Lightstone Value Plus REIT I, Inc. - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021

or

☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number 333-117367

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REIT I, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 732-367-0129

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐   No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐   No ☒

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. Yes ☒   No ☐

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒   No ☐

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

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). Yes ☐   No ☒

There is no established market for the Registrant’s common shares. As of June 30, 2021, the last business day of the most recently completed second quarter, there were 22.3 million shares of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant. On December 16, 2021 the board of directors of the Registrant approved an estimated value per share of the Registrant’s common stock of $11.75 per share (after allocations to the holder of subordinated profits interests in our operating partnership) derived from the estimated value of the Registrant’s assets less the estimated value of the Registrant’s liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding, all as of September 30, 2021. For a full description of the methodologies used to value the Registrant’s assets and liabilities in connection with the calculation of the estimated value per share, see Part II, Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - Market Information.” As of March 15, 2022, there were 22.1 million shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

LIGHTSTONE VALUE PLUS REIT I, INC.

Table of Contents

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report on Form 10-K, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by Lightstone Value Plus REIT I, Inc. (the “Lightstone REIT I”), which was formerly known as Lightstone Value Plus Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. before September 16, 2021, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Lightstone REIT intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Lightstone REIT ’s future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond the Lightstone REIT’s control and which could materially affect actual results, performances or achievements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, (i) uncertainties regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on our business and the economy generally, (ii) the inability of major tenants to continue paying their rent obligations due to bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn in their business, (iii) financing risks, such as the inability to obtain equity, debt, or other sources of financing on favorable terms, (iv) changes in governmental laws and regulations, (v) the level and volatility of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (vi) the effect of the phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, as a variable rate debt benchmark and the transition to a different benchmark interest rate, (vii) the availability of suitable acquisition opportunities and (viii) increases in operating costs. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Lightstone REIT’s expectations will be realized.

PART I.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS:

General Description of Business

Structure

The Lightstone REIT I is a Maryland corporation, formed on June 8, 2004, which has elected to be taxed, and qualify as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”). The Lightstone REIT I was formed primarily for the purpose of engaging in the business of investing in and owning commercial and residential real estate properties and making other real estate-related investments located throughout the United States.

The Lightstone REIT I is structured as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, (“UPREIT”), and substantially all of its current and future business is and will be conducted through Lightstone Value Plus REIT, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership formed on July 12, 2004. As of December 31, 2021, we held a 98% general partnership interest in our Operating Partnership’s common units.

The Lightstone REIT I and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company” and the use of “we,” “our,” “us” or similar pronouns in this annual report refers to the Lightstone REIT I, its Operating Partnership or the Company as required by the context in which such pronoun is used. 

Through our Operating Partnership, we own, operate and develop commercial, residential, and hospitality properties and make real estate-related investments, principally in the United States. Our real estate investments are held by us alone or jointly with other parties. We also originate or acquire mortgage loans secured by real estate. Although most of our investments are of these types, we may invest in whatever types of real estate or real estate-related investments that we believe are in our best interests. Since its inception, we have owned and managed various commercial and residential properties located throughout the United States. We evaluate all of our real estate investments as one operating segment.

As of December 31, 2021, we have ownership interests in (i) two consolidated operating properties, (ii) two consolidated development properties and (iii) seven unconsolidated operating properties. With respect to our consolidated operating properties, we wholly own the St. Augustine Outlet Center, a retail property containing 0.3 million square feet of gross leasable area, and have a majority ownership interest of 59.2% in Gantry Park Landing, a multi-family residential property containing 199 apartment units. With respect to our consolidated development properties, we wholly own two projects consisting of the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel and the Exterior Street Project. We also hold a 2.5% ownership interest in seven hotel properties through a joint venture (the “Joint Venture”) which we account for using a measurement alternative under which the Joint Venture is measured at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments, if any. The Joint Venture is between us and the operating partnership of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., a REIT also sponsored by our Sponsor, which has a 97.5% ownership interest in the Joint Venture. Furthermore, we have other real estate-related investments, including preferred contributions that were made pursuant to agreements with various related party entities (the “Preferred Investments”) and nonrecourse promissory notes made to unaffiliated third-parties. Our real estate investments have been and are expected to continue to be held by the Company alone or jointly with other parties.

Our advisor is Lightstone Value Plus REIT, LLC (the “Advisor”), which is majority owned by David Lichtenstein. On July 6, 2004, the Advisor contributed $2,000 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 200 limited partner common units (“Common Units”) in the Operating Partnership. Our Advisor also owns 20,000 shares of our common stock (“Common Shares”) which were issued on July 6, 2004 for $200,000, or $10.00 per share. Mr. Lichtenstein also is the majority owner of the equity interests of The Lightstone Group, LLC. The Lightstone Group, LLC served as the sponsor (the “Sponsor”) during our initial public offering (the “Offering”), which terminated on October 10, 2008. Our Advisor, together with our board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) and pursuant to the terms of an advisory agreement, has the primary responsibility for making investment decisions on our behalf and managing our day-to-day operations. Through his ownership and control of The Lightstone Group, LLC, Mr. Lichtenstein is the indirect owner and manager of Lightstone SLP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which owns an aggregate of $30.0 million of special general partner interests (“SLP Units”) in the Operating Partnership which were purchased, at a cost of $100,000 per unit, in connection with our Offering. Mr. Lichtenstein also acts as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. As a result, he exerts influence over but does not control the Lightstone REIT I or the Operating Partnership.

We do not have any employees. The Advisor receives compensation and fees for services related to the investment and management of our assets.

Our Advisor has affiliates which may manage and develop certain of our properties. However, we also contract with other unaffiliated third-party property managers.

Our Common Shares are not currently listed on a national securities exchange. We may seek to list our stock for trading on a national securities exchange only if a majority of our independent directors believe listing would be in the best interest of our stockholders. We do not intend to list our shares at this time. We do not anticipate that there would be any market for our shares of common stock until they are listed for trading.

Noncontrolling Interests

Partners of Operating Partnership

On July 6, 2004, the Advisor contributed $2,000 to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 200 Common Units. The Advisor has the right to convert the Common Units into cash or, at the option of the Company, an equal number of Common Shares.

In connection with the Offering, Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor, purchased an aggregate of $30.0 million of SLP Units in the Operating Partnership at a cost of $100,000 per unit. As the majority owner of the SLP Units, Mr. Lichtenstein is the beneficial owner of a 99% interest in such SLP Units and thus receives an indirect benefit from any distributions made in respect thereof. These SLP Units may be entitled to a portion of any regular and liquidation distributions that we make to our stockholders, but only after our stockholders have received a stated preferred return.

In addition, an aggregate of 497,209 Common Units were issued to other unrelated parties during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 and remain outstanding as of December 31, 2021.

Other Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

As of December 31, 2021, the other noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries include ownership interests in (i) Pro-DFJV Holdings LLC (“PRO”) held by the Company’s Sponsor, (ii) 50-01 2nd St. Associates LLC (the “2nd Street Joint Venture”), held by the Company’s Sponsor and other affiliates and (iii) various joint ventures held by affiliates of our Sponsor that have originated promissory notes to unaffiliated third parties. PRO’s holdings principally consist of Marco OP Units and Marco II OP Units. The 2nd Street Joint Venture owns Gantry Park Landing.

Related Party

Our Advisor and its affiliates, and Lightstone SLP, LLC are related parties of the Company. Certain of these entities are entitled to compensation for services related to the investment, management and disposition of our assets. The compensation is based on the cost of acquired properties/investments and the annual revenue earned from such properties/investments, and other such fees and expense reimbursements as outlined in each of the respective agreements.

Primary Investment Objectives

Our primary objective is to achieve capital appreciation with a secondary objective of income without subjecting principal to undue risk.

Acquisition and Investment Policies

We have, to date, acquired and/or developed residential, commercial and hospitality properties principally, all of which are located in the United States and also made other real estate-related investments. Our acquisitions have included both portfolios and individual properties. Our current operating properties consist of one retail property (the St. Augustine Outlet Center) and one multi-family residential property (Gantry Park Landing). We have also acquired various parcels of land and air rights related to the development and construction of real estate properties. Additionally, we have made preferred investments in related parties and originated nonrecourse loans to unaffiliated third-party borrowers.

We may acquire the following types of real estate interests:

All of the properties are owned by subsidiary limited partnerships or limited liability companies. These subsidiaries are single-purpose entities that we created to own a single property, and each have no assets other than the property it owns. These entities represent a useful means of shielding our Operating Partnership from liability under state laws and will make the underlying properties easier to transfer. However, tax law disregards single-member LLCs and so it will be as if the Operating Partnership owns the underlying properties for tax purposes. Use of single-purpose entities in this manner is customary for REITs. Our independent directors are not required to approve all transactions involving the creation of subsidiary limited liability companies and limited partnerships that we use for investment in properties on our behalf. These subsidiary arrangements are intended to ensure that no environmental or other liabilities associated with any particular property can be attributed against other properties that the Operating Partnership or we will own. The limited liability aspect of a subsidiary’s form will shield parent and affiliated (but not subsidiary) companies, including the Operating Partnership and us, from liability assessed against it. No additional fees are imposed upon the REIT by the subsidiary companies’ managers and these subsidiaries are not affected our stockholders’ voting rights.

We have not and do not intend to make significant investments in single family residential properties; leisure home sites; farms; ranches; timberlands; unimproved properties not intended to be developed; or mining properties.

Not more than 10% of our total assets may be invested in unimproved real property. For purposes of this paragraph, “unimproved real properties” does not include properties acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income, properties under construction and properties for which development or construction is planned within one year. Additionally, we do not invest in contracts for the sale of real estate unless in recordable form and appropriately recorded.

Although we are not limited as to the geographic area where we may conduct our operations, we have invested and may continue to invest in properties located near the existing operations of our Sponsor, in order to achieve economies of scale where possible.

Financing Strategy and Policies

We utilize leverage when acquiring and developing our properties. The number of different properties we acquire are affected by numerous factors, including, the amount of funds available to us. When interest rates on loans are high or financing is otherwise unavailable on terms that are satisfactory to us, we may purchase certain properties for cash with the intention of obtaining a loan for a portion of the purchase price or development costs at a later time. However, we have and intend to continue to limit our aggregate long-term permanent borrowings to 75% of the aggregate fair market value of all properties unless any excess borrowing is approved by a majority of the independent directors and is disclosed to our stockholders.

Our charter provides that the aggregate amount of borrowing, both secured and unsecured, may not exceed 300% of net assets in the absence of a satisfactory showing that a higher level is appropriate, the approval of the Board of Directors and disclosure to stockholders. Net assets means our total assets, other than intangibles, at cost before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves less our total liabilities, calculated at least quarterly on a basis consistently applied. Any excess in borrowing over such 300% of net assets level must be approved by a majority of our independent directors and disclosed to our stockholders in our next quarterly report to stockholders, along with justification for such excess. As of December 31, 2021, our total borrowings represented 59% of net assets.

We have financed our property acquisitions and development activities through a variety of means, including but not limited to individual non-recourse mortgages and through the exchange of an interest in the property for limited partnership units of the Operating Partnership. Generally, though not exclusively, we intend to seek to finance our investments with debt which will be on a non-recourse basis. However, we may, secure recourse financing or provide a guarantee to lenders, if we believe this may result in more favorable terms.

Tax Status

We elected to be taxed and qualify as a REIT, commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2005. If we remain qualified as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. To maintain our REIT qualification under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT in any subsequent year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, our income for that year will be taxed at regular corporate rates, and we may be precluded from qualifying for treatment as a REIT for the four-year period following our failure to qualify as a REIT. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to our stockholders. Additionally, even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income taxes and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we engage in certain activities such as providing real estate-related services through wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). As such, we are subject to U.S. federal and state income and franchise taxes from these activities.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had no material uncertain income tax positions. Additionally, even if we continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income taxes and excise taxes on our undistributed income, if any.

Competition

The commercial, multifamily residential and hospitality real estate markets are highly competitive. We compete in markets with other owners and operators of such properties. The development of new properties intensifies the competition among owners and operators of these types of real estate in many market areas in which we either operate or intend to operate. We compete based on a number of factors that include location, rental rates, security, suitability of the property’s design to prospective tenants’ needs and the manner in which the property is operated and marketed. The number of competing properties in a particular market could have a material effect on our occupancy levels, rental rates and on the operating expenses of certain of our properties.

In addition, we compete with other entities engaged in real estate investment activities to locate suitable properties to acquire and/or develop and also to locate tenants and purchasers for our properties. These competitors include other REITs, specialty finance companies, savings and loan associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, lenders, governmental bodies and other entities. There also may be other REITs with asset acquisition objectives similar to ours that may be organized in the future. Some of these competitors, including larger REITs, have substantially greater marketing and financial resources than we have and generally may be able to accept more risk than we can prudently manage, including risks with respect to the creditworthiness of tenants. In addition, these same entities seek financing through similar channels to those sought by us. Therefore, we compete for institutional investors in a market where funds for real estate investment may decrease.

Competition from these and other third party real estate investors may limit the number of suitable investment opportunities available to us. It may also result in higher prices, lower yields and a narrower spread of yields over our borrowing costs, making it more difficult for us to acquire new investments on attractive terms.

We believe that our Sponsor’s experience, coupled with our financing, professionalism, diversity of investments and reputation in the industry enable us to compete with the other real estate investment companies.

Because we are organized as an UPREIT, we believe we are well positioned within the industries in which we operate to offer existing property owners the potential opportunity to contribute their properties to us in tax-deferred transactions using our operating partnership units as transactional currency. As a result, we may have a competitive advantage over certain of our competitors that are structured as traditional REITs and non-REITs in pursuing acquisitions with tax-sensitive sellers.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 and since that time many of the previously imposed restrictions and other measures which were instituted in response have been subsequently reduced or lifted. However, the COVID-19 pandemic remains highly unpredictable and dynamic and its duration and extent continue to be dependent on various developments, such as the emergence of variants to the virus that may cause additional strains of COVID-19, the administration and ultimate effectiveness of vaccines, and the eventual timeline to achieve a sufficient level of herd immunity among the general population. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to have negative effects on the health of the U.S. economy for the foreseeable future.

As a result of previously imposed restrictions, we temporarily closed our St. Augustine Outlet Center from March 20, 2020 through May 7, 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the property’s occupancy declined and because of limited leasing success, we began exploring various strategic alternatives for our St. Augustine Outlet Center and as a result determined during the third quarter of 2021 that we would no longer pursue leasing of space to tenants and therefore, entered into lease termination agreements with certain tenants and also provided notice to our other tenants that we would not renew their leases at scheduled expiration. As a result of this change in leasing strategy and resulting decrease in the fair value of the St. Augustine Outlet Center, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $11.3 million during the third quarter of 2021. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Additionally, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, during 2020 we saw deterioration in both the occupancy and rental rates for Gantry Park Landing, which is located on Long Island, New York, as the luxury rental market in the greater New York City metropolitan area was negatively impacted. However, both occupancy and rental rates have improved considerably throughout 2021 and have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.

To-date, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had any significant impact on our development projects. Furthermore, our other real estate-related investments (both our preferred investments in related parties and nonrecourse loans made to unaffiliated third-party borrowers) also relate to various development projects which are at different stages in their respective development process. These investments, which are subject to similar restrictions and other measures, have also not yet been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The overall extent to which our business may be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will largely depend on both current and future developments, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be reasonably predicted.

If our operating properties, development projects and real estate-related investments are negatively impacted for an extended period because (i) occupancy levels and rental rates further decline, (ii) tenants are unable to pay their rent, (iii) borrowers are unable to pay scheduled debt service on notes receivable, (iv) development activities are delayed and/or (v) various related party entities are unable to pay monthly preferred distributions on our preferred investments in related parties, our business and financial results could be materially and adversely impacted.

Environmental

As an owner of real estate, we are subject to various environmental laws of federal, state and local governments. Compliance with existing laws has not had a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, and management does not believe it will have such an impact in the future. However, we cannot predict the impact of unforeseen environmental contingencies or new or changed laws or regulations on properties in which we hold an interest, or on properties that may be acquired or developed in the future.

Employees

We do not have employees. We entered into an advisory agreement with our Advisor on April 22, 2005, pursuant to which our Advisor supervises and manages our day-to-day operations and selects our real estate and real estate related investments, subject to oversight by the Board of Directors. We pay our Advisor fees for services related to the investment and management of our assets, and we reimburse our Advisor for certain expenses incurred on our behalf.

Available Information

We electronically file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports, and proxy statements, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Stockholders may obtain copies of our filings with the SEC, free of charge, from the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our office is located at 1985 Cedar Bridge Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Our telephone number is (732) 367-0129. Our website is www.lightstonecapitalmarkets.com.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS:

None applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES:

Operating Properties

St. Augustine Outlet Center

We wholly own the St. Augustine Outlet Center, a retail property containing 0.3 million square feet of gross leasable area located in St. Augustine, Florida. The St. Augustine Outlet Center was built in 1998 and subsequently acquired by us in 2006 and renovated and expanded in 2008. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the property’s occupancy declined and because of limited leasing success, we began exploring various strategic alternatives for our St. Augustine Outlet Center and as a result determined during the third quarter of 2021 that we would no longer pursue leasing of space to tenants and therefore, entered into lease termination agreements with certain tenants and also provided notice to our other tenants that we would not renew their leases at scheduled expiration. As of December 31, 2021, the property was 67% occupied. However, because of the aforementioned lease terminations and scheduled expirations, substantially all of the tenants vacated during January 2022. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Gantry Park Landing

We have a 59.2% membership interest in a joint venture which developed, constructed and owns Gantry Park Landing, a multi-family apartment building located in Queens, New York. The following table contains certain information for Gantry Park Landing as of December 31, 2021.

Annualized revenue is defined as the minimum monthly payments due as of December 31, 2021 annualized.

Development Properties

Lower East Side Moxy Hotel

On December 3, 2018, we acquired three adjacent parcels of land located at 147-151 Bowery, New York, New York on which we are developing a 296-room Marriott Moxy hotel (the “Lower East Side Moxy Hotel”), which is currently under construction and expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2022.

Exterior Street Project

On February 27, 2019, we, initially acquired two adjacent parcels of land located at 355 and 399 Exterior Street, New York, New York and subsequently acquired an additional adjacent parcel in September 2021 on which we are currently developing a multi-family residential property (the “Exterior Street Project”).

The following is a summary of the amounts incurred and capitalized to construction in progress for our development projects as of December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS:

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, we may become subject to legal proceedings, claims or disputes.

As of the date hereof, we are not a party to any material pending legal proceedings of which the outcome is probable or reasonably possible to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition, which would require accrual or disclosure of the contingency and possible range of loss.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES:

Shareholder Information

As of March 15, 2022, we had 22.1 million common shares outstanding, held by a total of 5,963 stockholders. The number of stockholders is based on the records of DST Systems Inc., which serves as our registrar and transfer agent.

Market Information 

The Company’s common stock is not currently listed on a national securities exchange. The Company may seek to list its common stock for trading on a national securities exchange only if a majority of its independent directors believe listing would be in the best interest of its stockholders. The Company does not intend to list its shares at this time. The Company does not anticipate that there would be any market for its shares of common stock until they are listed for trading.

Estimated Net Asset Value (“NAV”) and NAV per Share of Common Stock (“NAV per Share”)

On December 16, 2021, our board of directors determined and approved our estimated NAV of $313.8 million and resulting estimated NAV per Share of $11.75, after allocations of value to special general partner interests, or SLP Units, in our Operating Partnership, held by Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of our Advisor, assuming a liquidation event, both as of September 30, 2021. From our inception through the termination of our initial public offering on October 10, 2008, Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of our Advisor, contributed cash of $30.0 million in exchange for 300 SLP Units, at a cost of $100,000 per unit.

The estimated NAV of our shares was calculated as of a particular point in time. The estimated NAV of our shares will fluctuate over time in response to developments related to individual assets in the portfolio and the management of those assets and in response to the real estate and finance markets. There is no assurance of the extent to which the current estimated valuation should be relied upon for any purpose after its effective date regardless that it may be published on any statement issued by us or otherwise.

Process and Methodology

Our Advisor, along with any necessary material assistance or confirmation of a third-party valuation expert or service, is responsible for calculating our estimated NAV and resulting NAV per Share, which we currently expect will be done on an annual basis unless our Common Shares are approved for listing on a national securities exchange. Our board of directors will review and approve each estimate of NAV and resulting NAV per Share.

Our estimated NAV and resulting NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021 were calculated with the assistance of both our Advisor and Robert A. Stanger & Co, Inc. (“Stanger”), an independent third-party valuation firm engaged by us to assist with the valuation of our assets, liabilities and any allocations of value to SLP Units. Our Advisor recommended and our board of directors established the estimated NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021 based upon the analysis and reports provided by our Advisor and Stanger. The process for estimating the value of our assets, liabilities and allocations of value to SLP Units, is performed in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Program Association Practice Guideline 2013-01, “Valuations of Publicly Registered Non-Listed REITs.” We believe that our valuations were developed in a manner reasonably designed to ensure their reliability.

The engagement of Stanger with respect to our estimated NAV and resulting NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021 was approved by our board of directors, including all of our independent directors. Stanger has extensive experience in conducting asset valuations, including valuations of commercial real estate, debt, properties and real estate-related investments.

With respect to our estimated NAV and resulting NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021, Stanger prepared appraisal reports (the “Stanger Appraisal Reports”), summarizing key inputs and assumptions, for three of our properties (the “Stanger Appraised Properties”), all of which we wholly own and consolidate, consisting of (i) the St. Augustine Outlet Center and (ii) the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel and the Exterior Street Project (collectively, the “Development Properties”).

Stanger also prepared a NAV report (the “September 2021 NAV Report”) which estimates our NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021. The September 2021 NAV Report relied upon (i) the Stanger Appraisal Reports for the Stanger Appraised Properties, (ii) an appraisal report prepared by another independent third-party valuation firm for Gantry Park Landing, our 59.2% majority-owned and consolidated multi-family residential property, (iii) Stanger’s estimated value of our outstanding indebtedness, (iv) our Advisor’s value opinion with respect to our 2.5% non-managing ownership interest in an unconsolidated joint venture (the “Joint Venture”), assuming a liquidation pursuant to the terms of the Joint Venture’s operating agreement, and our other investments in related parties, (v) Stanger’s estimate of the allocation of value to the SLP Units, and (vi) our Advisor’s estimate of the value of our cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted escrows, other assets, other liabilities and other non-controlling interests, to calculate estimated NAV per Share, all as of September 30, 2021.

The table below sets forth the calculation of our estimated NAV and resulting NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021, as well as the comparable calculation as of September 30, 2020. Certain amounts are reflected net of noncontrolling interests, as applicable. Dollar and share amounts are presented in thousands, except per share data.

Note:

Use of Independent Valuation Firm:

As discussed above, our Advisor is responsible for calculating our NAV. In connection with determining our NAV, our Advisor may rely on the material assistance or confirmation of a third-party valuation expert or service. In this regard, Stanger was selected by our board of directors to assist our Advisor in the calculation of our estimated NAV and resulting NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021. Stanger’s service included appraising the Stanger Appraised Properties and preparing the September 2021 NAV Report. Stanger is engaged in the business of appraising commercial real estate properties and is not affiliated with us or our Advisor. The compensation we paid to Stanger was based on the scope of work and not on the appraised values of our real estate properties. The appraisals were performed in accordance with the Code of Ethics and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, or USPAP, the real estate appraisal industry standards created by The Appraisal Foundation. The Stanger Appraisal Reports were reviewed, approved, and signed by an individual with the professional designation of MAI licensed in the state where each real property is located. The use of the reports is subject to the requirements of the Appraisal Institute relating to review by its duly authorized representatives. In preparing its reports, Stanger did not, and was not requested to; solicit third-party indications of interest for our common stock in connection with possible purchases thereof or the acquisition of all or any part of us.

Stanger collected reasonably available material information that it deemed relevant in appraising our real estate properties. Stanger relied in part on property-level information provided by our Advisor, including (i) property historical and projected operating revenues and expenses; (ii) property lease agreements and/or lease abstracts; and (iii) information regarding recent or planned capital expenditures.

In conducting their investigation and analyses, Stanger took into account customary and accepted financial and commercial procedures and considerations as they deemed relevant. Although Stanger reviewed information supplied or otherwise made available by us or the Advisor for reasonableness, they assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all such information and of all information supplied or otherwise made available to them by any other party and did not independently verify any such information. Stanger has assumed that any operating or financial forecasts and other information and data provided to or otherwise reviewed by or discussed with Stanger were reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of our management, our board of directors, and/or our Advisor. Stanger relied on us to advise them promptly if any information previously provided became inaccurate or was required to be updated during the period of their review.

In performing its analyses, Stanger made numerous other assumptions as of various points in time with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, and regulatory conditions, and other matters, many of which are beyond their control and our control. Stanger also made assumptions with respect to certain factual matters. For example, unless specifically informed to the contrary, Stanger assumed that we have clear and marketable title to each real estate property appraised, that no title defects exist, that any improvements were made in accordance with law, that no hazardous materials are present or were present previously, that no significant deed restrictions exist, and that no changes to zoning ordinances or regulations governing use, density, or shape are pending or being considered. Furthermore, Stanger’s analyses, opinions, and conclusions were necessarily based upon market, economic, financial, and other circumstances and conditions existing as of or prior to the date of the Stanger Appraisal Reports, and any material change in such circumstances and conditions may affect Stanger’s analyses and conclusions. The Stanger Appraisal Reports contain other assumptions, qualifications, and limitations that qualify the analyses, opinions, and conclusions set forth therein. Furthermore, the prices at which our real estate properties may actually be sold could differ from Stanger’s analyses.

Stanger is actively engaged in the business of appraising commercial real estate properties similar to those owned by us in connection with public security offerings, private placements, business combinations, and similar transactions. We do not believe that there are any material conflicts of interest between Stanger, on the one hand, and us, our Sponsor, our Advisor, and our affiliates, on the other hand. Our Advisor engaged Stanger on behalf of our board of directors to deliver their reports to assist in the NAV calculation as of September 30, 2021 and Stanger received compensation for those efforts. In addition, we agreed to indemnify Stanger against certain liabilities arising out of this engagement. In the two years prior to the date of this filing, Stanger was previously engaged by us for appraisal and valuation services in connection with our financial reporting requirements. Stanger has received usual and customary fees in connection with those services. Stanger may from time to time in the future perform other services for us and our Sponsor or other affiliates of the Sponsor, so long as such other services do not adversely affect the independence of Stanger as certified in the applicable Appraisal Reports. During the past two years Stanger has also been engaged to provide appraisal services to another non-traded REIT sponsored by our Sponsor for which it was paid usual and customary fees.

Although Stanger considered any comments received from us and our Advisor relating to their reports, the final appraised values of the Stanger Appraised Properties were determined by Stanger. The reports are addressed to our board of directors to assist our board of directors in calculating our estimated NAV per Share as of September 30, 2021. The reports are not addressed to the public, may not be relied upon by any other person to establish our estimated NAV per Share, and do not constitute a recommendation to any person to purchase or sell any shares of our common stock.

Our goal in calculating our estimated NAV is to arrive at values that are reasonable and supportable using what we deem to be appropriate valuation methodologies and assumptions. The reports, including the analysis, opinions, and conclusions set forth in such reports, are qualified by the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations set forth in the respective reports. The following is a summary of our valuation methodologies used to value our assets and liabilities by key component:

Real estate properties:

As of September 30, 2021, we have ownership interests in four consolidated properties (collectively, the “Real Estate Properties”).

As described above, we engaged Stanger to provide an appraisal of the Stanger Appraised Properties consisting of three of our four consolidated properties in which we held ownership interests as of September 30, 2021. The Stanger Appraised Properties consist of the St. Augustine Outlet Center and the Development Properties. We also engaged another independent third-party valuation firm to provide an appraisal report for Gantry Park Landing. In preparing their appraisal reports, the scope of the work performed by Stanger and the other independent third-party valuation firm included the following procedures, as well other factors:

Stanger and the other independent third-party valuation firm employed the income approach and/or the sales comparison approach to estimate the value of the appraised properties. The income approach involves an economic analysis of the property based on its potential to provide future net annual income. As part of the valuation, a discounted cash flow analysis (“DCF Analysis”) and/or direct capitalization analysis was used in the income approach to determine the value of our interest in the portfolio. The indicated value by the income approach represents the amount an investor may pay for the expectation of receiving the net cash flow from the property.

The direct capitalization analysis is based upon the net operating income of the property capitalized at an appropriate capitalization rate for the property based upon property characteristics and competitive position and market conditions at the date of the appraisal.

In applying the DCF Analysis, pro forma statements of operations for the property including revenues and expenses are analyzed and projected over a multi-year period. The property is assumed to be sold at the end of the multi-year holding period. The reversion value of the property which can be realized upon sale at the end of the holding period is calculated based on the capitalization of the estimated net operating income of the property in the year of sale, utilizing a capitalization rate deemed appropriate in light of the age, anticipated functional and economic obsolescence and competitive position of the property at the time of sale. Net proceeds to owners are determined by deducting appropriate costs of sale. The discount rate selected for the DCF Analysis is based upon estimated target rates of return for buyers of similar properties.

The sales comparison approach utilizes indices of value derived from actual or proposed sales of comparable properties to estimate the value of the subject property. The appraiser analyzed such comparable sale data as was available to develop a market value conclusion for the subject property.

Stanger prepared the Stanger Appraisal Reports and the other independent third-party valuation firm prepared an appraisal report for Gantry Park Landing, summarizing key inputs and assumptions, for each of the appraised properties using financial information provided by us and our Advisor. From such review, Stanger and the other independent third-party valuation firm selected the appropriate cash flow discount rate, residual discount rate, and terminal capitalization rate in the DCF Analysis, if applicable, the appropriate capitalization rate in the direct capitalization analysis and the appropriate price per unit in the sales comparison analysis. As for those properties consolidated on our financials, and for which we do not own 100% of the ownership interest, the property value was adjusted to reflect our ownership interest in such property after consideration of the distribution priorities associated with such property.

The estimated values for our investments in real estate may or may not represent current market values and do not equal the book values of our real estate investments in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our consolidated investments in real estate are currently carried in our consolidated financial statements at their amortized cost basis, adjusted for any loss impairments and bargain purchase gains recognized to date. Our unconsolidated investments in real estate are currently accounted for under the cost method of accounting in our consolidated financial statements.

St. Augustine Outlet Center

As of September 30, 2021, our wholly owned St. Augustine Outlet Center, a retail property, was valued at $24.9 million, based on a sales comparison approach.

Gantry Park Landing

As of September 30, 2021, our 59.2% ownership interest in Gantry Park Landing, a multi-family residential property, was valued at $75.5 million. The following summarizes the key assumptions that were used in the discounted cash flow model to estimate the value of Gantry Park Landing as of September 30, 2021:

While we believe that the assumptions made by the other independent third-party appraisal firm for Gantry Park Landing are reasonable, a change in these assumptions would impact the calculation of the estimated value included in our Real Estate Properties. The table below represents the estimated increase or decrease to our estimated NAV per Share resulting from a 25-basis point increase and decrease in the capitalization rate and discount rate for Gantry Park Landing. The table is presented to provide a hypothetical illustration of the possible results if only one change in assumptions was made, with all other factors remaining constant. Further, each of these assumptions could change by more or less than 25 basis points or not at all.

Development Properties

As of September 30, 2021, we wholly own and consolidate the Development Properties consisting of the following:

Lower East Side Moxy Hotel

As of September 30, 2021, we wholly own and consolidate the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel, a development project which when completed will consist of a 296-room Marriott-branded hotel located at 147-151 Bowery, New York, New York As of September 30, 2021, because the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel was under development, Stanger deemed it appropriate to determine its fair value of $132.7 million as of that date based on the estimated fair value of the underlying land of $58.7 million (using a sales comparison approach) plus other development costs incurred of $74.0 million.

Exterior Street Project

As of September 30, 2021, we wholly own and consolidate the Exterior Street Project, a multi-family development project located at 355 and 399 Exterior Street, New York, New York. As of September 30, 2021, because the Exterior Street Project was under development, Stanger deemed it appropriate to determine its fair value of $96.6 million as of that date based on the aggregate estimated fair value of the underlying land of $70.1 million (using a sales comparison approach) plus other development costs incurred of $26.5 million.

The aggregate fair value of our Real Estate Properties of $329.8 million compared to their aggregate carrying value of $275.7 million, both as of September 30, 2021, equates to an increase in value of 19.6%.

Cash and cash equivalents: The estimated values of our cash and cash equivalents approximate their carrying values due to their short maturities.

Investments in related parties: As of September 30, 2021, we had various investments in related parties, which were classified as investments in related parties in our consolidated balance sheets, as follows:

Marketable securities, available for sale: The estimated values of our marketable securities, available for sale, are based on Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. Level 1 inputs are inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. All of our marketable securities measured using Level 2 inputs were valued based on a market approach using readily available quoted market prices for similar assets.

Restricted escrows: The estimated values of our restricted escrows approximate their carrying values due to their short maturities.

Notes receivable, net: The estimated values of our notes receivable generally approximate their carrying values as of September 30, 2020 based on current market rates for similar instruments.

Other assets: Our other assets consist of tenant accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other assets. The estimated values of these items approximate their carrying values due to their short maturities. Certain other items, primarily straight-line rent receivable, intangibles and deferred costs, have been eliminated for the purpose of the valuation because those items are already considered in our valuation of the respective investments in real estate properties or financial instruments.

Mortgage notes payable: We have mortgage notes payable that bear interest at both variable and fixed rates. The estimated values of our variable-rate mortgage loans were generally deemed to approximate their carrying values because their interest rates move in conjunction with changes to market interest rates. The estimated values for our fixed-rate mortgage loans were estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, which used inputs based on the remaining loan terms and estimated current market interest rates for mortgage loans with similar characteristics, including remaining loan term and loan-to-value ratios. The market interest rates for our fixed-rate mortgage loans were generally determined based on market rates for available comparable debt. The estimated market interest rates for our fixed-rate mortgage loans ranged from 2.35% to 2.85% as of September 30, 2021.

Other liabilities: Our other liabilities consist of our accounts payable and accrued expenses, amounts due to our Sponsor, tenant allowances and deposits payable, distributions payable and deferred rental income. The carrying values of these items were considered to equal their fair value due to their short maturities. Certain other items, primarily intangibles, have been eliminated for the purpose of the valuation because those items are already considered in our valuation of the respective Real Estate Properties or financial instruments.

Other noncontrolling interests: Our other noncontrolling interests consist of accrued distributions on common units and SLP Units.

Allocations of value to SLP units: The carrying value of the SLP Units held by Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of our Advisor, are classified in noncontrolling interests on our consolidated balance sheet. The IPA’s Practice Guideline 2013—01 provides for adjustments to the NAV for preferred securities, special interests and incentive fees based on the aggregate NAV of the company and payable to the sponsor in a hypothetical liquidation of the company as of the valuation date in accordance with the provisions of the partnership or advisory agreements and the terms of the preferred securities. Because certain distributions related to our SLP Units are only payable to their holder in a liquidation event, we believe they should be valued for our NAV in accordance with these provisions.

Our operating agreement provides for distributions to be made during our liquidating stage to our stockholders and the holder of the SLP Units at certain prescribed thresholds. In connection with our initial public offering of common stock, Lightstone SLP, LLC purchased an aggregate of $30.0 million of SLP Units. In the calculation of our estimated NAV, a $47.0 million allocation of value was made to the SLP Units representing the amount of estimated distributions which would have been payable to the holder of the SLP Units, assuming a liquidation event as of September 30, 2021.

Historical Estimated NAV and NAV per Share

Additional information on our historical reported estimated NAV and NAV per Share for the preceding year may be found in the following referenced filing:

As of September 30, 2020 – Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2020

Limitations and Risks

As with any valuation methodology, the methodology used to determine our estimated NAV and resulting estimated NAV per Share is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that may prove later not to be accurate or complete. Further, different participants with different property-specific and general real estate and capital market assumptions, estimates, judgments and standards could derive a different estimated NAV per Share, which could be significantly different from the estimated NAV per Share approved by our board of directors. The estimated NAV per Share approved by our board of directors does not represent the fair value of our assets and liabilities in accordance with GAAP, and such estimated NAV per Share is not a representation, warranty or guarantee that:

The Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor do not provide any guidance on the methodology an issuer must use to determine its estimated NAV per share. FINRA guidance provides that NAV valuations be derived from a methodology that conforms to standard industry practice.

As with any valuation methodology, our methodology is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that may not be accurate or complete. Different parties with different assumptions and estimates could derive different estimated NAVs and resulting NAVs per share, and these differences could be significant. The estimated NAV per Share is not audited and does not represent the fair value of our assets less our liabilities in accordance with GAAP, nor do they represent an actual liquidation value of our assets and liabilities or the amount shares of our common stock would trade at on a national securities exchange. As of the date of this filing, although we have not sought stockholder approval to adopt a plan of liquidation of the Company, certain distributions may be payable to Lightstone SLP, LLC for its SLP Units in connection with a liquidation event. Accordingly, our estimated NAV reflects any allocations of value to the SLP Units representing the amount that would be payable to Lightstone SLP, LLC in connection with a liquidation event pursuant to the guidelines for estimating NAV contained in IPA Practice Guideline 2013-01, “Valuation of Publicly Registered Non-Listed REITs.” Our estimated NAV per Share is based on the estimated value of our assets less the estimated value of our liabilities and other non-controlling interests less any allocations to the SLP Units divided by the number of our diluted shares of common stock outstanding, all as of the date indicated. Our estimated NAV per Share does not reflect a discount for the fact we are externally managed, nor does it reflect a real estate portfolio premium/discount versus the sum of the individual property values. Our estimated NAV per Share does not take into account estimated disposition costs or fees or penalties, if any, that may apply upon the prepayment of certain of our debt obligations or the impact of restrictions on the assumption of certain debt. Our estimated NAV per Share will fluctuate over time as a result of, among other things, future acquisitions or dispositions of assets, developments related to individual assets and the management of those assets and changes in the real estate and capital markets. Different parties using different assumptions and estimates could derive different NAVs and resulting estimated NAVs per share, and these differences could be significant. Markets for real estate and real estate-related investments can fluctuate and values are expected to change in the future. We currently expect that our Advisor will estimate our NAV on at least an annual basis. Our board of directors will review and approve each estimate of NAV and resulting estimated NAV per Share.

The following factors may cause a stockholder not to ultimately realize distributions per share of common stock equal to the estimated NAV per Share upon liquidation:

Share Repurchase Program

Our share repurchase program (the “SRP”) may provide our stockholders with limited, interim liquidity by enabling them to sell their shares of common stock back to us, subject to restrictions.

On March 25, 2020, our board of directors amended the SRP to remove stockholder notice requirements and also approved the suspension of all redemptions effective immediately.

Effective March 15, 2021 and May 14, 2021, the Board of Directors partially reopened the SRP to allow, subject to various conditions as set forth below, for redemptions submitted in connection with a stockholder’s death and hardship, respectively, and set the price for all such purchases to our current NAV per Share, as determined by the Company’s board of directors and reported by the Company from time to time. Deaths that occurred subsequent to January 1, 2020 were eligible for consideration, subject to certain conditions. Beginning January 1, 2022, requests for redemptions in connection with a stockholder’s death must be submitted and received by us within one year of the stockholder’s date of death for consideration.

At the above noted dates, the Board of Directors established that on an annual basis, we would not redeem in excess of 0.5% of the number of shares outstanding as of the end of the preceding year for either death or hardship redemptions, respectively. Additionally, redemption requests are expected to be processed on a quarterly basis and would be subject to pro ration if either type of redemption requests exceeded the annual limitation.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, we repurchased 143,918 shares of common stock for $11.18 per share, pursuant to the SRP. For the period from January 1 through March 24, 2020, we repurchased 287,987 shares of common stock for $10.87 per share, pursuant to the SRP.

On March 18, 2022, the Board of Directors approved an increase to the annual threshold for death redemptions from up to 0.5% to 1.0%.

2020 Tender Offer

We commenced a tender offer on June 15, 2020, pursuant to which we offered to acquire up to 225,000 of our shares of common stock at a purchase price of $5.00 per share, or $1.1 million in the aggregate (the “2020 Tender Offer”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2020 Tender Offer, which expired on July 24, 2020, we repurchased 0.1 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate of $0.3 million in August 2020.

Dividend Reinvestment Program

Our distribution reinvestment program (“DRIP”) provides our shareholders with an opportunity to purchase additional shares of our common stock at a discount by reinvesting distributions. Under our distribution reinvestment program, a shareholder may acquire, from time to time, additional shares of our common stock by reinvesting cash distributions payable by us to such shareholder, without incurring any brokerage commission, fees or service charges.

The DRIP had been suspended since 2015 until our DRIP Registration Statement on Form S-3D was filed and became effective as amended and restated, under the Securities Act of 1933 on October 25, 2018.

Pursuant to the DRIP following its reactivation, our stockholders who elect to participate may invest all or a portion of the cash distributions that we pay them on shares of our common stock in additional shares of our common stock without paying any fees or commissions. The purchase price for shares under the DRIP will be equal to 95% of our current NAV per Share, as determined by the our board of directors and reported by us from time to time. On December 16, 2021, our board of directors determined our NAV per Share of $11.75, as of September 30, 2021, which resulted in a purchase price for shares under the DRIP of $11.16 per share. As of December 31, 2021, 9.9 million shares remain available for issuance under our DRIP. 

Our board of directors reserves the right to terminate the DRIP for any reason without cause by providing written notice of the termination to all participants.

Distributions

Distributions on Common Shares

Our board of directors commenced declaring and we began paying regular quarterly distributions on our Common Shares at the pro rata equivalent of an annual distribution of $0.70 per share, or an annualized rate of 7.0% assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share, beginning February 1, 2006. Subsequently, our board of directors has declared regular quarterly distributions at the annualized rate of 7.0% assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share, with the exception of the three-month period ended June 30, 2010. The distributions for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010 were at an aggregate annualized rate of 8% based on the share price of $10.00. Through December 31, 2021, we have paid aggregate distribution in the amount of $263.3 million, which includes cash distributions paid to stockholders and common stock issued under our DRIP.

Total distributions declared during both of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $15.6 million.

On March 18, 2022, our board of directors authorized and declared a Common Share distribution of $0.175 per share for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2021. The quarterly distribution is the pro rata equivalent of an annual distribution of $0.70 per share, or an annualized rate of 7.0% assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share. The distribution will be paid on or about the 15th day of the month following the quarter-end to stockholders of record at the close of business on the last day of the quarter-end. The stockholders have an option to elect the receipt of shares under the Company’s DRIP.

Distributions on SLP Units

From our inception through March 31, 2010, cumulative distributions declared to Lightstone SLP, LLC were $4.9 million, all of which had been paid as of April 2010. For the three months ended June 30, 2010, the Operating Partnership did not declare a distribution related to the SLP Units as the distribution to the stockholders was less than 7% for this period. On August 30, 2010, the Company declared additional distributions to the stockholders to bring the annualized distribution to at least 7%. As such, the Company as of August 30, 2010 recommenced declaring distributions to Lightstone SLP, LLC at the 7% annualized rate, except for the three months ended June 30, 2010 which was at an 8% annualized rate which represents the same rate paid to the stockholders.

During each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, distributions of $2.1 million were declared and distributions of $2.1 million were paid related to the SLP Units and are part of noncontrolling interests. Since inception through December 31, 2021, cumulative distributions declared were $29.7 million, of which $29.2 million have been paid. Such distributions, paid currently at a 7% annualized rate of return to Lightstone SLP, LLC through December 31, 2021, with the exception of the distribution related to the three months ended June 30, 2010, which was paid at an 8% annualized rate will always be subordinated until stockholders receive a stated preferred return, as described below.

Additionally, on March 18, 2022, our board of directors declared a quarterly distribution for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022 on the SLP Units at an annualized rate of 7.0%. Any future distributions on the SLP Units will always be subordinated until stockholders receive a stated preferred return.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During the period covered by this Form 10-K, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

You should read the following discussion and analysis together with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following information contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Please see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above for a description of these risks and uncertainties. Dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except per share data and where indicated in millions.

Overview

Lightstone Value Plus REIT I, Inc. (the “Lightstone REIT I”), (together with the Operating Partnership (as defined below), the “Company”, also referred to as “we”, “our” or “us” herein) has and expects to continue to acquire and operate or develop in the future, commercial, residential and hospitality properties and/or make real estate-related investments, principally in the United States. Our acquisitions and investments are, principally conducted through the Operating Partnership, and may include both portfolios and individual properties.

As of December 31, 2021, we have ownership interests in (i) two consolidated operating properties, (ii) two consolidated development properties and (iii) seven unconsolidated operating properties. With respect to our consolidated operating properties, we wholly own the St. Augustine Outlet Center, a retail property containing 0.3 million square feet of gross leasable area, and have a majority ownership interest of 59.2% in Gantry Park Landing, a multi-family residential property containing 199 apartment units. With respect to our consolidated development properties, we wholly own two projects consisting of the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel and the Exterior Street Project. We also hold a 2.5% ownership interest in seven hotel properties through a joint venture (the “Joint Venture”) which we account for using a measurement alternative under which the Joint Venture is measured at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments, if any. The Joint Venture is between us and the operating partnership of Lightstone Value Plus REIT II, Inc., a real estate investment trust also sponsored by our Sponsor, which has a 97.5% ownership interest in the Joint Venture. Furthermore, we have other real estate-related investments, including preferred contributions that were made pursuant to agreements with various related party entities (the “Preferred Investments”) and nonrecourse promissory notes made to unaffiliated third-parties. Our real estate investments have been and are expected to continue to be held by the Company alone or jointly with other parties.

We do not have employees. We entered into an advisory agreement pursuant to which the Advisor supervises and manages our day-to-day operations and selects our real estate and real estate related investments, subject to oversight by our board of directors (the “Board of Directors”). We pay the Advisor fees for services related to the investment and management of our assets, and we will reimburse the Advisor for certain expenses incurred on our behalf.

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we engage in certain activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). As such, we may still be subject to U.S. federal and state income and franchise taxes from these activities.

Acquisitions and Investment Strategy

We have, to date, acquired and/or developed residential, commercial and hospitality properties principally, all of which are located in the United States and also made other real estate-related investments. Our acquisitions have included both portfolios and individual properties. Our current operating properties consist of one retail property (the St. Augustine Outlet Center) and one multi-family residential property (Gantry Park Landing). We have also acquired various parcels of land and air rights related to the development and construction of real estate properties. Additionally, we have made preferred investments in related parties and originated nonrecourse loans to unaffiliated third-party borrowers.

Investments in real estate are generally made through the purchase of all or part of a fee simple ownership, or all or part of a leasehold interest. We may also purchase limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests and other equity securities. We may also enter into joint ventures with related parties for the acquisition, development or improvement of properties as well as general partnerships, co-tenancies and other participations with real estate developers, owners and others for the purpose of developing, owning and operating real properties. We will not enter into a joint venture to make an investment that we would not be permitted to make on our own. Not more than 10% of our total assets will be invested in unimproved real property. For purposes of this paragraph, “unimproved real properties” does not include properties acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income, properties under construction and properties for which development or construction is planned within one year.

Current Environment

Our operating results are substantially impacted by the overall health of local, U.S. national and global economies and may be influenced by market and other challenges. Additionally, our business and financial performance may be adversely affected by current and future economic and other conditions; including, but not limited to, availability or terms of financings, financial markets volatility, political upheaval or uncertainty, natural and man-made disasters, terrorism and acts of war, unfavorable changes in laws and regulations, outbreaks of contagious diseases, cybercrime, loss of key relationships, and recession.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 and since that time many of the previously imposed restrictions and other measures which were instituted in response have been subsequently reduced or lifted. However, the COVID-19 pandemic remains highly unpredictable and dynamic and its duration and extent continue to be dependent on various developments, such as the emergence of variants to the virus that may cause additional strains of COVID-19, the administration and ultimate effectiveness of vaccines, and the eventual timeline to achieve a sufficient level of herd immunity among the general population. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to have negative effects on the health of the U.S. economy for the foreseeable future.

As a result of previously imposed restrictions, we temporarily closed our St. Augustine Outlet Center from March 20, 2020 through May 7, 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the property’s occupancy declined and because of limited leasing success, we began exploring various strategic alternatives for our St. Augustine Outlet Center and as a result determined during the third quarter of 2021 that we would no longer pursue leasing of space to tenants and therefore, entered into lease termination agreements with certain tenants and also provided notice to our other tenants that we would not renew their leases at scheduled expiration. As a result of this change in leasing strategy and resulting decrease in the fair value of the St. Augustine Outlet Center, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $11.3 million during the third quarter of 2021. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Additionally, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, during 2020 we saw deterioration in both the occupancy and rental rates for Gantry Park Landing, which is located on Long Island, New York, as the luxury rental market in the greater New York City metropolitan area was negatively impacted. However, both occupancy and rental rates have improved considerably throughout 2021 and have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.

To-date, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had any significant impact on our development projects. Furthermore, our other real estate-related investments (both our preferred investments in related parties and nonrecourse loans made to unaffiliated third-party borrowers) also relate to various development projects which are at different stages in their respective development process. These investments, which are subject to similar restrictions and other measures, have also not yet been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The overall extent to which our business may be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will largely depend on both current and future developments, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be reasonably predicted.

If our operating properties, development projects and real estate-related investments are negatively impacted for an extended period because (i) occupancy levels and rental rates further decline, (ii) tenants are unable to pay their rent, (iii) borrowers are unable to pay scheduled debt service on notes receivable, (iv) development activities are delayed and/or (v) various related party entities are unable to pay monthly preferred distributions on our preferred investments in related parties, our business and financial results could be materially and adversely impacted.

We are not currently aware of any other material trends or uncertainties, favorable or unfavorable, that may be reasonably anticipated to have a material impact on either capital resources or the revenues or income to be derived from our operations, other than those referred to above or throughout this Form 10-K. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during a reporting period.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

General

Our consolidated financial statements, included in this annual report, include our accounts, the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries (over which we exercise financial and operating control). All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments about the effects of matters or future events that are inherently uncertain. These estimates and judgments may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including contingencies and litigation. We base these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable in the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

To assist in understanding our results of operations and financial position, we have identified our critical accounting policies and discussed them below. These accounting policies are most important to the portrayal of our results and financial position, either because of the significance of the financial statement items to which they relate or because they require our management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue, which is comprised largely of rental income, includes rents that tenants pay in accordance with the terms of their respective leases reported on a straight-line basis over the initial term of the lease. Since our leases may provide for rental increases at specified intervals, straight-line basis accounting requires us to record as an asset, and include in revenue, unbilled rent that we only receive if the tenant makes all rent payments required through the expiration of the initial term of the lease.

In addition, we will defer the recognition of contingent rental income, such as percentage rents, until the specific target which triggers the contingent rental income is achieved. Cost recoveries from tenants will be included in tenant recovery income in the period the related costs are incurred.

Investments in Real Estate

We generally record investments in real estate at cost and capitalize improvements and replacements when they extend the useful life or improve the efficiency of the asset. We expense costs of ordinary repairs and maintenance as incurred. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the applicable real estate asset. We generally use estimated useful lives of up to thirty-nine years for buildings and improvements, five to ten years for furniture and fixtures and the shorter of the useful life or the remaining lease term for tenant improvements and leasehold interests.

We make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of our properties for purposes of determining the amount of depreciation to record on an annual basis with respect to our investments in real estate. These assessments have a direct impact on our net income because, if we were to shorten the expected useful lives of our investments in real estate, we would depreciate these investments over fewer years, resulting in more depreciation expense and lower net income on an annual basis.

We record assets and groups of assets and liabilities which comprise disposal groups as “held for sale” when all of the following criteria are met: a decision has been made to sell, the assets are available for sale immediately, the assets are being actively marketed at a reasonable price in relation to the current fair value, a sale has been or is expected to be concluded within twelve months of the balance sheet date, and significant changes to the plan to sell are not expected. The assets and disposal groups held for sale are valued at the lower of book value or fair value less disposal costs. For sales of real estate or assets classified as held for sale, we evaluate whether a disposal transaction meets the criteria of a strategic shift and will have a major effect on our operations and financial results to determine if the results of operations and gains on sale of real estate will be presented as part of our continuing operations or as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations. If the disposal represents a strategic shift, it will be classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented; if not, it will be presented in continuing operations.

We evaluate the recoverability of our investments in real estate assets at the lowest identifiable level, the individual property level. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

We evaluate the long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the undiscounted projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount for a particular property. No single indicator would necessarily result in us preparing an estimate to determine if a long-lived asset’s future undiscounted cash flows are less than its book value. We use judgment to determine if the severity of any single indicator, or the fact there are a number of indicators of less severity that when combined, would result in an indication that a long-lived asset requires an estimate of the undiscounted cash flows to determine if an impairment has occurred. Relevant facts and circumstances include, among others, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. The estimated cash flows used for the impairment analysis are subjective and require us to use our judgment and the determination of estimated fair value are based on our plans for the respective assets and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider matters such as future operating income, market and other applicable trends and residual value, as well as the effects of demand, competition, and recent sales data for comparable properties. Changes in estimated future cash flows due to changes in our plans or views of market and economic conditions could result in recognition of impairment losses, which, under the applicable accounting guidance, may be substantial.

Accounting for Asset Acquisitions

The cost of the acquisition in an asset acquisition is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases for acquired in-place leases and the value of tenant relationships, and certain liabilities such as assumed debt and contingent liabilities on the basis of their relative fair values. Fees incurred related to asset acquisitions are capitalized as part of the cost of the investment.

Accounting for Development Projects

We incur a variety of costs in the development of a property. The costs of land and building under development include specifically identifiable costs. The capitalized costs include, but are not limited to, pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes and other costs incurred during the period of development. We cease capitalization when the development project is substantially complete and placed in service, which may occur in phases. Determination of when a development project is substantially complete and capitalization must cease involves a degree of judgment.

Once a development project is placed in service, which may occur in phases or for an entire building or project, the costs capitalized to that development project are transferred to land and improvements, buildings and improvements, and furniture and fixtures on our consolidated balance sheets at the historical cost of the property.

Notes Receivable and Preferred Investments

Notes receivable and preferred investments that we intend to hold to maturity are carried at cost, net of any unamortized origination costs, fees, discounts, premiums and unfunded commitments.

Investment income will be recognized on an accrual basis and any related premium, discount, origination costs and fees are amortized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method. The amortization is reflected as an adjustment to investment income in the Company’s statements of operations.

Income recognition is suspended when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. When the ultimate collectability of the principal is in doubt, all payments are applied to principal under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the principal is not in doubt, contractual interest is recorded as investment income when received, under the cash basis method, until an accrual is resumed when the instrument becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed.

Credit Losses and Impairment on Notes Receivable

Notes receivable are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will not be able to collect principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms. We assess the credit quality of our notes receivable and adequacy of reserves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as necessary. Significant judgment of management is required in this analysis. We consider the estimated net recoverable value of the notes receivable as well as other factors, including but not limited to the fair value of any collateral, the amount and the status of any senior debt, the quality and financial condition of the borrower and the competitive situation of the area where the underlying collateral is located. Because this determination is based on projections of future economic events, which are inherently subjective, the amount ultimately realized may differ materially from the carrying value as of the balance sheet date. If upon completion of the assessment, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral is less than the net carrying value of the notes receivable, a reserve is recorded with a corresponding charge to investment income. The reserve for each note receivable is maintained at a level that is determined to be adequate by management to absorb probable losses.

Credit Losses and Impairment on Preferred Investments

Preferred investments that are accounted for as held to maturity are assessed for impairment at the individual investment level when there is a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis that is deemed to be other than temporary. In making the determination of an other-than-temporary impairment assessment, the Company considers all available information relevant to the collectability of the investment, including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. This information includes the remaining redemption terms of the investment, financial condition of the issuer, expected defaults and the value of any underlying collateral. In assessing whether the entire amortized cost basis of the investment will be recovered, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the investment with the amortized cost basis and records an impairment based on the amount by which the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis of the investment.

Treatment of Management Compensation, Expense Reimbursements and Operating Partnership Participation Interest

Management of our operations is outsourced to our Advisor and certain other affiliates of our Sponsor. Fees related to each of these services are accounted for based on the nature of such service and the relevant accounting literature. Such fees include acquisition fees associated with the purchase of interests in affiliated real estate entities; asset management fees paid to our Advisor and property management fees paid to our Property Manager, which manage certain of the properties we acquire, or to other unaffiliated third-party property managers, principally for the management of our hospitality properties. These fees are expensed or capitalized to the basis of acquired assets, as appropriate.

Our Property Manager may also perform fee-based construction management services for both our re-development activities and tenant construction projects. These fees are considered incremental to the construction effort and will be capitalized to the associated real estate project as incurred. Costs incurred for tenant construction will be depreciated over the shorter of their useful life or the term of the related lease. Costs related to redevelopment activities will be depreciated over the estimated useful life of the associated project.

Leasing activity at certain of our properties has also been outsourced to our Property Manager. Any corresponding leasing fees we pay are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related lease.

Expense reimbursements made to both our Advisor and Property Manager will be expensed or capitalized to the basis of acquired assets, as appropriate.

Through March 31, 2009, Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor, purchased an aggregate of $30.0 million of SLP Units in the Operating Partnership at a cost of $100,000 per unit and none thereafter.

Income Taxes

We elected to be taxed and qualify as a REIT commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2005. If we remain qualified as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. To maintain our REIT qualification under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which does not equal net income, as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain. If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT in any subsequent year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, our income for that year will be taxed at regular corporate rates, and we may be precluded from qualifying for treatment as a REIT for the four-year period following our failure to qualify as a REIT. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we engage in certain activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). As such, we may still be subject to U.S. federal and state income and franchise taxes from these activities.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had no material uncertain income tax positions. Additionally, even if we continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and to U.S. federal income taxes and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

Results of Operations

Disposition of the Santa Clara Data Center

On January 10, 2019, we acquired a parcel of land located at 2175 Martin Avenue, Santa Clara, California (the “Martin Avenue Land”) from an unaffiliated third party for $10.6 million. Subsequently, we completed certain activities associated with the potential development and construction of a data center on the Martin Avenue Land (the “Santa Clara Data Center”).

On July 7, 2021, we disposed of the Santa Clara Data Center to an unrelated third party for a contractual sales price of $13.9 million. In connection with the disposition of the Santa Clara Data Center, we recognized a gain on sale of investment property of $0.2 million during the third quarter of 2021.

The disposition of the Santa Clara Data Center did not qualify to be reported as discontinued operations since it did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on our operations and financial results. Accordingly, the operating results of the Santa Clara Data Center are reflected in our results from continuing operations for all periods presented through its date of disposition.

Investment Impairment - St. Augustine Outlet Center

During the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Augustine Outlet Center’s occupancy declined and because of limited leasing success, we began been exploring various strategic alternatives for the property and as a result determined during the third quarter of 2021 that we would no longer pursue leasing of space to tenants and therefore, entered into lease termination agreements with certain tenants and also provided notice to its other tenants that it would not renew their leases at scheduled expiration. As a result of this change in leasing strategy and resulting decrease in the fair value of the St. Augustine Outlet Center, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $11.3 million during the third quarter of 2021 to reduce the carrying value of the St. Augustine Outlet Center to its estimated fair value of $23.3 million as of September 30, 2021. In estimating the fair value of the St. Augustine Outlet Center, we used management’s internal analysis prepared with consideration of local market conditions.

We believe the reduced carrying value of the St. Augustine Outlet Center is currently recoverable. However, if market conditions worsen unexpectedly or if changes in its strategy significantly affect any key assumptions used in determining the property’s estimated fair value, we may need to take additional impairment charges in future periods. 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. December 31, 2020

Consolidated

Revenues

Our revenues are comprised of rental income and tenant recovery income. Total revenues decreased by $0.9 million to $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $11.3 million for the same period in 2020. This decrease was primarily attributable to reduced occupancy and rental rates for Gantry Park Landing during the 2021 period resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Property operating expenses

Property operating expenses increased by $0.2 million to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in property operating expenses is primarily a result of lease termination fees incurred for the St. Augustine Outlet Center. See “Investment Impairment - St. Augustine Outlet Center” above.

Real estate taxes

Real estate taxes decreased by $0.3 million to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $0.6 million for the same period in 2020. The decrease reflects lower real estate taxes resulting from the sale of the Santa Clara Data Center and certain land parcels adjacent to the St. Augustine Outlet Center.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.5 million to $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2020 principally due to lower bad debt expense in 2021.

Impairment charge

During the third quarter of 2021, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $11.3 million to reduce the carrying value of our St. Augustine Outlet Center to its estimated fair value as of September 30, 2021. See “Investment Impairment - St. Augustine Outlet Center” above.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.5 million to $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in depreciation and amortization reflects changes to the estimated remaining useful lives of certain tenant-related building improvements resulting from lease terminations for the St. Augustine Outlet Center. See “Investment Impairment - St. Augustine Outlet Center” above.

Interest and dividend income

Interest and dividend income increased by $0.8 million to $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $13.0 million for the same period in 2020. The increase primarily reflects higher interest income earned on our notes receivable of $0.3 million and higher interest and dividend income earned on our available cash and investments in marketable securities of $0.7 million, partially offset by lower investment income of $0.2 million from our Preferred Investments.

Interest expense

Interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing costs, decreased by $0.4 million to $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, $8.2 million and $7.8 million, respectively, of interest was capitalized to construction in progress for our development projects.

Gain on disposition of real estate, net

Our gain on disposition of real estate, net of $3.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily is attributable to a second quarter gain of $3.6 million recognized in connection with the disposition of a parcel of land adjacent to St. Augustine Outlet Center and a third quarter gain of $0.2 million recognized in connection with the disposition of the Santa Clara Data Center.

Our gain on disposition of real estate, net of $1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 consists of a second quarter gain of $1.6 million recognized in connection with the disposition of a parcel of land adjacent to the St. Augustine Outlet Center.

Unrealized gain/(loss) on marketable equity securities

During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded unrealized gains on marketable equity securities of $16.5 million and during the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded unrealized losses on marketable equity securities of $12.2 million. These unrealized gains and losses represented the change in the fair value of our marketable equity securities during those periods.

Gain/(loss) on sale and redemption of marketable securities

During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded a gain on the sale of marketable securities of $5.9 million and during the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded a loss on the sale of marketable securities of $0.2 million. These gains and losses represented the difference between the sales price and carrying value of our marketable securities sold during those periods.

Noncontrolling interests

The net earnings allocated to noncontrolling interests relates to (i) parties of the Company that hold units in the Operating Partnership, (ii) the interest in PRO-DFJV Holdings LLC (“PRO”) held by our Sponsor, (iii) the ownership interests in 50-01 2nd St. Associates LLC (the “2nd Street Joint Venture”) held by our Sponsor and other affiliates and (iv) the ownership interest in various joint ventures held by affiliates of our Sponsor that have originated nonrecourse loans to unaffiliated third-party borrowers.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview:

As of December 31, 2021, we had $39.4 million of cash on hand, $3.2 million of restricted cash and $62.8 million of marketable securities. We also have the ability to make draws from a line of credit up to $20.0 million, subject to certain conditions (see “Notes Payable – Line of Credit”). We currently believe that these items along with rental income from our operating properties; interest and dividend income earned on our marketable securities, notes receivable and preferred investments; as well as proceeds received from the repayment of the notes receivable and redemptions of the preferred investments will be sufficient to satisfy our expected cash requirements primarily consisting our anticipated operating expenses, scheduled debt service, capital expenditures (including certain of our development activities) and distributions to our shareholders, if any, required to maintain our status as a REIT for the foreseeable future. However, we may also obtain additional funds through selective asset dispositions, joint venture arrangements, new borrowings and refinancing of existing debt.

We currently have two development projects (see “Development Activities”). With respect to our Lower East Side Moxy Hotel, which is currently under construction and expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2022, we have obtained construction financings and the remaining costs associated with the construction of the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel are expected to be funded from the remaining availability under such construction financings. See “Development Activities - Lower East Side Moxy Hotel” for additional information. Our Exterior Street Project is currently under development and we expect to seek construction financing to fund a substantial portion of its future development and construction costs. See “Development Activities – Exterior Street Project” for additional information.

Our borrowings consist of single-property mortgages as well as mortgages cross-collateralized by a pool of properties. We typically have obtained level payment financing, meaning that the amount of debt service payable would be substantially the same each year. As such, most of the mortgages on our properties provide for a so-called “balloon” payment and are at a fixed interest rate.

Additionally, in order to leverage our investments in marketable securities and seek a higher rate of return, we have access to borrowings under a margin loan and line of credit collateralized by the securities held with the financial institution that provided the margin loan and line of credit as well as a portion of our Marco OP Units. These loans are due on demand and any outstanding balance must be paid upon the liquidation of securities.

Our charter provides that the aggregate amount of borrowing, both secured and unsecured, may not exceed 300% of net assets in the absence of a satisfactory showing that a higher level is appropriate, the approval of the Board of Directors and disclosure to stockholders. Net assets means our total assets, other than intangibles, at cost before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves less our total liabilities, calculated at least quarterly on a basis consistently applied. Any excess in borrowing over such 300% of net assets level must be approved by a majority of our independent directors and disclosed to our stockholders in our next quarterly report to stockholders, along with justification for such excess. As of December 31, 2021, our total borrowings of $171.8 million represented 53% of net assets.

Any future properties that we may acquire or investments we may make may be funded through a combination of borrowings, proceeds generated from the sale and redemption of our marketable securities, available for sale, proceeds received from the selective disposition of our properties and proceeds received from the redemption of our preferred investments in related parties. These borrowings may consist of single-property mortgages as well as mortgages cross-collateralized by a pool of properties. Such mortgages may be put in place either at the time we acquire a property or subsequent to our purchasing a property for cash. In addition, we may acquire properties that are subject to existing indebtedness where we choose to assume the existing mortgages. Generally, though not exclusively, we intend to seek to encumber our properties with debt, which will be on a non-recourse basis. This means that a lender’s rights on default will generally be limited to foreclosing on the property. However, we may, at our discretion, secure recourse financing or provide a guarantee to lenders if we believe this may result in more favorable terms. When we give a guaranty for a property owning entity, we will be responsible to the lender for the satisfaction of the indebtedness if it is not paid by the property owning entity.

We may also obtain lines of credit to be used to acquire properties or real estate-related assets. These lines of credit will be at prevailing market terms and will be repaid from proceeds from the sale or refinancing of properties, working capital or permanent financing. Our Sponsor or its affiliates may guarantee the lines of credit although they will not be obligated to do so. We expect that such properties may be purchased by our Sponsor’s affiliates on our behalf, in our name, in order to minimize the imposition of a transfer tax upon a transfer of such properties to us.

We have various agreements, including an advisory agreement, with the Advisor to pay certain fees in exchange for services performed by the Advisor and/or its affiliated entities. Additionally, our ability to secure financing and our real estate operations are dependent upon our Advisor and its affiliates to perform such services as provided in these agreements.

In addition to meeting working capital needs and distributions, if any, to our stockholders, our capital resources are used to make certain payments to our Advisor and our Property Manager, including payments related to asset acquisition fees, development fees and leasing commissions, asset management fees, the reimbursement of acquisition related expenses to our Advisor and property management fees. We also reimburse our Advisor and its affiliates for actual expenses it incurs for administrative and other services provided to us. Additionally, the Operating Partnership may be required to make distributions to Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor.

The advisory agreement has a one-year term and is renewable for an unlimited number of successive one-year periods upon the mutual consent of the Advisor and our independent directors.

The following table represents the fees incurred associated with the payments to our Advisor and its affiliates:

Additionally, we may be required to make distributions on the special general partner interests (“SLP Units”) in the Operating Partnership held by Lightstone SLP, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor. In connection with the Company’s initial public offering, Lightstone SLP, LLC purchased an aggregate of $30.0 million of SLP Units. These SLP Units, the purchase price of which will be repaid only after stockholders receive a stated preferred return and their net investment, entitle Lightstone SLP, LLC to a portion of any regular distributions made by the Operating Partnership.

During both the of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, distributions of $2.1 million were declared and paid on the SLP units.

Our charter states that our operating expenses, excluding offering costs, property operating expenses and real estate taxes, as well as acquisition fees and non-cash related items (“Qualified Operating Expenses”) are to be less than the greater of 2% of our average invested net assets or 25% of net income. For the year ended December 31, 2021, our Qualified Operating Expenses were less than the greater of 2% of our average invested net assets or 25% of net income.

In addition, our charter states that our acquisition fees and expenses shall not exceed 6% of the contractual purchase price or in the case of a mortgage, 6% of funds advanced unless approved by a majority of the independent directors. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the acquisition fees and acquisition expenses were less than 6% of each of the contract prices.

Summary of Cash Flows.

The following summary discussion of our cash flows is based on the consolidated statements of cash flows and is not meant to be an all-inclusive discussion of the changes in our cash flows for the periods presented below:

Operating activities

The net cash provided by operating activities of $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 consists of the following:

Investing activities

The net cash provided by investing activities of $49.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 consists primarily of the following:

Financing activities

The net cash used in financing activities of $63.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily related to the following:

Development Activities

Lower East Side Moxy Hotel

On December 3, 2018, we, through a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, acquired three adjacent parcels of land located at 147-151 Bowery, New York, New York from unaffiliated third parties for aggregate consideration of $56.5 million, excluding closing and other acquisition related costs. Additionally, on December 6, 2018, we, though a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, acquired certain air rights located at 329 Broome Street, New York, New York from an unaffiliated third party for $2.4 million, excluding closing and other acquisition related costs. We are using the land and air rights in connection with the development and construction of a 296-room Marriott Moxy hotel (the “Lower East Side Moxy Hotel”). On June 3, 2021, the Company entered into a development agreement (the “Development Agreement”) with an affiliate of the Advisor (the “Moxy Lower East Side Developer”) pursuant to which the Lower East Side Moxy Developer will be paid a development fee equal to 3% of hard and soft costs incurred in connection with the development and construction of the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel. Additionally on June 3, 2021, the Company obtained construction financing for the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel. The Lower East Side Moxy Hotel is currently under construction and expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2022. 

Previously on December 3, 2018, we had entered into a mortgage loan which was collateralized by the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel (the “Lower East Side Moxy Mortgage”) for $35.6 million. The Lower East Side Moxy Mortgage had an initial term of two years, bore interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) + 4.25%, subject to a 6.63% floor, and required monthly interest-only payments through its stated maturity with the entire unpaid balance due upon maturity. In November 2020 the maturity date of Lower East Side Moxy Mortgage was extended to March 3, 2021 and in March 2021 it was further extended until June 3, 2021, on which date it was then repaid in full as discussed below.

On June 3, 2021, we, through a wholly owned subsidiary, closed on a recourse construction loan facility (the “Moxy Senior Loan”) providing for up to $90.0 million of funds for the development and construction of the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel. At closing, $35.6 million of proceeds were initially advanced under the Moxy Senior Loan, which were used to repay in full the Lower East Side Moxy Mortgage. The Moxy Senior Loan bears interest at LIBOR + 7.50%, subject to an 8.00% floor, and initially matures on June 3, 2024, with two one-year extension options, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Moxy Senior Loan is collateralized by the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding principal balance of the Moxy Senior Loan was $35.6 million and the remaining availability under the facility was up to $54.4 million.

Simultaneously on June 3, 2021, we, through the same wholly owned subsidiary, also entered into a mezzanine construction loan facility (the “Moxy Junior Loan” and together with the Moxy Senior Loan, the “Moxy Construction Loans”) providing for up to $40.0 million of additional funds for the development and construction of the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel. The Moxy Junior Loan bears interest at LIBOR + 13.50%, subject to a 14.00% floor, and initially matures on June 3, 2024, with two one-year extension options subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Moxy Junior Loan is subordinate to the Moxy Senior loan but also collateralized by the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel. We provided a principal guarantee of up to $7.0 million with respect to the Moxy Junior Loan. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding principal balance of the Moxy Junior Loan was $24.6 million and the remaining availability under the facility was up to $15.4 million.

Future draws to cover the costs associated with the development and construction of the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel will first be advanced under the Moxy Junior Loan until it has been fully funded and thereafter, funds will be advanced under the remaining availability of the Moxy Senior Loan.

In connection with the Moxy Construction Loans, we provided certain completion and carry cost guarantees. We also entered into an interest rate cap agreement pursuant to which the LIBOR rate will be capped at 3.00% on the Moxy Senior Loan through June 3, 2024 at a cost of $0.2 million. Furthermore, in connection with the Moxy Construction Loans, we paid $5.3 million of loan fees and expenses and accrued $1.1 million of loan exit fees which are due at the initial maturity date and are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021.

Exterior Street Project

On February 27, 2019, we, through subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership, acquired two adjacent parcels of land located at 355 and 399 Exterior Street, New York, New York from unaffiliated third parties for an aggregate purchase price of $59.0 million, excluding closing and other acquisition related costs. In September 2021, we subsequently acquired an additional adjacent parcel of land at cost from an affiliate of our Advisor for $1.0 million in order to achieve certain zoning compliance. We are using the land parcels for the development of a multi-family residential property (the “Exterior Street Project”).

On March 29, 2019, we entered into a $35.0 million loan (the “Exterior Street Loan”) which commencing on October 10, 2020 bears interest at LIBOR + 2.25% through its scheduled maturity date. The Exterior Street Loan requires monthly interest-only payments with the outstanding principal balance due in full at its maturity date. The Exterior Street Loan was initially scheduled to mature on April 9, 2021 but during April 2021, its maturity date was further extended to April 9, 2022. Additionally, on December 21, 2021, the loan agreement was amended to provide an additional six-month extension and an additional $7.0 million loan (the “Exterior Street Supplemental Loan” and collectively with the Exterior Street Loan, the “Exterior Street Loans”) which bears interest at LIBOR + 2.50% and requires monthly interest-only payments through its maturity date. The Exterior Street Loans are scheduled to mature on April 9, 2022, with a six-month extension option, subject to certain conditions and are collateralized by the Exterior Street Project.

The following is a summary of the amounts incurred and capitalized to development projects on the consolidated balance sheet for the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel and the Exterior Street Project as of December 31, 2021:

To-date the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as other economic conditions and uncertainties have not had a significant impact on our development activities associated with either the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel or the Exterior Street Project. As discussed above, we have already obtained construction financing for the Lower East Side Moxy Hotel and it is currently under construction and expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2022. However, with respect to our Exterior Street Project which is currently under development, we currently expect to seek construction financing to fund a substantial portion of its future development and construction costs. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as other economic conditions and uncertainties may (i) affect our ability to obtain construction financing, and/or (ii) cause delays or increase costs associated with building materials or construction services necessary for construction, which could adversely impact our ability to either ultimately commence and/or complete construction as planned, on budget or at all for the Exterior Street Project.

Although we currently believe our capital resources are sufficient to fund our expected development activities for the next 12 months, there can be no assurance we will be successful in obtaining construction financing at favorable terms, if at all.

Preferred Investments

We have Preferred Investments that entitle us to monthly preferred distributions. The Preferred Investments are classified as held-to-maturity securities, recorded at cost and included in investments in related parties on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these investments approximated their carrying values based on market rates for similar instruments. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we redeemed $11.0 million of the 40 East End Avenue Preferred Investment and the entire remaining Miami Moxy Preferred Investment of $9.0 million.

The Preferred Investments are summarized as follows:

Note:

Notes Receivable

We formed certain joint ventures (collectively, the “NR Joint Ventures”) between wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership (collectively, the “NR Subsidiaries”) and affiliates of the Sponsor (the “NR Affiliates”) which have originated nonrecourse loans (collectively, the “Joint Venture Promissory Notes”) to unaffiliated third-party borrowers (collectively, the “Joint Venture Borrowers”).

We determined that the NR Joint Ventures are VIEs and the NR Subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries. Since the NR Subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries, beginning on the applicable date of formation, we consolidated the operating results and financial condition of the NR Joint Ventures and accounted for the respective ownership interests of the NR Affiliates as noncontrolling interests.

The Joint Venture Promissory Notes generally provide for monthly interest at a prescribed variable rate, subject to a floor. In connection with the initial funding of the Joint Venture Promissory Notes, the NR Joint Ventures receive origination fees (ranging from 1.00% to 1.50%) based on the principal commitment under the loan and retain a portion of the loan proceeds to establish a reserve for interest and other items (the “Loan Reserves”). The Joint Venture Promissory Notes are recorded in notes receivable, net on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Joint Venture Promissory Notes generally have an initial term of one or two years and may provide for additional one-year extension options subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including the funding of additional Loan Reserves and payment of extension fees. The Joint Venture Promissory Notes are collateralized by either the membership interests of the Joint Venture Borrowers in the borrowing entity or the underlying real property being developed by the Joint Venture Borrower.

The Joint Venture Promissory Notes are recorded in notes receivable, net on the consolidated balance sheets. The origination fees received are presented in the consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the Joint Venture Promissory Notes and are amortized into interest income, using a straight-line method that approximates the effective interest method, over the initial term of the Joint Venture Promissory Notes. The Loan Reserves are presented in the consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the Joint Venture Promissory Notes and are applied against the monthly interest due over the initial term.

The Notes Receivable are summarized as follows:

Notes:

The following summarizes the interest earned (included in interest and dividend income on the consolidated statements of operations) for each of the Joint Venture Promissory Notes during the periods indicated:

Stockholder’s Equity

Share Repurchase Program

Our share repurchase program (the “SRP”) may provide our stockholders with limited, interim liquidity by enabling them to sell their shares of common stock back to us, subject to restrictions.

On March 25, 2020, the Board of Directors amended the SRP to remove stockholder notice requirements and also approved the suspension of all redemptions effective immediately.

Effective March 15, 2021 and May 14, 2021, the Board of Directors partially reopened the SRP to allow, subject to various conditions as set forth below, for redemptions submitted in connection with a stockholder’s death and hardship, respectively, and set the price for all such purchases to our current NAV per Share, as determined by the Board of Directors and reported by the Company from time to time. Deaths that occurred subsequent to January 1, 2020 were eligible for consideration, subject to certain conditions. Beginning January 1, 2022, requests for redemptions in connection with a stockholder’s death must be submitted and received by us within one year of the stockholder’s date of death for consideration.

At the above noted dates, the Board of Directors established that on an annual basis, we would not redeem in excess of 0.5% of the number of shares outstanding as of the end of the preceding year for either death or hardship redemptions, respectively. Additionally, redemption requests generally would be processed on a quarterly basis and would be subject to pro ration if either type of redemption requests exceeded the annual limitation.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, we repurchased 143,918 shares of common stock for $11.18 per share, pursuant to the SRP. For the period from January 1 through March 24, 2020, we repurchased 287,987 shares of common stock for $10.87 per share, pursuant to the SRP.

On March 18, 2022, The Board of Directors approved an increase to the annual threshold for death redemptions from up to 0.5% to 1.0%.

2020 Tender Offer

We commenced a tender offer on June 15, 2020, pursuant to which we offered to acquire up to 225,000 of our shares of common stock at a purchase price of $5.00 per share, or $1.1 million in the aggregate (the “2020 Tender Offer”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2020 Tender Offer, which expired on July 24, 2020, we repurchased 0.1 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate of $0.3 million in August 2020.

Distribution Reinvestment Program (“DRIP”)

Our distribution reinvestment program (“DRIP”) provides our shareholders with an opportunity to purchase additional shares of our common stock at a discount by reinvesting distributions. Under our distribution reinvestment program, a shareholder may acquire, from time to time, additional shares of our common stock by reinvesting cash distributions payable by us to such shareholder, without incurring any brokerage commission, fees or service charges.

The DRIP had been suspended since 2015 until our DRIP Registration Statement on Form S-3D was filed and became effective as amended and restated, under the Securities Act of 1933 on October 25, 2018.

Pursuant to the DRIP following its reactivation, our stockholders who elect to participate may invest all or a portion of the cash distributions that we pay them on shares of our common stock in additional shares of our common stock without paying any fees or commissions. The purchase price for shares under the DRIP will be equal to 95% of our current NAV per Share, as determined by the Board of Directors and reported by us from time to time. On December 16, 2021, the Board of Directors determined our NAV per Share of $11.75, as of September 30, 2021, which resulted in a purchase price for shares under the DRIP of $11.16 per share. As of December 31, 2021, 9.9 million shares remain available for issuance under our DRIP. 

The Board of Directors reserves the right to terminate the DRIP for any reason without cause by providing written notice of termination of the DRIP to all participants.

Distributions Declared by the Board of Directors

Common Shares

During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, distributions on our Common Shares were declared quarterly, for each calendar quarter end, at the pro rata equivalent of an annual distribution of $0.70 per share, or an annualized rate of 7.0% assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share, to stockholders of record at the close of business on the last day of the quarter-end. All distributions were paid on or about the 15th day of the month following the quarter-end.

Total distributions declared during both of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $15.6 million.

On March 18, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized and declared a Common Share distribution of $0.175 per share for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022. The quarterly distribution is the pro rata equivalent of an annual distribution of $0.70 per share, or an annualized rate of 7.0% assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share. The distribution will be paid on or about the 15th day of the month following the quarter-end to stockholders of record at the close of business on the last day of the quarter-end. The stockholders have an option to elect the receipt of shares under the Company’s DRIP.

SLP Units

For both of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, total distributions declared and paid on the SLP Units were $2.1 million. Additionally, on March 18, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly distribution for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022 on the SLP Units at an annualized rate of 7.0%. Any future distributions on the SLP Units will always be subordinated until stockholders receive a stated preferred return.

Contractual Obligations

The following is a summary of our contractual obligations outstanding over the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2021.

Notes Payable

Margin Loan

We have access to a margin loan (the “Margin Loan”) from a financial institution that holds custody of certain of our marketable securities. The Margin Loan, which is due on demand, bears interest at LIBOR + 0.85% (0.95% as of December 31, 2021) and is collateralized by the marketable securities in our account. The amounts available to us under the Margin Loan are at the discretion of the financial institution and not limited to the amount of collateral in our account. There were no amounts outstanding under the Margin Loan as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Line of Credit

We have a non-revolving credit facility (the “Line of Credit”) with a financial institution that provides for borrowings up to a maximum of $20.0 million, subject to a 55% loan-to-value ratio based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, matures on November 30, 2022 and bears interest at LIBOR + 1.35% (1.45% as of December 31, 2021). The Line of Credit is collateralized by an aggregate of 209,243 of Marco OP Units and Marco II OP Units and was guaranteed by PRO. As of December 31, 2021, the amount of borrowings available to be drawn under the Line of Credit was $18.4 million. No amounts were outstanding under the Line of Credit as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020.

LIBOR

The Moxy Construction Loans, Exterior Street Loans, Margin Loan and Line of Credit are indexed to LIBOR. In late 2021, it was announced LIBOR interest rates will cease publication altogether by June 30, 2023. We have and intend continue to incorporate relatively standardized replacement rate provisions into our LIBOR-indexed debt documents, including a spread adjustment mechanism designed to equate to the current LIBOR “all in” rate. There is significant uncertainty with respect to the implementation of the phase out and what alternative indexes will be adopted which will ultimately be determined by the market as a whole. It therefore remains uncertain how such changes will be implemented and the effects such changes would have on us and the financial markets generally.

Debt Maturities

The Exterior Street Loans (outstanding principal balance of $42.0 million as of December 31, 2021) mature on April 9, 2022. We currently intend to extend or refinance the Exterior Street Loans on or before their maturity date. 

However, if we are unable to extend or refinance any of our maturing indebtedness at favorable terms, we will look to repay the then outstanding balance with available cash and/or proceeds from selective asset sales. We have no additional significant maturities of mortgage debt over the next 12 months.

Funds from Operations and Modified Funds from Operations

The historical accounting convention used for real estate assets requires straight-line depreciation of buildings, improvements, and straight-line amortization of intangibles, which implies that the value of a real estate asset diminishes predictably over time. We believe that, because real estate values historically rise and fall with market conditions, including, but not limited to, inflation, interest rates, the business cycle, unemployment and consumer spending, presentations of operating results for a REIT using the historical accounting convention for depreciation and certain other items may be less informative.

Because of these factors, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), an industry trade group, has published a standardized measure of performance known as funds from operations (“FFO”), which is used in the REIT industry as a supplemental performance measure. We believe FFO, which excludes certain items such as real estate-related depreciation and amortization, is an appropriate supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance. FFO is not equivalent to our net income or loss as determined under GAAP.

We calculate FFO, a non-GAAP measure, consistent with the standards established over time by the Board of Governors of NAREIT, as restated in a White Paper approved by the Board of Governors of NAREIT effective in December 2018 (the “White Paper”). The White Paper defines FFO as net income or loss computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from change in control and impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity. Our FFO calculation complies with NAREIT’s definition.

We believe that the use of FFO provides a more complete understanding of our performance to investors and to management, and reflects the impact on our operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, general and administrative expenses, and interest costs, which may not be immediately apparent from net income.

Changes in the accounting and reporting promulgations under GAAP that were put into effect in 2009 subsequent to the establishment of NAREIT’s definition of FFO, such as the change to expense as incurred rather than capitalize and depreciate acquisition fees and expenses incurred for business combinations, have prompted an increase in cash-settled expenses, specifically acquisition fees and expenses, as items that are expensed under GAAP across all industries. These changes had a particularly significant impact on publicly registered, non-listed REITs, which typically have a significant amount of acquisition activity in the early part of their existence, particularly during the period when they are raising capital through ongoing initial public offerings.

Because of these factors, the Investment Program Association (the “IPA”), an industry trade group, published a standardized measure of performance known as modified funds from operations (“MFFO”), which the IPA has recommended as a supplemental measure for publicly registered, non-listed REITs. MFFO is designed to be reflective of the ongoing operating performance of publicly registered, non-listed REITs by adjusting for those costs that are more reflective of acquisitions and investment activity, along with other items the IPA believes are not indicative of the ongoing operating performance of a publicly registered, non-listed REIT, such as straight-lining of rents as required by GAAP. We believe it is appropriate to use MFFO as a supplemental measure of operating performance because we believe that both before and after we have deployed all of our offering proceeds and are no longer incurring a significant amount of acquisition fees or other related costs, it reflects the impact on our operations from trends in occupancy rates, rental rates, operating costs, general and administrative expenses, and interest costs, which may not be immediately apparent from net income. MFFO is not equivalent to our net income or loss as determined under GAAP.

We define MFFO, a non-GAAP measure, consistent with the IPA’s Guideline 2010-01, Supplemental Performance Measure for Publicly Registered, Non-Listed REITs: Modified Funds from Operations (the “Practice Guideline”) issued by the IPA in November 2010. The Practice Guideline defines MFFO as FFO further adjusted for acquisition and transaction-related fees and expenses and other items. In calculating MFFO, we follow the Practice Guideline and exclude acquisition and transaction-related fees and expenses (which includes costs incurred in connection with strategic alternatives), amounts relating to deferred rent receivables and amortization of market lease and other intangibles, net (which are adjusted in order to reflect such payments from a GAAP accrual basis to a cash basis of disclosing the rent and lease payments), accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums on debt investments and borrowings, mark-to-market adjustments included in net income (including gains or losses incurred on assets held for sale), gains or losses included in net income from the extinguishment or sale of debt, hedges, foreign exchange, derivatives or securities holdings where trading of such holdings is not a fundamental attribute of the business plan, unrealized gains or losses resulting from consolidation from, or deconsolidation to, equity accounting, and after adjustments for consolidated and unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, with such adjustments calculated to reflect MFFO on the same basis. Certain of the above adjustments are also made to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, such as for the amortization of a premium and accretion of a discount on debt and securities investments, amortization of fees, any unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, securities or other investments, as well as other adjustments.

MFFO excludes non-recurring impairment of real estate-related investments. We assess the credit quality of our investments and adequacy of reserves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as necessary. Significant judgment is required in this analysis. We consider the estimated net recoverable value of a loan as well as other factors, including but not limited to the fair value of any collateral, the amount and the status of any senior debt, the prospects for the borrower and the competitive situation of the region where the borrower does business.

We believe that, because MFFO excludes costs that we consider more reflective of acquisition activities and other non-operating items, MFFO can provide, on a going-forward basis, an indication of the sustainability (that is, the capacity to continue to be maintained) of our operating performance after the period in which we are acquiring properties and once our portfolio is stabilized. We also believe that MFFO is a recognized measure of sustainable operating performance by the non-listed REIT industry and allows for an evaluation of our performance against other publicly registered, non-listed REITs.

Not all REITs, including publicly registered, non-listed REITs, calculate FFO and MFFO the same way. Accordingly, comparisons with other REITs, including publicly registered, non-listed REITs, may not be meaningful. Furthermore, FFO and MFFO are not indicative of cash flow available to fund cash needs and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from continuing operations as determined under GAAP as an indication of our performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operations as an indication of our liquidity, or indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs including our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. FFO and MFFO should be reviewed in conjunction with other GAAP measurements as an indication of our performance. FFO and MFFO should not be construed to be more relevant or accurate than the current GAAP methodology in calculating net income or in its applicability in evaluating our operating performance. The methods utilized to evaluate the performance of a publicly registered, non-listed REIT under GAAP should be construed as more relevant measures of operational performance and considered more prominently than the non-GAAP measures, FFO and MFFO, and the adjustments to GAAP in calculating FFO and MFFO.

Neither the SEC, NAREIT, the IPA nor any other regulatory body or industry trade group has passed judgment on the acceptability of the adjustments that we use to calculate FFO or MFFO. In the future, NAREIT, the IPA or another industry trade group may publish updates to the White Paper or the Practice Guidelines or the SEC or another regulatory body could standardize the allowable adjustments across the publicly registered, non-listed REIT industry, and we would have to adjust our calculation and characterization of FFO or MFFO accordingly.

The below table illustrates the items deducted in the calculation of FFO and MFFO. Items are presented net of non-controlling interest portions where applicable.