Item 1. Business
Simon Property Group, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership and the majority-owned subsidiary of Simon Property Group, Inc. In this report, the terms "Operating Partnership", "we", "us" and "our" refer to Simon Property Group, L.P. and its subsidiaries and the term "Simon Property" refers specifically to Simon Property Group, Inc. Simon Property, a Delaware corporation, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code. According to our partnership agreement, we are required to pay all expenses of Simon Property.
We own, develop and manage retail real estate properties, which consist primarily of regional malls, Premium Outlets®, The Mills®, and community/lifestyle centers. As of December 31, 2011, we owned or held an interest in 326 income-producing properties in the United States, which consisted of 151 regional malls, 58 Premium Outlets, 66 community/lifestyle centers, 36 properties in the Mills Portfolio, and 15 other shopping centers or outlet centers in 41 states and Puerto Rico. Of the 36 properties in the Mills portfolio, 16 of these properties are The Mills, 16 are regional malls, and four are community centers. Internationally, as of December 31, 2011, we had an ownership interest in a joint venture which owned 45 shopping centers in Italy. On January 9, 2012, we sold our entire ownership in this venture to our venture partner. Additionally, we have ownership interests in eight Premium Outlets in Japan, two Premium Outlets in South Korea, one Premium Outlet in Mexico, and one Premium Outlet in Malaysia.
For a description of our operational strategies and developments in our business during 2011, see the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" which appears in Item 7 to this Form 10-K.
Other Policies
The following is a discussion of our investment policies, financing policies, conflict of interest policies and policies with respect to certain other activities. One or more of these policies may be amended or rescinded from time to time by Simon Property without a vote by our limited partners.
Investment Policies
While we emphasize equity real estate investments, we may invest in equity or debt securities of other entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers consistent with Simon Property's qualification as a REIT. However, any of these investments would be subject to the percentage ownership limitations and gross income tests necessary for REIT qualification. These REIT limitations mean that we cannot make an investment that would cause Simon Property's real estate assets to be less than 75% of its total assets. In addition, at least 75% of Simon Property's gross income must be derived directly or indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including "rents from real property," dividends from other REITs and, in certain circumstances, interest from certain types of temporary investments. At least 95% of Simon Property's income must be derived from such real property investments, and from dividends, interest and gains from the sale or dispositions of stock or securities or from other combinations of the foregoing.
Subject to REIT limitations, we may invest in the securities of other issuers in connection with acquisitions of indirect interests in real estate. Such an investment would normally be in the form of general or limited partnership or membership interests in special purpose partnerships and limited liability companies that own one or more properties. We may, in the future, acquire all or substantially all of the securities or assets of other REITs, management companies or similar entities where such investments would be consistent with our investment policies.
Financing Policies
Because Simon Property's REIT qualification requires it to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income, we regularly access the debt markets to raise the funds necessary to finance acquisitions, develop and redevelop properties, and refinance maturing debt. We must comply with the covenants contained in our financing agreements that limit our ratio of debt to total assets or market value, as defined. For example, our lines of credit and the indentures for our debt securities contain covenants that restrict the total amount of debt to 65%, or 60% in relation to certain debt, of total assets, as defined under the related arrangement, and secured debt to 50% of total assets. In addition, these agreements contain other covenants requiring compliance with financial ratios. Furthermore, the
amount of debt that we may incur is limited as a practical matter by our desire to maintain acceptable ratings for Simon Property's equity securities and our debt securities. We strive to maintain investment grade ratings on our debt securities at all times, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so.
We may raise additional capital by issuing units of limited partnership interests, or units, or debt securities, creating joint ventures with existing ownership interests in properties, retaining cash flows or a combination of these methods. If Simon Property's Board of Directors determines to raise additional equity capital at the Operating Partnership level, we may, without limited partner approval, issue additional units or other equity interests in us. We may issue units in any manner and on such terms and for such consideration as we deem appropriate. This may include issuing units in exchange for property. We may issue preferred units that could be senior to our units and may be convertible into units. Existing holders of units have no preemptive right to purchase units in any subsequent offerings. Any such offering could dilute a limited partner's investment in us.
We expect most future borrowings would be made in the form of bank borrowings, publicly and privately placed debt instruments, or purchase money obligations to the sellers of properties. Any such indebtedness may be secured or unsecured. Any such indebtedness may also have full or limited recourse to the borrower or cross-collateralized with other debt, or may be fully or partially guaranteed by us. Although we may borrow to fund the payment of distributions, we currently have no expectation that we will regularly be required to do so.
On October 5, 2011, we entered into a new unsecured revolving credit facility, or Credit Facility, providing an initial borrowing capacity of $4.0 billion, which can be increased at our option to $5.0 billion during its term. The Credit Facility will initially mature on October 30, 2015 and can be extended for an additional year at our sole option. The Credit Facility replaced a $3.9 billion unsecured revolving credit facility. We may issue debt securities which may be convertible into units, preferred units or be accompanied by warrants to purchase equity interests or be exchangeable for stock of Simon Property. We also may sell or securitize our lease receivables. The proceeds from any borrowings or financings may be used for one or more of the following:
•financing acquisitions;
•developing or redeveloping properties;
•refinancing existing indebtedness;
•working capital or capital improvements; or
•assisting Simon Property to meet the income distribution requirements applicable to REITs.
We may also finance acquisitions through the following:
•issuance of additional units or preferred units;
•issuance of other securities including unsecured notes and mortgage debt; or
•sale or exchange of ownership interests in properties.
Our ability to issue units to transferors of properties or other partnership interests may defer gain recognition for tax purposes by the transferor.
We do not have a policy limiting the number or amount of mortgages that may be placed on any particular property. Mortgage financing instruments, however, usually limit additional indebtedness on such properties. Additionally, the Credit Facility and unsecured note indentures contain limits on mortgage indebtedness we may incur.
Typically, we invest in or form special purpose entities to assist us in obtaining permanent financing at attractive terms. Permanent financing may be structured as a mortgage loan on a single property, or on a group of properties, and generally requires us to provide a mortgage interest on the property or properties in favor of an institutional third party, as a joint venture with a third party, or as a securitized financing. For securitized financings, we create special purpose entities to own the properties. These special purpose entities, which are common in the real estate industry, are structured so that they would not be consolidated in a bankruptcy proceeding involving a parent company. We decide upon the structure of the financing based upon the best terms then available to us and whether the proposed financing is consistent with our other business objectives. For accounting purposes, we include the outstanding securitized debt of special purpose entities owning consolidated properties as part of our consolidated indebtedness.
Conflict of Interest Policies
We maintain policies and have entered into agreements designed to reduce or eliminate potential conflicts of interest. Simon Property has adopted governance principles governing the function, conduct, selection, orientation and duties of its subsidiaries and the Simon Property Board of Directors, as well as written charters for each of the standing Committees of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board of Directors of Simon Property has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all of its officers, directors, and employees. At least a majority of the members of the Simon Property Board of Directors must qualify as independent under the listing standards for New York Stock Exchange companies and cannot be affiliated with the Simon family who are significant stockholders of Simon Property and/or unitholders in us. Any transaction between us and the Simons, including property acquisitions, service and property management agreements and retail space leases, must be approved by a majority of Simon Property's non-affiliated directors.
The sale of certain of our properties may have an adverse tax impact on the Simons or the other limited partners. In order to avoid any conflict of interest between Simon Property and our limited partners, the Simon Property charter requires that at least six of the non-affiliated directors of the Board of Directors must authorize and require us to sell any property we own. Any such sale is subject to applicable agreements with third parties. Noncompetition agreements executed by Herbert Simon and David Simon contain covenants limiting the ability of the Simons to participate in certain shopping center activities in North America.
Policies With Respect To Certain Other Activities
We intend to make investments which are consistent with Simon Property's qualification as a REIT; unless the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in Simon Property's best interests to so qualify as a REIT. The Board of Directors may make such a determination because of changing circumstances or changes in the REIT requirements. We have authority to offer units of equity interest or other securities in exchange for property. We also have authority to repurchase or otherwise reacquire our units or any other securities. Our policy prohibits us from making any loans to the directors or executive officers of Simon Property for any purpose. We may make loans to the joint ventures in which we participate. Additionally, we may make or buy interests in loans for real estate properties owned by others.
Competition
The retail industry is dynamic and competitive. We compete with numerous merchandise distribution channels including regional malls, outlet centers, community/lifestyle centers, and other shopping centers in the United States and abroad. We also compete with internet retailing sites and catalogs which provide retailers with distribution options beyond existing brick and mortar retail properties. The existence of competitive alternatives could have a material adverse effect on our ability to lease space and on the level of rents we can obtain. This results in competition for both the tenants to occupy the properties that we develop and manage as well as for the acquisition of prime sites (including land for development and operating properties). We believe that there are numerous factors that make our properties highly desirable to retailers including:
•the quality, location and diversity of our properties;
•our management and operational expertise;
•our extensive experience and relationships with retailers and lenders; and
•our mall marketing initiatives and consumer focused strategic corporate alliances.
Certain Activities
During the past three years, we have:
•issued 2,698,546 units to Simon Property reflecting the exchange of units for common stock of Simon Property;
•issued 8,198,383 units upon the conversion of preferred units;
•issued 487,838 restricted units to Simon Property and 1,133,673 long-term incentive performance units, or LTIP units, net of forfeitures, under The Simon Property Group 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 1998 plan;
•issued 608,284 units to Simon Property in exchange for cash contributed by Simon Property resulting from exercise of stock options under the 1998 plan, net of 76,969 shares used to fund withholding tax;
•issued 1,798,469 units for the 2010 acquisition of Prime Outlets Acquisition Company, or the Prime acquisition;
•redeemed all outstanding Series D and Series I preferred units for units;
•issued 11,876,076 units to Simon Property and 2,637,341 units to limited partners as part of quarterly distributions;
•issued 40,250,000 units to Simon Property in exchange for the cash proceeds of public offerings of an equal number of shares of Simon Property common stock;
•issued 73,428 units in exchange for a 50% interest in two development properties;
•retired 61,584 units;
•issued 6,857 units held in treasury;
•entered into a new Credit Facility on October 5, 2011 which provides an initial borrowing capacity of $4.0 billion and can be increased at our option to $5.0 billion during its term;
•borrowed a maximum amount of $1.8 billion under the Credit Facility and the predecessor facility; the outstanding amount of borrowings under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2011 was $952.7 million, of which $287.7 million was related to U.S. dollar equivalent of Yen-denominated borrowings;
•not made loans to other entities or persons, including our officers and directors, other than to certain joint venture properties and certain loans for real estate properties owned by others;
•not invested in the securities of other issuers for the purpose of exercising control, other than certain wholly-owned subsidiaries and to acquire indirect interests in real estate;
•not underwritten securities of other issuers; and
•not engaged in the purchase and sale or turnover of investments for the purpose of trading.
Employees
At December 31, 2011, we and our affiliates employed approximately 5,500 persons at various properties and offices throughout the United States, of which approximately 2,200 were part-time. Approximately 1,000 of these employees were located at our corporate headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana and 100 were located at our Premium Outlets offices in Roseland, New Jersey.
Corporate Headquarters
Our corporate headquarters are located at 225 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, and our telephone number is (317) 636-1600.
Available Information
Our Internet website address is www.simon.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available or may be accessed free of charge through the "About Simon/Investor Relations/Financial Information" section of our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and presented elsewhere by our management from time to time. These factors, among others, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows, and you should carefully consider them. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. You should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties and we may update them in our future periodic reports.
Risks Relating to Debt and the Financial Markets
We have a substantial debt burden that could affect our future operations.
As of December 31, 2011, our consolidated mortgages and other indebtedness, excluding the related premium and discount, totaled $18.4 billion. We are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the risk that our cash flow from operations will be insufficient to meet required debt service. Our debt service costs generally will not be reduced if developments at the property, such as the entry of new competitors or the loss of major tenants, cause a reduction in the income from the property. Should such events occur, our operations may be adversely affected. If a property is mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness and income from this is insufficient to pay that indebtedness, the property could be foreclosed upon by the mortgagee resulting in a loss of income and a decline in our total asset value.
Disruption in the credit markets or downgrades in our credit ratings may adversely affect our ability to access external financings for our growth and ongoing debt service requirements.
We depend on external financings, principally debt financings, to fund the growth of our business and to ensure that we can meet ongoing maturities of our outstanding debt. Our access to financing depends on our credit rating, the willingness of banks to lend to us and conditions in the capital markets. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the financing we need for future growth or to meet our debt service as obligations mature, or that the financing available to us will be on acceptable terms.
Adverse changes in our credit rating could affect our borrowing capacity and borrowing terms.
Our outstanding senior unsecured notes and the preferred stock of Simon Property are periodically rated by nationally recognized credit rating agencies. The credit ratings are based on our operating performance, liquidity and leverage ratios, overall financial position, and other factors viewed by the credit rating agencies as relevant to our industry and the economic outlook in general. Our credit ratings can also affect the amount of capital we can access, as well as the terms of any financing we obtain. Since we depend primarily on debt financing to fund our growth, adverse changes in our credit rating could have a negative effect on our future growth.
Our hedging interest rate protection arrangements may not effectively limit our interest rate risk.
We selectively manage our exposure to interest rate risk by a combination of interest rate protection agreements to effectively fix or cap a portion of our variable rate debt. In addition, we refinance fixed rate debt at times when we believe rates and terms are appropriate. Our efforts to manage these exposures may not be successful.
Our use of interest rate hedging arrangements to manage risk associated with interest rate volatility may expose us to additional risks, including a risk that a counterparty to a hedging arrangement may fail to honor its obligations. Developing an effective interest rate risk strategy is complex and no strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. There can be no assurance that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition. Termination of these hedging agreements typically involves costs, such as transaction fees or breakage costs.
Factors Affecting Real Estate Investments and Operations
We face risks associated with the acquisition, development, redevelopment and expansion of properties.
We regularly acquire and develop new properties and expand and redevelop existing properties, and these activities are subject to various risks. We may not be successful in pursuing acquisition, development or redevelopment/expansion opportunities. In addition, newly acquired, developed or redeveloped/expanded properties may not perform
as well as expected. We are subject to other risks in connection with any acquisition, development and redevelopment/expansion activities, including the following:
•construction costs of a project may be higher than projected, potentially making the project unfeasible or unprofitable;
•we may not be able to obtain financing or to refinance loans on favorable terms, if at all;
•we may be unable to obtain zoning, occupancy or other governmental approvals;
•occupancy rates and rents may not meet our projections and the project may not be profitable; and
•we may need the consent of third parties such as anchor tenants, mortgage lenders and joint venture partners, and those consents may be withheld.
If a development or redevelopment/expansion project is unsuccessful, either because it is not meeting our expectations when operational or was not completed according to the project planning, we could lose our investment in the project. Further, if we guarantee the property's financing, our loss could exceed our investment in the project.
Real estate investments are relatively illiquid.
Our properties represent a substantial portion of our total consolidated assets. These investments are relatively illiquid. As a result, our ability to sell one or more of our properties or investments in real estate in response to any changes in economic or other conditions is limited. If we want to sell a property, we cannot assure you that we will be able to dispose of it in the desired time period or that the sales price of a property will exceed the cost of our investment.
Environmental Risks
As owners of real estate, we can face liabilities for environmental contamination.
Federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment may require us, as a current or previous owner or operator of real property, to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at a property or at impacted neighboring properties. These laws often impose liability regardless of whether the property owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances. These laws and regulations may require the abatement or removal of asbestos containing materials in the event of damage, demolition or renovation, reconstruction or expansion of a property and also govern emissions of and exposure to asbestos fibers in the air. Those laws and regulations also govern the installation, maintenance and removal of underground storage tanks used to store waste oils or other petroleum products. Many of our properties contain, or at one time contained, asbestos containing materials or underground storage tanks (primarily related to auto service center establishments or emergency electrical generation equipment). The costs of investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances may be substantial and could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition but is not estimable. The presence of contamination, or the failure to remediate contamination, may also adversely affect our ability to sell, lease or redevelop a property or to borrow using a property as collateral.
Our efforts to identify environmental liabilities may not be successful.
Although we believe that our portfolio is in substantial compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations regarding hazardous or toxic substances, this belief is based on limited testing. Nearly all of our properties have been subjected to Phase I or similar environmental audits. These environmental audits have not revealed, nor are we aware of, any environmental liability that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. However, we cannot assure you that:
•existing environmental studies with respect to the portfolio reveal all potential environmental liabilities;
•any previous owner, occupant or tenant of a property did not create any material environmental condition not known to us;
•the current environmental condition of the portfolio will not be affected by tenants and occupants, by the condition of nearby properties, or by other unrelated third parties; or
•future uses or conditions (including, without limitation, changes in applicable environmental laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof) will not result in environmental liabilities.
Retail Operations Risks
Overall economic conditions may adversely affect the general retail environment.
Our concentration in the retail real estate market means that we are subject to the risks that affect the retail environment generally, including the levels of consumer spending, seasonality, the willingness of retailers to lease space in our shopping centers, tenant bankruptcies, changes in economic conditions, increasing use of the internet by retailers and consumers, consumer confidence, casualties and other natural disasters, and the potential for terrorist activities. The economy and consumer spending appear to be recovering from the effects of the recent recession. We derive our cash flow from operations primarily from retail tenants, many of whom have been and continue to be under some degree of economic stress. A significant deterioration in our cash flow from operations could require us to curtail planned capital expenditures or seek alternative sources of financing.
We may not be able to lease newly developed properties and renew leases and relet space at existing properties.
We may not be able to lease new properties to an appropriate mix of tenants or for rents that are consistent with our projections. Also, when leases for our existing properties expire, the premises may not be relet or the terms of reletting, including the cost of allowances and concessions to tenants, may be less favorable than the current lease terms. To the extent that our leasing plans are not achieved, our cash generated before debt repayments and capital expenditures could be adversely affected. Changes in economic and operating conditions that occur subsequent to our review of recoverability of investment property and other assets could impact the assumptions used in that assessment and could result in future charges to earnings if assumptions regarding those investments differ from actual results.
Some of our properties depend on anchor stores or major tenants to attract shoppers and could be adversely affected by the loss of or a store closure by one or more of these tenants.
Regional malls are typically anchored by department stores and other large nationally recognized tenants. The value of some of our properties could be adversely affected if these tenants fail to comply with their contractual obligations, seek concessions in order to continue operations, or cease their operations. Department store and larger store, also referred to as "big box", consolidations typically result in the closure of existing stores or duplicate or geographically overlapping store locations. We do not control the disposition of those department stores or larger stores that we do not own. We also may not control the vacant space that is not re-leased in those stores we do own. Other tenants may be entitled to modify the terms of their existing leases in the event of such closures. The modification could be unfavorable to us as the lessor and could decrease rents or expense recovery charges. Additionally, major tenant closures may result in decreased customer traffic which could lead to decreased sales at other stores. If the sales of stores operating in our properties were to decline significantly due to closing of anchors, economic conditions, or other reasons, tenants may be unable to pay their minimum rents or expense recovery charges. In the event of default by a tenant or anchor store, we may experience delays and costs in enforcing our rights as landlord to recover amounts due to us under the terms of our agreements with those parties.
We face potential adverse effects from tenant bankruptcies.
Bankruptcy filings by retailers occur regularly in the course of our operations. We continually seek to re-lease vacant spaces caused by tenant bankruptcies. However, our efforts to release the vacated space may not be successful. Additionally, the bankruptcy of a tenant, particularly an anchor tenant, may make it more difficult to lease the remainder of the affected properties. Future tenant bankruptcies could adversely affect our properties or impact our ability to successfully execute our re-leasing strategy.
Risks Relating to Joint Venture Properties
We have limited control with respect to some properties that are partially owned or managed by third parties, which may adversely affect our ability to sell or refinance them.
As of December 31, 2011, we owned interests in 164 income-producing properties with other parties. Of those, 20 properties are included in our consolidated financial statements. We account for the other 144 properties under the equity method of accounting, which we refer to as joint venture properties. We serve as general partner or property manager for 85 of these 144 properties; however, certain major decisions, such as approving the operating budget and selling, refinancing and redeveloping the properties require the consent of the other owners. Of the properties for which we do not serve as general partner or property manager, 57 are in our international joint ventures. The other owners also have other participating rights that we consider substantive for purposes of determining control over the properties' assets. The remaining joint venture properties are managed by third parties. These limitations may adversely affect our ability to sell, refinance, or otherwise operate these properties.
We guarantee debt or otherwise provide support for a number of joint venture properties.
Joint venture debt is the liability of the joint venture and is typically secured by a mortgage on the joint venture property. As of December 31, 2011, we had loan guarantees to support $30.2 million of our total $6.5 billion share of joint venture mortgage and other indebtedness. A default by a joint venture under its debt obligations may expose us to liability under a guaranty or letter of credit.
Other Factors Affecting Our Business
Our Common Area Maintenance (CAM) contributions may not allow us to recover the majority of our operating expenses from tenants.
CAM costs typically include allocable energy costs, repairs, maintenance and capital improvements to common areas, janitorial services, administrative, property and liability insurance costs, and security costs. We have leases with variable CAM provisions that adjust to reflect inflationary increases. We have converted a substantial portion of our leases to a fixed payment methodology which fixes our tenants' CAM contributions and should in turn reduce the volatility of and limitations on the recoveries we collect from our tenants for the reimbursement of our property operating expenses. However, with respect to both variable and fixed payment methodologies, the amount of CAM charges we bill to our tenants may not allow us to recover all of these operating costs.
We face a wide range of competition that could affect our ability to operate profitably.
Our properties compete with other retail properties and other forms of retailing such as catalogs and e-commerce websites. Competition may come from regional malls, outlet centers, community/lifestyle centers, and other shopping centers, both existing as well as future development projects. The presence of competitive alternatives affects our ability to lease space and the level of rents we can obtain. New construction, renovations and expansions at competing sites could also negatively affect our properties.
We also compete with other retail property developers to acquire prime development sites. In addition, we compete with other retail property companies for tenants and qualified management.
Our international expansion may subject us to different or greater risk from those associated with our domestic operations.
As of December 31, 2011, we held interests in joint venture properties that operate in Italy (our interests in which were sold in January 2012), Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Malaysia. We also hold a minority investment in two U.K. real estate companies. We may pursue additional expansion opportunities outside the United States. International development and ownership activities carry risks that are different from those we face with our domestic properties and operations. These risks include:
•adverse effects of changes in exchange rates for foreign currencies;
•changes in foreign political and economic environments, regionally, nationally, and locally;
•challenges of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws including corporate governance, operations, taxes, and litigation;
•differing lending practices;
•differences in cultures;
•changes in applicable laws and regulations in the United States that affect foreign operations;
•difficulties in managing international operations; and
•obstacles to the repatriation of earnings and cash.
Although our international activities currently are a relatively small portion of our business (international properties represented approximately 5.4% of the gross leasable area of all of our properties at December 31, 2011), to the extent that we expand our international activities, these risks could increase in significance which in turn could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Some of our potential losses may not be covered by insurance.
We maintain insurance coverage with third party carriers who provide a portion of the coverage for specific layers of potential losses including commercial general liability, fire, flood, extended coverage and rental loss insurance on all of our properties in the United States. The initial portion of coverage not provided by third party carriers is either insured through our wholly-owned captive insurance companies, Rosewood Indemnity, Ltd. and Bridgewood Insurance Company, Ltd., or other financial arrangements controlled by us. The third party carrier has, in turn, agreed to provide evidence of coverage for this layer of losses under the terms and conditions of the carrier's policy. A similar policy written through our captive insurance entities also provides initial coverage for property insurance and certain windstorm risks at the properties located in coastal windstorm locations.
There are some types of losses, including lease and other contract claims, which generally are not insured. If an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occurs, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue it could generate.
We currently maintain insurance coverage against acts of terrorism on all of our properties in the United States on an "all risk" basis in the amount of up to $1 billion. The current federal laws which provide this coverage are expected to operate through 2014. Despite the existence of this insurance coverage, any threatened or actual terrorist attacks where we operate could adversely affect our property values, revenues, consumer traffic and tenant sales.
Risks Relating to Federal Income Taxes
The failure of our REIT subsidiaries to maintain their qualifications as REITs would have adverse tax consequences to us, our unitholders, and Simon Property.
Simon Property and certain of our subsidiaries have elected to qualify as REITs. Qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes is governed by highly technical and complex provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. We believe our REIT subsidiaries are organized and have been operated in a manner which allows our REIT subsidiaries and Simon Property to qualify for taxation as REITs. We intend to continue to operate in this manner. However, qualification as a REIT depends upon meeting ongoing asset and income tests and other requirements for asset diversification, distribution levels and diversity of ownership under the code. If a REIT subsidiary fails to comply with those provisions and if available relief provisions do not apply:
•the REIT subsidiary will not be allowed a deduction for distributions to us in computing its taxable income;
•the REIT subsidiary will be subject to corporate level income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on its taxable income at regular corporate rates;
•unless entitled to relief under relevant statutory provisions, the REIT subsidiary will also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost; and
•Simon Property would also fail to qualify as a REIT as a result of the REIT subsidiary's failure and the same adverse consequences would apply to it and its stockholders.
As a result, net income and funds available for distribution to our unitholders would be reduced for those years in which a REIT subsidiary fails to qualify as a REIT. Although we currently intend to operate the REIT subsidiaries so as to qualify each as a REIT, we cannot assure you we will succeed or that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations might not cause us to revoke the REIT election of a REIT subsidiary.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
United States Properties
Our U.S. properties primarily consist of regional malls, Premium Outlets, The Mills, community/lifestyle centers, and other properties. These properties contain an aggregate of approximately 242.2 million square feet of gross leasable area, or GLA, of which we own approximately 153.9 million square feet. A total estimated retail sale at the properties in 2011 was approximately $65 billion.
Regional malls typically contain at least one traditional department store anchor or a combination of anchors and big box retailers with a wide variety of smaller stores connecting the anchors. Additional stores are usually located along the perimeter of the parking area. Our 151 regional malls are generally enclosed centers and range in size from approximately 400,000 to 2.4 million square feet of GLA. Our regional malls contain in the aggregate more than 17,500 occupied stores, including approximately 692 anchors, which are predominately national retailers. For comparative purposes, we separate the information in this section on the 16 regional malls in the Mills portfolio from the information on our other regional malls.
Premium Outlets generally contain a wide variety of designer and manufacturer stores located in open-air centers. Our 58 Premium Outlets range in size from approximately 150,000 to 850,000 square feet of GLA. The Premium Outlets are generally located near major metropolitan areas and tourist destinations including New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Palm Springs, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Honolulu.
The Mills generally range in size from 1.0 million to 2.2 million square feet of GLA and are located in major metropolitan areas. They have a combination of traditional mall, outlet center, and big box retailers and entertainment uses. The Mills regional malls typically range in size from 800,000 to 1.3 million square feet of GLA and contain a wide variety of national retailers.
Community/lifestyle centers are generally unenclosed and smaller than our regional malls. Our 66 community/lifestyle centers generally range in size from approximately 100,000 to 950,000 square feet of GLA. Community/lifestyle centers are designed to serve a larger trade area and typically contain anchor stores and other national retail tenants, which occupy a significant portion of the GLA of the center. We also own traditional community shopping centers that focus primarily on value-oriented and convenience goods and services. These centers are usually anchored by a supermarket, discount retailer, or drugstore and are designed to service a neighborhood area. Finally, we own open-air centers adjacent to our regional malls designed to take advantage of the drawing power of the mall.
We also have interests in 15 other shopping centers or outlet centers. These properties range in size from approximately 85,000 to 700,000 square feet of GLA, are considered non-core to our business model, and in total represent less than 1% of our total operating income before depreciation and amortization.
As of December 31, 2011, approximately 94.8% of the owned GLA in regional malls and Premium Outlets and the retail space of the other properties was leased, approximately 95.0% of the owned GLA for The Mills and 88.6% of owned GLA for the Mills regional malls was leased, and approximately 93.4% of owned GLA in the community/lifestyle centers was leased.
We hold a 100% interest in 219 of our properties, effectively control 20 properties in which we have a joint venture interest, and hold the remaining 87 properties through unconsolidated joint venture interests. We are the managing or co-managing general partner or member of 324 properties. Substantially all of our joint venture properties are subject to rights of first refusal, buy-sell provisions, or other sale rights for all partners which are customary in real estate partnership agreements and the industry. Our partners in our joint ventures may initiate these provisions (subject to any applicable lock up or similar restrictions) which will result in either the use of available cash or borrowings to acquire their partnership interest or the disposal of our partnership interest.
The following property table summarizes certain data for our regional malls and Premium Outlets, The Mills, the Mills regional malls and community/lifestyle centers located in the United States, including Puerto Rico, as of December 31, 2011.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
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FOOTNOTES:
(1)This property is managed by a third party.
(2)Our direct and indirect interests in some of the properties held as joint venture interests are subject to preferences on distributions in favor of other partners or us.
(3)The date listed is the expiration date of the last renewal option available to the operating entity under the ground lease. In a majority of the ground leases, we have a right of first refusal or the right to purchase the lessor's interest. Unless otherwise indicated, each ground lease listed in this column covers at least 50% of its respective property.
(4)Joint venture properties accounted for under the equity method.
(5)Regional Malls - Executed leases for all company-owned GLA in mall stores, excluding majors. Premium Outlets - Executed leases for all company-owned GLA (or total center GLA). Community/Lifestyle Centers - Executed leases for all company-owned GLA including majors and mall stores.
(6)Indicates anchor or major that is currently under development.
(7)Indicates ground lease covers less than 50% of the acreage of this property.
(8)Indicates vacant anchor space(s).
(9)The lease at the Mall at Chestnut Hill includes the entire premises including land and building.
(10)Indicates ground lease covers outparcel only.
(11)Indicates vacant anchor owned by another company, but we still collect rent and/or fees under an agreement.
(12)We receive substantially all the economic benefit of the property due to a preference or advance.
(13)Outside partner receives substantially all of the economic benefit due to a partner preference.
(14)We own a mortgage note that encumbers Pheasant Lane Mall that entitles us to 100% of the economics of this property.
(15)Our indirect ownership interest is through an approximately 76% ownership interest in Kravco Simon Investments.
(16)Mall & Freestanding GLA includes office space. Centers with more than 20,000 square feet of office space are listed below:
(17)Property remains partially closed due to flood damage incurred during May 2010 with restoration expected to be complete and the property reopened in March 2012.
(18)Our interests in the property were sold effective January 1, 2012.
(19)The center is being de-malled through a major redevelopment.
(20)We purchased an additional interest in the property on January 6, 2012, bringing our ownership to 50%.
(21)Tenant expected to open in 2013.
United States Lease Expirations
The following table summarizes lease expiration data for our regional malls and Premium Outlets located in the United States, including Puerto Rico, as of December 31, 2011. The data does not include information for The Mills and the Mills regional malls. The data presented does not consider the impact of renewal options that may be contained in leases.
Simon Property Group, L.P and Subsidiaries
U.S. Lease Expirations
Regional Malls and Premium Outlets
As of December 31, 2011
(1)Annual rental revenues represent the aggregate of 2011 consolidated and joint venture (gross) combined base rental revenue.
International Properties
Our ownership interests in properties outside the United States are primarily owned through joint venture arrangements. However, we have direct minority investments in certain real estate companies within the U.K. as further described below.
European Investments
Gallerie Commerciali Italia, S.p.A., or GCI, is a fully integrated retail real estate developer, owner and manager of 45 properties in Italy with approximately 10.1 million square feet of GLA. At December 31, 2011, we had a 49.0% ownership interest in GCI. Substantially all of these properties are anchored by the hypermarket retailer Auchan S.A., who is also our venture partner in GCI. We sold our entire ownership interest in GCI to our venture partner on January 9, 2012.
Other International Investments
We also hold real estate interests in eight operating joint venture properties in Japan, two operating joint venture properties in South Korea, one operating joint venture property in Mexico, and one operating joint venture property in Malaysia. The eight Japanese Premium Outlets operate in various cities throughout Japan and are held in a joint venture with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. These Japanese centers comprise over 2.6 million square feet of GLA and were 100.0% leased as of December 31, 2011.
The following summarizes our holdings in these international joint ventures and the underlying countries in which these joint ventures own and operate real estate properties as of December 31, 2011:
On March 17, 2011, Paju Premium Outlets, a 328,000 square foot center located in Seoul, South Korea, opened. On July 14, 2011, Tosu Premium Outlets Phase III, a 52,000 square foot expansion to the Tosu Premium Outlet located in Fukuoka, Japan, opened. On December 2, 2011, Johor Premium Outlets, a 190,000 square foot center located in Johor, Malaysia, opened. On December 8, 2011, Ami Premium Outlets Phase II, a 90,000 square foot expansion to the Ami Premium Outlet located in Ami, Japan, opened.
We hold investments in two U.K. companies, Capital Shopping Centres Group PLC, or CSCG, and Capital & Counties Properties PLC, or CAPC. CSCG operates regional shopping centers and is the owner of other retail assets primarily located in the United Kingdom. CAPC is predominantly focused on property investment and development in central London. Our interest in CSCG and CAPC is adjusted to their quoted market price, including a related foreign exchange component. Our interests in CSCG and CAPC are approximately 4% and 5% of their outstanding shares, respectively.
We have interests in two European outlet centers, La Vallee Village near Paris, France, and Ingolstadt Village near Munich, Germany. We own direct interests in the centers and indirect interests through a minority ownership interest in Value Retail PLC.
The following property table summarizes certain data for our properties located in Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Malaysia at December 31, 2011.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
International Properties(2)
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
International Properties(2)
FOOTNOTES:
(1)All gross leasable area listed in square feet. (2)Does not include 45 properties in Italy with a GLA of approximately 10.1 million square feet as we sold our interest in GCI on January 9, 2012.
Land
We have direct or indirect ownership interests in approximately 550 acres of land held in the United States for future development.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Due to the size of our portfolio, we focus on energy efficiency as a core sustainability strategy. Through the continued use of energy conservation practices, energy efficiency projects, and continuous monitoring and reporting, we have reduced our energy consumption at comparable properties every year since 2003. As a result, excluding new developments and expansions, we reduced the electricity usage over which we have direct control by 299 million kWhs since 2003. This represents a 26% reduction in electricity usage across a portfolio of comparable properties and reflects an annual value of over $32 million in avoided operating costs. Our documented reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from our energy management efforts is 210,000 metric tons CO2e.
In 2011, Simon Property was awarded NAREIT's Leader in the Light Award for the seventh year in a row, and NAREIT's Leader in the Light Long Term Achievement Award. We are the only company to have achieved the Leader in the Light distinction every single year since NAREIT launched the program in 2005. Simon Property was also included in the 2011 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index published by the Carbon Disclosure Project. Simon Property scored 96 points out of 100 for transparency in environmental-impact reporting and were the only REIT to earn a place on the index.
Mortgage Financing on Properties
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the mortgages and other indebtedness encumbering our properties, and the properties held by our domestic and international joint venture arrangements, and also our unsecured corporate debt. Substantially all of the mortgage and property related debt is nonrecourse to us.
MORTGAGE AND OTHER DEBT ON PORTFOLIO PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
MORTGAGE AND OTHER DEBT ON PORTFOLIO PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
MORTGAGE AND OTHER DEBT ON PORTFOLIO PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
MORTGAGE AND OTHER DEBT ON PORTFOLIO PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
THE MILLS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
MORTGAGE AND OTHER DEBT ON PORTFOLIO PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
(Footnotes on following page)
(Footnotes for preceding pages)
(1)Variable rate loans based on LIBOR plus interest rate spreads ranging from 80 bps to 400 bps. LIBOR as of December 31, 2011 was 0.3%.
(2)Requires monthly payment of interest only.
(3)Includes applicable extension available at the Applicable Borrower's option.
(4)Loans secured by these three properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(5)Through an interest rate swap agreement, interest on $200.0 million is essentially fixed at 3.40%. The interest rate presented is a blended rate.
(6)Loans secured by these properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted. Factory Stores of America includes Boaz, Georgetown, Graceville, Lebanon, Nebraska City and Story City.
(7)Loans secured by these three properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(8)Loans secured by these two properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(9)Loan was paid off after December 31, 2011.
(10)Loans secured by these four properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(11)Associated with these loans are interest rate swap agreements that effectively fix the interest rate of the loans at the all-in rate presented.
(12)Variable rate loans based on Yen LIBOR plus interest rate spreads ranging from 35 bps to 187.5 bps. Yen LIBOR as of December 31, 2011 was 0.1443%.
(13)Lender also participates in a percentage of certain gross receipts above a specified base. This threshold was met and additional interest was paid in 2011.
(14)Requires semi-annual payments of interest only.
(15)$4,000,000 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2011, the Credit Facility bears interest at LIBOR + 100 basis points and provides for different pricing based upon our investment grade rating. As of December 31, 2011, $3.0 billion was available after outstanding borrowings and letter of credits.
(16)Amounts shown in USD Equivalent. Euro equivalent is 738.4 million. Associated with Facility A and B, Giugliano, and a portion of Cinisello are interest rate swap agreements with a total combined 573.8 million euros notional amount that effectively fixes Facility A and B, Giugliano, and a portion of Cinisello at a combined 5.14%.
(17)Amounts shown in USD equivalent. Won Equivalent is 104,400.0 million.
(18)LIBOR + 1.780%, with LIBOR capped at 4.000%.
(19)Redeemable beginning March 30, 2011, pricing re-sets every 5 years based on an index of LIBOR + 2.45%.
(20)We sold our interest in this property effective January 1, 2012.
(21)Loans secured by these ten properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(22)Total joint venture indebtedness does not include the secured debt on The Mall at The Source.
(23)Our share of indebtedness for joint ventures excludes our share of indebtedness of $105.5 million in joint venture entities in which GCI holds a non-controlling interest.
(24)Through an interest rate floor agreement, the LIBOR rate is currently fixed at 1.50%.
(25)The maturity date shown represents the anticipated maturity date of the loan which is typically 10-20 years earlier than the stated Maturity Date of the loan. Should the loan not be repaid at the anticipated repayment date the applicable interest rate shall increase as specified in the loan agreement.
(26)Amounts shown in US Dollar Equivalent. Yen equivalent 31,473.6 million
(27)On January 6, 2012, the maturity date was extended to April 1, 2016.
(28)Through an interest rate floor agreement, the LIBOR rate is currently fixed at 1.00%.
(29)LIBOR + 1.950%, with LIBOR capped at 6.00%.
(30)Comprised of a $27.0 million note at 5.89% and a $20.0 million note that is non-interest bearing.
(31)Variable rate loans based on 91 Day Korea CD rate plus interest rate spreads ranging from 230 bps to 312 bps. The 91 Day Korea CD rate as of December 31, 2011 was 3.58%.
(32)Comprised of a $15.0 million note at 5.94% and a $12.8 million note that is non-interest bearing.
(33)Amounts shown in US Dollar Equivalent. Balances include borrowings on multi-currency tranche of Yen 22,265.0 million.
(34)Loans secured by these three properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(35)Loans secured by these four properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(36)Loans secured by these two properties are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted.
(37)Loans secured by these three properties are cross-collateralized.
(38)We have executed a swap agreement that fixes the interest rate on $245.0 million of this loan at 6.26%.
(39)Loans secured by these three properties are cross-collateralized.
(40)On January 9, 2012, we sold our interest in GCI.
(41)Amounts shown in USD Equivalent. Ringgit equivalent is 86,497.4 million.
(42)Variable rate loans based on KLIBOR plus interest rate spread of 225 bps. KLIBOR as of December 31, 2011 was 3.09%.
(43)In January 2012, this loan was refinanced with a new unsecured facility that matures on July 30, 2013. The changes in consolidated mortgages and other indebtedness for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 are as follows:
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are involved from time-to-time in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including, but not limited to commercial disputes, environmental matters, and litigation in connection with transactions including acquisitions and divestitures. We believe that such litigation, claims and administrative proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or our results of operations. We record a liability when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Item 4.
Item 4. [Removed and Reserved.]
Part II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
There is no established trading market for our units or preferred units. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, the distributions declared on our units:
Holders
The number of holders of record of units was 259 as of February 14, 2012.
Distributions
We make distributions on our units in order to maintain Simon Property's qualification as a REIT. Simon Property is required each year to distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its taxable income after certain adjustments. Future distributions will be determined at the discretion of Simon Property's Board of Directors based on actual results of operations, cash available for distribution, and what may be required to maintain Simon Property's status as a REIT.
Distributions during 2011 aggregated $3.50 per unit, including a special distribution of $0.20 per unit paid in December. Distributions during 2010 aggregated $2.60 per unit. All 2011 and 2010 distributions were paid entirely in cash. On February 3, 2012, Simon Property's Board of Directors approved a quarterly common stock dividend for the first quarter of 2012 of $0.95 per share. The distribution rate on our units is equal to the dividend rate on Simon Property's common stock.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following tables set forth selected financial data. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Other data we believe is important in understanding trends in our business is also included in the tables.
Notes
(1) Represents distributions on units declared per period.
Item 7.
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 and notes thereto that are included in this report.
Overview
Simon Property Group, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership and the majority-owned subsidiary of Simon Property Group, Inc. In this report, the terms "Operating Partnership", "we", "us" and "our" refer to Simon Property Group, L.P. and its subsidiaries and the term "Simon Property" refers specifically to Simon Property Group, Inc. Simon Property, a Delaware corporation, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code. According to our partnership agreement, we are required to pay all expenses of Simon Property.
We own, develop and manage retail real estate properties, which consist primarily of regional malls, Premium Outlets®, The Mills®, and community/lifestyle centers. As of December 31, 2011, we owned or held an interest in 326 income-producing properties in the United States, which consisted of 151 regional malls, 58 Premium Outlets, 66 community/lifestyle centers, 36 properties in the Mills portfolio, and 15 other shopping centers or outlet centers in 41 states and Puerto Rico. Of the 36 properties acquired in the Mills portfolio, 16 of these properties are The Mills, 16 are regional malls, and four are community centers. Internationally, as of December 31, 2011, we had an ownership interest in a joint venture which owned 45 shopping centers in Italy. We sold our entire ownership in this joint venture to our venture partner, Auchan S.A., on January 9, 2012. Additionally, we have ownership interests in eight Premium Outlets in Japan, two Premium Outlets in South Korea, one Premium Outlet in Mexico, and one Premium Outlet in Malaysia.
We generate the majority of our revenues from leases with retail tenants including:
•base minimum rents,
•overage and percentage rents based on tenants' sales volume, and
•recoveries of substantially all of our recoverable expenditures, which consist of property operating, real estate taxes, repair and maintenance, and advertising and promotional expenditures.
Revenues of our management company, after intercompany eliminations, consist primarily of management fees that are typically based upon the revenues of the property being managed.
We invest in real estate properties to maximize total financial return which includes both operating cash flows and capital appreciation. We seek growth in earnings and cash flows by enhancing the profitability and operation of our properties and investments. We seek to accomplish this growth through the following:
•attracting and retaining high quality tenants and utilizing economies of scale to reduce operating expenses,
•expanding and re-tenanting existing highly productive locations at competitive rental rates,
•selectively acquiring or increasing our interests in high quality real estate assets or portfolios of assets,
•generating consumer traffic in our retail properties through marketing initiatives and strategic corporate alliances, and
•selling selective non-core assets.
We also grow by generating supplemental revenue from the following activities:
•establishing our malls as leading market resource providers for retailers and other businesses and consumer-focused corporate alliances, including: payment systems (such as handling fees relating to the sales of bank-issued prepaid cards), national marketing alliances, static and digital media initiatives, business development, sponsorship, and events,
•offering property operating services to our tenants and others, including waste handling and facility services, and the provision of energy services,
•selling or leasing land adjacent to our shopping center properties, commonly referred to as "outlots" or "outparcels," and
•generating interest income on cash deposits and investments in loans, including those made to related entities.
We focus on high quality real estate across the retail real estate spectrum. We expand or renovate properties to enhance profitability and market share of existing assets when we believe the investment of our capital meets our risk-reward criteria. We selectively develop new properties in metropolitan areas that exhibit strong population and economic growth.
We routinely review and evaluate acquisition opportunities based on their ability to complement our portfolio. Our international strategy includes partnering with established real estate companies and financing international investments with local currency to minimize foreign exchange risk.
To support our growth, we employ a three-fold capital strategy:
•provide the capital necessary to fund growth,
•maintain sufficient flexibility to access capital in many forms, both public and private, and
•manage our overall financial structure in a fashion that preserves our investment grade credit ratings.
Results Overview
Diluted earnings per unit of limited partnership interest, or unit, increased $1.38 during 2011 to $3.48 from $2.10 for 2010. The increase in diluted earnings per unit was primarily attributable to:
•improved operating performance and core business fundamentals in 2011, the impact of our acquisition activity, and a decrease in interest expense due to the repayment of debt and lower interest rates,
•in 2011, a net gain due to acquisition of controlling interests, sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities of $216.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted unit, primarily driven by non-cash gains totaling $251.2 million related to the acquisition of a controlling interest in a previously unconsolidated regional mall and the distribution of a joint venture's properties to us and our venture partner which resulted in a non-cash gain on the distribution,
•in 2010, transaction expenses of $69.0 million, or $0.19 per diluted unit, for costs incurred related to the acquisition of Prime Outlets Acquisition Company, or the Prime acquisition, other acquisition-related activities and the settlement of a transaction related dispute,
•in 2010, a $350.7 million, or $1.00 per diluted unit, loss on extinguishment of debt related to our two senior unsecured notes tender offers, and
•in 2010, a gain due to acquisition of controlling interest, sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net of $320.3 million, or $0.92 per diluted unit, primarily driven by the sale of our interest in Simon Ivanhoe S.à.r.l, or Simon Ivanhoe.
Core business fundamentals during 2011 improved from the economic environment that existed during 2010. Total sales per square foot, or psf, increased 10.7% from December 31, 2010 to $536 psf at December 31, 2011, for our portfolio of regional malls and Premium Outlets. Average base minimum rent increased 4.4% to $39.42 psf as of December 31, 2011, from $37.77 psf as of December 31, 2010. Releasing spreads remained positive as we were able to lease available square feet at higher rents than the expiring rental rates on the same space, resulting in a releasing spread (based on total tenant payments - base minimum rent plus common area maintenance) of $5.20 psf as of December 31, 2011, representing a 10.5% increase over expiring payments as of December 31, 2011. Ending occupancy was 94.8% as of December 31, 2011, as compared to 94.5% as of December 31, 2010, an increase of 30 basis points.
Our effective overall borrowing rate at December 31, 2011 decreased 23 basis points to 5.35% as compared to 5.58% at December 31, 2010. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the effective overall borrowing rate on fixed rate debt of 22 basis points (5.83% at December 31, 2011 as compared to 6.05% at December 31, 2010) and a decrease in the effective overall borrowing rate on variable rate debt of 48 basis points (1.45% at December 31, 2011 as compared to 1.93% at December 31, 2010). At December 31, 2011, the weighted average years to maturity of our consolidated indebtedness was approximately 5.7 years as compared to approximately 5.9 years at December 31, 2010. Our financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011, included the redemption at par of $542.5 million of senior unsecured notes with fixed rates ranging from 5.00% to 8.25% and the repayment of $368.2 million in mortgage loans with a weighted average interest rate of 6.64%, unencumbering six properties. In addition, in 2011 we issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes at a fixed interest rate of 2.8% with a maturity date of January 2017 and $700.0 million of senior unsecured notes at a fixed interest rate of 4.13% with a maturity date of December 2021. As further discussed in "Financing and Debt" below, on October 5, 2011, we entered into a new $4.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility, or Credit Facility.
United States Portfolio Data
The portfolio data discussed in this overview includes the following key operating statistics: ending occupancy; average base minimum rent per square foot; and total sales per square foot for our domestic assets. We include acquired properties in this data beginning in the year of acquisition and remove properties sold in the year disposed. For comparative purposes, we separate the information below related to community/lifestyle centers and our investment in the Mills portfolio from our other U.S. operations. We also do not include any properties located outside of the United States. During 2011, we made changes to the method and presentation of certain of our operational statistics as defined below.
The following table sets forth these key operating statistics for:
•properties that are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements,
•properties we account for under the equity method of accounting as joint ventures, and
•the foregoing two categories of properties on a total portfolio basis.
(1)Percentages may not recalculate due to rounding. Percentage and basis point changes are representative of the change from the comparable prior period.
Ending Occupancy Levels and Average Base Minimum Rent per Square Foot. Ending occupancy is the percentage of gross leasable area, or GLA, which is leased as of the last day of the reporting period. We include all company owned space except for regional mall anchors and regional mall majors in the calculation. Base minimum rent per square foot is the average base minimum rent charge in effect for the reporting period for all tenants that would qualify to be included in ending occupancy.
Total Sales per Square Foot. Total sales include total reported retail tenant sales at owned GLA (for mall and freestanding stores with less than 10,000 square feet) in the regional malls and all reporting tenants at the Premium Outlets and The Mills. Retail sales at owned GLA affect revenue and profitability levels because sales determine the amount of minimum rent that can be charged, the percentage rent realized, and the recoverable expenses (common area maintenance, real estate taxes, etc.) that tenants can afford to pay.
International Property Data
The following are selected key operating statistics for certain of our international properties(1).
(1)Does not include statistics for European operations as we sold our entire interest in Gallerie Commerciali Italia, S.p.A., or GCI, on January 9, 2012.
(2)Information supplied by the managing venture partner.
(3)Does not include our centers in Mexico (Premium Outlets Punta Norte), Malaysia (Johor Premium Outlets), and South Korea (Yeoju and Paju Premium Outlets).
(4)Does not include Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets in Japan as the property was closed for repair due to damages from the earthquake in Japan in March 2011. The center re-opened on June 17, 2011.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue, and expenses during the reporting periods. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied resulting in a different presentation of our financial statements. From time to time, we reevaluate our estimates and assumptions. In the event estimates or assumptions prove to be different from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. Below is a discussion of accounting policies that we consider critical in that they may require complex judgment in their application or require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, see Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•We, as a lessor, retain substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the investment properties and account for our leases as operating leases. We accrue minimum rents on a straight-line basis over the terms of their respective leases. Substantially all of our retail tenants are also required to pay overage rents based on sales over a stated base amount during the lease year. We recognize overage rents only when each tenant's sales exceed its sales threshold.
•We review investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, a decline in a property's cash flows, occupancy or comparable sales per square foot. We measure any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted operating income before depreciation and amortization plus its residual value is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, we charge to income the excess of carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. We may decide to sell properties that are held for use and the sale prices of these properties may differ from their carrying values. We also review our investments including investments in unconsolidated entities if events or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of our investments may not be recoverable. We will record an impairment charge if we determine that a decline in the fair value of the investments below carrying value is other-than-temporary. Changes in economic and operating conditions that occur subsequent to our review of recoverability of investment property and other assets could impact the assumptions used in that assessment and could result in future charges to earnings if assumptions regarding those investments differ from actual results.
•To maintain Simon Property's qualification as a REIT under the Code, Simon Property is required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income in any given year and meet certain asset and income tests. Simon
Property monitors its business and transactions that may potentially impact its REIT status. In the unlikely event that Simon Property fails to maintain its REIT status, and available relief provisions do not apply, then it would be required to pay federal income taxes at regular corporate income tax rates during the period it did not qualify as a REIT. If Simon Property lost its REIT status, it could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for four years unless its failure was due to reasonable cause and certain other conditions were met. As a result, failing to maintain REIT status would result in a significant increase in the income tax expense recorded during those periods. This could adversely impact our ability to sell our debt securities and Simon Property's ability to sell its securities in the capital markets. We make distributions to our unitholders including Simon Property so that Simon Property can meet its REIT qualification requirements.
•We make estimates as part of our allocation of the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component. The most significant components of our allocations are typically the allocation of fair value to the buildings as-if-vacant, land and market value of in-place leases. In the case of the fair value of buildings and the allocation of value to land and other intangibles, our estimates of the values of these components will affect the amount of depreciation we record over the estimated useful life of the property acquired or the remaining lease term. In the case of the market value of in-place leases, we make our best estimates of the tenants' ability to pay rents based upon the tenants' operating performance at the property, including the competitive position of the property in its market as well as sales psf, rents psf, and overall occupancy cost for the tenants in place at the acquisition date. Our assumptions affect the amount of future revenue that we will recognize over the remaining lease term for the acquired in-place leases.
•A variety of costs are incurred in the development and leasing of properties. After determination is made to capitalize a cost, it is allocated to the specific component of a project that is benefited. Determination of when a development project is substantially complete and capitalization must cease involves a degree of judgment. The costs of land and buildings under development include specifically identifiable costs. The capitalized costs include pre-construction costs essential to the development of the property, development costs, construction costs, interest costs, real estate taxes, salaries and related costs and other costs incurred during the period of development. We consider a construction project as substantially completed and held available for occupancy and cease capitalization of costs upon opening.
Results of Operations
In addition to the activity discussed above in "Results Overview" section, the following acquisitions, dispositions, and openings of consolidated properties affected our consolidated results from continuing operations in the comparative periods:
•During 2011, we disposed of three of our other retail properties and one of our regional malls.
•On August 25, 2011, we acquired additional interests in The Plaza at King of Prussia and The Court at King of Prussia, or, collectively, King of Prussia, a 2.4 million square foot regional mall in the Philadelphia market, which had previously been accounted for under the equity method. We now have a controlling interest in this property and its results are consolidated as of the acquisition date.
•On July 19, 2011, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in ABQ Uptown, a 222,000 square foot lifestyle center located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
•On June 28, 2011, we sold Prime Outlets - Jeffersonville, a 410,000 square foot outlet center located in Jeffersonville, Ohio.
•During 2010, we disposed of one regional mall, one community center, and one other retail property.
•On August 30, 2010, we completed the Prime acquisition, acquiring 21 outlet centers, including a center located in Puerto Rico, which was acquired on May 13, 2010.
•On August 10, 2010, we acquired a controlling interest in a regional mall.
•During 2009, we disposed of one regional mall and three community centers.
•On August 6, 2009, we opened Cincinnati Premium Outlets, a 400,000 square foot outlet center located in Warren County, Ohio, north of Cincinnati.
•On April 23, 2009, we opened The Promenade at Camarillo Premium Outlets, a 220,000 square foot expansion located in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles.
In addition to the activities discussed above and in "Results Overview", the following acquisitions, dispositions, and openings of joint venture properties affected our income from unconsolidated entities in the comparative periods:
•During 2011, we disposed of one of our regional malls.
•On December 31, 2011, as further discussed in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, a 50% joint venture distributed a portfolio of properties to us and our joint venture partner.
•On December 2, 2011, we and our partner, Genting Berhad, opened Johor Premium Outlets, a 173,000 square foot outlet center in Johor, Malaysia.
•During the third quarter of 2011, we contributed a wholly-owned property to a joint venture which holds our interests in nine unconsolidated properties. The transaction effectively exchanged a portion of our interest in this previously wholly-owned property for increased ownership interests in the nine unconsolidated properties.
•On March 17, 2011, we and our partner, Shinsegae International Co., opened Paju Premium Outlets, a 328,000 square foot outlet center in Paju, South Korea.
•During 2010, we disposed of one of our other retail properties.
•On July 15, 2010, we and our partner sold our collective interests in a joint venture which owned seven shopping centers located in France and Poland.
•On May 28, 2010, we acquired an additional noncontrolling interest of approximately 19% in Houston Galleria, located in Houston, Texas thereby increasing our interest from 31.5% to 50.4%.
•On April 29, 2010, GCI, an Italian joint venture in which we held a 49.0% ownership interest, sold its 40.0% interest in Porta di Roma for €71 million.
•On March 25, 2010, GCI opened Catania, a 642,000 square foot shopping center in Sicily, Italy.
•On March 2, 2010, GCI opened Argine, a 300,000 square foot shopping center in Naples, Italy.
•During 2009, we recognized a loss on our joint venture interests in our shopping centers in China. We sold our interests to affiliates of our Chinese partner for approximately $29 million, resulting in a loss of approximately $20 million.
•On July 9, 2009, Chelsea Japan Company, Ltd., or Chelsea Japan, the joint venture which operates the Japanese Premium Outlets in which we have a 40.0% ownership interest, opened Ami Premium Outlets located in Ami, Japan.
For the purposes of the following comparisons between the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the above transactions are referred to as the property transactions. In the following discussions of our results of operations, "comparable" refers to properties open and operating throughout both years in the year-to-year comparisons.
During 2011, we agreed to dispose of certain consolidated properties that had an aggregate carrying value of $355.4 million and debt obligations of $177.0 million for aggregate sales proceeds of $136.0 million resulting in a net loss of $42.4 million. The loss on disposition of these properties recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and the operating results of such properties were not significant to our
consolidated results of operations. The following lists those consolidated properties we disposed of during 2011 and the date of disposition:
During 2010, we disposed of three consolidated properties that had an aggregate carrying value of $91.4 million and debt obligations of $91.3 million for which we received aggregate sales proceeds of $5.8 million resulting in a net gain of $5.7 million. The gain on disposition of these properties recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and the operating results of the properties that we sold or disposed of during 2010 were not significant to our consolidated results of operations. The following lists those consolidated properties we disposed of and the date of disposition:
During 2009, we disposed of four consolidated properties that had an aggregate net book value of $13.7 million for aggregate sales proceeds of $3.9 million, resulting in a net loss of $9.8 million. The loss on disposition of these assets recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and the operating results of the properties that we sold or disposed of during 2009 were not significant to our consolidated results of operations. The following lists those consolidated properties we disposed of and the date of disposition:
Year Ended December 31, 2011 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2010
Minimum rents increased $235.2 million during 2011, of which the property transactions accounted for $170.2 million of the increase. Comparable rents increased $65.0 million, or 2.8%. The increase in comparable rents was primarily attributable to a $64.7 million increase in base minimum rents. Overage rents increased $30.2 million, or 27.3%, as a result of an increase related to the property transactions of $14.1 million and an increase in tenant sales during 2011.
Tenant reimbursements increased $93.5 million, due to a $63.9 million increase attributable to the property transactions and a $29.6 million, or 2.9%, increase in the comparable properties primarily due to increases to the fixed reimbursement related to common area maintenance.
Total other income decreased $16.9 million, principally as a result of the following:
•a decrease in lease settlement income of $38.1 million due to a higher number of terminated leases in 2010,
•offset by an increase in interest income of $8.7 million primarily related to loans held for investment,
•a $2.0 million increase in land sale activity, and
•a $10.5 million increase in net other activity.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $83.1 million primarily due to additional depreciable assets acquired in the King of Prussia and Prime acquisitions.
Real estate tax expense increased $23.8 million of which the property transactions accounted for $18.1 million with the remaining increase primarily caused by higher tax payments in 2011.
Repairs and maintenance expense increased $11.1 million of which the property transactions accounted for $6.9 million. Repairs and maintenance expense at the comparable properties increased $4.2 million primarily due to increased general repairs at the properties.
During 2011, we recorded a provision for credit losses of $6.5 million whereas in the prior year the provision was $3.1 million. Our bad debt provision in both 2011 and 2010 has been lower than our historical experience.
Home and regional office expense increased $19.3 million primarily due to increased long-term incentive compensation and marginally higher personnel costs in 2011.
General and administrative expense increased $25.1 million primarily as a result of increased performance compensation costs.
Other expenses increased $29.0 million of which the property transactions accounted for $10.2 million and the comparable properties and corporate costs accounted for $18.3 million primarily related to an increase in legal and professional fees and unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest expense decreased $43.6 million primarily related to the repayment of five unsecured notes in 2011, repayment of mortgages at six properties and purchases of senior unsecured notes in the January 2010 and August 2010 tender offers, offset by increased borrowings under our credit facility, new or refinanced debt at several properties including debt associated with the Prime acquisition and new unsecured debt and our issuance of two series of unsecured notes in 2011.
During 2011, we disposed of our interest in an unconsolidated regional mall, one regional mall, three other retail properties, and Prime Outlets - Jeffersonville, and acquired a controlling interest in a regional mall previously accounted for under the equity method. In addition, on December 31, 2011, a joint venture in which we had a 50% interest was dissolved and, as a result, distributed a portfolio of properties to us and our joint venture partner. We now consolidate the six properties we received in the distribution and recorded a non-cash gain representing the fair value of the net assets received in excess of the carrying value of our interest in the joint venture portfolio. These transactions resulted in an aggregate net gain in 2011 of $216.6 million. During 2010, we recorded a gain of $321.0 million primarily due to our share of the gain on the sale of our interest in Simon Ivanhoe, the gain on the acquisition of a controlling interest in a regional mall previously accounted for under the equity method and the gain on the sale of Porta di Roma by GCI.
Preferred unit distributions decreased $3.7 million as a result of the conversion and redemption of the remaining 6% Series I Convertible Perpetual Preferred Units in the second quarter of 2010.
Year Ended December 31, 2010 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2009
Minimum rents increased $112.7 million during the 2010 period, due to an $80.9 million increase attributable to the property transactions and an increase in comparable rents of $31.8 million, or 1.4%. The increase in comparable minimum rents was primarily attributable to a $33.8 million increase in base minimum rents and a $6.5 million increase in comparable rents from carts, kiosks, and other temporary tenants, partially offset by a $4.8 million decline in the fair market value of in-place lease amortization and a $3.7 million decrease in straight-line rents. Overage rents increased $25.7 million, or 30.3%, as a result of an increase in tenant sales for the period as compared to the prior year.
Tenant reimbursements increased $21.6 million, due to a $24.5 million increase attributable to the property transactions, offset by a $2.9 million, or 0.3%, decrease in the comparable properties as a result of a decrease in expenditures allocable to tenants paying common area maintenance on a proportionate basis.
Total other income increased $25.3 million, principally as a result of the result of the following:
•an increase in lease settlement income of $33.6 million due to a higher number of terminated leases in the period, and
•an increase in interest income of $10.1 million due to an increase in our available cash on deposit,
•offset by a $12.4 million decrease in land sale activity, and
•a $6.0 million decrease in net other activity.
Property operating expenses decreased $11.4 million, or 2.7%, primarily related to lower costs resulting from our cost control and cost reduction initiatives and generally lower cost of utilities. An increase in property operating expenses in the fourth quarter related to the Prime acquisition was offset by more favorable claims experience by our captive insurance subsidiaries.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $14.8 million due to the impact of the acceleration of depreciation in 2009 for certain properties scheduled for redevelopment, offset by an increase in 2010 of $52.7 million related to the Prime acquisition and an increase related to openings and expansion activity.
The provision for credit losses decreased $19.5 million due to a reduction in the number of tenants in default and a decrease in the number of tenants in bankruptcy proceedings compared to the same period in 2009. We also had strong collections of receivables which we had previously established reserves for due to uncertainty of payment.
During 2010, we incurred $69.0 million in transaction expenses related to acquisitions, potential acquisitions, and the settlement of a transaction related dispute.
Interest expense increased $35.0 million primarily related to our issuance of unsecured notes totaling $3.2 billion in 2010 and $1.8 billion during 2009 and the result of new or refinanced debt at several properties including debt associated with the Prime acquisition, offset by the purchase of unsecured notes in the January and August 2010 tender offers and mortgage loans which we repaid during the 2010 period.
During 2010, we incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $350.7 million related to the two unsecured note tender offers.
Income tax expense (benefit) of taxable REIT subsidiaries increased $7.0 million due to the recognition of a $5.8 million tax benefit in 2009 related to the adjustment of the carrying value of our investment in an unconsolidated non-retail real estate entity.
Income from unconsolidated entities increased $35.7 million primarily due to favorable results of operations over the prior period, the sale of a non-retail building in 2010, a property opening and expansion in Japan, a decrease in the provision for credit losses and interest savings, partially offset by the negative impact to operations of the flood at Opry Mills.
In 2010, we recognized an $8.2 million impairment charge from an investment in an unconsolidated entity representing the impact of an impairment recorded on an investment property in Italy.
In 2010, we recorded a gain upon acquisition of a controlling interest and on the sale of interests in unconsolidated entities of $321.0 million primarily due to our share of the gain on the sale of our interest in Simon Ivanhoe, the gain on the acquisition of a controlling interest in a regional mall previously accounted for under the equity method and the gain on sale of Porta di Roma by GCI.
Preferred unit distributions decreased $29.3 million as a result of the conversion and redemption of the remaining 6% Series I Convertible Perpetual Preferred Units in the second quarter of 2010.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Because we generate revenues primarily from long-term leases, our financing strategy relies primarily on long-term fixed rate debt. We manage our floating rate debt to be at or below 15-25% of total outstanding indebtedness by negotiating interest rates for each financing or refinancing based on current market conditions and entering into floating rate to fixed rate interest rate swaps. Floating rate debt currently comprises approximately 11.2% of our total consolidated debt at December 31, 2011. We also enter into interest rate protection agreements as appropriate to assist in managing our interest rate risk. We derive most of our liquidity from leases that generate positive net cash flow from operations and distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities that totaled $2.4 billion during 2011. In addition, the Credit Facility provides an alternative source of liquidity as our cash needs vary from time to time.
Our balance of cash and cash equivalents increased $2.0 million during 2011 to $798.7 million as of December 31, 2011 as further discussed in "Cash Flows" below.
On December 31, 2011, we had available borrowing capacity of approximately $3.0 billion under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding borrowings of $952.7 million and letters of credit of $36.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the maximum amount outstanding under the Credit Facility or the predecessor facility was
$1.8 billion and the weighted average amount outstanding was approximately $1.1 billion. The weighted average interest rate was 1.66% for the year ended December 31, 2011.
We also have access to long term unsecured debt markets and access to private equity from institutional investors at the property level. Simon Property also has access to public equity markets.
Our business model requires us to regularly access the debt markets to raise funds for acquisition, development and redevelopment activity, and to refinance maturing debt. We may also, from time to time, access the equity capital markets to accomplish our business objectives. We believe we have sufficient cash on hand and availability under the Credit Facility to address our debt maturities and capital needs through 2012.
Loans to SPG-FCM
As part of the Mills acquisition in 2007, we made loans to SPG-FCM Ventures, LLC, or SPG-FCM, which were used to repay loans and other obligations. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the outstanding balance of our remaining loan to SPG-FCM was $651.0 million. The loan bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 275 basis points and matures on June 7, 2012. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded approximately $9.8 million, $9.9 million and $9.3 million in interest income (net of inter-entity eliminations) related to this loan, respectively. We also recorded fee income, including fee income amortization related to up-front fees on those loans during 2011, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $1.0 million, $0.9 million, and $3.7 million (net of inter-entity eliminations), respectively, for providing refinancing services to Mills' properties and SPG-FCM.
Cash Flows
Our net cash flow from operating activities and distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities totaled $2.4 billion during 2011. In addition, we received net proceeds from our debt financing and repayment activities in 2011 of $256.5 million. These activities are further discussed below in "Financing and Debt". During 2011, we:
•paid unitholder distributions of $1.2 billion,
•paid preferred unit distributions totaling $5.3 million,
•funded consolidated capital expenditures of $445.5 million (includes development and other costs of $67.9 million, renovation and expansion costs of $157.1 million, and tenant costs and other operational capital expenditures of $220.5 million),
•funded investments in unconsolidated entities of $20.8 million, and
•funded property acquisitions and acquired additional interests in previously unconsolidated entities for $1.3 billion.
In general, we anticipate that cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet operating expenses, monthly debt service, recurring capital expenditures, and distributions to partners necessary to maintain Simon Property's REIT qualification on a long-term basis. In addition, we expect to be able to obtain capital for nonrecurring capital expenditures, such as acquisitions, major building renovations and expansions, as well as for scheduled principal maturities on outstanding indebtedness, from:
•excess cash generated from operating performance and working capital reserves,
•borrowings on the Credit Facility,
•additional secured or unsecured debt financing, or
•additional equity raised in the public or private markets.
We expect to generate positive cash flow from operations in 2012, and we consider these projected cash flows in our sources and uses of cash. These cash flows are principally derived from rents paid by our retail tenants, many of whom are still recovering from the recent economic downturn. A significant deterioration in projected cash flows from operations could cause us to increase our reliance on available funds from the Credit Facility, curtail planned capital expenditures, or seek other additional sources of financing as discussed above.
Financing and Debt
Unsecured Debt
At December 31, 2011, our unsecured debt consisted of $10.7 billion of senior unsecured notes and $952.7 million outstanding under the Credit Facility. The December 31, 2011 balance included $287.7 million (U.S. dollar equivalent) of Yen-denominated borrowings. The maximum outstanding balance of the Credit Facility or the predecessor facility during the year ended December 31, 2011 was $1.8 billion and the weighted average outstanding balance was approximately $1.1 billion. Letters of credit of approximately $36.0 million were outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2011.
On October 5, 2011, we entered into the new Credit Facility replacing a predecessor facility. The Credit Facility provides an initial borrowing capacity of $4.0 billion, which can be increased at our option to $5.0 billion during its term. The Credit Facility will initially mature on October 30, 2015 and can be extended for an additional year at our sole option. The base interest rate on the Credit Facility is LIBOR plus 100 basis points and an additional facility fee of 15 basis points. In addition, the Credit Facility provides for a money market competitive bid option program that allows us to hold auctions to achieve lower pricing for short-term borrowings. The Credit Facility also includes a $2.0 billion multi-currency tranche.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we redeemed at par $542.5 million of senior unsecured notes with fixed rates ranging from 5.00% to 8.25%. In addition, on November 10, 2011, we issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes at a fixed interest rate of 2.8% with a maturity date of January 2017 and $700.0 million of senior unsecured notes at a fixed interest rate of 4.13% with a maturity date of December 2021.
On January 12, 2010, we commenced a cash tender offer for any and all senior unsecured notes of ten outstanding series with maturity dates ranging from 2011 to March 2013. The total principal amount of the notes accepted for purchase on January 26, 2010 was approximately $2.3 billion, with a weighted average duration of 2.0 years and a weighted average coupon of 5.76%. We purchased the tendered notes with cash on hand and the proceeds from an offering of $2.25 billion of senior unsecured notes that closed on January 25, 2010. The senior notes offering was comprised of $400.0 million of 4.20% notes due 2015, $1.25 billion of 5.65% notes due 2020 and $600.0 million of 6.75% notes due 2040. The weighted average duration of the notes offering was 14.4 years and the weighted average coupon was 5.69%. We recorded a $165.6 million charge to earnings in the first quarter of 2010 as a result of the tender offer.
On August 9, 2010, we commenced a cash tender offer for any and all senior unsecured notes of three outstanding series with maturity dates ranging from May 2013 to August 2014. The total principal amount of the notes accepted for purchase on August 17, 2010 was approximately $1.33 billion, with a weighted average duration of 3.5 years and a weighted average coupon of 6.06%. We purchased the tendered notes with cash on hand and the proceeds from an offering of $900.0 million of 4.375% senior unsecured notes that closed on August 16, 2010. The senior notes are due on March 1, 2021. We recorded a $185.1 million charge to earnings in the third quarter of 2010 as a result of the tender offer.
Secured Debt
Total secured indebtedness was $6.8 billion and $6.6 billion at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we repaid $368.2 million in mortgage loans with a weighted average interest rate of 6.64%, unencumbering six properties.
As discussed in "Acquisitions and Dispositions," as a result of the acquisition of additional interests in King of Prussia in August 2011, we now own a controlling interest in this property and, accordingly, we consolidated the property as of the acquisition date, including the property's $160.1 million mortgage debt. In addition, we consolidated six properties we received as a distribution from a joint venture of its interests in a portfolio of properties. Four of these properties are encumbered by mortgages totaling $459.0 million.
Covenants
Our unsecured debt contains financial covenants and other non-financial covenants. If we were to fail to comply with these covenants, after the expiration of the applicable cure periods, the debt maturity could be accelerated or other remedies could be sought by the lender including adjustments to the applicable interest rate. As of December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all covenants of our unsecured debt.
At December 31, 2011, we or our subsidiaries were the borrowers under 89 non-recourse mortgage notes secured by mortgages on 89 properties, including 10 separate pools of cross-defaulted and cross-collateralized mortgages encumbering a total of 44 properties. Under these cross-default provisions, a default under any mortgage included in the cross-defaulted pool may constitute a default under all mortgages within that pool and may lead to acceleration of the indebtedness due on each property within the pool. Certain of our secured debt contains financial and other non-financial covenants which are specific to the properties which serve as collateral for that debt. If the borrower fails to comply with these covenants, the lender could accelerate the debt and enforce its right against their collateral. At December 31, 2011, the applicable borrowers under these non-recourse mortgage notes were in compliance with all covenants where non-compliance could individually, or giving effect to applicable cross-default provisions, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Summary of Financing
Our consolidated debt, adjusted to reflect outstanding derivative instruments, and the effective weighted average interest rates as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2011, we had $485.8 million of notional amount fixed rate swap agreements that have a weighted average fixed pay rate of 2.52% and a weighted average variable receive rate of 0.58%. As of December 31, 2011, the net effect of these agreements effectively converted $485.8 million of variable rate debt to fixed rate debt.
Contractual Obligations and Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
In regards to long-term debt arrangements, the following table summarizes the material aspects of these future obligations on our consolidated indebtedness as of December 31, 2011, and subsequent years thereafter (dollars in thousands) assuming the obligations remain outstanding through initial maturities:
(1)Represents principal maturities only and therefore, excludes net premiums of $25,072.
(2)Variable rate interest payments are estimated based on the LIBOR rate at December 31, 2011.
(3)Represents only the minimum non-cancellable lease period, excluding applicable lease extension and renewal options.
Our off-balance sheet arrangements consist primarily of our investments in joint ventures which are common in the real estate industry and are described in Note 7 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Our joint ventures typically fund their cash needs through secured debt financings obtained by and in the name of the joint venture entity. The joint venture debt is secured by a first mortgage, is without recourse to the joint venture partners, and does not represent a liability of the partners, except to the extent the partners or their affiliates expressly guarantee the joint venture debt. As of December 31, 2011, we guaranteed $30.2 million of the total joint venture related mortgage or other indebtedness. We may elect to fund cash needs of a joint venture through equity contributions (generally on a basis proportionate to our ownership interests), advances or partner loans, although such fundings are not required contractually or otherwise.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Buy-sell provisions are common in real estate partnership agreements. Most of our partners are institutional investors who have a history of direct investment in retail real estate. We or our partners in our joint venture properties may initiate these provisions (subject to any applicable lock up or similar restrictions). If we determine it is in our unitholders' best interests for us to purchase the joint venture interest and we believe we have adequate liquidity to execute the purchase without hindering our cash flows, then we may initiate these provisions or elect to buy. If we decide to sell any of our joint venture interests, we expect to use the net proceeds to reduce outstanding indebtedness or to reinvest in acquisition, development, redevelopment, or expansion opportunities.
Acquisitions. On December 31, 2011, we and our joint venture partner dissolved a venture in which we had a 50% interest and distributed a portfolio of properties previously held within the venture to us and our joint venture partner. As a result, we have a 100% interest and now consolidate the six properties we received in the distribution. The distribution resulted in a remeasurement of the distributed assets to fair value and a corresponding non-cash gain of approximately $168.3 million representing the fair value of the net assets received in excess of the carrying value of our interest in the joint venture portfolio.
On August 25, 2011, we acquired additional controlling interests of approximately 83.75% in King of Prussia, thereby increasing our ownership interest to 96.1%. The property is subject to a $160.1 million mortgage. The consolidation of this previously unconsolidated property resulted in a remeasurement of our previously held interest to fair value and a corresponding non-cash gain of $82.9 million.
On July 19, 2011, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in ABQ Uptown, a lifestyle center located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Also, during the second quarter, we purchased an additional noncontrolling interest in an unconsolidated regional mall.
Dispositions. We continue to pursue the disposition of properties that no longer meet our strategic criteria or that are not a primary retail venue within their trade area. During 2011, we agreed to dispose of certain consolidated properties that had an aggregate carrying value of $355.4 million and debt obligations of $177.0 million for aggregate sales proceeds of $136.0 million resulting in a net loss of $42.4 million. In addition, in April 2011, we disposed of our interest in an unconsolidated regional mall, resulting in a gain of $7.8 million.
At December 31, 2011, we had a 49.0% ownership interest in GCI which owned 45 properties located in Italy. On January 9, 2012, we sold our entire ownership interest in GCI to our venture partner, Auchan S.A. The aggregate cash we received related to the sale of our interest in GCI was $378.0 million. We expect to record a gain on the sale in the first quarter of 2012.
Development Activity
New Domestic Developments. In August 2011, we began construction on Tanger Outlets - Galveston located in Texas City, Texas. We have a 50.0% interest in this new center through a joint venture with Tanger Factory Outlets Centers. Our estimated share of the cost of this project is $32.2 million.
During 2010, we began construction on Merrimack Premium Outlets located in Merrimack, New Hampshire. This new center, which is wholly owned by us, is expected to open in the second quarter of 2012. The estimated cost of this project is $144.0 million, and the carrying amount of the construction in progress as of December 31, 2011 was $100.7 million. Other than these two projects, our share of other 2011 new developments is not significant.
Domestic Expansions and Renovations. We routinely incur costs related to construction for significant renovation and expansion projects at our properties. We also have reinstituted redevelopment and expansion initiatives which we previously reduced given the downturn in the economy. Renovation and expansion projects are currently underway at numerous centers, and we expect our share of development costs for 2012 related to renovation or expansion initiatives to be approximately $800.0 million. We expect to fund these capital projects with cash flows from operations. Our estimated stabilized return on invested capital ranges between 8-12% for all of our new development, expansion and renovation projects.
Capital Expenditures on Consolidated Properties.
The following table summarizes total capital expenditures on consolidated properties on a cash basis (in millions):
International Development Activity. We typically reinvest net cash flow from our international investments to fund future international development activity. We believe this strategy mitigates some of the risk of our initial investment and our exposure to changes in foreign currencies. We have also funded our foreign investments with local currency-denominated borrowings that act as a natural hedge against local currency fluctuations. This has been the case with our Premium Outlets in Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia where we use Yen, Won, and Ringgit denominated financing, respectively. Currently, our consolidated net income exposure to changes in the volatility of the Euro, Yen, Won, Peso and other foreign currencies is not material. We expect our share of international development costs for 2012 will be approximately $67.0 million, primarily funded through reinvested joint venture cash flow and construction loans.
On March 17, 2011, Paju Premium Outlets, a 328,000 square foot center located in Seoul, South Korea, opened. The net cost of this project is KRW 115.1 billion, of which our share is approximately KRW 57.5 billion, or $52.1 million based on applicable KRW:USD exchange rates.
On July 14, 2011 Tosu Premium Outlets Phase III, a 52,000 square foot expansion to the Tosu Premium Outlet located in Fukuoka, Japan, opened and, on December 8, 2011, Ami Premium Outlets Phase II, a 90,000 square foot expansion to the Ami Premium Outlets located in Ami, Japan, opened. The combined projected net cost of these projects is ¥6.8 billion, of which our share is approximately ¥2.7 billion, or $35.3 million based on applicable Yen:USD exchange rates. Rinku Premium Outlets Phase IV, a 103,000 square foot expansion to the Rinku Premium Outlet located in Osaka, Japan, is under construction and is expected to open in July 2012. The projected net cost of this project is ¥3.4 billion, of which our share is approximately ¥1.4 billion, or $17.5 million based on current Yen:USD exchange rates.
On December 2, 2011, Johor Premium Outlets, a 190,000 square foot center located in Johor, Malaysia, opened. The net cost of this project is MYR 153.0 million, of which our share is approximately MYR 77.0 million, or $24.2 million based on applicable MYR:USD exchange rates.
On May 23, 2011, we and our partner, Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust, signed a letter of intent to develop a Premium Outlet Center in Canada. The center will be located near Toronto. Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2012.
Market Risk
Our exposure to market risk due to changes in interest rates primarily relates to our long-term debt obligations. We manage exposure to interest rate market risk through our risk management strategy by a combination of interest rate protection agreements to effectively fix or cap a portion of variable rate debt. We are also exposed to foreign currency risk on financings of certain foreign operations. Our intent is to offset gains and losses that occur on the underlying exposures, with gains and losses on the derivative contracts hedging these exposures. We do not enter into either interest rate protection or foreign currency rate protection agreements for speculative purposes.
We may enter into treasury lock agreements as part of an anticipated debt issuance. If the anticipated transaction does not occur, the cost is charged to consolidated net income. Upon completion of the debt issuance, the cost of these instruments is recorded as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt agreement.
Our future earnings, cash flows and fair values relating to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market rates of interest, primarily LIBOR, which was at historically low levels during 2011. Based upon consolidated indebtedness and interest rates at December 31, 2011, a 50 basis point increase in the market rates of interest would
decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $10.2 million, and would decrease the fair value of debt by approximately $402.9 million.
Distributions
Distributions during 2011 aggregated $3.50 per unit including a special December distribution of $0.20 per unit. Distributions during 2010 aggregated $2.60 per unit. The 2011 and 2010 distributions were paid entirely in cash. We must pay a minimum amount of distributions to maintain Simon Property's status as a REIT. Our distributions typically exceed our consolidated net income generated in any given year primarily because of depreciation, which is a "non-cash" expense. Future distributions will be determined by the Simon Property Board of Directors based on actual results of operations, cash available for distributions, cash reserves as deemed necessary for capital and operating expenditures, and the amount required to maintain Simon Property's status as a REIT.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this section or elsewhere in this report may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained, and it is possible that our actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: our ability to meet debt service requirements, the availability and terms of financing, changes in our credit rating, changes in market rates of interest and foreign exchange rates for foreign currencies, changes in value of investments in foreign entities, the ability to hedge interest rate risk, risks associated with the acquisition, development, expansion, leasing and management of properties, general risks related to retail real estate, the liquidity of real estate investments, environmental liabilities, international, national, regional and local economic climates, changes in market rental rates, trends in the retail industry, relationships with anchor tenants, the inability to collect rent due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of tenants or otherwise, risks relating to joint venture properties, intensely competitive market environment in the retail industry, risks related to international activities, insurance costs and coverage, terrorist activities, changes in market conditions and maintenance of Simon Property's status as a real estate investment trust. We discuss these and other risks and uncertainties under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. We may update that discussion in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, but otherwise we undertake no duty or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Please refer to the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Item 7 under the caption Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements contained in Item 15.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Simon Property's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Because of inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Simon Property's management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, Simon Property's Board of Directors, principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by Simon Property'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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
•Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and disposition of assets;
•Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
•Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our 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. 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.
We assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.
Based on that assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on their assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. Their report appears on the following page.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors of Simon Property Group, Inc.
and the Partners of Simon Property Group, L.P.:
We have audited Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries' management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 of Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries, and our report dated March 2, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 2, 2012
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
During the fourth quarter of the year covered by this report, the Audit Committee of Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Board of Directors approved certain audit, audit-related and non-audit tax compliance and tax consulting services to be provided by Ernst & Young, LLP, Simon Property's independent registered public accounting firm. This disclosure is made pursuant to Section 10A(i)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as added by Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Part III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
We are a limited partnership and Simon Property is our sole general partner. We do not have any directors or executive officers or any equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Comparable information for Simon Property can be found in its periodic reports and proxy statements it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
We are a limited partnership and Simon Property is our sole general partner. We do not have any directors or executive officers or any equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Comparable information for Simon Property can be found in its periodic reports and proxy statements it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
We are a limited partnership and Simon Property is our sole general partner. We do not have any directors or executive officers or any equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Comparable information for Simon Property can be found in its periodic reports and proxy statements it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
We are a limited partnership and Simon Property is our sole general partner. We do not have any directors or executive officers or any equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Comparable information for Simon Property can be found in its periodic reports and proxy statements it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The Audit Committee of Simon Property's Board of Directors pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by Ernst & Young LLP, or Ernst & Young, our independent registered public accounting firm, prior to commencement of services. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve specific services up to specified individual and aggregate fee amounts. These pre-approval decisions are presented to the full Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting after such approvals are made. We have incurred fees as shown below for services from Ernst & Young as our independent registered public accounting firm. Ernst & Young has advised us that it has billed or will bill these indicated amounts for the following categories of services for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively:
(1)Audit Fees include fees for the audit of the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting for us, Simon Property, and certain of our subsidiaries and services associated with Securities and Exchange Commission registration statements, periodic reports, and other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.
(2)Audit-Related Fees include audits of individual or portfolios of properties and schedules of recoverable common area maintenance costs to comply with lender, joint venture partner or tenant requirements and accounting consultation and due diligence services. Our share of these Audit-Related Fees for the years ended 2011 and 2010 are approximately 51% and 47%, respectively.
(3)Tax Fees include fees for international and other tax consulting services. Tax Fees also include return compliance services associates with the tax returns for certain joint ventures. Our share of these fees for 2011 and 2010 is approximately 60% and 51%, respectively.
Part IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Page No.
(1)
Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2)
Financial Statement Schedule
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries Schedule III - Schedule of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Notes to Schedule III
(3)
Exhibits
The Exhibit Index attached hereto is hereby incorporated by reference to this Item.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors of Simon Property Group, Inc.
and The Partners of Simon Property Group, L.P.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 2, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 2, 2012
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except unit amounts)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Dollars in Thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
1. Organization
Simon Property Group, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership and the majority-owned subsidiary of Simon Property Group, Inc. In these notes the terms "Operating Partnership", "we", "us" and "our" refer to Simon Property Group, L.P. and its subsidiaries and the term "Simon Property" refers specifically to Simon Property Group, Inc. Simon Property, a Delaware corporation, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code. According to our partnership agreement, we are required to pay all expenses of Simon Property.
We own, develop and manage retail real estate properties, which consist primarily of regional malls, Premium Outlets®, The Mills®, and community/lifestyle centers. As of December 31, 2011, we owned or held an interest in 326 income-producing properties in the United States, which consisted of 151 regional malls, 58 Premium Outlets, 66 community/lifestyle centers, 36 properties in the Mills portfolio, and 15 other shopping centers or outlet centers in 41 states and Puerto Rico. Of the 36 properties in the Mills portfolio, 16 of these properties are The Mills, 16 are regional malls, and four are community centers. Internationally, as of December 31, 2011, we had an ownership interest in a joint venture which owned 45 shopping centers in Italy. As discussed in Note 14, we sold our entire ownership in this joint venture to our venture partner on January 9, 2012. Additionally, we have ownership interests in eight Premium Outlets in Japan, two Premium Outlets in South Korea, one Premium Outlet in Mexico, and one Premium Outlet in Malaysia.
We generate the majority of our revenues from leases with retail tenants including:
•base minimum rents,
•overage and percentage rents based on tenants' sales volume, and
•recoveries of substantially all of our recoverable expenditures, which consist of property operating, real estate taxes, repair and maintenance, and advertising and promotional expenditures.
Revenues of our management company, after intercompany eliminations, consist primarily of management fees that are typically based upon the revenues of the property being managed.
We also generate supplemental revenues from the following activities:
•establishing our malls as leading market resource providers for retailers and other businesses and consumer-focused corporate alliances, including: payment systems (such as handling fees relating to the sales of bank-issued prepaid cards), national marketing alliances, static and digital media initiatives, business development, sponsorship, and events,
•offering property operating services to our tenants and others, including waste handling and facility services, and the provision of energy services,
•selling or leasing land adjacent to our shopping center properties, commonly referred to as "outlots" or "outparcels," and
•generating interest income on cash deposits and investments in loans, including those made to related entities.
2. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all majority-owned subsidiaries, and all significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated.
We consolidate properties that are wholly owned or properties where we own less than 100% but we control. Control of a property is demonstrated by, among other factors, our ability to refinance debt and sell the property without the consent of any other partner or owner and the inability of any other partner or owner to replace us.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
2. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation (Continued)
We also consolidate a variable interest entity, or VIE, when we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. On January 1, 2010, we adopted the amendment on the accounting and disclosure requirements for the consolidation of VIEs. This amendment requires an enterprise to perform a qualitative analysis when determining whether or not it must consolidate a VIE. The amendment also requires an enterprise to continuously reassess whether it must consolidate a VIE. Additionally, the amendment requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprise's involvement with VIEs and any significant change in risk exposure due to that involvement, as well as how its involvement with VIEs impacts the enterprise's financial statements. Finally, an enterprise will be required to disclose significant judgments and assumptions used to determine whether or not to consolidate a VIE. The adoption of this amendment did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE is based on whether an entity (1) has the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE considers all relationships between us and the VIE, including management agreements and other contractual arrangements. There have been no changes during 2011 in previous conclusions about whether an entity qualifies as a VIE or whether we are the primary beneficiary of any previously identified VIE. During 2011, we did not provide financial or other support to a previously identified VIE that we were not previously contractually obligated to provide.
Investments in partnerships and joint ventures represent our noncontrolling ownership interests in properties. We account for these investments using the equity method of accounting. We initially record these investments at cost and we subsequently adjust for net equity in income or loss, which we allocate in accordance with the provisions of the applicable partnership or joint venture agreement, and cash contributions and distributions. The allocation provisions in the partnership or joint venture agreements are not always consistent with the legal ownership interests held by each general or limited partner or joint venture investee primarily due to partner preferences. We separately report investments in joint ventures for which accumulated distributions have exceeded investments in and our share of net income of the joint ventures within cash distributions and losses in partnerships and joint ventures, at equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The net equity of certain joint ventures is less than zero because of financing or operating distributions that are usually greater than net income, as net income includes non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization.
As of December 31, 2011, we consolidated 219 wholly-owned properties and 20 additional properties that are less than wholly-owned, but which we control or for which we are the primary beneficiary. We account for the remaining 144 properties, or the joint venture properties, using the equity method of accounting. We manage the day-to-day operations of 85 of the 144 joint venture properties, but have determined that our partner or partners have substantive participating rights with respect to the assets and operations of these joint venture properties. Our investments in joint ventures in Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Mexico comprise 57 of the remaining 59 properties. The international properties are managed by joint ventures in which we share oversight responsibility with our partner. Additionally, we account for our investment in SPG-FCM Ventures, LLC, or SPG-FCM, which holds our interest in The Mills Limited Partnership, or Mills, using the equity method of accounting. We have determined that SPG-FCM is not a VIE and that our joint venture partner has substantive participating rights with respect to the assets and operations of SPG-FCM pursuant to the applicable partnership agreements.
We allocate our net operating results after preferred distributions based on our partners' respective weighted average ownership. Simon Property owns a majority of our common units of partnership interest, or units, and certain
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
2. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation (Continued)
series of our preferred units of partnership interest, or preferred units, which have terms comparable to outstanding shares of Simon Property preferred stock. Simon Property's weighted average ownership interest in us was as follows:
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, Simon Property's ownership interest in us was 82.8% and 82.9%, respectively. We adjust the noncontrolling limited partners' interests at the end of each period to reflect their respective interests in us.
Preferred unit requirements in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income represent distributions on outstanding preferred units of partnership interests held by limited partners and are recorded when declared.
Reclassifications
We made certain reclassifications of prior period amounts in the consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2011 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net income attributable to unitholders or earnings per unit.
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Investment Properties
We record investment properties at cost. Investment properties include costs of acquisitions; development, predevelopment, and construction (including allocable salaries and related benefits); tenant allowances and improvements; and interest and real estate taxes incurred during construction. We capitalize improvements and replacements from repair and maintenance when the repair and maintenance extends the useful life, increases capacity, or improves the efficiency of the asset. All other repair and maintenance items are expensed as incurred. We capitalize interest on projects during periods of construction until the projects are ready for their intended purpose based on interest rates in place during the construction period. The amount of interest capitalized during each year is as follows:
We record depreciation on buildings and improvements utilizing the straight-line method over an estimated original useful life, which is generally 10 to 40 years. We review depreciable lives of investment properties periodically and we make adjustments when necessary to reflect a shorter economic life. We amortize tenant allowances, tenant inducements and tenant improvements utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter. We record depreciation on equipment and fixtures utilizing the straight-line method over seven to ten years.
We review investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, declines in a property's cash flows, ending occupancy or total sales per square foot. We measure any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted operating income before
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
depreciation and amortization plus its residual value is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, we charge to income the excess of carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. We estimate fair value using unobservable data such as operating income, estimated capitalization rates, or multiples, leasing prospects and local market information. We may decide to sell properties that are held for use and the sale prices of these properties may differ from their carrying values. We also review our investments including investments in unconsolidated entities if events or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of our investments may not be recoverable. We will record an impairment charge if we determine that a decline in the fair value of the investments is other-than-temporary. Changes in economic and operating conditions that occur subsequent to our review of recoverability of investment property and other assets could impact the assumptions used in that assessment and could result in future charges to earnings if assumptions regarding those investments differ from actual results.
Purchase Accounting Allocation
We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component which may be derived from various observable or unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, we may utilize third party valuation specialists. These components typically include buildings, land and intangibles related to in-place leases and we estimate:
•the fair value of land and related improvements and buildings on an as-if-vacant basis,
•the market value of in-place leases based upon our best estimate of current market rents and amortize the resulting market rent adjustment into revenues,
•the value of costs to obtain tenants, including tenant allowances and improvements and leasing commissions, and
•the value of revenue and recovery of costs foregone during a reasonable lease-up period, as if the space was vacant.
Amounts allocated to building are depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the acquired building or related improvements. We amortize amounts allocated to tenant improvements, in-place lease assets and other lease-related intangibles over the remaining life of the underlying leases. We also estimate the value of other acquired intangible assets, if any, which are amortized over the remaining life of the underlying related intangibles.
Discontinued Operations
We reclassify any material operations and gains or losses on disposal related to consolidated properties disposed of during the period to discontinued operations. During 2011, we reported a net loss of approximately $42.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted unit, on our consolidated property disposition activity. During 2010, we reported a net gain of approximately $5.7 million upon the disposal of four retail properties. During 2009, we reported a net loss of approximately $9.8 million upon the sale of four consolidated assets. These gains and losses are reported in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests, and on sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The gains and losses on the disposition of these assets and the operating results were not significant to our consolidated results of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents generally consist of commercial paper, bankers acceptances, Eurodollars, repurchase agreements, and money market deposits or securities. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk include our cash and cash
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
equivalents and our trade accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with institutions with high credit quality. However, at certain times, such cash and cash equivalents may be in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance limits. See Notes 4, 8, and 10 for disclosures about non-cash investing and financing transactions.
Marketable and Non-Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist primarily of the investments of our captive insurance subsidiaries, available-for-sale securities, our deferred compensation plan investments, and certain investments held to fund the debt service requirements of debt previously secured by investment properties that have been sold.
The types of securities included in the investment portfolio of our captive insurance subsidiaries typically include U.S. Treasury or other U.S. government securities as well as corporate debt securities with maturities ranging from less than 1 to 10 years. These securities are classified as available-for-sale and are valued based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs when quoted market prices are not available. The amortized cost of debt securities, which approximates fair value, held by our captive insurance subsidiaries is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Changes in the values of these securities are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the gain or loss is realized or until any unrealized loss is deemed to be other-than-temporary. We review any declines in value of these securities for other-than-temporary impairment and consider the severity and duration of any decline in value. To the extent an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis is established. Subsequent changes are then recognized through other comprehensive income (loss) unless another other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred.
Our investments in Capital Shopping Centres Group PLC, or CSCG, and Capital & Counties Properties PLC, or CAPC, are accounted for as available-for-sale securities. These investments are adjusted to their quoted market price, including a related foreign exchange component, with corresponding adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss). At December 31, 2011, we owned 35.4 million shares of CSCG and CAPC. At December 31, 2011 the market value of our investments in CSCG and CAPC was $170.7 million and $100.9 million, respectively, with an aggregate net unrealized gain on these investments of approximately $39.7 million. The market value of our investments in CSCG and CAPC at December 31, 2010 was $228.4 million and $82.4 million, respectively, with an aggregate net unrealized gain of $79.0 million.
Effective May 7, 2010, CSCG and CAPC were de-merged from Liberty International PLC, or Liberty. During 2009, we recognized a non-cash charge of $140.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted unit, representing an other-than-temporary impairment in fair value below the carrying value of our investment in Liberty. As a result, changes in available-for-sale securities and other in the 2009 consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income include the reclassification of $140.5 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings related to this non-cash charge. Effective July 1, 2009, we resumed marking to market our Liberty investment through other comprehensive income (loss).
Our insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain statutory minimum capital and surplus as well as maintain a minimum liquidity ratio. Therefore, our access to these securities may be limited. Our deferred compensation plan investments are classified as trading securities and are valued based upon quoted market prices. The investments have a matching liability as the amounts are fully payable to the employees that earned the compensation. Changes in value of these securities and changes to the matching liability to employees are both recognized in earnings and, as a result, there is no impact to consolidated net income. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we also had investments of $24.9 million which must be used to fund the debt service requirements of mortgage debt related to investment properties that previously collateralized the debt. These investments are classified as held-to-maturity and are recorded at amortized cost as we have the ability and intent to hold these investments to maturity.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had investments of $105.1 million and $72.4 million, respectively, in non-marketable securities that we account for under the cost method. We regularly evaluate these investments for any other-than-temporary decline in their estimated fair value and determined that no adjustment in the carrying value was required as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Total net unrealized gains as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $41.9 million and $79.3 million, respectively, and represented the valuation and related currency adjustments for our available-for-sale marketable securities. As of December 31, 2011, we did not consider any declines in value of any of our marketable and non-marketable securities to be an other-than-temporary impairment, as these market value declines, if any, have existed for a short period of time, and, in the case of debt securities, we have the ability and intent to hold these securities to maturity.
Fair Value Measurements
We hold marketable securities that totaled $417.0 million and $511.3 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and are considered to have Level 1 fair value inputs. In addition, we have derivative instruments which are classified as having Level 2 inputs which consist primarily of interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency forward contracts with a gross liability balance of $12.2 million and $27.6 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, a gross asset balance of $14.9 million at December 31, 2011 and a nominal asset value at December 31, 2010. We also have interest rate cap agreements with nominal asset values.
Level 1 fair value inputs are quoted prices for identical items in active, liquid and visible markets such as stock exchanges. Level 2 fair value inputs are observable information for similar items in active or inactive markets, and appropriately consider counterparty creditworthiness in the valuations. Level 3 fair value inputs reflect our best estimate of inputs and assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation estimate.
Note 8 includes a discussion of the fair value of debt measured using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. Note 4 includes a discussion of the fair values recorded in purchase accounting and impairment, using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs to our purchase accounting and impairment include our estimations of net operating results of the property, capitalization rates and discount rates.
Use of Estimates
We prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reported period. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.
Segment Disclosure
Our primary business is the ownership, development, and management of retail real estate. We have aggregated our retail operations, including regional malls, Premium Outlets, The Mills, and community/lifestyle centers, into one reportable segment because they have similar economic characteristics and we provide similar products and services to similar types of tenants.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Deferred Costs and Other Assets
Deferred costs and other assets include the following as of December 31:
Deferred Financing and Lease Cost
Our deferred costs consist primarily of financing fees we incurred in order to obtain long-term financing and internal and external leasing commissions and related costs. We record amortization of deferred financing costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective loans or agreements. Our deferred leasing costs consist primarily of capitalized salaries and related benefits in connection with lease originations. We record amortization of deferred leasing costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Details of these deferred costs as of December 31 are as follows:
We report amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of premiums, and accretion of discounts as part of interest expense. Amortization of deferred leasing costs is a component of depreciation and amortization expense. We amortize debt premiums and discounts, which are included in mortgages and other indebtedness, over the remaining terms of the related debt instruments. These debt premiums or discounts arise either at the debt issuance or as part of the purchase price allocation of the fair value of debt assumed in acquisitions. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income include amortization as follows:
Loans Held for Investment
From time to time, we may make investments in mortgage loans or mezzanine loans of third parties that own and operate commercial real estate assets located in the United States. Mortgage loans are secured, in part, by mortgages recorded against the underlying properties which are not owned by us. Mezzanine loans are secured, in part, by pledges of ownership interests of the entities that own the underlying real estate. Loans held for investment
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
are carried at cost, net of any premiums or discounts which are accreted or amortized over the life of the related loan receivable utilizing the effective interest method. We evaluate the collectability of both interest and principal of each of these loans quarterly to determine whether the value has been impaired. A loan is deemed to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is impaired, the amount of the loss accrual is calculated by comparing the carrying amount of the loan held for investment to its estimated realizable value.
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had investments in three and six mortgage and mezzanine loans, respectively, with an aggregate carrying value of $162.8 million and $395.9 million, respectively. These loans mature at various dates through October 2012 with a weighted average maturity of approximately 6 months as of December 31, 2011. Certain of these loans require interest-only payments while others require payments of interest and principal based on a 30 year amortization. Interest rates on these loans are fixed between 5.9% and 7.0% per annum with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 6.3% and approximate market rates for instruments of similar quality and duration. During 2011 and 2010, we recorded $24.3 million and $4.6 million, respectively, in interest income earned from these loans held for investment. Payments on each of these loans were current as of December 31, 2011.
On December 9, 2011, we paid consideration of $88.8 million to acquire a 50% equity interest in two real estate developments for which we had previously agreed to fund as the construction lender. The loans primarily bear interest at 7.0% and mature in May and July, 2013. At December 31, 2011, the aggregate amount drawn on the loans was $50.7 million. We consolidated these assets as of the acquisition date and, accordingly, amounts drawn on the loans are eliminated in consolidation.
Intangible Assets
The average life of in-place lease intangibles is approximately 4.4 years and is amortized over the remaining life of the leases of the related property on the straight-line basis and is included with depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The amount of in-place lease intangibles increased during 2010 as a result of the acquisition of Prime Outlets Acquisition Company, or the Prime acquisition, as further discussed in Note 4. The fair market value of above and below market leases is amortized into revenue over the remaining lease life as a component of reported minimum rents. The weighted average remaining life of these intangibles is approximately 4.0 years. The unamortized amount of below market leases is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles and deferred revenues in the consolidated balance sheets and was $134.4 million and $39.0 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amount of amortization of above and below market leases, net for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $17.6 million, $15.2 million, and $20.0 million, respectively. If a lease is terminated prior to the original lease termination, any remaining unamortized intangible is charged to earnings.
Details of intangible assets as of December 31 are as follows:
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Estimated future amortization and the increasing (decreasing) effect on minimum rents for our above and below market leases as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:
Derivative Financial Instruments
We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. We use a variety of derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to selectively manage or hedge the risks associated with our indebtedness and interest payments. Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we primarily use interest rate swaps and caps. We require that hedging derivative instruments be highly effective in reducing the risk exposure that they are designated to hedge. As a result, there was no significant ineffectiveness from any of our derivative activities during the period. We formally designate any instrument that meets these hedging criteria as a hedge at the inception of the derivative contract. We have no credit-risk-related hedging or derivative activities.
As of December 31, 2011, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives related to interest rate risk:
The carrying value of our interest rate swap agreements, at fair value, is a net liability balance of $10.0 million and $19.5 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is included in other liabilities and accrued distributions. The interest rate cap agreements were of nominal value at December 31, 2011 and 2010 and we generally do not apply hedge accounting to these arrangements.
We are also exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on financial instruments which are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily in Japan and Europe. We use currency forward contracts to manage our exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates on certain Yen and Euro-denominated receivables and net investments. Currency forward contracts involve fixing the Yen-USD or Euro-USD exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. The currency forward contracts are typically cash settled in US dollars for their fair value at or close to their settlement date. Approximately ¥2.6 billion remains as of December 31, 2011 for all forward contracts. We entered into Yen-USD forward contracts during 2009 for approximately ¥3 billion that we received through April 2011 and we entered into Yen-USD forward contracts during 2010 for ¥1.7 billion that we expect to receive through October 2012. In 2011, we entered into additional Yen-USD forward contracts for approximately ¥3.8 billion that we expect to receive through October 1, 2013. The December 31, 2011 net liability balance related to these forwards was $2.2 million and is included in other liabilities and accrued distributions. We have reported the changes in fair value for these forward contracts in earnings. The underlying currency adjustments on the foreign
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
currency denominated receivables are also reflected in income and generally offset the amounts in earnings for these forward contracts. In 2011, we entered into a Euro-USD forward contract with a €141.3 million notional value maturing on January 31, 2012 which was designated as a net investment hedge. The December 31, 2011 asset balance related to this forward was $14.9 million and is included in deferred costs and other assets. We apply hedge accounting and the change in fair value for this Euro forward contract is reflected in other comprehensive income. Changes in the value of this hedge are offset by changes in the underlying hedged Euro-denominated joint venture investment. In connection with our sale of Gallerie Commerciali Italia, S.p.A., or GCI, as further discussed in Note 14, this hedge was terminated.
The total gross accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our derivative activities, including our share of the other comprehensive loss from joint venture properties and terminated hedging relationships, approximated $115.8 million and $40.1 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Noncontrolling Interests and Temporary Equity
In addition to noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties, we classify our 7.5% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units, or 7.5% preferred units, in temporary equity due to the possibility that we could be required to redeem the securities for cash. The redemption of the 7.5% preferred units requires the delivery of fully registered shares of Simon Property common stock. The previous and current carrying amounts are equal to the liquidation value, which is the amount payable upon the occurrence of any event that could potentially result in cash settlement.
Our evaluation of the appropriateness of classifying the units held by Simon Property and limited partners within permanent equity considered several significant factors in determining the appropriate classification of those units in the consolidated balance sheets. First, as a limited partnership, all decisions relating to our operations and distributions are made by Simon Property, acting as our sole general partner. The decisions of the general partner are made by Simon Property's Board of Directors or management. We have no other governance structure. Secondly, the sole asset of Simon Property is its interest in us. As a result, a share of Simon Property common stock (if owned by us) is best characterized as being similar to a treasury share and thus not an asset of the Operating Partnership.
Limited partners have the right under our partnership agreement to exchange their units for shares of Simon Property common stock or cash as selected by the general partner. Accordingly, we classify limited partner units in permanent equity because Simon Property has the ability to issue shares of its common stock to limited partners exercising their exchange rights rather than using cash or other assets. Under our partnership agreement, we are required to redeem units held by Simon Property only when Simon Property has redeemed shares of its common stock. We classify units held by Simon Property in permanent equity because the decision to redeem those units would be made by Simon Property.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (which includes nonredeemable and redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated properties) is a component of consolidated net income. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, no individual components of other comprehensive income (loss) were attributable to noncontrolling interests.
A rollforward of noncontrolling interests for the years ending December 31 is as follows:
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following as of December 31:
Revenue Recognition
We, as a lessor, retain substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the investment properties and account for our leases as operating leases. We accrue minimum rents on a straight-line basis over the terms of their respective leases. Substantially all of our retail tenants are also required to pay overage rents based on sales over a stated base amount during the lease year. We recognize overage rents only when each tenant's sales exceed the applicable sales threshold.
We structure our leases to allow us to recover a significant portion of our property operating, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, and advertising and promotion expenses from our tenants. A substantial portion of our leases, other than those for anchor stores, require the tenant to reimburse us for a substantial portion of our operating expenses, including common area maintenance, or CAM, real estate taxes and insurance. This significantly reduces our exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation. Such property operating expenses typically include utility, insurance, security, janitorial, landscaping, food court and other administrative expenses. We accrue reimbursements from tenants for recoverable portions of all these expenses as revenue in the period the applicable expenditures are incurred. As of December 31, 2011 for approximately 89% of our leases in the U.S. regional mall portfolio, we receive a fixed payment from the tenant for the CAM component. When not reimbursed by the fixed-CAM component, CAM expense reimbursements are based on the tenant's proportionate share of the allocable operating expenses and CAM capital expenditures for the property. We also receive escrow payments for these reimbursements from substantially all our non-fixed CAM tenants and monthly fixed CAM payments throughout the year. We recognize differences between estimated recoveries and the final billed amounts in the subsequent year. These differences were not material in any period presented. Our advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred.
Management Fees and Other Revenues
Management fees and other revenues are generally received from our unconsolidated joint venture properties as well as third parties. Management fee revenue is earned based on a contractual percentage of joint venture property revenue. Development fee revenue is earned on a contractual percentage of hard costs to develop a property. Leasing fee revenue is earned on a contractual per square foot charge based on the square footage of current year leasing activity. We recognize revenue for these services provided when earned based on the underlying activity.
Insurance premiums written and ceded are recognized on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies. Insurance losses are reflected in property operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and include estimates for losses incurred but not reported as well as losses pending settlement. Estimates for losses are based on evaluations by third-party actuaries and management's estimates. Total insurance reserves for our insurance subsidiaries and other self-insurance programs as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 approximated $115.1 million and $116.2 million, respectively, and are included in other liabilities and accrued distributions in the consolidated balance sheets. Information related to the securities included in
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
the investment portfolio of our captive insurance subsidiaries is included within the "Marketable and Non-Marketable Securities" section above.
We recognize fee revenues from our co-branded gift card programs when the fees are earned under the related arrangements with the card issuer. Generally, these revenues are recorded at the issuance of the gift card for handling fees.
Allowance for Credit Losses
We record a provision for credit losses based on our judgment of a tenant's creditworthiness, ability to pay and probability of collection. In addition, we also consider the retail sector in which the tenant operates and our historical collection experience in cases of bankruptcy, if applicable. Accounts are written off when they are deemed to be no longer collectible. Presented below is the activity in the allowance for credit losses during the following years:
Income Taxes
As a partnership, the allocated share of our income or loss for each year is included in the income tax returns of the partners; accordingly, no accounting for income taxes is required in the accompanying consolidated financial statements other than as discussed below for our taxable REIT subsidiaries. State income, franchise or other taxes were not significant in any of the periods presented.
Simon Property and certain of our subsidiaries are taxed as REITs under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and applicable Treasury regulations relating to REIT qualification. In order to maintain this REIT status, the regulations require the entity to distribute at least 90% of taxable income to its owners and meet certain other asset and income tests as well as other requirements. We intend to continue to make distributions to Simon Property to assist Simon Property in adhering to REIT requirements and maintaining its REIT status. Our subsidiary REIT entities will generally not be liable for federal corporate income taxes as long as they continue to distribute in excess of 100% of their taxable income. Thus, we made no provision for federal income taxes for these entities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. If Simon Property or any of the REIT subsidiaries fail to qualify as a REIT, Simon Property or that entity will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates for the years in which it failed to qualify. If Simon Property or our REIT subsidiaries lost their REIT status, they could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for four years unless their failure to qualify was due to reasonable cause and certain other conditions were satisfied.
Simon Property has also elected taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS, status for some of our subsidiaries. This enables us to provide services that would otherwise be considered impermissible for REITs and participate in activities that do not qualify as "rents from real property". For these entities, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided if we believe all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance that results from the change in circumstances that causes a change in our judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset is included in income.
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had a net deferred tax asset of $5.6 million and $9.0 million, respectively, related to our TRS subsidiaries. The net deferred tax asset is included in deferred costs and other assets
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consists primarily of operating losses and other carryforwards for federal income tax purposes as well as the timing of the deductibility of losses or reserves from insurance subsidiaries. No valuation allowance has been recorded as we believe these amounts will be realized. State income, franchise or other taxes were not significant in any of the periods presented.
Transaction Expenses
We expense acquisition, potential acquisition and disposition related costs as they are incurred. We incurred a minimal amount of transaction expenses during the year ended December 31, 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we incurred costs in connection with the Prime acquisition and other potential acquisitions, as further discussed in Note 4. In addition, during 2010, we settled, in cash, a transaction-related dispute and recorded a charge to earnings. These expenses are included within transaction expenses in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive income and totaled $69.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded $5.7 million in transaction expenses related to costs associated with significant acquisition related activities.
4. Real Estate Acquisitions, Disposals, and Impairment
We acquire properties to generate both current income and long-term appreciation in value. We acquire individual properties or portfolios of other retail real estate companies that meet our investment criteria and sell properties which no longer meet our strategic criteria. Our consolidated acquisition and disposal activity for the periods presented are highlighted as follows:
2011 Acquisitions
On December 31, 2011, we and our joint venture partner dissolved a venture in which we had a 50% interest and distributed a portfolio of properties previously held within the venture to us and our joint venture partner. As a result, we have a 100% interest in and now consolidate the six properties we received in the distribution. The distribution resulted in a remeasurement of the distributed assets to fair value and a corresponding non-cash gain of approximately $168.3 million representing the fair value of the net assets received in excess of the carrying value of our interest in the joint venture portfolio. The resulting gain and the asset and liability fair value allocation were recorded based on preliminary portfolio fair value estimates at the date of distribution and will be finalized in 2012.
On August 25, 2011, we acquired additional controlling interests of approximately 83.75% in The Plaza at King of Prussia and The Court at King of Prussia, or, collectively, King of Prussia, thereby increasing our ownership interest to 96.1%. The property is subject to a $160.1 million mortgage. The consolidation of this previously unconsolidated property resulted in a remeasurement of our previously held interest to fair value and a corresponding non-cash gain of $82.9 million.
On July 19, 2011, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in ABQ Uptown, a lifestyle center located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Also, during the second quarter, we purchased an additional noncontrolling interest in an unconsolidated regional mall.
During the third quarter of 2011 we contributed a wholly-owned property to a joint venture which holds our interests in nine unconsolidated properties. The transaction effectively exchanged a portion of our interest in this previously wholly-owned property for increased ownership interests in the nine unconsolidated properties. This transaction had no material impact on the statement of operations.
The gains on the above transactions are included in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests, and on sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The aggregate cash purchase price for these acquisitions was $1.18 billion. We reflected the assets and liabilities of these assets at estimated fair value at the respective acquisition dates, the majority of which was allocated to the investment property and related acquired lease intangibles. The purchase price allocation
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
4. Real Estate Acquisitions, Disposals, and Impairment (Continued)
is preliminary and subject to revision within the measurement period, not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition.
2010 Acquisitions
During 2010, we acquired a controlling interest in a previously unconsolidated regional mall which resulted in a remeasurement of our previously held equity interest to fair value and corresponding gain of approximately $13.0 million. This gain is included in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests and on sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. On May 28, 2010, we acquired an additional interest of approximately 19% in Houston Galleria, located in Houston, Texas thereby increasing our noncontrolling interest from 31.5% to 50.4%.
On August 30, 2010, we completed the Prime acquisition, adding 21 outlet centers, including a center located in Puerto Rico, which was acquired on May 13, 2010. The transaction was valued at approximately $2.3 billion, including the assumption of existing mortgage indebtedness of $1.2 billion and the repayment of $310.7 million of preexisting mortgage loans at closing. We paid consideration comprised of 80% cash and 20% in units. We issued approximately 1.7 million units with an issuance date fair value of approximately $154.5 million. We funded the cash portion of this acquisition through draws on our unsecured revolving credit facility.
We recorded our acquisition of these 21 outlet centers using the acquisition method of accounting. Tangible and intangible assets and liabilities were established based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The results of operations of the acquired properties have been included in our consolidated results from the date of acquisition. The purchase price allocations were finalized during the second quarter of 2011.
2009 Acquisitions
We had no consolidated property acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2009.
2011 Dispositions
During 2011, we agreed to dispose of consolidated properties that had an aggregate carrying value of $355.4 million and debt obligations of $177.0 million for aggregate sales proceeds of $136.0 million resulting in a net loss of $42.4 million. The gains and losses on these disposals are included in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests, and sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
2010 Dispositions
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we disposed of three retail properties with an aggregate carrying value of $91.4 million and debt obligations of $91.3 million for which we received aggregate sale proceeds of $5.8 million. The net gain on these disposals was $5.7 million and is included in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests, and sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
2009 Dispositions
During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold four retail properties with an aggregate carrying value of $13.7 million for which we received proceeds of $3.9 million. The net loss on these disposals totaled $9.8 million and is included in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests, and sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
4. Real Estate Acquisitions, Disposals, and Impairment (Continued)
2009 Impairment
In 2009, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $240.1 million ($228.6 million, net of a tax benefit of $5.8 million and noncontrolling interest holders' share of $5.7 million). As discussed in Note 3, this non-cash charge includes a $140.5 million other-than-temporary impairment of our investment in an available-for-sale security. In addition, the total charge includes adjustments in the carrying value of one wholly-owned and one joint venture regional mall, a write-down of five land parcels and two joint venture non-retail real estate assets, and certain predevelopment costs related to projects no longer being pursued.
5. Per Unit Data
We determine basic earnings per unit based on the weighted average number of units outstanding during the period and we consider any participating securities for purposes of applying the two-class method. We determine diluted earnings per unit based on the weighted average number of units outstanding combined with the incremental weighted average units that would have been outstanding assuming all potentially dilutive common units were converted into units at the earliest date possible. The following table sets forth the computation of our basic and diluted earnings per unit.
For the year ending December 31, 2011, potentially dilutive securities include options to purchase shares of Simon Property common stock and units granted under our long-term incentive performance programs, or LTIP units. The only security that had a dilutive effect for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were stock options of Simon Property. The only securities that had a dilutive effect for the year ended December 31, 2009 were stock options of Simon Property and contingently issuable units from unit distributions.
We accrue distributions when they are declared. The taxable nature of the distributions declared for each of the years ended as indicated is summarized as follows:
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
6. Investment Properties
Investment properties consist of the following as of December 31:
7. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Joint ventures are common in the real estate industry. We use joint ventures to finance properties, develop new properties, and diversify our risk in a particular property or portfolio of properties. We held joint venture ownership interests in 87 properties in the United States as of December 31, 2011 and 101 properties as of December 31, 2010. As discussed in Note 14, on January 9, 2012, we sold our interest in GCI which owned 45 shopping centers in Italy. As of December 31, 2011, we also held interests in eight joint venture properties in Japan, two joint venture properties in South Korea, one joint venture property in Mexico, and one joint venture property in Malaysia. We account for these joint venture properties using the equity method of accounting.
Substantially all of our joint venture properties are subject to rights of first refusal, buy-sell provisions, or other sale or marketing rights for partners which are customary in real estate joint venture agreements and the industry. We and our partners in these joint ventures may initiate these provisions at any time (subject to any applicable lock up or similar restrictions), which could result in either the sale of our interest or the use of available cash or borrowings to acquire the joint venture interest from our partner.
In May 2010, Opry Mills, a property in which we have a 50% interest through our SPG-FCM joint venture, sustained significant flood damage and substantially all of the property remains closed. Insurance proceeds of $50 million have been funded by the insurers and remediation work has been completed. The excess insurance carriers (those providing coverage above $50 million) have denied the joint venture's claim under the policy for additional proceeds (of up to $150 million) to pay further amounts for restoration costs and business interruption losses. We have obtained additional financing of $120 million from the existing mortgage lenders and, in April 2011, commenced rebuilding the center with an expected opening in March of 2012. We and our lenders are continuing our efforts through pending litigation to recover our losses under the excess insurance policies for Opry Mills and we believe recovery is probable, but no assurances can be made that our efforts to recover these funds will be successful.
On December 31, 2011, as further discussed in Note 4, we and our joint venture partner dissolved a venture in which we had a 50% interest and distributed a portfolio of properties previously held within the venture to us and our joint venture partner. The results of operations of these properties are now presented as income from discontinued joint venture interests and the non-cash gain recorded upon distribution to the partners is presented within gain on sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities in the "Summary Financial Information" below.
Loans to SPG-FCM
We have a loan to SPG-FCM with an outstanding balance of $651.0 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. The loan bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 275 basis points and matures on June 7, 2012. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded approximately $9.8 million, $9.9 million and $9.3 million in interest income (net of inter-entity
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eliminations) related to this loan, respectively. We also recorded fee income, including fee income amortization related to up-front fees on loans made to SPG-FCM and Mills, during 2011, 2010 and 2009, of approximately $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $3.7 million (net of inter-entity eliminations), respectively, for providing refinancing services to Mills' properties and SPG-FCM.
International Joint Venture Investments
We conduct our international operations through joint venture arrangements and account for all of our international joint venture investments using the equity method of accounting
European Joint Ventures. At December 31, 2011, we had a 49.0% ownership interest in GCI, a joint venture with Auchan S.A., which owned 45 properties located in Italy. The carrying amount of our investment in GCI was $331.9 million and $330.1 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, including all related components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). As discussed in Note 14, we sold our entire interest in GCI to our venture partner on January 9, 2012.
On July 15, 2010, we and our partner in Simon Ivanhoe S.à.r.l., or Simon Ivanhoe, sold our collective interests in Simon Ivanhoe which owned seven shopping centers located in France and Poland to Unibail-Rodamco. The joint venture partners received net consideration of €422.5 million for their interests after the repayment of all joint venture debt, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Our share of the gain on sale of our interests in Simon Ivanhoe was approximately $281 million.
Asian Joint Ventures. We conduct our international Premium Outlet operations in Japan through a joint venture with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. We have a 40.0% ownership interest in this joint venture. The carrying amount of our investment in this joint venture was $349.5 million and $340.8 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, including all related components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We conduct our international Premium Outlet operations in South Korea through a joint venture with Shinsegae International Co. We have a 50.0% ownership interest in this joint venture. The carrying amount of our investment in this joint venture was $43.8 million and $35.7 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, including all related components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
In December 2009, we recognized a loss on our 32.5% interest in shopping centers operating or under development in China. The interests were sold to affiliates of our Chinese partner for approximately $29 million, resulting in a loss of approximately $20 million which is included in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests, and on sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the 2009 consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
Summary Financial Information
A summary of our investments in joint ventures and share of income from such joint ventures follows. The statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes amounts related to our investment in Simon Ivanhoe which was sold on July 15, 2010 and GCI which was sold on January 9, 2012. We acquired additional
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controlling interests in King of Prussia on August 25, 2011, and as a result, this previously unconsolidated property is now a consolidated property as of the acquisition date. Balance sheet information for the joint ventures is as follows:
"Excess Investment" represents the unamortized difference of our investment over our share of the equity in the underlying net assets of the joint ventures acquired. We amortize excess investment over the life of the related properties, typically no greater than 40 years, and the amortization is included in the reported amount of income from unconsolidated entities.
As of December 31, 2011, scheduled principal repayments on joint venture properties' mortgages and other indebtedness are as follows:
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This debt becomes due in installments over various terms extending through 2036 with interest rates ranging from 0.49% to 9.35% and a weighted average rate of 5.02% at December 31, 2011.
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7. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Continued)
2011 Dispositions
In April 2011 we disposed of our interest in an unconsolidated regional mall, resulting in a gain of $7.8 million. This gain is reported in gain (loss) upon acquisition of controlling interests, and on sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
2010 Impairment
In December 2010, we recognized an $8.2 million non-cash impairment charge representing our share of impairment on a joint venture investment in a property in Italy for which the decline in value below our carrying amount was deemed other-than-temporary.
2009 Impairment
In December 2009 we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $7.6 million representing our share of impairment charges on joint venture properties. These charges represent adjustments to the carrying value of certain parcels of land and the write-off of predevelopment costs related to certain projects no longer being pursued. In addition, in December 2009 we recognized $35.1 million of impairment charges for investments in certain unconsolidated entities including one regional mall and two non-retail real estate assets for which declines in value below our carrying amount were deemed other-than-temporary.
8. Indebtedness and Derivative Financial Instruments
Our mortgages and other indebtedness, excluding the impact of derivative instruments, consist of the following as of December 31:
General. Our unsecured debt contains financial covenants and other non-financial covenants. If we were to fail to comply with these covenants, after the expiration of the applicable cure periods, the debt maturity could be accelerated or other remedies could be sought by the lender including adjustments to the applicable interest rate. As of December 31, 2011, we are in compliance with all covenants of our unsecured debt.
At December 31, 2011, we or our subsidiaries are the borrowers under 89 non-recourse mortgage notes secured by mortgages on 89 properties, including 10 separate pools of cross-defaulted and cross-collateralized mortgages
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encumbering a total of 44 properties. Under these cross-default provisions, a default under any mortgage included in the cross-defaulted pool may constitute a default under all mortgages within that pool and may lead to acceleration of the indebtedness due on each property within the pool. Certain of our secured debt contains financial and other non-financial covenants which are specific to the properties which serve as collateral for that debt. If the borrower fails to comply with these covenants, the lender could accelerate the debt and enforce its right against their collateral. At December 31, 2011, the applicable borrowers under these non-recourse mortgage notes were in compliance with all covenants where non-compliance could individually, or giving effect to applicable cross-default provisions, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Unsecured Debt
At December 31, 2011, our unsecured debt consisted of $10.7 billion of senior unsecured notes and $952.7 million outstanding under our $4.0 billion unsecured credit facility, or the Credit Facility. The December 31, 2011 balance included $287.7 million (U.S. dollar equivalent) of Yen-denominated borrowings. On December 31, 2011, we had available borrowing capacity of approximately $3.0 billion under the Credit Facility. The maximum outstanding balance of the Credit Facility or the predecessor facility during the year ended December 31, 2011 was $1.8 billion and the weighted average outstanding balance was approximately $1.1 billion. Letters of credit of approximately $36.0 million were outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2011.
On October 5, 2011, we replaced our previous unsecured revolving credit facility and entered into the new Credit Facility, which provides an initial borrowing capacity of $4.0 billion, which can be increased at our option to $5.0 billion during its term. The Credit Facility will initially mature on October 30, 2015 and can be extended for an additional year at our sole option. The base interest rate on the Credit Facility is LIBOR plus 100 basis points and an additional facility fee of 15 basis points. In addition, the Credit Facility provides for a money market competitive bid option program that allows us to hold auctions to achieve lower pricing for short-term borrowings. The Credit Facility also includes a $2.0 billion multi-currency tranche.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we redeemed at par $542.5 million of senior unsecured notes with fixed rates ranging from 5.00% to 8.25%. In addition, on November 10, 2011, we issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured notes at a fixed interest rate of 2.8% with a maturity date of January 2017 and $700.0 million of senior unsecured notes at a fixed interest rate of 4.13% with a maturity date of December 2021.
On January 12, 2010, we commenced a cash tender offer for any and all senior unsecured notes of ten outstanding series with maturity dates ranging from 2011 to March 2013. The total principal amount of the notes accepted for purchase on January 26, 2010 was approximately $2.3 billion, with a weighted average duration of 2.0 years and a weighted average coupon of 5.76%. We purchased the tendered notes with cash on hand and the proceeds from an offering of $2.25 billion of senior unsecured notes that closed on January 25, 2010. The senior notes offering was comprised of $400.0 million of 4.20% notes due 2015, $1.25 billion of 5.65% notes due 2020 and $600.0 million of 6.75% notes due 2040. The weighted average duration of the notes offering was 14.4 years and the weighted average coupon was 5.69%. We recorded a $165.6 million charge to earnings in the first quarter of 2010 as a result of the tender offer.
On August 9, 2010, we commenced a cash tender offer for any and all senior unsecured notes of three outstanding series with maturity dates ranging from May 2013 to August 2014. The total principal amount of the notes accepted for purchase on August 17, 2010 was approximately $1.33 billion, with a weighted average duration of 3.5 years and a weighted average coupon of 6.06%. We purchased the tendered notes with cash on hand and the proceeds from an offering of $900.0 million of 4.375% senior unsecured notes that closed on August 16, 2010. The senior notes are due on March 1, 2021. We recorded a $185.1 million charge to earnings in the third quarter of 2010 as a result of the tender offer.
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Secured Debt
Total secured indebtedness was $6.8 billion and $6.6 billion at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we repaid $368.2 million in mortgage loans with a weighted average interest rate of 6.64%, unencumbering six properties.
As a result of the acquisition of additional interest in King of Prussia in August 2011 as further discussed in Note 4, we now own a controlling interest in this property and, accordingly, we consolidated the property as of the acquisition date, including the property's $160.1 million mortgage debt.
As discussed in Note 4, on December 31, 2011, we consolidated six properties we received as a distribution from a joint venture of its interests in a portfolio of properties. Four of these properties are encumbered by mortgages totaling $459.0 million.
Debt Maturity and Other
Our scheduled principal repayments on indebtedness as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:
Our cash paid for interest in each period, net of any amounts capitalized, was as follows:
Derivative Financial Instruments
Our exposure to market risk due to changes in interest rates primarily relates to our long-term debt obligations. We manage exposure to interest rate market risk through our risk management strategy by a combination of interest rate protection agreements to effectively fix or cap a portion of variable rate debt. We are also exposed to foreign currency risk on financings of certain foreign operations. Our intent is to offset gains and losses that occur on the underlying exposures, with gains and losses on the derivative contracts hedging these exposures. We do not enter into either interest rate protection or foreign currency rate protection agreements for speculative purposes.
We may enter into treasury lock agreements as part of an anticipated debt issuance. If the anticipated transaction does not occur, the cost is charged to consolidated net income. Upon completion of the debt issuance, the cost of these instruments is recorded as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt agreement.
The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is a net liability balance of $10.0 million and $19.5 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is included in other liabilities and accrued distributions. The interest
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rate cap agreements were of nominal value at December 31, 2011 and 2010 and we generally do not apply hedge accounting to these arrangements. In addition, the unamortized loss of our treasury locks and terminated hedges recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was $89.7 million as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, our outstanding LIBOR based derivative contracts consisted of:
•interest rate cap protection agreements with a notional amount of $381.3 million which mature in July 2013 and June 2014, and•fixed rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $485.8 million which have a weighted average fixed pay rate of 2.52% and a weighted average variable receive rate of 0.58%.
Within the next year, we expect to reclassify to earnings approximately $21.2 million of losses related to active and terminated interest rate swaps from the current balance held in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The amount of ineffectiveness relating to cash flow hedges recognized in income during the periods presented was not significant.
Our joint ventures may also enter into interest rate swaps or caps, which are recorded at fair value on the joint venture balance sheets. Included in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is our share of the joint ventures' accumulated derivative losses of $14.0 million and $20.9 million, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of our variable-rate mortgages and other loans approximates their fair values. We estimate the fair values of consolidated fixed-rate mortgages using cash flows discounted at current borrowing rates and other indebtedness using cash flows discounted at current market rates. We estimate the fair values of consolidated fixed-rate unsecured notes using quoted market prices, or, if no quoted market prices are available, we use quoted market prices for securities with similar terms and maturities. The book value of our consolidated fixed-rate mortgages and other indebtedness was $15.9 billion and $14.8 billion as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The fair values of these financial instruments and the related discount rate assumptions as of December 31 are summarized as follows:
9. Rentals under Operating Leases
Future minimum rentals to be received under non-cancelable tenant operating leases for each of the next five years and thereafter, excluding tenant reimbursements of operating expenses and percentage rent based on tenant sales volume as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:
Approximately 0.6% of future minimum rents to be received are attributable to leases with an affiliate of one of our limited partners.
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10. Equity
Temporary Equity
We classify as temporary equity those securities for which there is the possibility that we could be required to redeem the security for cash, irrespective of the probability of such a possibility. As a result, we classify one series of preferred units and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties in temporary equity. The carrying values for those securities classified in temporary equity are discussed below and summarized as follows as of December 31:
Noncontrolling Redeemable Interests in Properties Redeemable instruments, which typically represent the remaining interest in a property or portfolio of properties, and which are redeemable at the option of the holder or in circumstances that may be outside our control, are accounted for as temporary equity within preferred units, various series, at liquidation value, and noncontrolling redeemable interests in properties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is adjusted to the redemption amount assuming the instrument is redeemable at the balance sheet date. Changes in the redemption value of the underlying noncontrolling interest are recorded within accumulated deficit. There are no noncontrolling interests redeemable at amounts in excess of fair value.
7.5% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units This series of preferred units accrues cumulative quarterly distributions at a rate of $7.50 annually. We may redeem the preferred units on or after November 10, 2013, unless there is the occurrence of certain tax triggering events such as death of the initial holder, or the transfer of any units to any person or entity other than the persons or entities entitled to the benefits of the original holder. The redemption price is the liquidation value ($100.00 per preferred unit) plus accrued and unpaid distributions, payable either in cash or fully registered shares of common stock of Simon Property. In the event of the death of a holder of the preferred units, the occurrence of certain tax triggering events applicable to the holder, or on or after November 10, 2006, the holder may require us to redeem the preferred units at the same redemption price payable at our option in either cash or fully registered shares of common stock of Simon Property.
Permanent Equity
Series J 83/8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units. Distributions accrue quarterly at an annual rate of 83/8% per unit. We can redeem this series, in whole or in part, on and after October 15, 2027 at a redemption price of $50.00 per unit, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions. These preferred units were issued at a premium of $7.5 million. The carrying value was $45.0 million and $45.4 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, including unamortized premiums of $5.2 million and $5.5 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively. There are 1,000,000 preferred units authorized and 796,948 issued and outstanding.
Unit Issuances and Repurchases
In 2011, 31 limited partners exchanged 584,432 units for an equal number of shares of common stock of Simon Property. We issued an equal number of units to Simon Property, increasing its ownership interest in us.
We issued 324,720 units to Simon Property related to employee and director stock options exercised during 2011. We used the net proceeds from the option exercises of approximately $9.6 million for general working capital purposes.
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On December 9, 2011, we issued 73,428 units in connection with the acquisition of a 50% interest in two development properties as discussed in Note 3.
Other Equity Activity
Notes Receivable from Former CPI Stockholders. Notes receivable of $15.8 million from stockholders of an entity we acquired in 1998 are reflected as a deduction from capital in excess of par value in the consolidated statements of equity in the accompanying financial statements. The notes do not bear interest and become due at the time the underlying shares are sold.
The Simon Property Group 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. We, along with Simon Property, have a stock incentive plan, or the 1998 plan, which provided for the grant of awards with respect to the equity of Simon Property in the form of options to purchase shares of Simon Property common stock, or Options, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock grants and performance unit awards, collectively, Awards. Options may be granted which are qualified as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and Options which are not so qualified. An aggregate of 11,300,000 shares of Simon Property common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 1998 plan. Additionally, the partnership agreement requires Simon Property to sell shares to us, at fair value, sufficient to satisfy the exercising of any stock options, and for Simon Property to purchase units for cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares issued on the exercise of stock options. Annual stock incentive programs were approved each year from 2001 until 2009 when no program was established.
Administration. The 1998 plan is administered by Simon Property's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, or the Committee. The Committee determines which eligible individuals may participate and the type, extent and terms of the awards to be granted to them. In addition, the Committee interprets the 1998 plan and makes all other determinations deemed advisable for its administration. Options granted to employees become exercisable over the period determined by the Committee. The exercise price of an employee option may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. Employee options generally vest over a three-year period and expire ten years from the date of grant. Since 2001, Simon Property has not granted any options to employees, except for a series of reload options we assumed as part of a prior business combination.
Automatic Awards for Eligible Directors. Directors of Simon Property who are not employees or employees of affiliates of Simon Property, or eligible directors, receive automatic awards under the 1998 plan. Until 2003, these awards took the form of stock options. Since then, the awards have been shares of restricted stock of Simon Property. Currently, each eligible director receives on the first day of the first calendar month following his or her initial election an award of restricted stock with a value of $82,500 (pro-rated for partial years of service). Thereafter, as of the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, eligible directors who are re-elected receive an award of restricted stock having a value of $82,500. In addition, eligible directors who serve as chairpersons of the standing committees receive an additional annual award of restricted stock having a value of $10,000 (in the case of the Audit Committee) or $7,500 (in the case of other standing committees). The Lead Director also receives an annual restricted stock award having a value of $12,500. The restricted stock vests in full after one year.
Once vested, the delivery of the shares of restricted stock (including reinvested dividends) is deferred under our Director Deferred Compensation Plan until the director retires, dies or becomes disabled or otherwise no longer serves as a director. The directors may vote and are entitled to receive dividends on the underlying shares; however, any dividends on the shares of restricted stock must be reinvested in shares of Simon Property common stock and held in the deferred compensation plan until the shares of restricted stock are delivered to the former director.
In addition to automatic awards, eligible directors may be granted discretionary awards under the 1998 plan.
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10. Equity (Continued)
Stock Based Compensation
On March 16, 2010, the Committee approved three long-term incentive performance programs, or the 2010 LTIP programs, for certain senior executive officers. Awards under the 2010 LTIP and subsequent annual programs take the form of LTIP units, a form of limited partnership interest issued by us. During the performance period, participants are entitled to receive on the LTIP units awarded to them distributions equal to 10% of the regular quarterly distributions paid on a unit. As a result, we account for these LTIP units as participating securities under the two-class method of computing earnings per unit. Awarded LTIP units will be considered earned, in whole or in part, depending upon the extent to which the applicable total shareholder return, or TSR, benchmarks, as defined, are achieved during the performance period and, once earned, will become the equivalent of units after a two year service-based vesting period, beginning after the end of the performance period. Awarded LTIP units not earned are forfeited.
The 2010 LTIP programs have one, two and three year performance periods, which end on December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. During July 2011, the Committee approved a three-year long-term incentive performance program, or the 2011-2013 LTIP program, and awarded LTIP units to certain senior executive officers. The 2011-2013 LTIP program has a three year performance period ending on December 31, 2013. After the end of each performance period, any earned LTIP units will then be subject to service-based vesting over a period of two years. One-half of the earned LTIP units will vest on January 1 of each of the second and third years following the end of the applicable performance period, subject to the participant maintaining employment with us through those dates.
The 2010 LTIP program awards have an aggregate grant date fair value, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, of $7.2 million for the one-year program, $14.8 million for the two-year program and $23.0 million for the three-year program. The 2011-2013 LTIP program awards have an aggregate grant date fair value of $35.0 million, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. Grant date fair values were estimated based upon the results of a Monte Carlo model, and the resulting expense will be recorded regardless of whether the TSR benchmarks are achieved. The grant date fair values are being amortized into expense over the period from the grant date to the date at which the awards, if any, become vested. In 2011, the Committee determined that 133,673 LTIP units were earned under the one-year 2010 LTIP program and, pursuant to the award agreements, will vest in two equal installments in 2012 and 2013.
On July 6, 2011, in connection with the execution of an employment agreement, the Committee granted Simon Property's Chairman and CEO, David Simon, a retention award in the form of a new series of 1,000,000 LTIP units. The retention award vests in one-third increments on July 5th of 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to continued employment. The grant date fair value of the retention award was $120.3 million which is being recognized as expense over the eight-year vesting period on a straight-line basis.
Restricted Stock. The 1998 plan also provides for shares of restricted common stock of Simon Property to be granted to certain employees at no cost to those employees, subject to achievement of certain financial and return-based performance measures established by the Committee related to the most recent year's performance. Once granted, the shares of restricted stock then vest annually over a four-year period (25% each year) beginning on January 1 of each year. The cost of restricted stock grants, which is based upon the stock's fair market value on the grant date, is charged to earnings ratably over the vesting period. Through December 31, 2011 a total of 5,226,247 shares of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, have been awarded under the plan. Information regarding restricted stock awards is summarized in the following table for each of the years presented:
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10. Equity (Continued)
Stock Options. Information relating to employee options from December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2011 is as follows:
All 2,279 options outstanding at December 31, 2011, have an exercise price of $50.17 and a weighted average life of 2.17 years.
No stock options were granted to any non-employee director and there were no stock options previously awarded to non-employee directors that were outstanding from December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2011.
We also maintain a tax-qualified retirement 401(k) savings plan and offer no other postretirement or post employment benefits to our employees.
Exchange Rights
Limited partners have the right to exchange all or any portion of their units for shares of Simon Property common stock on a one-for-one basis or cash, as determined by Simon Property in its sole discretion. If Simon Property selects cash, Simon Property cannot cause us to redeem the exchanged units for cash without contributing cash to us as partners' equity sufficient to effect the redemption. If sufficient cash is not contributed, Simon Property will be deemed to have elected to exchange the units for shares of Simon Property common stock. The amount of cash to be paid if the exchange right is exercised and the cash option is selected will be based on the trading price of Simon Property's common stock at that time. The number of shares of Simon Property's common stock issued will be the same as the number of units exchanged.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
We are involved from time-to-time in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including, but not limited to commercial disputes, environmental matters, and litigation in connection with transactions including acquisitions and divestitures. We believe that such litigation, claims and administrative proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position or our results of operations. We record a liability when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
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11. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
Lease Commitments
As of December 31, 2011, a total of 32 of the consolidated properties are subject to ground leases. The termination dates of these ground leases range from 2013 to 2090. These ground leases generally require us to make fixed annual rental payments, or a fixed annual rental plus a percentage rent component based upon the revenues or total sales of the property. Some of these leases also include escalation clauses and renewal options. We incurred ground lease expense included in other expense as follows:
Future minimum lease payments due under these ground leases for years ending December 31, excluding applicable extension options, are as follows:
Insurance
We maintain insurance coverage with third party carriers who provide a portion of the coverage for specific layers of potential losses including commercial general liability, fire, flood, extended coverage and rental loss insurance on all of our properties in the United States. The initial portion of coverage not provided by third party carriers is either insured through our wholly-owned captive insurance companies, Rosewood Indemnity, Ltd. and Bridgewood Insurance Company, Ltd., or other financial arrangements controlled by us. The third party carrier has, in turn, agreed to provide evidence of coverage for this layer of losses under the terms and conditions of the carrier's policy. A similar policy written through our captive insurance entities also provides initial coverage for property insurance and certain windstorm risks at the properties located in coastal windstorm locations.
We currently maintain insurance coverage against acts of terrorism on all of our properties in the United States on an "all risk" basis in the amount of up to $1 billion. The current federal laws which provide this coverage are expected to operate through 2014. Despite the existence of this insurance coverage, any threatened or actual terrorist attacks where we operate could adversely affect our property values, revenues, consumer traffic and tenant sales.
Guarantees of Indebtedness
Joint venture debt is the liability of the joint venture and is typically secured by the joint venture property, which is non-recourse to us. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we guaranteed joint venture related mortgage or other indebtedness of $30.2 million and $60.7 million, respectively. Mortgages which are guaranteed by us are secured by the property of the joint venture and that property could be sold in order to satisfy the outstanding obligation.
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11. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
Concentration of Credit Risk
We are subject to risks incidental to the ownership and operation of commercial real estate. These risks include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate, trends in the retail industry, creditworthiness of tenants, competition for tenants and customers, changes in tax laws, interest rate and foreign currency levels, the availability of financing, and potential liability under environmental and other laws. Our regional malls, Premium Outlets, The Mills, and community/lifestyle centers rely heavily upon anchor tenants like most retail properties. Four retailers occupied 516 of the approximately 1,323 anchor stores in the properties as of December 31, 2011. An affiliate of one of these retailers is one of our limited partners. Further, all material operations are within the United States and no customer or tenant comprises more than 10% of consolidated revenues.
Limited Life Partnerships
We are the controlling partner in several consolidated partnerships that have a limited life. We estimated the settlement values of these noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 as approximately $140 million and $135 million, respectively. The settlement values are based on the estimated fair values upon a hypothetical liquidation of the partnership interests and estimated yield maintenance or prepayment penalties associated with the payment to settle any underlying secured mortgage debt.
12. Related Party Transactions
Our management company provides management, insurance, and other services to Melvin Simon & Associates, Inc., a related party, and other non-owned properties. Amounts for services provided by our management company and its affiliates to our unconsolidated joint ventures and other related parties were as follows:
During 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded interest income of $9.8 million, $9.9 million and $9.3 million respectively, and financing fee income of $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively, net of inter-entity eliminations, related to the loans that we have provided to Mills and SPG-FCM and lending financing services to those entities and the properties in which they hold an ownership interest.
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts and where indicated as in millions or billions)
13. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Quarterly 2011 and 2010 data is summarized in the table below. Quarterly amounts may not equal annual amounts due to rounding.
14. Subsequent Events
At December 31, 2011, we had a 49.0% ownership interest in GCI which owned 45 properties located in Italy. On January 9, 2012, we sold our entire ownership interest in GCI to our venture partner, Auchan S.A. The aggregate cash we received related to the sale of our interest in GCI was $378.0 million. We expect to record a gain on the sale in the first quarter of 2012.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, L.P.
By
/s/ DAVID SIMON
David Simon
Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer of
Simon Property Group, Inc., General Partner
March 2,
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.
Signature
Capacity
Date
/s/ DAVID SIMON
David Simon
Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer of
Simon Property Group, Inc., General Partner
(Principal Executive Officer)
March 2, 2012
/s/ HERBERT SIMON
Herbert Simon
Chairman Emeritus and Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ RICHARD S. SOKOLOV
Richard S. Sokolov
President, Chief Operating Officer of
Simon Property Group, Inc., General Partner
and Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ MELVYN E. BERGSTEIN
Melvyn E. Bergstein
Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ LARRY C. GLASSCOCK
Larry C. Glasscock
Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ LINDA WALKER BYNOE
Linda Walker Bynoe
Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ REUBEN S. LEIBOWITZ
Reuben S. Leibowitz
Director
March 2, 2012
Signature
Capacity
Date
/s/ J. ALBERT SMITH, JR.
J. Albert Smith, Jr.
Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ KAREN N. HORN
Karen N. Horn
Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ ALLAN HUBBARD
Allan Hubbard
Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ DANIEL C. SMITH
Daniel C. Smith
Director
March 2, 2012
/s/ STEPHEN E. STERRETT
Stephen E. Sterrett
Senior Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of
Simon Property Group, Inc., General Partner
(Principal Financial Officer)
March 2, 2012
/s/ STEVEN K. BROADWATER
Steven K. Broadwater
Senior Vice President
and Chief Accounting Officer of
Simon Property Group, Inc., General Partner
(Principal Accounting Officer)
March 2, 2012
SCHEDULE III
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
SCHEDULE III
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
SCHEDULE III
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
SCHEDULE III
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
SCHEDULE III
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
SCHEDULE III
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
SCHEDULE III
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
Simon Property Group, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Schedule III as of December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
(1) Reconciliation of Real Estate Properties:
The changes in real estate assets for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 are as follows:
The unaudited aggregate cost of real estate assets for federal income tax purposes as of December 31, 2011 was $23,502,281.
(2) Reconciliation of Accumulated Depreciation:
The changes in accumulated depreciation and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 are as follows:
Depreciation of our investment in buildings and improvements reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income is calculated over the estimated original lives of the assets as follows:
•Buildings and Improvements - typically 10-40 years for the structure, 15 years for landscaping and parking lot, and 10 years for HVAC equipment.
•Tenant Allowances and Improvements - shorter of lease term or useful life.
(3)Initial cost generally represents net book value at December 20, 1993, except for acquired properties and new developments after December 20, 1993. Initial cost also includes any new developments that are opened during the current year. Costs of disposals and impairments of property are first reflected as a reduction to cost capitalized subsequent to acquisition.
(4)Not developed/constructed by us or our predecessors. The date of construction represents the acquisition date.
(5)Initial cost for these properties is the cost at the date of consolidation for properties previously accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
(6)Amounts represent preliminary purchase price allocation and are subject to change upon finalization.
(7)Our interests in the property were sold effective January 1, 2012.
Exhibits
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Limited Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Simon Property Group, L.P.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
3.2
Eighth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2008).
3.3
Agreement between Simon Property Group, Inc. and Simon Property Group, L.P. dated March 7, 2007, but effective as of August 27, 1999, regarding a prior agreement filed under an exhibit 99.1 to Form S-3/A of Simon Property Group, L.P. on November 20, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Simon Property Group, L.P.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
3.4
Agreement between Simon Property Group, Inc. and Simon Property Group, L.P. dated April 29, 2009, but effective as of October 14, 2004, regarding redemption of the Registrant's Series I Preferred Units (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Simon Property Group, L.P.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009).
4(a)
Indenture, dated as of November 26, 1996, by and among Simon Property Group, L.P. and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement of Form S-3 filed on October 21, 1996 (Reg. No. 333-11491)).
10.1*
Simon Property Group, L.P. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2008).
10.2*
Amendment to Simon Property Group, L.P. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan dated July 6, 2011, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2011).
10.3*
Certificate of Designation of Series 2010 LTIP Units of Simon Property Group, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2010).
10.4*
Form of Simon Property Group Series 2010 LTIP Unit (Three Year Program) Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2010).
10.5*
Form of Simon Property Group Series 2010 LTIP Unit (Two Year Program) Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2010).
10.6*
Form of Simon Property Group Series 2010 LTIP Unit (One Year Program) Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2010).
10.7*
Certificate of Designation of Series CEO LTIP Units of Simon Property Group, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2011).
10.8*
Simon Property Group Series CEO LTIP Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2011).
10.9*
Certificate of Designation of Series 2011 LTIP Units of Simon Property Group, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2011).
10.10*
Form of Simon Property Group Series 2011 LTIP Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Simon Property Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2011).
10.11
Option Agreement to acquire the Excluded Retail Property (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 filed by a predecessor of Simon Property Group, L.P.).
10.12
Voting Agreement dated as of June 20, 2004 among the Simon Property Group, Inc., Simon Property Group, L.P., and certain holders of shares of common stock of Chelsea Property Group, Inc. and/or common units of CPG Partners, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Simon Property Group, L.P. on June 22, 2004).
10.13
$4,000,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of October 5, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Simon Property Group, L.P.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2011).
Statement regarding computation of ratios.
List of Subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The following materials from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (1) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (2) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, (3) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (4) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.
(a)Does not include supplemental indentures which authorize the issuance of debt securities series, none of which exceeds 10% of the total assets of Simon Property Group, L.P. on a consolidated basis. Simon Property Group, L.P. agrees to file copies of any such supplemental indentures upon the request of the Commission.
*Represents a management contract, or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement required to be filed pursuant to Regulation S-K.