Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

[x]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

OR

[ ]

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ___________

Commission file number 0-827

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ASSOCIATES L.L.C.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

A New York Limited Liability Company

13-6084254

(State or other jurisdiction of 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

60 East 42nd Street, New York, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

10165

(Zip Code)

(212) 687-8700

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ].  No [   ].

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yes [  ]  No [ X ] .

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

Large Accelerated Filer [ ]  Accelerated Filer [ ]  Non-Accelerated Filer [ ]  

Smaller Reporting Company [X]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

(A Limited Liability Company)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

|                                                                                                         |        |                                                   |        |                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|---------------------------------------------------|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Assets:                                                                                                 |   | March 31, 2009                                    |   | December 31, 2008                                                                                       |
| Real Estate:                                                                                            |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
| Building                                                                                                |   | $38,933,801                                       |   | $38,933,801                                                                                             |
| Less, accumulated depreciation                                                                          |   |     6,947,348                 |   | 6,697,782                                                                                               |
|                                                                                                    |   |   31,986,453                            |   | 32,236,019                                                                                              |
| Land                                                                                                    |   |  21,550,588                                  |   | 21,550,588                                                                                              |
|     Total real estate                                                               |   | 53,537,041                                        |   | 53,786,607                                                                                              |
|                                                                                                    |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                               |   |  37,604,457                                  |   | 9,649,212                                                                                               |
| Restricted cash re: mortgage interest – Capital One bank                                           |   |  

  2,393,028                     |   |     879,781                                                                         |
| Additional rent due from Empire State Building Company L.L.C., a related party      |   |    9,384                           |   |      9,384                                                                     |
| Receivable from participants re:                                                                        |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
|  NYS estimated tax                                                                                 |   |  85,785                                      |   |    79,315                                                                                |
| Other assets                                                                                            |   |  100,000                                     |   |             -                               |
|                                                                                                    |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
| Mortgage financing costs                                                                                |   | 3,358,658                                         |   | 1,796,287                                                                                               |
| Less, accumulated amortization                                                                          |   |  1,290,497                                   |   | 1,205,009                                                                                               |
| Mortgage financing costs, net                                                                           |   |  2,068,161                                   |   |    591,278                                                                               |
|                                                                                                    |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
| Total assets                                                                                            |   | $95,797,856                                       |   | $64,995,577                                                                                             |
| Liabilities and Members’ Equity                                                                    |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
| Liabilities:                                                                                            |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
| Mortgages payable                                                                                       |   |  $ 92,000,000                                |   | $ 60,500,000                                                                                            |
| Accrued interest payable                                                                                |   |        514,944 |   |              338,632                   |
| Prepaid rent                                                                                            |   |      10,925              |   |                  - |
| Total liabilities                                                                                       |   |   92,525,869                            |   |   60,838,632                                                                                  |
| Commitments and contingencies                                                                           |   | -                                                 |   | -                                                                                                       |
| Members’ equity                                                                                    |   |    3,271,987                       |   |   4,156,945                                                                                   |
|                                                                                                    |   |                                              |   |                                                                                                    |
| Total liabilities and members’ equity                                                              |   | $95,797,856                                       |   | $64,995,577                                                                                             |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

(A Limited Liability Company)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

|                              |                                      |                                                     |  |  |  |
|------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|--|--|--|
|                         |                                 | For the Three Months                                |
|                         |                                 |       Ended March 31, |
|                         | 2009                                 | 2008                                                |
| Revenues:                    |                                 |                                                |
| Rent income                  | $1,744,013                           | $1,504,687                                          |
| Dividend and interest income |      13,786 |      135,515               |
| Total revenues               |   1,757,799                |   1,640,202                               |

|                                                                                |                                            |                                       |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Expenses:                                                                      |                                       |                                  |
| Interest on mortgages                                                          | 1,233,375                                  | 994,049                               |
| Supervisory services, to a related party                                       | 39,854                                     | 39,854                                |
| Depreciation of building                                                       | 249,566                                    | 249,566                               |
| Amortization of  mortgage financing costs                                 | 85,488                                     | 44,907                                |
| Fees and miscellaneous, including amounts paid to a

  related party |       62,141 |      64,322  |
| Total expenses                                                                 |   1,670,424                      |  1,392,698                       |
| Net Income                                                                     | $87,375                                    | $247,504                              |

|                                                                                                           |                     |                    |                                  |  |  |  |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|----------------------------------|--|--|--|
| Earnings per $10,000 participation unit, based on3,300 participation units outstanding during each period | $26.48              | $75.00             |
|                                                                                                      |                |               |
| Distributions per $10,000 participation 

consisted of the following:                                     |                |               |
|                                                                                                      | Income              | $26.48             | $75.00                           |
|                                                                                                      | Return of capital   |   268.17 |     4,271.33 |
|                                                                                                      | Total distributions | $294.65            | $4,346.33                        |

At March 31, 2009 and 2008, there were $33,000,000 of participation units outstanding.

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

(A Limited Liability Company)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Members’ Equity

(Unaudited)

|                                           |                                                                             |                        |
|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|
|                                      | For the                                                                     | For the Year           |
|                                      | Three Months Ended                                                          | Ended                  |
|                                      | March 31, 2009                                                              | December 31, 2008      |
| Members’ equity:                     |                                                                        |                   |
|    January 1, 2009         | $4,156,945                                                                  |                   |
| January 1, 2008                           |                                                                        | $17,219,919            |
| Add, net income (loss):                   |                                                                        |                   |
| January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009    | 87,375                                                                      |  -0-              |
| January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 |             -0- |   4,196,903  |
|                                      |  4,244,320                                                        |   21,416,822 |
| Less, distributions:                      |                                                                        |                   |
| Monthly distributions                     |                                                                        |                   |
| January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009    | 972,333                                                                     | -0-                    |
| January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 | -0-                                                                         | 3,889,333              |
| Additional distribution on March 6, 2008  |            -0-       | 13,370,544             |
|                                      |                                                                        |                   |
|                                      |                                                                        |                   |
| Total distributions                       |    972,333                                                   |  17,259,877       |
|                                      |                                                                        |                   |
| Members’ equity:                     |                                                                        |                   |
| March 31, 2009                            | $3,271,987                                                                  |                   |
| December 31, 2008                         |                                                                        | $4,156,945             |
|                                      |                                                                        |                   |

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

(A Limited Liability Company)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

    

|                                                                                             |                                                                                   |                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                            |  |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
|                                                                                        | For the Three                                                                     |         For the Three                                |
|                                                                                        | Months Ended                                                                      |    Months Ended                                                               |
|                                                                                        | March 31, 2009                                                                    |      March 31, 2008                                                 |
| Cash flows from operating activities:                                                       |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Net income                                                                                  | $     87,375                                                  | $247,504                                                                                |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Depreciation of building                                                                    | 249,566                                                                           | 249,566                                                                                 |
| Amortization of mortgage financing costs                                                    | 85,488                                                                            | 44,907                                                                                  |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                                                |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Additional rent due to/from sublessee                                                       | -0-                                                                               | (974,251)                                                                               |
| Prepaid rent income                                                                         | 10,925                                                                            | -0-                                                                                     |
| Accrued supervisory services                                                                |              -0- |    (853,439)                                                             |
| Accrued mortgage interest                                                                   |     176,312                                                   |               -0- |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                         |  609,666                                                                     |  (1,285,713)                                                                       |
|                                                                                        |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Cash flows from financing activities:                                                       |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Change in receivable from participants                                                      |   (6,470)                                                               |    276,478                                                               |
| Change in restricted cash                                                                   |  (1,513,247)                                                                 | (1,460,967)                                                                             |
| Financing costs                                                                             |  (1,562,371)                                                                 |                                                                                    |                    -0-                                                      |
| Change in other assets                                                                      | (100,000)                                                                         |                                                                                    |                             0- |
| Proceeds of second mortgage                                                                 | 31,500,000                                                                        | -0-                                                                                     |
| Distributions to participants                                                               |  (972,333)                                                                   |  (14,342,877)                                                                      |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                         |  27,345,579                                                                  |  (15,527,366)                                                                      |
|                                                                                        |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                        |   27,955,245                                                            | (16,813,079)                                                                            |
|                                                                                        |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Cash and cash equivalents,                                                                  |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| beginning of period                                                                         |   9,649,212                                                             |   23,161,493                                                                  |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                    | $37,604,457                                                                       | $6,348,414                                                                              |
| Cash paid for:                                                                              |                                                                              |                                                                                    |
| Interest                                                                                    | $1,057,063                                                                        | $994,049                                                                                |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Note A    Interim Period Reporting

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (the “Registrant”) reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Registrant as of March 31, 2009, its results of operations and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.  The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Registrant and its wholly-owned limited liability company, Empire State Land Associates L.L.C.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Information included in the condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 has been derived from the audited balance sheet included in Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the "10-K") previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Pursuant to rules and regulations of the SEC, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted from these consolidated financial statements unless significant changes have taken place since the end of the most recent fiscal year.  Accordingly, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the other information contained in the 10-K.  The consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Note B    Organization

Registrant was originally organized as a general partnership on July 11, 1961. On October 1, 2001, Registrant converted from a general partnership to a limited liability company under New York law and is now known as Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. The conversion did not change any aspect of the assets and operations of Registrant other than to protect its investors from any future liability to a third party.

Registrant's members (“Members”) are Peter L. Malkin, Anthony E. Malkin and Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. (collectively, the "Agents"), each of whom also acts as an agent for holders of participations (“Participations”) in his respective member interest in Registrant (the "Participants"). 

 

Note C    Purchase of Fee Title to The Empire State Building and Land Thereunder, Mortgage Debt, and Related Depreciation and Amortization

On April 17, 2002, Registrant acquired, through  a wholly-owned limited liability company (Empire State Land Associates L.L.C.) the fee title to the building (the “Building”), and the land thereunder (the “Land”) (together, the “Real Estate” or “Property”), at a price of $57,500,000, and obtained a $60,500,000 first mortgage (the “First Mortgage”) with Capital One Bank (formerly “North Fork Bank”) to finance the acquisition and certain related costs. 

 

The Real Estate is carried in the financial statements at its historical cost of $60,484,389, consisting of $57,500,000 for the purchase price paid to the seller, $752,022 for acquisition costs, and $2,232,367 representing the unamortized balance of the cost of the Master Lease on the date the Real Estate was acquired. The cost of the Land was estimated to be 35.63% of the total cost of the Real Estate, and the Building 64.37%. Under the terms of the contract of sale, the deed contains language to avoid the merger of the fee estate and the leasehold, although on a consolidated financial statement basis the Registrant incurred no leasehold rent expense after acquiring the Real Estate.

The First Mortgage is scheduled to mature on May 1, 2012 and requires monthly payments of interest only at 6.5% per annum. The First Mortgage may be prepaid at any time after 24 months with the payment of a premium equal to the greater of (a) 1% of the amount prepaid and (b) an amount calculated pursuant to a prepayment formula designed to preserve the bank’s yield to maturity. The First Mortgage is secured by a lien on the Real Estate and Registrant’s leasehold estate under the Master Lease of the Real Estate.

Restricted cash at March 31, 2009 represents funds in an interest-bearing account held at Capital One Bank pursuant to the terms of the First Mortgage, to be used monthly to satisfy a portion ($166,167) of Registrant’s mortgage interest obligation. On March 25, 2009 Registrant deposited an additional $2,000,000 into this restricted account under the same conditions and will continue to do so annually hereafter.

To finance improvements at the Property and costs of the financing, on February 25, 2009 Registrant borrowed $31,500,000 from Signature Bank (the “Second Mortgage”).  The Second Mortgage is also scheduled to mature on May 1, 2012 and requires monthly payments of interest only at 6.5% per annum.  The Second Mortgage may be prepaid at any time without penalty and is secured by a lien on the Real Estate and Registrant’s leasehold estate under the Master Lease of the Real Estate.

The estimated fair value of Registrant’s mortgage debt, based on available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies, approximated its carrying value at March 31, 2009.

The Building is being depreciated on the straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 39 years. Mortgage financing costs, totaling $3,358,658, are being amortized ratably over the life of the respective mortgages. 

 

Note D Sublease

Registrant does not operate the Building.  It subleases the Building to Empire State Building Company L.L.C. ("Sublessee") pursuant to a net operating sublease (the "Sublease"), which expires on January 4, 2013 and contains three 21-year renewal options.

Sublessee is required to pay annual basic rent ("Basic Rent") of $6,018,750 from January 1, 1992 through January 4, 2013 and $5,895,625 from January 5, 2013 through the expiration of all renewal terms. Sublessee is also required to pay Registrant additional rent of 50% of Sublessee's net operating profit, as defined in the Sublease, in excess of $1,000,000 for each lease year ending December 31 (“Additional Rent”).

In accordance with the 2nd lease modification dated February 25, 2009, Basic Rent described above has been increased to cover debt service as of February 25, 2009 on the $31,500,000 Second Mortgage that closed on February 25, 2009.  Basic Rent will be increased to cover debt service on any additional borrowings for improvements and tenanting costs and on any refinancing of such debt so long as the aggregate amount refinanced does not exceed the then existing amount of debt plus refinancing costs.  

Additional Rent and other accumulated interest and dividend income are distributed annually after deduction for any additional payment described in Note E below, set-aside of $2,000,000 to satisfy a portion of Registrant’s First Mortgage interest obligation and additions to reserves management judges to be suitable under the circumstances.  For 2008, Sublessee reported net operating profit of $8,018,768; therefore, Additional Rent of $3,509,384 was earned for the year ended December 31, 2008. Since it is not practicable to estimate Additional Rent for the lease year ending on the ensuing December 31st which would be allocable to the first three months of the lease yearuntil Sublessee, pursuant to the Sublease, renders to Registrant a report on the operation of the Property, Registrant recognizes Additional Rent when earned from the Sublessee at the close of the lease year ending December 31st. The cost of improvements to be incurred by the Sublessee will reduce Additional Rent but should have no effect on the payment of Basic Rent to Registrant.

Sublessee is a New York limited liability company in which Peter L. Malkin is a member and entities for Peter L. Malkin’s family members are beneficial owners.

 

Note E Supervisory Services

Supervisory and other services are provided to the Registrant by its supervisor, Wien & Malkin LLC (“Wien & Malkin” or “Supervisor”), a related party. Beneficial interests in the Registrant are held directly or indirectly by one or more persons at Wien & Malkin and/or their family members.

Registrant pays Supervisor for supervisory services and disbursements. The supervisory fees are $159,417 per annum (the "Basic Payment"). 

The supervisory services provided to Registrant by Supervisor include, but are not limited to, maintaining all of its entity and Participant records, performing physical inspections of the Building, providing or coordinating certain counsel services to Registrant, review­ing insurance coverage, conducting annual supervisory review meetings, receipt of monthly rent from Sublessee, payment of monthly and additional distributions to the Participants, payment of all other disbursements, confirmation of the payment of real estate taxes, and active review of financial statements submitted to Registrant by Sublessee and financial statements audited by and tax information prepared by Registrant's independent registered public accounting firm, and distribution of related materials to the Participants.  Supervisor also prepares quarterly, annual and other periodic filings with the SEC and applicable state authorities. 

 

Registrant pays Supervisor for other services at hourly rates.

Pursuant to the fee arrangements described herein, Registrant incurred supervisory service fees of $39,854 attributable to the Basic Payment for supervisory services for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. No remuneration was paid during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 by Registrant to any of the Members as such.

Supervisor also receives an additional payment equal to 6% of distributions to the Participants in Registrant. For tax purposes, such additional payment is recognized as a profits interest and the Supervisor is treated as a member, all without modifying each Participant’s distributive share of reportable income and cash distributions. 

Reference is made to Note D above for a description of the terms of the Sublease between Registrant and Sublessee.  The respective interests of the Members in Registrant and in Sublessee arise solely from ownership of their respective Participations in Registrant and, in the case of Peter L. Malkin, his family entities' ownership of member interests in Sublessee.  The Members as such receive no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis with all other Participants in Registrant or members in Sublessee.  However, all of the Members hold senior positions at Supervisor (which supervises Registrant and Sublessee) and may, by reason of their positions at Supervisor, receive income attributable to supervisory or other remuneration paid by Registrant to Supervisor.

Note G Litigation 

As explained in Note 10 in the 10-K and in Part II – Item 1. Legal Proceedings herein, Wien & Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, a member in Registrant, were engaged in a proceeding with Sublessee’s former managing agent, Helmsley-Spear, Inc. commenced in 1997, concerning the management, leasing, and supervision of the property that is subject to the Sublease to Sublessee.  In this connection, certain costs for legal and professional fees and other expenses were paid by Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin.  Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin have represented that such costs will be recovered only to the extent that (a) a competent tribunal authorizes payment or (b) an investor voluntarily agrees that his or her proportionate share be paid.  Accordingly, Registrant’s allocable share of such costs is as yet undetermined, and Registrant has not provided for the expense and related liability with respect to such costs in these consolidated financial statements.  As a result of an August 29, 2006 settlement agreement which included termination of this proceeding, the Registrant will not recognize any gains or losses from this proceeding other than the possible charges for the aforementioned fees and expenses.

The August 29, 2006 settlement agreement terminated Helmsley-Spear, Inc. as managing and leasing agent at the Property as of August 30, 2006.  CB Richard Ellis was engaged by the Sublessee as the new leasing agent, and Sublessee self-manages the Property. 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

Readers of this discussion are advised that it should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements of Registrant (including related notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Certain statements in this discussion may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect Registrant’s current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of Registrant, and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Registrant has tried, wherever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning.

Although Registrant believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect demand for rental space, the availability of prospective tenants, lease rents and the availability of financing; adverse changes in Registrant’s real estate market, including, among other things, competition with other real estate owners, risks of real estate development and acquisitions; governmental actions and initiatives; and environmental/safety requirements.

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

At the time of its organization, Registrant acquired the Master Lease of the Property subject to the Sublease.  Basic Rent received by Registrant was used to pay annual rent due under the Master Lease and the Basic Payment for supervisory services to Supervisor; the balance of such Basic Rent was distributed to the Participants.  Currently, Basic Rent received by Registrant is used to pay the Basic Payment and a portion of debt service on the Mortgage; the balance of such Basic Rent is distributed to the Participants.  Additional Rent and any interest and dividends accumulated thereon less any addition to reserves are distributed to the Participants after the additional payment to Supervisor.  See Note D to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein.  Pursuant to the Sublease, Sublessee has assumed responsibility for the condition, operation, repair, maintenance and management of the Property.  Registrant is not required to maintain liquid assets to defray any operating ex­penses of the Property.

Registrant does not pay dividends.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, Registrant made regular monthly distributions of $98.21 for each $10,000 Par­ticipation ($1,178.52 per annum for each $10,000 Participation).  There are no restrictions on Registrant’s present or future ability to make distributions; however, the amount of such distributions, particularly distributions of Additional Rent, depends solely on the ability of Sublessee to make payments of Basic Rent and Additional Rent to Registrant in accordance with the terms of the Sublease.  Registrant expects to make distributions in the future to the extent it receives the payments provided for under the Sublease.

During March 2009 Registrant made no additional distribution of Additional Rent received for the year ending December 31, 2008 to Participants. Additional Rent of $3,509,384 was applied to Registrant’s mortgage interest obligation and the balance of $1,509,384 as an addition to reserves. See Notes D and E to the condensed financial statements herein; and see below in “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Distributions” regarding Registrant’s anticipated inability to pay additional distributions during next several years.

 

On March 6, 2008, Registrant made an additional distribution of $4,052 for each $10,000 Participation. Such distribution represented the balance of Additional Rent paid by Sublessee in accordance with the terms of the Sublease after deducting the Additional Payment to Supervisor, the $2,000,000 set-aside to satisfy a portion of Registrant’s mortgage interest obligation, a reserve for contingencies and annual New York State Limited Liability Company filing fees. 

Registrant’s results of operations are affected primarily by the amount of rent payable to it under the Sublease.  The amount of Additional Rent payable to Registrant is affected by the New York City economy and real estate rental and tourist attraction markets, which are difficult for management to forecast, and by the amount of unfinanced improvements undertaken at the Property.  The following summarizes, with respect to the current period and the corresponding period of the previous year, the material factors regarding Registrant's results of operations for such periods:

Total revenues increased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared with the corresponding period of the prior year. The increase was the net result of an increase in Basic Rent income to cover an increase in debt serviceand a decrease in dividend and interest income during the current period as compared with the corresponding period of the prior year. 

Total expenses increased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared with the corresponding period of the prior year.  The increase was the result of an increase in interest expense and amortization of mortgage financing costs relating to the Second Mortgage during the current period as compared with the corresponding period of the prior year. 

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Distributions

Registrant’s liquidity has increased as of March 31, 2009, as compared with March 31, 2008 due to the Second Mortgage proceeds and Registrant’s increased cash balance maintained for contingencies. Recent adverse developments in credit and investment markets have impaired liquidity in the market in general and may negatively impact Registrant and/or space tenants at the Building.  Any such impact should be ameliorated by the fact that (a) each of Registrant and its Sublessee has very low debt in relation to asset value, (b) the maturity of Registrant’s existing and planned debt will not occur within the next 36 months, and (c) the Building’s rental revenue is derived from a substantial number of tenants in diverse businesses with lease termination dates spread over numerous years.    

 

No amortization payments are due under the mortgages to reduce the outstanding principal balance prior to maturity. Furthermore, Registrant does not maintain any reserve to cover the principal payment of mortgage indebtedness at maturity.  Therefore, repayment of the mortgages will depend on Registrant’s ability to arrange a refinancing.  Assuming that the Property continues to generate an annual net profit in future years comparable to that in past years, and assuming further that real estate capital and operating markets return to more stable patterns consistent with long-term historic trends in the geographic area in which the Property is located, Registrant anticipates that the value of the Property will be in excess of the amount of the mortgage balances at maturity. 

Registrant anticipates that funds for working capital for the Real Estate will be provided from rental payments received by Sublessee, which entity is required under the Sublease to make payments of Basic Rent and, subject to cash flow, Additional Rent.  Sublessee would also be required to make additional capital investment, if necessary to maintain the Property and/or pay the Rent as required under the Sublease.  Registrant has no requirement to maintain substantial reserves to defray any operating expenses of the Real Estate. 

Registrant has the following contractual obligations:

|                            |
|----------------------------|
| **Payments due by period** |

|                                                                         |                                                                                                               |                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Contractual Obligations**                                             | **Total**                                                                                                     | **Less than1 year**                                                                                       | **1-3 years**                                                                                                         | **3-5 years**                                                                                                         | **More than5 years**                                                                                                  |
| Long-Term Debt Obligations                                              |  

$92,000,000                                                                                           |  

$0                                                                                                |  

$0                                                                                                            |  

$92,000,000                                                                                                   |  

$0                                                                                                            |
| Interest Obligations                                                    | 18,720,724                                                                                                    | 6,063,056                                                                                                 | 12,142,723                                                                                                            | 514,945                                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                                     |
| Capital Lease Obligations                                               | 0                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                         | 0                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     |
| Purchase Obligations                                                    | 0                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                         | 0                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     |
| Other Long-Term Liabilities Reflected on the Registrant's Balance Sheet |                   0 |  

                0 |  

                  0 |  

                  0 |  

                  0 |
| Total                                                                   | $110,720,724                                                                                                  | $6,063,056                                                                                                | $12,142,723                                                                                                           | $92,514,945                                                                                                           |               $  0                         |

Sublessee is to maintain the Building as a high-class office building as required by the terms of the Sublease.  

Based on Sublessee’s review of the need for upgrades and improvements to the Property, Sublessee has incurred improvement costs of approximately $2,000,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Sublessee estimates that the total cost of all projects will be approximately $625,000,000 over 10 years, including sprinklering of the building of approximately $30,000,000 required by Local Law #26. 

 

The Sublessee has not achieved its own required internal approvals for such financing beyond approximately $71,500,000 and now anticipates that its operating cash flow will thus continue to be dedicated largely to the ongoing improvement costs, greatly reducing or eliminating both (a) Sublessee’s payment of Additional Rent and (b) Registrant’s ability to make extra distributions to Participants.  

As a result, Registrant has advised Participants that, in 2009 and possibly in subsequent years, it expects to make no distributions other than regular monthly distributions at the rate of $1,178.52 per annum for each $10,000 Participation.  As noted above in “Forward Looking Statements,” the foregoing is based on estimates, and actual results may be materially different.    

Inflation

Registrant believes that there has been no material change in the impact of inflation on its operations since the filing of the 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Security Ownership

As of March 31, 2009, the Members of Registrant owned of record and beneficially an aggregate of $23,334 of Participations in Registrant, representing less than .071% of the currently outstanding Participations therein totaling $33,000,000.

As of March 31, 2009, certain of the Members of Registrant held additional Participations as follows:

Entities for the benefit of members of Peter L. Malkin's family owned of record and beneficially $978,749 of Participations. Peter L. Malkin disclaims any 

beneficial ownership of such Participations, except that related trusts are required to complete scheduled payments to Peter L. Malkin.

Peter L. Malkin owned of record as trustee or co-trustee, but not beneficially, $516,667 of Participations.  Peter L. Malkin disclaims any beneficial ownership of such Participations.

Anthony E. Malkin owned of record as trustee or co-trustee, but not beneficially, $35,833 of Participations.  Anthony E. Malkin disclaims any beneficial ownership of such Participations.

Trusts for the benefit of members of Anthony E. Malkin's family owned of record and beneficially $50,000 of Participations. Anthony E. Malkin disclaims any 

beneficial ownership of such Participations.

 Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. owned of record as trustee $17,709 of Participations for the benefit of himself and/or members of his family.  

 

Members of Thomas N. Keltner, Jr.’s family owned of record and beneficially $6,667 of Participations. 

Item 4T. 

Controls and Procedures.

(a)

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Supervisor after evaluating the effectiveness of Registrant’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2009, the end of the period covered by this report, has concluded that as of that date that Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to Registrant would be made known to him by others within those entities on a timely basis. 

(b)

Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

 

The Property of Registrant was the subject of the following material litigation: 

Wien & Malkin LLC and Peter L. Malkin, a member in Registrant, were engaged in a proceeding with Sublessee’s former managing agent, Helmsley-Spear, Inc. commenced in 1997, concerning the management, leasing and supervision of the property that is subject to the Sublease to Sublessee.  In this connection, certain costs for legal and professional fees and other expenses were paid by Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin.  Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin have represented that such costs will be recovered only to the extent that (a) a competent tribunal authorizes payment or (b) an investor voluntarily agrees that his or her proportionate share be paid.  Accordingly, Registrant’s allocable share of such costs is as yet undetermined, and Registrant has not provided for the expense and related liability with respect to such costs in its consolidated financial statements. As a result of an August 29, 2006 settlement agreement which included termination of this proceeding, Registrant will not recognize any gains or losses from this proceeding other than the possible charges for the aforementioned fees and expenses.

The August 29, 2006 settlement agreement terminated Helmsley-Spear, Inc. as managing and leasing agent at the Property as of August 30, 2006.  CB Richard Ellis was engaged by the Sublessee as the new leasing agent, and Sublessee self-manages the Property. 

Item 6.

Exhibits 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

|        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |        |
|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| Number | Document                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Page*  |
| 3(a)   | Attached hereto as Exhibit 3(c) is Registrant's Consent and Operating Agreement dated as of September 30, 2001 as a Limited Liability Company, which incorporates by reference the Registrant’s prior Partnership Agreement dated July 11, 1961, filed as Exhibit No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 as amended (the "Registration Statement") by letter dated August 8, 1962 and assigned File No. 2-18741 and, is itself incorporated by reference as an exhibit hereto. |   |
| 3(b)   | Amended Business Certificate of Registrant filed with the Clerk of New York County on August 19, 1996 reflecting a change in the Partners of Registrant which was filed as Exhibit 3(b) to Registrant's Annual Report on 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and is incorporated by reference as an exhibit hereto.                                                                                                                                                                      |   |
| 3(c)   | Registrant’s Consent and Operating Agreement dated as of September 30, 2001                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |   |
| 3(d)   | Certificate of Conversion of Registrant to a limited liability company dated October 1, 2001 filed with the New York Secretary of State on October 3, 2001.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |   |
| 4      | Registrant's form of Participating Agreement, filed as Exhibit No. 6 to the Registration Statement by letter dated August 8, 1962 and assigned  File No. 2-18741, is incorporated by reference as an exhibit hereto.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |   |
|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |        |

 

|           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |        |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| 10(d)

24 | Second Modification of Lease Agreement,

dated February 25, 2009, which is being filed under Item 10(d) of Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Powers of Attorney dated October 13, 2003  between the Partners of Registrant and Mark Labell which is filed as Exhibit 24 to Registrant's 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 and is incorporated herein by reference. |   |
| 31.1      | Certification of Mark Labell, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |   |
| 31.2      | Certification of Mark Labell, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |   |
| 32.1      | Certification of Mark Labell, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |
| 32.2      | Certification of Mark Labell, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |

___________________________________________________________

* Page references are based on sequential numbering system.

 

SIGNATURES 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.  

The individual signing this report on behalf of Registrant is Attorney-in-Fact for Registrant and each of the Members in Registrant, pursuant to Powers of Attorney, dated October 13, 2003 (collectively, the “Power”).  

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ASSOCIATES L.L.C.

(Registrant)

By:  

/s/ Mark Labell

Mark Labell, Attorney-in-Fact*

Date: August 6, 2009

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the under­signed as Attorney-in-Fact for each of the Members in Registrant, pursuant to the Power, on behalf of Registrant on the date indicated.  

By:

/s/ Mark Labell

Mark Labell, Attorney-in-Fact*

Date: August 6, 2009

___________________________________________________________________________

*Mr. Labell supervises accounting functions for Registrant.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

**Exhibit 31.1**

**CERTIFICATIONS**

I, Mark Labell, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Registrant and we have:

(a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c)

disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The Registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: August 6, 2009

By /s/ Mark Labell 

Name: Mark Labell 

Title: Senior Vice President, Finance 

Wien & Malkin LLC, Supervisor of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.    

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

**Exhibit 31.2**

**CERTIFICATIONS**

I, Mark Labell, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Registrant and we have:

(a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c)

disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The Registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: August 6, 2009

By /s/ Mark Labell 

Name: Mark Labell  

Title: Senior Vice President, Finance

Wien & Malkin LLC, Supervisor of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.  

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

**Exhibit 32.1**

**Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.**

**Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350 as adopted**

**Pursuant to Section 906**

**of Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002**

The undersigned, Mark Labell, is signing this Chief Executive Officer certification as Senior Vice President, Finance of Wien & Malkin LLC, the supervisor* of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (“Registrant”) to certify that:

1.

the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Registrant for the period ended March 31, 2009 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934(15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

2.

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Registrant.

Dated: August 6, 2009

By /s/ Mark Labell

Mark Labell  

Senior Vice President, Finance

Wien & Malkin LLC, Supervisor 

*Registrant’s organizational documents do not provide for a Chief Executive Officer or other officer with equivalent rights and duties. As described in the Report, Registrant is a limited liability company which is supervised by Wien & Malkin LLC. Accordingly, this Chief Executive Officer certification is being signed by a senior executive of Registrant’s supervisor. 

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

March 31, 2009

**Exhibit 32.2**

**Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.**

**Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350 as adopted**

**Pursuant to Section 906**

**of Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002**

The undersigned, Mark Labell, is signing this Chief Financial Officer certification as a senior member of the financial/accounting staff of Wien & Malkin LLC, the supervisor* of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. (“Registrant”), to certify that:

1.

the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Registrant for the period ended March 31, 2009 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934(15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

2.

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Registrant.

Dated: August 6, 2009

By /s/ Mark Labell 

Mark Labell 

Senior Vice President, Finance

Wien & Malkin LLC, Supervisor

*Registrant’s organizational documents do not provide for a Chief Financial Officer or other officer with equivalent rights and duties.  As described in the Report, Registrant is a limited liability company which is supervised by Wien & Malkin LLC.  Accordingly, this Chief Financial Officer certification is being signed by a senior member of the financial/accounting staff of Registrant’s supervisor.