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Veris Residential, Inc. - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

vre-20211231x10k

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x         ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

¨           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number:  1-13274 Veris Residential, Inc.

Commission File Number:  333-57103: Veris Residential, L.P.

VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC.

VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland (Veris Residential, Inc.)

 

22-3305147 (Veris Residential, Inc.)

Delaware (Veris Residential, L.P.)

 

22-3315804 (Veris Residential, L.P.)

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

Harborside 3, 210 Hudson St., Ste. 400, Jersey City, New Jersey

 

07311

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

(732) 590-1010

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

(Title of Each Class)

Trading Symbol(s)

(Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered)

Veris Residential, Inc.

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

VRE

New York Stock Exchange

Veris Residential, L.P.

None

N/A

None

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

None

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

Veris Residential, Inc.

 

YES  NO 

Veris Residential, L.P.

 

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 Exchange Act.

Veris Residential, Inc.

 

YES  NO 

Veris Residential, L.P.

 

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.

Veris Residential, Inc.

 

YES  NO 

Veris Residential, L.P.

 

YES  NO 

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

Veris Residential, Inc.

 

YES  NO 

Veris Residential, L.P.

 

YES  NO 

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

Veris Residential, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer 

Smaller reporting company 

Emerging growth company 

 

 

 

 

 

Veris Residential, L.P.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer 

Smaller reporting company 

Emerging growth company 

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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 USC. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. YES x NO o

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

Veris Residential, Inc.

 

YES  NO 

Veris Residential, L.P.

 

YES  NO 

As of June 30, 2021, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of Veris Residential, Inc. was $1,484,991,935.  The aggregate market value was computed with reference to the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.  This calculation does not reflect a determination that persons are affiliates for any other purpose.  The registrant has no non-voting common stock.

As of February 18, 2022, 90,948,675 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, of Veris Residential, Inc. (“Common Stock”) were outstanding.

Veris Residential, L.P. does not have any class of common equity that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

LOCATION OF EXHIBIT INDEX:  The index of exhibits is contained herein on page number 118.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  Portions of the Veris Residential, Inc.’s definitive proxy statement for fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 to be issued in conjunction with the registrant’s annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 15, 2022 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.  The definitive proxy statement will be filed by the registrant with the SEC not later than 120 days from the end of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2021 of Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to the “Operating Partnership” mean Veris Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and references to the “General Partner” mean Veris Residential, Inc., a Maryland corporation and real estate investment trust (“REIT”), and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean collectively the General Partner, the Operating Partnership and those entities/subsidiaries consolidated by the General Partner.

 

The Operating Partnership conducts the business of providing management, leasing, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its General Partner.  The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries, including the Veris property-owning partnerships and limited liability companies is the entity through which all of the General Partner’s operations are conducted.  The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and has exclusive control of the Operating Partnership’s day-to-day management.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the General Partner owned an approximate 91.0 percent common unit interest in the Operating Partnership. The remaining approximate 9.0 percent common unit interest is owned by limited partners.  The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are (1) persons who contributed their interests in properties to the Operating Partnership in exchange for common units (each, a “Common Unit”) or preferred units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership or (2) recipients of long term incentive plan units of the Operating Partnership pursuant to the General Partner’s executive compensation plans.

 

A Common Unit of the Operating Partnership and a share of common stock of the General Partner (the “Common Stock”) have substantially the same economic characteristics in as much as they effectively share equally in the net income or loss of the Company.  The General Partner owns a number of common units of the Operating Partnership equal to the number of issued and outstanding shares of the General Partner’s common stock.  Common unitholders (other than the General Partner) have the right to redeem their Common Units, subject to certain restrictions under the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as amended (the “Partnership Agreement”) and agreed upon at the time of issuance of the units that may restrict such right for a period of time, generally one year from issuance.  The redemption is required to be satisfied in shares of Common Stock of the General Partner, cash, or a combination thereof, calculated as follows:  one share of the General Partner’s Common Stock, or cash equal to the fair market value of a share of the General Partner’s Common Stock at the time of redemption, for each Common Unit.  The General Partner, in its sole discretion, determines the form of redemption of Common Units (i.e., whether a common unitholder receives Common Stock of the General Partner, cash, or any combination thereof).  If the General Partner elects to satisfy the redemption with shares of Common Stock of the General Partner as opposed to cash, the General Partner is obligated to issue shares of its Common Stock to the redeeming unitholder.  Regardless of the rights described above, the common unitholders may not put their units for cash to the Company or the General Partner under any circumstances.  With each such redemption, the General Partner’s percentage ownership in the Operating Partnership will increase. In addition, whenever the General Partner issues shares of its Common Stock other than to acquire Common Units, the General Partner must contribute any net proceeds it receives to the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership must issue to the General Partner an equivalent number of Common Units. This structure is commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT, or UPREIT.

 

The Company believes that combining the annual reports on Form 10-K of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership into this single report provides the following benefits:

 

·enhance investors’ understanding of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business of the Company;

 

·eliminate duplicative disclosure and provide a more streamlined and readable presentation because a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both the General Partner and the Operating Partnership; and

 

·create time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.

 

The Company believes it is important to understand the few differences between the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in the context of how they operate as a consolidated company.  The financial results of the Operating Partnership are consolidated into the financial statements of the General Partner.  The General Partner does not have any other significant assets, liabilities or operations, other than its interests in the Operating Partnership, nor does the Operating Partnership have employees of its own.  The Operating Partnership, not the General Partner, generally executes all significant business relationships other than transactions involving the securities of the General Partner.  The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of the assets of the General Partner, including ownership interests in joint ventures.  The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.  Except for the net proceeds from equity offerings by the General Partner, which are contributed to the capital of the Operating Partnership in consideration of common or preferred units in the Operating Partnership, as applicable, the Operating Partnership generates all remaining capital required by the Company’s

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business. These sources include working capital, net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, the issuance of secured and unsecured debt and equity securities and proceeds received from the disposition of properties and joint ventures.

 

Shareholders’ equity, partners’ capital and noncontrolling interests are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership.  The limited partners of the Operating Partnership are accounted for as partners’ capital in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements as is the General Partner’s interest in the Operating Partnership.  The noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements comprise the interests of unaffiliated partners in various consolidated partnerships and development joint venture partners.  The noncontrolling interests in the General Partner’s financial statements are the same noncontrolling interests at the Operating Partnership’s level and include limited partners of the Operating Partnership.  The differences between shareholders’ equity and partners’ capital result from differences in the equity issued at the General Partner and Operating Partnership levels.

 

To help investors better understand the key differences between the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, certain information for the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in this report has been separated, as set forth below:

·Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes information specific to each entity, where applicable;

·Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data which includes the following specific disclosures for Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P.:

Note 2.   Significant Accounting Policies, where applicable;

Note 15. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests;

Note 16. Veris Residential, Inc.’s Stockholders’ Equity and Veris Residential, L.P.’s Partners’ Capital;

Note 17. Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries;

Note 18. Segment Reporting, where applicable; and

Note 20. Condensed Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited).

This report also includes separate Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibits 31 and 32 certifications for each of the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the requisite certifications have been made and that the General Partner and Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.

 

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FORM 10-K

 

Table of Contents

PART I

Page No.

Item 1

Business

5

Item 1A

Risk Factors

11

Item 1B

Unresolved Staff Comments

23

Item 2

Properties

24

Item 3

Legal Proceedings

29

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

29

PART II

Item 5

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters

and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

29

Item 6

Reserved

32

Item 7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

Results of Operations

32

Item 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

50

Item 8

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

50

Item 9

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and

Financial Disclosure

50

Item 9A

Controls and Procedures

50

Item 9B

Other Information

52

Item 9C

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

52

PART III

Item 10

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

52

Item 11

Executive Compensation

52

Item 12

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

and Related Stockholder Matters

53

Item 13

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

53

Item 14

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

53

PART IV

Item 15

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

54

Item 16

Form 10-K Summary

54

EXHIBIT INDEX

118

SIGNATURES

123

 


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PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

GENERAL

Veris Residential, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively the “General Partner”), is a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). In December 2021, the Company changed its names from Mack-Cali Realty Corporation to Veris Residential, Inc. and Mack-Cali Realty, L.P. to Veris Residential, L.P. reflecting the Company’s continued transition to a multifamily REIT, and on December 10, 2021, the General Partner began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under its new ticker symbol, “VRE.” The General Partner controls Veris Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”), as its sole general partner and owned a 91.0 and 90.4 percent common unit interest in the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The General Partner’s business is the ownership of interests in and operation of the Operating Partnership and all of the General Partner’s expenses are incurred for the benefit of the Operating Partnership. The General Partner is reimbursed by the Operating Partnership for all expenses it incurs relating to the ownership and operation of the Operating Partnership.

The Operating Partnership conducts the business of providing management, leasing, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its General Partner. The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries, including the Veris property-owning partnerships and limited liability companies, is the entity through which all of the General Partner’s operations are conducted. Unless stated otherwise or the context requires, the “Company” refers to the General Partner and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries.

The Company owns and operates a real estate portfolio comprised predominantly of multifamily rental properties located primarily in the Northeast, as well as a portfolio of Class A office properties. The Company performs substantially all real estate management, leasing, acquisition and development on an in-house basis. Veris Residential, Inc. was incorporated on May 24, 1994. The Company’s executive offices are located at Harborside 3, 210 Hudson Street, Suite 400, Jersey City, New Jersey 07311, and its telephone number is (732) 590-1010. The Company has an internet website at www.verisresidential.com.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned or had interests in 22 multifamily rental properties as well as non-core assets comprised of seven office buildings, four parking/retail properties and three hotels, plus developable land (collectively, the “Properties”). The Properties are comprised of: (a) 27 wholly-owned or Company-controlled properties comprised of 15 multifamily properties and 12 non-core assets, and, (b) nine properties owned by unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has investment interests, including seven multifamily properties and two non-core assets. The Properties are located in three states in the Northeast, plus the District of Columbia. For more information on the Properties, refer to Item 2.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

On December 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board had determined to sell the Company’s entire suburban New Jersey office portfolio totaling approximately 6.6 million square feet, which had excluded the Company’s office properties in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey (collectively, the “Suburban Office Portfolio”).  As the decision to sell the Suburban Office Portfolio represented a strategic shift in the Company’s operations, these properties’ results (other than a single property not qualified to be classified as held for sale) are being classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. In late 2019 and through December 31, 2021, the Company completed the sale of all but one of its 37 properties in its Suburban Office Portfolio, totaling 6.3 million square feet, for net sales proceeds of $1.0 billion.

Transition to Multifamily Company

In December 2021, the Company announced that it has rebranded to Veris Residential, Inc. reflecting its ongoing transition into a multifamily Company as well as its new corporate values and focus on conducting business in a socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible manner, while seeking to maximize value for all stakeholders.

The Company expects to continue to pursue opportunities to streamline its portfolio and enhance the stability of its revenue stream, as well as pursue overall expense savings from internal reorganizations which may result from the transition of the Company’s real estate portfolio.

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Environmental- and Socially-Conscious Considerations

The Company’s Board of Directors and management team have worked on weaving environmental, social, and governance considerations (“ESG”) into the fabric of the Company including through the establishment of its Environmental, Social and Governance Committee (“ESG Committee”) in July 2020. By strategically assessing and managing evolving ESG risks and opportunities while integrating ESG considerations into its overall business model, the Company is seeking to not only generate long-term value for its shareholders, but also positively impact its residents, tenants, employees and the communities it serves.

 

SUSTAINABILITY

 

Our Sustainability Strategy

At Veris Residential, the Company’s goal is to conduct its business, development, and operations of new and existing buildings in a manner that contributes to positive environmental, social and economic outcomes for its shareholders, employees, residents, tenants and communities.

The Company is focused on developing and maintaining high-quality properties, while reducing operational costs and mitigating the potential external impacts of energy, water, waste, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The Company’s dedicated in-house team initiates and applies sustainable practices throughout all aspects of its business, from investment and development to property operations and resident experience.

Veris Residential is a signatory to the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and was the first U.S. real estate company to join the Climate Group's EV 100 initiative. The Company is also a corporate member of the U.S. Green Building Council® and has a history of developing properties certified under the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ (LEED®) rating system. In 2021, 25 percent (by number of units) of its wholly owned multifamily portfolio was LEED® certified and Harborside 1, its 399,600 square feet office property in Jersey City is expected to achieve LEED® Gold certification.

The Company’s existing multifamily portfolio has a sector-leading average property age of 6 years, and environmental considerations – particularly focused on energy consumption, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions – have been integrated into many existing properties and development projects since the design stage. The Company has also invested in energy-saving technology, such as those for irrigation, lighting, and HVAC to positively impact resident experience and its assets’ value over the long-term. To improve its overall carbon footprint, the Company carefully assesses its buildings’ location based on walkability as well as accessibility to public transport, neighborhoods and parks. The Company’s office properties are located on the Jersey City Waterfront, adjacent to the PATH station, light rail, ferry and other transport hubs. In addition, half of the Company’s wholly owned multifamily portfolio is classified as “Walkers Paradise,” the highest standard by WalkScore®.

Equally important is the Company’s focus on supporting the health and wellbeing of its employees, residents and tenants, which the Company has enhanced through the inclusion of on-site amenity offerings, including fitness centers and on-demand fitness programs, as well as health and safety considerations across the portfolio and within its corporate offices. The Company’s efforts led it to obtain WELL® Health and Safety certification for 14 multifamily properties in 2021.

Climate Resilience

As a long-term owner and active manager of real estate assets in operation and under development, the Company recognizes that climate change is no longer a potential threat but today’s reality and is taking measured steps to mitigate its carbon footprint by assessing risks and adapting its business to ensure it is well positioned over the long-term. Event-driven (acute) and longer-term (chronic) physical risks that may result from climate change could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s properties, operations, and business. Management’s role in assessing and managing these climate-related risks and initiatives is spread across multiple teams throughout the Company’s organization, including its executive leadership and its Sustainability, Development, and Property Management departments. The Company views its proactive assessment risks related to climate change as an opportunity to protect asset value, and as such, is implementing measures, planning and decision-making processes to protect its investments by improving resilience.

Reporting

A significant part of the Company’s commitment to sustainable development and operations is its commitment to transparent reporting of ESG performance indicators, as it recognizes the importance of this information to investors, lenders, and other stakeholders. The Company publishes an annual Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) report that is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative reporting framework, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and includes the Company’s strategy, key performance indicators,

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annual like-for-like comparisons, and year-over-year achievements. In addition, the Company continues to work to further align its reporting with the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures to disclose climate-related financial risks and opportunities.

HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

Veris Residential is a fully-integrated REIT that, unlike many other real estate companies that outsource management and leasing to third party vendors, performs substantially all real estate management, leasing, property transactions, and development in-house.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately 234 employees, 24 fewer than it had as of December 31, 2020. The reduction in the number of employees was primarily due to the ongoing disposition of its Suburban Office Portfolio and consolidation of its operational and organization infrastructure across its office and multifamily businesses. Regarding employee tenure, 36 percent of its employees have been with the Company for at least 10 years, of which 24 percent of those employees have a tenure of at least 15 years, and 12 percent have a tenure of at least 20 years.

Approximately 64 percent of the Company’s employees are directly involved in property management, management services, and on-site leasing and maintenance of its portfolio, including property managers, maintenance engineers, technicians, HVAC technicians, and project managers. All these personnel salaries and related costs are allocated to its real estate portfolio and management businesses and recorded in operating services or real estate services expenses. Less than five percent of the Company’s employees work in the corporate development department and are directly involved in the Company’s development pipeline. When applicable, personnel salaries and related costs of such development employees are capitalized as a development expenditure. Generally, all other employee costs, are recorded as general and administrative expense, including corporate office leasing personnel.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)

At Veris Residential, the Company believes that valuing individual differences, maintaining a unified culture grounded in equality and meritocracy and creating an environment of inclusion across all facets of its business is critical to its continued success. The Company embraces its responsibility towards the diverse and all-inclusive communities it serves and has taken proactive efforts to enhance this support to have positive impact on residents, employees and others. Such efforts have included: increasing gender and ethnic diversity within the Company and its Board of Directors, establishing employee affinity groups and introducing company wide diversity training. The Company has also become a signatory of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge and the UN Women Empowerment Principles.

59 percent of the Company’s employees identified as male, 40% as female and 1% as non-binary as of December 31, 2021

50 percent of the Company’s employees were persons of color or other minority groups as of December 31, 2021

Currently, 4 of the 8 members (or 50 percent) of the Company’s Board of Directors are female and/or racially diverse

Employee Incentives

The Company strives to provide career opportunities in an energized, inclusive, and collaborative environment tailored to retain, attract and reward highly performing employees. It does so in a culture built on the foundations of collegiality, teamwork, hard work, humility, creativity, humor, respect, acceptance, expertise and dedication to one another, its stockholders and its residents.

The Company provides a comprehensive benefits package intended to meet and exceed the needs of its employees and their families. The Company’s competitive offerings help its employees stay healthy, balance their work and personal lives, and meet their financial and retirement goals. For employees earning less than $50,000 annually, the Company pays 100 percent of the health insurance coverage premiums for its employees and their families, and generally 75 percent of the premiums of health and dental insurance coverage for all employees, as well as 100 percent of the cost of life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance. In addition, the Company offers the following enrichment opportunities and benefits to its employees:

The Company maintains a 401(k) plan with a history of annual discretionary Company employee match or profit sharing contributions;

The Company offers tuition reimbursement for education costs for employees who have been with it for at least one year;

Employees receive numerous training resources, including modules on preventing unlawful harassment, hazardous communications and real estate licensing;

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The Company also promotes the philanthropic efforts of its employees by providing paid time off toward volunteerism, matching employee charitable contributions dollar for dollar (up to $1,000 per employee per year); and

The Company offers flexible working arrangements.

More information regarding the Company’s human capital policies, programs and initiatives is available under the “Investors” section of its public website and the Company’s CSR Report. Information on or through the Company’s website is not considered part of this Annual Report nor any registration statement that incorporates this Annual Report by reference.

COMPETITION

The leasing of real estate is highly competitive. The Properties compete for residents and tenants with lessors and developers of similar properties located in their respective markets primarily on the basis of location, the quality of properties, leasing terms (including rent and other charges and allowances for tenant improvements), services or amenities provided, the design and condition of the Properties, and reputation as an owner and operator of quality properties in the relevant markets. Additionally, the number of competitive multifamily rental properties in a particular area could have a material effect on the Company’s ability to lease residential units and on rents charged. Other forms of multifamily rental properties or single family housing may also provide alternatives to potential residents of multifamily properties. The Company also experiences competition when attempting to acquire or dispose of real estate, including competition from domestic and foreign financial institutions, other REITs, life insurance companies, pension trusts, trust funds, partnerships, individual investors and others. The Company competes with other entities, some of which may have significant resources or who may be willing to accept lower returns or pay higher prices than the Company in terms of acquisition and development opportunities.  

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

Many laws and governmental regulations apply to the ownership and/or operation of the Properties and changes in these laws and regulations, or their interpretation by agencies and the courts, occur frequently.

Under various laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health, an owner of real estate may be held liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances located on or in the property. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner was responsible for, or even knew of, the presence of such substances. The presence of such substances may adversely affect the owner’s ability to rent or sell the property or to borrow using such property as collateral and may expose it to liability resulting from any release of, or exposure to, such substances. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances at another location may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at the disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility is owned or operated by such person. Certain environmental laws impose liability for the release of asbestos-containing materials into the air, and third parties may also seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with asbestos-containing materials and other hazardous or toxic substances.

In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real properties, the Company may be considered an owner or operator of such properties or as having arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other related costs, including governmental penalties and injuries to persons and property.

There can be no assurance that (i) future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose any material environmental liability, (ii) the current environmental condition of the Properties will not be affected by tenants, by the condition of land or operations in the vicinity of the Properties (such as the presence of underground storage tanks), or by third parties unrelated to the Company, or (iii) the Company’s assessments reveal all environmental liabilities and that there are no material environmental liabilities of which the Company is aware. If compliance with the various laws and regulations, now existing or hereafter adopted, exceeds the Company’s budgets for such items, the Company’s ability to make expected distributions to stockholders could be adversely affected.

There are no other laws or regulations which have a material effect on the Company’s operations, other than typical federal, state and local laws affecting the development and operation of real property, such as zoning laws.

INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

The Company operates in two industry segments: (i) multifamily real estate and services and (ii) commercial and other real estate. As of December 31, 2021, the Company does not have any foreign revenues and its business is not seasonal. Please see our financial statements attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein for financial information relating to our industry segments.

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SIGNIFICANT TENANTS

As of December 31, 2021, no commercial tenant accounted for more than 10 percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Properties Commencing Initial Operations

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company commenced initial operations of two multifamily properties located in Short Hills and Weehawken, New Jersey and containing 506 apartment units, which was completed for total costs of approximately $265.9 million. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements: Recent Transactions.

Dispositions/Real Estate Held for Sale

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company disposed of 16 office properties, three land leases and two developable land properties in New Jersey for net sales proceeds of approximately $716 million, with net gains recorded on the sales of approximately $30.7 million from the dispositions. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements: Recent Transactions.

The Company identified two office properties and several developable land parcels as held for sale as of December 31, 2021. The total estimated sales proceeds, net of expected selling costs, from these sales are expected to be approximately $920 million. In January 2022, the Company completed the disposition of one of the office properties held for sale at December 31, 2021 for gross sales proceeds of $210 million. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements: Recent Transactions.

Unconsolidated Joint Venture Activity

On April 29, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the 12 Vreeland Road joint venture for a gross sales price of approximately $2 million, with no gain or loss on the transaction. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements: Recent Transactions.

On September 1, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the Offices at Crystal Lake joint venture to its venture partner for $1.9 million and recorded a loss on the sale of approximately $1.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements: Recent Transactions.

Development Activity

The Company is developing a 750-unit multifamily project at 25 Christopher Columbus, also known as Haus 25, in Jersey City, New Jersey, which began construction in the first quarter of 2019. The construction project, which is estimated to cost $469.5 million, of which $425 million has been incurred through December 31, 2021, is expected to be ready for occupancy in the second quarter of 2022. The Company has funded $169.5 million of the construction costs, and the remaining construction costs are expected to be funded from a $300 million construction loan (of which $255.5 million was drawn as of December 31, 2021). See Note 13 to the Financial Statements: Commitments and Contingencies.

Capital Markets Activity

In May 2021, the Company entered into a revolving credit and term loan agreement that provides for a $250 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2021 Credit Facility”) and a $150 million senior secured term loan facility (the “2021 Term Loan”) and terminated its previous 2017 credit facility scheduled to mature in July 2021. The 2021 Team Loan was repaid in July of 2021. The Company also repaid various mortgages through a combination of sales, retirements and defeasances, and refinanced a construction loan with permanent financing. See Note 10 to the Financial Statements: Mortgages, loans payable and other obligations.

In December 2021, the Company established an At-The-Market share offering program (“ATM Program”) through which the Company may issue and sell, from time to time, up to $200 million of shares of its common stock. See Note 16 to the Financial Statements: Veris Residential, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity and Veris Residential, L.P.’s Partners’ Capital.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company’s internet website is www.verisresidential.com. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its website the annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed

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or furnished by the General Partner or the Operating Partnership pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files or furnishes such materials to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company’s internet website includes other items related to corporate governance matters, including, among other things, the General Partner’s corporate governance principles, charters of various committees of the Board of Directors of the General Partner and the General Partner’s code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors. The General Partner intends to disclose on the Company’s internet website any amendments to or waivers from its code of business conduct and ethics as well as any amendments to its corporate governance principles or the charters of various committees of the Board of Directors. Copies of these documents may be obtained, free of charge, from our internet website. Any shareholder also may obtain copies of these documents, free of charge, by sending a request in writing to: Veris Residential, Inc. Investor Relations Department, Harborside 3, 210 Hudson St., Ste. 400, Jersey City, NJ 07311.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

We consider portions of this report, including the documents incorporated by reference, to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of such act. Such forward-looking statements relate to, without limitation, our future economic performance, plans and objectives for future operations and projections of revenue and other financial items. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “plan,” “potential,” “projected,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “continue,” or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that such expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

In addition, the extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacts us and our tenants and residents will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified in the risk factors discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as the risks set forth below, as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of COVID-19.

Among the factors about which we have made assumptions are:

risks and uncertainties affecting the general economic climate and conditions, which in turn may have a negative effect on the fundamentals of our business and the financial condition of our tenants and residents;

the value of our real estate assets, which may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or obtain or maintain debt financing secured by our properties or on an unsecured basis;

the extent of any tenant bankruptcies or of any early lease terminations;

our ability to lease or re-lease space at current or anticipated rents;

changes in the supply of and demand for our properties;

changes in interest rate levels and volatility in the securities markets;

our ability to complete construction and development activities on time and within budget, including without limitation obtaining regulatory permits and the availability and cost of materials, labor and equipment;

our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel;

forward-looking financial and operational information, including information relating to future development projects, potential acquisitions or dispositions, leasing activities, capitalization rates, and projected revenue and income;

changes in operating costs;

our ability to obtain adequate insurance, including coverage for natural disasters and terrorist acts;

our credit worthiness and the availability of financing on attractive terms or at all, which may adversely impact our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt and our future interest expense;

changes in governmental regulation, tax rates and similar matters; and

other risks associated with the development and acquisition of properties, including risks that the development may not be completed on schedule, that the tenants or residents will not take occupancy or pay rent, or that development or operating costs may be greater than anticipated.

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For further information on factors which could impact us and the statements contained herein, see Item 1A: Risk Factors. We assume no obligation to update and supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Our results from operations and ability to make distributions on our equity and debt service on our indebtedness may be affected by the risk factors set forth below. All investors should consider the following risk factors before deciding to purchase securities of the Company. The Company refers to itself as “we” or “our” in the following risk factors.

OPERATING RISKS

The ongoing coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic and measures intended to prevent its spread present material uncertainty and risk and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 across many countries around the globe, including the United States, has significantly slowed global economic activity, caused significant volatility in financial markets, and resulted in unprecedented job losses causing many to fear an imminent global recession. Certain states and cities, including all of the jurisdictions in which our properties are located, have taken measures to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19, including by instituting quarantines, vaccination mandates, restrictions on travel, "stay-at-home" rules, restrictions on types of business that may continue to operate and/or restrictions on the types of construction projects that may continue.  As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting almost every industry directly or indirectly, including industries in which we and our customers operate.  We have modified, and might further modify, our business practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic and social ramification of the disease, and the societal and governmental responses in the communities in which we operate. In addition, we have adapted our operations to protect our employees, including by implementing a work from home policy.  As a result, many of our employees are currently working remotely.  An extended period of remote work arrangements could strain our business continuity plans, introduce operational risk, including but not limited to cybersecurity risks, and impair our ability to manage our business.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance.  The COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact our business in a number of ways, including:

a complete or partial closure of, or other operational issues at, one or more of our properties resulting from government or customer action;

deterioration in the financial condition or liquidity of our tenants, customers or other counterparties, which could result in their inability to pay rents or failure to meet their contractual obligations to us;

the potential negative impact on our ability to complete planned acquisitions or dispositions of assets on expected terms or timelines, or at all;

reduced demand for space at our office properties and units at our multifamily residential properties, which could have a negative impact on our prospects for leasing current or additional space and/or renewing leases with existing tenants;

difficulty accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, which could result in reduced availability and increased cost of capital necessary to fund business operations, finance our development pipeline or address maturing liabilities on a timely basis;

costs associated with construction delays and cost overruns at our development and redevelopment projects;

unanticipated costs and operating expenses associated with remote work arrangements, sanitation measures performed at each of our properties, and other measures to protect the welfare of our employees and tenants; and

the potential negative impact on the health of our employees, particularly if a significant number of them are impacted, which could result in a deterioration in our ability to ensure business continuity during this disruption.

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The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect our business will depend on future developments, including, among others, the severity and duration of the pandemic, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in curbing the spread of the virus, the nature and duration of other measures taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic impact of the pandemic and containment measures on the industries in which we and our customers operate.  Among other things COVID-19 and government and our responses to the virus could (1) adversely affect the ability of our suppliers and vendors to provide products and services to us; (2) make it more difficult for us to serve our tenants, including as a result of delays or suspensions in the issuance of permits or other authorizations needed to conduct our business; (3) cause labor shortages in the available labor force due to quarantine requirements thereby making it more difficult for us to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel; and (4) increase our cost of capital and adversely impact our access to capital. Due to factors beyond our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of COVID-19, as well as third-party actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects, at this time we cannot estimate or predict with certainty the impact of COVID-19 or the measures the government and we take in response thereto on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions in general and the Northeastern office markets in particular could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay distributions to you.

Our business may be affected by the continuing volatility in the financial and credit markets, the general global economic conditions, continuing high unemployment, and other market or economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy or the real estate industry as a whole. Our business also may be adversely affected by local economic conditions, as substantially all of our revenues are derived from our properties located in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. Because our portfolio currently consists primarily of multifamily and office rental buildings (as compared to a more diversified real estate portfolio) located in the Northeast, if economic conditions persist or deteriorate, then our results of operations, financial condition and ability to service current debt and to pay distributions to our shareholders may be adversely affected by the following, among other potential conditions:

significant job losses in the financial and professional services industries may occur, which may decrease demand for our office space, causing market rental rates and property values to be negatively impacted;

our ability to borrow on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, or at all, may be limited, which could reduce our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and refinance existing debt, reduce our returns from both our existing operations and our acquisition and development activities and increase our future interest expense;

reduced values of our properties may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or to obtain debt financing secured by our properties and may reduce the availability of unsecured loans;

the value and liquidity of our short-term investments and cash deposits could be reduced as a result of a deterioration of the financial condition of the institutions that hold our cash deposits or the institutions or assets in which we have made short-term investments, the dislocation of the markets for our short-term investments, increased volatility in market rates for such investments or other factors;

reduced liquidity in debt markets and increased credit risk premiums for certain market participants may impair our ability to access capital; and

one or more lenders under our line of credit could refuse or be unable to fund their financing commitment to us and we may not be able to replace the financing commitment of any such lenders on favorable terms, or at all.

These conditions, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay distributions, may continue or worsen in the future.

Our performance is subject to risks associated with the real estate industry.

General: Our business and our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors depend on the ability of our properties to generate funds in excess of operating expenses (including scheduled principal payments on debt and capital expenditures). Events or conditions that are beyond our control may adversely affect our operations and the value of our properties. Such events or conditions could include:

changes in the general economic climate and conditions;

changes in local conditions, such as an oversupply of office space, a reduction in demand for office space, or reductions in office market rental rates;

an oversupply or reduced demand for multifamily apartments caused by a decline in household formation, decline in employment or otherwise;

decreased attractiveness of our properties to tenants and residents;

competition from other office and multifamily properties;

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development by competitors of competing multifamily communities;

unwillingness of tenants to pay rent increases;

rent control or rent stabilization laws, or other housing laws and regulations that could prevent us from raising multifamily rents to offset increases in operating costs;

our inability to provide adequate maintenance;

increased operating costs, including insurance premiums, utilities and real estate taxes, due to inflation and other factors which may not necessarily be offset by increased rents;

changes in laws and regulations (including tax, environmental, zoning and building codes, landlord/tenant and other housing laws and regulations) and agency or court interpretations of such laws and regulations and the related costs of compliance;

changes in interest rate levels and the availability of financing;

the inability of a significant number of tenants or residents to pay rent;

our inability to rent multifamily or office rental space on favorable terms; and

civil unrest, earthquakes, acts of terrorism and other natural disasters or acts of God that may result in uninsured losses.

We may suffer adverse consequences if our revenues decline since our operating costs do not necessarily decline in proportion to our revenue: We earn a significant portion of our income from renting our properties. Our operating costs, however, do not necessarily fluctuate in relation to changes in our rental revenue. This means that our costs will not necessarily decline even if our revenues do. Our operating costs could also increase while our revenues do not. If our operating costs increase but our rental revenues do not, we may be forced to borrow to cover our costs and we may incur losses. Such losses may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

Financially distressed tenants may be unable to pay rent: If a tenant defaults, we may experience delays and incur substantial costs in enforcing our rights as landlord and protecting our investments. If a tenant files for bankruptcy, we cannot evict the tenant solely because of the bankruptcy and a potential court judgment rejecting and terminating such tenant’s lease (which would subject all future unpaid rent to a statutory cap) could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors as we may be unable to replace the defaulting tenant with a new tenant at a comparable rental rate without incurring significant expenses or a reduction in rental income.

Renewing leases or re-letting space could be costly: If a tenant does not renew its lease upon expiration or terminates its lease early, we may not be able to re-lease the space on favorable terms or at all. If a tenant does renew its lease or we re-lease the space, the terms of the renewal or new lease, including the cost of required renovations or concessions to the tenant, may be less favorable than the current lease terms, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

Adverse developments concerning some of our major tenants and industry concentrations could have a negative impact on our revenue: We have tenants concentrated in various industries that may be experiencing adverse effects of current economic conditions. For instance, 13.5 percent of our revenue is derived from tenants in the Securities, Commodity Contracts and Other Financial Services industry. Our business could be adversely affected if any of these industries suffered a downturn and/or these tenants or any other tenants became insolvent, declared bankruptcy or otherwise refused to pay rent in a timely manner or at all.

Our insurance coverage on our properties may be inadequate or our insurance providers may default on their obligations to pay claims: We currently carry comprehensive insurance on all of our properties, including insurance for liability, fire and flood. We cannot guarantee that the limits of our current policies will be sufficient in the event of a catastrophe to our properties. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to renew or duplicate our current insurance coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices. In addition, while our current insurance policies insure us against loss from terrorist acts and toxic mold, in the future, insurance companies may no longer offer coverage against these types of losses, or, if offered, these types of insurance may be prohibitively expensive. If any or all of the foregoing should occur, we may not have insurance coverage against certain types of losses and/or there may be decreases in the limits of insurance available. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of our insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property or properties, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property or properties. Nevertheless, we might remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property or properties. We cannot guarantee that material losses in excess of insurance proceeds will not occur in the future. If any of our properties were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could seriously disrupt our operations, delay revenue and result in large expenses to repair or rebuild the property. Such events could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors. If one or more of our insurance providers were to fail to pay a claim as a result of insolvency, bankruptcy or otherwise, the nonpayment of such claims could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if one or more of our insurance providers were to become subject to insolvency, bankruptcy or other proceedings and our insurance policies with the provider were terminated or

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canceled as a result of those proceedings, we cannot guarantee that we would be able to find alternative coverage in adequate amounts or at reasonable prices. In such case, we could experience a lapse in any or adequate insurance coverage with respect to one or more properties and be exposed to potential losses relating to any claims that may arise during such period of lapsed or inadequate coverage.

Illiquidity of real estate limits our ability to act quickly: Real estate investments are relatively illiquid. Such illiquidity may limit our ability to react quickly in response to changes in economic and other conditions. If we want to sell an investment, we might not be able to dispose of that investment in the time period we desire, and the sales price of that investment might not recoup or exceed the amount of our investment. The prohibition in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRS Code”), and related regulations on a real estate investment trust holding property for sale also may restrict our ability to sell property. In addition, we acquired a significant number of our properties from individuals to whom the Operating Partnership issued Units as part of the purchase price. In connection with the acquisition of these properties, in order to preserve such individual’s income tax deferral, we contractually agreed not to sell or otherwise transfer the properties for a specified period of time, except in a manner which does not result in recognition of any built-in-gain (which may result in an income tax liability) or which reimburses the appropriate individuals for the income tax consequences of the recognition of such built-in-gains. These restrictions expired in February 2016. Upon the expiration of such restrictions we are generally required to use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any sale, transfer or other disposition of the subject properties from resulting in the recognition of built-in gain to the appropriate individuals. After the effects of tax-free exchanges on certain of the originally contributed properties, either wholly or partially, over time, five of our properties, as well as certain land and development projects, including properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2021, with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $1.0 billion, are subject to these conditions. The above limitations on our ability to sell our investments could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

We may not be able to dispose of non-core office assets within our anticipated timeframe or at favorable prices: The Company has determined to sell over time properties at total estimated sales proceeds of up to $732 million. While we intend to dispose of these properties opportunistically over time, there can be no assurance that these dispositions will be completed during the period of our strategic initiative. In addition, market conditions will impact our ability to dispose of these properties, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in disposing of these properties for their estimated sales prices. A failure to dispose of these properties for their estimated market values as planned, or unfavorable tax consequences of the disposition of these properties could have a material adverse effect on our ability to finance our acquisition and development plans and could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

New acquisitions, including acquisitions of multifamily rental properties, may fail to perform as expected and will subject us to additional new risks and could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors: We intend to and may acquire new properties, primarily in the multifamily rental sector, assuming that we are able to obtain capital on favorable terms. Such newly acquired properties may not perform as expected and may subject us to unknown liability with respect to liabilities relating to such properties for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination or claims by tenants, residents, vendors or other persons against the former owners of the properties. Inaccurate assumptions regarding future rental or occupancy rates could result in overly optimistic estimates of future revenues. In addition, future operating expenses or the costs necessary to bring an acquired property up to standards established for its intended market position may be underestimated. The search for and process of acquiring such properties will also require a substantial amount of management’s time and attention. As our portfolio shifts from primarily commercial office properties to increasingly more multifamily rental properties we will face additional and new risks such as:

shorter-term leases of one-year on average for multifamily rental communities, which allow residents to leave after the term of the lease without penalty;

increased competition from other housing sources such as other multifamily rental communities, condominiums and single-family houses that are available for rent as well as for sale;

dependency on the convenience and attractiveness of the communities or neighborhoods in which our multifamily rental properties are located and the quality of local schools and other amenities;

dependency on the financial condition of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac which provide a major source of financing to the multifamily rental sector; and

compliance with housing and other new regulations.

The above factors could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

Americans with Disabilities Act compliance could be costly: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), all public accommodations and commercial facilities must meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Compliance with the ADA requirements could involve removal of structural barriers from certain disabled persons’ entrances. Other federal, state and local laws may require modifications to or restrict further renovations of our properties with respect to such accesses.

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Although we believe that our properties are substantially in compliance with present requirements, noncompliance with the ADA or related laws or regulations could result in the United States government imposing fines or private litigants being awarded damages against us. Such costs may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

Environmental problems are possible and may be costly: Various federal, state and local laws and regulations subject property owners or operators to liability for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances located on or in the property. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator was responsible for or even knew of the presence of such substances. The presence of or failure to properly remediate hazardous or toxic substances (such as toxic mold, lead paint and asbestos) may adversely affect our ability to rent, sell or borrow against contaminated property and may impose liability upon us for personal injury to persons exposed to such substances. Various laws and regulations also impose liability on persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances at another location for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at the disposal or treatment facility. These laws often impose liability whether or not the person arranging for such disposal ever owned or operated the disposal facility. Certain other environmental laws and regulations impose liability on owners or operators of property for injuries relating to the release of asbestos-containing or other materials into the air, water or otherwise into the environment. As owners and operators of property and as potential arrangers for hazardous substance disposal, we may be liable under such laws and regulations for removal or remediation costs, governmental penalties, property damage, personal injuries and related expenses. Payment of such costs and expenses could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

Our corporate sustainability strategies may not be effective. Our sustainability strategy is focused on building and maintaining healthy, high-performance properties, while mitigating operational costs and the potential external impacts of energy, water, waste, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Failure to develop and maintain sustainable buildings relative to our peers could adversely impact our ability to lease space at competitive rates and negatively impact our results of operations and portfolio attractiveness.

We face risks associated with property acquisitions: We have acquired in the past, and our long-term strategy is to continue to pursue the acquisition of rental properties, primarily in the Northeast, particularly multifamily rental properties. We may be competing for investment opportunities with entities that have greater financial resources. Several developers and real estate companies may compete with us in seeking properties for acquisition, land for development and prospective tenants. Such competition may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors by:

reducing the number of suitable investment opportunities offered to us;

increasing the bargaining power of property owners;

interfering with our ability to attract and retain tenants;

increasing vacancies which lowers market rental rates and limits our ability to negotiate rental rates; and/or

adversely affecting our ability to minimize expenses of operation.

Our acquisition activities and their success are subject to the following risks:

adequate financing to complete acquisitions may not be available on favorable terms or at all as a result of the continuing volatility in the financial and credit markets;

even if we enter into an acquisition agreement for a property, we may be unable to complete that acquisition and risk the loss of certain non-refundable deposits and incurring certain other acquisition-related costs;

the actual costs of repositioning or redeveloping acquired properties may be greater than our estimates;

any acquisition agreement will likely contain conditions to closing, including completion of due diligence investigations to our satisfaction or other conditions that are not within our control, which may not be satisfied; and

we may be unable to quickly and efficiently integrate new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of properties, into our existing operations, and acquired properties may fail to perform as expected; which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Development of real estate, including the development of multifamily rental real estate could be costly: As part of our operating strategy, we may acquire land for development or construct on owned land, under certain conditions. Included among the risks of the real estate development business are the following, which may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors:

financing for development projects may not be available on favorable terms;

long-term financing may not be available upon completion of construction;

failure to complete construction and lease-up on schedule or within budget may increase debt service expense and construction and other costs; and

failure to rent the development at all or at rent levels originally contemplated.

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Property ownership through joint ventures could subject us to the contrary business objectives of our co-venturers: We, from time to time, invest in joint ventures or partnerships in which we do not hold a controlling interest in the assets underlying the entities in which we invest, including joint ventures in which (i) we own a direct interest in an entity which controls such assets, or (ii) we own a direct interest in an entity which owns indirect interests, through one or more intermediaries, of such assets. These investments involve risks that do not exist with properties in which we own a controlling interest with respect to the underlying assets, including the possibility that (i) our co-venturers or partners may, at any time, become insolvent or otherwise refuse to make capital contributions when due, (ii) we may be responsible to our co-venturers or partners for indemnifiable losses, (iii) we may become liable with respect to guarantees of payment or performance by the joint ventures, (iv) we may become subject to buy-sell arrangements which could cause us to sell our interests or acquire our co-venturer’s or partner’s interests in a joint venture, or (v) our co-venturers or partners may, at any time, have business, economic or other objectives that are inconsistent with our objectives. Because we lack a controlling interest, our co-venturers or partners may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives. While we seek protective rights against such contrary actions, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in procuring any such protective rights, or if procured, that the rights will be sufficient to fully protect us against contrary actions. Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of available funds that we may invest in joint ventures or partnerships. If the objectives of our co-venturers or partners are inconsistent with ours, it may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

We may face increased risks and costs associated with volatility in commodity and labor prices or as a result of supply chain or procurement disruptions, which may adversely affect the status of our construction projects.

The price of commodities and skilled labor for our construction projects may increase unpredictably due to external factors, including, but not limited to, performance of third-party suppliers and contractors; overall market supply and demand; government regulation; international trade; and changes in general business, economic, or political conditions. As a result, the costs of raw construction materials and skilled labor required for the completion of our development and redevelopment projects may fluctuate significantly from time to time.

We rely on a number of third-party suppliers and contractors to supply raw materials and skilled labor for our construction projects. While we do not rely on any single supplier or vendor for the majority of our materials and skilled labor, we may experience difficulties obtaining necessary materials from suppliers or vendors whose supply chains might become impacted by economic or political changes, or difficulties obtaining adequate skilled labor from third-party contractors in a tightening labor market. It is uncertain whether we would be able to source the essential commodities, supplies, materials, and skilled labor timely or at all without incurring significant costs or delays, particularly during times of economic uncertainty resulting from events outside of our control, including, but not limited to, effects of COVID-19. We may be forced to purchase supplies and materials in larger quantities or in advance of when we would typically purchase them. This may cause us to require use of capital sooner than anticipated. Alternatively, we may also be forced to seek new third-party suppliers or contractors, whom we have not worked with in the past, and it is uncertain whether these new suppliers will be able to adequately meet our materials or labor needs. Our dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners may adversely affect the cost and timely completion of our construction projects. In addition, we may be unable to compete with entities that may have more favorable relationships with their suppliers and contractors or greater access to the required construction materials and skilled labor.

During 2021, industry prices for certain construction materials, including steel, copper, lumber, plywood, electrical materials, and HVAC materials, experienced significant increases as a result of low inventories; surging demand fueled by the U.S. economy rebounding from the effects of COVID-19; tariffs imposed on imports of foreign steel, including on products from key competitors in the European Union (“EU”) and China; and significant changes in the U.S. steel production landscape stemming from the consolidation of certain steel-producing companies. Price surges on construction materials may result in corresponding increases in our development costs.

CAPITAL AND FINANCING RISKS

Our performance is subject to risks associated with repositioning a significant portion of the Company’s portfolio from office to multifamily rental properties.

Repositioning the Company’s office portfolio may result in impairment charges or less than expected returns on office properties and could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors: There can be no assurance that the Company, as it seeks to reposition a portion of its portfolio from office to the multifamily rental sector, will be able to sell office properties and purchase multifamily rental properties at prices that in the aggregate are profitable for the Company or are efficient uses of its capital or that would not result in a reduction of the Company’s cash flow, and such transactions could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors. Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid, it also may be difficult for the Company to promptly

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sell its office properties that are held or may be designated for sale promptly or on favorable terms, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. In addition, as the Company identifies non-core office properties that may be held for sale or that it intends to hold for a shorter period of time than previously, it may determine that the carrying value of a property is not recoverable over the anticipated holding period of the property. As a result, the Company may incur impairment charges for certain of these properties to reduce their carrying values to the estimated fair market values. Moreover, as the Company seeks to reposition a portion of its portfolio from office to the multifamily rental sector, the Company may be subject to a Federal income tax on gain from sales of properties due to limitations in the IRS Code and related regulations on a real estate investment trust’s ability to sell properties. The Company intends to structure its property dispositions in a tax-efficient manner and avoid the prohibition in the IRS Code against a real estate investment trust holding properties for sale. There is no guaranty, however, that such dispositions can be achieved without the imposition of federal income tax on any gain recognized.

Unfavorable changes in market and economic conditions could adversely affect multifamily rental occupancy, rental rates, operating expenses, and the overall market value of our assets, including joint ventures. Local conditions that may adversely affect conditions in multifamily residential markets include the following:

plant closings, industry slowdowns and other factors that adversely affect the local economy;

an oversupply of, or a reduced demand for, apartment units;

a decline in household formation or employment or lack of employment growth;

the inability or unwillingness of residents to pay rent increases;

rent control or rent stabilization laws, or other laws regulating housing, that could prevent us from raising rents to offset increases in operating costs; and

economic conditions that could cause an increase in our operating expenses, such as increases in property taxes, utilities, compensation of on-site associates and routine maintenance.

Changes in applicable laws, or noncompliance with applicable laws, could adversely affect our operations or expose us to liability: We must develop, construct and operate our communities in compliance with numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, some of which may conflict with one another or be subject to limited judicial or regulatory interpretations. These laws and regulations may include zoning laws, building codes, landlord tenant laws and other laws generally applicable to business operations. Noncompliance with applicable laws could expose us to liability. Lower revenue growth or significant unanticipated expenditures may result from our need to comply with changes in (i) laws imposing remediation requirements and the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or the restrictions on discharges or other conditions, (ii) rent control or rent stabilization laws or other residential landlord/tenant laws, or (iii) other governmental rules and regulations or enforcement policies affecting the development, use and operation of our communities, including changes to building codes and fire and life-safety codes.

Failure to succeed in new markets, or with new brands and community formats, or in activities other than the development, ownership and operation of residential rental communities may have adverse consequences: We are actively engaged in development and acquisition activity in new submarkets within our core, Northeast markets where we have owned and operated our historical portfolio of office properties. Our historical experience with properties in our core, Northeast markets in developing, owning and operating properties does not ensure that we will be able to operate successfully in the new multifamily submarkets. We will be exposed to a variety of risks in the multifamily submarkets, including:

an inability to accurately evaluate local apartment market conditions;

an inability to obtain land for development or to identify appropriate acquisition opportunities;

an acquired property may fail to perform as we expected in analyzing our investment;

our estimate of the costs of repositioning or developing an acquired property may prove inaccurate; and

lack of familiarity with local governmental and permitting procedures.

Debt financing could adversely affect our economic performance.

Scheduled debt payments and refinancing could adversely affect our financial condition: We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing. These risks, including the following, may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors:

our cash flow may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest;

payments of principal and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to pay operating expenses;

we may not be able to refinance indebtedness on our properties at maturity; and

if refinanced, the terms of refinancing may not be as favorable as the original terms of the related indebtedness.

17


As of December 31, 2021, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $2.4 billion comprised of outstanding borrowings of $148 million under our revolving credit facility, and approximately $2.2 billion of mortgages, loans payable and other obligations. We may have to refinance the principal due on our current or future indebtedness at maturity, and we may not be able to do so.

If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all, events or conditions that may adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors include the following:

we may need to dispose of one or more of our properties upon disadvantageous terms or adjust our capital expenditures in general or with respect to our strategy of acquiring multifamily residential properties and development opportunities in particular;

prevailing interest rates or other factors at the time of refinancing could increase interest rates and, therefore, our interest expense;

we may be subject to an event of default pursuant to covenants for our indebtedness;

if we mortgage property to secure payment of indebtedness and are unable to meet mortgage payments, the mortgagee could foreclose upon such property or appoint a receiver to receive an assignment of our rents and leases; and

foreclosures upon mortgaged property could create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds and, therefore, hinder our ability to meet the real estate investment trust distribution requirements of the IRS Code.

We are obligated to comply with financial covenants in our indebtedness that could restrict our range of operating activities: The mortgages on our properties contain customary negative covenants, including limitations on our ability, without the prior consent of the lender, to further mortgage the property, to enter into new leases outside of stipulated guidelines or to materially modify existing leases. In addition, our revolving credit facility contains customary requirements, including restrictions and other limitations on our ability to incur debt, debt to assets ratios and interest coverage ratios. These covenants limit our flexibility in conducting our operations and create a risk of default on our indebtedness if we cannot continue to satisfy them. Some of our debt instruments are cross-collateralized and contain cross default provisions with other debt instruments. Due to this cross-collateralization, a failure or default with respect to certain debt instruments or properties could have an adverse impact on us or our properties that are subject to the cross-collateralization under the applicable debt instrument. Failure to comply with these covenants could cause a default under the agreements and, in certain circumstances, our lenders may be entitled to accelerate our debt obligations. Defaults under our debt agreements could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Rising interest rates may adversely affect our cash flow: As of December 31, 2021, outstanding borrowings of approximately $148 million under our revolving credit facility and approximately $570 million of our mortgage indebtedness bear interest at variable rates. We may incur additional indebtedness in the future that bears interest at variable rates. Variable rate debt creates higher debt service requirements if market interest rates increase. Higher debt service requirements could adversely affect our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors and/or cause us to default under certain debt covenants.

Our degree of leverage could adversely affect our cash flow: We fund acquisition opportunities and development partially through short-term borrowings (including our revolving credit facility), as well as from proceeds from property sales and undistributed cash. We expect to refinance projects purchased with short-term debt either with long-term indebtedness or equity financing depending upon the economic conditions at the time of refinancing. The Board of Directors has a general policy of limiting the ratio of our indebtedness to total undepreciated assets (total debt as a percentage of total undepreciated assets) to 50 percent or less, although there is no limit in our organizational documents on the amount of indebtedness that we may incur. However, we have entered into certain financial agreements which contain financial and operating covenants that limit our ability under certain circumstances to incur additional secured and unsecured indebtedness. The Board of Directors could alter or eliminate its current policy on borrowing at any time at its discretion. If this policy were changed, we could become more highly leveraged, resulting in an increase in debt service that could adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors and/or could cause an increased risk of default on our obligations.

We are dependent on external sources of capital for future growth: To qualify as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, the General Partner must distribute to its shareholders each year at least 90 percent of its net taxable income, excluding any net capital gain. Because of this distribution requirement, it is not likely that we will be able to fund all future capital needs, including for acquisitions and developments, from income from operations. Therefore, we will have to rely on third-party sources of capital, which may or may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends on a number of things, including the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings. Moreover, additional equity offerings, including sales of the General Partner’s common stock pursuant to its $200 million At-The-Market equity offering commenced in December 2021, may result in substantial dilution of our shareholders’ interests, and additional debt financing may substantially increase

18


our leverage.

Adverse changes in our credit ratings could adversely affect our business and financial condition: The credit ratings previously assigned to our senior unsecured notes by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (the “NRSROs”) were based on our operating performance, liquidity and leverage ratios, overall financial position and other factors employed by the NRSROs in their rating analyses of us.  These ratings and similar ratings of us and any debt or preferred securities we may issue are subject to ongoing evaluation by the NRSROs, and we cannot assure you that any such ratings will not be changed by the NRSROs if, in their judgment, circumstances warrant.  Our credit ratings can affect the amount of capital we can access, as well as the terms of any financings we may obtain. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our current credit ratings, and in the event our current credit ratings are downgraded, we would likely incur higher borrowing costs and may encounter difficulty in obtaining additional financing.

Some of our costs, such as operating and general and administrative expenses, interest expense, and real estate acquisition and construction costs, are subject to inflation.

A portion of our operating expenses is sensitive to inflation. These include expenses for property-related contracted services such as janitorial and engineering services, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and insurance. Property taxes are also impacted by inflationary changes as taxes are regularly reassessed based on changes in the fair value of our properties. We also have ground lease expenses in certain of our properties. Ground lease costs are contractual, but in some cases, lease payments reset every few years based on changes of consumer price indexes.

Our operating expenses, with the exception of ground lease rental expenses, are typically recoverable through our lease arrangements, which allow us to pass through substantially all expenses associated with property taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and other operating expenses (including increases thereto) to our tenants. During inflationary periods, we may not be able to recover the cost of increases in operating expenses that exceed the fixed amounts for these expenses pursuant to our leases with tenants in our commercial office properties.

Additionally, inflationary pricing may have a negative effect on the real estate acquisitions and construction costs necessary to complete our development and redevelopment projects, including, but not limited to, costs of construction materials, labor, and services from third-party contractors and suppliers. Higher acquisition and construction costs could adversely impact our net investments in real estate and expected yields on our development and redevelopment projects, which may make otherwise lucrative investment opportunities less profitable to us. Our commercial leases have fixed rent increases which may not increase in line with inflation, this causing our net operating income to decrease. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, as well as our ability to pay dividends, could be adversely affected over time.

MANAGEMENT RISKS

We may not be able to attract, integrate manage and retain personnel to execute our business strategy, and competition for skilled personnel could increase our labor costs.

Our success depends upon our ability to attract, integrate, manage and retain personnel who possess the skills and experience necessary to execute our acquisition, development, management and leasing strategies. We compete with various other companies in attracting and retaining qualified and skilled personnel. Our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel could be impaired by a lack of qualified candidates in the available labor force, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination mandates, any diminution of our reputation, decrease in compensation levels relative to our competitors or modifications to our total compensation philosophy or competitor hiring programs. Competitive pressures may require that we enhance our pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel. We may not be able to offset such added costs by increasing the rates we charge our tenants. If we cannot attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be negatively impacted. Our future success also depends upon our ability to manage the performance of our personnel. Failure to successfully manage the performance of our personnel could affect our profitability by causing operating inefficiencies that could increase operating expenses and reduce operating income.

We are dependent on our key personnel whose continued service is not guaranteed.

We are dependent upon key personnel for strategic business direction and real estate experience, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief investments officer, chief accounting officer and general counsel. While we believe that we could find replacements for these key personnel, loss of their services could adversely affect our operations. We do not have key man life insurance for our key personnel. In addition, as the Company seeks to reposition a portion of its portfolio from office to the multifamily rental

19


sector, the Company may become increasingly dependent on non-executive personnel with residential development and leasing expertise to effectively execute the Company’s long-term strategy.

Our real estate construction management activities are subject to risks particular to third-party construction projects.

As we may perform fixed price construction services for third parties, we are subject to a variety of risks unique to these activities. If construction costs of a project exceed original estimates, such costs may have to be absorbed by us. In addition, a construction project may be delayed due to circumstances beyond our control, or the time required to complete a construction project may be greater than originally anticipated. If any such excess costs or project delays were to be material, such events may adversely affect our cash flow and liquidity and thereby impact our ability to make distributions or payments to our investors.

INVESTMENT RISKS

Certain provisions of Maryland law and the General Partner’s charter and bylaws could hinder, delay or prevent changes in control.

Certain provisions of Maryland law and General Partner's charter and bylaws have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing transactions that involve an actual or threatened change in control. These provisions include the following:

Removal of Directors: Under the General Partner's charter, subject to the rights of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect one or more directors, a director may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders generally in the election of directors. Neither the Maryland General Corporation Law nor the General Partner's charter define the term “cause.” As a result, removal for “cause” is subject to Maryland common law and to judicial interpretation and review in the context of the facts and circumstances of any particular situation.

Number of Directors, Board Vacancies, Terms of Office: The General Partner has, in its bylaws, elected to be subject to certain provisions of Maryland law which vest in the Board of Directors the exclusive right to determine the number of directors and the exclusive right, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, to fill vacancies on the board. These provisions of Maryland law, which are applicable even if other provisions of Maryland law or the charter or bylaws provide to the contrary, also provide that any director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, rather than the next annual meeting of stockholders as would otherwise be the case, and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies. The General Partner has, in its corporate governance principles, adopted a mandatory retirement age of 80 years old for directors.

Stockholder Requested Special Meetings: The General Partner’s bylaws provide that its stockholders have the right to call a special meeting only upon the written request of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders at such meeting.

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Proposals: The General Partner's bylaws require advance written notice for stockholders to nominate persons for election as directors at, or to bring other business before, any meeting of stockholders. This bylaw provision limits the ability of stockholders to make nominations of persons for election as directors or to introduce other proposals unless we are notified in a timely manner prior to the meeting.

Preferred Stock: Under the General Partner's charter, its Board of Directors has authority to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and to establish the terms, preferences and rights of any such series of preferred stock, all without approval of its stockholders. As a result, its Board of Directors may establish a series of preferred stock that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control.

Duties of Directors with Respect to Unsolicited Takeovers: Maryland law provides protection for Maryland corporations against unsolicited takeovers by limiting, among other things, the duties of the directors in unsolicited takeover situations. The duties of directors of Maryland corporations do not require them to (a) accept, recommend or respond to any proposal by a person seeking to acquire control of the corporation, (b) authorize the corporation to redeem any rights under, or modify or render inapplicable, any stockholders rights plan, (c) make a determination under the Maryland Business Combination Act or the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, or (d) act or fail to act solely because of the effect the act or failure to act may have on an acquisition or potential acquisition of control of the corporation or the amount or type of consideration that may be offered or paid to the stockholders in an acquisition. Maryland law also contains a statutory presumption that an act of a director of a Maryland corporation satisfies the applicable standards of conduct for directors under Maryland law.

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Ownership Limit: In order to preserve the General Partner's status as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, its charter generally prohibits any single stockholder, or any group of affiliated stockholders, from beneficially owning more than 9.8 percent of its outstanding capital stock unless its Board of Directors waives or modifies this ownership limit.

Maryland Business Combination Act: The Maryland Business Combination Act provides that unless exempted, a Maryland corporation may not engage in certain business combinations, including mergers, consolidations, share exchanges or, in circumstances specified in the statute, asset transfers, issuances or reclassifications of shares of stock and other specified transactions, with an “interested stockholder” or an affiliate of an interested stockholder, for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, and thereafter unless specified criteria are met. An interested stockholder is generally a person owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, 10 percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the Maryland corporation. The General Partner's board of directors has exempted from this statute business combinations between the Company and certain affiliated individuals and entities. However, unless its board adopts other exemptions, the provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act will be applicable to business combinations with other persons.

Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act: Maryland law provides that holders of “control shares” of a corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” shall have no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes eligible to cast on the matter under the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. “Control shares” means shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock previously acquired by the acquirer, would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of the voting power: one-tenth or more but less than one-third, one-third or more but less than a majority or a majority or more of all voting power. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

If voting rights of control shares acquired in a control share acquisition are not approved at a stockholder’s meeting, then subject to certain conditions and limitations, the issuer may redeem any or all of the control shares for fair value. If voting rights of such control shares are approved at a stockholder’s meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. In 2018, the General Partner's bylaws were amended to exempt any acquisition of the General Partner’s shares from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. If the General Partner’s bylaws are amended to repeal or limit the exemption from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, it may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating a change in control.

Changes in market conditions could adversely affect the market price of the General Partner’s common stock.

As with other publicly traded equity securities, the value of the General Partner's common stock depends on various market conditions, which may change from time to time. The market price of the General Partner's common stock could change in ways that may or may not be related to our business, the General Partner's industry or our operating performance and financial condition. Among the market conditions that may affect the value of the General Partner's common stock are the following:

the general reputation of REITs and the attractiveness of the General Partner's equity securities in comparison to other equity securities, including securities issued by other real estate-based companies;

our financial performance; and

general stock and bond market conditions.

The market value of the General Partner's common stock is based primarily upon the market’s perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings and cash dividends. Consequently, the General Partner's common stock may trade at prices that are higher or lower than its net asset value per share of common stock.

REIT STATUS RISKS

The enactment of significant new tax legislation, generally effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, could have a material and adverse effect on us and the market price of our shares.

On December 22, 2017, Pub. L. No. 15-97 (informally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”)) was enacted into law. The Act made major changes to the Code, including a number of provisions of the Code that affect the taxation of REITs and their stockholders. The long-term effect of the significant changes made by the Act remains uncertain, and additional administrative guidance will be required in order to fully evaluate the effect of many provisions. The effect of any technical corrections with respect to the Act could have an adverse effect on us or our stockholders or holders of our debt securities.”

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Consequences of the General Partner's failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust could adversely affect our financial condition.

Failure to maintain ownership limits could cause the General Partner to lose its qualification as a real estate investment trust: In order for the General Partner to maintain its qualification as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, not more than 50 percent in value of its outstanding stock may be actually and/or constructively owned by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the IRS Code to include certain entities). The General Partner has limited the ownership of its outstanding shares of common stock by any single stockholder to 9.8 percent of the outstanding shares of its common stock. Its Board of Directors could waive this restriction if it was satisfied, based upon the advice of tax counsel or otherwise, that such action would be in the best interests of the General Partner and its stockholders and would not affect its qualification as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code. Common stock acquired or transferred in breach of the limitation may be redeemed by us for the lesser of the price paid and the average closing price for the 10 trading days immediately preceding redemption or sold at the direction of the General Partner. The General Partner may elect to redeem such shares of common stock for Units, which are nontransferable except in very limited circumstances. Any transfer of shares of common stock which, as a result of such transfer, causes the General Partner to be in violation of any ownership limit, will be deemed void. Although the General Partner currently intends to continue to operate in a manner which will enable it to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, it is possible that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause its Board of Directors to revoke the election for the General Partner's to qualify as a real estate investment trust. Under the General Partner's organizational documents, its Board of Directors can make such revocation without the consent of its stockholders.

In addition, the consent of the holders of at least 85 percent of the Operating Partnership’s partnership units is required: (i) to merge (or permit the merger of) the Operating Partnership with another unrelated person, pursuant to a transaction in which the Operating Partnership is not the surviving entity; (ii) to dissolve, liquidate or wind up the Operating Partnership; or (iii) to convey or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the Operating Partnership’s assets. As of February 18, 2022, the General Partner owned approximately 91.0 percent of the Operating Partnership’s outstanding common partnership units.

Tax liabilities as a consequence of failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust: The General Partner has elected to be treated and has operated so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes since the General Partner's taxable year ended December 31, 1994. Although the General Partner believes it will continue to operate in such manner, it cannot guarantee that it will do so. Qualification as a real estate investment trust involves the satisfaction of various requirements (some on an annual and some on a quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex tax provisions of the IRS Code. Because few judicial or administrative interpretations of such provisions exist and qualification determinations are fact sensitive, the General Partner cannot assure you that it will qualify as a real estate investment trust for any taxable year.

If the General Partner fails to qualify as a real estate investment trust in any taxable year, it will be subject to the following:

it will not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to shareholders;

it will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates, including any alternative minimum tax, if applicable; and

unless it is entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, it will not be permitted to qualify as a real estate investment trust for the four taxable years following the year during which was disqualified.

A loss the General Partner's status as a real estate investment trust could have an adverse effect on us. Failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust also would eliminate the requirement that the General Partner pay dividends to its stockholders. In addition, any such dividends that the General Partner does pay to its stockholders would not constitute qualified REIT dividends and would accordingly not qualify for a deduction of up to 20 percent.

Other tax liabilities: Even if the General Partner qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the IRS Code, its subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and property and, in some circumstances, certain other state and local taxes. From time to time changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted, which may result in an increase in our tax liability. A shortfall in tax revenues for states and municipalities in which we operate may lead to an increase in the frequency and amount of such increase. These actions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be subject to federal, state and local income tax for income received in connection with certain non-customary services performed for tenants and/or third parties.

Risk of changes in the tax law applicable to real estate investment trusts: Since the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review federal income tax legislation, we cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Any such legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify our tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect taxation of us, and/or our investors.

22


OTHER RISKS

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information and that of our tenants and business partners, including personally identifiable information of our tenants and employees, in our data centers and on our networks and our business is at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity attacks. These attacks could include attempts to gain unauthorized access to our data and computer systems. Attacks can be both individual and/or highly organized attempts organized by very sophisticated hacking organizations. We employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, which include data encryption, frequent password change events, firewall detection systems, anti-virus software and frequent backups; however, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cyber-attack, and we consult with outside cybersecurity firms to advise on our cybersecurity measures. We also have implemented internal controls around our treasury function, including enhanced payment authorization procedures, verification requirements for new vendor setup and vendor information changes, and bolstered outgoing payment notification process and account reconciliation procedures. We have policies and procedures in place in order to identify cybersecurity incidents and elevate such incidents to senior management in order to appropriately address and remediate any cyber-attack. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions, and there can be no assurance that our actions, security measures, and controls designed to prevent, detect, or respond to intrusion; to limit access to data; to prevent loss, destruction, alteration, or exfiltration of business information; or to limit the negative impact from such attacks can provide absolute security against a cybersecurity incident. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, disrupt our operations, increased cybersecurity insurance premiums and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business.

We face possible risks associated with the physical effects of climate change.

We cannot predict with certainty whether climate change is occurring and, if so, at what rate. However, the physical effects of climate change could have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations, and business. To the extent climate change causes changes in weather patterns or severity, our markets could experience increase in storm intensity (including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or snow and ice storms), rising sea-levels, and changes in precipitation, temperature, air quality, and quality and availability of water. Over time, these conditions could result in physical damage to, or declining demand for, our properties or our inability to operate the buildings efficiently or at all. Climate change may also indirectly affect our business by increasing the cost of (or making unavailable) property insurance on terms we find acceptable, increasing the cost of required resources, including energy, other fuel sources, water, and waste and snow removal services, and increasing the risk and severity of flood and earthquakes at our properties. Should the impact of climate change be severe or occur for lengthy periods of time, our financial condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted. In addition, compliance with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretations of existing laws may require material expenditure by us. For example, various federal, state, and local laws and regulations have been implemented or are under consideration to mitigate the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Among other things, "green" building codes may seek to reduce emissions through the imposition of standards for design, construction materials, water and energy usage and efficiency, and waste management. Such codes could require us to make improvements to our existing properties, increase the costs of maintaining or improving our existing properties or developing new properties, or increase taxes and fees assessed on us or our properties. Expenditures required for compliance with such codes may affect our cash flow and results of operations.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

PROPERTY LIST

As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s Consolidated Properties consisted of 15 multifamily rental properties, as well as ten in-service commercial properties and two hotels. The Consolidated Properties are located primarily in the Northeast. The Consolidated Properties are easily accessible from major thoroughfares and are in close proximity to numerous amenities. The Consolidated Properties contain a total of approximately 4,545 apartment units and 4.9 million square feet of commercial space with the individual commercial properties ranging from 8,400 to 1,246,283 square feet. The Consolidated Properties, managed by on-site employees, generally have attractively landscaped sites and atriums in addition to quality design and construction. The Company’s commercial tenants include many service sector employers, including a large number of professional firms and national and international businesses. The Company believes that all of its in-service properties are well-maintained and do not require significant capital improvements.

Multifamily Rental Properties

2021

2021

Average

Net

% Leased

Base Rent

Percentage

Base Rent

Year

Rentable Area

12/31/21

($000’s)

of Total 2021

Per Home

Location

Built

(SF/Units/Rooms)

(%) (a)

(b) (c)

Base Rent (%)

($) (c) (d)

NEW JERSEY

The Upton (g)

Short Hills, NJ

2021

193

99.5

4,259

1.60

2,205

BLVD 475 N

Jersey City, NJ

2011

243

95.9

8,344

3.14

2,984

BLVD 475 S

Jersey City, NJ

2011

280

96.8

8,342

3.14

2,565

BLVD 425

Jersey City, NJ

2003

412

95.6

12,348

4.65

2,612

BLVD 401

Jersey City, NJ

2016

311

96.2

10,162

3.83

2,832

Liberty Towers

Jersey City, NJ

2003

648

95.5

21,663

8.16

2,916

Soho Lofts

Jersey City, NJ

2017

377

97.1

14,297

5.39

3,255

Riverhouse11 at Port Imperial

Weehawken, NJ

2018

295

97.6

10,553

3.98

3,054

Riverhouse9 at Port Imperial (g)

Weehawken, NJ

2021

313

94.6

2,899

1.09

1,619

Signature Place

Morris Plains, NJ

2018

197

99.0

5,650

2.12

2,415

Total New Jersey Multifamily Rental

3,269

96.5

98,517

37.10

2,701

NEW YORK

Quarry Place at Tuckahoe

Eastchester, NY

2016

108

97.2

4,118

1.55

3,268

Total New York Multifamily Rental

108

97.2

4,118

1.55

3,268

MASSACHUSETTS

The Emery at Overlook Ridge

Revere, MA

2020

326

96.0

7,487

2.82

1,993

Portside at Pier One

East Boston, MA

2015

181

92.3

5,367

2.02

2,678

Portside 5/6

East Boston, MA

2018

296

96.9

8,766

3.30

2,545

145 Front at City Square

Worcester, MA

2018

365

94.6

8,262

3.11

1,923

Total Massachusetts Multifamily Rental

1,168

96.3

29,882

11.25

2,213

TOTAL MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES

4,545

96.4

132,517

49.90

2,511

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Office Properties

2021

2021

2021

Average

Average

Net

% Leased

Base Rent

Percentage

Base Rent

Effective Rent

Year

Rentable Area

12/31/21

($000’s)

of Total 2021

Per Sq. Ft.

Per Sq. Ft.

Property Location

Location

Built

(SF/Units/Rooms)

(%) (a)

(b) (c)

Base Rent (%)

($) (c) (e)

($) (c) (f)

111 River Street (h)

Hoboken, NJ

2002

566,215

81.3

21,041

7.93

45.71

42.03

Harborside Plaza 2

Jersey City, NJ

1990

761,200

78.6

24,307

9.16

40.63

34.31

Harborside Plaza 3 (c)

Jersey City, NJ

1990

726,022

94.3

23,220

8.75

33.92

28.66

Harborside Plaza 5

Jersey City, NJ

2002

977,225

42.8

23,380

8.81

55.90

49.81

Harborside Plaza 6

Jersey City, NJ

2000

231,856

20.5

2,966

1.11

62.40

60.59

101 Hudson Street (c) (h)

Jersey City, NJ

1992

1,246,283

83.1

32,089

12.11

30.98

25.42

23 Main Street

Holmdel, NJ

1977

350,000

100.0

4,566

1.72

13.05

10.31

TOTAL OFFICE PROPERTIES (q)

4,858,801

74.0

(i)

131,569

49.59

36.60

31.48

Retail/Garage Properties

100 Avenue at Port Imperial (j) (k)

Weehawken, NJ

2016

8,400

100.0

273

0.10

32.50

31.19

500 Avenue at Port Imperial (l)

Weehawken, NJ

2013

18,064

88.1

682

0.26

42.85

37.51

Port Imperial North Retail

West New York, NJ

2008

30,745

58.0

402

0.15

22.54

18.56

TOTAL RETAIL/GARAGE PROPERTIES

57,209

73.7

1,357

0.51

32.20

28.23

Hotel Properties

Envue Autograph Collection

Weehawken, NJ

2019

208

-

(m)

-

-

-

Residence Inn at Port Imperial

Weehawken, NJ

2018

164

-

(n)

-

-

-

TOTAL HOTEL PROPERTIES

372

-

-

-

-

-

TOTAL COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

74.0

(i)

132,926

50.10

36.54

31.43

TOTAL PROPERTIES

265,443

(o)(p)

100.00

Footnotes to Property List (dollars in thousands, except per square foot amounts):

(a)

Percentage leased includes all leases in effect as of the period end date, some of which have commencement dates in the future and leases expiring December 31, 2021 aggregating 24,545 square feet (representing 0.5 percent of the Company’s total net rentable square footage) for which no new leases were signed.

(b)

Total base rent for the year ended December 31, 2021, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Substantially all of the commercial leases provide for annual base rents plus recoveries and escalation charges based upon the tenant’s proportionate share of and/or increases in real estate taxes and certain operating costs, as defined, and the pass through of charges for electrical usage. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2021, total escalations and recoveries from tenants were: $16,821, or $5.40 per leased square foot, for office properties.

(c)   

Excludes space leased by the Company.

(d)

Annualized base rent for the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 divided by units occupied at December 31, 2021, divided by 12.

(e)

Base rent for the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 divided by net rentable commercial square feet leased at December 31, 2021.

(f)   

Total base rent, determined in accordance with GAAP, for 2021 minus 2021 amortization of tenant improvements, leasing commissions and other concessions and costs, determined in accordance with GAAP, divided by net rentable square feet leased at December 31, 2021.

(g)

As this property was acquired, commenced initial operations or initially consolidated by the Company during the 12 months ended December 31, 2021, the amounts represented in 2021 base rent reflect only that portion of those 12 months during which the Company owned or consolidated the property. Accordingly, these amounts may not be indicative of the property’s full year results. For comparison purposes, the amounts represented in 2021 average base rent per sq. ft. and per unit for this property have been calculated by taking the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 base rent for such property and annualizing these partial-year results, dividing such annualized amounts by the net rentable square feet leased or occupied units at December 31, 2021. These annualized per square foot and per unit amounts may not be indicative of the property’s results had the Company owned or consolidated the property for the entirety of the 12 months ended December 31, 2021.

(h)

Property is held for sale by the Company as of December 31, 2021.

(i)

Excludes properties being considered for repositioning, redevelopment, potential sale, or being prepared for lease up.

(j)

This property had Parking Income of $480 in 2021.

(k)

Excludes $(833) of adjustments to Base Rent in 2021.

(l)

This property had Parking Income of $2,064 in 2021.

(m)

This property had Hotel Income of $5,526 in 2021.

(n)

This property had Hotel Income of $5,092 in 2021.

(o)

Excludes approximately $27.8 million from properties which were disposed of or removed from service during the year ended December 31, 2021.

(p)

Includes $55.4 million from properties held for sale as of December 31, 2021.

(q)

Excludes Harborside Plaza 1, a 400,000 square foot office property which has been removed from service.

25


IN-DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES

(dollars in thousands)

Expected

Costs

Property

Development

Incurred

Development

Initial

Property

Location

Type

# of Units

Costs

to Date

Start

Occupancy

Haus 25 - 25 Christopher Columbus

Jersey City, NJ

Multifamily

750

$

469,510 

$

424,963 

1Q 2019

2Q 2022

750

$

469,510 

$

424,963 

PERCENTAGE LEASED

The following table sets forth the year-end percentages of multifamily units and commercial square feet leased in the Company’s stabilized operating Consolidated Properties for the last five years:

Percent Leased (%)

December 31,

Multifamily

Commercial (a)(b)

2021

96.4

74.0

2020

85.4

78.7

2019

92.1

80.7

(c)

2018

94.2

83.2

(c)

2017

95.8

87.6

(c)

(a)Percentage of square-feet leased includes all leases in effect as of the period end date, some of which have commencement dates in the future and leases that expire at the period end date. For all years, excludes properties being prepared for lease up.

(b)Includes properties classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2021.

(c)Excludes properties being considered for repositioning or redevelopment. Inclusive of such properties, percentage of square feet leased as of 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 80.6, 81.7 and 85.6 percent, respectively.


26


Significant Tenants

The following table sets forth a schedule of the Company’s 15 largest commercial tenants for the Consolidated Properties as of December 31, 2021 based upon annualized base rental revenue:

Percentage of

Annualized

Company

Square

Percentage

Year of

Number of

Base Rental

Annualized Base

Feet

Total Company

Lease

Properties (a)

Revenue ($) (b)

Rental Revenue (%)

Leased

Leased Sq. Ft. (%)

Expiration

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

1

10,888,238

9.1 

290,353

8.6 

2033 (c)

MUFG Bank Ltd.

1

9,939,269

8.3 

237,350

7.0 

2029 (d)

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner

1

9,417,902

7.9 

388,207

11.4 

2027

E-Trade Financial Corporation

1

5,396,412

4.5 

132,265

3.9 

2031

Vonage America Inc.

1

5,022,500

4.2 

350,000

10.3 

2023

Arch Insurance Company

1

4,326,008

3.6 

106,815

3.1 

2024

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp

1

4,185,456

3.5 

111,105

3.3 

2036

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

1

4,017,930

3.4 

114,798

3.4 

2026

First Data Corporation

1

3,773,775

3.2 

88,374

2.6 

(e)

TP ICAP Americas Holdings Inc

1

3,446,090

2.9 

100,759

3.0 

(f)

Cardinia Real Estate LLC

1

3,174,886

2.7 

79,771

2.3 

2032

New Jersey City University

1

3,010,854

2.5 

84,929

2.5 

2035

Zurich American Ins. Co.

1

2,915,378

2.4 

64,414

1.9 

2032

BETMGM, LLC

1

2,800,234

2.3 

71,343

2.1 

(g)

Amtrust Financial Services

1

2,614,328

2.3 

76,892

2.3 

2023

Totals

74,929,260

62.8

2,297,375

67.7

(a)

Includes office property tenants only. Excludes leases for amenity, retail, parking and month‑to‑month tenants. Some tenants have multiple leases.

(b)

Annualized base rental revenue is based on actual December 2021 billings times 12. For leases whose rent commences after January 1, 2022, annualized base rental revenue is based on the first full month’s billing times 12. As annualized base rental revenue is not derived from historical GAAP results, historical results may differ from those set forth above.

(c)

In January 2022, the Company completed the disposition of the office property where the tenant leases space.

(d)

MUFG Bank Ltd. Entered into a Surrender Agreement in January 2022. 100,274 square feet expired on January 31, 2022.

(e)

32,193 square feet expire in 2026; 56,181 expire in 2029.

(f)

63,372 square feet expire in 2023; 37,387 square feet expire in 2033.

(g)

22,300 square feet expire in 2022; 49,043 square feet expire in 2032.

27


Schedule of Lease Expirations

The following table sets forth a schedule of lease expirations for the total of the Company’s office and stand-alone retail properties included in the Consolidated Properties beginning January 1, 2022, assuming that none of the tenants exercise renewal or termination options:

Average

Annual Base

Percentage Of

Rent Per Net

Net Rentable

Total Leased

Annualized

Rentable

Percentage Of

Area Subject

Square Feet

Base Rental

Square Foot

Annual Base

Number Of

To Expiring

Represented

Revenue Under

Represented

Rent Under

Year Of

Leases

Leases

By Expiring

Expiring

By Expiring

Expiring

Expiration

Expiring (a)

(Sq. Ft.)

Leases (%)

Leases ($) (b)

Leases ($)

Leases (%)

2022

15

131,204

3.9

5,170,429

39.41

4.3

2023

13

676,899

19.9

17,669,977

26.10

14.8

2024

15

260,680

7.7

10,775,435

41.34

9.0

2025

10

108,891

3.2

3,322,280

30.51

2.8

2026

13

255,355

7.5

9,917,380

38.84

8.3

2027

8

446,554

13.1

11,759,843

26.33

9.9

2028

5

88,842

2.6

3,517,877

39.60

2.9

2029

5

311,594

9.2

13,355,949

42.86

11.2

2030

1

13,662

0.4

696,762

51.00

0.6

2031

3

147,814

4.4

6,027,109

40.77

5.1

2032

13

377,451

11.1

15,417,965

40.85

12.9

2033 and thereafter

15

576,553

17.0

21,711,742

37.66

18.2

Totals/Weighted

Average

116

3,395,499

(c)(d)

100.0

119,342,748

35.15

100.0

(a)  

Includes office property tenants only. Excludes leases for amenity, retail, parking and month-to-month tenants. Some tenants have multiple leases.

(b)  

Annualized base rental revenue is based on actual December 2021 billings times 12. For leases whose rent commences after January 1, 2022 annualized base rental revenue is based on the first full month’s billing times 12. As annualized base rental revenue is not derived from historical GAAP results, historical results may differ from those set forth above.

(c)  

Includes leases expiring December 31, 2021 aggregating 24,545 square feet and representing annualized rent of $0.9 million for which no new leases were signed.

(d)

Reconciliation to Company’s total net rentable square footage is as follows:

Square Feet

Square footage leased to commercial tenants

3,395,499

Square footage used for corporate offices, management offices, building use, retail tenants, food services, other ancillary service tenants and occupancy adjustments

199,154

Square footage unleased

1,264,148

Total net rentable commercial square footage (does not include land leases)

4,858,801

28


Market Diversification

The following table lists the Company’s markets, based on annualized contractual base rent of the Consolidated Properties:

Percentage Of

Annualized Base

Annualized

Rental Revenue

Base Rental

Market

Property Type

($) (a) (b)

Revenue (%)

Hudson County, NJ

Commercial/Multifamily

241,401,737

80.2

Suffolk/Worcester Counties, MA

Multifamily

34,225,284

11.4

Morris/Essex Counties, NJ

Multifamily

15,278,895

5.1

Monmouth County, NJ

Commercial

5,022,500

1.7

Westchester County, NY

Multifamily

4,946,124

1.6

Totals

300,874,540

100.0

(a)Annualized base rental revenue is based on actual December 2021 billings times 12. For leases whose rent commences after January 1, 2022, annualized base rental revenue is based on the first full month’s billing times 12. As annualized base rental revenue is not derived from historical GAAP results, historical results may differ from those set forth above.

(b)Includes leases in effect as of the period end date, some of which have commencement dates in the future, and leases expiring December 31, 2021 aggregating 24,545 square feet and representing annualized base rent of $0.9 million for which no new leases were signed.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business, to which the Company is a party or to which any of the Properties is subject.

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

MARKET INFORMATION

The shares of the General Partner's common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “VRE.” The Company’s common stock previously traded on the NYSE under the symbol “CLI” prior to its name change discussed in Item 1. There is no established public trading market for the Operating Partnership’s common units.

29


The following table sets forth the quarterly high, low, and closing price per share of the General Partner's Common Stock reported on the NYSE for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively:

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

High

Low

Close

First Quarter

$

16.80

$

11.74

$

15.48

Second Quarter

$

17.95

$

15.28

$

17.15

Third Quarter

$

18.40

$

16.04

$

17.12

Fourth Quarter

$

19.90

$

16.45

$

18.38

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

High

Low

Close

First Quarter

$

23.89

$

13.83

$

15.23

Second Quarter

$

18.83

$

12.90

$

15.29

Third Quarter

$

15.85

$

12.14

$

12.62

Fourth Quarter

$

15.06

$

10.35

$

12.46

On February 18, 2022, the closing Common Stock price reported on the NYSE was $17.43 per share.

On July 6, 2021, the General Partner filed with the NYSE its annual CEO Certification and Annual Written Affirmation pursuant to Section 303A.12 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, each certifying that the General Partner was in compliance with all of the listing standards of the NYSE.

HOLDERS

On February 18, 2022, the General Partner had 249 common shareholders of record (this does not include beneficial owners for whom Cede & Co. or others act as nominee) and the Operating Partnership had 62 owners of limited partnership units and one owner of General Partnership units.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES; USES OF PROCEEDS FROM REGISTERED SECURITIES

None.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

On September 30, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors was suspending its common dividends and distributions attributable to the third and fourth quarters 2020.   As the Company’s management estimated that as of September 2020 it had satisfied its dividends obligations as a REIT on taxable income expected for 2020, the Board made the strategic decision to suspend its common dividends and distributions for the remainder of 2020 in an effort to provide greater financial flexibility during the pandemic and to retain incremental capital to support leasing initiatives at its Harborside commercial office properties on the Jersey City waterfront. On March 19, 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors would continue to suspend its common dividend for the remainder of 2021 in order to conserve capital and allow for greater financial flexibility during this period of heightened economic uncertainty and based on the Company’s projected 2021 taxable income estimates. The Company believes that with its estimated taxable income/loss for 2021, it will meet its dividend obligations as a REIT for the year with no dividends paid. The Company anticipates its regular quarterly common dividend to remain suspended while it seeks to conclude its transition into a pureplay multifamily REIT.

The declaration and payment of dividends and distributions will continue to be determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s earnings, cash flows, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions and the general overall economic conditions and other factors.

30


PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares total stockholder returns from the last five fiscal years to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc.’s FTSE NAREIT Equity REIT Index (“NAREIT”). The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the General Partner's Common Stock and in the S&P 500 and NAREIT indices was $100 at December 31, 2016 and that all dividends were reinvested. The price of the General Partner's Common Stock on December 31, 2016 (on which the graph is based) was $29.02. The past stockholder return shown on the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return

Picture 3


31


ITEM 6.    RESERVED

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P. and the notes thereto (collectively, the “Financial Statements”). Certain defined terms used herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Financial Statements.

Executive Overview

Veris Residential, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, (collectively, the “General Partner”), including Veris Residential, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), has been involved in all aspects of commercial real estate development, management and ownership for over 60 years and the General Partner has been a publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”) since 1994.

The Operating Partnership conducts the business of providing management, leasing, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its General Partner. The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries, including the Veris property-owning partnerships and limited liability companies, is the entity through which all of the General Partner’s operations are conducted. Unless stated otherwise or the context requires, the “Company” refers to the General Partner and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries. The Company owns or has interests in 36 properties (collectively, the “Properties”), consisting of 22 multifamily rental properties containing 6,691 apartment units as well as non-core assets comprised of seven office properties, four parking/retail properties, three hotels plus developable land. The Properties are located in three states in the Northeast, plus the District of Columbia.

The Company is a forward-thinking, environmentally and socially conscious REIT that primarily owns, operates, acquires, and develops holistically-inspired, Class A multifamily properties that meet the sustainability conscious lifestyle needs of today's residents while seeking to positively impact the communities it serves and the planet at large. The Company is guided by an experienced management team and Board of Directors and is underpinned by leading corporate governance principles, a best-in-class and sustainable approach to operations, and an inclusive culture based on equality and meritocratic empowerment.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

In December 2021, the Company announced that it had rebranded to Veris Residential, Inc. reflecting its on-going transition into a multifamily Company as well as its new corporate values and focus on conducting business in a socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible manner, while seeking to maximize value for all stakeholders.

The Company expects to continue to pursue opportunities to streamline its portfolio and enhance the stability of its revenue stream, as well as pursue overall expense savings from internal reorganizations which may result from the transition of the Company’s real estate portfolio.

On December 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board had determined to sell the Company’s entire suburban New Jersey office portfolio totaling approximately 6.6 million square feet, which had excluded the Company’s office properties in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey (collectively, the “Suburban Office Portfolio”).  As the decision to sell the Suburban Office Portfolio represented a strategic shift in the Company’s operations, these properties’ results (other than a single property not qualified to be classified as held for sale) are being classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations – to the Financial Statements.

 

Between late 2019 and December 31, 2021, the Company completed the sale of all but one of its 37 properties in its Suburban Office Portfolio, totaling 6.3 million square feet, for net sales proceeds of $1.0 billion.

 

32


Starting in the third quarter 2021, and as a result of the recent completion of the Suburban Office Portfolio dispositions for all but one asset, the Company’s multifamily properties accounted for more than half of the Company’s total revenue for the first time (See Note 18: Segment Reporting – to the Financial Statements). As of December 31, 2021, the Company has classified two office properties located in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey totaling approximately 1.8 million square feet as held for sale which is consistent with the Company’s ongoing efforts and strategy to continue to transition into a primarily multifamily residential company.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Company, its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, which consist principally of the Operating Partnership and variable interest entities for which the Company has determined itself to be the primary beneficiary, if any. See Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies – to the Financial Statements, for the Company’s treatment of unconsolidated joint venture interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, provides guidance on the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) and the determination of which business enterprise, if any, should consolidate the VIEs. Generally, the consideration of whether an entity is a VIE applies when either: (1) the equity investors (if any) lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity's activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; (2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; or (3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and substantially all of the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest. The Company consolidates VIEs in which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is defined by the entity having both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that, when taken together, most significantly impact the variable interest entity’s performance: and (2) the obligation to absorb losses and right to receive the returns from the VIE that would be significant to the VIE.

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s historical experience that are believed to be reasonable at the time. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation, primarily related to classification of certain properties as discontinued operations. The Company’s critical accounting policies are those which require assumptions to be made about matters that are highly uncertain. Different estimates could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results. Judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of these policies and estimates may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions and circumstances.

Rental Property

Rental properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs directly related to the acquisition, development and construction of rental properties are capitalized. The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01 on January 1, 2017, which revises the definition of a business and is expected to result in more transactions to be accounted for as asset acquisitions and significantly limit transactions that would be accounted for as business combinations. Where an acquisition has been determined to be an asset acquisition, acquisition-related costs are capitalized. Capitalized development and construction costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development and construction costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, salaries and other project costs incurred during the period of development. Interest capitalized by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $30.5 million, $26.4 million and $19.3 million, respectively. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Fully-depreciated assets are removed from the accounts.

The Company considers a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy upon the substantial completion of improvements, but no later than one year from cessation of major construction activity (as distinguished from activities such as routine maintenance and cleanup). If portions of a rental project are substantially completed and occupied by tenants or residents, or held available for occupancy, and other portions have not yet reached that stage, the substantially completed portions are accounted for as a separate project. The Company allocates costs incurred between the portions under construction and the portions substantially completed and held available for occupancy, primarily based on a percentage of the relative commercial square footage or multifamily units of each portion, and capitalizes only those costs associated with the portion under construction.

33


Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Leasehold interests

Remaining lease term

Buildings and improvements

5 to 40 years

Tenant improvements

The shorter of the term of the

related lease or useful life

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

5 to 10 years

Upon acquisition of rental property, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities assumed, generally consisting of the fair value of (i) above and below market leases, (ii) in-place leases and (iii) tenant relationships. For asset acquisitions, the Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. The Company records goodwill or a gain on bargain purchase (if any) if the net assets acquired/liabilities assumed differ from the purchase consideration of a business combination transaction. In estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired, the Company considers information obtained about each property as a result of its due diligence and marketing and leasing activities, and utilizes various valuation methods, such as estimated cash flow projections utilizing appropriate discount and capitalization rates, estimates of replacement costs net of depreciation, and available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.

Above-market and below-market lease values for acquired properties are initially recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the remaining initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases. The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below-market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases.

Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values and tenant relationship values, which are based on management’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and the Company’s overall relationship with the respective tenant. Factors to be considered by management in its analysis of in-place lease values include an estimate of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, management considers leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses. Characteristics considered by management in valuing tenant relationships include the nature and extent of the Company’s existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality and expectations of lease renewals. The values of in-place leases are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. The values of tenant relationship intangibles are amortized to expense over the anticipated life of the relationships or leases.

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired. In addition to identifying any specific circumstances which may affect a property or properties, management considers other criteria for determining which properties may require assessment for potential impairment. The criteria considered by management, depending on the type of property, may include reviewing low leased percentages, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, construction cost overruns and/or other factors, including those that might impact the Company’s intent and ability to hold the property. A property’s value is impaired only if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property over its estimated holding period is less than the carrying value of the property. If there are different possible scenarios for a property, the Company will take a probability-weighted approach to estimating future cash flow scenarios. To the extent impairment has occurred, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the property over the fair value of the property. The Company’s estimates of aggregate future cash flows expected to be generated and estimated fair values for each property are based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. For developable land holdings, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is also considered based on development rights or plans for the land. These assumptions are generally based on management’s experience in its local real estate markets and the effects of current market conditions. The assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, and costs to operate each property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to

34


future events that may alter management’s assumptions, the future cash flows estimated by management in its impairment analyses may not be achieved, and additional losses or impairments may be realized in the future.

Real Estate Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

When assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of expected selling costs, of such assets. The Company generally considers assets (as identified by their disposal groups) to be held for sale when the transaction has received appropriate corporate authority, it is probable to be sold within the following 12 months, and there are no significant contingencies relating to a sale. If, in management’s opinion, the estimated net sales price, net of expected selling costs, of the disposal groups which have been identified as held for sale is less than the carrying value of the assets, a valuation allowance (which is recorded as unrealized losses on disposition of rental property) is established. In the absence of an executed sales agreement with a set sales price, management’s estimate of the net sales price may be based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to the Company’s estimates of future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. For developable land holdings, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is also considered based on development rights or plans for the land. In addition, the Company classifies assets held for sale or sold as discontinued operations if the disposal groups represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. For any disposals qualifying as discontinued operations, the assets and their results are presented in discontinued operations in the financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations – to the Financial Statements.

If circumstances arise that previously were considered unlikely and, as a result, the Company has determined that an asset previously classified as held for sale no longer meets the held for sale criteria, the asset is reclassified as held and used. An asset that is reclassified is measured and recorded individually at the lower of (a) its carrying value before the asset was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation (amortization) expense that would have been recognized had the asset been continuously classified as held and used, or (b) the fair value at the date the asset, qualified as held for sale.

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures under the equity method of accounting. The Company applies the equity method by initially recording these investments at cost, as Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions. The outside basis portion of the Company’s joint ventures is amortized over the anticipated useful lives of the underlying ventures’ tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Generally, the Company would discontinue applying the equity method when the investment (and any advances) is reduced to zero and would not provide for additional losses unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the venture or is otherwise committed to providing further financial support for the investee.    If the venture subsequently generates income, the Company only recognizes its share of such income to the extent it exceeds its share of previously unrecognized losses.

If the venture subsequently makes distributions and the Company does not have an implied or actual commitment to support the operations of the venture, the Company will not record a basis less than zero, rather such amounts will be recorded as equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures. 

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the value of the investment. The Company’s estimates of value for each investment (particularly in real estate joint ventures) are based on a number of assumptions including but not limited to estimates of future and stabilized cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. These assumptions are based on management's experience in its local real estate markets and the effects of current market conditions. The assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, and operating costs. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter management’s assumptions, the values estimated by management in its impairment analyses may not be realized, and actual losses or impairment may be realized in the future. See Note 4: Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures – to the Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from leases includes fixed base rents under leases, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Unbilled rents receivable represents the cumulative amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with the lease agreements.

35


The Company elected a practical expedient for its rental properties (as lessor) to avoid separating non-lease components that otherwise would need to be accounted for under the recently-adopted revenue accounting guidance (such as tenant reimbursements of property operating expenses) from the associated lease component since (1) the non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer as the associated lease component and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease; this enables the Company to account for the combination of the lease component and non-lease components as an operating lease since the lease component is the predominant component of the combined components.   

Due to the Company’s adoption of the practical expedient discussed above to not separate non-lease component revenue from the associated lease component, the Company is aggregating revenue from its lease components and non-lease components (comprised predominantly of tenant operating expense reimbursements) into the line entitled “Revenue from leases.” 

Revenue from leases also includes reimbursements and recoveries from tenants received from tenants for certain costs as provided in the lease agreements. These costs generally include real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, common area maintenance and other recoverable costs. See Note 14: Tenant Leases – to the Financial Statements.

Real estate services revenue includes property management, development, construction and leasing commission fees and other services, and payroll and related costs reimbursed from clients. Fee income derived from the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures (which are capitalized by such ventures) are recognized to the extent attributable to the unaffiliated ownership interests.

Parking income is comprised of income from parking spaces leased to tenants and others.

Hotel income includes all revenue generated from hotel properties.

Other income includes income from tenants for additional services arranged for by the Company and income from tenants for early lease terminations.

All bad debt expense is being recorded as a reduction of the corresponding revenue account starting on January 1, 2019. Management performs a detailed review of amounts due from tenants for collectability based on factors affecting the billings and status of individual tenants. The factors considered by management in determining which individual tenant’s revenues are affected include the age of the receivable, the tenant’s payment history, the nature of the charges, any communications regarding the charges and other related information. Management’s estimate of bad debt write-off’s requires management to exercise judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of collection losses, which affects the revenue recorded.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The Company evaluates the terms of the partnership units issued in accordance with the FASB’s Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity guidance. Units which embody an unconditional obligation requiring the Company to redeem the units for cash after a specified or determinable date (or dates) or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer are determined to be contingently redeemable under this guidance and are included as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified within the mezzanine section between Total liabilities and Stockholders’ equity on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests will be changed by periodic accretions, so that the carrying amount will equal the estimated future redemption value at the redemption date.

Results From Operations

The following comparisons for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“2021”), as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020”), and for 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 (“2019”) make reference to the following:

(i)“Same-Store Properties,” which represent all in-service properties owned by the Company at December 31, 2019, (for the 2021 versus 2020 comparisons), and which represent all in-service properties owned by the Company at December 31, 2018 (for the 2020 versus 2019 comparisons), excluding properties sold, disposed of, removed from service, or being redeveloped or repositioned from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021;

(ii)“Acquired and Developed Properties,” which represent all properties acquired by the Company or commencing initial operation from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021 (for the 2021 versus 2020 comparisons), and which represents all properties acquired by the Company or commencing initial operations from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020 (for the 2020 versus 2019 comparisons); and

(iii)“Properties Sold” which represent properties sold, disposed of, or removed from service (including properties being redeveloped or repositioned) by the Company from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021.  

36


Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Years Ended

December 31,

Dollar

Percent

(dollars in thousands)

2021

2020

Change

Change

Revenue from rental operations and other:

Revenue from leases

$

282,791

$

272,970

$

9,821

3.6

%

Parking income

15,003

15,604 

(601)

(3.9)

Hotel income

10,618

4,287 

6,331

147.7

Other income

11,309

9,311 

1,998

21.5

Total revenues from rental operations

319,721

302,172

17,549

5.8

Property expenses:

Real estate taxes

47,859

45,801

2,058

4.5

Utilities

14,802

13,717 

1,085

7.9

Operating services

71,851

68,313 

3,538

5.2

Total property expenses

134,512

127,831

6,681

5.2

Non-property revenues:

Real estate services

9,596

11,390 

(1,794)

(15.8)

Total non-property revenues

9,596

11,390 

(1,794)

(15.8)

Non-property expenses:

Real estate services expenses

12,857

13,555 

(698)

(5.1)

General and administrative

57,198

71,058

(13,860)

(19.5)

Dead deal and transaction-related costs

12,221

2,583

9,638

373.1

Depreciation and amortization

111,618

122,035 

(10,417)

(8.5)

Property impairments

13,467

36,582 

(23,115)

(63.2)

Land and other impairments, net

23,719

16,817 

6,902

41.0

Total non-property expenses

231,080

262,630 

(31,550)

(12.0)

Operating income (loss)

(36,275)

(76,899)

40,624

52.8

Other (expense) income:

Interest expense

(65,192)

(80,991)

15,799

19.5

Interest and other investment income (loss)

524

43 

481

1,118.6

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures

(4,251)

(3,832)

(419)

(10.9)

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition

of rental property, net

3,022

5,481 

(2,459)

(44.9)

Gain on disposition of developable land

2,115

5,787 

(3,672)

(63.5)

Gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures

(1,886)

35,184 

(37,070)

(105.4)

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt, net

(47,078)

(272)

(46,806)

(17,208.1)

Total other (expense) income

(112,746)

(38,600)

(74,146)

(192.1)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(149,021)

(115,499)

(33,522)

(29.0)

Discontinued operations:

Income from discontinued operations

13,930

70,700

(56,770)

(80.3)

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on

disposition of rental property and impairments, net

25,552

11,201 

14,351

128.1

Total discontinued operations

39,482

81,901

(42,419)

(51.8)

Net income (loss)

$

(109,539)

$

(33,598)

$

(75,941)

(226.0)

%

37


The following is a summary of the changes in revenue from rental operations and other, and property expenses, in 2021 as compared to 2020 divided into Same-Store Properties, Acquired and Developed Properties and Properties Sold in 2020 and 2021 (excluding properties classified as discontinued operations):

Total

Same-Store

Acquired and Developed

Properties

Company

Properties

Properties

Sold in 2020 and 2021

Dollar

Percent

Dollar

Percent

Dollar

Percent

Dollar

Percent

(dollars in thousands)

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Revenue from rental

operations and other:

Revenue from leases

$

9,821 

3.6 

%

$

1,638 

0.6 

%

$

13,014

4.8

%

$

(4,831)

(1.8)

%

Parking income

(601)

(3.9)

(1,074)

(7.0)

587 

3.8 

(114)

(0.7)

Hotel income

6,331 

147.7 

6,331 

147.7 

-

-

-

-

Other income

1,998 

21.5 

1,588

17.1

449

4.8 

(39)

(0.4)

Total

$

17,549 

5.8 

%

$

8,483

2.8

%

$

14,050

4.6 

%

$

(4,984)

(1.6)

%

Property expenses:

Real estate taxes

$

2,058 

4.5 

%

$

1,704

3.7

%

$

1,496 

3.3 

%

$

(1,142)

(2.5)

%

Utilities

1,085 

7.9 

905

6.6

566 

4.1 

(386)

(2.8)

Operating services

3,538 

5.2 

1,661

2.5

2,756 

4.0 

(879)

(1.3)

Total

$

6,681 

5.2 

%

$

4,270

3.3

%

$

4,818 

3.8 

%

$

(2,407)

(1.9)

%

OTHER DATA:

Number of Consolidated Properties

27 

23 

39 

Commercial Square feet (in thousands)

4,916 

4,885 

31 

5,755 

Multifamily portfolio (number of units)

4,545 

3,713 

832 

1,025 

Revenue from leases. Revenue from leases for the Same-Store Properties increased $1.6 million, or 0.6 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020, of which an increase of $3.2 million at the commercial properties is due to an increase in escalation settle-ups. This is partially offset by a decrease of $1.6 million of the multifamily properties, due primarily to lower in-place rents in 2021 as compared to 2020 as a result of increased rent concessions. Revenue from leases at the Acquired and Developed Properties increased $13.0 million in 2021 as compared to 2020, due to the commencement of operations of three multifamily properties and one retail property.

Parking income. Parking income for the Same-Store Properties decreased $1.1 million, or 7.0 percent for 2021 as compared to 2020 due primarily to a decrease in usage at the parking garages, in 2021 as compared to 2020, which was more impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recognition in 2020 of approximately $0.6 million income from a settlement of prior period unpaid parking fees by a tenant in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Hotel income. Hotel income for the Same-Store properties increased $6.3 million, or 147.7 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020, primarily due to fully reopening the hotels in 2021 following a partial shutdown of hotel operations in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other income. Other income for the Same-Store Properties increased $1.6 million, or 17.1 percent for 2021 as compared to 2020 due primarily to the recognition in 2021 of forfeited deposits received from potential buyers in disposition deals that were not completed, as well as post property sales items received in 2021.

Real estate taxes. Real estate taxes on the Same-Store Properties increased $1.7 million, or 3.7 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020 due primarily to the expiration in early 2021 of the PILOT agreements on two multifamily properties located in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Utilities. Utilities for the Same-Store Properties increased $0.9 million, or 6.6 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020, due primarily to higher electricity rates in 2021 as compared to 2020.

Operating services. Operating services for the Same-Store properties increased $1.7 million, or 2.5 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020, due primarily to an increase in severance and related expenses in 2021 as compared to 2020.

Real estate services revenue. Real estate services revenue (primarily reimbursement of property personnel costs) decreased $1.8 million, or 15.8 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020, due primarily to decreased third party development and management activity in 2021 as compared to 2020.

38


Real estate services expenses. Real estate services expenses decreased $0.7 million, or 5.1 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020, due primarily to lower salaries and related expenses from a reduction in third-party services activities in 2021 as compared to 2020.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased $13.9 million, or 19.5 percent in 2021 as compared to 2020. This decrease is due primarily to costs incurred for a contested election of the Board of Directors of $12.8 million in 2020 and a decrease in severance and related costs of $2.5 million ($7.6 million in 2021 versus $10.1 million in 2020). These were partially offset by $2.1 million of costs from CEO and related management changes in 2021.

Dead deal and transaction costs. The Company incurred costs of $12.2 million in 2021 and $2.6 million in 2020 in connection with transactions that were not consummated and ATM Program costs.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased $10.4 million, or 8.5 percent, for 2021 over 2020. This decrease was due primarily to lower depreciation of fully-amortized assets of approximately $13.6 million for the Same-Store Properties for 2021 as compared to 2020 and a decrease of approximately $1.6 million for properties sold or removed from service, partially offset by an increase in depreciation of $4.7 million for 2021 as compared to 2020 from the Acquired and Developed Properties.

Property impairments. In 2021, the Company recorded impairment charges of $7.4 million on its held and used hotel properties in Weehawken, New Jersey and $6.0 million on its then held and used office property in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 2020, the Company recorded impairment charges of $36.6 million on its held and used hotel properties in Weehawken, New Jersey.

Land and other impairments. In 2021, the Company recorded $20.8 million of impairments on developable land parcels and $2.9 million of goodwill impairment. In 2020, the Company recorded valuation impairment charges of $16.8 million on developable land parcels.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $15.8 million, or 19.5 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020. This decrease was primarily the result of lower average debt balances in 2021 as compared to 2020, due to the Company’s redemption of its Senior Unsecured Notes in 2021, using proceeds from sales of office properties.

Interest and other investment income. Interest and other investment income increased $0.5 million for 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to interest received on a note receivable, partially offset by the write-down of a note receivable in 2021.

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $0.4 million, or 11.0 percent, for 2021 as compared to 2020. The decrease is primarily due to an increase in concessions and discounts to tenants in 2021 as compared to 2020 resulting in a reduction of $1.7 million of rental revenue for 2021 as compared to 2020 from the Urby at Harborside venture.

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property, net. The Company had realized gains (unrealized losses) on disposition of rental property of $3.0 million in 2021 and $5.5 million in 2020. See Note 3: Recent Transactions – Dispositions – to the Financial Statements.

Gain on disposition of developable land. In 2021, the Company recorded a gain of $2.1 million on the sale of land holdings in Newark and Hamilton, New Jersey. In 2020, the Company recorded a gain of $5.8 million on the sale of land holdings located in Mount Pleasant, New York; Middletown, New Jersey; and Greenbelt, Maryland. See Note 3: Recent Transactions – Dispositions to the Financial Statements.

Gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures. In 2021, the Company recorded a loss of $1.9 million on the sale of its interest in a joint venture which owns an office property in West Orange, New Jersey. In 2020, the Company recorded a $35.2 million gain for its share on the sale the joint venture - owned property in Arlington, Virginia and land in Hillsborough, New Jersey. See Note 4: Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures – to the Financial Statements.

Loss from extinguishment of debt, net. In 2021, the Company recognized losses from early extinguishment of debt of $47.1 million which consists of $24.2 million in connection with the redemption of the Company’s Senior Unsecured Notes and $22.6 million in connection with the sale of Short Hills office portfolio and related defeasement of the mortgage loan. In 2020, the Company recorded a loss on early retirement of debt of $0.3 million in connection with the repayment of a construction loan on a multifamily property located in Malden, Massachusetts.

Discontinued operations. For all periods presented, the Company classified 36 office properties totaling 6.3 million square feet as discontinued operations, some of which were sold during the periods. The income from these properties decreased $56.8 million for

39


2021 as compared to 2020, due primarily to the sale of 16 properties in 2021 and 20 properties in 2020. Included within discontinued operations are realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property and impairments, net, of a gain of $25.6 million in 2021 and a gain of $11.2 million in 2020.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019 2019

Years Ended

December 31,

Dollar

Percent

(dollars in thousands)

2020

2019

Change

Change

Revenue from rental operations and other:

Revenues from leases

$

272,970 

$

302,409 

$

(29,439)

(9.7)

%

Parking income

15,604 

21,857 

(6,253)

(28.6)

Hotel income

4,287 

9,841 

(5,554)

(56.4)

Other income

9,311 

9,222 

89 

1.0 

Total revenues from rental operations

302,172 

343,329 

(41,157)

(12.0)

Property expenses:

Real estate taxes

45,801 

44,785 

1,016 

2.3 

Utilities

13,717 

17,881 

(4,164)

(23.3)

Operating services

68,313 

70,409 

(2,096)

(3.0)

Total property expenses

127,831 

133,075 

(5,244)

(3.9)

Non-property revenues:

Real estate services

11,390 

13,873 

(2,483)

(17.9)

Total non-property revenues

11,390 

13,873 

(2,483)

(17.9)

Non-property expenses:

Real estate services expenses

13,555 

15,918 

(2,363)

(14.8)

General and administrative

71,058 

59,805 

11,253 

18.8 

Dead deal and transaction-related costs

2,583 

-

2,583 

-

Depreciation and amortization

122,035 

133,597 

(11,562)

(8.7)

Property impairments

36,582 

-

36,582 

-

Land and other impairments, net

16,817 

32,444 

(15,627)

(48.2)

Total non-property expenses

262,630 

241,764 

20,866 

8.6 

Operating income

(76,899)

(17,637)

(59,262)

(336.0)

Other (expense) income:

Interest expense

(80,991)

(90,569)

9,578 

10.6 

Interest and other investment income

43 

2,412 

(2,369)

(98.2)

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures

(3,832)

(1,319)

(2,513)

(190.5)

Gain on change of control of interests

-

13,790 

(13,790)

(100.0)

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition

of rental property, net

5,481 

343,102 

(337,621)

(98.4)

Gain on disposition of developable land

5,787 

522 

5,265 

1,008.6 

Gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures

35,184 

903 

34,281 

3,796.3 

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt, net

(272)

1,648 

(1,920)

(116.5)

Total other (expense) income

(38,600)

270,489 

(309,089)

(114.3)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(115,499)

252,852 

(368,351)

(145.7)

Discontinued operations:

Income from discontinued operations

70,700 

24,334 

46,366 

190.5 

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on

disposition of rental property and impairments, net

11,201 

(133,350)

144,551 

108.4 

Total discontinued operations, net

81,901 

(109,016)

190,917 

175.1 

Net income (loss)

$

(33,598)

$

143,836 

$

(177,434)

(123.4)

%

40


The following is a summary of the changes in revenue from rental operations and other, and property expenses, in 2020 as compared to 2019 divided into Same-Store Properties, Acquired and Developed Properties and Properties Sold in 2019 and 2020:

Total

Same-Store

Acquired and Developed

Properties

Company

Properties

Properties

Sold in 2019 and 2020

Dollar

Percent

Dollar

Percent

Dollar

Percent

Dollar

Percent

(dollars in thousands)

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Change

Revenue from rental

operations and other:

Revenue from leases

$

(29,439)

(9.7)

%

$

(8,595)

(2.8)

%

$

28,928

9.6

%

$

(49,772)

(16.5)

%

Parking income

(6,253)

(28.6)

(6,666)

(30.5)

1,446

6.6

(1,033)

(4.7)

Hotel Income

(5,554)

(56.4)

(3,138)

(31.8)

(2,416)

(24.6)

-

-

Other income

89

1.0

1,963

21.3

694

7.5

(2,568)

(27.8)

Total

$

(41,157)

(12.0)

%

$

(16,436)

(4.8)

%

$

28,652

8.3

%

$

(53,373)

(15.5)

%

Property expenses:

Real estate taxes

$

1,016

2.3

%

$

1,409

3.2

%

$

7,354

16.4

%

$

(7,747)

(17.3)

%

Utilities

(4,164)

(23.3)

(1,236)

(6.9)

1,289

7.2

(4,217)

(23.6)

Operating services

(2,096)

(3.0)

(4,794)

(6.8)

11,429

16.2

(8,731)

(12.4)

Total

$

(5,244)

(3.9)

%

$

(4,621)

(3.5)

%

$

20,072

15.1

%

$

(20,695)

(15.5)

%

OTHER DATA:

Number of Consolidated Properties

26

20

6

104

Commercial Square feet (in thousands)

4,916

4,885

31

10,916

Multifamily portfolio (number of units)

4,039

2,377

1,662

1,745

Revenue from leases. Revenue from leases for the Same-Store Properties decreased $8.6 million, or 2.8 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019, of which a decrease of $5.7 million is due to the multifamily properties, due primarily to a decrease in average same store occupancy from 93.9 to 89.4 percent at the multifamily residential portfolio in 2020, as compared to 2019, primarily as a result of the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A decrease of $2.9 million is due to the commercial properties, due primarily to a decrease in occupancy for 2020 as compared to 2019. Revenue from leases at the Acquired and Developed Properties increased $28.9 million in 2020 as compared to 2019, due to the commencement of operations of three multifamily properties.

Parking income. Parking income for the Same-Store Properties decreased $6.7 million, or 30.5 percent for 2020 as compared to 2019 due primarily to a reduction in usage at the commercial properties, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Hotel income. Hotel income for the Same-Store properties decreased $3.1 million, or 31.8 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019 due to the partial shutdown of hotel operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Other income. Other income for the Same-Store Properties increased $2.0 million, or 21.3 percent for 2020 as compared to 2019 due primarily to an increase in lease breakage fees for both, multifamily and commercial properties recognized in 2020, as compared to 2019.

Real estate taxes. Real estate taxes on the Same-Store Properties increased $1.4 million, or 3.1 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019 due primarily to a decrease in tax appeal proceeds received 2020 as compared to 2019.

Utilities. Utilities for the Same-Store Properties decreased $1.2 million, or 6.9 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019, due primarily to decreased usage in 2020 as compared to 2019 as a result of lower occupancy in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Operating services. Operating services for the Same-Store properties decreased $4.8 million, or 6.8 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019, due primarily to a reduction in property maintenance and other services expense in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Real estate services revenue. Real estate services revenue (primarily reimbursement of property personnel costs) decreased $2.5 million, or 17.9 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019, due primarily to a reduction in third-party development and property management activity in multifamily services in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Real estate services expenses. Real estate services expenses decreased $2.4 million, or 14.8 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019, due primarily to decreased salaries and related expenses from less third-party service activities in 2020.

41


General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased $11.3 million, or 18.8 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019. This increase is due primarily to an increase in management restructuring costs, including severance, separation and related costs of $8.8 million ($10.1 million in 2020 versus $1.3 million in 2019), and an increase in costs incurred in connection with contested elections of the Board of Directors of $8.7 million ($12.8 million in 2020 versus $4.1 million in 2019). These were partially offset by a reduction in salaries and related expenses and leasing personnel costs of $2.8 million for 2020 as compared to 2019 and a reduction in travel, office and public relations events expenditures of $2.7 million for 2020 as compared to 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dead deal and transaction costs. The Company incurred costs of $2.6 million in 2020 in connection with transaction and capital market activities.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased $11.6 million, or 8.7 percent, for 2020 over 2019. This decrease was due primarily to lower depreciation of approximately $14.1 million for properties sold or removed from service during 2019 and 2020, partially offset by an increase in depreciation of $2.5 million for 2020 as compared to 2019 from the Acquired and Developed Properties.

Property impairments. In 2020, the Company recorded impairment charges of $36.6 million on its hotel properties in Weehawken, New Jersey.

Land and other impairments. In 2020, the Company recorded $16.8 million of impairments on developable land parcels. In 2019, the Company recorded impairment charges of $32.4 million on developable land parcels.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $9.6 million, or 10.6 percent, for 2020 as compared to 2019. This decrease was primarily the result of lower average interest rates in 2020, as compared to 2019.

Interest and other investment income. Interest and other investment income decreased $2.4 million for 2020 as compared to 2019 primarily due to lower average notes receivable balances outstanding in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $2.5 million for 2020 as compared to 2019. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease of $2.8 million for 2020 as compared to 2019 from the Hyatt Regency Hotel Jersey City venture, because the hotel was shut down beginning in March 2020 on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a decrease of $0.5 million for 2020 as compared to 2019 from the Urby at Harborside venture. These were partially offset by an increase of $1.1 million for 2020 as compared to 2019 from the 12 Vreeland Road venture, due to impairment charges recorded of $2.6 million in 2020 and $3.7 million in 2019.

Gain on change of control of interests. The Company recorded a gain on change of control of interests of $13.8 million in 2019 as a result of its acquisition of the controlling interest of its equity partners in a joint venture that owns a multifamily property located in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property, net. The Company had realized gains (unrealized losses) on disposition of rental property of $5.5 million in 2020 and $343.1 million in 2019. See Note 3: Recent Transactions – Dispositions – to the Financial Statements.

Gain on disposition of developable land. In 2020, the Company recorded a gain of $5.8 million on the sale of land holdings located in Mount Pleasant, New York; Middletown, New Jersey; and Greenbelt, Maryland. The Company recorded a gain of $0.5 million in 2019 on the sale of land holdings located in Malden and Revere, Massachusetts. See Note 3: Recent Transactions – Dispositions to the Financial Statements.

Gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures. In 2020, the Company recorded a $35.2 million gain for its share on the sale of the joint venture - owned property in Arlington, Virginia and land in Hillsborough, New Jersey. In 2019, the Company recorded a $0.9 million gain on the sale of its interests in a joint venture, which owned a property in Red Bank, New Jersey. See Note 4: Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures – to the Financial Statements.

Gain/(loss) from extinguishment of debt, net. In 2020, the Company recorded a loss on early retirement of debt of $0.3 million in connection with the repayment of a construction loan on a multifamily property located in Malden, Massachusetts. In 2019, the Company recognized a gain from early retirement of debt of $1.6 million in connection with the early termination of a portion of interest rate swap agreements, in connection with the prepayment of term loan balances in 2019.

42


Discontinued operations. In 2019, the Company classified 37 office properties totaling 6.6 million square feet as discontinued operations, some of which were sold during 2019 and 2020. In 2020, the Company reclassified one of the discontinued operations properties as held for use. The income from these properties increased $46.4 million for 2020 as compared to 2019, due primarily to a decrease in depreciation and amortization costs. Upon classifying these properties as held for sale in December 2019, the Company ceased recording depreciation and amortization on the long lived assets, thereby resulting in a decrease of depreciation and amortization in 2020 compared to 2019. The Company recognized realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property and impairments, net, of a gain of $11.2 million in 2020 and a loss of $133.4 million in 2019.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Overview

Rental revenue is the Company’s principal source of funds to pay its material cash commitments consisting of operating expenses, debt service, capital expenditures and dividends, excluding non-recurring capital expenditures. To the extent that the Company’s cash flow from operating activities is insufficient to finance its non-recurring capital expenditures such as property acquisitions, development and construction costs and other capital expenditures, the Company has and expects to continue to finance such activities through borrowings under its revolving credit facility, other debt and equity financings, proceeds from the sale of properties and joint venture capital.

The Company expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements generally through its working capital, which may include proceeds from the sales of rental properties and land, net cash provided by operating activities and draw from its revolving credit facility.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact in the U.S. and around the globe. The global impact of the outbreak is rapidly evolving and has included quarantines, restrictions on business activities, including construction activities, restrictions on group gatherings, and restrictions on travel. These actions have and may in the future create disruption in the global economy and supply chains. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, many of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions taken to contain it or treat its impact. If the outbreak continues, there will likely be continued negative economic impacts, market volatility, and business disruption which could negatively impact the Company’s tenants’ ability to pay rent, the Company’s ability to lease vacant space, the Company’s ability to complete development and redevelopment projects and the Company’s ability to dispose of assets held for sale and these consequences, in turn, could materially impact the Company’s results of operations.

Construction Projects

The Company is developing a 750-unit multifamily project at 25 Christopher Columbus, also known as Haus 25, in Jersey City, New Jersey which began construction in the first quarter of 2019. The construction project, which is estimated to cost $469.5 million, of which $425 million have been incurred through December 31, 2021, is expected to be ready for occupancy in the second quarter of 2022. The Company has funded $169.5 million of the construction costs and the remaining construction costs are expected to be funded from a $300 million construction loan (of which $255.5 million was drawn as of December 31, 2021).

REIT Restrictions

To maintain its qualification as a REIT under the IRS Code, the General Partner must make annual distributions to its stockholders of at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains. However, any such distributions, whether for federal income tax purposes or otherwise, would be paid out of available cash, including borrowings and other sources, after meeting operating requirements, preferred stock dividends and distributions, and scheduled debt service on the Company’s debt. If and to the extent the Company retains and does not distribute any net capital gains, the General Partner will be required to pay federal, state and local taxes on such net capital gains at the rate applicable to capital gains of a corporation.

In September 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had made the strategic decision to suspend its common dividends and distributions attributable to the third and fourth quarters 2020 as the Company’s management estimated that it had satisfied its dividend obligations as a REIT on taxable income expected for 2020. The Board made this strategic decision to suspend its common dividends and distributions for the remainder of 2020 in an effort to provide greater financial flexibility during the pandemic and to retain incremental capital to support leasing initiatives at its Harborside commercial office properties on the Jersey City waterfront. In March 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors would continue to suspend its common dividend for the remainder of 2021 in order to conserve capital and allow for greater financial flexibility during this period of heightened economic uncertainty and

43


based on the Company’s projected 2021 taxable income estimates. The Company believes that with this suspension, it will satisfy its dividend obligation as a REIT on taxable income estimated for 2021.

Property Lock-Ups

Certain Company properties acquired by contribution from unrelated common unitholders of the Operating Partnership, were subject to restrictions on disposition, except in a manner which did not result in recognition of built-in-gain allocable to such unitholders or which reimbursed the unitholders for the tax consequences thereof (collectively, the “Property Lock-Ups”). While these Property Lock-Ups have expired, the Company is generally required to use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any disposition of the subject properties from resulting in the recognition of built-in gain to these unitholders, which include members of the Mack Group (which includes William L. Mack, a former director and David S. Mack, a former director). As of December 31, 2021, taking into account tax-free exchanges on the originally contributed properties, either wholly or partially, over time, five of the Company’s properties, as well as certain land and development projects, with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $1.0 billion, are subject to these conditions.

Unencumbered Properties

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had one unencumbered property with a carrying value of $18.6 million representing 3.7 percent of the Company’s total consolidated property count.

Cash Flows

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash decreased by $0.8 million to $51.5 million at December 31, 2021, compared to $52.3 million at December 31, 2020. This decrease is comprised of the following net cash flow items:

(1)

$56.1 million provided by operating activities.

(2) 

$446.2 million provided by investing activities, consisting primarily of the following:

(a)

$645 million net cash from investing activities - discontinued operations, primarily comprised of sales proceeds from assets classified as held for sale; plus

(b)

$7.3 million received from repayments of notes receivables; plus

(c)

$52.4 million received from proceeds from the sales of rental property; plus

(d)

$65.1 million used for additions to rental property and improvements; minus

(e)

$211.6 million used for the development of rental property, other related costs and deposits.

(3)

$503.2 million used in financing activities, consisting primarily of the following:

(a)

$73 million used for repayments of revolving credit facility and term loan; plus

(b)

$150 million used for repayment of term loans; plus

(c)

$573.7 million used for repayment of senior unsecured notes; plus

(d)

$193 million used for repayments of mortgages, loans payable and other obligations; plus

(e)

$26 million used for distribution to redeemable noncontrolling interests; plus

(f)

$49.9 million used for payment of early debt extinguishment costs, minus

(g)

$196 million from borrowings under the revolving credit facility; minus

(h)

$226.4 million from proceeds received from mortgages and loans payable; minus

(i)

$150 million from borrowings from term loans.

 

44


Debt Financing

Summary of Debt

The following is a breakdown of the Company’s debt between fixed and variable-rate financing as of December 31, 2021:

Balance

Weighted Average

Weighted Average

($000’s)

% of Total

Interest Rate (a)

Maturity in Years

Fixed Rate Secured

$

1,682,662 

70.10 

%

3.71 

%

5.25 

Variable Rate Secured Debt

717,628 

29.90 

%

3.32 

%

2.74 

Totals/Weighted Average:

$

2,400,290 

100.00 

%

3.60 

%

(b)

4.50 

Unamortized deferred financing costs

(11,220)

Total Debt, Net

$

2,389,070 

(a)The actual weighted average LIBOR rate for the Company’s outstanding variable rate debt was 0.11 percent as of December 31, 2021, plus the applicable spread.

(b)Excludes amortized deferred financing costs primarily pertaining to the Company’s revolving credit facility which amounted to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Debt Maturities

Scheduled principal payments and related weighted average annual effective interest rates for the Company’s debt as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:

Scheduled

Principal

Weighted Avg.

Amortization

Maturities

Total

Effective Interest Rate of

Period

($000’s)

($000’s)

($000’s)

Future Repayments (a)

2022

$

550 

$

87,175 

$

87,725 

2.24 

%

2023

2,047 

147,998 

150,045 

3.55 

%

2024 (b)

3,403 

711,453 

714,856 

3.77 

%

2025

3,300 

-

3,300 

3.98 

%

2026

3,407 

733,000 

736,407 

3.47 

%

Thereafter

9,415 

698,542 

707,957 

3.73 

%

Sub-total

22,122 

2,378,168 

2,400,290 

3.60 

%

Unamortized deferred financing costs

(11,220)

-

(11,220)

-

Totals/Weighted Average

$

10,902 

$

2,378,168 

$

2,389,070 

3.60 

%

(c)

(a)The actual weighted average LIBOR rate for the Company’s outstanding variable rate debt was 0.11 percent as of December 31, 2021, plus the applicable spread.

(b)Excludes amortized deferred financing costs primarily pertaining to the Company’s revolving credit facility which amounted to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

(c)Includes outstanding borrowings of the Company’s revolving credit facility of $148 million.  

Senior Unsecured Notes

On May 6, 2021, the Company retired these notes earlier than their maturity, using net sales proceeds from completed suburban office property sales and borrowings under its 2021 credit facility and term loan. In conjunction with the notes being discharged, the Company incurred costs of $24.2 million (including a make-whole premium) which was expensed as loss from extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 9: Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans.

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans

On May 6, 2021, the Company entered into a revolving credit and term loan agreement (“2021 Credit Agreement”) with a group of seven lenders that provides for a $250 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2021 Credit Facility”) and a $150 million senior secured term loan facility (the “2021 Term Loan”), and delivered written notice to the administrative agents to terminate the 2017 credit agreement, which termination became effective May 13, 2021.

 

The terms of the 2021 Credit Facility include: (1) a three-year term ending in May 2024; (2) revolving credit loans may be made to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million (subject to increase as discussed below), with a sublimit under the

45


2021 Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $50 million; and (3) a first priority lien in unencumbered properties of the Company with an appraised value greater than or equal to $800 million which must include the Company’s Harborside 2/3 and Harborside 5 properties; and (4) a facility fee payable quarterly equal to 35 basis points if usage of the 2021 Credit Facility is less than or equal to 50%, and 25 basis points if usage of the 2021 Credit Facility is greater than 50%.

 

The terms of the 2021 Term Loan included: (1) an eighteen month term ending in November 2022; (2) a single draw of the term loan commitments up to an aggregate principal amount of $150 million; and (3) a first priority lien in unencumbered properties of the Company with an appraised value greater than or equal to $800 million which must include the Company’s Harborside 2/3 and Harborside 5 properties.

Interest on borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility and 2021 Term Loan shall be based on applicable base rate (the “Base Rate”) plus a margin ranging from 125 basis points to 275 basis points depending on the Base Rate elected, currently 0.12%. The Base Rate shall be either (A) the highest of (i) the Wall Street Journal prime rate, (ii) the greater of the then effective (x) Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (y) Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 50 basis points, and (iii) a LIBO Rate, as adjusted for statutory reserve requirements for eurocurrency liabilities (the “Adjusted LIBO Rate”) and calculated for a one-month interest period, plus 100 basis points (such highest amount being the “ABR Rate”), or (B) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the applicable interest period; provided, however, that the ABR Rate shall not be less than 1% and the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall not be less than zero.

The 2021 Credit Agreement, which applies to both the 2021 Credit Facility and 2021 Term Loan, includes certain restrictions and covenants which limit, among other things the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of liens and the disposition of real estate properties, and which require compliance with financial ratios relating to the minimum collateral pool value ($800 million), maximum collateral pool leverage ratio (40 percent), minimum number of collateral pool properties (two), the maximum total leverage ratio (65 percent), the minimum debt service coverage ratio (1.10 times until May 6, 2022, 1.20 times from May 7, 2022 through May 6, 2023, and 1.40 times thereafter), and the minimum tangible net worth ratio (80% of tangible net worth as of December 31, 2020 plus 80% of net cash proceeds of equity issuances by the General Partner or the Operating Partnership).

The 2021 Credit Agreement contains “change of control” provisions that permit the lenders to declare a default and require the immediate repayment of all outstanding borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility. These change of control provisions, which have been an event of default under the agreements governing the Company’s revolving credit facilities since June 2000, are triggered if, among other things, a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors (other than vacant seats) become occupied by directors who were neither nominated by the Board of Directors, nor appointed by the Board of Directors. Furthermore, construction loans secured by two multifamily residential property development projects contain cross-acceleration provisions that would constitute an event of default requiring immediate repayment of the construction loans if the change of control provisions under the 2021 Credit Facility are triggered and the lenders declare a default and exercise their rights under the 2021 Credit Facility and accelerate repayment of the outstanding borrowings thereunder. If these change of control provisions were triggered, the Company could seek a forbearance, waiver or amendment of the change of control provisions from the lenders, however there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to obtain such forbearance, waiver or amendment on acceptable terms or at all. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the entire outstanding balance under the 2021 Credit Agreement may (or, in the case of any bankruptcy event of default, shall) become immediately due and payable, and the Company will not make any excess distributions except to enable the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT under the IRS Code.

On May 6, 2021, the Company drew the full $150 million available under the 2021 Term Loan and borrowed $145 million from the 2021 Credit Facility to retire the Company’s Senior Unsecured Notes. In June 2021, the Company paid down a total of $123 million of borrowings under the 2021 Term Loan, using sales proceeds from several of the Company’s suburban office property dispositions. On July 27, 2021, the Company repaid the outstanding balance of the 2021 Term Loan of $27 million, using proceeds from the disposition of a suburban office property previously held for sale. (See Note 3: Recent Transactions – Real Estate Held for Sale/Discontinued Operations/Dispositions).

The terms of the 2017 credit facility included: (1) a four-year term ending in January 2021, with two six-month extension options, subject to the Company not being in default on the facility and with the payment of a fee of 7.5 basis points for each extension; (2) revolving credit loans may be made to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $600 million, with a sublimit under the 2017 credit facility for the issuance of letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $60 million (subject to increase as discussed below), of which $10.6 million of letters of credit had been issued as of May 6, 2021; (3) an interest rate based on the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt ratings from Moody’s or S&P, or, at the Operating Partnership’s option, if it no longer maintained a debt rating from Moody’s or S&P or such debt ratings fell below Baa3 and BBB-, based on a defined leverage ratio; and (4) a facility fee, payable quarterly based on the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt ratings from Moody’s or S&P, or, at the Operating Partnership’s option, if it no longer maintained a debt rating from Moody’s or S&P or such debt ratings fell below Baa3 and BBB-, based on a defined leverage ratio. In January 2021, the Company elected to exercise the first option to extend the 2017 credit facility maturity date for a

46


period of six months. Accordingly, the term of the 2017 credit facility was extended through its termination in May 2021, with the Company’s payment of the 7.5 basis point extension fee.

After electing to use the defined leverage ratio in 2018 to determine the interest rate, the interest rate under the 2017 credit facility was based on the following total leverage ratio grid:

Interest Rate -

Applicable

Interest Rate -

Basis Points

Applicable

Above LIBOR for

Basis Points

Alternate Base

Facility Fee

Total Leverage Ratio

Above LIBOR

Rate Loans

Basis Points

<45%

125.0

25.0

20.0

≥45% and <50%

130.0

30.0

25.0

≥50% and <55% (ratio through May 6, 2021)

135.0

35.0

30.0

≥55%

160.0

60.0

35.0

Mortgages, Loans Payable and Other Obligations

The Company has other mortgages, loans payable and other obligations which consist of various loans collateralized by certain of the Company’s rental properties. Payments on mortgages, loans payable and other obligations are generally due in monthly installments of principal and interest, or interest only.

Debt Strategy

The Company does not intend to reserve funds to retire the Company’s outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility or its mortgages, loans payable and other obligations upon maturity. Instead, the Company will seek to retire such debt primarily with available proceeds to be received from the Company’s planned sales of its assets, as well as obtaining additional mortgage financings on or before the applicable maturity dates. If it cannot raise sufficient proceeds to retire the maturing debt, the Company may draw on its revolving credit facility to retire the maturing indebtedness, which would reduce the future availability of funds under such facility. As of February 18, 2022, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $125.0 million under its revolving credit facility and no outstanding borrowings under its term loan. The Company is reviewing various financing and refinancing options, including the issuance of additional, or exchange of current, unsecured debt of the Operating Partnership or common and preferred stock of the General Partner, and/or obtaining additional mortgage debt of the Operating Partnership, some or all of which may be completed in 2022. The Company currently anticipates that its available cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operating activities and proceeds from the sale of real estate assets and joint ventures investments, together with cash available from borrowings and other sources, will be adequate to meet the Company’s capital and liquidity needs in the short term. However, if these sources of funds are insufficient or unavailable, due to current economic conditions or otherwise, or if capital needs to fund acquisition and development opportunities in the multifamily rental sector arise, the Company’s ability to make the expected distributions discussed in “REIT Restrictions” above may be adversely affected.

47


Equity Financing and Registration Statements

Common Equity

The following table presents the changes in the General Partner’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock and the Operating Partnership’s common units for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Common

Common

Units/Vested

Stock

LTIP Units

Total

Outstanding at January 1, 2021

90,712,417

9,649,031

100,361,448

Restricted stock issued

55,554

-

55,554

Conversion of deferred stock units for common stock

-

-

-

Common units redeemed for common stock

175,257

(175,257)

-

Conversion of LTIP units for common units

-

205,434

205,434

Vested RSU/LTIP units

2,501

65,176

67,677

Cancellation of restricted stock

(262)

-

(262)

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

2,541

-

2,541

Redemption of common units

-

(730,850)

(730,850)

Outstanding at December 31, 2021

90,948,008

9,013,534

99,961,542

Common

Common

Units/Vested

Stock

LTIP Units

Total

Outstanding at January 1, 2020

90,595,176

9,612,064

100,207,240

Restricted stock issued

52,974

-

52,974

Conversion of deferred stock units for common stock

61,277

-

61,277

Common units redeemed for common stock

-

-

-

Conversion of LTIP units for common units

-

38,626

38,626

Vested LTIP Units

-

136,957

136,957

Cancellation of common units

-

(1)

(1)

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

2,990

-

2,990

Redemption of common units

-

(138,615)

(138,615)

Outstanding at December 31, 2020

90,712,417

9,649,031

100,361,448

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “DRIP”) which commenced in March 1999 under which approximately 5.5 million shares of the General Partner’s common stock have been reserved for future issuance. The DRIP provides for automatic reinvestment of all or a portion of a participant’s dividends from the General Partner’s shares of common stock. The DRIP also permits participants to make optional cash investments up to $5,000 a month without restriction and, if the Company waives this limit, for additional amounts subject to certain restrictions and other conditions set forth in the DRIP prospectus filed as part of the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the approximately 5.5 million shares of the General Partner’s common stock reserved for issuance under the DRIP.

Shelf Registration Statements

The General Partner has an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC for an aggregate amount of $2.0 billion in common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, and/or warrants of the General Partner, under which $200 million of shares of common stock have been allocated for sales pursuant to the Company’s ATM Program commenced in December 2021 and no securities have been sold as of February 18, 2022.

The General Partner and the Operating Partnership also have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC for an aggregate amount of $2.5 billion in common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and guarantees of the General Partner and debt securities of the Operating Partnership, under which no securities have been sold as of February 18, 2022.

48


 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Unconsolidated Joint Venture Debt

The debt of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures generally provides for recourse to the Company for customary matters such as intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions and material misrepresentations. The Company has agreed to guarantee repayment of a portion of the debt of its unconsolidated joint ventures. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of such debt, subject to guarantees, totaled $191.2 million of which $22 million was guaranteed by the Company.

The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements are further discussed in Note 4: Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures to the Financial Statements.

 

Funds from Operations 

 

Funds from operations (“FFO”) (available to common stock and unit holders) is defined as net income (loss) before noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains or losses from depreciable rental property transactions (including both acquisitions and dispositions), and impairments related to depreciable rental property, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization. The Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors as one of several measures of the performance of an equity REIT. The Company further believes that as FFO excludes the effect of depreciation, gains (or losses) from property transactions and impairments related to depreciable rental property (all of which are based on historical costs which may be of limited relevance in evaluating current performance), FFO can facilitate comparison of operating performance between equity REITs.  

 

FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income available to common shareholders as an indication of the Company’s performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. FFO presented herein is not necessarily comparable to FFO presented by other real estate companies due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definition. However, the Company’s FFO is comparable to the FFO of real estate companies that use the current definition of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). 

 

As the Company considers its primary earnings measure, net income available to common shareholders, as defined by GAAP, to be the most comparable earnings measure to FFO, the following table presents a reconciliation of net income available to common shareholders to FFO, as calculated in accordance with NAREIT’s current definition, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): 

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(119,042)

$

(51,387)

$

111,861 

Add (deduct): Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership

(15,469)

(13,277)

23,724 

Noncontrolling interests in discontinued operations

3,590 

7,878 

(10,460)

Real estate-related depreciation and amortization on

continuing operations (a)

120,416 

132,816 

144,932 

Real estate-related depreciation and amortization

on discontinued operations

974 

4,806 

70,614 

Property impairments on continuing operations

13,467 

36,582 

-

Property impairments on discontinued operations

-

-

11,696 

Impairment of unconsolidated joint venture investment

-

-

-

(included in Equity in earnings)

(2)

2,562 

3,661 

Gain on change of control of interests

-

-

(13,790)

Gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures

1,886 

(35,184)

(903)

Continuing operations: Realized (gains) losses and unrealized (gains) losses

on disposition of rental property, net

(3,022)

(5,481)

(343,102)

Discontinued operations: Realized (gains) losses and unrealized (gains) losses

on disposition of rental property, net

(25,552)

(11,201)

117,898 

Funds from operations available to common stock

and Operating Partnership unitholders (b)

$

(22,754)

$

68,114 

$

116,131 

(a)Includes the Company’s share from unconsolidated joint ventures, and adjustments for noncontrolling interests, of $10.1 million, $12.4 million and $13.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Excludes non-real estate-related depreciation and amortization of $1,304, $1,610 and $2,092 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(b)Net income available to common shareholders in 2021, 2020 and 2019 included $23.7 million, $16.8 million and $36.2 million, respectively, of land impairment charges and $2.1 million, $5.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, from a gain on disposition of developable land, which are included in the calculation to arrive at funds from operations as such gains and charges relate to non-depreciable assets.

49


ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. In pursuing its business plan, the primary market risk to which the Company is exposed is interest rate risk. Changes in the general level of interest rates prevailing in the financial markets may affect the spread between the Company’s yield on invested assets and cost of funds and, in turn, its ability to make distributions or payments to its investors.

Approximately $1.7 billion of the Company’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2021 bears interest at fixed rates and therefore the fair value of these instruments is affected by changes in market interest rates. The following table presents principal cash flows (in thousands) based upon maturity dates of the debt obligations and the related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates for the fixed rate debt. The interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt as of December 31, 2021 ranged from LIBOR plus 158 basis points to LIBOR plus 340 basis points. Assuming interest-rate swaps and caps are not in effect, if market rates of interest on the Company’s variable rate debt increased or decreased by 100 basis points, then the increase or decrease in interest costs on the Company’s variable rate debt would be approximately $7.1 million annually and the increase or decrease in the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt as of December 31, 2021 would be approximately $78.4 million.

December 31, 2021

Debt,

including current portion

Fair

($s in thousands)

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Thereafter

Sub-total

Other (a)

Total

Value

Fixed Rate

$

550

$

61,045

$

311,403

$

3,300

$

598,407

$

707,957

$

1,682,662

$

(7,309)

$

1,675,353

$

1,701,632

Average Interest Rate

4.85

%

3.59

%

3.43

%

3.98

%

3.85

%

3.73

%

3.71

%

Variable Rate

$

87,175

$

89,000

$

403,453

$

-

$

138,000

$

-

$

717,628

$

(3,911)

$

713,717

$

713,717

While the Company has not experienced any significant credit losses, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, defaults could increase and result in losses to the Company which could adversely affect its operating results and liquidity. 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, together with the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, as set forth in the index in Item 15: Exhibits and Financial Statements, are filed under this Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Veris Residential, Inc.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the General Partner’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the General Partner’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the General Partner in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

50


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the General Partner’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has established and maintained policies and procedures designed to maintain the adequacy of the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting, and includes those policies and procedures that:

(1)Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the General Partner;

 

(2)Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the General Partner are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the General Partner; and

(3)Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the General Partner’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

The General Partner’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 based on the criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013. Based on our assessment and those criteria, the General Partner’s management has concluded that the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The effectiveness of the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting.

Veris Residential, L.P.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Operating Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Operating Partnership in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

51


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the General Partner’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The General Partner’s management, with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has established and maintained policies and procedures designed to maintain the adequacy of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting, and includes those policies and procedures that:

(1)Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Operating Partnership;

 

(2)Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Operating Partnership are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the General Partner; and

(3)Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Operating Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

The General Partner’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 based on the criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013. Based on our assessment and those criteria, the General Partner’s management has concluded that the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The effectiveness of the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

On February 23, 2022, David Smetana, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, notified the Company that he would step down as Chief Financial Officer and terminate his employment with the Company effective March 31, 2022.  This information is being disclosed under this Item 9B of Form 10-K in lieu of Item 5.02(b) of Form 8-K.

 

ITEM 9C.DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not Applicable.

 

PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by Item 10 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 15, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 15, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

52


ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 12 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 15, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 15, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 will be set forth in the General Partner’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held on June 15, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

53


PART IV

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) 1.     All Financial Statements

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238)

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a) 2.     Financial Statement Schedules

(i)Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P.:

Schedule III – Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation as of December 31, 2021 with reconciliations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

All other schedules are omitted because they are not required or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

(a) 3.      Exhibits

The exhibits required by this item are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

ITEM 16.    FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not Applicable


54


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Veris Residential, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Veris Residential, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of changes in equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters

55


below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Impairment Assessment of Rental Property and Estimated Net Sales Price of Real Estate Held for Sale in the Absence of an Executed Sales Agreement

As described in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s net investment in rental property and real estate held for sale, net was $4 billion and $619 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021. On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired. A property’s value is impaired only if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property over its estimated holding period is less than the carrying value of the property. If there are different possible scenarios for a property, the Company will take a probability weighted approach to estimating future cash flow scenarios. To the extent impairment has occurred, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the property over the fair value of the property. Management’s estimates of aggregate future cash flows expected to be generated and estimated fair values for each property are based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. When assets are identified by management as held for sale, management discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of expected selling costs, of such assets. If, in management’s opinion, the estimated net sales price, net of expected selling costs, of the disposal groups which have been identified as held for sale is less than the carrying value of the assets, a valuation allowance is established. For developable land holdings, which can be classified as either rental property or real estate held for sale, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is considered based on development rights or plans for the land.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the impairment assessment of rental property and estimated net sales price of real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement is a critical audit matter are (i) the high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity involved in performing procedures relating to management’s estimates of the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and estimated net sales price of real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement due to the significant judgment by management when developing these estimates; (ii) the significant audit effort in evaluating the significant assumptions related to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates used in estimating the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and the estimated per-unit market value used in estimating the net sales price or fair value for developable land holdings; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s estimates of the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and estimated net sales price of real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement, including controls over the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used in the estimates. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process by (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the methods used to estimate the aggregate future cash flows and fair value and the net sales price; (ii) testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management; and (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions related to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates used in estimating the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and the estimated per-unit market value used in estimating the net sales price or fair value for developable land holdings. Evaluating the reasonableness of these significant assumptions involved considering the past performance of the assets, market data for similar investments, and whether this evidence was consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. For a sample of rental properties and real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement, professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of estimates of aggregate future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates used in the impairment assessment of rental property and the estimated per-unit market value used in estimating the net sales price or fair value for developable land holdings.

Estimated Future Redemption Value of Redeemable Non-controlling Interest – Valuation of the Veris Residential Trust Real Estate Portfolio

As described in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s redeemable non-controlling interest balance in Veris Residential Trust (“VRT”), a consolidated subsidiary, was $469 million and the estimated future redemption value of Rockpoint’s Preferred Units was approximately $479 million as of December 31, 2021. Management determines the redemption value of these interests by hypothetically liquidating the estimated net asset value of the VRT real estate portfolio including debt principal through the applicable waterfall provisions of the investment agreement. Management estimates net asset value based on unobservable inputs after considering the assumptions that market participants would make in valuing the real estate assets of VRT which is the basis for pricing the future redemption value of the Rockpoint interests. Management estimates the net asset value of VRT by (i) applying a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows for properties under development during the period under construction and then applying a direct capitalization method to the estimated stabilized cash flows, (ii) using the direct capitalization method by applying a capitalization rate to the projected net operating income for operating properties, and (iii) estimating per-unit market value rate assumptions for developable land holdings based on development rights or plans available for the land. Estimated future cash flows used in such analyses are based on management’s business plan for each respective property including capital expenditures, management’s views of market and economic conditions, and considers items such as current and future rental rates, occupancies and market transactions for comparable properties.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the estimated future redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interest - valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio is a critical audit matter are (i) the high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to the valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio due to the significant judgment by management when developing these estimates; (ii) the significant audit effort in evaluating the significant assumptions related to capitalization rates for operating properties and properties under development and per-unit market value rate assumptions for developable land holdings; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

56


Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the estimated future redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interest - valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio, including controls over the reasonableness of the significant assumptions related to capitalization rates and per-unit market value rate assumptions. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process by (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the methods used to estimate the value of the VRT real estate portfolio; (ii) evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions related to capitalization rates for operating properties and properties under development and per-unit market value rate assumptions for developable land holdings; and (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management. For a sample of properties within the VRT real estate portfolio, professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant assumptions related to capitalization rates and per-unit market value rate assumptions. Evaluating the reasonableness of these significant assumptions related to the valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio involved considering the past performance of the properties, market data for similar investments, and whether this evidence was consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 23, 2022

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1994.


57


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Partners of Veris Residential, L.P.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Veris Residential, L.P. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of changes in equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

58


Impairment Assessment of Rental Property and Estimated Net Sales Price of Real Estate Held for Sale in the Absence of an Executed Sales Agreement

As described in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s net investment in rental property and real estate held for sale, net was $4 billion and $619 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021. On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired. A property’s value is impaired only if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property over its estimated holding period is less than the carrying value of the property. If there are different possible scenarios for a property, the Company will take a probability weighted approach to estimating future cash flow scenarios. To the extent impairment has occurred, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the property over the fair value of the property. Management’s estimates of aggregate future cash flows expected to be generated and estimated fair values for each property are based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. When assets are identified by management as held for sale, management discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of expected selling costs, of such assets. If, in management’s opinion, the estimated net sales price, net of expected selling costs, of the disposal groups which have been identified as held for sale is less than the carrying value of the assets, a valuation allowance is established. For developable land holdings, which can be classified as either rental property or real estate held for sale, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is considered based on development rights or plans for the land.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the impairment assessment of rental property and estimated net sales price of real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement is a critical audit matter are (i) the high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity involved in performing procedures relating to management’s estimates of the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and estimated net sales price of real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement due to the significant judgment by management when developing these estimates; (ii) the significant audit effort in evaluating the significant assumptions related to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates used in estimating the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and the estimated per-unit market value used in estimating the net sales price or fair value for developable land holdings; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s estimates of the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and estimated net sales price of real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement, including controls over the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used in the estimates. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process by (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the methods used to estimate the aggregate future cash flows and fair value and the net sales price; (ii) testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management; and (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions related to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates used in estimating the aggregate future cash flows and fair value used in the impairment assessment of rental property and the estimated per-unit market value used in estimating the net sales price or fair value for developable land holdings. Evaluating the reasonableness of these significant assumptions involved considering the past performance of the assets, market data for similar investments, and whether this evidence was consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. For a sample of rental properties and real estate held for sale in the absence of an executed sales agreement, professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of estimates of aggregate future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates used in the impairment assessment of rental property and the estimated per-unit market value used in estimating the net sales price or fair value for developable land holdings.

Estimated Future Redemption Value of Redeemable Non-controlling Interest – Valuation of the Veris Residential Trust Real Estate Portfolio

As described in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s redeemable non-controlling interest balance in Veris Residential Trust (“VRT”), a consolidated subsidiary, was $469 million and the estimated future redemption value of Rockpoint’s Preferred Units was approximately $479 million as of December 31, 2021. Management determines the redemption value of these interests by hypothetically liquidating the estimated net asset value of the VRT real estate portfolio including debt principal through the applicable waterfall provisions of the investment agreement. Management estimates net asset value based on unobservable inputs after considering the assumptions that market participants would make in valuing the real estate assets of VRT which is the basis for pricing the future redemption value of the Rockpoint interests. Management estimates the net asset value of VRT by (i) applying a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows for properties under development during the period under construction and then applying a direct capitalization method to the estimated stabilized cash flows, (ii) using the direct capitalization method by applying a capitalization rate to the projected net operating income for operating properties, and (iii) estimating per-unit market value rate assumptions for developable land holdings based on development rights or plans available for the land. Estimated future cash flows used in such analyses are based on management’s business plan for each respective property including capital expenditures, management’s views of market and economic conditions, and considers items such as current and future rental rates, occupancies and market transactions for comparable properties.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the estimated future redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interest - valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio is a critical audit matter are (i) the high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to the valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio due to the significant judgment by management when developing these estimates; (ii) the significant audit effort in evaluating the significant assumptions related to capitalization rates for operating properties and properties under development and per-unit market value rate assumptions for developable land holdings; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

59


Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the estimated future redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interest - valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio, including controls over the reasonableness of the significant assumptions related to capitalization rates and per-unit market value rate assumptions. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process by (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the methods used to estimate the value of the VRT real estate portfolio; (ii) evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions related to capitalization rates for operating properties and properties under development and per-unit market value rate assumptions for developable land holdings; and (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management. For a sample of properties within the VRT real estate portfolio, professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant assumptions related to capitalization rates and per-unit market value rate assumptions. Evaluating the reasonableness of these significant assumptions related to the valuation of the VRT real estate portfolio involved considering the past performance of the properties, market data for similar investments, and whether this evidence was consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 23, 2022

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1998.

60


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts)

December 31,

December 31,

ASSETS

2021

2020

Rental property

Land and leasehold interests

$

494,935

$

639,636

Buildings and improvements

3,375,266

3,743,831

Tenant improvements

106,654

171,623

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

100,011

83,553

4,076,866

4,638,643

Less – accumulated depreciation and amortization

(583,416)

(656,331)

3,493,450

3,982,312

Real estate held for sale, net

618,646

656,963

Net investment in rental property

4,112,096

4,639,275

Cash and cash equivalents

31,754

38,096

Restricted cash

19,701

14,207

Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

137,772

162,382

Unbilled rents receivable, net

72,285

84,907

Deferred charges, goodwill and other assets, net

151,347

199,541

Accounts receivable

2,363

9,378

Total assets

$

4,527,318

$

5,147,786

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Senior unsecured notes, net

$

-

$

572,653

Revolving credit facility and term loans

148,000

25,000

Mortgages, loans payable and other obligations, net

2,241,070

2,204,144

Dividends and distributions payable

384

1,493

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

134,977

194,717

Rents received in advance and security deposits

26,396

34,101

Accrued interest payable

5,760

10,001

Total liabilities

2,556,587

3,042,109

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

521,313

513,297

Equity:

Veris Residential, Inc. stockholders’ equity:

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 190,000,000 shares authorized,

90,948,008 and 90,712,417 shares outstanding

909

907

Additional paid-in capital

2,530,383

2,528,187

Dividends in excess of net earnings

(1,249,319)

(1,130,277)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

9

-

Total Veris Residential, Inc. stockholders’ equity

1,281,982

1,398,817

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries:

Operating Partnership

127,053

148,791

Consolidated joint ventures

40,383

44,772

Total noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries

167,436

193,563

Total equity

1,449,418

1,592,380

Total liabilities and equity

$

4,527,318

$

5,147,786

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

61


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts)

Year Ended December 31,

REVENUES

2021

2020

2019

Revenue from leases

$

282,791

$

272,970

$

302,409 

Real estate services

9,596

11,390

13,873 

Parking income

15,003

15,604

21,857 

Hotel income

10,618

4,287

9,841 

Other income

11,309

9,311

9,222 

Total revenues

329,317

313,562

357,202 

EXPENSES

Real estate taxes

47,859

45,801

44,785

Utilities

14,802

13,717

17,881

Operating services

71,851

68,313

70,409

Real estate services expenses

12,857

13,555 

15,918 

General and administrative

57,198

71,058

59,805

Dead deal and transaction-related costs

12,221

2,583

-

Depreciation and amortization

111,618

122,035

133,597

Property impairments

13,467

36,582

-

Land and other impairments, net

23,719

16,817

32,444

Total expenses

365,592

390,461

374,839

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME

Interest expense

(65,192)

(80,991)

(90,569)

Interest and other investment income (loss)

524

43 

2,412

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures

(4,251)

(3,832)

(1,319)

Gain on change of control of interests

-

-

13,790 

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of

rental property, net

3,022

5,481 

343,102

Gain on disposition of developable land

2,115

5,787 

522

Gain (loss) on sale of unconsolidated joint venture interests

(1,886)

35,184 

903

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt, net

(47,078)

(272)

1,648

Total other income (expense)

(112,746)

(38,600)

270,489 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(149,021)

(115,499)

252,852

Discontinued operations:

Income from discontinued operations

13,930

70,700

24,334

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on

disposition of rental property and impairments, net

25,552

11,201 

(133,350)

Total discontinued operations, net

39,482

81,901

(109,016)

Net income (loss)

(109,539)

(33,598)

143,836 

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695 

3,904 

Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership of income from

continuing operations

15,469

13,277

(23,724)

Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership in discontinued operations

(3,590)

(7,878)

10,460

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(119,042)

$

(51,387)

$

111,861

Basic earnings per common share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04 

Discontinued operations

0.40

0.81 

(1.09)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95 

Diluted earnings per common share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04 

Discontinued operations

0.40

0.81 

(1.09)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

90,839

90,648

90,557

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

99,893

100,260 

100,689 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

62


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss)

$

(109,539)

$

(33,598)

$

143,836

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

for interest rate swaps

10

(16)

(10,158)

Comprehensive (income) loss

$

(109,529)

$

(33,614)

$

133,678

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling

interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695

3,904

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable

noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling

interests in Operating Partnership

11,878

5,433

(12,284)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

$

(119,033)

$

(51,369)

$

102,683

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


63


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (in thousands)

Accumulated

Additional

Dividends in

Other

Noncontrolling

Common Stock

Paid-In

Excess of

Comprehensive

Interests

Shares

Par Value

Capital

Net Earnings

Income (Loss)

in Subsidiaries

Total Equity

Balance at January 1, 2019

90,320

$

903

$

2,561,503

$

(1,084,518)

$

8,770

$

210,523

$

1,697,181

Net income (loss)

-

-

-

111,861

-

31,975

143,836

Common stock dividends

-

-

-

(72,401)

-

-

(72,401)

Common unit distributions

-

-

-

-

-

(8,705)

(8,705)

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

-

-

(25,885)

-

-

(25,470)

(51,355)

Change in noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

-

-

(1,958)

-

-

9,050

7,092

Redemption of common units for common stock

38

1

704

-

-

(705)

-

Redemption of common units

-

-

(1,665)

-

-

(12,799)

(14,464)

Shares issued under Dividend

-

Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

2

-

39

-

-

-

39

Directors' deferred compensation plan

194

2

317

-

-

-

319

Stock compensation

41

-

627

-

-

7,534

8,161

Cancellation of unvested LTIP units

-

-

-

2,819

-

(2,889)

(70)

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

(390)

(8,788)

(980)

(10,158)

Rebalancing of ownership percentage

between parent and subsidiaries

-

-

1,758

-

-

(1,758)

-

Balance at December 31, 2019

90,595

$

906

$

2,535,440

$

(1,042,629)

$

(18)

$

205,776

$

1,699,475

Net income (loss)

-

-

-

(51,387)

-

17,789

(33,598)

Common stock dividends

-

-

-

(36,261)

-

-

(36,261)

Common unit distributions

-

-

-

-

-

(3,509)

(3,509)

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

-

-

(11,814)

-

-

(27,137)

(38,951)

Change in noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

-

-

-

-

-

171

171

Redemption of common units for common stock

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Redemption of common units

-

-

-

-

-

(2,693)

(2,693)

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment and

Stock Purchase Plan

3

-

37

-

-

-

37

Directors' deferred compensation plan

61

1

290

-

-

-

291

Stock compensation

53

-

1,614

-

-

6,021

7,635

Cancellation of unvested LTIP units

-

-

-

-

-

(201)

(201)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

-

-

-

-

18

(34)

(16)

Rebalancing of ownership percentage

between parent and subsidiaries

-

-

2,620

-

-

(2,620)

-

Balance at December 31, 2020

90,712

$

907

$

2,528,187

$

(1,130,277)

$

-

$

193,563

$

1,592,380

Net income (loss)

-

-

-

(119,042)

-

9,503

(109,539)

Common stock dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Common unit distributions

-

-

-

-

-

645

645

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

-

-

(7,290)

-

-

(26,703)

(33,993)

Change in noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

-

-

-

-

-

206

206

Redemption of common units for common stock

175

2

2,714

-

-

(2,716)

-

Redemption of common units

-

-

-

-

-

(11,357)

(11,357)

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment and

Stock Purchase Plan

3

-

28

-

-

-

28

Directors' deferred compensation plan

-

-

314

-

-

-

314

Stock compensation

58

-

5,139

-

-

5,708

10,847

Cancellation of restricted stock

-

-

(123)

-

-

-

(123)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

-

-

-

-

9

1

10

Rebalancing of ownership percentage

between parent and subsidiaries

-

-

1,414

-

-

(1,414)

-

Balance at December 31, 2021

90,948

$

909

$

2,530,383

$

(1,249,319)

$

9

$

167,436

$

1,449,418

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 


64


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)

December 31,

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss)

$

(109,539)

$

(33,598)

$

143,836

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

(39,482)

(81,901)

109,016

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

(149,021)

(115,499)

252,852

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by

Operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization, including related intangible assets

108,839

118,345

129,725

Amortization of directors deferred compensation stock units

314

291

319

Amortization of stock compensation

10,847

7,635

8,161

Amortization of deferred financing costs

4,568

4,625

4,625

Amortization of debt discount and mark-to-market

232

(1,083)

(949)

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated joint ventures

4,251

3,832

1,319

Distributions of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures

759

5,300

6,923

Gain on change of control of interests

-

-

(13,790)

Write-off transaction-related costs

7,922

-

-

Realized (gains) losses and unrealized (gains) losses on disposition of rental property, net

(3,022)

(5,481)

(343,102)

Gain on disposition of developable land

(2,115)

(5,787)

(522)

Property impairments

13,467

36,582

-

Land and other impairments, net

23,719

16,817

32,444

(Gain) Loss from sale of investment in unconsolidated joint venture

1,886

(35,184)

(903)

(Gain) Loss from extinguishment of debt

47,078

272

(1,648)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Increase in unbilled rents receivable, net

(6,976)

(1,135)

(7,240)

Increase in deferred charges, goodwill and other assets

(5,022)

(806)

(21,921)

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net

5,544

(5,117)

2,132

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

(11,268)

(9,577)

1,820

(Decrease) Increase in rents received in advance and security deposits

55

(2,446)

2,002

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

258

(184)

1,068

Net cash flows provided by operating activities - continuing operations

52,315

11,400

53,315

Net cash flows provided by operating activities - discontinued operations

3,800

74,022

78,527

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

56,115

$

85,422

$

131,842

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Rental property acquisitions and related intangibles

$

-

$

(16,811)

$

(956,040)

Rental property additions and improvements

(65,101)

(138,688)

(88,240)

Development of rental property and other related costs

(211,617)

(295,892)

(172,309)

Proceeds from the sales of rental property

52,391

64,947

825,613

Proceeds from the sale of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

3,865

64,773

4,039

Repayment of notes receivable

7,257

458

46,597

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures

(1,280)

(2,959)

(9,011)

Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures

15,703

13,826

8,697

Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations

(198,782)

(310,346)

(340,654)

Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations

645,011

338,811

(75,421)

Net cash provided by investing activities

$

446,229

$

28,465

$

(416,075)

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Borrowings from revolving credit facility

$

196,000

$

212,000

$

829,000

Repayment of revolving credit facility

(73,000)

(516,000)

(617,000)

Borrowings from term loans

150,000

-

-

Repayment of term loans

(150,000)

-

(675,000)

Repayment of senior unsecured notes

(573,727)

-

-

Proceeds from mortgages and loans payable

226,422

381,577

877,126

Repayment of mortgages, loans payable and other obligations

(192,995)

(86,561)

(155,115)

Acquisition of noncontrolling interests

-

-

(5,017)

(Redemption) issuance of redeemable noncontrolling interests, net

-

(3,153)

145,000

Payment of early debt extinguishment costs

(49,874)

-

-

Common unit redemptions

(898)

(2,693)

(7,769)

Payment of financing costs

(8,874)

(1,677)

(12,339)

(Contributions) distributions to noncontrolling interests

207

171

(466)

Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(21,883)

Payment of common dividends and distributions

(475)

(60,532)

(80,692)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(503,191)

$

(102,751)

$

275,845

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

$

(847)

$

11,136

$

(8,388)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period (1)

52,302

41,166

49,554

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period (2)

$

51,455

$

52,302

$

41,166

(1)Includes Restricted Cash of $14,207, $15,577 and $19,921 as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(2)Includes Restricted Cash of $19,701, $14,207 and $15,577 as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  


65


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per unit amounts)

December 31,

December 31,

ASSETS

2021

2020

Rental property

Land and leasehold interests

$

494,935

$

639,636

Buildings and improvements

3,375,266

3,743,831

Tenant improvements

106,654

171,623

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

100,011

83,553

4,076,866

4,638,643

Less – accumulated depreciation and amortization

(583,416)

(656,331)

3,493,450

3,982,312

Real estate held for sale, net

618,646

656,963

Net investment in rental property

4,112,096

4,639,275

Cash and cash equivalents

31,754

38,096

Restricted cash

19,701

14,207

Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

137,772

162,382

Unbilled rents receivable, net

72,285

84,907

Deferred charges, goodwill and other assets, net

151,347

199,541

Accounts receivable

2,363

9,378

Total assets

$

4,527,318

$

5,147,786

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Senior unsecured notes, net

$

-

$

572,653

Revolving credit facility and term loans

148,000

25,000

Mortgages, loans payable and other obligations, net

2,241,070

2,204,144

Distributions payable

384

1,493

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

134,977

194,717

Rents received in advance and security deposits

26,396

34,101

Accrued interest payable

5,760

10,001

Total liabilities

2,556,587

3,042,109

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

521,313

513,297

Partners’ Capital:

General Partner, 90,948,008 and 90,712,417 common units outstanding

1,211,790

1,330,048

Limited partners, 9,013,534 and 9,649,031 common units/LTIPs outstanding

197,236

217,560

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

9

-

Total Veris Residential, L.P. partners’ capital

1,409,035

1,547,608

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

40,383

44,772

Total equity

1,449,418

1,592,380

Total liabilities and equity

$

4,527,318

$

5,147,786

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 


66


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per unit amounts)

Year Ended December 31,

REVENUES

2021

2020

2019

Revenue from leases

$

282,791

$

272,970 

$

302,409 

Real estate services

9,596 

11,390 

13,873 

Parking income

15,003

15,604 

21,857 

Hotel income

10,618 

4,287 

9,841 

Other income

11,309 

9,311 

9,222 

Total revenues

329,317

313,562 

357,202 

EXPENSES

Real estate taxes

47,859 

45,801 

44,785 

Utilities

14,802 

13,717 

17,881 

Operating services

71,851 

68,313 

70,409 

Real estate services expenses

12,857 

13,555 

15,918 

General and administrative

57,198 

71,058

59,805 

Dead deal and transaction-related costs

12,221 

2,583

-

Depreciation and amortization

111,618 

122,035 

133,597 

Property impairments

13,467 

36,582 

-

Land and other impairments, net

23,719

16,817 

32,444 

Total expenses

365,592

390,461 

374,839 

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME

Interest expense

(65,192)

(80,991)

(90,569)

Interest and other investment income (loss)

524 

43 

2,412 

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures

(4,251)

(3,832)

(1,319)

Gain on change of control of interests

-

-

13,790 

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of

rental property, net

3,022 

5,481 

343,102 

Gain on disposition of developable land

2,115

5,787 

522 

Gain (loss) on sale of unconsolidated joint venture interests

(1,886)

35,184 

903 

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt, net

(47,078)

(272)

1,648 

Total other income (expense)

(112,746)

(38,600)

270,489 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(149,021)

(115,499)

252,852 

Discontinued operations:

Income from discontinued operations

13,930 

70,700 

24,334 

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on

disposition of rental property and impairments, net

25,552 

11,201 

(133,350)

Total discontinued operations, net

39,482 

81,901 

(109,016)

Net income (loss)

(109,539)

(33,598)

143,836 

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695 

3,904 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(130,921)

$

(56,786)

$

125,125 

Basic earnings per common unit:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04 

Discontinued operations

0.40

0.81 

(1.09)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95 

Diluted earnings per common unit:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04 

Discontinued operations

0.40

0.81 

(1.09)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95 

Basic weighted average units outstanding

99,893 

100,260

100,520

Diluted weighted average units outstanding

99,893 

100,260

100,689

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

67


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss)

$

(109,539)

$

(33,598)

$

143,836

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

for interest rate swaps

10

(16)

(10,158)

Comprehensive (income) loss

$

(109,529)

$

(33,614)

$

133,678

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling

interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695

3,904

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable

noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Comprehensive loss attributable to common unitholders

$

(130,911)

$

(56,802)

$

114,967

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 


68


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (in thousands)

Accumulated

Noncontrolling

Limited Partner

General Partner

Limited Partner

Other

Interest

General Partner

Common Units/

Common

Common

Comprehensive

in Consolidated

Common Units

Vested LTIP Units

Unitholders

Unitholders

Income (Loss)

Joint Ventures

Total Equity

Balance at January 1, 2019

90,320

10,229

$

1,413,497

$

232,764

$

8,770

$

42,150

$

1,697,181

Net income (loss)

-

-

111,861

13,264

-

18,711

143,836

Distributions to unitholders

-

-

(72,401)

(8,705)

-

-

(81,106)

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

-

-

(25,885)

(2,855)

-

(22,615)

(51,355)

Change in noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

-

-

(1,958)

-

-

9,050

7,092

Redemption of limited partner common units for

shares of general partner common units

38

(20)

705

(705)

-

-

-

Vested LTIP units

-

68

-

-

-

-

-

Redemption of limited partner common units

-

(665)

(1,665)

(12,799)

-

-

(14,464)

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment and

Stock Purchase Plan

2

-

39

-

-

-

39

Directors' deferred compensation plan

194

-

319

-

-

-

319

Other comprehensive income

-

-

(390)

(980)

(8,788)

-

(10,158)

Stock compensation

41

-

627

7,534

-

-

8,161

Cancellation of restricted shares

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Cancellation of unvested LTIP units

-

-

2,819

(2,889)

-

-

(70)

Balance at December 31, 2019

90,595

9,612

$

1,427,568

$

224,629

$

(18)

$

47,296

$

1,699,475

Net income (loss)

-

-

(51,387)

(5,399)

-

23,188

(33,598)

Distributions

-

-

(36,261)

(3,509)

-

-

(39,770)

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

-

-

(11,814)

(1,254)

-

(25,883)

(38,951)

Change in noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

-

-

-

-

-

171

171

Redemption of limited partner common units for

shares of general partner common units

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Vested LTIP units

-

175

-

-

-

-

-

Redemption of limited partners common units

-

(138)

-

(2,693)

-

-

(2,693)

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment and

Stock Purchase Plan

3

-

37

-

-

-

37

Directors' deferred compensation plan

61

-

291

-

-

-

291

Other comprehensive income (loss)

-

-

-

(34)

18

-

(16)

Stock compensation

53

-

1,614

6,021

-

-

7,635

Cancellation of unvested LTIP units

-

-

-

(201)

-

-

(201)

Balance at December 31, 2020

90,712

9,649

$

1,330,048

$

217,560

$

-

$

44,772

$

1,592,380

Net income (loss)

-

-

(119,042)

(11,879)

-

21,382

(109,539)

Distributions

-

-

-

645

-

-

645

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

-

-

(7,290)

(726)

-

(25,977)

(33,993)

Change in noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

-

-

-

-

-

206

206

Redemption of limited partner common units for

shares of general partner common units

175

(175)

2,716

(2,716)

-

-

-

Vested LTIP units

-

270

-

-

-

-

-

Redemption of limited partners common units

-

(731)

-

(11,357)

-

-

(11,357)

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment and

Stock Purchase Plan

3

-

28

-

-

-

28

Directors' deferred compensation plan

-

-

314

-

-

-

314

Other comprehensive income (loss)

-

-

-

1

9

-

10

Stock compensation

58

-

5,139

5,708

-

-

10,847

Cancellation of restricted shares

-

-

(123)

-

-

-

(123)

Balance at December 31, 2021

90,948

9,013

$

1,211,790

$

197,236

$

9

$

40,383

$

1,449,418

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

69


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)

December 31,

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss)

$

(109,539)

$

(33,598)

$

143,836

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

(39,482)

(81,901)

109,016

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

(149,021)

(115,499)

252,852

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by

Operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization, including related intangible assets

108,839

118,345

129,725

Amortization of directors deferred compensation stock units

314

291

319

Amortization of stock compensation

10,847

7,635

8,161

Amortization of deferred financing costs

4,568

4,625

4,625

Amortization of debt discount and mark-to-market

232

(1,083)

(949)

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated joint ventures

4,251

3,832

1,319

Distributions of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures

759

5,300

6,923

Gain on change of control of interests

-

-

(13,790)

Write-off transaction-related costs

7,922

-

-

Realized (gains) losses and unrealized (gains) losses on disposition of rental property, net

(3,022)

(5,481)

(343,102)

Gain on disposition of developable land

(2,115)

(5,787)

(522)

Property impairments

13,467

36,582

-

Land and other impairments, net

23,719

16,817

32,444

(Gain) Loss from sale of investment in unconsolidated joint venture

1,886

(35,184)

(903)

(Gain) Loss from extinguishment of debt

47,078

272

(1,648)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Increase in unbilled rents receivable, net

(6,976)

(1,135)

(7,240)

Increase in deferred charges, goodwill and other assets

(5,022)

(806)

(21,921)

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net

5,544

(5,117)

2,132

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

(11,268)

(9,577)

1,820

(Decrease) Increase in rents received in advance and security deposits

55

(2,446)

2,002

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

258

(184)

1,068

Net cash flows provided by operating activities - continuing operations

52,315

11,400

53,315

Net cash flows provided by operating activities - discontinued operations

3,800

74,022

78,527

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

56,115

$

85,422

$

131,842

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Rental property acquisitions and related intangibles

$

-

$

(16,811)

$

(956,040)

Rental property additions and improvements

(65,101)

(138,688)

(88,240)

Development of rental property and other related costs

(211,617)

(295,892)

(172,309)

Proceeds from the sales of rental property

52,391

64,947

825,613

Proceeds from the sale of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

3,865

64,773

4,039

Repayment of notes receivable

7,257

458

46,597

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures

(1,280)

(2,959)

(9,011)

Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures

15,703

13,826

8,697

Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations

(198,782)

(310,346)

(340,654)

Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations

645,011

338,811

(75,421)

Net cash provided by investing activities

$

446,229

$

28,465

$

(416,075)

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Borrowings from revolving credit facility

$

196,000

$

212,000

$

829,000

Repayment of revolving credit facility

(73,000)

(516,000)

(617,000)

Borrowings from term loans

150,000

-

-

Repayment of term loans

(150,000)

-

(675,000)

Repayment of senior unsecured notes

(573,727)

-

-

Proceeds from mortgages and loans payable

226,422

381,577

877,126

Repayment of mortgages, loans payable and other obligations

(192,995)

(86,561)

(155,115)

Acquisition of noncontrolling interests

-

-

(5,017)

(Redemption) issuance of redeemable noncontrolling interests, net

-

(3,153)

145,000

Payment of early debt extinguishment costs

(49,874)

-

Common unit redemptions

(898)

(2,693)

(7,769)

Payment of financing costs

(8,874)

(1,677)

(12,339)

(Contributions) distributions to noncontrolling interests

207

171

(466)

Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(21,883)

Payment of distributions

(475)

(60,532)

(80,692)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(503,191)

$

(102,751)

$

275,845

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

$

(847)

$

11,136

$

(8,388)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period (1)

52,302

41,166

49,554

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period (2)

$

51,455

$

52,302

$

41,166

(1)Includes Restricted Cash of $14,207, $15,577 and $19,921 as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(2)Includes Restricted Cash of $19,701, $14,207 and $15,577 as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

70


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC., VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (square footage, apartment unit, room, and building counts unaudited)

1.    ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization

Veris Residential, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “General Partner”), is a fully-integrated, self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). In December 2021, the Company changed its name from Mack-Cali Realty Corporation to Veris Residential, Inc. reflecting the Company’s continued transition to a multifamily REIT, and on December 10, 2021, the Company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under its new ticker symbol, “VRE”. The General Partner controls Veris Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”), as its sole general partner and owned a 91.0 and 90.4 percent common unit interest in the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The General Partner’s business is the ownership of interests in and operation of the Operating Partnership and all of the General Partner’s expenses are incurred for the benefit of the Operating Partnership. The General Partner is reimbursed by the Operating Partnership for all expenses it incurs relating to the ownership and operation of the Operating Partnership.

The Operating Partnership conducts the business of providing management, leasing, acquisition, development and tenant-related services for its General Partner. The Operating Partnership, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries, including the Veris property-owning partnerships and limited liability companies, is the entity through which all of the General Partner’s operations are conducted. Unless stated otherwise or the context requires, the “Company” refers to the General Partner and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned or had interests in 36 properties (the “Properties”). The Properties are comprised of 22 multifamily rental properties as well as non-core assets comprised of seven office properties, four parking/retail properties, three hotels, plus developable land (collectively, the “Properties”). The properties are comprised of: (a) 27 wholly-owned or Company-controlled properties comprised of 15 multifamily properties and 12 non-core assets, and (b) nine properties owned by unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has investment interests, including seven multifamily properties and two non-core assets.

On December 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board had determined to sell the Company’s entire suburban New Jersey office portfolio totaling approximately 6.6 million square feet, which had excluded the Company’s office properties in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey (collectively, the “Suburban Office Portfolio”).  As the decision to sell the Suburban Office Portfolio represented a strategic shift in the Company’s operations, these properties’ results (other than a single property not qualified to be classified as held for sale) are being classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Company, its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, which consist principally of the Operating Partnership and variable interest entities for which the Company has determined itself to be the primary beneficiary, if any. See Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies – Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, for the Company’s treatment of unconsolidated joint venture interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, provides guidance on the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) and the determination of which business enterprise, if any, should consolidate the VIEs. Generally, the consideration of whether an entity is a VIE applies when either: (1) the equity investors (if any) lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity's activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; (2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; or (3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and substantially all of the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest. The Company consolidates VIEs in which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is defined by the entity having both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that, when taken together, most significantly impact the variable interest entity’s performance: and (2) the obligation to absorb losses and right to receive the returns from the VIE that would be significant to the VIE.

On January 1, 2016, the Company adopted accounting guidance under ASC 810, Consolidation, modifying the analysis it must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The guidance does not amend the existing disclosure

71


requirements for variable interest entities or voting interest model entities. The guidance, however, modified the requirements to qualify under the voting interest model. Under the revised guidance, the Operating Partnership will be a variable interest entity of the parent company, Veris Residential, Inc.. As the Operating Partnership is already consolidated in the balance sheets of Veris Residential, Inc., the identification of this entity as a variable interest entity has no impact on the consolidated financial statements of Veris Residential, Inc.. There were no other legal entities qualifying under the scope of the revised guidance that were consolidated as a result of the adoption.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s investments in consolidated real estate joint ventures, which are variable interest entities in which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, other than Veris Residential Partners, L.P., formerly known as Roseland Residential, L.P. (See Note 15: Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests-Rockpoint Transaction), have total real estate assets of $477.5 million and $486.1 million, respectively, other assets of $5.3 million and $4.5 million, respectively, mortgages of $285.7 million and $284.8 million, respectively, and other liabilities of $21.2 million and $21 million, respectively.

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s historical experience that are believed to be reasonable at the time. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation, primarily related to classification of certain properties as discontinued operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s management recorded an out-of-period adjustment relating to Land and other impairments expense, which was understated for the period ended December 31, 2019. Management concluded that this error was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for any of the current or prior periods. The adjustment is reflected herein as a $2.5 million increase to Land and other impairments expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020, and a corresponding decrease in Real estate held for sale, net, in the Company’s balance sheets as of December 31, 2020.

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Rental Property                     

Rental properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs directly related to the acquisition, development and construction of rental properties are capitalized. The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01 on January 1, 2017, which revises the definition of a business and is expected to result in more transactions to be accounted for as asset acquisitions and significantly limit transactions that would be accounted for as business combinations. Where an acquisition has been determined to be an asset acquisition, acquisition-related costs are capitalized. Capitalized development and construction costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development and construction costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, salaries and other project costs incurred during the period of development. Capitalized development and construction salaries and related costs approximated $2.4 million, $2.0 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred; major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Fully-depreciated assets are removed from the accounts.

Included in net investment in rental property as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 is real estate and building and tenant improvements not in service; as follows (dollars in thousands):

December 31,

December 31,

2021

2020

Land held for development (including pre-development costs, if any) (a)(b)

$

341,496

$

364,946

Development and construction in progress, including land (c)

694,768

733,560

Total

$

1,036,264

$

1,098,506

(a)Includes predevelopment and infrastructure costs included in buildings and improvements of $150.9 million and $160.3 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

(b)Includes $115.5 million of land and $81.3 million of building and improvements pertaining to assets held for sale at December 31, 2020.

(c)Includes land of $68.8 million and $74.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

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The Company considers a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy upon the substantial completion of improvements, but no later than one year from cessation of major construction activity (as distinguished from activities such as routine maintenance and cleanup). If portions of a rental project are substantially completed and occupied by tenants or residents, or held available for occupancy, and other portions have not yet reached that stage, the substantially completed portions are accounted for as a separate project. The Company allocates costs incurred between the portions under construction and the portions substantially completed and held available for occupancy, primarily based on a percentage of the relative commercial square footage or multifamily units of each portion, and capitalizes only those costs associated with the portion under construction.

Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Leasehold interests

Remaining lease term

Buildings and improvements

5 to 40 years

Tenant improvements

The shorter of the term of the

related lease or useful life

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

5 to 10 years

Upon acquisition of rental property, the Company estimates the fair value of acquired tangible assets, consisting of land, building and improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities assumed, generally consisting of the fair value of (i) above and below-market leases, (ii) in-place leases and (iii) tenant relationships. For asset acquisitions, the Company allocates the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. The Company records goodwill or a gain on bargain purchase (if any) if the net assets acquired/liabilities assumed differ from the purchase consideration of a business combination transaction.

In estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired, the Company considers information obtained about each property as a result of its due diligence and marketing and leasing activities, and utilizes various valuation methods, such as estimated cash flow projections utilizing appropriate discount and capitalization rates, estimates of replacement costs net of depreciation, and available market information. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.

Above-market and below-market lease values for acquired properties are initially recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to each in-place lease and (ii) management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above-market leases and the remaining initial term plus the term of any below-market fixed rate renewal options for below-market leases. The capitalized above-market lease values for acquired properties are amortized as a reduction of base rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases, and the capitalized below-market lease values are amortized as an increase to base rental revenue over the remaining initial terms plus the terms of any below-market fixed rate renewal options of the respective leases.

Other intangible assets acquired include amounts for in-place lease values and tenant relationship values, which are based on management’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and the Company’s overall relationship with the respective tenant. Factors to be considered by management in its analysis of in-place lease values include an estimate of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions, and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up periods, depending on local market conditions. In estimating costs to execute similar leases, management considers leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses. Characteristics considered by management in valuing tenant relationships include the nature and extent of the Company’s existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality and expectations of lease renewals. The values of in-place leases are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. The values of tenant relationship intangibles are amortized to expense over the anticipated life of the relationships or leases.

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s rental properties held for use may be impaired. In addition to identifying any specific circumstances which may affect a property or properties, management considers other criteria for determining which properties may require assessment for potential impairment. The criteria considered by management, depending on the type of property, may include reviewing low leased percentages, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, construction cost overruns and/or other factors, including those that might impact the Company’s intent and ability to hold the property. A property’s value is impaired only if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property over its estimated holding period is less than the carrying value of the property. If there are different possible scenarios for a property, the Company will take a probability

73


weighted approach to estimating future cash flow scenarios. To the extent impairment has occurred, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the property over the fair value of the property. The Company’s estimates of aggregate future cash flows expected to be generated and estimated fair values for each property are based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to estimated holding periods, outcome probabilities, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. For developable land holdings, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is also considered based on development rights or plans for the land. These assumptions are generally based on management’s experience in its local real estate markets and the effects of current market conditions. The assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, food, beverage and lodging demands, and costs to operate each property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter management’s assumptions, the future cash flows estimated by management in its impairment analyses may not be achieved, and actual losses or impairments may be realized in the future.

Real Estate Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

When assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of expected selling costs, of such assets. The Company generally considers assets (as identified by their disposal groups) to be held for sale when the transaction has received appropriate corporate authority, it is probable to be sold within the following 12 months, and there are no significant contingencies relating to a sale. If, in management’s opinion, the estimated net sales price, net of expected selling costs, of the disposal groups which have been identified as held for sale is less than the carrying value of the assets, a valuation allowance (which is recorded as unrealized losses on disposition of rental property) is established. In the absence of an executed sales agreement with a set sales price, management’s estimate of the net sales price may be based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to the Company’s estimates of future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. For developable land holdings, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is also considered based on development rights or plans for the land. In addition, the Company classifies assets held for sale or sold as discontinued operations if the disposal groups represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. For any disposals qualifying as discontinued operations, the assets and their results are presented in discontinued operations in the financial statements for all periods presented. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations.

 

If circumstances arise that previously were considered unlikely and, as a result, the Company has determined that an asset previously classified as held for sale, no longer meets the held for sale criteria, the asset is reclassified as held and used. An asset that is reclassified is measured and recorded individually at the lower of (a) its carrying value before the asset was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation (amortization) expense that would have been recognized had the asset been continuously classified as held and used, or (b) the fair value at the date the asset qualified as held for sale. 

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures           

The Company accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures under the equity method of accounting. The Company applies the equity method by initially recording these investments at cost, as Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, subsequently adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions.  The outside basis portion of the Company’s joint ventures is amortized over the anticipated useful lives of the underlying ventures’ tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Generally, the Company would discontinue applying the equity method when the investment (and any advances) is reduced to zero and would not provide for additional losses unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the venture or is otherwise committed to providing further financial support for the investee.    If the venture subsequently generates income, the Company only recognizes its share of such income to the extent it exceeds its share of previously unrecognized losses.

If the venture subsequently makes distributions and the Company does not have an implied or actual commitment to support the operations of the venture, the Company will not record a basis less than zero, rather such amounts will be recorded as equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures. 

 

On a periodic basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures may be impaired. An investment is impaired only if management’s estimate of the value of the investment is less than the carrying value of the investment, and such decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the value of the investment. The Company’s estimates of value for each investment (particularly in real estate joint ventures) are based on a number of assumptions including but not limited to estimates of future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. These assumptions are based on management's experience in its local real estate markets and the effects of current market conditions. The assumptions are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, among others, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, and operating costs. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter management’s assumptions, the values estimated by management in its impairment analyses may not be realized, and actual losses

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or impairment may be realized in the future. See Note 4: Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents                

All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. 

Deferred Financing Costs        

Costs incurred in obtaining financing are capitalized and amortized over the term of the related indebtedness. Deferred financing costs are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability to which they relate, except deferred financing costs related to the revolving credit facility, which are presented in deferred charges, goodwill and other assets. In all cases, amortization of such costs is included in interest expense and was $4.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. If a financing obligation is extinguished early, any unamortized deferred financing costs are written off and included in gains (losses) from extinguishment of debt. Included in the gains(losses) from extinguishment of debt, net, of $(47.1) million, $(0.3) million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were unamortized deferred financing costs which were written off (as non-cash transactions) amounting to zero, zero and $0.4 million, respectively.

Deferred Leasing Costs/Leasing Personnel Costs             

Costs incurred in connection with successfully executed commercial and residential leases were capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases and included in depreciation and amortization. Unamortized deferred leasing costs were charged to amortization expense upon early termination of the lease. Certain employees of the Company are compensated for providing leasing services to the Properties. Upon the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company no longer capitalizes such costs, and includes such leasing personnel costs in General and Administrative expense costs in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, which amounted to $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $2.3 million (excluding any severance – related costs) for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Goodwill                     

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, as applicable. Each of the Company’s segments consists of a reporting unit. Goodwill is not amortized. Management performs an annual impairment test for goodwill during the fourth quarter and between annual tests, management evaluates the recoverability of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be fully recoverable. In its impairment tests of goodwill, management first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on this assessment, management determines that the fair value of the reporting unit is not less than its carrying value, then performing the additional two-step impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized. The Company determined that its goodwill, with a balance of $2.9 million, was impaired at December 31, 2021 after management performed its impairment tests and recognized an impairment of $2.9 million.

Derivative Instruments                

The Company measures derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, at fair value and records them as an asset or liability, depending on the Company’s rights or obligations under the applicable derivative contract. For derivatives designated and qualifying as fair value hedges, the changes in the fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recorded in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portions of the derivative are reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and are subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging and ineffective portions of hedges are recognized in earnings in the affected period.

Revenue Recognition                

Revenue from leases includes fixed base rents under leases, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Unbilled rents receivable represents the cumulative amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with the lease agreements.

The Company elected a practical expedient for its rental properties (as lessor) to avoid separating non-lease components that otherwise would need to be accounted for under the recently-adopted revenue accounting guidance (such as tenant reimbursements of property

75


operating expenses) from the associated lease component since (1) the non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer as the associated lease component and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease; this enables the Company to account for the combination of the lease component and non-lease components as an operating lease since the lease component is the predominant component of the combined components.   

Due to the Company’s adoption of the practical expedient discussed above to not separate non-lease component revenue from the associated lease component, the Company is aggregating revenue from its lease components and non-lease components (comprised predominantly of tenant operating expense reimbursements) into the line entitled “Revenue from leases.” 

Revenue from leases also includes reimbursements and recoveries from tenants received from tenants for certain costs as provided in the lease agreements. These costs generally include real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, common area maintenance and other recoverable costs. See Note 14: Tenant Leases.

Real estate services revenue includes property management, development, construction and leasing commission fees and other services, and payroll and related costs reimbursed from clients. Fee income derived from the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures (which are capitalized by such ventures) are recognized to the extent attributable to the unaffiliated ownership interests.

Parking income is comprised of income from parking spaces leased to tenants and others.

Hotel income includes all revenue generated from hotel properties.

Other income includes income from tenants for additional services arranged for by the Company and income from tenants for early lease terminations.

All bad debt expense is being recorded as a reduction of the corresponding revenue account starting on January 1, 2019. Management performs a detailed review of amounts due from tenants for collectability, based on factors affecting the billings and status of individual tenants. The factors considered by management in determining which individual tenant’s revenues are affected include the age of the receivable, the tenant’s payment history, the nature of the charges, any communications regarding the charges and other related information. Management’s estimate of bad debt write-off’s requires management to exercise judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of collection losses, which affects the revenue recorded.

Income and Other Taxes                

The General Partner has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRS Code”). As a REIT, the General Partner generally will not be subject to corporate federal income tax on net income that it currently distributes to its shareholders, provided that the General Partner satisfies certain organizational and operational requirements including the requirement to distribute at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income (determined by excluding any net capital gains) to its shareholders. If and to the extent the General Partner retains and does not distribute any net capital gains, the General Partner will be required to pay federal, state and local taxes, as applicable, on such net capital gains at the rate applicable to capital gains of a corporation.

The Operating Partnership is a partnership, and, as a result, all income and losses of the partnership are allocated to the partners for inclusion in their respective tax returns. Accordingly, no provision or benefit for income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements.

As of December 31, 2021, the estimated net basis of the rental property for federal income tax purposes was lower than the net assets as reported in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements by approximately $941.6 million. The Operating Partnership’s taxable income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was estimated to be approximately $(17.7) million, $79.3 million and $71.2 million, respectively. The differences between book income and taxable income primarily result from differences in depreciation expenses, the recording of rental income, differences in the deductibility of interest expense and certain other expenses for tax purposes, differences in revenue recognition and the rules for tax purposes of a property exchange. The deferred tax asset balance at December 31, 2021 amounted to $29.2 million which has been fully reserved through a valuation allowance.

The General Partner has elected to treat certain of its corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (each a “TRS”). In general, a TRS of the General Partner may perform additional services for tenants of the Company and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business (except for the operation or management of health care facilities or lodging facilities or the providing to any person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated). A TRS is subject to corporate federal income tax. The General Partner has conducted business through its TRS entities for

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certain property management, development, construction and other related services, as well as to hold a joint venture interest in a hotel and other matters.

If the General Partner fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. The Company is subject to certain state and local taxes.

Pursuant to the amended provisions related to uncertain tax provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company recognized no material adjustments regarding its tax accounting treatment. The Company expects to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, as income tax expense, which is included in general and administrative expense.

In the normal course of business, the Company or one of its subsidiaries is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions in which it operates, where applicable. As of December 31, 2021, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions under the statute of limitations are generally from the year 2018 forward.

Earnings Per Share or Unit                        

The Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share or unit (“EPS or EPU”). Basic EPS or EPU excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of shares or units outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS or EPU reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, where such exercise or conversion would result in a lower EPS or EPU from continuing operations amount. Shares or units whose issuance is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions shall be considered outstanding and included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU as follows (i) if all necessary conditions have been satisfied by the end of the period (the events have occurred), those shares or units shall be included as of the beginning of the period in which the conditions were satisfied (or as of the date of the grant, if later) or (ii) if all necessary conditions have not been satisfied by the end of the period, the number of contingently issuable shares or units included in diluted EPS or EPU shall be based on the number of shares or units, if any, that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period (for example, the number of shares or units that would be issuable based on current period earnings or period-end market price) and if the result would be dilutive. Those contingently issuable shares or units shall be included in the denominator of diluted EPS or EPU as of the beginning of the period (or as of the date of the grant, if later).

Dividends and Distributions Payable                       

On September 30, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors was suspending its common dividends and distributions attributable to the third and fourth quarters 2020. As the Company’s management estimated that as of September 2020 it had satisfied its dividend obligations as a REIT on taxable income expected for 2020, the Board made the strategic decision to suspend its common dividends and distributions for the remainder of 2020 in an effort to provide greater financial flexibility during the pandemic and to retain incremental capital to support leasing initiatives at its Harborside commercial office properties on the Jersey City waterfront. On March 19, 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors would continue to suspend its common dividend for the remainder of 2021 in order to conserve capital and allow for greater financial flexibility during this period of heightened economic uncertainty and based on the Company’s projected 2021 taxable income estimates. The Company believes that with its estimated taxable income/loss for 2021, it will meet its dividend obligations as a REIT for the year with no dividends paid. The Company anticipates its regular quarterly common dividend to remain suspended while it seeks to conclude its transition into a pureplay multifamily REIT.

The dividends and distributions payable at December 31, 2021 and 2020 represent amounts payable on unvested LTIP units.

The Company has determined that the $0.60 dividend per common share paid during the year ended December 31, 2020 represented approximately 19 percent ordinary income and approximately 81 percent capital gain and the $0.80 dividend per common share paid during the year ended December 31, 2019 represented 100 percent capital gain.

Costs Incurred For Stock Issuances                    

Costs incurred in connection with the Company’s stock issuances are reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

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Stock Compensation            

The Company accounts for stock compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. These provisions require that the estimated fair value of restricted stock (“Restricted Stock Awards”), performance share units, long term incentive plan awards and stock options at the grant date be amortized ratably into expense over the appropriate vesting period. For unvested securities that are forfeited prior to the measurement period being complete, the Company elected to account for forfeiture of employee awards as they occur. The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $10.8 million, $7.6 million and $8.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)           

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes items that are recorded in equity, such as effective portions of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges or unrealized holding gains or losses on marketable securities available for sale.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests                     

The Company evaluates the terms of the partnership units issued in accordance with the FASB’s Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity guidance. Units which embody an unconditional obligation requiring the Company to redeem the units for cash after a specified or determinable date (or dates) or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer are determined to be contingently redeemable under this guidance and are included as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified within the mezzanine section between Total liabilities and Stockholders’ equity on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests will be changed by periodic accretions, so that the carrying amount will equal the estimated future redemption value at the redemption date.

Fair Value Hierarchy                    

The standard Fair Value Measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs). The following summarizes the fair value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are inactive, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals and

Level 3: Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Impact of Recently-Issued Accounting Standards                    

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”). The guidance introduces a new model for estimating credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including trade and lease receivables, loans receivable, held-to-maturity debt securities, and net investments in direct financing leases, amongst other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments provide practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance is optional and is effective between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. The guidance may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2020-04 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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In April 2020, the FASB issued a Staff Question-and-Answer (“Q&A”) to clarify whether lease concessions related to the effects of COVID-19 require the application of the lease modification guidance under the new lease standard, which was adopted on January 1, 2019. Under the new leasing standard, an entity would have to determine, on a lease by lease basis, if a lease concession was the result of a new arrangement reached with the tenant, which would be accounted for under the lease modification framework, or if the lease concession was under the enforceable rights and obligations that existed in the original lease, which would be accounted for outside the lease modification framework. The Q&A provides entities with the option to elect to account for lease concessions as though the enforceable rights and obligations existed in the original lease as long as the total cash flows from the modified lease are substantially similar to the cash flows in the original lease. The Company elected this option and therefore, to the extent that rent concession is granted as a deferral of payments but total payments are substantially the same, will account for the concession as if no change has been made to the original lease.  

3.    RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Properties Commencing Initial Operations

The following properties commenced initial operations during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):

2021

Total

In Service

Property

# of

Development

Date

Property

Location

Type

Apartment Units

Costs Incurred

03/01/21

The Upton (a)

Short Hills, NJ

Multifamily

193

$

101,269

07/01/21

Riverhouse 9 at Port Imperial (b)

Weehawken, NJ

Multifamily

313

164,633

Totals

506

$

265,902

(a)As of December 31, 2021, all apartment units are in service. The development costs included approximately $2.9 million in land costs.

(b)As of December 31, 2021, all apartment units are in service. The development costs included approximately $2.7 million in land costs.

Additionally, a land lease located in Parsippany, New Jersey also commenced initial operations during the first quarter 2021. Development costs incurred amounted to $5.1 million. This land lease was sold by the Company during 2021.

2020

Total

In Service

Property

# of

Development

Date

Property

Location

Type

Apartment Units

Costs Incurred

03/01/20

Emery at Overlook Ridge

Malden, MA

Multifamily

326

$

103,993

Totals

326

$

103,993

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Consolidations

On March 12, 2020, the Company, acquired its equity partner's 80 percent interest in Port Imperial North Retail L.L.C., a ground floor retail space totaling 30,745 square feet located at Port Imperial, West New York, New Jersey for $13.3 million in cash (funded through borrowing under the Company’s unsecured credit facility.) The results of the transaction increased the Company’s interest to 100 percent. Upon the acquisition, the Company consolidated the joint venture, a voting interest entity. As an acquisition of the remaining interests in the venture which owns the Port Imperial North Retail L.L.C., the Company accounted for the transaction as an asset acquisition under a cost accumulation model, and as such no gain on change of control of interest was recognized in consolidation, resulting in total consolidated net assets of $15.0 million, which were allocated as follows:

Port Imperial North Retail L.L.C.

Land and leasehold interests

$

4,305

Buildings and improvements and other assets, net

8,912

In-place lease values (a)

1,503

Above/Below market lease value, net (a)

313

Net assets recorded upon consolidation

$

15,033

(a)In-place and below market lease values are being amortized over a weighted-average term of 7.5 years.

Real Estate Held for Sale/Discontinued Operations/Dispositions

2021

On December 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board had determined to sell the Company’s entire suburban New Jersey office portfolio totaling approximately 6.6 million square feet, which had excluded the Company’s office properties in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey, (collectively, the “Suburban Office Portfolio”).  As the decision to sell the Suburban Office Portfolio represented a strategic shift in the Company’s operations, these properties’ results (other than a single property not qualified to be classified as held for sale) are being classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations.

 

In late 2019 through December 31, 2021, the Company completed the sale of all but one of its 37 properties in its Suburban Office Portfolio, totaling 6.3 million square feet, for net sales proceeds of $1.0 billion.   

As of December 31, 2021, the Company identified as held for sale two office properties totaling approximately 1.8 million square feet to be sold separately, which are located in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey. The total estimated sales proceeds, net of expected selling costs but before the required aggregate paydown of $400 million of mortgages encumbering the properties and related costs, are expected to be approximately $575 million. The Company may need to pay significant prepayment costs of approximately $20 million to pay down these mortgage loans which will be expensed when incurred at the time of such paydown. In January 2022, the Company completed the disposition of one of the office properties held for sale at December 31, 2021 for gross sales proceeds of $210 million and the paydown of the $150 million mortgage encumbering the property.

Additionally, the Company also identified several developable land parcels as held for sale as of December 31, 2021. As a result of recent sales contracts in place and after considering the current market conditions due to the challenging economic climate with the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined that the carrying value of several land parcels held for sale was not expected to be recovered from estimated net sales proceeds, and accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2021, recognized land impairments of $10.2 million. The Company also recognized an unrealized gain of $3.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 (reversing cumulative held for sale loss allowances recognized) for a held for sale land parcel that was previously impaired when the Company entered into a contract to sell the land parcel.

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The following table summarizes the real estate held for sale, net, and other assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands):

Assets

Held for Sale

Land

$

159,968

Building & Other

618,216

Less: Accumulated depreciation

(159,538)

Real estate held for sale, net

$

618,646

Assets

Other assets and liabilities

Held for Sale

Unbilled rents receivable, net (a)

$

30,526

Deferred charges, net (a)

16,056

Total intangibles, net (a)

31,155

Total deferred charges & other assets, net (b)

69,410

Mortgages & loans payable, net (a)

(397,953)

Total below market liability (a)

(24,098)

Accounts payable, accrued exp & other liability (c)

(49,648)

Unearned rents/deferred rental income (a)

(5,831)

(a)Expected to be removed with the completion of the sales.

(b)Includes $19.2 million of right of use assets expected to be removed with the completion of the sales.

(c)Includes $20.5 million of right of use liabilities expected to be removed with the completion of the sales.

The Company disposed of the following rental properties during the year ended December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):

Discontinued

Operations:

Realized

Realized

Gains

Gains

Rentable

Net

Net

(Losses)/

(losses)/

Disposition

# of

Square

Property

Sales

Carrying

Unrealized

Unrealized

Date

Property/Address

Location

Bldgs.

Feet

Type

Proceeds

Value

Losses, net

Losses, net

01/13/21

100 Overlook Center

Princeton, New Jersey

1

149,600

Office

$

34,724

(a)

$

26,488

$

-

$

8,236

03/25/21

Metropark portfolio (b)

Edison and Iselin, New Jersey

4

926,656

Office

247,351

233,826

-

13,525

04/20/21

Short Hills portfolio (c)

Short Hills, New Jersey

4

828,413

Office

248,664

245,800

-

2,864

06/11/21

Red Bank portfolio

Red Bank, New Jersey

5

659,490

Office

80,730

78,364

-

2,366

06/30/21

Retail land leases

Hanover and Parsippany, New Jersey

-

-

Land Lease

41,957

37,951

4,006

-

07/26/21

7 Giralda Farms

Madison, New Jersey

1

236,674

Office

28,182

30,143

-

(1,961)

10/20/21

4 Gatehall Drive

Parsippany, New Jersey

1

248,480

Office

24,239

23,717

-

522

12/16/21

Retail land lease Unit B

Hanover, New Jersey

-

-

Land Lease

5,423

6,407

(984)

-

Totals

16

3,049,313

$

711,270

$

682,696

$

3,022

$

25,552

(a)As part of the consideration from the buyer, a related party, 678,302 Common Units were redeemed by the Company at a book value of $10.5 million, which was a non-cash portion of this sales transaction. The balance of the proceeds was received in cash and used to repay the Company's borrowings on its revolving credit facility. See Note 17: Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries - Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership.

(b)Includes $10 million of seller financing provided to the buyers of the Metropark portfolio. See Note 5: Deferred charges, goodwill and other assets, net.

(c)The mortgage loan encumbering three of the properties was defeased at closing, for which the Company incurred costs of $22.6 million. These costs were expensed as loss from extinguishment of debt.

The Company disposed of the following developable land holdings during the year ended December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):

Realized

Gains

Net

Net

(losses)/

Disposition

Sales

Carrying

Unrealized

Date

Property Address

Location

Proceeds

Value

Losses, net

05/24/21

Horizon common area

Hamilton, New Jersey

$

745

$

634

$

111

12/22/21

346/360 University Ave

Newark, New Jersey

4,266

2,262

2,004

Totals

$

5,011

$

2,896

$

2,115

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2020

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had identified as held for sale 16 office properties (comprised of six identified disposal groups) in the Suburban Office Portfolio, totaling 3.0 million square feet (of which the Company had 15 properties totaling 2.8 million square feet under contract for sale for aggregate gross proceeds of $652.4 million). As a result of a signed contract to dispose of a portfolio of four of the properties in an identified disposal group of assets held for sale, the Company paid significant costs to defease the mortgage loan encumbering the properties, which was expensed when incurred at the time of such defeasance in 2021.  See Note 10: Mortgages, loans payable and other obligations.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company determined that a 350,000 square foot office property in the Suburban Office Portfolio, located in Holmdel, New Jersey no longer met the held for sale criteria. The property had originally been classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2019. The reclassified property has an aggregate book value of $19.8 million as of December 31, 2020, net of accumulated depreciation of $10.5 million (including catch-up depreciation). $2.8 million of previously recorded valuation allowance was reversed upon the reclassification of the asset from held for sale at December 31, 2020, and the corresponding property’s results and valuation allowance are also reclassified out of discontinued operations to continuing operations for all periods presented. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations.

 

The Company also identified a retail pad leased to others and several developable land parcels as held for sale as of December 31, 2020. The properties were located in Parsippany, Madison, Short Hills, Edison and Red Bank, New Jersey. As a result of recent sales contract amendments and after considering the current market conditions due to the challenging economic climate with the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined that the carrying value of six of the remaining held for sale properties (comprised of three disposal groups), and several land parcels held for sale was not expected to be recovered from estimated net sales proceeds, and accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2020, recognized an unrealized loss allowance of $15.7 million for the properties ($14 million of which are from discontinued operations), respectively, and also recorded land and other impairments of $9.5 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company determined that two developable land parcels located in Parsippany, New Jersey were no longer being held for sale.  The properties had originally been classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2019.  The reclassified properties had an aggregate book value of $11.3 million.

The following table summarizes the real estate held for sale, net, and other assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands):

Suburban

Other

Office

Assets

Portfolio (a)

Held for Sale

Total

Land

$

87,815

$

76,396

$

164,211

Building & Other

737,669

42,202

779,871

Less: Accumulated depreciation

(161,040)

(7,991)

(169,031)

Less: Cumulative unrealized losses on property held for sale

(77,357)

(40,731)

(118,088)

Real estate held for sale, net

$

587,087

$

69,876

$

656,963

Suburban

Other

Office

Assets

Other assets and liabilities

Portfolio (a)

Held for Sale

Total

Unbilled rents receivable, net (b)

$

17,216

$

2,102

$

19,318

Deferred charges, net (b)

15,320

661

15,981

Total intangibles, net (b)

26,069

-

26,069

Total deferred charges & other assets, net

42,513

665

43,178

Mortgages & loans payable, net (b)

(123,768)

-

(123,768)

Total below market liability (b)

(6,538)

-

(6,538)

Accounts payable, accrued exp & other liability

(16,972)

(80)

(17,052)

Unearned rents/deferred rental income (b)

(8,422)

(217)

(8,639)

(a) Classified as discontinued operations at December 31, 2019 for all periods presented. See Note 7: Discontinued Operations.

(b) Expected to be removed with the completion of the sales.

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The Company disposed of the following rental properties during the year ended December 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):

Discontinued

Operations:

Realized

Realized

Gains

Gains

Rentable

Net

Net

(Losses)/

(losses)/

Disposition

# of

Square

Property

Sales

Carrying

Unrealized

Unrealized

Date

Property/Address

Location

Bldgs.

Feet/Units

Type

Proceeds

Value

Losses, net

Losses, net

03/17/20

One Bridge Plaza

Fort Lee, New Jersey

1

200,000

Office

$

35,065

$

17,743

$

-

$

17,322

07/22/20

3 Giralda Farms (a)

Madison, New Jersey

1

141,000

Office

7,510

9,534

-

(2,024)

09/15/20

Morris portfolio (b)

Parsippany and Madison, New Jersey

10

1,448,420

Office

155,116

175,772

-

(20,656)

09/18/20

325 Columbia Turnpike

Florham Park, New Jersey

1

168,144

Office

24,276

8,020

-

16,256

09/24/20

9 Campus Drive (c)

Parsippany, New Jersey

1

156,945

Office

20,678

22,162

-

(1,484)

10/21/20

3&5 Vaughn Drive

Princeton, New Jersey

1

98,500

Office

7,282

5,754

-

1,528

11/18/20

7 Campus Drive (d)

Parsippany, New Jersey

1

154,395

Office

12,278

11,804

-

474

12/03/20

581 Main Street

Woodbridge, New Jersey

1

200,000

Office

58,400

43,113

15,287

12/22/20

500 College Road (e)

Princeton, New Jersey

1

158,235

Office

4,582

6,044

(1,462)

12/23/20

5/10 Dennis St

and 100 Hiram Sq

New Brunswick, New Jersey

2

200 units

Multifamily

45,567

38,404

7,163

-

Sub-total

20

2,725,639

370,754

338,350

7,163

25,241

Unrealized losses on real estate held for sale

(1,682)

(14,040)

Totals

20

2,725,639

$

370,754

$

338,350

5,481

$

11,201

(a)The Company recorded valuation allowances of $2.0 million on the held for sale property during the year ended December 31, 2020 and of $16.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.

(b)The Company recorded valuation allowances of $21.6 million on the held for sale properties during the year ended December 31, 2020 and of $32.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.

(c)The Company recorded a valuation allowance of $3.5 million on this property during the year ended December 31, 2019.

(d)The Company recorded valuation allowance of $6.0 million on the held for sale property during the year ended December 31, 2019.

(e)The Company recorded valuation allowance of $1.9 million on the held for sale property during the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Company disposed of the following developable land holdings during the year ended December 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):

Realized

Gains

Net

Net

(losses)/

Disposition

Sales

Carrying

Unrealized

Date

Property Address

Location

Proceeds

Value

Losses, net

01/03/20

230 & 250 Half Mile Road

Middletown, New Jersey

$

7,018

$

2,969

$

4,049

03/27/20

Capital Office Park land

Greenbelt, Maryland

8,974

8,210

764

12/18/20

14 & 16 Skyline Drive

Mount Pleasant, New York

2,925

1,951

974

Totals

$

18,917

$

13,130

$

5,787

Impairments on Properties and Land Held and Used

2021

The Company determined that, due to the shortening of its expected hold period for one office property and its land parcels, it was necessary to reduce the carrying value of these assets to their estimated fair values. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $6.0 million on the office asset, which is included in property impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $14.3 million on the land parcels in land and other impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, the Company determined that, due to the shortening of its expected hold period and as a result of the adverse effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, on its hotel operations, the Company evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of its two adjacent hotel properties and determined that it was necessary to reduce the carrying values of its two hotel assets located in Weehawken, New Jersey to their estimated fair values. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $7.4 million on these hotels at December 31, 2021, which is included in property impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.

2020

The Company determined that, due to the shortening of its expected hold period and as a result of the adverse effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, on its hotel operations, the Company evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of its

83


two adjacent hotel properties and determined that it was necessary to reduce the carrying values of its two hotel assets located in Weehawken, New Jersey to their estimated fair values.  One of these hotels had closed its rooms from March 2020 to May 2021. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $36.6 million on these hotels at September 30, 2020, which is included in property impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company also evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of its land parcels and determined that it was necessary to reduce the carrying values of three held-and-used land parcels to their estimated fair values and recorded land and other impairment charges of $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Unconsolidated Joint Venture Activity

2021

On April 29, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the 12 Vreeland Road joint venture for a gross sales price of approximately $2 million, with no gain or loss on the transaction.

On September 1, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the Offices at Crystal Lake joint venture to its venture partner for $1.9 million and recorded a loss on the sale of approximately $1.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2021.

2020

On December 31, 2020, the Crystal House Apartment Investors LLC, an unconsolidated joint venture property located in Arlington, Virginia sold its sole apartment property for an aggregate sales price of $376.6 million. The Company received $62.7 million for its share of net sale proceeds from the joint venture and realized its share of the gain on the property sale from the unconsolidated joint venture of $35.1 million.

On December 17, 2020, the Company sold its interest in the Hillsborough 206 Holdings joint venture which owns developable land located in Hillsborough, New Jersey for a sale price of $2.1 million, and realized a gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures of $0.1 million.

  

4.    INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had an aggregate investment of approximately $137.8 million in its equity method joint ventures. The Company formed these ventures with unaffiliated third parties, or acquired interests in them, to develop or manage properties, or to acquire land in anticipation of possible development of rental properties. As of December 31, 2021, the unconsolidated joint ventures owned: seven multifamily properties totaling 2,146 apartment units, a retail property aggregating approximately 51,000 square feet, a 351-room hotel, and interests and/or rights to developable land parcels able to accommodate up to 1,621 apartment units. The Company’s unconsolidated interests range from 20 percent to 85 percent subject to specified priority allocations in certain of the joint ventures.

The amounts reflected in the following tables (except for the Company’s share of equity in earnings) are based on the historical financial information of the individual joint ventures. The Company does not record losses of the joint ventures in excess of its investment balances unless the Company is liable for the obligations of the joint venture or is otherwise committed to provide financial support to the joint venture. The outside basis portion of the Company’s investments in joint ventures is amortized over the anticipated useful lives of the underlying ventures’ tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Unless otherwise noted below, the debt of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures generally is non-recourse to the Company, except for customary exceptions pertaining to such matters as intentional misuse of funds, environmental conditions, and material misrepresentations.

The Company has agreed to guarantee repayment of a portion of the debt of its unconsolidated joint ventures. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of such debt, subject to guarantees, totaled $191.2 million of which $22 million was guaranteed by the Company. The Company performed management, leasing, development and other services for the properties owned by the unconsolidated joint ventures, related parties to the Company, and recognized $3.4 million, $4.9 million and $5.3 million for such services in the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company had $0.2 million and $0.3 million in accounts receivable due from its unconsolidated joint ventures as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Included in the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are three VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. These joint ventures were primarily established to develop real estate property for long-term investment and were deemed VIEs primarily based on the fact that the equity investment at risk was not sufficient to permit the entities to finance their activities without additional financial support. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has determined that these unconsolidated joint ventures

84


are no longer VIEs since these ventures have completed their development projects and are now in operation with leased percentages ranging from 89.8% to 99.2%.

The following is a summary of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):

Property Debt

Number of

Company's

Carrying Value

As of December 31, 2021

Apartment Units

Effective

December 31,

December 31,

Maturity

Interest

Entity / Property Name

or Rentable SF

Ownership % (a)

2021

2020

Balance

Date

Rate

Multifamily

Metropolitan and Lofts at
40 Park (b) (c)

189 

units

25.00 

%

$

2,547

$

3,347 

$

60,767 

(d)

(d)

RiverTrace at Port Imperial

316 

units

22.50 

%

6,077

6,667 

82,000 

11/10/26

3.21

%

PI North - Riverwalk C (e)

360 

units

40.00 

%

27,401

36,992 

135,000

12/22/24

SOFR+

1.2

%

Riverpark at Harrison

141 

units

45.00 

%

-

681 

30,192 

07/01/35

3.19

%

Station House

378 

units

50.00 

%

33,004

34,026 

93,329

07/01/33

4.82

%

Urby at Harborside (f)

762 

units

85.00 

%

66,418

72,752 

191,160

08/01/29

5.197

%

PI North - Land (b) (g)

771 

potential units

20.00 

%

1,678

1,678 

-

-

-

Liberty Landing (h)

850 

potential units

50.00 

%

300

337 

-

-

-

Office

12 Vreeland Road (i)

139,750 

sf

50.00 

%

-

1,811 

-

-

-

Offices at Crystal Lake (j)

106,345 

sf

31.25 

%

-

3,744 

-

-

-

Other

Hyatt Regency Hotel Jersey City

351 

rooms

50.00 

%

-

-

100,000 

10/01/26

3.668

%

Other (k)

347

347 

-

-

-

Totals:

$

137,772

$

162,382 

$

692,448

(a)Company's effective ownership % represents the Company's entitlement to residual distributions after payments of priority returns, where applicable.

(b)The Company's ownership interests in this venture are subordinate to its partner's preferred capital balance and the Company is not expected to meaningfully participate in the venture's cash flows in the near term.

(c)Through the joint venture, the Company also owns a 25 percent interest in a 50,973 square feet retail building ("Shops at 40 Park") and a 50 percent interest in a 59-unit, five story multifamily rental property ("Lofts at 40 Park").

(d)Property debt balance consists of: (i) an interest only loan, collateralized by the Metropolitan at 40 Park, with a balance of $36,500, bears interest at LIBOR +2.85 percent, matures in October 2023; (ii) an amortizable loan, collateralized by the Shops at 40 Park, with a balance of $6,067, bears interest at LIBOR +1.50 percent and matures in October 2022; (iii) an interest only loan, collateralized by the Lofts at 40 Park, with a balance of $18,200, which bears interest at LIBOR +1.50 percent and matures in January 2023.

(e)On December 22, 2021, the venture paid off $108.3 million construction loan and simultaneously obtained a new $135 million mortgage loan, collateralized by the property and received its share of net loan proceeds of $9.2 million. The property commenced operations in second quarter 2021.

(f)The Company owns an 85 percent interest with shared control over major decisions such as, approval of budgets, property financings and leasing guidelines. The Company has guaranteed $22 million of the principal outstanding debt.

(g)The Company owns a 20 percent residual interest in undeveloped land parcels: parcels 6, I, and J that can accommodate the development of 771 apartment units.

(h)Pursuant to a notice letter to its joint venture partner dated January 6, 2022, the Company intends to not proceed with the acquisition and development of Liberty Landing.

(i)On April 29, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the joint venture for a gross sales price of approximately $2 million.

(j)On September 1, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the joint venture for a gross sales price of approximately $1.9 million.

(k)The Company owns other interests in various unconsolidated joint ventures, including interests in assets previously owned and interest in ventures whose businesses are related to its core operations. These ventures are not expected to significantly impact the Company's operations in the near term. 

 

85


The following is a summary of the Company’s equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Entity / Property Name

2021

2020

2019

Multifamily

Metropolitan and Lofts at 40 Park

$

(801)

$

(1,010)

$

(422)

RiverTrace at Port Imperial

92 

111 

317 

Crystal House (a)

-

(924)

(687)

PI North - Riverwalk C (b)

(506)

(368)

(279)

Riverpark at Harrison (c)

(1,153)

(273)

(172)

Station House

(1,647)

(1,650)

(2,000)

Urby at Harborside

(580)

1,095 

1,587 

PI North - Land

(250)

-

-

Liberty Landing (d)

(40)

(5)

-

Office

-

12 Vreeland Road (e)

2 

(2,035)

(3,172)

Offices at Crystal Lake (f)

(113)

224 

79 

Other

Riverwalk Retail (g)

-

(10)

(72)

Hyatt Regency Hotel Jersey City

-

625 

3,388 

Other

745 

388 

114

Company's equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures (h)

$

(4,251)

$

(3,832)

$

(1,319)

  

(a)On December 31, 2020, the Crystal House Apartment Investors LLC, an unconsolidated joint venture property sold its sole apartment property. The Company realized its share of the gain on the property sale from the unconsolidated joint venture of $35.1 million.

(b)The property commenced operations in second quarter 2021.

(c)In September 2021, the joint venture agreed to settle certain obligations regarding a previously owned development project, of which the Company’s share of the expense for such settlement was $0.9 million, which was recorded in equity in earnings for this venture in the year ended December 31, 2021.

(d)Pursuant to a notice letter to its joint venture partner dated January 6, 2022, the Company intends to not proceed with the acquisition and development of Liberty Landing.

(e)On April 29, 2021, the Company sold its interest in the joint venture and realized no gain or loss on the sale.

(f)On September 1, 2021, the Company sold its interest in this unconsolidated joint venture to its venture partner for $1.9 million, and realized a loss on the sale of approximately $1.9 million.

(g)On March 12, 2020, the Company acquired the remaining 80 percent interest from its equity partner and consolidated the asset.

(h)Amounts are net of amortization of basis differences of $138 and $143 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

5.    DEFERRED CHARGES, GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS, NET

December 31,

December 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2021

2020

Deferred leasing costs

$

88,265

$

112,421

Deferred financing costs - revolving credit facility (a)

6,684

5,559

94,949

117,980

Accumulated amortization

(40,956)

(52,428)

Deferred charges, net

53,993

65,552

Notes receivable (b)

4,015

1,167

In-place lease values, related intangibles and other assets, net (c)(d)

42,183

71,608

Goodwill (e)

-

2,945

Right of use assets (f)

22,298

22,298

Prepaid expenses and other assets, net

28,858

35,971

Total deferred charges, goodwill and other assets, net (g)

$

151,347

$

199,541

(a)Deferred financing costs related to all other debt liabilities (other than for the revolving credit facility) are netted against those debt liabilities for all periods presented. See Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies – Deferred Financing Costs.

(b)Includes as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, an interest-free note receivable with a net present value of $0.7 million and $1.2 million, which matures in April 2023. The Company believes this balance is fully collectible. Also includes $3.1 million, net of a loan loss allowance of $0.2 million, as of December 31, 2021, of seller-financing provided by the Company to the buyers of the Metropark portfolio. The receivable is secured against available cash of one of the Metropark properties disposed of and earned an annual return of four percent for 90 days after the disposition, with the interest rate increased to 15 percent through November 18, 2021 and to 10 percent thereafter, pursuant to an amended operating agreement. The Company recorded a loan loss allowance charge of $0.2 million at December 31, 2021 based on expected losses, by

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calculating the net present value of the contractual cash flows of the total receivable (See Note 12: Disclosure of fair value of assets and liabilities). Such charge was recorded in Interest and other investment income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 3: Transactions – Real Estate Held for Sale/Discontinued Operations/Dispositions.

(c)In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the Company recognizes rental revenue of acquired above and below market lease intangibles over the terms of the respective leases. The impact of amortizing the acquired above and below-market lease intangibles increased revenue by approximately $2.7 million, $3.7 million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2021, the scheduled amortization of the Company’s acquired above and below-market lease intangibles for each of the five succeeding years (dollars in thousands):

Acquired Above-

Acquired Below-

Market Lease

Market Lease

Total

Year

Intangibles

Intangibles

Amortization

2022

$

(358)

$

2,209

$

1,851

2023

(352)

2,205

1,853

2024

(308)

2,197

1,889

2025

(293)

2,151

1,858

2026

(275)

2,247

1,972

(d)The value of acquired in-place lease intangibles are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. The impact of the amortization of acquired in-place lease values is included in depreciation and amortization expense and amounted to approximately $2.1 million, $9.1 million and $34.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2021, the scheduled amortization of the Company’s acquired in-place lease values for each of the five succeeding years (dollars in thousands):

Year

2022

$

2,244

2023

2,224

2024

2,145

2025

2,001

2026

1,994

Total

$

10,608

(e)All goodwill was attributable to the Company’s Multifamily Real Estate and Services segment and was fully impaired as of December 31, 2021.

(f)This amount has a corresponding liability of $23.7 million, which is included in Accounts payable, accrued expense and other liabilities. See Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies – Ground Lease agreements for further details.

(g)The amount as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, includes $0.5 million and $42.5 million, respectively, for properties classified as held for sale.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and caps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up-front premium.

The changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the next 12 months, the Company estimates an additional $35 thousand will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had one interest rate cap outstanding with a notional amount of $75 million designated as a cash flow hedge of interest rate risk.

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The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in thousands):

Fair Value

Asset Derivatives designated

December 31,

December 31,

as hedging instruments

2021

2020

Balance sheet location

Interest rate caps

$

850 

$

-

Deferred charges, goodwill and other assets

The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ending December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in thousands):

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative

Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income

Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative and Reclassification for Forecasted Transactions No Longer Probable of Occurring

Total Amount of Interest Expense presented in the consolidated statements of operations

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

2019

Interest Rate Caps

$

10

$

-

$

-

Interest expense

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

(65,192)

$

(80,991)

$

(90,569)

Interest rate swaps

$

-

$

-

$

(4,682)

Interest expense

$

-

$

16

$

3,551

Interest and other investment income (loss)

$

-

$

-

$

1,926

$

(65,192)

$

(80,991)

$

(90,569)

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

As of December 31, 2021, the Company did not have any interest rate derivatives in a net liability position. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at December 31, 2021, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk.

 

6.    RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash generally includes tenant and resident security deposits for certain of the Company’s properties, and escrow and reserve funds for debt service, real estate taxes, property insurance, capital improvements, tenant improvements, and leasing costs established pursuant to certain mortgage financing arrangements, and is comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):

December 31,

December 31,

2021

2020

Security deposits

$

6,884

$

5,289

Escrow and other reserve funds

12,817

8,918

Total restricted cash

$

19,701

$

14,207

 

7.    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On December 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board had determined to sell the Company’s entire Suburban Office Portfolio totaling approximately 6.6 million square feet, which had excluded the Company’s office properties in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey.  As the decision to sell the Suburban Office Portfolio represented a strategic shift in the Company’s operations, these properties’ results (other than a single property not qualified to be classified as held for sale) are being classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein.

 

In late 2019 through December 31, 2021, the Company completed the sale of all but one of its 37 properties in its Suburban Office Portfolio, totaling 6.3 million square feet, for net sales proceeds of $1.0 billion. 

 

88


The following table summarizes income from discontinued operations and the related realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of rental property and impairments, net, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in thousands):

 

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Total revenues

$

28,614

$

134,915

$

169,672

Operating and other expenses

(12,140)

(54,153)

(69,077)

Depreciation and amortization

(974)

(4,806)

(71,021)

Interest expense

(1,570)

(5,256)

(5,240)

Income from discontinued operations

13,930

70,700

24,334

Unrealized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property (a)

569

(14,040)

(141,266)

Realized gains (losses) on disposition of rental property (b)

24,983

25,241

7,916

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on

disposition of rental property and impairments, net

25,552

11,201 

(133,350)

Total discontinued operations, net

$

39,482

$

81,901

$

(109,016)

(a)Represents valuation allowances and impairment charges on properties classified as discontinued operations in 2020.

(b)See Note 3: Real Estate Transactions – Dispositions for further information regarding properties sold and related gains (losses).

8.    SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES

A summary of the Company’s senior unsecured notes as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

December 31,

December 31,

Effective

2021

2020

Rate

4.500% Senior Unsecured Notes, due April 18, 2022 (1)

$

-

$

300,000

-

%

3.150% Senior Unsecured Notes, due May 15, 2023 (1)

-

275,000

-

%

Principal balance outstanding

-

575,000

Adjustment for unamortized debt discount

-

(1,504)

Unamortized deferred financing costs

-

(843)

Total senior unsecured notes, net

$

-

$

572,653

(1)On May 6, 2021, the Company retired these notes earlier than their maturity, using net sales proceeds from completed office property sales and borrowings under its 2021 credit facility and term loan. In conjunction with the notes being discharged, the Company incurred costs of $24.2 million (including a make-whole premium) which was expensed as loss from extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 9: Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans.

 

9.    REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AND TERM LOANS

On May 6, 2021, the Company entered into a revolving credit and term loan agreement (“2021 Credit Agreement”) with a group of seven lenders that provides for a $250 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2021 Credit Facility") and a $150 million senior secured term loan facility (the “2021 Term Loan”), and delivered written notice to the administrative agent to terminate the 2017 credit agreement, which termination became effective on May 13, 2021.

 

The terms of the 2021 Credit Facility included: (1) a three year term ending in May 2024; (2) revolving credit loans may be made to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million (subject to increase as discussed below), with a sublimit under the 2021 Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $50 million; and (3) a first priority lien in unencumbered properties of the Company with an appraised value greater than or equal to $800 million which must include the Company’s Harborside 2/3 and Harborside 5 properties; and (4) a facility fee payable quarterly equal to 35 basis points if usage of the 2021 Credit Facility is less than or equal to 50%, and 25 basis points if usage of the 2021 Credit Facility is greater than 50%.

 

The terms of the 2021 Term Loan included: (1) an eighteen month term ending in November 2022; (2) a single draw of the term loan commitments up to an aggregate principal amount of $150 million; and (3) a first priority lien in unencumbered properties of the Company with an appraised value greater than or equal to $800 million which must include the Company’s Harborside 2/3 and

89


Harborside 5 properties.

Interest on borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility and 2021 Term Loan shall be based on applicable base rate (the “Base Rate”) plus a margin ranging from 125 basis points to 275 basis points depending on the Base Rate elected, currently 0.12%. The Base Rate shall be either (A) the highest of (i) the Wall Street Journal prime rate, (ii) the greater of the then effective (x) Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (y) Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 50 basis points, and (iii) a LIBO Rate, as adjusted for statutory reserve requirements for eurocurrency liabilities (the “Adjusted LIBO Rate”) and calculated for a one-month interest period, plus 100 basis points (such highest amount being the “ABR Rate”), or (B) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the applicable interest period; provided, however, that the ABR Rate shall not be less than 1% and the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall not be less than zero.

The 2021 Credit Agreement, which applies to both the 2021 Credit Facility and 2021 Term Loan, includes certain restrictions and covenants which limit, among other things the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of liens and the disposition of real estate properties, and which require compliance with financial ratios relating to the minimum collateral pool value ($800 million), maximum collateral pool leverage ratio (40 percent), minimum number of collateral pool properties (two), the maximum total leverage ratio (65 percent), the minimum debt service coverage ratio (1.10 times until May 6, 2022, 1.20 times from May 7, 2022 through May 6, 2023, and 1.40 times thereafter), and the minimum tangible net worth ratio (80% of tangible net worth as of December 31, 2020 plus 80% of net cash proceeds of equity issuances by the General Partner or the Operating Partnership).

The 2021 Credit Agreement contains “change of control” provisions that permit the lenders to declare a default and require the immediate repayment of all outstanding borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility. These change of control provisions, which have been an event of default under the agreements governing the Company’s revolving credit facilities since June 2000, are triggered if, among other things, a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors (other than vacant seats) become occupied by directors who were neither nominated by the Board of Directors, nor appointed by the Board of Directors. Furthermore, construction loans secured by two multifamily residential property development projects contain cross-acceleration provisions that would constitute an event of default requiring immediate repayment of the construction loans if the change of control provisions under the 2021 Credit Facility are triggered and the lenders declare a default and exercise their rights under the 2021 Credit Facility and accelerate repayment of the outstanding borrowings thereunder. If these change of control provisions were triggered, the Company could seek a forbearance, waiver or amendment of the change of control provisions from the lenders, however there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to obtain such forbearance, waiver or amendment on acceptable terms or at all. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the entire outstanding balance under the 2021 Credit Agreement may (or, in the case of any bankruptcy event of default, shall) become immediately due and payable, and the Company will not make any excess distributions except to enable the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT under the IRS Code.

On May 6, 2021, the Company drew the full $150 million available under the 2021 Term Loan and borrowed $145 million from the 2021 Credit Facility to retire the Company’s Senior Unsecured Notes. (See Note 8: Senior Unsecured Notes.) In June 2021, the Company paid down a total of $123 million of borrowings under the 2021 Term Loan, using sales proceeds from several of the Company’s suburban office property dispositions. On July 27, 2021, the Company repaid the outstanding balance of the 2021 Term Loan of $27 million using proceeds from the disposition of a suburban office properties previously held for sale. (See Note 3: Recent Transactions – Real Estate Held for Sale/Discontinued Operations/Dispositions).

 

The terms of the 2017 credit facility included: (1) a four year term ending in January 2021, with two six month extension options, subject to the Company not being in default on the facility and with the payment of a fee of 7.5 basis points for each extension; (2) revolving credit loans may be made to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $600 million, with a sublimit under the 2017 credit facility for the issuance of letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $60 million (subject to increase as discussed below), of which $10.6 million of letters of credit had been issued as of May 6, 2021; (3) an interest rate, based on the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt ratings from Moody’s or S&P, or, at the Operating Partnership’s option, if it no longer maintained a debt rating from Moody’s or S&P, or such debt ratings fell below Baa3 and BBB-, based on a defined leverage ratio; and (4) a facility fee, payable quarterly based on the Operating Partnership’s unsecured debt ratings from Moody’s or S&P, or, at the Operating Partnership’s option, if it no longer maintained a debt rating from Moody’s or S&P or such debt ratings fell below Baa3 and BBB-, based on a defined leverage ratio. In January 2021, the Company elected to exercise the first option to extend the 2017 credit facility maturity date for a period of six months. Accordingly, the term of the 2017 credit facility was extended through its termination in May 2021, with the Company’s payment of the 7.5 basis point extension fee.

After electing to use the defined leverage ratio in 2018 to determine the interest rate, the interest rates on outstanding borrowings, alternate base rate loans and the facility fee on the borrowing capacity, payable quarterly in arrears, on the 2017 credit facility were based on the following total leverage ratio grid:

90


Interest Rate -

Applicable

Interest Rate -

Basis Points

Applicable

Above LIBOR for

Basis Points

Alternate Base

Facility Fee

Total Leverage Ratio

Above LIBOR

Rate Loans

Basis Points

<45%

125.0

25.0

20.0

45% and <50%

130.0

30.0

25.0

50% and <55% (ratio through May 6, 2021)

135.0

35.0

30.0

55%

160.0

60.0

35.0

The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants under its revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had borrowings of $148 million and $25 million under its revolving credit facility, respectively, and had no outstanding borrowings under its term loan as of both December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.  

 

10.    MORTGAGES, LOANS PAYABLE AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

The Company has mortgages, loans payable and other obligations which primarily consist of various loans collateralized by certain of the Company’s rental properties, land and development projects. As of December 31, 2021, 22 of the Company’s properties, with a total carrying value of approximately $3.4 billion and one of the Company’s land and development projects, with a total carrying value of approximately $463 million, are encumbered by the Company’s mortgages and loans payable. Payments on mortgages, loans payable and other obligations are generally due in monthly installments of principal and interest, or interest only.

A summary of the Company’s mortgages, loans payable and other obligations as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

Effective

December 31,

December 31,

Property/Project Name

Lender

Rate (a)

2021

2020

Maturity

RXR - Short Hills (b)

Wells Fargo CMBS

4.15

%

$

-

$

124,500

Port Imperial South 4/5 Retail

American General Life & A/G PC

4.56

%

-

3,866

Riverhouse 9 at Port Imperial (c)

Bank of New York Mellon

LIBOR+

2.13

%

87,175

46,357

12/19/22

Port Imperial 4/5 Hotel (d)

Fifth Third Bank

LIBOR+

3.40

%

89,000

94,000

04/01/23

Portside at Pier One

CBRE Capital Markets/FreddieMac

3.57

%

58,998

58,998

08/01/23

Signature Place

Nationwide Life Insurance Company

3.74

%

43,000

43,000

08/01/24

Liberty Towers (e)

American General Life Insurance Company

3.37

%

265,000

265,000

10/01/24

Haus 25 (f)

QuadReal Finance

LIBOR+

2.70

%

255,453

161,544

12/01/24

Portside 5/6 (g)

New York Life Insurance Company

4.56

%

97,000

97,000

03/10/26

BLVD 425

New York Life Insurance Company

4.17

%

131,000

131,000

08/10/26

BLVD 401

New York Life Insurance Company

4.29

%

117,000

117,000

08/10/26

101 Hudson

Wells Fargo CMBS

3.20

%

250,000

250,000

10/11/26

The Upton (h)

Bank of New York Mellon

LIBOR+

1.58

%

75,000

42,459

10/27/26

145 Front at City Square

MUFG Union Bank

LIBOR+

1.84

%

63,000

63,000

12/10/26

Quarry Place at Tuckahoe

Natixis Real Estate Capital LLC

4.48

%

41,000

41,000 

08/05/27

BLVD 475 N/S (i)

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.

2.91

%

165,000

165,000 

11/10/27

Riverhouse 11 at Port Imperial

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.

4.52

%

100,000

100,000 

01/10/29

Soho Lofts (j)

New York Community Bank

3.77

%

160,000

160,000 

07/01/29

111 River St. (k)

Athene Annuity and Life Company

3.90

%

150,000

150,000 

09/01/29

Port Imperial South 4/5 Garage (l)

American General Life & A/G PC

4.85

%

32,664

33,138 

12/01/29

Emery at Overlook Ridge (m)

New York Community Bank

3.21

%

72,000

72,000 

01/01/31

Principal balance outstanding

2,252,290

2,218,862

Unamortized deferred financing costs

(11,220)

(14,718)

Total mortgages, loans payable and other obligations, net

$

2,241,070

$

2,204,144

(a)Reflects effective rate of debt, including deferred financing costs, comprised of the cost of terminated treasury lock agreements (if any), debt initiation costs, mark-to-market adjustment of acquired debt and other transaction costs, as applicable.

(b)Properties which were collateral for this mortgage loan were disposed of on April 20, 2021. This mortgage loan does not permit early pre-payment. In April 2021, as a result of the disposal of the properties, the Company paid costs of approximately $22.6 million at closing to defease this loan, which was expensed as loss from extinguishment of debt in the second quarter 2021. See Note 3-Recent Transactions.

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(c) This construction loan has a maximum borrowing capacity of $92 million and provides, subject to certain conditions, and a one year extension option with a fee of 15 basis points, of which the Company has guaranteed 10 percent of the outstanding principal, subject to certain conditions.

(d)In May 2021, the Company executed an agreement extending its maturity date to April 2023, with a six month extension option. The Company repaid $5 million of the outstanding principal and has guaranteed $14.5 million of the outstanding principal, subject to certain conditions. The loan requires a one month trailing debt service coverage charge test (“DSCR Test”), which the Company expects to not be in compliance with for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. If the Company is not in compliance with the DSCR Test, the Company will either be required to make a partial principal repayment or to deposit three months of interest into an escrow account and sweep all excess property level cash flows into such escrow account until two consecutive periods have passed where the Company is in compliance with the DSCR Test. The Company does not believe this will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

(e)In January 2020, the Company increased the size of the loan on Liberty Towers to $265 million, generating $33 million of additional proceeds.

(f)This construction loan has a LIBOR floor of 2.0 percent, has a maximum borrowing capacity of $300 million and provides, subject to certain conditions, one one year extension option with a fee of 25 basis points.

(g) The Company has guaranteed 10 percent of the outstanding principal, subject to certain conditions.

(h) This construction loan had a maximum borrowing capacity of $64 million and provided, subject to certain conditions, an 18 month extension option with a fee of 30 basis points, of which the Company had guaranteed 15 percent of the outstanding principal, subject to certain conditions. On October 27, 2021, the Company obtained a new $75 million mortgage loan from a different lender maturing in October 2026 and repaid the existing loan. The Company entered into an interest-rate cap agreement for the new mortgage.

(i) In November 2020, the Company modified this mortgage loan, extending the maturity date from February 2021 to November 2027.

(j)Effective rate reflects the first five years of interest payments at a fixed rate. Interest payments after that period ends are based on LIBOR plus 2.75% annually.

(k)In January 2022, the Company repaid this mortgage loan upon disposition of the property which was collateral against the mortgage loan.

(l)The loan was modified to defer interest and principal payments for a six month period ending December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2021, deferred interest of $0.8 million has been added to the principal balance.

(m)In December 2020, the Company obtained a new $72 million mortgage loan that matures on January 1, 2031 and received net loan proceeds of $10.4 million after repaying its construction loan.

SCHEDULED PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS

Scheduled principal payments for the Company’s revolving credit facility (see Note 9) and mortgages, loans payable and other obligations (See Note 10) as of December 31, 2021 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Scheduled

Principal

Period

Amortization

Maturities

Total

2022

$

550

$

87,175

$

87,725

2023

2,047

147,998

150,045

2024

3,403

711,453

714,856

2025

3,300

-

3,300

2026

3,407

733,000

736,407

Thereafter

9,415

698,542

707,957

Sub-total

22,122

2,378,168

2,400,290

Unamortized deferred financing costs

(11,220)

-

(11,220)

Totals

$

10,902

$

2,378,168

$

2,389,070

CASH PAID FOR INTEREST AND INTEREST CAPITALIZED

Cash paid for interest for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $85.2 million, $103.5 million and $108.3 million, (of which $1.7 million, $5.1 million and $5.1 million pertained to properties classified as discontinued operations), respectively. Interest capitalized by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $30.5 million, $26.4 million and $19.3 million, respectively (which amounts included $0.3 million, $1.4 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of interest capitalized on the Company’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures which were substantially in development).

SUMMARY OF INDEBTEDNESS

December 31,

December 31,

(dollars in thousands)

2021

2020

Weighted Average

Weighted Average

Balance

Interest Rate (a)

Balance

Interest Rate (a)

Fixed Rate Debt

$

1,675,353 

3.71 

%

$

2,374,378 

3.83 

%

Revolving Credit Facility & Other Variable Rate Debt

713,717 

3.32 

%

427,419 

3.38 

%

Totals/Weighted Average:

$

2,389,070 

3.60

%

$

2,801,797 

3.60

%

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11.    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT 401(k) PLANS

Employees of the General Partner, who meet certain minimum age and service requirements, are eligible to participate in the Veris Residential, Inc. 401(k) Savings/Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Eligible employees may elect to defer from one percent up to 60 percent of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis to the 401(k) Plan, subject to certain limitations imposed by federal law. The amounts contributed by employees are immediately vested and non-forfeitable. The Company may make discretionary matching or profit sharing contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of eligible participants in any plan year. Participants are always 100 percent vested in their pre-tax contributions and will begin vesting in any matching or profit sharing contributions made on their behalf after two years of service with the Company at a rate of 20 percent per year, becoming 100 percent vested after a total of six years of service with the Company. All contributions are allocated as a percentage of compensation of the eligible participants for the Plan year. The assets of the 401(k) Plan are held in trust and a separate account is established for each participant. A participant may receive a distribution of his or her vested account balance in the 401(k) Plan in a single sum or in installment payments upon his or her termination of service with the Company. Total expense recognized by the Company for the 401(k) Plan for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $537 thousand, $771 thousand and $773 thousand, respectively.

 

12.    DISCLOSURE OF FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following disclosure of estimated fair value was determined by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize on disposition of the assets and liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Cash equivalents, receivables, notes receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other liabilities are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, consisting of senior unsecured notes, revolving credit facility and mortgages, loans payable and other obligations aggregated approximately $2.4 billion and $2.9 billion as compared to the book value of approximately $2.4 billion and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was valued using level 3 inputs (as provided by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures). The fair value was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis valuation based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities. The fair value of the mortgage debt and the unsecured notes was determined by discounting the future contractual interest and principal payments by a market rate. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative financial instruments fall within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivative financial instruments utilize level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. The Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivative financial instruments. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative financial instruments valuations in their entirety are classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The notes receivable by the Company are presented at the lower of cost basis or net amount expected to be collected in accordance with ASC 326. For its seller-financing note receivable provided to the buyers of the Metropark portfolio, the Company calculated the net present value of contractual cash flows of the total receivable. The Company accordingly recorded a loan loss allowance charge of $0.2 million at December 31, 2021, which was deducted from the amortized cost basis of the note receivable. Such charge was recorded in Interest and other investment income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 5: Deferred charges, goodwill and other assets, net.

The fair value measurements used in the evaluation of the Company’s rental properties for impairment analysis are considered to be Level 3 valuations within the fair value hierarchy, as there are significant unobservable assumptions. Assumptions that were utilized in the fair value calculations include, but are not limited to, discount rates, market capitalization rates, expected lease rental rates, room rental and food and beverage revenue rates, third-party broker information and information from potential buyers, as applicable.

Valuations of real estate identified as held for sale are based on estimated sale prices, net of estimated selling costs, of such property. In the absence of an executed sales agreement with a set sales price, management’s estimate of the net sales price may be based on a number of unobservable assumptions, including, but not limited to, the Company’s estimates of future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. For developable land, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is also considered based on development rights or plans for the land.

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As of December 31, 2021, assumptions that were utilized in the fair value calculation included:

Primary Valuation

Unobservable

Location

Range of

Description

Techniques

Assumptions

Type

Rates

Land holdings held for sale and held and used on which the Company recognized impairment losses

Developable area and units and market rate per square foot or sale prices per purchase and sale agreements

Market rate per residential unit

Waterfront

$76,000 - $78,000

Hotel properties on which the Company recognized impairment losses

Discounted cash flows

Exit Capitalization rate

Waterfront

6.50%

Discount rates

Waterfront

8.67%

The Company identified two office properties (comprised of two disposal groups) and several developable land parcels as held for sale as of December 31, 2021 with an aggregate carrying value of $618.6 million. As a result of recent sales contracts in place and after considering the current market conditions due to the challenging economic climate with the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined that the carrying value of several land parcels held for sale (totaling $65.1 million) was not expected to be recovered from estimated net sales proceeds and accordingly recorded land and other impairments of $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company recognized an unrealized gain of $3.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 (reversing cumulative held for sale loss allowances recognized) for a held for sale land parcel that was previously impaired when the Company entered into a contract to sell the land parcel, resulting in a carrying value of $24.8 million for one office property and its land parcels.

The Company determined that, due to the shortening of its expected hold period, it was necessary to reduce the carrying value of one office property and its land parcels to their estimated fair values. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $6.0 million on the office asset, which is included in property impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $14.3 million on the land parcels in land and other impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, the Company determined that, due to the shortening of its expected hold period and as a result of the adverse effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, on its hotel operations, the Company evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of its two adjacent hotel properties and determined that it was necessary to reduce the carrying values of its two hotel assets located in Weehawken, New Jersey to their estimated fair values. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $7.4 million on these hotels at December 31, 2021, which is included in property impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company identified 16 office properties (comprised of six disposal groups), a retail pad leased to others, several developable land parcels as held for sale with an aggregate carrying value of $657 million. As a result of recent sales contract amendments and after considering the current market conditions due to the challenging economic climate with the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined that the carrying value of six of those remaining held for sale properties (comprised of three disposal groups) and several land parcels was not expected to be recovered from estimated net sales proceeds and accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2020, recognized an unrealized held-for-sale loss allowance of $15.7 million for the properties and recorded land and other impairments of $9.5 million.

The Company determined that, due to the shortening of its expected hold period and as a result of the adverse effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, on its hotel operations, the Company evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of its two adjacent hotel properties and determined that it was necessary to reduce the carrying values of its two hotel assets located in Weehawken, New Jersey to their estimated fair values.  One of these hotels had closed its rooms from March 2020 to May 2021. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $36.6 million on these hotels which is included in property impairments on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company also evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of its land parcels and determined that it was necessary to reduce the carrying values of three held-and-used land parcels to their estimated fair values and recorded land and other impairment charges of $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Disclosure about fair value of assets and liabilities is based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since December 31, 2021 and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

The ongoing impact of COVID-19 worldwide has slowed global economic activity and caused significant volatility in financial markets.  As such, there is currently significant uncertainty around the breadth and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19, as well as its impact on the U.S. economy.  The current economic environment can and will be significantly adversely affected by many factors beyond the Company’s control. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s fair value estimates in the future

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will depend on developments going forward, many of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.   In consideration of the magnitude of such uncertainties under the current climate, management has considered all available information at its properties and in the marketplace to provide its estimates as of December 31, 2021.

 

13.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS

Pursuant to agreements with certain municipalities, the Company is required to make payments in lieu of property taxes (“PILOT”) on certain of its properties and has tax abatement agreements on other properties, as follows:

Pilot Payments

PILOT

2021

2020

2019

Property Name

Location

Asset Type

Expiration Dates

(Dollars in Thousands)

Port Imperial South 1/3 Garage (a)

Weehawken, NJ

Parking Garage

12/2020

$

-

$

303

$

289

BLVD 475 (Monaco) (b)

Jersey City, NJ

Multifamily

2/2021

443

1,811

2,149

111 River Street

Hoboken, NJ

Office

4/2022

1,470

1,470

1,406

Harborside Plaza 4A (c)

Jersey City, NJ

Office

2/2022

1,057

1,062

1,080

Harborside Plaza 5 (d)

Jersey City, NJ

Office

6/2022

4,324

4,415

4,352

BLVD 401 (Marbella 2) (e)

Jersey City, NJ

Multifamily

4/2026

1,277

1,151

1,394

RiverHouse 11 at Port Imperial (f)

Weehawken, NJ

Multifamily

7/2033

1,369

1,143

1,030

Port Imperial 4/5 Hotel (g)

Weehawken, NJ

Hotel

12/2033

2,925

2,161

2,214

RiverHouse 9 at Port Imperial (h)

Weehawken, NJ

Multifamily

6/2046

350

-

-

Haus 25 (i)

Jersey City, NJ

Mixed-Use

(i)

-

-

-

Park Apartments at Port Imperial (j)

Weehawken, NJ

Multifamily

(j)

-

-

-

Total Pilot taxes

$

13,215

$

13,516

$

13,914

(a)Taxes to be paid at 100 percent on the land value of the project only over five year period and allows for a phase in of real estate taxes on the building improvement value at zero percent in year one and 95 percent in years two through five.

(b) The annual PILOT is equal to ten percent of Gross Revenues, as defined.

(c)The annual PILOT is equal to two percent of Total Project Costs, as defined. The total Project Costs are $49.5 million.

(d)The annual PILOT is equal to two percent of Total Project Costs, as defined. The total Project Costs are $170.9 million.

(e)The annual PILOT is equal to ten percent of Gross Revenues for years 1-4, 12 percent for years 5-8 and 14 percent for years 9-10, as defined.

(f)The annual PILOT is equal to 12 percent of Gross Revenues for years 1-5, 13 percent for years 6-10 and 14 percent for years 11-15, as defined.

(g)The annual PILOT is equal to two percent of Total Project Costs, as defined.

(h)The annual PILOT is equal to 11 percent of Gross Revenues for years 1-10, 12.5 percent for years 11-18 and 14 percent for years 19-25, as defined.

(i)For a term of 25 years following substantial completion, which is anticipated to occur in the second quarter of 2022. The annual PILOT is equal to seven percent of Gross Revenues, as defined.

(j)For a term of 25 years following substantial completion. The annual PILOT is equal to 11 percent of Gross Revenues for years 1-10, 12.5 percent for years 11-18 and 14 percent for years 19-25, as defined.

At the conclusion of the above-referenced agreements, it is expected that the properties will be assessed by the municipality and be subject to real estate taxes at the then prevailing rates.

LITIGATION

The Company is a defendant in litigation arising in the normal course of its business activities. Management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a materially adverse effect upon the Company’s financial condition taken as whole.

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GROUND LEASE AGREEMENTS

Future minimum rental payments under the terms of all non-cancelable ground leases under which the Company is the lessee, as of December 31, 2021, are as follows (dollars in thousands):

As of December 31, 2021

Year

Amount (a)

2022

$

1,695

2023

1,702

2024

1,721

2025

1,728

2026

1,728

2027 through 2101

151,253

Total lease payments

159,827

Less: imputed interest

(136,141)

Total

$

23,686

(a)The Company completed the disposition of 111 River in January 2022. This disposition will reduce the total future lease payments by $127.0 million.

As of December 31, 2020

Year

Amount

2021

$

1,750

2022

1,750

2023

1,756

2024

1,776

2025

1,742

2026 through 2101

152,980

Total lease payments

161,754

Less: imputed interest

(138,152)

Total

$

23,602

Ground lease expense incurred by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $1.8 million, $1.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

In conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842), starting on January 1, 2019, the Company capitalized operating leases, which had a balance of $22.3 million at December 31, 2021 for three ground leases. Such amount represents the net present value (“NPV”) of future payments detailed above. The incremental borrowing rates used to arrive at the NPV ranged from 7.58 percent to 7.62 percent for the remaining ground lease terms ranging from 80.83 years to 82.58 years. These rates were arrived at by adjusting the fixed rates of the Company’s mortgage debt with debt having terms approximating the remaining lease term of the Company’s ground leases and calculating notional rates for fully-collateralized loans.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

The Company is developing a 750-unit multifamily project at 25 Christopher Columbus, also known as Haus 25, in Jersey City, New Jersey, which began construction in the first quarter of 2019. The construction project, which is estimated to cost $469.5 million, of which $425 million has been incurred through December 31, 2021, is expected to be ready for occupancy in the second quarter of 2022. The Company has funded $169.5 million of the construction costs, and the remaining construction costs are expected to be funded from a $300 million construction loan (of which $255.5 million was drawn as of December 31, 2021).

OTHER

Certain Company properties acquired by contribution from unrelated common unitholders of the Operating Partnership, were subject to restrictions on disposition, except in a manner which did not result in recognition of built-in-gain allocable to such unitholders or which reimbursed the unitholders for the tax consequences thereof (collectively, the “Property Lock-Ups”). While these Property Lock-Ups have expired, the Company is generally required to use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any disposition of the subject

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properties from resulting in the recognition of built-in gain to these unitholders, which include members of the Mack Group (which includes William L. Mack, a former director and David S. Mack, a former director). As of December 31, 2021, taking into account tax-free exchanges on the originally contributed properties, either wholly or partially, over time, five of the Company’s properties, as well as certain land and development projects, with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $1.0 billion, are subject to these conditions.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has outstanding stay-on award agreements with 35 select employees, which provides them with the potential to receive compensation, in cash or Company stock at the employees’ option, contingent upon remaining with the Company in good standing until the occurrence of certain corporate transactions, which have not been identified.  The total potential cost of such awards is currently estimated to be up to approximately $5.2 million, including the potential future issuance of up to 82,629 shares of the Company’s common stock.  Such cash or stock awards would only be earned and payable if such transaction was identified and communicated to the employee within seven years of the agreement dates, which all occurred in late 2020 and early 2021, and all other conditions were satisfied.

In September 2020, the General Partner's Board of Directors approved a discretionary reimbursement of approximately $6.1 million in fees and expenses incurred by Bow Street LLC in connection with its proxy solicitations in 2019 and 2020 that resulted in the election of Bow Street's nominees as directors of the General Partner at the 2019 and 2020 annual meetings of stockholders of the General Partner.  The Board of Directors determined that the reimbursement was appropriate in light of the benefit to the General Partner and its stockholders of the refreshment of the Board of Directors that resulted from the proxy contests. The Company reimbursed this amount to Bow Street in three substantially equal payments in November 2020, January 2021 and April 2021. The Company recorded the full $6.1 million as general and administrative expense in the year ended December 31, 2020 when the obligation was committed to. Bow Street is an affiliate of A. Akiva Katz, a director of the General Partner, who is a co-founder and managing partner of Bow Street.

 

14.    TENANT LEASES

The Company’s consolidated office properties are leased to tenants under operating leases with various expiration dates through 2036. Substantially all of the commercial leases provide for annual base rents plus recoveries and escalation charges based upon the tenant’s proportionate share of and/or increases in real estate taxes and certain operating costs, as defined, and the pass-through of charges for electrical usage.

Future minimum rentals to be received under non-cancelable commercial operating leases (excluding properties classified as discontinued operations) at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

As of December 31, 2021

Year

Amount

2022

$

115,256

2023

114,355

2024

98,374

2025

94,042

2026

91,297

2027 and thereafter

416,712

Total

$

930,036

As of December 31, 2020

Year

Amount

2021

$

117,228

2022

114,101

2023

108,406

2024

92,605

2025

88,309

2026 and thereafter

462,920

Total

$

983,569

Multifamily rental property residential leases are excluded from the above table as they generally expire within one year.

 

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15.    REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

The Company evaluates the terms of the partnership units issued in accordance with the FASB’s Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity guidance. Units which embody an unconditional obligation requiring the Company to redeem the units for cash after a specified or determinable date (or dates) or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer are determined to be contingently redeemable under this guidance and are included as Redeemable noncontrolling interests and classified within the mezzanine section between Total liabilities and Stockholders’ equity on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Convertible units for which the Company has the option to settle redemption amounts in cash or Common Stock are included in the caption Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries within the equity section on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Rockpoint Transaction

On February 27, 2017, the Company, Veris Residential Trust (“VRT”), formerly known as Roseland Residential Trust, the Company’s subsidiary through which the Company conducts its multifamily residential real estate operations, Veris Residential Partners, L.P. (“VRLP”), formerly known as Roseland Residential, L.P., the operating partnership through which VRT conducts all of its operations, and certain other affiliates of the Company entered into a preferred equity investment agreement (the “Original Investment Agreement”) with certain affiliates of Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. (Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. and its affiliates, collectively, “Rockpoint”). The Original Investment Agreement provided for VRT to contribute property to VRLP in exchange for common units of limited partnership interests in VRLP (the “Common Units”) and for multiple equity investments by Rockpoint in VRLP from time to time for up to an aggregate of $300 million of preferred units of limited partnership interests in VRLP (the “Preferred Units”). The initial closing under the Original Investment Agreement occurred on March 10, 2017 for $150 million of Preferred Units and the parties agreed that the Company’s contributed equity value (“VRT Contributed Equity Value”), was $1.23 billion at closing. During the year ended December 31, 2018, a total additional amount of $105 million of Preferred Units were issued and sold to Rockpoint pursuant to the Original Investment Agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, a total additional amount of $45 million of Preferred Units were issued and sold to Rockpoint pursuant to the Original Investment Agreement, which brought the Preferred Units to the full balance of $300 million. In addition, certain contributions of property to VRLP by VRT subsequent to the execution of the Original Investment Agreement resulted in VRT being issued approximately $46 million of Preferred Units and Common Units in VRLP prior to June 26, 2019.

On June 26, 2019, the Company, VRT, VRLP, certain other affiliates of the Company and Rockpoint entered into an additional preferred equity investment agreement (the “Add On Investment Agreement”). The closing under the Add On Investment Agreement occurred on June 28, 2019. Pursuant to the Add On Investment Agreement, Rockpoint invested an additional $100 million in Preferred Units and the Company and VRT agreed to contribute to VRLP two additional properties located in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Company used the $100 million in proceeds received to repay outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and other debt by June 30, 2019. In addition, Rockpoint has a right of first refusal to invest another $100 million in Preferred Units in the event VRT determines that VRLP requires additional capital prior to March 1, 2023 and, subject thereto, VRLP may issue up to approximately $154 million in Preferred Units to VRT or an affiliate so long as at the time of such funding VRT determines in good faith that VRLP has a valid business purpose to use such proceeds. Included in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $371 thousand in fees associated with the modifications of the Original Investment Agreement, which were made upon signing of the Add On Investment Agreement.

Under the terms of the new transaction with Rockpoint, the cash flow from operations of VRLP will be distributable to Rockpoint and VRT as follows:

first, to provide a 6% annual return to Rockpoint and VRT on their capital invested in Preferred Units (the “Preferred Base Return”);

second, 95.36% to VRT and 4.64% to Rockpoint until VRT has received a 6% annual return (the “VRT Base Return”) on the equity value of the properties contributed by it to VRLP in exchange for Common Units (previously 95% and 5%, respectively, under the Original Investment Agreement), subject to adjustment in the event VRT contributes additional property to VRLP in the future; and

third, pro rata to Rockpoint and VRT based on total respective capital invested in and contributed equity value of Preferred Units and Common Units (based on Rockpoint’s $400 million of invested capital at December 31, 2021, this pro rata distribution would be approximately 21.89% to Rockpoint in respect of Preferred Units, 2.65% to VRT in respect of Preferred Units and 75.46% to VRT in respect of Common Units).

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VRLP’s cash flow from capital events will generally be distributable by VRLP to Rockpoint and VRT as follows:

first, to Rockpoint and VRT to the extent there is any unpaid, accrued Preferred Base Return;

second, as a return of capital to Rockpoint and to VRT in respect of Preferred Units;

third, 95.36% to VRT and 4.64% to Rockpoint until VRT has received the VRT Base Return in respect of Common Units (previously 95% and 5%, respectively, under the Original Investment Agreement), subject to adjustment in the event VRT contributes additional property to VRLP in the future;

fourth, 95.36% to VRT and 4.64% to Rockpoint until VRT has received a return of capital based on the equity value of the properties contributed by it to VRLP in exchange for Common Units (previously 95% and 5%, respectively, under the Original Investment Agreement), subject to adjustment in the event VRT contributes additional property to the capital of VRLP in the future;

fifth, pro rata to Rockpoint and VRT based on respective total capital invested in and contributed equity value of Preferred and Common Units until Rockpoint has received an 11% internal rate of return (based on Rockpoint’s $400 million of invested capital at December 31, 2021, this pro rata distribution would be approximately 21.89% to Rockpoint in respect of Preferred Units, 2.65% to VRT in respect of Preferred Units and 75.46% to VRT in respect of Common Units); and

sixth, to Rockpoint and VRT in respect of their Preferred Units based on 50% of their pro rata shares described in “fifth” above and the balance to VRT in respect of its Common Units (based on Rockpoint’s $400 million of invested capital at December 31, 2021, this pro rata distribution would be approximately 10.947% to Rockpoint in respect of Preferred Units, 1.325% to VRT in respect of Preferred Units and 87.728% to VRT in respect of Common Units).

In general, VRLP may not sell its properties in taxable transactions, although it may engage in tax-deferred like-kind exchanges of properties or it may proceed in another manner designed to avoid the recognition of gain for tax purposes.

In connection with the Add On Investment Agreement, on June 26, 2019, VRT increased the size of its board of trustees from six to seven persons, with five trustees being designated by the Company and two trustees being designated by Rockpoint.

In addition, as was the case under the Original Investment Agreement, VRT and VRLP are required to obtain Rockpoint’s consent with respect to:

debt financings in excess of a 65% loan-to-value ratio;

corporate level financings that are pari-passu or senior to the Preferred Units;

new investment opportunities to the extent the opportunity requires an equity capitalization in excess of 10% of VRLP’s NAV;

new investment opportunities located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area where VRLP owns no property as of the previous quarter;  

declaration of bankruptcy of VRT; 

transactions between VRT and the Company, subject to certain limited exceptions;

any equity granted or equity incentive plan adopted by VRLP or any of its subsidiaries; and

certain matters relating to the Credit Enhancement Note (as defined below) between the Company and VRLP (other than ordinary course borrowings or repayments thereunder).

Under a Discretionary Demand Promissory Note (the “Credit Enhancement Note”), the Company may provide periodic cash advances to VRLP. The Credit Enhancement Note provides for an interest rate equal to the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate plus fifty (50) basis points above the applicable interest rate under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The maximum aggregate principal amount of advances at any one time outstanding under the Credit Enhancement Note is limited to $50 million, an increase of $25 million from the prior transaction.

VRT and VRLP also have agreed, as was the case under the Original Investment Agreement, to register the Preferred Units under certain circumstances in the future in the event VRT or VRLP becomes a publicly traded company.

During the period commencing on June 28, 2019 and ending on March 1, 2023 (the “Lockout Period”), Rockpoint’s interest in the Preferred Units cannot be redeemed or repurchased, except in connection with (a) a sale of all or substantially all of VRLP or a sale of a majority of the then-outstanding interests in VRLP, in each case, which sale is not approved by Rockpoint, or (b) a spin-out or initial public offering of common stock of VRT, or distributions of VRT equity interests by the Company or its affiliates to shareholders or their respective parent interestholders (an acquisition pursuant clauses (a) or (b) above, an “Early Purchase”). VRT has the right to acquire Rockpoint’s interest in the Preferred Units in connection with an Early Purchase for a purchase price generally equal to (i) the amount that Rockpoint would receive upon the sale of the assets of VRLP for fair market value and a distribution of the net sale proceeds in accordance with (A) the capital event distribution priorities discussed above (in the case of certain Rockpoint Preferred Holders) and

99


(B) the distribution priorities applicable in the case of a liquidation of VRLP (in the case of the other Rockpoint Preferred Holder), plus (ii) a make whole premium (such purchase price, the “Purchase Payment”). The make whole premium is an amount equal to (i) $173.5 million until December 28, 2020, or $198.5 million thereafter, less distributions theretofore made to Rockpoint with respect to its Preferred Base Return or any deficiency therein, plus (ii) $1.5 million less certain other distributions theretofore made to Rockpoint.

The fair market value of VRLP’s assets is determined by a third party appraisal of the net asset value (“NAV”) of VRLP and the fair market value of VRLP’s assets, to be completed within ninety (90) calendar days of March 1, 2023 and annually thereafter.

After the Lockout Period, either VRT may acquire from Rockpoint, or Rockpoint may sell to VRT, all, but not less than all, of Rockpoint’s interest in the Preferred Units (each, a “Put/Call Event”) for a purchase price equal to the Purchase Payment (determined without regard to the make whole premium and any related tax allocations). An acquisition of Rockpoint’s interest in the Preferred Units pursuant to a Put/Call Event is generally required to be structured as a purchase of the common equity in the applicable Rockpoint entities holding direct or indirect interests in the Preferred Units. Subject to certain exceptions, Rockpoint also has a right of first offer and a participation right with respect to other common equity interests of VRLP or any subsidiary of VRLP that may be offered for sale by VRLP or its subsidiaries from time to time. Upon a Put/Call Event, other than in the event of a sale of VRLP, Rockpoint may elect to convert all, but not less than all, of its Preferred Units to Common Units in VRLP.

As such, the Preferred Units contain a substantive redemption feature that is outside of the Company’s control and accordingly, pursuant to ASC 480-1—S99-3A, the Preferred Units are classified in mezzanine equity measured based on the estimated future redemption value as of December 31, 2021. The Company determines the redemption value of these interests by hypothetically liquidating the estimated NAV of the VRT real estate portfolio including debt principal through the applicable waterfall provisions of the new transaction with Rockpoint. The estimation of NAV includes unobservable inputs that consider assumptions of market participants in pricing the underlying assets of VRLP. For properties under development, the Company applies a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows allocable to the Company during the period under construction and then applies a direct capitalization method to the estimated stabilized cash flows. For operating properties, the direct capitalization method is used by applying a capitalization rate to the projected net operating income. For developable land holdings, an estimated per-unit market value assumption is considered based on development rights or plans for the land. Estimated future cash flows used in such analyses are based on the Company’s business plan for each respective property including capital expenditures, management’s views of market and economic conditions, and considers items such as current and future rental rates, occupancies and market transactions for comparable properties. The estimated future redemption value of the Preferred Units is approximately $479.2 million as of December 31, 2021.

Preferred Units

On February 3, 2017, the Operating Partnership issued 42,800 shares of a new class of 3.5 percent Series A Preferred Limited Partnership Units of the Operating Partnership (the “Series A Units”). The Series A Units were issued to the Company’s partners in the Plaza VIII & IX Associates L.L.C. joint venture that owns a development site adjacent to the Company’s Harborside property in Jersey City, New Jersey as non-cash consideration for their approximate 37.5 percent interest in the joint venture.

Each Series A Unit has a stated value of $1,000, pays dividends quarterly at an annual rate of 3.5 percent (subject to increase under certain circumstances), is convertible into 28.15 common units of limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership beginning generally five years from the date of issuance, or an aggregate of up to 1,204,820 common units. The conversion rate was based on a value of $35.52 per common unit. The Series A Units have a liquidation and dividend preference senior to the common units and include customary anti-dilution protections for stock splits and similar events. The Series A Units are redeemable for cash at their stated value beginning five years from the date of issuance at the option of the holder.

On February 28, 2017, the Operating Partnership authorized the issuance of 9,213 shares of a new class of 3.5 percent Series A-1 Preferred Limited Partnership Units of the Operating Partnership (the “Series A-1 Units”). 9,122 Series A-1 Units were issued on February 28, 2017 and an additional 91 Series A-1 Units were issued in April 2017 pursuant to acquiring additional interests in a joint venture that owns Monaco Towers in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Series A-1 Units were issued as non-cash consideration for the partner’s approximate 13.8 percent ownership interest in the joint venture.

Each Series A-1 Unit has a stated value of $1,000 (the “Stated Value”), pays dividends quarterly at an annual rate equal to the greater of (x) 3.5 percent, or (y) the then-effective annual dividend yield on the General Partner’s common stock, and is convertible into 27.936 common units of limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership beginning generally five years from the date of issuance, or an aggregate of up to 257,375 Common Units. The conversion rate was based on a value of $35.80 per common unit. The Series A-1 Units have a liquidation and dividend preference senior to the Common Units and include customary anti-dilution protections for stock splits and similar events.  The Series A-1 Units are redeemable for cash at their stated value beginning five years from the date of issuance at the option of the holder. The Series A-1 Units are pari passu with the 42,800 3.5% Series A Units issued on February 3,

100


2017.

The following tables set forth the changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands):

Series A and

Total

A-1 Preferred

Rockpoint

Redeemable

Units

Interests

Noncontrolling

In VRLP

in VRLP

Interests

Balance January 1, 2021

$

52,324

$

460,973

$

513,297

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Issued

-

-

-

Net

52,324

460,973

513,297

Income Attributed to Noncontrolling Interests

1,820

24,157

25,977

Distributions

(1,820)

(24,157)

(25,977)

Redemption Value Adjustment

-

8,016

8,016

Redeemable noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2021

$

52,324

$

468,989

$

521,313

Series A and

Total

A-1 Preferred

Rockpoint

Redeemable

Units

Interests

Noncontrolling

In VRLP

in VRLP

Interests

Balance January 1, 2020

$

52,324

$

451,058

$

503,382

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Issued

-

-

-

Net

52,324

451,058

503,382

Income Attributed to Noncontrolling Interests

1,820

24,063

25,883

Distributions

(1,820)

(24,063)

(25,883)

Other Distributions

-

(3,153)

(3,153)

Redemption Value Adjustment

-

13,068

13,068

Redeemable noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2020

$

52,324

$

460,973

$

513,297

 

16.    VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P.’S PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

To maintain its qualification as a REIT, not more than 50 percent in value of the outstanding shares of the General Partner may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of any taxable year of the General Partner, other than its initial taxable year (defined to include certain entities), applying certain constructive ownership rules. To help ensure that the General Partner will not fail this test, the General Partner’s Charter provides, among other things, certain restrictions on the transfer of common stock to prevent further concentration of stock ownership. Moreover, to evidence compliance with these requirements, the General Partner must maintain records that disclose the actual ownership of its outstanding common stock and demands written statements each year from the holders of record of designated percentages of its common stock requesting the disclosure of the beneficial owners of such common stock.

Partners’ Capital in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relates to (a) General Partners’ capital consisting of common units in the Operating Partnership held by the General Partner, and (b) Limited Partners’ capital consisting of common units and LTIP units held by the limited partners. See Note 17: Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries.

Any transactions resulting in the issuance of additional common and preferred stock of the General Partner result in a corresponding issuance by the Operating Partnership of an equivalent amount of common and preferred units to the General Partner.

ATM PROGRAM

On December 13, 2021, the Company entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Comerica Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, R. Seelaus & Co., LLC and Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc., as sales agents. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Company may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having a combined aggregate offering price of up to $200 million. The Company will pay a commission that will not exceed, but may be lower than, 2%

101


of the gross proceeds of all shares sold through the ATM Program. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had not sold any shares pursuant to the ATM Program.

  

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

The General Partner has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “DRIP”) which commenced in March 1999 under which approximately 5.5 million shares of the General Partner’s common stock have been reserved for future issuance. The DRIP provides for automatic reinvestment of all or a portion of a participant’s dividends from the General Partner’s shares of common stock. The DRIP also permits participants to make optional cash investments up to $5,000 a month without restriction and, if the Company waives this limit, for additional amounts subject to certain restrictions and other conditions set forth in the DRIP prospectus filed as part of the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC for the approximately 5.5 million shares of the General Partner’s common stock reserved for issuance under the DRIP.

INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN

In May 2013, the General Partner established the 2013 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2013 Plan”) under which a total of 4,600,000 shares has been reserved for issuance. In June 2021, stockholders of the Company approved amendments to the 2013 Plan to increase the total shares reserved for issuance under the plan from 4,600,000 to 6,565,000 shares.

Stock Options

In addition to stock options issued in June 2021 under the 2013 Plan, in March 2021, the General Partner granted 950,000 stock options with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of $15.79 per share to the chief executive officer as an employment “inducement award” that is intended to comply with New York Stock Exchange Rule 303A.08. The stock options will vest in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to earlier vesting on certain termination events.

Information regarding the Company’s stock option plans is summarized below:

Weighted

Aggregate

Average

Intrinsic

Shares

Exercise

Value

Under Options

Price

$(000’s)

Outstanding at January 1, 2019 ($17.31)

800,000

$

17.31

$

1,824

Granted, Lapsed or Cancelled

-

-

Outstanding at December 31, 2019 ($17.31)

800,000

$

17.31

4,656

Granted

172,495

14.39

Outstanding at December 31, 2020 ($14.39 - $17.31)

972,495

$

16.79

-

Granted

1,107,505

16.10

Outstanding at December 31, 2021 ($14.39 - $20.00)

2,080,000

$

16.42

$

4,072

Options exercisable at December 31, 2021

1,130,000

Available for grant at December 31, 2021

1,633,689

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $4.18 per option. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. The following weighted average assumptions are included in the Company’s fair value calculations of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021:

2021

2021

2021

2020

March

June regular

June premium

stock options

Expected life (in years)

4.5

4.6

5.3

5.3

Risk-free interest rate

0.79

%

0.71

%

0.94

%

0.41

%

Volatility

35.0

%

35.0

%

34.0

%

31.0

%

Dividend yield

1.6

%

1.5

%

1.4

%

2.7

%

There were no stock options that were exercised under any stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The Company has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

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As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the stock options outstanding had a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 5.5 years and 3.6 years, respectively.

The Company recognized stock options expense of $844 thousand, $446 thousand and zero for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Appreciation-Only LTIP Units

In March 2019, the Company granted 625,000 Appreciation-Only LTIP Units (“AO LTIP Units”) which are a class of partnership interests in the Operating Partnership that are intended to qualify as “profits interests” for federal income tax purposes. The value of vested AO LTIP Units is realized through conversion of the AO LTIP Units into common units of limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership (the “Common Units”). The AO LTIP Units allow the former executive to earn zero to 100% of the AO LTIP Units granted on a graduated basis of 250,000, 250,000 and 125,000 AO LTIP Units if the fair market value of the Company’s common stock exceeds the threshold levels of $25.00, $28.00 and $31.00 for 30 consecutive days prior to March 13, 2023.

Upon conversion of AO LTIP Units to Common Units, a special cash distribution will be granted equal to 10% (or such other percentage specified in the applicable award agreement) of the distributions received by a holder of an equivalent number of Common Units during the period from the grant date of the AO LTIP Units through the date of conversion in respect of each such AO LTIP Unit, on a per unit basis.

The weighted average fair value of the AO LTIP Units granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $3.98 per AO LTIP Unit. The fair value of each AO LTIP Unit grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo method. The following weighted average assumptions were included in the Company’s fair value calculations of AO LTIP Units granted during the year ended December 31, 2019:

AO LTIP

Units

Expected life (in years)

5.5 - 6.0

Risk-free interest rate

2.6

%

Volatility

29.0

%

Dividend yield

3.5

%

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $0.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested AO LTIP Units granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of 1.2 years. The Company recognized AO LTIP unit expense of $622 thousand, $622 thousand and $498 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Time-based Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

The Company has issued restricted stock units and common stock (“Restricted Stock Awards”) to officers, certain other employees and non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, which allow the holders to each receive a certain amount of shares of the General Partner’s common stock generally over a one-year to three-year vesting period. On June 9, 2021, the Company issued Restricted Stock Awards to non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner which vest within one year, of which 39,529 unvested Restricted Stock Awards were outstanding at December 31, 2021. From July to September, 2021, the Company granted restricted stock units to certain non-executive employees of the Company, which vest after three years, of which 203,663 were outstanding at December 31, 2021. Restricted Stock Awards allow holders to receive shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. Vesting of the Restricted Stock Awards issued is based on time and service. All currently outstanding and unvested Restricted Stock Awards provided to the officers, certain other employees, and members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner were issued under the 2013 Plan.

103


Information regarding the Restricted Stock Awards grant activity is summarized below:

Weighted-Average

Grant – Date

Shares

Fair Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2019

67,289

$

22.43

Granted

42,690

21.08

Vested

(65,353)

22.34

Forfeited

(1,936)

25.83

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

42,690

$

21.08

Granted

52,974

15.29

Vested

(42,690)

21.08

Forfeited

-

-

Outstanding at December 31, 2020

52,974

$

15.29

Granted

39,529

17.71

Vested

(52,974)

15.29

Forfeited

-

-

Outstanding at December 31, 2021

39,529

$

17.71

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $0.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Restricted Stock Awards granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.4 years.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards

The Company has granted long-term incentive plans awards (“LTIP Awards”) to senior management of the Company, including the General Partner’s executive officers. LTIP Awards generally are granted in the form of LTIP Units, except for awards granted in 2021 which were in the form of restricted stock units (each, an “RSU” and collectively, the “RSU LTIP Awards”) and constitute awards under the 2013 Plan. LTIP Awards are typically issued from the Company’s Outperformance Plan adopted by the General Partner’s Board of Directors.

For LTIP Awards granted in 2018, 2019, and 2020, approximately 25 percent to 100 percent of the grant date fair value of the LTIP Awards were in the form of time-based awards that vest after three years and the remaining portion of the grant date fair value of those awards consist of multi-year, market-based awards. Participants of performance-based awards will only earn the full awards if, over the three year performance period, the Company achieves a 36 percent absolute total stockholder return (“TSR”) and if the Company’s TSR is in the 75th percentile of performance as compared to the office REITs in the NAREIT index for awards granted in 2018 and 2019 and as compared to the REITs in the NAREIT index for awards granted in 2020. The performance period for the 2018 performance-based awards ended in 2021 and 31.25 percent of LTIP Units vested while the remaining awards were forfeited.

In January 2021, the Company granted LTIP Units (the “J Series 2021 LTIP Awards”) under the 2013 Plan. The J Series 2021 LTIP Awards are subject to the achievement of certain sales performance milestones with respect to commercial asset dispositions by the Company over a performance period from August 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022. These sales milestones will be based on the aggregate gross sales prices of the assets, provided that the asset will only be included in the milestone if it is sold for not less than 85% of its estimated net asset value, as defined in the agreement.

In 2021, the Company also granted LTIP Units in the form of restricted stock units (each, an “RSU”). Each RSU entitles the holder to one share of the General Partner’s common stock upon settlement. Approximately 292,000 of the RSUs are subject to time-based vesting conditions and will vest in three equal, annual installments over a three year period ending in April 2024. Approximately 453,000 of the RSUs are subject to market-based vesting conditions. Recipients will only earn the full amount of the market-based RSUs if, over the three year performance period, the General Partner achieves a thirty-six percent absolute TSR and if the General Partner’s TSR is in the 75th percentile of performance as compared to a group of 24 peer REITs.

Up to an additional approximately 292,000 RSUs were granted subject to the achievement of adjusted funds from operations of $0.60 per share in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The 2021 RSU LTIP Awards are designed to align the interests of senior management to relative and absolute performance of the Company over a three year performance period.

104


LTIP Awards are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent that awards vest. The number of market-based and performance-based LTIP Units that actually vest for each award recipient will be determined at the end of the related measurement period.

Prior to vesting, recipients of LTIP Units will generally be entitled to receive per unit distributions equal to one-tenth of the regular quarterly distributions payable on a common share but will not be entitled to receive any special distributions. Distributions with respect to the other nine-tenths of regular quarterly distributions payable on a common share will accrue but shall only become payable upon vesting of the LTIP Unit.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $4.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested LTIP awards granted under the Company’s stock compensation plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

Deferred Stock Compensation Plan For Directors

The Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, which commenced January 1, 1999, allows non-employee directors of the Company to elect to defer up to 100 percent of their annual retainer fee into deferred stock units. The deferred stock units are convertible into an equal number of shares of common stock upon the directors’ termination of service from the Board of Directors or a change in control of the Company, as defined in the plan. Deferred stock units are credited to each director quarterly using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the applicable dividend record date for the respective quarter. Each participating director’s account is also credited for an equivalent amount of deferred stock units based on the dividend rate for each quarter.

During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, 17,894, 22,086 and 14,337 deferred stock units were earned, respectively. The Company converted 193,949 and 61,277 deferred stock units into shares of common stock during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were 37,603 and 17,854 deferred stock units outstanding, respectively.

EARNINGS PER SHARE/UNIT

Basic EPS or EPU excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders or unitholders by the weighted average number of shares or units outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS or EPU reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. In the calculation of basic and diluted EPS and EPU, a redemption value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests attributable to common shareholders or unitholders is included in the calculation to arrive at the numerator of net income (loss) available to common shareholders or unitholders.

The following information presents the Company’s results for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

Veris Residential, Inc.:

Year Ended December 31,

Computation of Basic EPS

2021

2020

2019

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(149,021)

$

(115,499)

$

252,852

Add (deduct): Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695

3,904

Add (deduct): Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership

15,469

13,277

(23,724)

Add (deduct): Redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Add (deduct): Redemption value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling

interests attributable to common shareholders

(7,290)

(11,814)

(25,885)

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders

(162,224)

(137,224)

184,532

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common shareholders

35,892

74,023

(98,556)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders for basic earnings per share

$

(126,332)

$

(63,201)

$

85,976

Weighted average common shares

90,839

90,648

90,557

Basic EPS:

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common shareholders

0.40

0.81

(1.09)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95

105


Year Ended December 31,

Computation of Diluted EPS

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders

$

(162,224)

$

(137,224)

$

184,532

Add (deduct): Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership

(15,469)

(13,277)

23,724

Add (deduct): Redemption value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling

interests attributable to the Operating Partnership unitholders

(726)

(1,254)

(2,855)

Income (loss) from continuing operations for diluted earnings per share

(178,419)

(151,755)

205,401

Income (loss) from discontinued operations for diluted earnings per share

39,482

81,901

(109,016)

Net income (loss) available for diluted earnings per share

$

(138,937)

$

(69,854)

$

96,385

Weighted average common shares

99,893

100,260

100,689

Diluted EPS:

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common shareholders

0.40

0.81

(1.09)

Net (income) loss available to common shareholders

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95

The following schedule reconciles the weighted average shares used in the basic EPS calculation to the shares used in the diluted EPS calculation (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Basic EPS shares

90,839 

90,648 

90,557 

Add: Operating Partnership – common and vested LTIP units

9,054 

9,612 

9,963 

Stock Options

-

-

169 

Diluted EPS Shares

99,893 

100,260 

100,689 

Contingently issuable shares under Restricted Stock Awards were excluded from the denominator during all periods presented as such securities were anti-dilutive during the periods. Shares issuable under all outstanding stock options were excluded from the denominator in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 as such securities were anti-dilutive during the period. Also not included in the computations of diluted EPS were the unvested LTIP Units and unvested AO LTIP Units as such securities were anti-dilutive during all periods presented. Unvested LTIP Units outstanding as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 1,246,752, 1,722,929 and 1,826,331, respectively. Unvested restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 39,529, 52,974 and 42,690 shares, respectively. Unvested AO LTIP Units outstanding as of each of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 625,000.

Dividends declared per common share for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were zero, $0.40 and $0.80 per share, respectively.

106


Veris Residential, L.P.:

Year Ended December 31,

Computation of Basic EPU

2021

2020

2019

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(149,021)

$

(115,499)

$

252,852

Add (deduct): Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695

3,904

Add (deduct): Redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Add (deduct): Redemption value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests

(8,016)

(13,068)

(28,740)

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to unitholders

(178,419)

(151,755)

205,401

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to unitholders

39,482

81,901

(109,016)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders for basic earnings per unit

$

(138,937)

$

(69,854)

$

96,385

Weighted average common units

99,893

100,260

100,520

Basic EPU:

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to unitholders

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to unitholders

0.40

0.81

(1.09)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders for basic earnings per unit

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95

Year Ended December 31,

Computation of Diluted EPU

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to common unitholders

$

(178,419)

$

(151,755)

$

205,401

Income (loss) from discontinued operations for diluted earnings per unit

39,482

81,901

(109,016)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders for diluted earnings per unit

$

(138,937)

$

(69,854)

$

96,385

Weighted average common unit

99,893

100,260

100,689

Diluted EPU:

Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common unitholders

$

(1.79)

$

(1.51)

$

2.04

Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common unitholders

0.40

0.81

(1.09)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(1.39)

$

(0.70)

$

0.95

The following schedule reconciles the weighted average units used in the basic EPU calculation to the units used in the diluted EPU calculation (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Basic EPU units

99,893 

100,260 

100,520 

Add: Stock Options

-

-

169 

Diluted EPU Units

99,893 

100,260 

100,689 

Contingently issuable shares under Restricted Stock Awards were excluded from the denominator during all periods presented as such securities were anti-dilutive during the periods. Shares issuable under all outstanding stock options were excluded from the denominator in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 as such securities were anti-dilutive during the period. Also not included in the computations of diluted EPU were the unvested LTIP Units and unvested AO LTIP Units as such securities were anti-dilutive during all periods presented. Unvested LTIP Units outstanding as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 1,246,752, 1,722,929 and 1,826,331, respectively. Unvested restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 39,529, 52,974 and 42,690 shares, respectively. Unvested AO LTIP Units outstanding as of each of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 625,000.

Distributions declared per common unit for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were zero, $0.40 and $0.80 per unit, respectively.

 

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17.    NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relate to (i) common units (“Common Units”) and LTIP units in the Operating Partnership, held by parties other than the General Partner (“Limited Partners”), and (ii) interests in consolidated joint ventures for the portion of such ventures not owned by the Company.

Pursuant to ASC 810, Consolidation, on the accounting and reporting for noncontrolling interests and changes in ownership interests of a subsidiary, changes in a parent’s ownership interest (and transactions with noncontrolling interests unitholders in the subsidiary) while the parent retains its controlling interest in its subsidiary should be accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying value of the noncontrolling interests shall be adjusted to reflect the change in its ownership interest in the subsidiary, with the offset to equity attributable to the parent. Accordingly, as a result of equity transactions which caused changes in ownership percentages between Veris Residential, Inc. stockholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company has decreased noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and increased additional paid-in capital in Veris Residential, Inc. stockholders’ equity by approximately $1.4 million as of December 31, 2021.

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN OPERATING PARTNERSHIP (applicable only to General Partner)

Common Units

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company redeemed 678,302 common units at their fair market value of $10.5 million, which was included as part of the buyer’s purchase consideration in the disposition of an office property in January 2021. See Note 3: Recent Transactions. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company redeemed for cash 53,000 common units at their fair value of $0.9 million.

Certain individuals and entities own common units in the Operating Partnership. A common unit and a share of Common Stock of the General Partner have substantially the same economic characteristics in as much as they effectively share equally in the net income or loss of the Operating Partnership. Common unitholders have the right to redeem their common units, subject to certain restrictions. The redemption is required to be satisfied in shares of Common Stock, cash, or a combination thereof, calculated as follows: one share of the General Partner’s Common Stock, or cash equal to the fair market value of a share of the General Partner’s Common Stock at the time of redemption, for each common unit. The General Partner, in its sole discretion, determines the form of redemption of common units (i.e., whether a common unitholder receives Common Stock, cash, or any combination thereof). If the General Partner elects to satisfy the redemption with shares of Common Stock as opposed to cash, it is obligated to issue shares of its Common Stock to the redeeming unitholder. Regardless of the rights described above, the common unitholders may not put their units for cash to the General Partner or the Operating Partnership under any circumstances. When a unitholder redeems a common unit, noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership is reduced and Veris Residential, Inc. Stockholders’ equity is increased.

LTIP Units

On March 8, 2016, the Company granted 2016 LTIP Awards to senior management of the Company, including the General Partner’s executive officers. On April 4, 2017, the Company granted 2017 LTIP Awards to senior management of the Company, including the General Partner’s executive officers. On April 20, 2018, the Company granted 2018 LTIP Awards to senior management of the Company, including the General Partner’s executive officers. On March 22, 2019, the Company granted 2019 LTIP Awards to senior management of the Company, including the General Partner’s executive officers. On March 24, 2020, the Company granted 2020 LTIP Awards to senior management of the Company, including the General Partner’s executive officers. On January 4, 2021, the Company granted J Series 2021 LTIP Awards to one of the General Partner’s executive officers. All of the 2016 LTIP Awards, 2017 LTIP Awards, 2018 LTIP Awards,2019 LTIP Awards. 2020 LTIP Awards and J Series 2021 LTIP Awards are in the form of units in the Operating Partnership. See Note 16: Veris Residential, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity and Veris Residential, L.P.’s Partners’ Capital – Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards.

LTIP Units are designed to qualify as “profits interests” in the Operating Partnership for federal income tax purposes. As a general matter, the profits interests characteristics of the LTIP Units mean that initially they will not be economically equivalent in value to a common unit. If and when events specified by applicable tax regulations occur, LTIP Units can over time increase in value up to the point where they are equivalent to common units on a one-for-one basis. After LTIP Units are fully vested, and to the extent the special tax rules applicable to profits interests have allowed them to become equivalent in value to common units, LTIP Units may be converted on a one-for-one basis into common units. Common units in turn have a one-for-one relationship in value with shares of the General Partner’s common stock, and are redeemable on a one-for-one basis for cash or, at the election of the Company, shares of the General Partner’s common stock.

108


AO LTIP Units (Appreciation-Only LTIP Units)

On March 13, 2019, the Company granted 625,000 AO LTIP Units to Mr. DeMarco pursuant to the AO Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement. See Note 16: Veris Residential, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity and Veris Residential, L.P.’s Partners’ Capital – AO LTIP Units (Appreciation-Only LTIP Units).

AO LTIP Units are a class of partnership interests in the Operating Partnership that are intended to qualify as “profit interests” for federal income tax purposes and generally only allow the recipient to realize value to the extent the fair market value of a share of Common Stock exceeds the threshold level set at the time the AO LTIP Units are granted, subject to any vesting conditions applicable to the award. The value of vested AO LTIP Units is realized through conversion of the AO LTIP Units into Common Units. The number of Common Units into which vested AO LTIP Units may be converted is determined based on the quotient of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the conversion date over the threshold level designated at the time the AO LTIP Unit was granted, divided by (ii) the fair market value of the Common Stock on the conversion date. AO LTIP Units, once vested, have a finite term during which they may be converted into Common Units, not in excess of ten years from the grant date of the AO LTIP Units.

Unit Transactions

The following table sets forth the changes in noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries which relate to the common units and LTIP units in the Operating Partnership for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:

Common Units/

Unvested LTIP

Vested LTIP Units

Units

Balance at January 1, 2019

10,229,349

1,707,106

Redemption of common units for shares of common stock

(38,011)

-

Redemption of common units

(665,918)

-

Conversion of vested LTIP units to common units

18,438

-

Vested LTIP units

68,206

(86,644)

Issuance of units

-

565,623

Cancellation of units

-

(359,754)

Balance at December 31, 2019

9,612,064

1,826,331

Redemption of common units for shares of common stock

-

-

Redemption of common units

(138,615)

-

Conversion of vested LTIP units to common units

38,626

Vested LTIP units

136,957

(175,583)

Issuance of units

-

1,287,568

Cancellation of units

(1)

(1,215,387)

Balance at December 31, 2020

9,649,031

1,722,929

Redemption of common units for shares of common stock

(175,257)

-

Redemption of common units

(730,850)

-

Conversion of vested LTIP units to common units

205,434

-

Vested LTIP units

65,176

(270,610)

Issuance of units

-

334,449

Cancellation of units

-

(540,016)

Balance at December 31, 2021

9,013,534

1,246,752

Noncontrolling Interests Ownership in Operating Partnership

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the noncontrolling interests common unitholders owned 9.0 percent and 9.6 percent of the Operating Partnership, respectively.

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN CONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES (applicable to General Partner and Operating Partnership)

The Company consolidates certain joint ventures in which it has ownership interests. Various entities and/or individuals hold

109


noncontrolling interests in these ventures.

PARTICIPATION RIGHTS

The Company’s interests in a potential future development provides for the initial distributions of net cash flow solely to the Company, and thereafter, other parties have participation rights in 50 percent of the excess net cash flow remaining after the distribution to the Company of the aggregate amount equal to the sum of: (a) the Company’s capital contributions, plus (b) an IRR of 10 percent per annum.

 

18.    SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company operates in two business segments: (i) multifamily real estate and services and (ii) commercial and other real estate. The Company provides leasing, property management, acquisition, development, construction and tenant-related services for its commercial and other real estate and multifamily real estate portfolio. The Company’s multifamily services business also provides similar services for third parties. The Company had no revenues from foreign countries recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The Company had no long lived assets in foreign locations as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies, excluding depreciation and amortization.

The Company evaluates performance based upon net operating income from the combined properties and operations in each of its real estate segments (commercial and other real estate, and multifamily real estate and services). All properties classified as discontinued operations have been excluded.

110


Selected results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and selected asset information as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 regarding the Company’s operating segments are as follows. Amounts for prior periods have been restated to conform to the current period segment reporting presentation (dollars in thousands):

Commercial

Multifamily

Corporate

Total

& Other Real Estate

Real Estate & Services (d)

& Other (e)

Company

Total revenues:

2021

$

159,532 

$

171,030 

$

(1,245)

$

329,317 

2020

155,045 

156,841 

1,676 

313,562 

2019

184,966 

170,833 

1,403 

357,202 

Total operating and

interest expenses (a):

2021

$

64,409 

$

108,197 

$

108,850 

$

281,456 

2020

73,160 

95,631 

127,184 

295,975 

2019

80,018 

89,512 

127,425 

296,955 

Equity in earnings (loss) of

unconsolidated joint ventures:

2021

$

(111)

$

(4,140)

$

$

(4,251)

2020

(2,254)

(1,578)

-

(3,832)

2019

(1,194)

(125)

-

(1,319)

Net operating income (loss) (b):

Three months ended:

2021

$

95,012 

$

58,693 

$

(110,095)

$

43,610 

2020

79,631 

59,632 

(125,508)

13,755 

2019

103,754 

81,196 

(126,022)

58,928 

Total assets:

2021

$

1,216,717 

$

3,294,226 

$

16,375 

$

4,527,318 

2020

1,881,161 

3,249,516 

17,109 

5,147,786 

Total long-lived assets (c):

2021

$

1,087,198 

$

3,098,492 

$

(1,309)

$

4,184,381 

2020

1,693,054 

3,035,485 

(1,411)

4,727,128 

Total investments in

unconsolidated joint ventures:

2021

$

-

$

137,772 

$

-

$

137,772 

2020

5,555 

156,827 

-

162,382 

(a)Total operating and interest expenses represent the sum of: real estate taxes; utilities; operating services; real estate services expenses; general and administrative, acquisition-related costs and interest expense (net of interest income). All interest expense, net of interest and other investment income, (including for property-level mortgages) is excluded from segment amounts and classified in Corporate & Other for all periods.

(b)Net operating income represents total revenues less total operating and interest expenses (as defined and classified in Note “a”), plus equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures, for the period.

(c)Long-lived assets are comprised of net investment in rental property, unbilled rents receivable and goodwill.

(d)Segment assets and operations were owned through a consolidated variable interest entity commencing in February 2018, and which also include the Company’s consolidated hotel operations.

(e)Corporate & Other represents all corporate-level items (including interest and other investment income, interest expense, non-property general and administrative expense), as well as intercompany eliminations necessary to reconcile to consolidated Company totals.

111


Veris Residential, Inc.

The following schedule reconciles net operating income to net income available to common shareholders (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Net operating income

$

43,610

$

13,755

$

58,928

Add (deduct):

Depreciation and amortization

(111,618)

(122,035)

(133,597)

Land and other impairments, net

(23,719)

(16,817)

(32,444)

Property impairments

(13,467)

(36,582)

-

Gain on change of control of interests

-

-

13,790

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of

rental property, net

3,022

5,481

343,102

Gain on disposition of developable land

2,115

5,787

522

Gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures

(1,886)

35,184

903

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt, net

(47,078)

(272)

1,648

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(149,021)

(115,499)

252,852

Discontinued operations

Income from discontinued operations

13,930

70,700

24,334

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on

disposition of rental property and impairments, net

25,552

11,201

(133,350)

Total discontinued operations, net

39,482

81,901

(109,016)

Net income (loss)

(109,539)

(33,598)

143,836

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695

3,904

Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership

15,469

13,277

(23,724)

Noncontrolling interest in discontinued operations

(3,590)

(7,878)

10,460

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(119,042)

$

(51,387)

$

111,861

 

Veris Residential, L.P.

The following schedule reconciles net operating income to net income available to common unitholders (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Net operating income

$

43,610

$

13,755

$

58,928

Add (deduct):

Depreciation and amortization

(111,618)

(122,035)

(133,597)

Land and other impairments, net

(23,719)

(16,817)

(32,444)

Property impairments

(13,467)

(36,582)

-

Gain on change of control of interests

-

-

13,790

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized losses on disposition of

rental property, net

3,022

5,481

343,102

Gain on disposition of developable land

2,115

5,787

522

Gain on sale from unconsolidated joint ventures

(1,886)

35,184

903

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt, net

(47,078)

(272)

1,648

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(149,021)

(115,499)

252,852

Discontinued operations

Income from discontinued operations

13,930

70,700

24,334

Realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on

disposition of rental property and impairments, net

25,552

11,201

(133,350)

Total discontinued operations, net

39,482

81,901

(109,016)

Net income (loss)

(109,539)

(33,598)

143,836

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures

4,595

2,695

3,904

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

(25,977)

(25,883)

(22,615)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(130,921)

$

(56,786)

$

125,125

112


19.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

William L. Mack, a former director of the General Partner and David S. Mack, a former director of the General Partner, are the executive officers, directors and stockholders of a corporation that leased 5,930 square feet at one of the Company’s office properties, which was scheduled to expire in January 2025 (the Company disposed of this property in March 2020). The corporation previously leased approximately 7,034 square feet at another one of the Company’s office properties (the Company disposed of this property in January 2019). The Company recognized $48,000 and $18,000 in revenue under these leases for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively and had no accounts receivable from the corporation as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

The adult children of Marshall Tycher, former Chairman of VRT, own minority equity interests in a vendor to the Company. Additionally, Mr. Tycher’s son-in-law is an employee of the vendor. The Company recognized $84,000, $99,000 and $120,000 in expense for this vendor during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and had no accounts payable to this vendor as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Certain executive officers of VRT and/or their family members (“RG”) directly or indirectly hold small noncontrolling interests in a certain consolidated joint venture. Additionally, the Company earned zero, zero, and $674,000 from entities in which RG has ownership interests for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

In September 2020, the General Partner's Board of Directors approved a discretionary reimbursement of approximately $6.1 million in fees and expenses incurred by Bow Street LLC in connection with its proxy solicitations in 2019 and 2020 that resulted in the election of Bow Street's nominees as directors of the General Partner at the 2019 and 2020 annual meetings of stockholders of the General Partner.  The Board of Directors determined that the reimbursement was appropriate in light of the benefit to the General Partner and its stockholders of the refreshment of the Board of Directors that resulted from the proxy contests. The Company reimbursed this amount to Bow Street in three substantially equal payments in November 2020, January 2021 and April 2021, which the Company has recorded the $6.1 million as general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2020. Bow Street is an affiliate of A. Akiva Katz, a director of the General Partner, who is a co-founder and managing partner of Bow Street.

113


20.    CONDENSED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited)

Veris Residential, Inc.

The following summarizes the condensed quarterly financial information for the Company (dollars in thousands):

Quarter Ended 2021

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

Total revenues

$

88,233

$

83,744

$

81,247

$

76,093

Net income (loss)

$

(23,237)

$

(25,792)

$

(74,031)

$

13,521

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(26,272)

$

(28,314)

$

(72,079)

$

7,623

`

Basic earnings per common share:

Income from continuing operations

$

(0.32)

$

(0.34)

$

(0.86)

$

(0.28)

Discontinued operations

-

0.01

0.05

0.34

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(0.32)

$

(0.33)

$

(0.81)

$

0.06

Diluted earnings per common share:

Income from continuing operations

$

(0.32)

$

(0.34)

$

(0.86)

$

(0.28)

Discontinued operations

-

0.01

0.05

0.34

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

(0.32)

$

(0.33)

$

(0.81)

$

0.06

Quarter Ended 2020

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

Total revenues

$

76,564

$

79,197

$

74,197

$

83,604

Net income (loss)

$

78,298

$

(41,118)

$

(32,934)

$

(37,844)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

65,632

$

(42,208)

$

(34,887)

$

(39,924)

`

Basic earnings per common share:

Income from continuing operations

$

0.22

$

(0.83)

$

(0.50)

$

(0.40)

Discontinued operations

0.45

0.34

0.09

(0.07)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

0.67

$

(0.49)

$

(0.41)

$

(0.47)

Diluted earnings per common share:

Income from continuing operations

$

0.22

$

(0.83)

$

(0.50)

$

(0.40)

Discontinued operations

0.45

0.34

0.09

(0.07)

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$

0.67

$

(0.49)

$

(0.41)

$

(0.47)

 

Veris Residential, L.P.

The following summarizes the condensed quarterly financial information for the Company (dollars in thousands):

Quarter Ended 2021

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

Total revenues

$

88,233

$

83,744

$

81,247

$

76,093

Net income (loss)

$

(23,237)

$

(25,792)

$

(74,031)

$

13,521

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(28,876)

$

(31,126)

$

(79,304)

$

8,385

Basic earnings per common unit:

Income from continuing operations

$

(0.32)

$

(0.34)

$

(0.86)

$

(0.28)

Discontinued operations

-

0.01

0.05

0.34

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(0.32)

$

(0.33)

$

(0.81)

$

0.06

Diluted earnings per common units:

Income from continuing operations

$

(0.32)

$

(0.34)

$

(0.86)

$

(0.28)

Discontinued operations

-

0.01

0.05

0.34

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

(0.32)

$

(0.33)

$

(0.81)

$

0.06

114


Quarter Ended 2020

December 31

September 30

June 30

March 31

Total revenues

$

76,564

$

79,197

$

74,197

$

83,604

Net income (loss)

$

78,298

$

(41,118)

$

(32,934)

$

(37,844)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

72,623

$

(46,694)

$

(38,576)

$

(44,139)

Basic earnings per common unit:

Income from continuing operations

$

0.22

$

(0.83)

$

(0.50)

$

(0.40)

Discontinued operations

0.45

0.34

0.09

(0.07)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

0.67

$

(0.49)

$

(0.41)

$

(0.47)

Diluted earnings per common unit:

Income from continuing operations

$

0.22

$

(0.83)

$

(0.50)

$

(0.40)

Discontinued operations

0.45

0.34

0.09

(0.07)

Net income (loss) available to common unitholders

$

0.67

$

(0.49)

$

(0.41)

$

(0.47)

 

115


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC., VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

December 31, 2021

(dollars in thousands)

SCHEDULE III

Gross Amount at Which

Costs

Carried at Close of

Initial Costs

Capitalized

Period (a)

Property

Year

Related

Building and

Subsequent to

Building and

Accumulated

Property Location

Type

Built

Acquired

Encumbrances

Land

Improvements

Acquisition (c)

Land

Improvements

Total (d)

Depreciation (b)

NEW JERSEY

Essex County

Millburn (Short Hills)

The Upton

Multifamily

2021

74,328

2,850

-

91,673

2,850

91,673

94,523

2,154

Hudson County

Hoboken

111 River Street

Office

2002

2016

148,897

-

198,609

15,604

-

214,213

214,213

31,096

Soho Lofts

Multifamily

2017

2019

159,112

27,601

224,039

4,663

27,601

228,702

256,303

18,774

Jersey City

Harborside Plaza 2

Office

1990

1996

-

17,655

101,546

73,669

8,363

184,507

192,870

87,603

Harborside Plaza 3

Office

1990

1996

-

17,655

101,878

73,337

8,363

184,507

192,870

87,603

Harborside Plaza 5

Office

2002

2002

-

6,218

170,682

63,367

5,705

234,562

240,267

118,295

Harborside Plaza 6

Office

2000

2000

-

1,244

56,144

13,364

1,244

69,508

70,752

31,273

101 Hudson Street

Office

1992

2005

249,056

45,530

271,376

49,831

45,530

321,207

366,737

128,442

Liberty Towers

Multifamily

2003

2019

263,888

66,670

328,347

7,344

66,670

335,691

402,361

19,718

BLVD 475 N/S

Multifamily

2011

2017

164,915

58,761

240,871

6,323

58,761

247,194

305,955

33,036

BLVD 425

Multifamily

2003

2018

130,420

48,820

160,740

5,611

48,820

166,351

215,171

16,350

BLVD 401

Multifamily

2016

2019

116,447

36,595

152,440

438

36,595

152,878

189,473

12,038

Weehawken

100 Avenue at Port Imperial

Other

2016

2016

-

350

-

30,734

1,958

29,126

31,084

5,313

500 Avenue at Port Imperial

Other

2013

2013

32,443

13,099

56,669

(19,331)

13,099

37,338

50,437

7,898

Riverhouse 9

Multifamily

2021

86,917

2,686

-

131,280

2,686

131,280

133,966

1,323

Riverhouse 11

Multifamily

2018

2018

99,854

22,047

-

112,301

22,047

112,301

134,348

11,257

Residence Inn/Envue Autograph Collection

Other

2019

2015

88,714

23,660

-

74,655

16,866

81,449

98,315

13,101

West New York

Port Imperial North Retail

Other

2008

2020

-

4,305

8,216

695

4,305

8,911

13,216

647

Monmouth County

Holmdel

23 Main Street

Office

1977

2005

-

4,336

19,544

6,400

4,336

25,944

30,280

11,671

Morris County

Morris Plains

Signature Place

Multifamily

2018

2018

42,752

930

-

56,414

930

56,414

57,344

6,103

NEW YORK

Westchester County

Eastchester

Quarry Place at Tuckahoe

Multifamily

2016

2016

40,631

5,585

3,400

48,953

5,585

52,353

57,938

7,780

MASSACHUSETTS

Middlesex County

Malden

The Emery at Overlook Ridge

Multifamily

2020

2014

71,426

4,115

86,093

10,023

9,103

91,128

100,231

5,310

Suffolk County

East Boston

Portside at Pier One

Multifamily

2015

2016

58,880

-

73,713

656

-

74,369

74,369

14,022

Portside 5/6

Multifamily

2018

2018

96,633

-

37,114

77,248

-

114,362

114,362

12,335

Worcester County

Worcester

145 Front Street

Multifamily

2018

2015

62,645

4,380

-

92,178

4,380

92,178

96,558

10,752

Projects Under Development

and Developable Land

253,112

259,107

761,990

-

259,106

761,990

1,021,096

49,059

Furniture, Fixtures

and Equipment

-

-

-

100,011

-

100,011

100,011

TOTALS

2,241,070

674,199

3,053,411

1,127,441

654,903

4,200,147

4,855,050

(e)

742,953


116


(a)The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2021 was approximately $3.2 billion.

(b)Depreciation of buildings and improvements are calculated over lives ranging from the life of the lease to 40 years.

(c)These costs are net of impairments and valuation allowances recorded, if any.

(d)Includes properties classified as held for sale at December 31, 2021. The gross amount includes $160.0 million of land and $618.2 million of building improvements related to these held for sale assets at period end.

(e)Accumulated depreciation includes $159.5 million from assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2021.

VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC./VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTE TO SCHEDULE III

Changes in rental properties and accumulated depreciation for the periods ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: (dollars in thousands)

2021

2020

2019

Rental Properties

Balance at beginning of year

$

4,638,643

$

4,256,681

$

5,306,017

Additions

1,002,342

1,776,276

1,349,959

Real estate held for sale

(778,184)

(944,082)

(1,553,383)

Properties sold

(744,810)

(443,755)

(824,167)

Impairments

(27,547)

-

-

Retirements/disposals

(13,578)

(6,477)

(21,745)

Balance at end of year

$

4,076,866

$

4,638,643

$

4,256,681

Accumulated Depreciation

Balance at beginning of year

$

656,331

$

558,617

$

1,097,868

Depreciation expense

102,062

104,421

156,250

Real estate held for sale

(159,541)

2,238

(411,833)

Properties sold

-

-

(261,923)

Impairments

(1,858)

(2,469)

-

Retirements/disposals

(13,578)

(6,477)

(21,745)

Balance at end of year

$

583,416

$

656,331

$

558,617

 


117


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC.

VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 

Number

Exhibit Title

3.1

Articles of Restatement of Veris Residential, Inc. dated September 18, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 17, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2

Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Restatement of Veris Residential, Inc. as filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on May 14, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated May 12, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.3

Articles Supplementary of Veris Residential, Inc. dated June 12, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.4

3.5

Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Veris Residential, Inc. dated December 10, 2021 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 7, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.6

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P. dated December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 10.110 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 11, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.7

Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P. dated August 21, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-57103, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.8

Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P. dated July 6, 1999 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated July 6, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.9

Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P. dated September 30, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.10

Fourth Amendment dated as of March 8, 2016 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P. dated as of December 11, 1997 (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 8, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.11

Fifth Amendment dated as of April 4, 2017 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P. dated as of December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.12

Sixth Amendment dated as of April 20, 2018 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P., dated as of December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 20, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.13

Seventh Amendment dated as of March 13, 2019 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P., dated as of December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.14

Eighth Amendment dated as of March 28, 2019 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P., dated as of December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 28, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.15

Ninth Amendment, dated as of March 24, 2020, to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P., dated as of December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 26, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

118


3.16

Tenth Amendment, dated as of January 4, 2021, to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P., dated as of December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 4, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.17

Eleventh Amendment, dated as of December 10, 2021, to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Veris Residential, L.P., dated as of December 11, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 7, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.18

Certificate of Designation of 3.5% Series A Preferred Limited Partnership Units of Veris Residential, L.P. dated February 3, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.19

Certificate of Designation of 3.5% Series A-1 Preferred Limited Partnership Units of Veris Residential, L.P. dated February 28, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 3.13 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1

Indenture dated as of March 16, 1999, by and among Veris Residential, L.P., as issuer, Veris Residential, Inc., as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Operating Partnership’s Form 8-K dated March 16, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.2

Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (filed as Exhibit 4.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1

Contribution and Exchange Agreement among The MK Contributors, The MK Entities, The Patriot Contributors, The Patriot Entities, Patriot American Management and Leasing Corp., Cali Realty, L.P. and Cali Realty Corporation, dated September 18, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 10.98 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 19, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.2#

First Amendment to Contribution and Exchange Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1997, by and among the Company and the Mack Group (filed as Exhibit 10.99 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 11, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.3

Second Amendment to the Contribution and Exchange Agreement dated as of August 1, 2019 by and among William L. Mack, David S. Mack, Earle I. Mack and Fredric Mack, Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.107 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.4

Second Amendment to Contribution and Exchange Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2000, between RMC Development Company, LLC f/k/a Robert Martin Company, LLC, Robert Martin Eastview North Company, L.P., the Company and the Operating Partnership (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to the Company's Form 10-K dated December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.5#

Amended and Restated Veris Residential, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 8-K dated December 9, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.6#

Veris Residential, Inc. Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-256929, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.7

Promissory Note of M-C Plaza V L.L.C., Cal-Harbor V Urban Renewal Associates, L.P., Cal-Harbor V Leasing Associates L.L.C., as Borrowers, in favor of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, as Lender, in the principal amount of $120,000,000, dated October 28, 2008. (filed as Exhibit 10.132 to the Company's Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.8

Promissory Note of M-C Plaza V L.L.C., Cal-Harbor V Urban Renewal Associates, L.P., Cal-Harbor V Leasing Associates L.L.C., as Borrowers, in favor of New York Life Insurance Company, as Lender, in the principal amount of $120,000,000, dated October 28, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.133 to the Company's Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.9

Guarantee of Recourse Obligations of Veris Residential, L.P. in favor of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and New York Life Insurance Company dated October 28, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.134 to the Company's Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.10

Development Agreement dated December 5, 2011 by and between M-C Plaza VI & VII L.L.C. and Ironstate Development LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated December 5, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.11

Form of Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K dated December 5, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

119


10.12

Preferred Equity Investment Agreement among Veris Residential, Inc., Veris Residential, L.P., Mack-Cali Property Trust, Mack-Cali Texas Property, L.P., Veris Residential Trust, Roseland Residential Holding L.L.C., Veris Residential Partners, L.P., RPIIA-RLA, L.L.C. and RPIIA-RLB, L.L.C. dated as of February 27, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 10.125 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.13

Indemnity Agreement dated March 10, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 10.132 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.14#

Employment Agreement dated April 26, 2017 by and between Marshall B. Tycher and Veris Residential Trust (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.15#

Class AO Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement dated March 13, 2019 by and between Michael J. DeMarco and Veris Residential, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.16

Amended and Restated Agreement of Sale and Purchase, dated March 4, 2019, by and between Mack-Cali CW Realty Associates L.L.C., Cross Westchester Realty Associates L.L.C., Clearbrook Road Associates L.L.C., So. Westchester Realty Associates L.L.C., Mack-Cali So. West Realty Associates L.L.C., 225 Corporate Realty L.L.C., 3 Odell Realty L.L.C. Mid-Westchester Realty Associates L.L.C., Mack-Cali Mid-West Realty Associates L.L.C., Skyline Realty L.L.C., 12 Skyline Associates L.L.C., 5/6 Skyline Realty L.L.C. and Talleyrand Realty Associates L.L.C., collectively, as seller, and RMC Acquisition Entity, LLC, as purchaser (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.17

Amended and Restated Agreement of Sale and Purchase, dated March 4, 2019, by and between West Avenue Realty Associates L.L.C., as Seller, and RMC Acquisition Entity, LLC, as purchaser (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.18

OP Unit Redemption Agreement, dated March 4, 2019, by and among Veris Residential, L.P., Mack-Cali CW Realty Associates L.L.C., Mack-Cali So. West Realty Associates L.L.C., Brad W. Berger Revocable Trust, Greg Berger, Robert F. Weinberg 2013 Trust and RFW Management Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.19

Preferred Equity Investment Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2019, by and among Veris Residential Partners, L.P., Veris Residential, Inc., Veris Residential, L.P., Mack-Cali Property Trust, Mack-Cali Texas Property, L.P., Veris Residential Trust, RPIIA-RLA Aggregator, L.L.C., and RPIIA-RLB, L.L.C. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.20

Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Veris Residential Partners, L.P., dated as of June 28, 2019, by and among Veris Residential, Inc., Veris Residential, L.P., Veris Residential Trust, RPIIA-RLA Aggregator, L.L.C., and RPIIA-RLB, L.L.C. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.21

Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and between Veris Residential Trust, RPIIA-RLA Aggregator, L.L.C., and RPIIA-RLB, L.L.C. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.22

Amended and Restated Discretionary Demand Promissory Note, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and between Veris Residential Partners, L.P. and Veris Residential, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.23

Amended and Restated Shared Services Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and between Veris Residential, L.P. and Veris Residential Partners, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.24

Amended and Restated Recourse Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and among Veris Residential Trust, Veris Residential, Inc., and Veris Residential, L.P., in favor of RPIIA-Aggregator, L.L.C. and RPIIA-RLB, L.L.C. (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.25

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and among Veris Residential, Inc., Veris Residential, L.P., Mack-Cali Property Trust, Veris Residential Partners, L.P., Veris Residential Trust, RPIIA-Aggregator, L.L.C. and RPIIA-RLB, L.L.C. (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.26

Form of Indemnity Agreement, by and among Rockpoint Growth and Income Real estate Fund II, L.P., Veris Residential, Inc., Veris Residential, L.P., Mack-Cali Property Trust, Veris Residential Trust, and the Purchaser named therein. (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.27

Letter Agreement, dated June 10, 2020, between Veris Residential, Inc. and Bow Street LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 10, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

120


10.28#

Letter Agreement, by and among the Company, MAG Partners, and MaryAnne Gilmartin, dated as of July 24, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.29#

Stock Option Agreement, by and between the Company and MAG Partners, dated as of July 24, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 24, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.30#

Extension Letter, by and among Veris Residential, Inc., MAG Partners 2.0 LLC, and MaryAnne Gilmartin, dated as of January 22, 2021 (filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.31#

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated November 3, 2020, by and between Veris Residential, Inc. and David Smetana (filed as Exhibit 10.117 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.32#

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated November 3, 2020, by and between Veris Residential, Inc. and Ricardo Cardoso (filed as Exhibit 10.118 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.33#

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated November 3, 2020, by and between Veris Residential, Inc. and Gary T. Wagner (filed as Exhibit 10.119 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.34#

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated November 3, 2020, by and between Veris Residential, Inc. and Giovanni M. DeBari (filed as Exhibit 10.120 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated September 30, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.35#

Employment Agreement, dated March 2, 2021, by and among Mahbod Nia, Mack-Cali UK Ltd., and Veris Residential, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 2, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.36#

Stock Option Agreement between Veris Residential, Inc. and Mahbod Nia dated March 10, 2021 (filed as Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.37#

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of June 9, 2021, by and among Anna Malhari, Mack-Cali UK Ltd. And Veris Residential, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 14, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.38#

Executive Employment Agreement dated January 11, 2022 by and between Amanda Lombard and Veris Residential, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 11, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.39#

Amendment to Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement dated as of February 1, 2022 by and between Veris Residential, Inc. and David Smetana (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 2, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.40#

Veris Residential, Inc. Clawback Policy (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.41#

Form of 2021 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (TRSUs, PRSUs and OPRSUs) (filed as Exhibit 10.52 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.42

Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of May 6, 2021 among Veris Residential, L.P., as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as sole bookrunner and joint lead arranger, administrative agent and a lender; Capital One, National Association, as joint leader arranger, syndication agent and a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, The Bank of New York Mellon, Associated Bank, National Association, and People’s United Bank, N.A., as lenders (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 12, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.43

Parent Guaranty of Veris Residential, Inc. dated as of May 6, 2021 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 12, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

121


10.44

Subsidiary Guaranty of the subsidiary guarantors a party thereto dated as of May 6, 2021 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 12, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.45

Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of May 6, 2021 among Veris Residential, L.P. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 12, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.46

Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of May 6, 2021 among Veris Residential Trust and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 12, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.47#

Separation and Release Agreement dated May 19, 2021 by and between Marshall B. Tycher, Veris Residential, Inc. and Roseland Residential Trust (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 19, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.48#

Consulting and Cooperation Agreement dated as of May 13, 2021 by and among Veris Residential, Inc. and Marshall B. Tycher (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 19, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.49#

Independent Consulting Services Agreement dated as of January 18, 2022 by and between Veris Residential, Inc. and Giovanni M. DeBari (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference).

21.1*

Subsidiaries of the General Partner.

21.2*

Subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership.

23.1*

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, with respect to the General Partner.

23.2*

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, with respect to the Operating Partnership.

31.1*

Certification of the General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Mahbod Nia, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the General Partner.

31.2*

Certification of the General Partner’s Chief Financial Officer, David J. Smetana, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the General Partner.

31.3*

Certification of the General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Mahbod Nia, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the Operating Partnership.

31.4*

Certification of the General Partner’s Chief Financial Officer, David J. Smetana, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the Operating Partnership.

32.1*

Certification of the General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Mahbod Nia and the General Partner’s Chief Financial Officer, David J. Smetana, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the General Partner.

32.2*

Certification of the General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Mahbod Nia and the General Partner’s Chief Financial Officer, David J. Smetana, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the Operating Partnership.

101.1*

The following financial statements from Veris Residential, Inc. and Veris Residential, L.P. from their combined Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

104.1*

The cover page from this Annual Report on Form 10-K formatted in Inline XBRL.

* filed herewith

# management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

122


VERIS RESIDENTIAL, INC.

VERIS RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Veris Residential, Inc.

(Registrant)

Date: February 23, 2022

By:

/s/ Mahbod Nia

Mahbod Nia

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

Date:    February 23, 2022

By:

/s/ David J. Smetana

David J. Smetana

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

Date: February 23, 2022

By:

/s/ Amanda Lombard

Amanda Lombard

Chief Accounting Officer

(principal accounting officer)

Veris Residential, L.P.

(Registrant)

By:

Veris Residential, Inc.

its General Partner

Date:    February 23, 2022

By:

/s/ Mahbod Nia

Mahbod Nia

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

Date:    February 23, 2022

By:

/s/ David J. Smetana

David J. Smetana

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

Date: February 23, 2022

By:

/s/ Amanda Lombard

Amanda Lombard

Chief Accounting Officer

(principal accounting officer)

123


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Name

Title

Date

/s/ Tammy K. Jones

Chair of the Board

February 23, 2022

Tammy K. Jones

/s/ Mahbod Nia

Chief Executive Officer

February 23, 2022

Mahbod Nia

(principal executive officer)

/s/ David J. Smetana

Chief Financial Officer

February 23, 2022

David J. Smetana

(principal financial officer)

/s/ Amanda Lombard

Chief Accounting Officer

February 23, 2022

Amanda Lombard

(principal accounting officer)

/s/ Alan R. Batkin

Director

February 23, 2022

Alan R. Batkin

/s/ Frederic Cumenal

Director

February 23, 2022

Frederic Cumenal

/s/ A. Akiva Katz

Director

February 23, 2022

A. Akiva Katz

/s/ Nori Gerardo Lietz

Director

February 23, 2022

Nori Gerardo Lietz

/s/ Victor McFarlane

Director

February 23, 2022

Victor McFarlane

/s/ Howard S. Stern

Director

February 23, 2022

Howard S Stern

124