the commencement of the Offering Program, $0.2 million of upfront costs were recorded to Additional Paid-in Capital. This program is a replacement of a previous continuous offering program that expired on November 3, 2016.

On April 11, 2017, we redeemed all of our outstanding 4,000,000 Series E Preferred Shares at an aggregate redemption price of $25.51 per share, which includes $2.0 million of dividends accrued through the redemption date. The redemption was funded with existing cash balances on hand.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, we issued 2,858,991 common shares under the Offering Program at a weighted average price per share of $18.19, receiving cash proceeds, net of issuance costs, of $51.2 million. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2017, 13,141,009 common shares remained available for future sale under the Offering Program.

Austin Venture

On October 18, 2017, DRA (G&I) Austin (the “Austin Venture”), a real estate venture in which we hold a 50% interest, sold eight office properties in Austin, Texas containing 1,164,496 square feet for a gross sales price of $333.3 million. Prior to the sale, seven of the properties were encumbered by $151.0 million of mortgage debt. Our share of cash proceeds, after payment of the Austin Venture’s share of debt, closing costs and prorations, was $86.4 million. Our share of the Austin Venture’s gain on sale is $40.1 million. Additionally, we recognized a deferred gain on sale of $12.1 million, which reflects the fact that when we contributed certain assets to the Austin Venture on October 16, 2013, the contributed properties (in accordance with the relevant guidance for sales of real estate) qualified as a partial sale. As a result, the deferred gain on sale was carried on our balance sheet within our equity method investment balance. We met the criteria to recognize the unamortized portion of the deferred gain upon completion of the Austin Venture sale of the applicable properties to a third party. The summary of the transaction is as follows (in thousands);

As of December 31, 2017, the Austin Venture held 11 office properties in Austin, Texas containing 1,570,123 square feet and our remaining equity method investment balance in the Austin Venture was $14.0 million.

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Brandywine - AI Venture: 7101 Wisconsin Avenue

On September 14, 2017, Brandywine - AI Venture LLC (the “BDN-AI Venture”), a real estate venture in which we hold a 50% interest, sold 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, a property containing 230,904 rentable square feet located in Bethesda, Maryland, for a gross sales price of $105.7 million. At the time of sale, the property was encumbered by a $37.4 million first mortgage financing, which was repaid in full at closing, resulting in a debt prepayment penalty of $0.8 million. Net of the first mortgage payoff and closing costs, BDN-AI Venture received cash proceeds of $63.6 million. We received net cash proceeds of $31.8 million and recognized a $13.8 million gain on the sale transaction. Subsequent to the sale transaction, the BDN-AI Venture continued to own five properties containing an aggregate of 874,479 rentable square feet.

Brandywine - AI Venture: Other Than Temporary Impairment

As of September 30, 2017, we evaluated the recoverability of our investment basis in BDN-AI Venture utilizing a discounted cash flow model. Based on our evaluation of the fair value of our investment in the five properties that remained owned by the BDN-AI Venture subsequent to the disposition of 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, we determined that persistent weak demand for office space and intense competition for tenants had reduced our share of the fair value of the remaining properties to be less than our investment basis in BDN-AI Venture. As a result, we concluded that the decline in value was other than temporary and recorded a $4.8 million impairment charge.

Determining the current fair value of our investment is based on a number of factors that are difficult to predict. The market may decline further, and future impairment charges may be needed.

The Parc at Plymouth Meeting Venture

On January 31, 2017, we sold our 50% interest in TB-BDN Plymouth Apartments, L.P., a real estate venture with Toll Brothers, at a gross sales value of $100.5 million, of which we were allocated 50% for our interest.  The venture developed and operated a 398-unit multi-family complex in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania encumbered by a $54.0 million construction loan. The construction loan was repaid commensurate with the sale of our 50% interest. As a result, we are no longer subject to a $3.2 million payment guarantee on the construction loan. The cash proceeds, after the payment of our share of the debt and closing costs, were $27.2 million.  The carrying amount of our investment at the time of sale was $12.6 million, resulting in a $14.6 million gain on sale of our interest in the real estate venture.

Developments/Redevelopments

As of December 31, 2017, we owned 212 acres of undeveloped land, of which 13.1 acres were classified as held for sale, and options to purchase approximately 60 additional acres of undeveloped land.

As of December 31, 2017, we had six projects under development/redevelopment comprised of four office projects and a mixed-use project, which aggregate approximately 0.7 million rentable square feet, and a public park related to the Schuylkill Yards Project. We estimate the total investment to complete these projects, in the aggregate, is approximately $230.3 million.  As of December 31, 2017, we had invested approximately $70.7 million. For a detailed list of the properties under development/redevelopment see Item 2., “Properties.”

In January 2017, we placed into service the residential component, representing the final component to be placed into service at 2929 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also known as the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South (the “FMC Tower”). FMC Tower is a mixed-use property containing approximately 626,000 net rentable square feet of Class A office, 268 residential units, comprised of 103 flexible stay suites, 60 furnished extended stay suites and 105 luxury apartment residences, and a 3,800 square foot restaurant. The office component was substantially completed during the second quarter of 2016 and, as of December 31, 2017, is 94.1% occupied. The restaurant, which is owned by us, was opened during the second quarter of 2017.

In June 2017, we completed and placed in service 933 First Avenue in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, a Class A office project with 111,000 net rentable square feet, which was preleased to a single tenant. As of December 31, 2017, the property remained 100.0% leased.

In December 2017, we partially placed into service the redevelopment at 11501 Burnet Road – Building 6 (also known as “Broadmoor 6”), a Class A office project with 144,000 net rentable square feet located in Austin, Texas. As of December 31, 2017, this property was 57.7% occupied.

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4040 Wilson Venture

4040 Wilson, a 50/50 real estate venture between Ashton Park and us, expects to develop a 427,500 square foot mixed-use building, representing the final phase of the eight building, mixed-use, Liberty Center complex developed by the parent company of Ashton Park in the Ballston submarket of Arlington, Virginia. The project is being constructed on a 1.3 acre land parcel contributed by Ashton Park to 4040 Wilson. During the fourth quarter of 2017, 4040 Wilson achieved pre-leasing levels that enabled the venture to obtain a secured construction loan with a total borrowing capacity of $150.0 million for the remainder of the project costs. The total estimated project costs are $224.8 million, which we expect will be financed through approximately $74.8 million of partner capital contributions and $150.0 million in proceeds from the secured construction loan. As of December 31, 2017, $6.7 million had been advanced under the construction loan, and the venture had commenced construction of the mixed-use building. If construction costs were to exceed estimates, our equity method investment in 4040 Wilson could become other than temporarily impaired. As of December 31, 2017, we utilized a valuation analysis to support our conclusion that 4040 Wilson is not other than temporarily impaired.

Other Development Activities

Schuylkill Yards Project

On May 9, 2016, we entered into a master development agreement (the “Development Agreement”) with Drexel University, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, and an affiliate of Drexel University, (collectively “Drexel”), that provides for our rights and obligations, as master developer, of a multi-phase, multi-component development on approximately 10.0 acres of land owned by Drexel and adjacent to Drexel’s main campus in the University City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the “Development Site”). Adjacent to the Development Site are an additional four acres controlled by Brandywine and Drexel which, when combined with the Development Site, comprise the 14-acre Schuylkill Yards Project master planned area. We refer to the overall development, including the Development Site, as the “Schuylkill Yards Project.”

The Development Site is contemplated to be developed in six phases over an approximately 20-year period, excluding extension options, and is anticipated to consist of an aggregate of approximately 5.1 million of floor area ratio, or FAR, of office, residential, advanced manufacturing, research facilities and academic facilities, as well as accessory green spaces.  

Prior to commencement of construction of the initial facility, we will oversee master planning, including obtaining required government and third party approvals and completing confirmatory real estate due diligence.  Thereafter, upon commencement, we or a qualifying designee will enter into a 99-year ground lease with Drexel for the portion of the Development Site where the initial facility will be constructed.  We will enter into similar ground leases with Drexel in connection with our construction of additional facilities under subsequent phases at the Development Site.  

On October 13, 2017, we acquired through a prepaid 99-year ground lease with Drexel, the leasehold improvements of an office property containing 282,709 rentable square feet located at 3025 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known as One Drexel Plaza. We plan to renovate/redevelop One Drexel Plaza as part of the Development Site and are in the process of determining the scope and timing of the improvements. In connection with the acquisition, we are required to spend a minimum of $8.0 million in improvements to the property. As of December 31, 2017, we had not funded any costs qualifying under our $8.0 million commitment. The Company estimates that it will incur $37.3 million in excess of the funding requirement in the ground lease.  

Also on October 13, 2017, we entered into a prepaid 99-year ground lease with Drexel covering 3001 Market Street, a 1.3-acre parcel of land known as Drexel Square located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we broke ground on the construction of a public park on this site, marking the commencement of construction of the Development Site under our Development Agreement. We currently anticipate this project, referred to as the Drexel Square project, to cost approximately $12.9 million, of which $1.7 million had been funded through December 31, 2017. Under the terms of the Development Agreement with Drexel, we have until July 2019 to complete development of Drexel Square. If we are unable to complete such development within this timeframe, we may be subject to damages under the Development Agreement

On July 28, 2017, we acquired an office building containing 58,587 rentable square feet located at 3000 Market Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We plan to develop 3000 Market Street as part of the Schuylkill Yards Project and are in the process of determining the scope of improvements. Commencement of development is subject to the achievement of certain construction milestones at the Development Site, in accordance with the Development Agreement.

We contemplate that the initial phase of new construction at the Development Site will include a mixed-use facility containing approximately 700,000 square feet. As of the date of this Form 10-K, we have not finalized the scope of the development or entered into construction contracts for this mixed-use facility.  

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Actual timing and scope of subsequent phases of development will depend on timing and scope of previous phases, third party approvals, preleasing and other design and development-related determinations.  Overall, approximately 52% of the FAR is designated office, including lab and academic space, and the balance would consist of residential, retail, hospitality and parking.

We intend to fund the costs to develop each development phase of the Schuylkill Yards Project through a combination of cash on hand, capital raised through one or more real estate venture formations, and proceeds from the sale of other assets or debt financing, including project-specific mortgage financing. As of the date of this report, we have not entered into agreements with third parties for real estate venture participation in the project.

The Development Agreement provides for rights, responsibilities and restrictions relating to all phases of the project, including, but not limited to, design and construction; leasing of space; involvement of third party participants; extension and termination rights; and protocols for reaching agreement on subjects customary for long-term collaborative development projects.

Subaru Headquarters Development

On December 3, 2015, we entered into an agreement as development manager to construct Subaru of America’s (“Subaru”) corporate headquarters (the “Subaru Headquarters Development”), an office property containing five floors and approximately 250,000 square feet, on land owned by Subaru and located in Camden, New Jersey. In addition to development fees, the agreement provides us the ability to earn an additional profit if total project costs are less than the not-to-exceed (“NTE”) amount.  As of December 31, 2017, we have recognized $2.0 million of residual profit income related to the Subaru Headquarters Development. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we earned $1.5 million of residual profit income. The NTE amount, as of December 31, 2017, at $79.4 million, may be adjusted by change orders agreed upon by both Subaru and us. If construction costs exceed the NTE amount, we are obligated to pay the excess and the residual profit recognized will be reversed.  As of December 31, 2017, the development was substantially completed and $67.1 million of the project costs had been funded.

Business Objective and Strategies for Growth

Our business objective is to deploy capital effectively to maximize our return on investment and thereby maximize our total return to shareholders. To accomplish this objective we seek to:

We also consider the following to be important objectives:

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We expect to concentrate our real estate activities in markets where we believe that:

Operating Strategy

We currently expect to continue to operate in markets where we have a concentration advantage due to economies of scale. We believe that where possible, it is best to operate with a strong base of properties in order to benefit from the personnel allocation and the market strength associated with managing multiple properties in the same market. We also intend to selectively dispose of properties and redeploy capital if we determine a property cannot meet our long term earnings growth expectations. We believe that recycling capital is an important aspect of maintaining the overall quality of our portfolio.

Our broader strategy remains focused on continuing to grow earnings, enhance liquidity and strengthen our balance sheet through capital retention, debt reduction, targeted sales activity and management of our existing and prospective liabilities.

In the long term, we believe that we are well positioned in our current markets and have the expertise to take advantage of both development and acquisition opportunities, as warranted by market and economic conditions, in new markets that have healthy long-term fundamentals and strong growth projections. This capability, combined with what we believe is a conservative financial structure, should allow us to achieve disciplined growth. These abilities are integral to our strategy of having a diverse portfolio of assets, which will meet the needs of our tenants.

We use experienced on-site construction superintendents, operating under the supervision of project managers and senior management, to control the construction process and mitigate the various risks associated with real estate development.

In order to fund developments, redevelopments and acquisitions, as well as refurbish and improve existing properties, we primarily use proceeds from property dispositions and excess cash from operations after satisfying our dividend and other financing requirements. The availability of funds for new investments and maintenance of existing properties largely depends on capital markets and liquidity factors over which we can exert little control.

Policies With Respect To Certain Activities

The following is a discussion of our investment, financing and other policies. These policies have been determined by our Board of Trustees and our Board of Trustees may revise these policies without a vote of shareholders.

Investments in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate

Our investment objectives are to provide quarterly cash dividends to our shareholders and to achieve long-term capital appreciation through increases in the value of operating assets.

We expect to continue our investment objectives primarily through the development, purchase or our current ownership in lease income-producing properties for long-term investment, expand and improve the properties presently owned or other properties purchased, or sell such properties, in whole or in part, as circumstances warrant. Although there is no limitation on the types of development activities that we may undertake, we expect that our development activities will meet current market demand and will generally be on a build-to-suit basis for particular tenants where a significant portion of the building is pre-leased before construction begins. We continue to participate with other entities in property ownership through existing joint ventures or other types of co-ownership. Our equity investments may be subject to existing or future mortgage financing and other indebtedness that will have priority over our equity investments.

Securities of or Interests in Entities Primarily Engaged in Real Estate Activities and Other Issuers

Subject to the percentage of ownership limitations and gross income tests necessary for REIT qualification, we may invest in securities of other REITs, other entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers. We may enter into joint ventures or partnerships for the purpose of obtaining an equity interest in a particular property. We do not currently intend to invest in the securities of other issuers except in connection with joint ventures or acquisitions of indirect interests in properties.

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Investments in Real Estate Mortgages

While our current portfolio consists of, and our business objectives emphasize, common equity investments in commercial real estate, we may, at the discretion of management or our Board of Trustees, invest in other types of equity real estate investments, mortgages and other real estate interests. We do not presently intend to invest to a significant extent in mortgages or deeds of trust, but may invest in participating mortgages or preferred equity if we conclude that we may benefit from the cash flow or any appreciation in the value of the property securing a mortgage. From time to time, we provide seller financing to buyers of our properties. We do this when the buyer requires additional funds for the purchase and provision of seller financing will be beneficial to us and the buyer compared to a mortgage loan from a third party lender.

Dispositions

Our disposition of properties is based upon management’s periodic review of our portfolio and the determination by management or our Board of Trustees that a disposition would be in our best interest. We intend to use selective dispositions to reduce our ownership in non-core markets and fund our capital and refinancing needs.

Financing Policies

A primary objective of our financing policy has been to manage our financial position to allow us to raise capital from a variety of sources at competitive rates. Our mortgages, credit facilities and unsecured debt securities contain restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness. Our charter documents do not limit the indebtedness that we may incur. Our financing strategy is to maintain a strong and flexible financial position by limiting our debt to a prudent level and minimizing our variable interest rate exposure. We intend to finance future growth and future maturing debt with the most advantageous source of capital that is available to us. These sources may include the sale of wholly owned properties or interests in real estate ventures, selling additional common or preferred equity and debt securities through public offerings or private placements, utilizing availability under our credit facilities or incurring additional indebtedness through secured or unsecured borrowings. To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our shareholders each year at least 90% of our net taxable income, excluding any net capital gain. This distribution requirement limits our ability to fund future capital needs, including for acquisitions and developments, from income from operations. Therefore, we expect to continue to rely on third party sources of capital to fund future capital needs.

Guarantees

As of December 31, 2017, our unconsolidated real estate ventures had aggregate indebtedness to third parties of $768.9 million.  These loans are generally mortgage or construction loans, most of which are non-recourse to us.  As of December 31, 2017, the loans for which there is recourse to us consists of the following: (i) a $55.4 million payment guaranty on the term loan for evo at Cira (guarantee cancelled upon the disposition of our interest in evo at Cira subsequent to December 31, 2017. See Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information); (ii) a $0.4 million payment guarantee on a loan provided to PJP VII; and (iii) up to a $41.3 million payment guaranty on a loan provided to 4040 Wilson.

In connection with the agreements of sale related to the Garza Ranch (See “Real Estate Acquisitions” section above), we entered into a development agreement and related completion guarantee to construct certain infrastructure improvements to the land on behalf of each buyer, estimated to cost $13.5 million. Total estimated costs related to the improvements are included in the sale price of each land parcel. Recognition of the profit earned upon the sale of the land parcels is deferred until the improvements are completed.

Also, we have provided a cost overrun guarantee on the Subaru Headquarters Development (See “Other Development Services” section above) for amounts in excess of the NTE amount. The NTE amount, as of December 31, 2017, at $79.4 million, may be adjusted by change orders agreed upon by both Subaru and us. We are obligated to pay for construction costs in excess of the NTE amount. The terms of the guarantee do not provide a limitation on the costs we may be responsible for. As of December 31, 2017, the development was substantially completed and $67.1 million of the project costs had been funded.

In addition, during construction undertaken by real estate ventures, we have provided and expect to continue to provide cost overrun and completion guarantees, with rights of contribution among partners in the real estate ventures, and once construction is complete, customary environmental indemnities and guarantees of customary exceptions to nonrecourse provisions in loan agreements. For additional information regarding these real estate ventures, see Note 4, "Investments in Unconsolidated Ventures," to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Working Capital Reserves

We maintain working capital reserves and access to borrowings in amounts that our management determines to be adequate to meet our normal contingencies.

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Policies with Respect to Other Activities

We expect to issue additional common and preferred equity in the future and may authorize our Operating Partnership to issue additional common and preferred units of limited partnership interest, including to persons who contribute their interests in properties to us in exchange for such units. We have not engaged in trading, underwriting or agency distribution or sale of securities of unaffiliated issuers and we do not intend to do so. We intend to make investments consistent with our qualification as a REIT, unless because of circumstances or changes in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the Treasury Regulations), our Board of Trustees determines that it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT. We may make loans to third parties, including to joint ventures in which we participate and to buyers of our real estate. We intend to make investments in such a way that we will not be treated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Management Activities

We provide third-party real estate management services primarily through wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership (collectively, the “Management Companies”). As of December 31, 2017, the Management Companies were managing properties containing an aggregate of approximately 25.2 million net rentable square feet, of which approximately 16.4 million net rentable square feet related to properties owned by us and approximately 8.8 million net rentable square feet related to properties owned by third parties and unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures.

Geographic Segments

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we were managing our portfolio within five segments: (1) Philadelphia Central Business District (“Philadelphia CBD”), (2) Pennsylvania Suburbs, (3) Metropolitan Washington, D.C., (4) Austin, Texas and (5) Other. The Philadelphia CBD segment includes properties located in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Suburbs segment includes properties in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in the Philadelphia suburbs. The Metropolitan Washington, D.C. segment includes properties in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and southern Maryland. The Austin, Texas segment includes properties in the City of Austin, Texas. The Other segment includes properties located in Camden County in New Jersey and properties in New Castle County in Delaware. On February 2, 2017, we sold our last two remaining properties located in California, which were previously included in the Other segment. See Note 3, “Real Estate Investments,” for further information. In addition to the five segments, the corporate group is responsible for cash and investment management, development of certain real estate properties during the construction period, and certain other general support functions. See Note 17, “Segment Information,” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information on selected assets and results of operations of our reportable segments for the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Competition

The real estate business is highly competitive. Our Properties compete for tenants with similar properties primarily on the basis of location, total occupancy costs (including base rent and operating expenses), services and amenities provided, and the design and condition of the improvements. We also face competition when attempting to acquire or develop real estate, including competition from domestic and foreign financial institutions, other REITs, life insurance companies, pension funds, partnerships and individual investors. Additionally, our ability to compete depends upon trends in the economies of our markets, investment alternatives, financial condition and operating results of current and prospective tenants, availability and cost of capital, construction and renovation costs, land availability, our ability to obtain necessary construction approvals, taxes, governmental regulations, legislation and population trends.

Sustainability

As one of the largest, publicly traded real estate companies in the United States, we have earned a reputation for providing exceptional work environments. Since our inception, we have been dedicated to designing, building and maintaining properties that reflect our uncompromising commitment to excellence. That commitment extends to establishing sustainable practices within our office environments to encourage the health and productivity of our occupants, while also reducing current and future risks, lowering operating costs and identifying additional revenue opportunities. These efforts create healthier office environments and cost savings through awareness and, ultimately, consumption reduction. This is not only the responsible thing to do; we also believe it makes good business sense. Energy efficient buildings with sustainable operating practice, including green cleaning supplies, recycling, sustainable chemical and supply chain management, cost less to run and are better for tenants’ health and the environment.

We have been recognized as an industry leader in sustainability. During 2017, we ranked eighth among U.S. office companies in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (“GRESB”) assessment. 2017 was the third consecutive year that we have ranked in the top quartile of GRESB assessment participants, earning another “Green Star” recognition. During 2015, we were selected by the Environmental Protection Agency as an Energy Star Partner of the Year Award winner for sustained excellence for members that have demonstrated superior and sustained energy efficiency practices. In 2016, we were awarded the Green Lease Leader Award by the Institute for Market Transformation as a real estate company who breaks down barriers to high-performance buildings by revolutionizing leases to incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability.  

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Insurance

We maintain commercial general liability and “all risk” property insurance on our Properties. We intend to obtain similar coverage for properties we acquire in the future. There are types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as losses from war, terrorism, environmental issues, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes that are subject to limitations in certain areas or which may be uninsurable risks. We exercise our discretion in determining amounts, coverage limits and deductibility provisions of insurance, with a view to maintaining appropriate insurance on our investments at a reasonable cost and on suitable terms. If we suffer a substantial loss, our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to pay the full current market value or current replacement cost of our lost investment. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and other factors also might make it impractical to use insurance proceeds to fully replace or restore property after it has been damaged or destroyed.

Employees

As of December 31, 2017, we had 342 full-time employees, including 11 union employees.

Government Regulations

Environmental Regulation

Many laws and governmental regulations relating to the environment apply to us and changes in these laws and regulations, or their interpretation by agencies and the courts, occur frequently and may adversely affect us.

Existing conditions at some of our Properties. Independent environmental consultants have conducted Phase I or similar environmental site assessments on our Properties. We generally obtain these assessments prior to the acquisition of a property and may later update them as required for subsequent financing of the property or as requested by a tenant. Site assessments are generally performed to ASTM standards then existing for Phase I site assessments, and typically include a historical review, a public records review, a visual inspection of the surveyed site, and the issuance of a written report. These assessments do not generally include any soil samplings or subsurface investigations. Depending on the age of the property, the Phase I may have included an assessment of asbestos-containing materials. For properties where asbestos-containing materials were identified or suspected, an operations and maintenance plan was generally prepared and implemented.

Historical operations at or near some of our Properties, including the operation of underground storage tanks, may have caused soil or groundwater contamination. We are not aware of any such condition, liability or concern by any other means that would give rise to material, uninsured environmental liability. However, the assessments may have failed to reveal all environmental conditions, liabilities or compliance concerns; there may be material environmental conditions, liabilities or compliance concerns that a review failed to detect or which arose at a property after the review was completed; future laws, ordinances or regulations may impose material additional environmental liability; and current environmental conditions at our Properties may be affected in the future by tenants, third parties or the condition of land or operations near our Properties, such as the presence of underground storage tanks. We cannot be certain that costs of future environmental compliance will not affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Use of hazardous materials by some of our tenants. Some of our tenants handle hazardous substances and wastes on our Properties as part of their routine operations. Environmental laws and regulations may subject these tenants, and potentially us, to liability resulting from such activities. We generally require our tenants, in their leases, to comply with these environmental laws and regulations and to indemnify us for any related liabilities. We are not aware of any material noncompliance, liability or claim relating to hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products in connection with any of our Properties, and we do not believe that on-going activities by our tenants will have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Costs related to government regulation and private litigation over environmental matters. Under environmental laws and regulations, we may be liable for the costs of removal, remediation or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances present or released on our Properties. These laws could impose liability without regard to whether we are responsible for, or knew of, the presence or release of the hazardous materials. Government investigations and remediation actions may entail substantial costs and the presence or release of hazardous substances on a property could result in governmental cleanup actions or personal injury or similar claims by private plaintiffs.

Potential environmental liabilities may exceed our environmental insurance coverage limits. We carry what we believe to be sufficient environmental insurance to cover potential liability for unknown soil and groundwater contamination, mold impact, and the presence of asbestos-containing materials at the affected sites identified in our environmental site assessments. Our insurance policies are subject to conditions, qualifications and limitations. Therefore, we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover all liabilities for losses.

Potential environmental liabilities may adversely impact our ability to use or sell assets. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination may impair our ability to sell or lease real estate or to borrow using the real estate as collateral.

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Americans with Disabilities Act

Our properties must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”) to the extent that such properties are “public accommodations” as defined by the ADA. The ADA may require removal of structural barriers to permit access by persons with disabilities in certain public areas of our properties where such removal is readily achievable. We believe that our properties are in substantial compliance with the ADA and that we will not be required to incur substantial capital expenditures to address the requirements of the ADA. However, noncompliance with the ADA could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. The obligation to make readily achievable accommodations is an ongoing one, and we will continue to assess our properties and make alterations as appropriate in this respect.  

Code of Conduct

We maintain a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our Board of Trustees and all of our officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and persons performing similar functions. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website, www.brandywinerealty.com. In addition to being accessible through our website, copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be obtained, free of charge, upon written request to Investor Relations, 2929 Walnut Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Any amendments to or waivers of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that apply to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and persons performing similar functions and that relate to any matter enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC will be disclosed on our website.

Corporate Governance Principles and Board Committee Charters

Our Corporate Governance Principles and the charters of the Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees of Brandywine Realty Trust and additional information regarding our corporate governance are available on our website, www.brandywinerealty.com. In addition to being accessible through our website, copies of our Corporate Governance Principles and charters of our Board Committees can be obtained, free of charge, upon written request to Investor Relations, Brandywine Realty Trust, 2929 Walnut Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Availability of SEC Reports

We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and other information with the SEC. Members of the public may read and copy materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Members of the public may also obtain information on the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and other information filed by us with the SEC are available, without charge, on our Internet web site, http://www.brandywinerealty.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the SEC. Copies are also available, free of charge, upon written request to Investor Relations, Brandywine Realty Trust, 2929 Walnut Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Our business, financial condition, results from operations, ability to make distributions on our equity and to pay debt service on our indebtedness and ability to access capital may be adversely affected by the risk factors set forth below. In addition to the information set forth below and in this Form 10-K, investors should carefully review and consider the information contained in our other reports and periodic filings that we make with the SEC. The risks that we describe in our public filings are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently consider immaterial, also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, ability to make distributions on our equity and to pay debt service on our indebtedness and ability to access capital. This section contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements under “Forward-Looking Statements” of this Form 10-K.

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Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay distributions to our shareholders.

Our business is affected by global, national and local economic conditions. Our portfolio consists primarily of office buildings (as compared to real estate companies with portfolios of multiple asset classes). Our financial performance and the value of our real estate assets, and consequently the value of our securities, are subject to the risk that if our properties do not generate revenues sufficient to meet our operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, our cash flow and ability to pay distributions to our security holders will be adversely affected. The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the income generated by our properties and our performance generally:

Our performance is dependent upon the economic conditions of the markets in which our properties are located.

Our results of operations will be significantly influenced by the economies and other conditions of the real estate markets in which we operate, particularly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland and Austin, Texas. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in the future in any of these economies or real estate markets could negatively affect cash available for distribution and debt service. Our financial performance and ability to make distributions to our shareholders and pay debt service will be particularly sensitive to the economic conditions in these markets. The local economic climate, which may be adversely impacted by business layoffs or downsizing, industry slowdowns, changing demographics and other factors, and local real estate conditions, such as demand for office space, operating expenses and real estate taxes, may affect revenues and the value of properties, including properties to be acquired or developed.

We face risks associated with the development of mixed-use commercial properties.

We operate, are currently developing, and may in the future develop, properties either alone or through real estate ventures with other persons that are known as “mixed-use” developments. In addition to the development of office space, mixed-use projects may also include space for residential, retail, hotel or other commercial purposes. As a result, if a development project consists of a non-office or non-retail use, we may seek to develop that component ourselves, sell the rights to that component to a third-party developer with experience in that use, or we may seek to partner with such a developer. If we do not sell the rights or partner with such a developer, or if we choose to develop the other component ourselves, we would be exposed not only to those risks typically associated with the development of commercial real estate generally, but also to specific risks associated with the development and ownership of non-office and non-retail real estate. In addition, even if we sell the rights to develop certain components or elect to participate in the development through a real estate venture, we may be exposed to the risks associated with the failure of the other party to complete the development as expected. These include the risk that the other party would default on its obligations necessitating that we complete the other component ourselves (including providing any necessary financing). In the case of residential properties, these risks also include competition for prospective residents from other operators whose properties may be perceived to offer a better location or better amenities or whose rent may be perceived as a better value given the quality, location and amenities that the resident seeks. Because we have limited experience with residential properties, we expect to retain third parties to manage our residential properties. In the case of hotel properties, the risks also include increases in inflation and utilities that may not be offset by increases in room rates. We are also dependent on business and commercial travelers and tourism.  If we decide to not sell or participate in a real

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estate venture and instead hire a third party manager, we would be dependent on their key personnel to provide services on our behalf and we may not find a suitable replacement if the management agreement is terminated, or if key personnel leave or otherwise become unavailable to us.

We may suffer adverse consequences due to the financial difficulties, bankruptcy or insolvency of our tenants.

Periodically, our tenants experience financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, insolvency or a general downturn in their business, and consequently, could have an adverse effect on our financial performance and distributions to shareholders. We cannot assure you that any tenant that files for bankruptcy protection will continue to pay us rent. A bankruptcy filing by or relating to one of our tenants or a lease guarantor would bar efforts by us to collect pre-bankruptcy debts from that tenant or lease guarantor, or its property, unless we receive an order permitting us to do so from the bankruptcy court. In addition, we cannot evict a tenant solely because of bankruptcy. The bankruptcy of a tenant or lease guarantor could delay our efforts to collect past due balances under the relevant leases, and could ultimately preclude collection of these sums. If a lease is assumed by the tenant in bankruptcy, all pre-bankruptcy balances due under the lease must be paid to us in full. If, however, a lease is rejected by a tenant in bankruptcy, we would have only a general, unsecured claim for damages. Any such unsecured claim would only be paid to the extent that funds are available and only in the same percentage as is paid to all other holders of general, unsecured claims. Restrictions under the bankruptcy laws further limit the amount of any other claims that we can make if a lease is rejected. As a result, it is likely that we would recover substantially less than the full value of the remaining rent during the term. See Item 7., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors that May Influence Future Results of Operations - Tenant Credit Risk.”

An increase in interest rates would increase our interest costs on variable rate debt and could adversely impact our ability to refinance existing debt or sell assets on favorable terms or at all.

Rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures or significantly increase our future interest expense. From time to time, we enter into interest rate swap agreements and other interest rate hedging contracts. While these agreements are intended to lessen the impact of rising interest rates on us, they also expose us to the risk that the other parties to the agreements will not perform, we could incur significant costs associated with the settlement of the agreements, the agreements will be unenforceable and the underlying transactions will fail to qualify as highly-effective cash flow hedges under the applicable accounting guidance. In addition, an increase in interest rates could decrease the amounts third parties are willing to pay for our assets, thereby limiting our ability to recycle capital and change our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

Our degree of leverage could limit our ability to obtain additional financing or affect the market price of our equity shares or debt securities.

We are subject to risks associated with debt financing, such as the insufficiency of cash flow to meet required debt service payment obligations and the inability to refinance existing indebtedness. If our debt cannot be paid, refinanced or extended at maturity, we may not be able to make distributions to shareholders at expected levels or at all. Furthermore, an increase in our interest expense could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to shareholders. If we do not meet our debt service obligations, any properties securing such indebtedness could be foreclosed on, which would have a material adverse effect on our cash flow and ability to make distributions and, depending on the number of properties foreclosed on, could threaten our continued viability. Our degree of leverage could also make us more vulnerable to a downturn in business or the economy in general.

The terms and covenants relating to our indebtedness could adversely impact our economic performance.

Our credit facilities, term loans and the indenture governing our unsecured public debt securities contain (and any new or amended facility and term loans will contain) restrictions, requirements and other limitations on our ability to incur indebtedness, including total debt to asset ratios, secured debt to total asset ratios, debt service coverage ratios and minimum ratios of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt which we must maintain. Our ability to borrow under our credit facilities is subject to compliance with such financial and other covenants. In the event that we fail to satisfy these covenants, we would be in default under the credit facilities, the term loans and the indenture and may be required to repay such debt with capital from other sources. Under such circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available to us, or may be available only at unattractive terms. In addition, the mortgages on our properties, including mortgages encumbering our Real Estate Ventures, contain customary covenants such as those that limit our ability, without the prior consent of the lender, to further mortgage the applicable property or to discontinue insurance coverage. If we breach covenants in our secured debt agreements, the lenders can declare a default and take possession of the property securing the defaulted loan.

A downgrading of our debt could subject us to higher borrowing costs.

In the event that our unsecured debt is downgraded by Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s from the current ratings, we would likely incur higher borrowing costs and the market prices of our common shares and debt securities might decline.

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We may experience increased operating costs, which might reduce our profitability.

Our properties are subject to increases in operating expenses such as for insurance, real estate taxes, cleaning, electricity, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, administrative costs and other costs associated with security, landscaping and repairs and maintenance of our properties. In general, our tenant leases allow us to pass through all or a portion of these costs to them. We cannot assure you, however, that tenants will actually bear the full burden of these higher costs, or that such increased costs will not lead them, or other prospective tenants, to seek office space elsewhere. If operating expenses increase, the availability of other comparable office space in our core geographic markets might limit our ability to increase rents; if operating expenses increase without a corresponding increase in revenues, our profitability could diminish and limit our ability to make distributions to shareholders.

Our investment in property development or redevelopment may be more costly or difficult to complete than we anticipate.

We intend to continue to develop properties where market conditions warrant such investment. Once made, these investments may not produce results in accordance with our expectations. Risks associated with our development and construction activities include:

See Item 7., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors that May Influence Future Results of Operations - Development Risk.”

Our development projects and third party property management business may subject us to certain liabilities.

We may hire and supervise third party contractors to provide construction, engineering and various other services for wholly owned development projects, development projects undertaken by real estate ventures in which we hold an equity interest and manage or properties we are managing on behalf of unaffiliated third parties.  Certain of these contracts may be structured such that we are the principal rather than the agent.  As a result, we may assume liabilities in the course of the project and be subjected to, or become liable for, claims for construction defects, negligent performance of work or other similar actions by third parties we have engaged. Adverse outcomes of disputes or litigation could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition, particularly if we have not limited the extent of the damages to which we may be liable, or if our liabilities exceed the amounts of the insurance that we carry. Moreover, our tenants and third party customers may seek to hold us accountable for the actions of contractors because of our role even if we have technically disclaimed liability as a legal matter, in which case we may determine it necessary to participate in a financial settlement for purposes of preserving the tenant or customer relationship.

Acting as a principal may also mean that we pay a contractor before we have been reimbursed, which exposes us to additional risks of collection in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency. Similarly, a contractor that may file for bankruptcy or commit fraud before completing a project that we have funded in part or in full. As part of our project management business, we are responsible for managing the various other contractors required for a project, including general contractors, in order to ensure that the cost of a project does not exceed the contract amount and that the project is completed on time. In the event that one or more of the contractors involved does not, or cannot, perform as a result of bankruptcy or for another reason, we may be responsible for cost overruns, as well as the consequences of late delivery. In the event that we have not accurately estimated our own costs of providing services under guaranteed cost contracts, we may be exposed to such losses on the contract until we are able to terminate them legally.

Our development projects may be dependent on strategic alliances with unaffiliated third parties.

The challenge of managing our strategic alliances is rising. As our development projects become more complex, the need for trust, collaboration, and equitable risk-sharing is essential to the success of these projects. The alliances we engage in are driven by the complementary skills and capabilities of our partners. Despite the diligence performed establishing these alliances, our objectives may not completely align with those of our partners throughout the development project or projects. Disagreements with one or more third parties with whom we partner in the development of one or more of the development components may restrict our ability to act

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exclusively in our own interests. In addition, failure of one or more third parties with whom we partner to fulfill obligations to us could result in delays and increased costs to us associated with finding a suitable replacement partner. Increased costs could require us to revise or abandon our activities entirely with respect to one or more components of the project and, in such event, we would not recover, and would be required to write-off, costs we had capitalized in development.

We face risks associated with property acquisitions.

We have acquired in the past and intend to continue to pursue the acquisition of properties, including large portfolios that would increase our size and potentially alter our capital structure.  The success of such transactions is subject to a number of factors, including the risks that:

Acquired properties may subject us to known and unknown liabilities.

Properties that we acquire may be subject to known and unknown liabilities for which we would have no recourse, or only limited recourse, to the former owners of such properties or otherwise. As a result, if a liability were asserted against us based upon ownership of acquired property, we might be required to pay significant sums to settle it, which could adversely affect our financial results and cash flow. Unknown liabilities relating to acquired properties could include:

We may incur impairment charges.

We evaluate on a quarterly basis our real estate portfolios for indicators of impairment. Impairment charges reflect management's judgment of the probability and severity of the decline in the value of real estate assets and investments we own. These charges and provisions may be required in the future as a result of factors beyond our control, including, among other things, changes in our expected holding periods, changes in the economic environment and market conditions affecting the value of real property assets or natural or man-made disasters. If we are required to take impairment charges, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.

We have agreed not to sell certain of our properties and to maintain indebtedness subject to guarantees.

We acquired in the past and in the future may acquire properties or portfolios of properties through tax deferred contribution transactions in exchange for partnership interests in our Operating Partnership. This acquisition structure has the effect, among other factors, of reducing the amount of tax depreciation we can deduct over the tax life of the acquired properties, and typically requires that we agree to protect the contributors’ ability to defer recognition of taxable gain through restrictions on our ability to dispose of the acquired properties and/or the allocation of partnership debt to the contributors to maintain their tax bases. We agreed not to sell some of our properties for varying periods of time, in transactions that would trigger taxable income to the former owners, and we may enter into similar arrangements as a part of future property acquisitions. These agreements generally provide that we may dispose of the subject properties only in transactions that qualify as tax-free exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code or in other tax deferred transactions. Such transactions can be difficult to complete and can result in the property acquired in exchange for the disposed of property inheriting the tax attributes (including tax protection covenants) of the sold property. Violation of such tax protection agreements may impose significant costs on us. As a result, we are restricted with respect to decisions related to financing, encumbering, expanding or selling these properties. These restrictions on dispositions could limit our ability to sell an asset or pay down partnership debt during a specified time, or on terms, that would be favorable absent such restrictions.

We have also entered into agreements that provide prior owners of properties with the right to guarantee specific amounts of indebtedness and, in the event that the specific indebtedness that they guarantee is repaid or reduced, we would be required to provide substitute indebtedness for them to guarantee. These agreements may hinder actions that we may otherwise desire to take to repay or refinance guaranteed indebtedness because we would be required to make payments to the beneficiaries of such agreements if we violate these agreements.

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We may be unable to renew leases or re-lease space as leases expire; certain leases may expire early.

If tenants do not renew their leases upon expiration, we may be unable to re-lease the space. Even if the tenants do renew their leases or if we can re-lease the space, the terms of renewal or re-leasing (including the cost of required renovations) may be less favorable than the current lease terms. Certain leases grant the tenants an early termination right upon payment of a termination penalty or if we fail to comply with certain material lease terms. Our inability to renew or release spaces and the early termination of certain leases could affect our ability to make distributions to shareholders. See Item 7., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors that May Influence Future Results of Operations - Tenant Rollover Risk.”

Competition could limit our ability to lease residential rental properties or increase or maintain rents.

Through the recent development of the FMC Tower and the real estate venture at 1919 Market Street, our contributions from residential real estate have increased. These properties, which are luxury apartments and corporate suites located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will compete with other housing alternatives to attract residents, including rental apartments, condominiums and other single-family homes available for rent as well as new and existing condominiums and single-family homes for sale. Our competitors may offer a more desirable location or have leasing terms more favorable than those we can provide. In addition, our ability to compete and generate favorable returns depends upon, among other factors, trends of the national and local economies, the financial condition and liquidity of current and prospective renters, availability and cost of capital, taxes and governmental regulations. Given the significant competition in the Philadelphia residential real estate market, we expect our competitors seek to capitalize on opportunities to purchase undervalued properties in this market and convert them to productive uses. As the supply of rental properties continues to increase, the competition for tenants may intensify, which could adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

We face significant competition from other real estate developers.

We compete with real estate developers, operators and institutions for tenants and acquisition and development opportunities. Some of these competitors may have significantly greater financial resources than we have. Such competition may reduce the number of suitable investment opportunities available to us, may interfere with our ability to attract and retain tenants and may increase vacancies, which could result in increased supply and lower market rental rates, reducing our bargaining leverage and adversely affect our ability to improve our operating leverage. In addition, some of our competitors may be willing (e.g., because their properties may have vacancy rates higher than those for our properties) to make space available at lower rental rates or with higher tenant concession percentages than available space in our properties. We cannot assure you that this competition will not adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to make distributions to shareholders.

Property ownership through real estate ventures may limit our ability to act exclusively in our interest.

We develop, acquire, and contribute properties in real estate ventures with other persons or entities when we believe circumstances warrant the use of such structures. As of December 31, 2017, we held ownership interests in 13 unconsolidated Real Estate Ventures for an aggregate investment balance of $194.6 million. We had three fewer real estate ventures subsequent to December 31, 2017. See Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

We could become engaged in a dispute with one or more of our real estate venture partners that might affect our ability to operate a jointly-owned property. Moreover, our real estate venture partners may, at any time, have business, economic or other objectives that are inconsistent with our objectives, including objectives that relate to the appropriate timing and terms of any sale or refinancing of a property. In some instances, our real estate venture partners may have competing interests in our markets that could create conflicts of interest. If the objectives of our real estate venture partners or the lenders to our Real Estate Ventures are inconsistent with our own objectives, we may not be able to act exclusively in our interests and the value of our investment in the Real Estate Ventures may be affected.

Because real estate is illiquid, we may be unable to sell properties when in our best interest.

Real estate investments generally, and in particular large office and mixed use properties like those that we own, often cannot be sold quickly. The capitalization rates at which properties may be sold could be higher than historical rates, thereby reducing our potential proceeds from sale. Consequently, we may not be able to alter our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, the Internal Revenue Code limits our ability to sell properties that we have held for fewer than two years without potential adverse consequences to us. Furthermore, properties that we have developed and have owned for a significant period of time or that we acquired in exchange for partnership interests in the Operating Partnership often have a low tax basis. If we were to dispose of any of these properties in a taxable transaction, we may be required under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to REITs to distribute a significant amount of the taxable gain to our shareholders and this could, in turn, impact our cash flow. In some cases, tax protection agreements with third parties will prevent us from selling certain properties in a taxable transaction without incurring substantial costs. In addition, purchase options and rights of first refusal held by tenants or partners in real estate ventures may also limit our ability to sell certain properties. All of these factors reduce our ability to respond to changes in the

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performance of our investments and could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to shareholders as well as the ability of someone to purchase us, even if a purchase were in our shareholders’ best interests.

Some potential losses are not covered by insurance.

We currently carry property insurance against all-risks of physical loss or damage (unless otherwise excluded in the policy) including time element and commercial general liability coverage on all of our properties. There are, however, types of losses, such as lease and other contract claims, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards and acts of war that generally are not insured. We cannot assure you that we will be able to renew insurance coverage in an adequate amount or at reasonable prices. In addition, insurance companies may no longer offer coverage against certain types of losses, such as losses due to earthquakes, terrorist acts and mold, flood, or, if offered, these types of insurance may be prohibitively expensive. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property. In such an event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property. We cannot assure you that material losses in excess of insurance proceeds will not occur in the future. If any of our properties were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could seriously disrupt our operations, delay revenue and result in large expenses to repair or rebuild the property. Such events could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to shareholders. If one or more of our insurance providers were to fail to pay a claim as a result of insolvency, bankruptcy or otherwise, the nonpayment of such claims could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if one or more of our insurance providers were to become subject to insolvency, bankruptcy or other proceedings and our insurance policies with the provider were terminated or cancelled as a result of those proceedings, we cannot guarantee that we would be able to find alternative coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices. In such case, we could experience a lapse in any or adequate insurance coverage with respect to one or more properties and be exposed to potential losses relating to any claims that may arise during such period of lapsed or inadequate coverage.

In addition to property and casualty insurance, we use a combination of insurance products, some of which include deductibles and self-insured retention amounts, to provide risk mitigation for the potential liabilities associated with various liabilities, including workers’ compensation, general contractors, directors and officers and employee health-care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by us are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience and actuarial assumptions. While we carry general liability and umbrella policies to mitigate such losses on our general liability risks, our results could be materially impacted by claims and other expenses related to such insurance plans if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends or if employee health-care claims which we self-insure up to a set limit per employee (and which are insured above such self-insured retention amount) exceed our expectations or historical trends.

Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may adversely impact our performance and may affect the markets on which our securities are traded.

Terrorist attacks against our properties, or against the United States or our interests, may negatively impact our operations and the value of our securities. Attacks or armed conflicts could result in increased operating costs; for example, it might cost more in the future for building security, property and casualty insurance, and property maintenance. As a result of terrorist activities and other market conditions, the cost of insurance coverage for our properties could also increase. In addition, our insurance policies may not recover all of our property replacement costs and lost revenue resulting from an attack. We might not be able to pass through the increased costs associated with such increased security measures and insurance to our tenants, which could reduce our profitability and cash flow. Furthermore, any terrorist attacks or armed conflicts could result in increased volatility in or damage to the United States and worldwide financial markets and economy. Such adverse economic conditions could affect the ability of our tenants to pay rent and our cost of capital, which could have a negative impact on our results.

Our ability to make distributions is subject to various risks.

Historically, we have paid quarterly distributions to our shareholders. Our ability to make distributions in the future will depend upon:

Certain of these matters are beyond our control and any significant difference between our expectations and actual results could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow and our ability to make distributions to shareholders.

Changes in the tax rates and regulatory requirements may adversely affect our cash flow.

Because increases in income and service taxes are generally not passed through to tenants under leases, such increases may adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make expected distributions to shareholders. Our properties are also subject to various regulatory

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requirements, such as those relating to the environment, fire and safety. Our failure to comply with these requirements could result in the imposition of fines and damage awards and could result in a default under some of our tenant leases. Moreover, the costs to comply with any new or different regulations could adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to make distributions. We cannot assure you that these requirements will not change or that newly imposed conditions will not require significant expenditures in order to be compliant.

Potential liability for environmental contamination could result in substantial costs.

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, we may be liable for the costs to investigate and remove or remediate hazardous or toxic substances on or in our properties, often regardless of whether we know of or are responsible for the presence of these substances. These costs may be substantial. While we do maintain environmental insurance, we cannot be assured that our insurance coverage will be sufficient to protect us from all of the aforesaid remediation costs. Also, if hazardous or toxic substances are present on a property, or if we fail to adequately remediate such substances, our ability to sell or rent the property or to borrow using that property as collateral may be adversely affected.

Other laws and regulations govern indoor and outdoor air quality including those that can require the abatement or removal of asbestos-containing materials in the event of damage, demolition, renovation or remodeling and also govern emissions of and exposure to asbestos fibers in the air. The maintenance and removal of lead paint and certain electrical equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and underground storage tanks are also regulated by federal and state laws. We are also subject to risks associated with human exposure to chemical or biological contaminants such as molds, pollens, viruses and bacteria which, above certain levels, can be alleged to be connected to allergic or other health effects and symptoms in susceptible individuals. We could incur fines for environmental compliance and be held liable for the costs of remedial action with respect to the foregoing regulated substances or tanks or related claims arising out of environmental contamination or human exposure to contamination at or from our properties.

Additionally, we develop, manage, lease and/or operate various properties for third parties. Consequently, we may be considered to have been or to be an operator of these properties and, therefore, potentially liable for removal or remediation costs or other potential costs that could relate to hazardous or toxic substances.

Data security breaches may cause damage to our business and reputation.

In the ordinary course of our business, we maintain sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and the information of our tenants and business partners, in our data centers and on our networks. The risk of a security breach or disruption, mainly through cyber-attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has generally increased in number, intensity and sophistication. Notwithstanding the security measures undertaken, our information technology may be vulnerable to attacks or breaches resulting in proprietary information being publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. 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. Protected information, networks, systems and facilities remain vulnerable because the techniques used in such attempted security breaches evolve and may not be recognized or detected until launched against a target. Accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures.

Data and security breaches could:

While we maintain insurance coverage that may, subject to policy terms and conditions including deductibles, cover specific aspects of cyber risks, such insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses.

Third parties to whom we outsource certain of our functions are also subject to the risks outlined above. We review and assess the cybersecurity controls of our third party service providers and vendors, as appropriate, and make changes to our business processes to

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manage these risks. Data breaches and/or the insolvency of such third parties and vendors may result in us incurring costs and may have other negative consequences.

Americans with Disabilities Act compliance could be costly.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (“ADA”), requires that all public accommodations and commercial facilities, including office buildings, meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Compliance with ADA requirements could involve the removal of structural barriers from certain disabled persons’ entrances which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Other federal, state and local laws may require modifications to or restrict further renovations of our properties with respect to such accesses. Noncompliance with the ADA or similar or related laws or regulations could result in the United States government imposing fines or private litigants being awarded damages against us. In addition, changes to existing requirements or enactments of new requirements could require significant expenditures. Such costs may adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to shareholders.

Failure to qualify as a REIT would subject us to U.S. federal income tax which would reduce the cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

We operate our business to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. We have not requested and do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this Report are not binding on the IRS or any court. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the income that we distribute currently to our shareholders. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. The determination that we are a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that may not be entirely within our control. For example, to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of our gross income must come from specific passive sources, such as rent, that are itemized in the REIT tax laws. In addition, to qualify as a REIT, we cannot own specified amounts of debt and equity securities of some issuers. We also are required to distribute to our shareholders with respect to each year at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (excluding net capital gains). The fact that we hold substantially all of our assets through the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries and real estate ventures further complicates the application of the REIT requirements for us. Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize our REIT status and, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs and the ongoing importance of factual determinations, we cannot provide any assurance that we will continue to qualify as a REIT. Changes to rules governing corporate taxation, including REITs, were made by legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) and the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act of 2015, signed into law on December 22, 2017 and December 18, 2015, respectively. Congress and the IRS might make further changes to the tax laws and regulations, and the courts might issue new rulings or interpretations of tax law, that make it more difficult, or impossible, for us to remain qualified as a REIT. If we fail to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and are able to avail ourselves of one or more of the statutory savings provisions in order to maintain our REIT status, we would nevertheless be required to pay penalty taxes of $50,000 or more for each such failure.

If we fail to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, and are unable to avail ourselves of certain savings provisions set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, we would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates on all of our income. As a taxable corporation, we would not be allowed to take a deduction for distributions to shareholders in computing our taxable income or pass through long term capital gains to individual shareholders at favorable rates. For tax years beginning before January 1, 2018, we also could be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and possibly increased state and local taxes. We would not be able to elect to be taxed as a REIT for four years following the year we first failed to qualify unless the IRS were to grant us relief under certain statutory provisions. If we failed to qualify as a REIT, we would have to pay significant income taxes, which would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to our shareholders. This likely would have a significant adverse effect on our earnings and likely would adversely affect the value of our securities. In addition, we would no longer be required to pay any distributions to shareholders.

Failure of the Operating Partnership (or a subsidiary partnership or real estate venture) to be treated as a partnership would have serious adverse consequences to our shareholders.

If the IRS were to successfully challenge the tax status of the Operating Partnership or any of its subsidiary partnerships or real estate ventures for federal income tax purposes, the Operating Partnership or the affected subsidiary partnership or real estate venture would be taxable as a corporation. In such event, we would cease to qualify as a REIT and the imposition of a corporate tax on the Operating Partnership, subsidiary partnership or real estate venture would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution from the Operating Partnership to us and ultimately to our shareholders.

To maintain our REIT status, we may be forced to borrow funds on a short term basis during unfavorable market conditions.

As a REIT, we are subject to certain distribution requirements, including the requirement to distribute 90% of our REIT taxable income. That may result in our having to make distributions at a disadvantageous time or to borrow funds at unfavorable rates. Compliance with this requirement may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

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We will pay some taxes even if we qualify as a REIT, which will reduce the cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we will be required to pay certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and property. For example, we will be subject to income tax to the extent we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, including capital gains. Additionally, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which dividends paid by us in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. Moreover, if we have net income from “prohibited transactions,” that income will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. The determination as to whether a particular sale or series of sales is/are a prohibited transaction depends on the facts and circumstances related to that sale. We cannot guarantee that sales of our properties would not be prohibited transactions unless we comply with certain statutory safe-harbor provisions.

In addition, any net taxable income earned directly by our taxable REIT subsidiaries, or through entities that are disregarded for federal income tax purposes as entities separate from our taxable REIT subsidiaries, will be subject to federal and possibly state corporate income tax. In this regard, several provisions of the laws applicable to REITs and their subsidiaries ensure that a taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of federal income taxation. For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct certain interest payments made to an affiliated REIT. In addition, the REIT has to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that it receives or on some deductions taken by a taxable REIT subsidiary if the economic arrangements between the REIT, the REIT’s customers, and the taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements between unrelated parties. Finally, some state and local jurisdictions may tax some of our income even though as a REIT we are not subject to federal income tax on that income because not all states and localities follow the federal income tax treatment of REITs. To the extent that we and our affiliates are required to pay federal, state and local taxes, we will have less cash available for distributions to our shareholders.

We face possible federal, state and local tax audits.

Because we are organized and qualify as a REIT, we are generally not subject to federal income taxes, but are subject to certain state and local taxes. Certain entities through which we own real estate have undergone tax audits.  There can be no assurance that future audits will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Legislative or regulatory tax changes related to REIT’s could materially and adversely affect our business.

At any time, the federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the other administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be changed, possibly with retroactive effect. We cannot predict if or when any new federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective or whether any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our shareholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 may adversely affect our business.

The TCJA significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates and implementing a partial limitation on the deduction for business interest expense. We estimate, based on currently available information, that the enactment of the TCJA will not significantly impact our current tax position and/or REIT status. The impact of the TCJA may differ from our initial assessment, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations, assumptions made and guidance that may be issued and actions we may take as a result of the TCJA. Further, certain changes in law pursuant to the TCJA could reduce the relative competitive advantage of operating as a REIT as compared with operating as a C corporation, including by:

Most of the changes applicable to individuals are temporary and apply only to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. The TCJA makes numerous large and small changes to the tax rules that do not affect REITs directly but may affect our shareholders and may indirectly affect us.

Shareholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the status of the TCJA and any other regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on investment in our capital stock.

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If a transaction intended to qualify as a Section 1031 Exchange is later determined to be taxable, or if we are unable to identify and complete the acquisition of suitable replacement property to effect a Section 1031 Exchange, we may face adverse consequences.

From time to time we seek to dispose of properties in transactions that are intended to qualify as tax-deferred “like kind exchanges” under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (a “Section 1031 Exchange”).  It is possible that the qualification of a transaction as a Section 1031 Exchange could be successfully challenged and determined to be currently taxable.  It is also possible that we are unable to identify and complete the acquisition of suitable replacement property to effect a Section 1031 Exchange.  In any such case, our taxable income and earnings and profits would increase.  This could increase the dividend income to our shareholders by reducing any return of capital they received.  In some circumstances, we may be required to pay additional dividends or, in lieu of that, corporate income tax, possibly including interest and penalties.  As a result, we may be required to borrow funds in order to pay additional dividends or taxes, and the payment of such taxes could cause us to have less cash available to distribute to our shareholders.  In addition, if a Section 1031 Exchange were later to be determined to be taxable, we may be required to amend our tax returns for the applicable year in question, including any information reports we sent our shareholders.  Moreover, it is possible that legislation could be enacted that could modify or repeal the laws with respect to Section 1031 Exchanges, which could make it more difficult or not possible for us to dispose of properties on a tax deferred basis.

Further, as a result of changes made by the TCJA, like-kind exchanges are only permitted with respect to real property. The changes generally would apply to exchanges completed after December 31, 2017, unless the property was disposed of or received in the exchange on or before such date. If a material amount of personal property is associated with the real property that we have disposed of in a like-kind exchange, the like-kind exchange provisions will be less beneficial than under prior law.

Competition for skilled personnel could increase labor costs.

We compete with various other companies in attracting and retaining qualified and skilled personnel. We depend on our ability to attract and retain skilled management personnel who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of our company. Competitive pressures may require that we enhance our pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel. We may not be able to offset such added costs by increasing the rates we charge our tenants. If there is an increase in these costs or if we fail to attract and retain qualified and skilled personnel, our business and operating results could be harmed.

We are dependent upon our key personnel.

We are dependent upon our key personnel, particularly Gerard H. Sweeney - President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Wirth - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey DeVuono - Executive Vice President and Senior Managing Director, William Redd – Executive Vice President and Senior Managing Director and George Johnstone - Executive Vice President, Operations. Among the reasons that Messrs. Sweeney, Wirth, DuVuono, Redd and Johnstone are important to our success is that each has a beneficial reputation, which attracts business and investment opportunities and assists us in negotiations with lenders, joint venture partners and other investors.  If we lost their services, our relationships with lenders, potential tenants and industry personnel could be affected.  We are dependent on our other executive officers for strategic business direction and real estate experience. Loss of their services could adversely affect our operations.

Certain limitations will exist with respect to a third party’s ability to acquire us or effectuate a change in control.

Limitations imposed to protect our REIT status. In order to protect us against the loss of our REIT status, our Declaration of Trust limits any shareholder from owning more than 9.8% in value of our outstanding shares, although we have granted in the past, and may continue to grant in the future certain waivers of this limitation to certain shareholders under certain conditions. The ownership limit may have the effect of precluding acquisition of control of us. If anyone acquires shares in excess of the ownership limit, we may:

Limitation due to our ability to issue preferred shares. Our Declaration of Trust authorizes our Board of Trustees to cause us to issue preferred shares, without limitation as to amount and without shareholder consent. Our Board of Trustees is able to establish the preferences and rights of any preferred shares issued and these shares could have the effect of delaying or preventing someone from taking control of us, even if a change in control were in our shareholders’ best interests.

Limitation imposed by the Maryland Business Combination Law. The Maryland General Corporation Law, as applicable to Maryland REITs, establishes special restrictions against “business combinations” between a Maryland REIT and “interested shareholders” or

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their affiliates unless an exemption is applicable. An interested shareholder includes a person, who beneficially owns, and an affiliate or associate of the trust who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of, ten percent or more of the voting power of our then-outstanding voting shares. Among other things, Maryland law prohibits (for a period of five years) a merger and certain other transactions between a Maryland REIT and an interested shareholder unless the board of trustees had approved the transaction before the party became an interested shareholder. The five-year period runs from the most recent date on which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of trustees and approved by two super-majority shareholder votes unless, among other conditions, the common shareholders receive a minimum price for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for our shares or unless the board of trustees approved the transaction before the party in question became an interested shareholder. The business combination statute could have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if the acquisition would be in our shareholders’ best interests.

Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. Maryland law provides that “control shares” of a REIT acquired in a “control share acquisition” shall have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the vote eligible to be cast on the matter under the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. Shares construed as “control shares” means that, if aggregated with all other shares previously acquired by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing trustees within one of the following ranges of voting power: one-tenth or more but less than one-third, one-third or more but less than a majority or a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions. If voting rights or control shares acquired in a control share acquisition are not approved at a shareholder’s meeting, then subject to certain conditions and limitations the issuer may redeem any or all of the control shares for fair value. If voting rights of such control shares are approved at a shareholder’s meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. Any control shares acquired in a control share acquisition that are not exempt under our Bylaws are subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares. We cannot assure you that this provision will not be repealed, amended or eliminated by us at any time in the future.

Maryland Unsolicited Takeover Act.  Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law permits our Board of Trustees, without shareholder approval, and regardless of what is currently in our charter or bylaws, to implement (i) a classified board; (ii) a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a trustee; (iii) a requirement that the number of trustees be fixed only by vote of the trustees; (iv) a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining trustees and for the remainder of the full term of the class of trustees in which the vacancy occurred; and (v) a majority requirement for the calling by shareholders of a special meeting of shareholders.  This statute could have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if the acquisition would be in our shareholders’ best interests.

Advance Notice Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Proposals. Our bylaws require advance notice for shareholders to nominate persons for election as trustees at, or to bring other business before, any meeting of our shareholders. This bylaw provision limits the ability of shareholders to make nominations of persons for election as trustees or to introduce other proposals unless we are notified in a timely manner prior to the meeting.

Many factors can have an adverse effect on the market value of our securities.

A number of factors might adversely affect the price of our securities, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

The market value of our common shares is based primarily upon the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings and cash distributions. Consequently, our common shares may trade at prices that are higher or lower than our net asset value per common share. If our future earnings or cash distributions are less than expected, it is likely that the market price of our common shares will diminish.

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Additional issuances of equity securities may be dilutive to shareholders.

The interests of our shareholders could be diluted if we issue additional equity securities to finance future developments or acquisitions or to repay indebtedness. Our Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance of additional equity securities without shareholder approval. In addition, we have in place a continuous offering program, which allows us to issue shares in at the market offerings. Our ability to execute our business strategy depends upon 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 the issuance of common and preferred equity.

The issuance of preferred securities may adversely affect the rights of holders of our common shares.

Because our Board of Trustees has the power to establish the preferences and rights of each class or series of preferred shares, we may afford the holders in any series or class of preferred shares preferences, distributions, powers and rights, voting or otherwise, senior to the rights of holders of common shares. Our Board of Trustees also has the power to establish the preferences and rights of each class or series of units in the Operating Partnership, and may afford the holders in any series or class of preferred units preferences, distributions, powers and rights, voting or otherwise, senior to the rights of holders of common units.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of integrated internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results.

An effective system of internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports, prevent fraud and operate successfully as a public company. As part of our ongoing monitoring of internal controls, we may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls that we believe require remediation. If we discover such weaknesses, we will make efforts to improve our internal controls in a timely manner. Any system of internal controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls, or implement any necessary improvements in a timely manner, could have a materially adverse effect on our business and operating results, or cause us not to meet our reporting obligations, which could affect our ability to remain listed with the New York Stock Exchange. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our securities.

Changes in accounting pronouncements could adversely affect our operating results, in addition to the reported financial performance of our tenants.

Accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. Uncertainties posed by various initiatives of accounting standard-setting by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission, which create and interpret applicable accounting standards for U.S. companies, may change the financial accounting and reporting standards or their interpretation and application of these standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements.  

These changes could have a material effect on our reported financial condition and results of operations.  In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in potentially material restatements of prior period financial statements. Similarly, these changes could have a material impact on our tenants’ reported financial condition or results of operations or could affect our tenants’ preferences regarding leasing real estate.  

None.

Property Acquisitions

On October 13, 2017, we acquired, through a 99-year prepaid ground lease, the leasehold interest in an office property containing 282,709 rentable square feet located at 3025 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known as One Drexel Plaza, for a gross purchase price of $35.0 million and capitalized $2.8 million of acquisition-related costs.

On July 28, 2017, we acquired an office building containing 58,587 rentable square feet located at 3000 Market Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a gross purchase price of $32.0 million and capitalized $0.7 million of acquisition-related costs. The acquisition was the Section 1031 exchange receiver for the sale of Concord Airport Plaza. See “Property Sales” section below.

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3025 Market Street and 3000 Market Street are located within the Schuylkill Yards Project site and represents an additional development site in the University City sub-market of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. See Item 1., “Developments – Other Development Activities” for additional information.

Developments and Redevelopments

We placed into service the following development properties and redevelopment property during the year ended December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

As of December 31, 2017, the following development and redevelopment projects remain under construction in progress and we were proceeding on the following activity (dollars in thousands):

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Other Development Services

As discussed above in Item 1., “Business - Developments,” as of December 31, 2017, we were proceeding through the development project at Schuylkill Yards in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Subaru Headquarters Development, in Camden, New Jersey and at our 4040 Wilson Venture, the unconsolidated real estate venture constructing a mixed-use building in Arlington, Virginia.

Property Sales

We sold the following properties during the year ended December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

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In addition to the amounts in the table above, we recorded a $0.5 million gain during the first quarter of 2017 from the receipt of additional proceeds from the disposition of Cira Square in 2016. For further information relating to this sale, see Note 3, “Real Estate Investments.”

We sold the following land parcels during the year ended December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

The sales of properties referenced above do not represent a strategic shift that has a major effect on our operations and financial results. As a result, the operating results of these properties remain classified within continuing operations for all periods presented.

Held for Sale

On December 14, 2017, we executed an agreement to sell a 13.1-acre parcel of land located in our Other segment. We classified the land parcel as held for sale as of December 31, 2017. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2017, $0.4 million was reclassified from ‘Land held for development’ to ‘Assets held for sale, net’ on the consolidated balance sheets.  There were no other reclassifications related to this parcel of land. As of December 31, 2017, the carrying value of the land was less than the fair value less the anticipated costs of sale and, as such, we expect to record a nominal gain on sale. The fair value measurement is based on the pricing in the purchase and sale agreement.

The sale of the land referenced above does not represent a strategic shift that has a major effect on our operations and financial results. As a result, the operating results of this property remains classified within continuing operations for all periods presented. See Note 20, "Subsequent Events," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding this disposition.

Properties

As of December 31, 2017, we owned 93 properties that contain an aggregate of approximately 16.4 million net rentable square feet and consist of 81 office properties, five mixed-use properties, one retail property (87 core properties), two development properties and four redevelopment properties (collectively, the “Properties”). The properties are located in or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Metropolitan Washington, D.C.; Southern New Jersey; Wilmington, Delaware and Austin Texas. As of December 31, 2017, the properties, excluding properties under development and redevelopment, were approximately 92.9% occupied by 755 tenants and had an average age of approximately 22.6 years. The office properties are a combination of urban and transit-oriented suburban office buildings containing an average of approximately 187,286 net rentable square feet. The mixed-use properties accommodate a variety of tenant uses, including retail and residential apartment units and a hotel. We carry comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties, with policy specifications and insured limits that we believe are adequate.

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The following table sets forth information with respect to our core properties at December 31, 2017: