EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1042776
Filing Year: 2023
Filename: 1042776_10-K_2023_0001042776-23-000063.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (“Piedmont," "we," "our," or "us") (NYSE: PDM) is a Maryland corporation that operates in a manner so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes and engages in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, and operation of high-quality, Class A office properties located primarily in major U.S. Sunbelt markets. Piedmont was incorporated in 1997 and commenced operations in 1998. Piedmont conducts business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Piedmont Operating Partnership, L.P. (“Piedmont OP”), a Delaware limited partnership. Piedmont OP owns properties directly, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, and through various joint ventures which it controls. References to Piedmont herein shall include Piedmont and all of its subsidiaries, including Piedmont OP and its subsidiaries and joint ventures.
Operating Objectives and Strategy
As of December 31, 2022, we owned and operated 51 in-service office properties comprised of approximately 16.7 million square feet of primarily Class A office space which were 86.7% leased. Additionally, we have one redevelopment asset comprising 127,000 square feet in Orlando, Florida. Collectively, over two-thirds of our ALR is generated from our properties located in our Sunbelt markets. We lease space to a mixture of corporate tenants from multiple industries, and our average lease size is approximately 15,000 square feet with an average lease term remaining of approximately six years. Our diversified tenant base is primarily comprised of investment grade or nationally recognized corporations or governmental agencies, with the majority of our ALR derived from such tenants. No tenant accounts for more than 5% of our ALR.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with local management offices in each of our markets, Piedmont values operational excellence and is a leading participant among REITs based on the number of buildings owned and managed with Building Owners and Managers Association ("BOMA") 360 designations. BOMA 360 is a program that evaluates a building's operations and management and benchmarks its performance against industry standards. As of December 31, 2022, properties representing approximately 95% of our portfolio (based on square footage) had achieved such a designation, recognizing excellence in building operations and management. Our focus on operational excellence, fostering long-term relationships with our high-credit quality, diverse tenant base, and maintaining our portfolio of modern, amenity-rich properties, has resulted in an approximate 67% tenant retention rate over the past ten years.
In addition to operational excellence, we also focus on environmental sustainability initiatives at our properties as further detailed below. During 2022, we were named an Energy Star Partner of the Year for the second year in a row, as well as being selected as a 2022 Green Lease Leader by the Institute for Market Transformation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Alliance. Approximately half of our portfolio (based on square footage) has achieved and maintains Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ("LEED") certification and the entire portfolio has been awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute ("IWBI").
Our primary operating objectives are to maximize the risk-adjusted return to our stockholders by increasing cash flow from operations, by achieving sustainable growth in funds from operations, and by growing net asset value as a result of long-term capital appreciation. The strategies we employ to achieve these objectives include:
Recycling Capital Efficiently
We use our proven, disciplined capital recycling capabilities to maximize total return to our stockholders by selectively disposing of non-core assets and assets for which we believe full value potential during our ownership has been achieved, and redeploying the proceeds from those dispositions into new investment opportunities with higher overall return prospects. Our investment strategy focuses on attractively priced, high quality, Class A office properties located in Sunbelt markets that we have identified based on their positive economic and demographic growth trends, strong amenity base, desired location for large corporate users, above-average job and rental rate growth, proximity to robust housing options, market-leading transportation access and infrastructure, and where we can build a significant market presence. We generally look to acquire properties that complement our existing portfolio in such a manner that efficiencies can be gained and our market expertise can be maximized. Further, from time to time we may also selectively enter into strategic joint ventures with third parties to acquire, develop, redevelop or dispose of properties, thereby potentially reducing the amount of our capital required to make investments, diversifying our sources of capital, enabling us to creatively acquire and control targeted properties, or allowing us to reduce our investment concentration in certain properties and/or markets without disrupting our operating performance or local operating capabilities.
Proactive Asset and Property Management, Leasing Capabilities, and Management of Portfolio Risk
Our proactive approach to asset and property management encompasses a number of strategies designed to maximize occupancy and rental rates while following leading environmentally-conscious business practices and also meeting or exceeding the needs of today's discerning tenants. Such strategies include:
•maintaining local management offices in markets where we have a significant presence;
•offering, or being located near, superior amenities that help our tenants attract and retain their employees;
•maintaining our high quality properties in an environmentally-friendly manner;
•renovating our buildings to maintain their modern appearance and superior operating condition;
•building and cultivating our relationships with commercial real estate executives;
•using creative leasing approaches such as early extensions, lease wrap-arounds and restructurings; and
•utilizing a national buying platform for property management support services to ensure optimal pricing, as well as to consistently implement best practices and achieve sustainability standards.
We manage portfolio risk by:
•owning Class A office properties which are among the most desirable in their respective office sub-markets;
•focusing our portfolio primarily in high growth Sunbelt markets;
•ensuring that our tenants are credit-worthy and represent a broad spectrum of industry types with lease expirations that are laddered over many years;
•maintaining a low leverage structure, utilizing primarily unsecured financing facilities with laddered maturities;
•structuring lease expirations to avoid having multiple leases expire in the same market in a relatively short period of time;
•using our experience to meet the specialized requirements of federal, state and local government agency tenants; and
•utilizing our purchasing power and market knowledge to reduce property operating costs.
Financing Strategy
We employ a conservative leverage strategy by maintaining a targeted debt-to-gross assets ratio of between 30% to 40%, and a targeted debt to EBITDA of low 6x or below. To effectively manage our long-term leverage strategy, we continue to analyze various sources of debt capital to prudently ladder debt maturities and to determine which sources will be the most beneficial to our investment strategy at any particular time.
Redevelopment and Repositioning of Properties
As circumstances warrant, we may redevelop or reposition properties within our portfolio, including the creation of additional amenities for our tenants to increase tenant satisfaction, occupancy, and rental rates and thereby improve returns on our invested capital, as well as to maintain and enhance the competitive positioning of our properties in their respective marketplaces.
Operating our Properties in an Environmentally Responsible Manner
We strive to own and manage workplaces that are environmentally conscious, productive, and healthy for our tenants, employees, and local communities by:
•empowering our property teams with the data and tools they need to sustainably manage their buildings
•leveraging industry partnerships with BOMA, Energy Star, the U.S. Green Building Council, and GRESB, to verify and advance the environmental performance of our assets;
•implementing programs that continually improve our environmental performance and manage our climate change risk;
•setting performance targets that demonstrate our commitment to sustainable practices; and
•renovating our properties to reduce operating costs, meet recognized sustainable development standards, and reduce our environmental impact.
To combat the increasing cost of electricity, natural gas, off-site energy sources, water rates, and insurance rates at our properties and to mitigate the transitional and physical risks associated with climate change (See Item 1A. Risk Factors which follow), we have set goals to reduce property energy and water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and improve landfill diversion rates. To reduce the risk that increasing stringent building and energy codes could increase construction, capital, and maintenance costs, we continue to update our buildings with energy efficient equipment to stay ahead of anticipated future code
changes in both landlord and tenant-controlled spaces. We also closely engage with our tenants regarding our environmental initiatives and encourage them to partner with us to reduce energy use within their leased spaces. Additionally, we periodically incorporate the issuance of green bonds to acquire, develop, redevelop, and renovate buildings to reduce operating costs, meet recognized sustainable development standards, and reduce our environmental impact. As our environmental programs have been ongoing for several years under the coordinated supervision of our National Vice President of Sustainability, we currently do not anticipate incurring any unusually large or material capital expenditures within any given year in order to meet these goals.
Further details concerning Piedmont's environmental and climate risk management strategy and programs can be found in our annual ESG report located on our website, www.piedmontreit.com under the "ESG" section. The information contained on our website is not incorporated herein by reference.
Human Capital and Social Involvement
As of December 31, 2022, we had 149 employees, with approximately one-third of our employees working in our corporate office located in Atlanta, Georgia. Our remaining employees work in local management offices located in each of the office markets we serve. These employees are involved in acquiring, developing, redeveloping, leasing, and managing our portfolio of properties. We outsource various functions where cost efficiencies can be achieved, such as certain areas of information technology, construction, building engineering, and leasing. Approximately two-thirds of our workforce are salaried, with the remainder compensated on an hourly basis.
We are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce that fosters skilled and motivated people working together to deliver results in support of our core business values. We encourage all employees, tenants, and vendors to mutually respect one another's diversity in order to maintain a cohesive work environment that values fairness and equal treatment. During 2022, we continued our training programs for our employees, managers, and contractors including professional training on workplace harassment and cybersecurity. In addition, employees and managers received diversity, communication, ethics, and safety training. Select managers also received individual management development. We intend to provide an environment that is equitable, unbiased, pleasant, diverse, healthy, comfortable, and free from intimidation, hostilities, or other offenses that might interfere with work performance. We apply this policy to all of our employees, suppliers, and vendors, regardless of their geographic location.
The Piedmont Wayne Woody ("PWW") Foundation, which was established in memory of our first independent Chairman of the Board, W. Wayne Woody, distributes charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations that fit our charitable giving criteria, demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability, and are not discriminatory or political. The PWW Foundation, in partnership with two Historically Black Colleges and Universities, also provides funding for the Piedmont Office Realty Trust Scholarship Program which provides renewable, need-based, scholastic support to selected students interested in pursuing a career related to the real estate industry.
In addition to financial contributions through the PWW Foundation, we recognize the value and benefit of employee volunteerism and fully appreciate its positive impact on the community, our employees, and ultimately, our company culture by promoting team building, collaboration, and unity. Our employees have partnered together to donate thousands of dollars and hours annually to numerous organizations.
Further details concerning our workforce and social and community involvement initiatives can be found in our annual ESG report located on our website, www.piedmontreit.com under the "ESG" section. The information contained on our website is not incorporated herein by reference.
Cyber Risk Oversight
The Audit Committee of the board of directors, comprised of three independent members, all of whom have information security experience, oversees our management of cyber risk and is briefed quarterly on information technology and information security matters. Any significant issues identified would be reported to the board on a quarterly basis as well. Certain members of the board of directors also have significant cyber security experience. Although we have never experienced an information security breach or incurred any expenses related to an information security breach, we take a proactive approach to managing information security risk. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we engaged an external accounting firm to update our Information Technology Cybersecurity Risk Assessment. The results of the assessment were reported to the Audit Committee and the board of directors. Additionally, an annual audit focusing on entity-level, application and information technology general computer controls is performed by an external audit firm. Vulnerability and penetration tests are also performed annually by a third party. We have an information security training and compliance program, in which all employees are
required to participate on a formal basis at least annually, with cybersecurity updates, notices, reminders, and simulated cyber-attacks emailed to all employees bi-weekly. Piedmont carries an information security risk insurance policy.
Competition
We compete for tenants for our high-quality assets by fostering strong tenant relationships and by providing quality customer service including: leasing, asset management, property management, and construction management services. In each market where we operate, we also face significant competition for attractive investment opportunities from a large number of other real estate investors, including investors with significant capital resources such as domestic and foreign corporations and financial institutions, other publicly traded and privately held REITs, private institutional investment funds, investment banking firms, life insurance companies and pension funds. We do not face, however, the same competitors in every market. This competition, along with market-specific vacancy rates and the condition of available, leasable square footage, affects the rental rates and concessions that we negotiate with our tenants. Our competitors, along with these other market factors, also influence the price we pay to acquire properties, and the proceeds we receive when we dispose of a building.
Government Regulations
All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) for example, places of public accommodation must meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. We may incur substantial costs to comply with the ADA or any other legislation. Noncompliance with ADA could result in the imposition of fines by the federal government or the award of damages to private litigants.
Furthermore, under various federal, state, and local environmental laws, ordinances, and regulations, we may be liable for the cost to remove or remediate hazardous or toxic substances, wastes, or petroleum products on, under, from, or in such property. These costs, and the costs of compliance with these laws, ordinances and regulations, could be substantial and liability under these laws may attach whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such contamination. Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on tenants, owners, or operators for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. The presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly remediate these substances, may hinder our ability to sell, rent, or pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings.
While we believe that we are currently in material compliance with these laws and regulatory requirements, compliance with new laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws by agencies or the courts may require us to incur material expenditures or may impose additional liabilities on us, including environmental liabilities. In addition, there are various local, state, and federal fire, health, life-safety, and similar regulations with which we may be required to comply, and which may subject us to liability in the form of fines or damages for noncompliance. If we were required to make significant expenditures under applicable regulations, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay distributions could be adversely affected. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for further discussion of the risks associated with compliance with regulations and environmental concerns.
Segment Information
As of December 31, 2022, our reportable segments were determined geographically based on the markets in which we have significant investments. We consider geographic location when evaluating our portfolio composition and in assessing the ongoing operations and performance of our properties. See Note 16, Segment Information, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Concentration of Credit Risk
We are dependent upon the ability of our current tenants to pay their contractual rent amounts as the rents become due. The inability of a tenant to pay future rental amounts would have a negative impact on our results of operations. As of December 31, 2022, our tenants come from broadly diversified industry sectors and no individual tenant represented more than 5% of our ALR.
Other Matters
We have contracts with various governmental agencies, exclusively in the form of operating leases in buildings we own. See Item 1A. Risk Factors which follow for further discussion of the risks associated with these contracts.
Information Regarding Disclosures Presented
ALR is calculated by multiplying (i) current rental payments (defined as base rent plus operating expense reimbursements, if payable by the tenant on a monthly basis under the terms of a lease that has been executed, but excluding (a) rental abatements and (b) rental payments related to executed but not commenced leases for space that was covered by an existing lease), by (ii) 12. In instances in which contractual rents or operating expense reimbursements are collected on an annual, semi-annual, or quarterly basis, such amounts are multiplied by a factor of 1, 2, or 4, respectively, to calculate the annualized figure. For leases that have been executed but not commenced relating to unleased space, ALR is calculated by multiplying (i) the monthly base rental payment (excluding abatements) plus any operating expense reimbursements for the initial month of the lease term, by (ii) 12. Unless stated otherwise, this measure excludes revenues associated with development properties and properties taken out of service for redevelopment, if any.
Website Address
Access to copies of each of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including any amendments to such filings, may be obtained free of charge from the following website, www.piedmontreit.com, or directly from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These filings are available promptly after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information contained on our website or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risks detailed below are not the only risks facing us. Please be aware that additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could also materially harm our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition, impair our future prospects, negatively affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders or cause the price of our common stock to decline. You should also refer to the other information contained in our periodic reports, including the Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a further discussion of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions relating to our business.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
Economic, regulatory, socio-economic or technology changes that impact the real estate market generally, or that could affect patterns of use of commercial office space, may cause our operating results to suffer and decrease the value of our real estate properties.
The investment returns available from equity investments in real estate depend on the amount of income earned and capital appreciation generated by the properties, as well as the expenses incurred in connection with the properties. If our properties do not generate income sufficient to meet operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, then our ability to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected. In addition, there are significant expenditures associated with an investment in real estate (such as debt payments, real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs) that generally do not decline when circumstances reduce the income from the property. The following factors, among others, may adversely affect the operating performance and long- or short-term value of our properties:
•changes in the national, regional, or local economic climate, particularly in markets in which we have a concentration of properties;
•local office market conditions such as employment rates and changes in the supply of, or demand for, space in properties similar to those that we own within a particular area;
•changes in the patterns of office or parking garage use due to work-from-home arrangements, or remote work technology (e.g. Metaverse, Zoom, etc) becoming more prevalent or other changes that reduce the demand for office workers or parking spaces generally;
•increased demand for "co-working", open workspaces, or sharing of office space with other companies;
•increased supply of office space due to the conversion of other asset classes such as shopping malls and other retail establishments to office space;
•the attractiveness of our properties to potential tenants and competition from other available properties;
•changes in interest rates and availability of permanent financing sources that may render the sale of a property difficult or unattractive or otherwise reduce returns to stockholders;
•changes in market rental rates and related concessions granted to tenants, including free rent and tenant improvement allowances;
•the financial stability of our tenants or groups of tenants in specific industry sectors (such as the oil and gas, hospitality, travel, retail, and co-working sectors), including bankruptcies, financial difficulties, or lease defaults by our tenants;
•the inability to finance property development or acquisitions on favorable terms;
•changes in operating costs and expenses, including costs for maintenance, insurance, and real estate taxes, and our inability to timely adjust rents in light of such changes;
•the need to periodically fund the costs to repair, renovate, and re-let space;
•earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorist acts or acts of war, any of which may result in uninsured or under-insured losses;
•health crises such as the spread of communicable diseases and governmental or private measures taken to combat such health crises;
•changes in, or increased costs of compliance with, governmental regulations, including those governing usage, zoning, the environment, and taxes; and
•significant changes in accounting standards and tax laws.
In addition, periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates, or declining demand for real estate could result in a general decrease in rents or an increased occurrence of defaults under existing leases, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Any of the above factors may prevent us from generating sufficient cash flow to operate our business, make distributions to our stockholders, or maintain the value of our real estate properties.
We face considerable competition in the leasing market and may be unable to renew existing leases or re-let space on terms similar to the existing leases, or we may expend significant capital in our efforts to re-let space.
Every year, we compete with a number of other developers, owners, and operators of office and office-oriented, mixed-use properties to renew leases with our existing tenants and to attract new tenants. The competition for credit worthy corporate tenants is intense, and we may have difficulty competing, especially with competitors who have purchased properties at discounted prices allowing them to offer space at reduced rental rates, or those that have the ability to offer superior amenities or more flexible leasing terms. If our competitors offer office accommodations at rental rates below current market rates or below the rental rates we currently charge our tenants, we may lose potential tenants, and we may be pressured to reduce our rental rates below those we currently charge in order to retain tenants upon expiration of their existing leases. Even if our tenants renew their leases or we are able to re-let the space to new tenants, the terms and other costs of renewal or re-letting, including the cost of required renovations or additional amenities, increased tenant improvement allowances, leasing commissions, declining rental rates, and other potential concessions, may be less favorable than the terms of our current leases or require significant capital outlays. If we are unable to renew leases or re-let space in a reasonable time, or if rental rates decline or tenant improvements, leasing commissions, or other costs increase, our financial condition, operating results, or cash flows could be adversely affected.
Our rental revenues will be significantly influenced by the conditions of the office market in general and of the specific markets in which we operate.
Because our portfolio consists exclusively of office properties, we are subject to risks inherent in investments in a single property type. This concentration exposes us to the risk of economic downturns in the office sector to a greater extent than if our portfolio also included other sectors of the real estate industry. Collectively, over two-thirds of our ALR is generated from our properties located in our Sunbelt markets as of December 31, 2022. As a result, we are particularly susceptible to adverse market conditions in these markets, including any reduction in demand for office properties, industry slowdowns, civil unrest, natural disasters, governmental cut backs, relocation of businesses, business layoffs or downsizing, and changing demographics. Our operations may also be affected if competing properties are built in any of these markets. Adverse economic or real estate developments in these markets, or in any of the other markets in which we operate, or any decrease in demand for office space resulting from the local or national government and business climates or changing office market trends, could adversely affect our rental revenues and operating results, and the value of our properties.
We may be adversely affected by trends in the office real estate industry.
Businesses have increasingly implemented remote work and flexible work arrangements. There has also been a trend of businesses utilizing open workspaces and “co-working” spaces. These practices enable businesses to reduce their space requirements. These trends, some of which could accelerate as a result of changes in work practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, could erode demand for commercial office space and, in turn, place downward pressure on occupancy, rental rates and property valuations.
We depend on tenants for our revenue, and accordingly, lease terminations or tenant defaults, particularly by one of our significant lead tenants, could adversely affect the income produced by our properties.
The success of our investments materially depends on the financial stability of our tenants, any of whom may experience a change in their business at any time. If any of our tenants, or groups of tenants in specific industry sectors, experience or anticipate an adverse change in their respective businesses for any reason, they may delay lease commencements, decline to extend or renew their leases upon expiration, fail to make rental payments when due, or declare bankruptcy. Any of these actions could result in the termination of the tenants’ leases, or expiration of existing leases without renewal, and the loss of rental income attributable to the terminated or expired leases. In the event of a tenant default or bankruptcy, we may experience delays in enforcing our rights as a landlord and may incur substantial costs in protecting our investment and re-letting our property. If any leases are terminated or defaulted upon, we may also be unable to re-lease the property for the rent previously received or to sell the property without incurring a loss. In addition, significant expenditures related to debt payments, real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs are generally fixed or may not decrease immediately when revenues at the related property decrease.
The occurrence of any of the situations described above, particularly if it involves one of our significant lead tenants, could seriously harm our operating performance. As of December 31, 2022, our two largest tenants were: US Bancorp (5.0% of ALR) and State of New York (4.6% of ALR). The revenues generated by the properties that any of our lead tenants occupy are substantially dependent upon the financial condition of these tenants and, accordingly, any event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or
a general downturn in the business of any of these tenants may result in the failure or delay of such tenant’s rental payments, which may have a substantial adverse effect on our operating performance.
Some of our leases provide tenants with the right to terminate their leases early.
Certain of our leases permit our tenants to terminate their leases of all or a portion of the leased premises prior to their stated lease expiration dates under certain circumstances, such as providing notice by a certain date and, in many cases, paying a termination fee. In certain cases, such early terminations can be effectuated by our tenants with little or no termination fee being paid to us. To the extent that our tenants exercise early termination rights, our cash flow and earnings will be adversely affected, and we can provide no assurances that we will be able to generate an equivalent amount of net rental income by leasing the vacated space to new tenants.
We may face additional risks and costs associated with directly managing properties occupied by government tenants.
We currently own six properties in which at least one of the tenants is a federal government agency. Lease agreements with these federal government agencies contain certain provisions required by federal law, which require, among other things, that the lessor or the owner of the property complies with certain rules and regulations, rules and regulations related to anti-kickback procedures, examination of records, audits and records, equal opportunity provisions, prohibitions against segregated facilities, certain executive orders, subcontractor costs or pricing data, and certain provisions intended to assist small businesses. Through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, we directly manage properties with federal government agency tenants and, therefore, we are subject to additional risks associated with compliance with all such federal rules and regulations. We face additional risks and costs associated with directly managing properties occupied by government tenants, including an increased risk of default by such tenants during periods in which state or federal governments are shut down or on furlough. There are certain additional requirements relating to the potential application of the Employment Standards Administration’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the related requirement to prepare written affirmative action plans applicable to government contractors and subcontractors. Some of the factors used to determine whether such requirements apply to a company that is affiliated with the actual government contractor (the legal entity that is the lessor under a lease with a federal government agency) include whether such company and the government contractor are under common ownership, have common management, and are under common control. One of our wholly-owned subsidiaries is considered a government contractor, increasing the risk that requirements of these equal opportunity provisions, including the requirement to prepare affirmative action plans, may be determined to be applicable to the entire operations of our company.
Adverse market and economic conditions may cause us to recognize impairment charges on tangible real estate and related lease intangible assets or otherwise impact our performance.
We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying value of the real estate and related lease intangible assets in which we have an ownership interest, either directly or through investments in joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present which indicate that the carrying value of real estate and related lease intangible assets may not be recoverable, we assess the recoverability of these assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, we adjust the real estate and related lease intangible assets to their estimated fair value and recognize an impairment loss.
Projections of expected future cash flows require management to make assumptions to estimate future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, the number of months it takes to re-lease the property, and the number of years the property is held for investment, among other factors. The subjectivity of assumptions used in the future cash flow analysis, including discount rates, could result in an incorrect assessment of the property’s estimated fair value and, therefore, could result in the misstatement of the carrying value of our real estate and related lease intangible assets and our net income. In addition, adverse economic conditions could also cause us to recognize additional asset impairment charges in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Adverse market and economic conditions could cause us to recognize impairment charges on our goodwill.
We review the value of our goodwill on an annual basis and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may exceed the estimated fair value of such assets. Such interim events could be adverse changes in legal matters or in the business climate, adverse action or assessment by a regulator, the loss of key personnel, or persistent declines in our stock price below our carrying value. Volatility in the overall market could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate and cause the carrying value of our company to exceed the estimated fair value. If that occurs, our goodwill could potentially be impaired. Impairment charges recognized in order to reduce our goodwill could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. In conjunction with the performance of our goodwill impairment assessment during the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized an impairment charge related to our goodwill of approximately $16.0 million. See Note 2 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information.
Our earnings growth will partially depend upon future acquisitions of properties, and we may not be successful in identifying and consummating suitable acquisitions that meet our investment criteria.
Our business strategy primarily involves the acquisition of high-quality office properties in selected markets. This strategy requires us to identify suitable acquisition candidates or investment opportunities that meet our criteria and are compatible with our growth strategy. We may not be successful in identifying suitable properties or other assets that meet our acquisition criteria or in consummating acquisitions on satisfactory terms, if at all. Failure to identify or consummate acquisitions could slow our growth. Likewise, we may incur costs pursuing acquisitions that we are ultimately unsuccessful in completing.
We also face significant competition for attractive investment opportunities from a large number of other real estate investors, including investors with significant capital resources such as domestic and foreign corporations and financial institutions, other publicly traded and privately held REITs, private institutional investment funds, investment banking firms, life insurance companies and pension funds. As a result of competition, we may be unable to acquire additional properties, the purchase price may be significantly elevated, or we may have to accept lease-up risk for a property with lower occupancy, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Future acquisitions of properties may not yield anticipated returns, may disrupt our business, and may strain management resources.
We intend to continue acquiring high-quality office properties, subject to: the availability of attractive properties, our ability to arrange financing, and our ability to consummate acquisitions on satisfactory terms. In deciding whether to acquire a particular property, we make certain assumptions regarding the expected future performance of that property. However, newly acquired properties may fail to perform as expected for a variety of reasons. For example, costs necessary to bring acquired properties up to standards established for their intended market position may exceed our expectations, which may result in the properties’ failure to achieve projected returns. To the extent that we engage in acquisition activities, they will pose the following risks, among others:
•we may acquire properties or other real estate-related investments that are not initially accretive to our results upon acquisition or accept lower cash flows in anticipation of longer-term appreciation, and we may not successfully manage and lease those properties to meet our expectations;
•we may not achieve expected cost savings and operating efficiencies;
•we may be unable to quickly and efficiently integrate new acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of portfolios of properties, into our existing operations;
•management attention may be diverted to the integration of acquired properties, which in some cases may turn out to be less compatible with our operating strategy than originally anticipated;
•we may not be able to support the acquired property through one of our existing property management offices and may not successfully open new satellite offices to serve additional markets;
•the acquired properties may not perform as well as we anticipate due to various factors, including changes in macro-economic conditions and the demand for office space; and
•we may acquire properties without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, for liabilities, whether known or unknown, such as clean-up of environmental contamination, unknown/undisclosed latent structural issues or maintenance problems, claims by tenants, vendors or others against the former owners of the properties, and claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers, and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.
We may acquire properties in new markets, where we may face risks associated with investing in an unfamiliar market.
We may acquire properties located in markets in which we do not have an established presence. We may face risks associated
with a lack of market knowledge or understanding of the local economy, acquiring additional properties in the new market and achieving economies of scale, forging new business relationships in the area and unfamiliarity with local government and permitting procedures. As a result, the operating performance of properties acquired in new markets may be less than we anticipate, and we may have difficulty integrating such properties into our existing portfolio. In addition, the time and resources that may be required to obtain market knowledge or integrate such properties into our existing portfolio could divert our management’s attention from our existing business or other attractive opportunities.
The illiquidity of real estate investments could significantly impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties.
Because real estate investments are relatively illiquid and large-scale office properties such as those in our portfolio are particularly illiquid, our ability to promptly sell one or more properties in our portfolio in response to changing economic, financial, investment and other conditions is limited. The real estate market is affected by many forces, such as general economic conditions, availability of financing, interest rates, and other factors, including supply and demand, that are beyond our control. We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms set by us or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to us. We also cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of a property. We may be required to expend funds to correct defects or to make improvements before a property can be sold. We cannot provide any assurances that we will have funds available to correct such defects or to make such improvements. Our inability to dispose of assets at opportune times or on favorable terms could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.
We may not be able to dispose of properties that no longer meet our strategic plans or to timely and efficiently apply the proceeds from any disposition of properties.
We may seek to dispose of properties that no longer meet our strategic plans with the intent to use the proceeds generated from such potential disposition to acquire additional properties better aligned with our investment criteria and growth strategy, to reduce debt, or to fund other operational needs. We may not be able to dispose of these properties for the proceeds we expect, or at all, and we may incur costs and divert management attention from our ongoing operations as part of efforts to dispose of these properties, regardless of whether such efforts are ultimately successful. In addition, if we are able to dispose of those properties, we may not be able to re-deploy the proceeds in a timely or more efficient manner, if at all. As such, we may not be able to adequately time any decrease in revenues from the sale of properties with a corresponding increase in revenues associated with the acquisition of new properties. The failure to dispose of properties, or to timely and efficiently apply the proceeds from any disposition of properties, could have an adverse effect on our cash flows and results of operations.
Our real estate redevelopment and development strategies may not be successful.
From time to time, we engage in various development and re-development activities to the extent attractive projects become available. When we engage in development activities, we are subject to risks associated with those activities that could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, including:
•uncertainties associated with zoning, land-use, building, occupancy and other governmental permits and authorizations, as well as, environmental concerns of governmental entities or community groups;
•our builders’ ability to build in conformity with plans, specifications, budgeted costs and timetables;
•delays in completing construction could give tenants the right to terminate pre-construction leases;
•risks associated with making progress payments or other advances to builders before they complete construction;
•unanticipated additional costs related to disputes with existing tenants during redevelopment projects;
•normal lease-up risks relating to newly constructed projects;
•projects with long lead times may increase leasing risk due to changes in market conditions;
•development projects in which we have invested may be abandoned and the related investment will be impaired;
•we may not be able to obtain land on which to develop;
•we may not be able to obtain financing for development projects on favorable terms (if at all);
•construction costs of a project may exceed the original estimates or construction may not be concluded on schedule, making the project less profitable than originally estimated or not profitable at all (including the possibility of errors or omissions in the project's design, contract default, contractor or subcontractor default, performance bond surety default, the effects of local weather conditions, the possibility of local or national strikes and the possibility of shortages in materials, building supplies or energy and fuel for equipment);
•tenants which pre-lease space or contract with us for a build-to-suit project may default prior to occupying the project;
•upon completion of construction, we may not be able to obtain, or obtain on advantageous terms, permanent financing for activities that we financed through construction loans;
•we may not achieve sufficient occupancy levels and/or obtain sufficient rents to make a completed project profitable; and
•substantial renovation and development activities may require a significant amount of management’s time and attention, diverting their attention from our other operations.
Actual or threatened public health epidemics or outbreaks such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, as well as governmental and private measures taken to combat such health crises, could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial results.
Actual or threatened public health epidemics or outbreaks, and the actions taken to combat such epidemics or outbreaks, may adversely impact the global economy or the economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate. In particular, the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its associated variants adversely impacted the global economy and the regional U.S. economies in which we operate, and negatively impacted some of our tenants’ ability to pay their rent. The recent COVID-19 pandemic also accelerated some company’s adoption of remote work platforms and may result in a longer-term decrease in the need for office space among some companies. While some effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to subside, the rise of additional viral variants could cause a resurgence of the pandemic and its adverse impacts in the future.
Among other effects, any restrictions put in place to combat public health epidemics or outbreaks could cause some of our tenants to close or operate at reduced capacity for an extended period of time, in some cases causing such tenants to default on their leases, or could result in technological and social changes that reduce the long-term necessity for office space among companies generally. Our tenants' inability to pay rent under our leases and any declines in demand for office space could adversely affect our own liquidity and operating results.
Future terrorist attacks, armed hostilities, or civil unrest in the major metropolitan areas in which we own properties could significantly impact the demand for, and value of, our properties.
Our portfolio of properties is primarily located in the following major metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia, Boston, Orlando, Minneapolis, and New York, any of which could be, and some of which have been, the target of terrorist attacks, armed hostilities, or civil unrest. Future terrorist attacks and other acts of hostility, civil unrest, or war could severely impact the demand for, and value of, our properties. Terrorist attacks, other armed hostilities, or civil unrest in and around any of the major metropolitan areas in which we own properties also could directly impact the value of our properties through damage, destruction, loss, or increased security costs, and could thereafter materially impact the availability or cost of insurance to protect against such acts. Attacks, armed conflicts, or civil unrest could result in increased operating costs including building security, property and casualty insurance, and property maintenance. As a result of terrorist activities, other armed hostilities or civil unrest, the cost of insurance coverage for our properties could also increase. In addition, our insurance policies may not recover all our property replacement costs and lost revenue resulting from an attack. A decrease in demand could also make it difficult to renew or re-lease our properties at lease rates equal to or above historical rates. To the extent that any future terrorist attacks, armed hostilities, or civil unrest otherwise disrupt our tenants’ businesses, it may impair our tenants’ ability to make timely payments under their existing leases with us, which would harm our operating results.
We face risks related to the occurrence of cyber incidents, or a deficiency in our cybersecurity, which could negatively impact our business by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information, and/or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our financial results.
A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity, functionality, or availability of our information resources and systems. More specifically, a cyber incident is an intentional attack or an unintentional event that can include gaining unauthorized access to systems to disrupt building or corporate operations, corrupt data, or steal confidential information. While we have not experienced any material cyber incidents in the past, the risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber attacks or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, both internal and those we have outsourced. Risks that could directly result from the occurrence of a cyber incident include physical harm to occupants of our buildings, physical damage to our buildings, actual cash loss, operational interruption, damage to our relationship and reputation with our tenants, potential errors from misstated financial reports, violations of loan covenants, missed reporting deadlines, and private data exposure, among others. Any or all of the preceding risks could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Insider or employee cyber and security threats are increasingly a concern for all companies, including ours. In addition, social engineering and phishing are a particular concern for companies with employees. We are continuously working to install new
networks and to upgrade our existing networks, building operating and information technology systems, and to train employees against phishing, malware and other cyber risks to ensure that we are protected, to the greatest extent possible, against cyber risks and security breaches. However, such upgrades, new technology and training may not be sufficient to protect us from all risks.
We are continuously developing and enhancing our controls, processes, and practices designed to protect our systems, computers, software, data, and networks from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. This continued development and enhancement will require us to expend additional resources, including to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities that may be detected. Although we make efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of information technology networks and related systems, and despite various measures we have implemented to manage the risk of a security breach or disruption, there can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging. Even the most well protected information, networks, systems and facilities remain potentially vulnerable because the techniques used in such attempted security breaches evolve and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed to not be detected. Accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures, and thus it is impossible for us to entirely mitigate this risk.
Further, one or more of our tenants could experience a cyber incident which could impact their operations and ability to perform under the terms of their lease with us.
Uninsured losses or losses in excess of our insurance coverage could adversely affect our financial condition and our cash flow, and there can be no assurance as to future costs and the scope of coverage that may be available under insurance policies.
We carry comprehensive general liability, fire, rental loss, environmental, cybersecurity, and umbrella liability coverage on all of our properties and earthquake, wind, and flood coverage on properties in areas where such coverage is warranted. We believe the policy specifications and insured limits of these policies are adequate and appropriate given the relative risk of loss, the cost of the coverage, and industry practice. However, we may be subject to certain types of losses, those that are generally catastrophic in nature, such as losses due to wars, conventional or cyber terrorism, armed hostilities, chemical, biological, nuclear and radiation (“CBNR”) acts of terrorism and, in some cases, earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding, either because such coverage is not available or is not available at commercially reasonable rates. If we experience a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy limits, we could lose a significant portion of the capital we have invested in the damaged property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations, and other factors also might make it impractical or undesirable to use insurance proceeds to replace a property after it has been damaged or destroyed. In addition, if the damaged properties are subject to recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if these properties were irreparably damaged. Furthermore, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable costs in the future, as the costs associated with property and casualty renewals may be higher than anticipated.
In addition, insurance risks associated with potential terrorist acts could sharply increase the premiums we pay for coverage against property and casualty claims. Under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which is currently effective through December 31, 2027, United States insurers cannot exclude conventional (non-CBNR) terrorism losses and must make terrorism insurance available under their property and casualty insurance policies. However, this legislation does not regulate the pricing of such insurance. In some cases, lenders may insist that commercial property owners purchase coverage against terrorism as a condition of providing financing. Such insurance policies may not be available at a reasonable cost, which could inhibit our ability to finance or refinance our properties. In such instances, we may be required to provide other financial support, either through financial assurances or self-insurance, to cover potential losses. We may not have adequate coverage for such losses.
Should one of our insurance carriers become insolvent, we would be adversely affected.
We carry several different lines of insurance, placed with several large insurance carriers. If any one of these large insurance carriers were to become insolvent, we would be forced to replace the existing insurance coverage with another suitable carrier, and any outstanding claims would be at risk for collection. In such an event, we cannot be certain that we would be able to replace the coverage at similar or otherwise favorable terms. Replacing insurance coverage at unfavorable rates and the potential of uncollectible claims due to carrier insolvency could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows.
Our joint venture investments could be adversely affected by a lack of sole decision-making authority and our reliance on joint venture partners’ financial condition.
From time to time we may enter into strategic joint ventures with institutional investors to acquire, develop, or improve properties, thereby reducing the amount of capital required by us to make investments and diversifying our capital sources for growth. Such joint venture investments involve risks not otherwise present in a wholly-owned property, development, or redevelopment project, including the following:
•in these investments, we may not have exclusive control over the development, financing, leasing, management, and other aspects of the project, which may prevent us from taking actions that are opposed by our joint venture partners;
•joint venture agreements often restrict the transfer of a co-venturer’s interest or may otherwise restrict our ability to sell the interest when we desire or on advantageous terms;
•we may not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the property or joint venture, which could create the potential risk of creating impasses on decisions, such as acquisitions or sales;
•such co-venturer may, at any time, have economic or business interests or goals that are, or that may become, inconsistent with our business interests or goals;
•such co-venturer may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives, including our current policy with respect to maintaining our qualification as a REIT;
•the possibility that our co-venturer in an investment might become bankrupt, which would mean that we and any other remaining co-venturers would generally remain liable for the joint venture’s liabilities;
•our relationships with our co-venturers are contractual in nature and may be terminated or dissolved under the terms of the applicable joint venture agreements and, in such event, we may not continue to own or operate the interests or assets underlying such relationship or may need to purchase such interests or assets at a premium to the market price to continue ownership;
•disputes between us and our co-venturers may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and board of directors from focusing their time and efforts on our business and could result in subjecting the properties owned by the applicable joint venture to additional risk; or
•we may, in certain circumstances, be liable for the actions of our co-venturers, and the activities of a joint venture could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we do not control the joint venture.
Any of the above might subject a property to liabilities in excess of those contemplated and thus reduce the returns to our investors.
Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations may reduce our net income.
All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and human health and safety. In addition, under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), places of public accommodation must meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Tenants’ ability to operate and to generate income to pay their lease obligations may be affected by permitting and compliance obligations arising under such laws and regulations. Some of these laws and regulations may impose joint and several liability on tenants, owners, or operators for the costs to investigate or remediate contaminated properties, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal. Noncompliance with ADA could result in the imposition of fines by the federal government or the award of damages to private litigants. In addition, the presence of hazardous substances, or the failure to properly remediate these substances, may hinder our ability to sell, rent, or pledge such property as collateral for future borrowings.
Compliance with new laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws by agencies or the courts may require us to incur material expenditures or may impose additional liabilities on us, including environmental liabilities. In addition, there are various local, state, and federal fire, health, life-safety, and similar regulations with which we may be required to comply, and which may subject us to liability in the form of fines or damages for noncompliance. Although we believe that our properties are currently in material compliance with these regulatory requirements, we have not conducted an audit or investigation of all of our properties to determine our compliance, and we cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance. Any material expenditures, liabilities, fines, or damages we must pay will reduce our net income and cash flows.
As the present or former owner or operator of real property, we could become subject to liability for environmental contamination, regardless of whether we caused such contamination.
Under various federal, state, and local environmental laws, ordinances, and regulations, a current or former owner or operator of real property may be liable for the cost to remove or remediate hazardous or toxic substances, wastes, or petroleum products on, under, from, or in such property. These costs could be substantial and liability under these laws may attach whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such contamination. As a result, our tenants’ operations, the existing condition of land when we buy it, operations in the vicinity of our properties such as the presence of underground storage tanks or activities of unrelated third parties may affect our properties. Even if more than one party may have been responsible for the contamination, each liable party may be held entirely responsible for all of the clean-up costs incurred. In addition, third parties may sue the owner or operator of a property for damages based on personal injury, natural resources, or property damage and/or for other costs, including investigation and clean-up costs, resulting from the environmental contamination. The presence of contamination on one of our properties, or the failure to properly remediate a contaminated property, could give rise to a lien in favor of the government for costs it may incur to address the contamination, or otherwise adversely affect our ability to sell or lease the property or borrow using the property as collateral. In addition, if contamination is discovered on our properties, environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which property may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures or prevent us from entering into leases with prospective tenants.
Some of our properties are adjacent to or near other properties that have contained or currently contain underground storage tanks used to store petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances. In addition, certain of our properties are on, adjacent to, or near sites upon which others, including former owners or tenants of our properties, have engaged, or may in the future engage, in activities that have released or may have released petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic substances.
The cost of defending against claims of liability, of remediating any contaminated property, or of paying personal injury claims could reduce our net income and cash flows.
We could become subject to liability for adverse environmental conditions in the buildings on our property.
Some of our properties have building materials that contain asbestos. Environmental laws require that owners or operators of buildings containing asbestos properly manage and maintain the asbestos, adequately inform or train those who may come into contact with asbestos, and undertake special precautions, including removal or other abatement, in the event that asbestos is disturbed during building renovation or demolition. These laws may impose fines and penalties on building owners or operators who fail to comply with these requirements. In addition, environmental laws and the common law may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos.
Our properties also may contain or develop harmful mold or suffer from other air quality issues. Any of these materials or conditions could result in liability for personal injury and costs of remediating adverse conditions, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows.
As the owner of real property, we could become subject to liability for a tenant’s failure to comply with environmental requirements regarding the handling and disposal of regulated substances and wastes or for non-compliance with health and safety requirements, which requirements are subject to change.
Some of our tenants may handle regulated substances and wastes as part of their operations at our properties. Environmental laws regulate the handling, use, and disposal of these materials and subject our tenants, and potentially us, to liability resulting from non-compliance with these requirements. The properties in our portfolio also are subject to various federal, state, and local health and safety requirements, such as state and local fire requirements. If we or our tenants fail to comply with these various requirements, we might incur governmental fines or private damage awards. Moreover, we do not know whether or the extent to which existing requirements or their enforcement will change or whether future requirements will require us to make significant unanticipated expenditures, either of which could materially and adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If our tenants become subject to liability for noncompliance, it could affect their ability to make rental payments to us.
We face risks associated with the physical effects of climate change.
The physical effects of climate change could have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations, and business. The majority of our portfolio of properties is located along the Eastern coast of the United States. Our markets could experience increases in rainfall, storm intensity, larger flood zones, water shortages, hurricanes, changing temperature averages or extremes, or rising sea-levels as a result of global climate change. Over time, these conditions could result in physical damage
to our buildings or a decline in demand for office space in our buildings. Climate change could also indirectly negatively impact our business by causing increased costs associated with energy, storm cleanup, or property and casualty or flood insurance premiums, deductibles, claims or liabilities, or a decrease in or unavailability of coverage, for properties in areas subject to severe weather.
We may face risks associated with the transition to a lower-carbon economy.
Transitioning to a lower-carbon economy may entail extensive policy, legal, technological, and market changes to address mitigation and adaption requirements related to climate change. Depending on the nature, speed, and focus of these changes, transition risks may pose varying levels of financial and reputational risk to us or our tenants. Policy action around climate change such as implementing carbon-pricing mechanisms to reduce green house gas emission, shifting energy use toward lower emission sources, adopting energy-efficiency solutions, encouraging greater water efficiency measures, and promoting more sustainable land-use practices can result in financial impacts to both us and our tenants, including additional costs of auditing and reporting such data. Alterations to third-party certifications/ratings may impact investor or tenant demand and consequential valuation for buildings with lower scoring. Climate related litigation claims can result in financial and reputational damage. Technology improvements or innovations that support the transition to a lower-carbon, energy efficient economic system and shifts in supply and demand for certain commodities, products, and services as climate-related risks and opportunities are increasingly taken into account may affect the strength and competitiveness of our tenants' business, and ultimately their ability to meet their rental obligations to us. Climate change has also been identified as a potential source of reputational risk tied to changing customer or community perceptions of an organization's contribution to or detraction from the transition to a lower-carbon economy.
We depend on key personnel, each of whom would be difficult to replace.
Our continued success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of certain key personnel, each of whom would be difficult to replace. Our ability to retain our management team, or to attract suitable replacements should any member of the management team leave, is dependent on the competitive nature of the employment market. The loss of services of one or more key members of our management team could adversely affect our results of operations and slow our future growth. While we have planned for the succession of each of the key members of our management team, our succession plans may not effectively prevent any adverse effects from the loss of any member of our management team. We have not obtained and do not expect to obtain “key person” life insurance on any of our key personnel.
We may be subject to litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
From time to time, we may be subject to legal action arising in the ordinary course of our business or otherwise. Such action could distract key personnel from management of the company and result in additional expenses which, if uninsured, could adversely impact our earnings and cash flows, thereby impacting our ability to service our debt and make distributions to our stockholders. There can be no assurance that our insurance policies will fully cover any payments or legal costs associated with any potential legal action. Further, the ultimate resolution of such action could impact the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows, expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured, or adversely impact our ability to attract officers and candidates for our board of directors.
If our disclosure controls or internal controls over financial reporting are not effective, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information.
The design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all errors, misstatements, or misrepresentations. Although management will continue to review the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting, there can be no guarantee that these processes will be effective in accomplishing all control objectives all of the time. Deficiencies, including any material weakness, in our internal control over financial reporting which may occur in the future could result in misstatements of our results of operations, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in the trading price of our common stock, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
Our organizational documents contain provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect, which may discourage third parties from conducting a tender offer or seeking other change of control transactions that could involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise benefit our stockholders.
Our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of our company (including an extraordinary transaction such as a merger, tender offer, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders. These provisions include, among other things, restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock, advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations for our board of directors and other business proposals, and our board of directors’ power to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock and issue additional shares of common or preferred stock.
In order to preserve our REIT status, our charter limits the number of shares a person may own, which may discourage a takeover that could result in a premium price for our common stock or otherwise benefit our stockholders.
Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our board of directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Unless exempted by our board of directors, no person may actually or constructively own more than 9.8% (by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of our common stock or the outstanding shares of any class or series of our preferred stock, which may inhibit large investors from desiring to purchase our stock. This restriction may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
Our board of directors can take many actions without stockholder approval.
Our board of directors has overall authority to oversee our operations and determine our major corporate policies. This authority includes significant flexibility. For example, our board of directors can do the following:
•within the limits provided in our charter, prevent the ownership, transfer, or accumulation of stock in order to protect our status as a REIT or for any other reason deemed to be in our best interest and the interest of our stockholders;
•issue additional shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval, which could dilute the ownership of our then-current stockholders;
•amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue, without obtaining stockholder approval;
•classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of such classified or reclassified shares, without obtaining stockholder approval;
•employ and compensate affiliates;
•direct our resources toward investments, which ultimately may not appreciate over time;
•change creditworthiness standards with respect to our tenants;
•change our investment or borrowing policies; and
•determine that it is no longer in our best interest to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
Any of these actions could increase our operating expenses, impact our ability to make distributions, or reduce the value of our assets without giving our stockholders the right to vote.
Our charter permits our board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of our common stockholders, which may discourage a third party from acquiring us in a manner that could result in a premium price for our common stock or otherwise benefit our stockholders.
Our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue authorized but unissued shares of our common or preferred stock and amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. In addition, our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of such classified or reclassified shares. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have priority with respect to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock. Such preferred stock also could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for our common stock, or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
Our board of directors could elect for us to be subject to certain Maryland law limitations on changes in control that could have the effect of preventing transactions in the best interest of our stockholders.
Certain provisions of Maryland law may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making a proposal to acquire us, or these certain provisions may also impede a change of control under certain circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of our common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such shares, including:
•“business combination” provisions that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between us and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock or any affiliate or associate of ours who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding stock) or an affiliate thereof for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder and thereafter impose supermajority voting requirements on these combinations; and
•“control share” provisions that provide that “control shares” of our company (defined as shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the stockholder, except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, entitle the stockholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing candidates for the board of directors) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting any acquisition by any person of shares of our stock from the control share acquisition statute, and our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination with any person from the business combination statute. As a result, these provisions currently will not apply to a business combination or control share acquisition involving our company. However, our board of directors still has the ability to opt into the business combination provisions and the control share provisions of Maryland law in the future.
Our charter, our bylaws, the limited partnership agreement of our operating partnership, and Maryland law also contain other provisions that may delay, defer, or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders. In addition, the employment agreements with certain of our executive officers contain, and grants under our incentive plan also may contain, change-in-control provisions that might similarly have an anti-takeover effect, inhibit a change of our management, or inhibit in certain circumstances tender offers for our common stock or proxy contests to change our board.
Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to recover claims against our board of directors and officers are limited, which could reduce our recovery and our stockholders’ recovery against them if they negligently cause us to incur losses.
Maryland law provides that a director or officer has no liability in that capacity if he or she performs his or her duties in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in our best interest and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Our charter eliminates our board of directors’ and officers’ liability to us and our stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. Our charter and bylaws require us to indemnify our board of directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law for any claim or liability to which they may become subject or which they may incur by reason of their service as members of the board of directors or officers, except to the extent that the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property, or services, or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our board of directors and officers than might otherwise exist under common law, which could reduce our and our stockholders’ recovery from these persons if they act in a negligent manner. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our board of directors and officers (as well as by our employees and agents) in some cases.
Risks Related to Tax Matters
Our failure to qualify as a REIT could adversely affect our operations and our ability to make distributions.
We are owned and operated in a manner intended to qualify us as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; however, we do not have a ruling from the IRS as to our REIT status. In addition, we own all of the common stock of a subsidiary that has elected to be treated as a REIT, and if our subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that we also would fail to qualify as a REIT unless we (or the subsidiary REIT) could qualify for certain relief provisions. Our qualification and the qualification of our subsidiary REIT as a REIT will depend on satisfaction, on an annual or quarterly basis, of numerous requirements set forth in highly technical and complex provisions of the Code for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. A determination as to whether such requirements are satisfied involves various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. The fact that we hold substantially all of our assets through our operating partnership and its subsidiaries further complicates the application of the REIT requirements for us. No assurance can be given that we, or our subsidiary REIT, will qualify as a REIT for any particular year.
If we, or our subsidiary REIT, were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year for which a REIT election has been made, the non-qualifying REIT would not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to its stockholders in computing its taxable income and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income at corporate rates. Moreover, unless the non-qualifying REIT were to obtain relief under certain statutory provisions, the non-qualifying REIT also would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost. This treatment would reduce our net earnings available for investment or distribution to our stockholders because of the additional tax liability to us for the years involved. As a result of such additional tax liability, we might need to borrow funds or liquidate certain investments on terms that may be disadvantageous to us in order to pay the applicable tax.
Failure of our operating partnership to be treated as a disregarded entity or a partnership would have serious adverse consequences to our stockholders.
If the IRS were to successfully challenge the tax status of the operating partnership or any of its subsidiary partnerships or real estate ventures for federal income tax purposes, the operating partnership or the affected partnership or real estate venture would be taxable as a corporation. In such event, we would cease to qualify as a REIT and the imposition of a corporate tax on the operating partnership, subsidiary partnership, or real estate venture would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution from the operating partnership to us and ultimately to our stockholders.
Changes in tax laws may eliminate the benefits of REIT status, prevent us from maintaining our qualification as a REIT, or otherwise adversely affect our stockholders.
New legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could change the tax laws or interpretations of the tax laws regarding qualification as a REIT, or the federal income tax consequences of that qualification, in a manner that is materially adverse to our stockholders. In particular, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("H.R. 1"), which was effective for us for tax year 2018, made many significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws. A number of the changes that affected noncorporate taxpayers will expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts to extend them. These changes impacted us, our stockholders, and our tenants in various ways and the IRS continues to issue clarifying guidance with respect to certain of the provisions of H.R. 1, any of which may be adverse or potentially adverse compared to prior law. Additional changes to tax laws are likely to continue to occur in the future. Accordingly, there is no assurance that we can continue to operate with the current benefits of our REIT status or that a change to the tax laws will not adversely affect the taxation of our stockholders. If there is a change in the tax laws that prevents us from qualifying as a REIT, that eliminates REIT status generally, or that requires REITs generally to pay corporate level income taxes, our results of operations may be adversely affected and we may not be able to make the same level of distributions to our stockholders, and changes to the taxation of our stockholders could have an adverse effect on an investment in our common stock. Investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisor with respect to the impact of recent legislation on ownership of shares and the status of legislative, regulatory, or administrative developments and proposals, and their potential effect on ownership of shares.
Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may incur certain tax liabilities that would reduce our cash flow and impair our ability to make distributions.
Even if we maintain our status as a REIT, we may be subject to U.S. federal income taxes or state taxes, which would reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders. For example, we will be subject to federal income tax on any undistributed REIT taxable income. Further, if we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our net capital gain income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income
from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed by us, plus (ii) retained amounts on which we pay income tax at the corporate level. If we realize net income from foreclosure properties that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, we must pay tax thereon at the highest corporate income tax rate, and if we sell a property, other than foreclosure property, that we are determined to have held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, any gain realized would be subject to a 100% “prohibited transaction” tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosing property) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. The determination as to whether or not a particular sale is a prohibited transaction depends on the facts and circumstances related to that sale. We cannot guarantee that sales of our properties would not be prohibited transactions unless we comply with certain safe-harbor provisions. The need to avoid prohibited transactions could cause us to forgo or defer sales of properties that might otherwise be in our best interest to sell. In addition, we own interests in certain taxable REIT subsidiaries that are subject to federal income taxation and we and our subsidiaries may be subject to state and local taxes on our income or property.
Differences between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or borrow funds on a short-term or long-term basis to meet the distribution requirements of the Code.
We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the requirements of the Code for REITs and to minimize or eliminate our corporate tax obligations; however, differences between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or borrow funds on a short-term or long-term basis to meet the distribution requirements of the Code. Certain types of assets generate substantial disparity between taxable income and available cash, such as real estate that has been financed through financing structures which require some or all of available cash flows to be used to service borrowings. In addition, changes made by H.R. 1 will require us to accrue certain income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is taken into account as revenue on our financial statement (subject to an exception for certain income that is already subject to a special method of accounting under the Code). This could cause us to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of the associated cash. H.R. 1 also includes limitations on the deductibility of certain compensation paid to our executives, certain interest payments, and certain net operating loss carryforwards, each of which could potentially increase our taxable income and our required distributions. Under H.R. 1, federal net operating losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 can be carried forward indefinitely. Net operating losses of a REIT may not be carried back to any taxable year, regardless of whether the taxpayer qualified as a REIT in such taxable year. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, H.R. 1 limits the deduction of net operating losses to 80% of current year taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid). Additionally, Section 163(j) of the Code, as amended by H.R. 1, limits the deductibility of net interest expense paid or accrued on debt properly allocable to a trade or business to 30% of “adjusted taxable income,” subject to certain exceptions, plus the taxpayer’s business interest income for the tax year. As a result, the requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our taxable income could cause us to: (1) sell assets in adverse market conditions, (2) borrow on unfavorable terms, or (3) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures, or repayment of debt, in order to comply with REIT requirements. Any such actions could increase our costs and reduce the value of our common stock. Further, we may be required to make distributions to our stockholders when it would be more advantageous to reinvest cash in our business or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Compliance with REIT qualification requirements may, therefore, hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.
Distributions made by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates that apply to certain other corporate distributions.
The maximum federal income tax rate for certain dividends paid by domestic corporations to individuals, trusts and estates is generally 20%. Dividends paid by REITs, however, (other than distributions we properly designate as capital gain dividends or as qualified dividend income) are taxed at the normal income tax rate applicable to the individual recipient (currently a maximum rate of 37%) rather than the 20% preferential rate, subject to a deduction equal to 20% of the amount of certain “qualified REIT dividends” (generally, dividends received by a REIT stockholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income) that is available to noncorporate taxpayers through 2025, which has the effect of reducing the maximum effective income tax rate on qualified REIT dividends to 29.6%. The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in non-REIT corporations that make distributions, particularly after the scheduled expiration of the 20% deduction applicable to qualified REIT dividends on December 31, 2025.
A recharacterization of transactions undertaken by our operating partnership may result in lost tax benefits or prohibited transactions, which would diminish cash distributions to our stockholders, or even cause us to lose REIT status.
The IRS could recharacterize transactions consummated by our operating partnership, which could result in the income realized on certain transactions being treated as gain realized from the sale of property that is held as inventory or otherwise held primarily for the sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. In such event, the gain would constitute income from a prohibited transaction and would be subject to a 100% tax. If this were to occur, our ability to make cash distributions to our stockholders would be adversely affected. Moreover, our operating partnership may purchase properties and lease them back to the sellers of such properties. While we will use our best efforts to structure any such sale-leaseback transaction such that the lease will be characterized as a “true lease,” thereby allowing us to be treated as the owner of the property for federal income tax purposes, we can give stockholders no assurance that the IRS will not attempt to challenge such characterization. In the event that any such sale-leaseback transaction is challenged and recharacterized as a financing transaction or loan for U.S. federal income tax purposes, deductions for depreciation and cost recovery relating to such property would be disallowed. If a sale-leaseback transaction were so recharacterized, the amount of our adjusted REIT taxable income could be recalculated, which might cause us to fail to meet the distribution requirement for a taxable year. We also might fail to satisfy the REIT qualification asset tests or income tests and, consequently, lose our REIT status. Even if we maintain our status as a REIT, an increase in our adjusted REIT taxable income could cause us to be subject to additional federal and state income and excise taxes. Any federal or state taxes we pay will reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
We face possible adverse changes in state and local tax laws regarding the treatment of REITs and their stockholders, which may result in an increase in our tax liability.
From time to time, changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted, including changes to a state’s treatment of REITs and their stockholders, which may result in an increase in our tax liability. Any shortfall in tax revenues for states and municipalities may lead to an increase in the frequency and size of such changes. If such changes occur, we may be required to pay additional taxes on our assets or income. These increased tax costs could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the amount of cash available for distributions to our stockholders.
Property taxes may decrease returns on real estate.
Real property owned by us will be subject to real property taxes and, in some instances, personal property taxes or franchise taxes. Such real and personal property taxes and franchise taxes may increase as property tax or franchise tax rates change and as the properties are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. An increase in property taxes on or franchise taxes related to our real property could affect adversely our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to stockholders and could decrease the value of that real property.
Risks Associated with Debt Financing
We have incurred and are likely to continue to incur mortgage and other indebtedness, which may increase our business risks.
As of December 31, 2022, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately $2.0 billion, including $197.0 million of mortgage debt. Although the instruments governing our indebtedness limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and, under certain circumstances, debt incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. We may incur additional indebtedness to acquire properties or other real estate-related investments, to fund property improvements, and other capital expenditures or for other corporate purposes, such as to repurchase shares of our common stock through repurchase programs that our board of directors have authorized or to fund future distributions to our stockholders.
Significant borrowings by us increase the risks of investors' willingness to make an investment in us. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to fund our operations, working capital and capital expenditures, depends on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our cash flow is subject to general economic, industry, financial, competitive, operating, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our failure to pay amounts due with respect to any of our indebtedness may constitute an event of default under the instrument governing that indebtedness, which could permit the holders of that indebtedness to require the immediate repayment of that indebtedness in full. Moreover, any acceleration of, or default, with respect to any of our indebtedness could, in turn, constitute an event of default under other debt instruments or agreements, thereby resulting in the acceleration and required repayment of that other indebtedness.
Periodically, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness or obtain additional financing will depend on, among other things our financial condition, results of operations and market conditions at the time; and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness. As a result, we may not be
able to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, and additional borrowings or refinancings or proceeds of assets sales or other sources of cash are not available to us, we may not have sufficient cash to enable us to meet all of our obligations. Accordingly, if we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as seeking additional equity financing, delaying capital expenditures or strategic acquisitions and alliances. Any of these events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, the trading price of our securities and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations.
Rising interest rates may make it difficult for us to finance or refinance properties, which could reduce the number of properties we can acquire, our net income, and the amount of cash distributions we can make.
If debt financing is unavailable at reasonable rates, we may not be able to finance the purchase of properties. If we place mortgage debt on properties, we run the risk of being unable to refinance the properties when the loans become due, or of being unable to refinance on favorable terms. If interest rates are higher when we refinance our properties, our income could be reduced. If any of these events occur, our cash flow could be reduced. This, in turn, could reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders and may hinder our ability to raise more capital by issuing more stock or by borrowing more money.
Agreements governing our existing indebtedness contain, and future financing arrangements will likely contain, restrictive covenants relating to our operations, which could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are subject to certain restrictions pursuant to the restrictive covenants of our outstanding indebtedness, which may affect our distribution and operating policies and our ability to incur additional debt. Loan documents evidencing our existing indebtedness contain, and loan documents entered into in the future will likely contain, certain operating covenants that limit our ability to mortgage a property or discontinue insurance coverage. In addition, the agreements governing our existing indebtedness contain financial covenants, including certain coverage ratios and limitations on our ability to incur secured and unsecured debt, make dividend payments, sell all or substantially all of our assets, and engage in mergers and consolidations and certain acquisitions. Covenants under our existing indebtedness do, and under any future indebtedness likely will, restrict our ability to pursue certain business initiatives or certain acquisition transactions. In addition, failure to meet any of these covenants, including the financial coverage ratios, could cause an event of default under or accelerate some or all of our indebtedness, which would have a material adverse effect on us.
Increases in interest rates would cause the amount of our variable-rate debt payments to also increase and could limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
Currently, any outstanding draws on our $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit and our variable-rate debt instruments which are not subject to hedging under interest rate swap agreements represent our exposure to interest rate changes. In addition, any outstanding draws under the $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit are subject to Adjusted SOFR locks of various length. However, increases in interest rates could increase our interest costs associated with this variable rate debt to the extent our current locks expire and new balances are drawn under the facility. Such increases would reduce our cash flows and could impact our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, if we are required to repay existing debt during periods of higher interest rates, we may need to sell one or more of our investments in order to repay the debt, which might not permit realization of the maximum return on such investments.
Changes in interest rates could have adverse effects on our cash flows as a result of our interest rate derivative contracts.
We have entered into various interest rate derivative agreements to effectively fix our exposure to interest rates under certain of our existing debt facilities. To the extent interest rates are higher than the fixed rate in the respective contract, we would realize cash savings as compared to other market participants. However, to the extent interest rates are below the fixed rate in the respective contract, we would make higher cash payments than other similar market participants, which would have an adverse effect on our cash flows as compared to other market participants.
Additionally, there is counterparty risk associated with entering into interest rate derivative contracts. Should market conditions lead to insolvency or make a merger necessary for one or more of our counterparties, or potential future counterparties, it is possible that the terms of our interest rate derivative contracts will not be honored in their current form with a replacement counterparty. The potential termination or renegotiation of the terms of the interest rate derivative contracts as a result of changing counterparties through insolvency or merger could result in an adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows.
The replacement of LIBOR with SOFR may adversely affect our results of operations.
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has publicly announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates and will cease publication of USD LIBOR as of June 30, 2023. The Federal Reserve Board ("FRB"), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") have issued supervisory guidance encouraging banks to cease entering into new contracts that use USD LIBOR as a reference rate. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee, which was convened by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, has identified SOFR as its preferred alternative for USD LIBOR.
As of December 31, 2022, our $250 Million Unsecured 2018 Term Loan had interest rate payments determined based on LIBOR. In addition, we currently have interest rate swaps with a notional value of $100 million that also use LIBOR as a reference rate. Even if our financial instruments are successfully transitioned to SOFR, the interest rate payments determined using SOFR may differ from what such interest rate payments would have been using LIBOR, and the interest expense associated with our $250 Million Unsecured 2018 Term Loan may increase relative to what such interest expense would have been had LIBOR continued to have been used as the reference rate. Additionally, SOFR may not align with our assets, liabilities, and hedging instruments, which could reduce the effectiveness of certain of our interest rate hedges, and could cause increased volatility in our earnings. We may also incur expenses to amend and adjust our indebtedness and swaps to eliminate any differences caused by the replacement of LIBOR with SOFR. Any of these occurrences could materially and adversely affect our borrowing costs, business and results of operations.
A downgrade in our credit rating could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The credit ratings assigned to our unsecured debt securities could change based upon, among other things, our results of operations and financial condition. If any of the credit rating agencies that have rated our unsecured debt securities downgrades or lowers its credit rating, or if any credit rating agency indicates that it has placed any such rating on a so-called “watch list” for a possible downgrading or lowering or otherwise indicates that its outlook for that rating is negative, it could have a material adverse effect on our costs and availability of capital, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations.
General Risks
Any change in our dividend policy could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Distributions are authorized and determined by our board of directors in its sole discretion and depend upon a number of factors, including:
•cash available for distribution;
•our results of operations and anticipated future results of operations;
•our financial condition, especially in relation to our anticipated future capital needs of our properties;
•the level of reserves we establish for future capital expenditures;
•the distribution requirements for REITs under the Code;
•the level of distributions paid by comparable listed REITs;
•our operating expenses; and
•other factors our board of directors deems relevant.
We expect to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders; however, we bear all expenses incurred by our operations, and our funds generated by operations, after deducting these expenses, may not be sufficient to cover desired levels of distributions to our stockholders. Any change in our dividend policy could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
There are significant price and volume fluctuations in the public markets, including on the exchange which we listed our common stock.
The U.S. stock markets, including the NYSE on which our common stock is listed, have historically experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations and investors in our common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. If the market price of our common stock declines significantly,
stockholders may be unable to resell their shares at or above their purchase price. We cannot assure stockholders that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our stock price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock include, but are not limited to, the following:
•changes in the perceived demand for office space;
•actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;
•changes in our earnings estimates or publication of research reports about us or the real estate industry, although no assurance can be given that any research reports about us will be published or the accuracy of such reports;
•changes in our dividend policy;
•future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock by our existing or future stockholders;
•increases in market interest rates, which may lead purchasers of our stock to demand a higher yield;
•changes in market valuations of similar companies;
•adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future;
•additions or departures of key personnel;
•actions by institutional stockholders;
•material, adverse litigation judgments;
•speculation in the press or investment community;
•general market and economic conditions; and
•the realization of any of the other risk factors described in this report.
Future offerings of debt securities, which would be senior to our common stock upon liquidation, or equity securities, which would dilute our existing stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We may attempt to increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or equity securities, including medium term notes, senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred or common stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock or both. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their proportionate ownership.
Market interest rates may have an effect on the value of our common stock.
One of the factors that investors may consider in deciding whether to buy or sell our common stock is our dividend distribution rate as a percentage of our share price, relative to market interest rates. If market interest rates continue to increase, prospective investors may desire a higher yield on our common stock or seek securities paying higher dividends or yields. It is likely that the public valuation of our common stock will be based primarily on our earnings and cash flows and not from the underlying appraised value of the properties themselves. As a result, interest rate fluctuations and capital market conditions can affect the market value of our common stock. For instance, if interest rates continue to rise, it is possible that the market price of our common stock will decrease, because potential investors may require a higher dividend yield on our common stock as market rates on interest-bearing securities, such as bonds, rise.
If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they downgrade our common stock or our sector, the price of our common stock could decline.
The trading market for our common stock relies in part on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. We do not control these analysts. Furthermore, if one or more of the analysts who do cover us downgrades our shares or our industry, or the stock of any of our competitors, the price of our shares could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company, we could lose attention in the market, which in turn could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
There were no unresolved SEC staff comments as of December 31, 2022.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Overview
As of December 31, 2022, we owned interests in 51 in-service office properties, with over two-thirds of our ALR generated from our properties located primarily in major U.S. Sunbelt markets. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, our in-service portfolio was 86.7% and 85.5% leased, respectively, with an average lease term remaining as of each period end of approximately six years and an average lease size of 15,000 square feet. No tenant accounts for more than 5% of our ALR.
ALR related to our in-service portfolio was $555.3 million, or $38.46 per leased square foot, as of December 31, 2022 as compared with $536.8 million, or $36.81 per leased square foot, as of December 31, 2021. These rental rates are presented before consideration of the fact that several of our largest tenants self-perform various aspects of their building management; therefore, we do not count those expenses in our gross rent calculations. If the costs of these functions are added to these leases, our average gross rent for our in-service portfolio as of December 31, 2022, increases to approximately $38.86 per leased square foot.
Property Statistics
The following table shows the geographic diversification of our in-service portfolio as of December 31, 2022:
Location Annualized
Lease Revenue
(in thousands) Rentable Square
Feet
(in thousands) Percentage of
Annualized
Lease Revenue (%) Percent Leased (%)
Atlanta $ 150,082 4,717 27.0 85.4
Dallas 105,775 3,524 19.1 82.0
Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia 67,353 1,620 12.1 79.4
Minneapolis 66,378 2,104 12.0 92.1
Orlando 57,756 1,764 10.4 95.3
New York 47,132 1,045 8.5 86.4
Boston 41,684 1,270 7.5 90.9
Other (1)
19,132 614 3.4 91.2
$ 555,292 16,658 100.0 86.7
(1)Includes 1430 Enclave Parkway and Enclave Place in Houston, Texas.
The following table shows lease expirations of our in-service office portfolio as of December 31, 2022 during each of the next twelve years and thereafter, assuming no exercise of renewal options or termination rights:
Year of Lease Expiration Annualized
Lease Revenue
(in thousands) Percentage of
Annualized
Lease Revenue (%)
2023 40,507 7.3
2024 70,434 12.7
2025 66,082 11.9
2026 59,821 10.8
2027 54,486 9.8
2028 66,743 12.0
2029 39,186 7.1
2030 24,224 4.4
2031 23,070 4.1
2032 22,391 4.0
2033 10,347 1.9
2034 15,581 2.8
Thereafter 62,420 11.2
$ 555,292 100.0
Certain Restrictions Related to our Properties
As of December 31, 2022, only 1180 Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia was held as collateral for debt, and there were no properties subject to underlying ground leases. Refer to Schedule III listed in the index of Item 15(a) of this report, for further details regarding our properties as of December 31, 2022.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Piedmont is not subject to any material pending legal proceedings. However, we are subject to routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of owning and operating real estate assets. Our management expects that these ordinary routine legal proceedings will be covered by insurance and does not expect these legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. Additionally, management is not aware of any legal proceedings contemplated by governmental authorities.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information and Holders
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PDM.” As of February 22, 2023, there were 7,771 common stockholders of record of our common stock.
Distributions
We intend to make distributions each taxable year equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (not including a return of capital for federal income tax purposes). One of our primary goals is to pay regular quarterly distributions to our stockholders. The amount of distributions paid and the taxable portion thereof in prior periods are not necessarily indicative of amounts anticipated in future periods.
The amount of distributions to common stockholders is determined by our board of directors and is dependent upon a number of factors, including funds deemed available for distribution, based principally on our current and future projected operating cash flows reduced by capital requirements necessary to maintain our existing portfolio, our future capital needs, our future sources of liquidity, and the annual distribution requirements necessary to maintain our status as a REIT under the Code. Our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per common share for each of the four quarters in the year ended December 31, 2022.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return of Piedmont’s common stock with the FTSE NAREIT Equity Office Index, the FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index, and the S&P 500 Index for the period beginning on December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2022. The graph assumes a $100 investment in each of Piedmont and the three indices, and the reinvestment of any dividends.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return of One or More Companies, Peer Groups, Industry Indices, and/or Broad Markets
As of the year ended December 31,
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. $ 100.00 $ 90.90 $ 123.55 $ 94.55 $ 112.15 $ 59.72
FTSE NAREIT Equity Office $ 100.00 $ 85.50 $ 112.36 $ 91.65 $ 111.81 $ 69.75
FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs $ 100.00 $ 95.38 $ 120.17 $ 110.56 $ 158.36 $ 119.78
S&P 500 $ 100.00 $ 95.62 $ 125.72 $ 148.85 $ 191.58 $ 156.89
The performance graph above is being furnished as part of this Annual Report solely in accordance with the requirement under Rule 14a-3(b)(9) to furnish Piedmont’s stockholders with such information and, therefore, is not deemed to be filed with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and should not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of our prior or subsequent filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Purchases of Equity Securities By the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
(a) There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2022.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) There were no repurchases of shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2022. As of December 31, 2022 approximately $150.5 million remains available under our board-authorized stock repurchase program to make share repurchases through February 2024, at the discretion of management.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Part I of this report and “Risk Factors" set forth in Item 1A. of this report.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We intend to use cash on hand, cash flows generated from the operation of our properties, net proceeds from the disposition of select properties, and borrowings under our $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit as our primary sources of immediate liquidity. In addition, on January 31, 2023, we entered into a new $215 million, floating-rate, unsecured term loan facility, the proceeds from which we intend to use to repay the majority of our $350 Million Unsecured Senior Notes that mature on June 1, 2023. The remaining balance of the $350 Million Unsecured Senior Notes due 2023 will be repaid from a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from select property dispositions and/or borrowings under our $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit. When necessary, we may seek other new secured or unsecured borrowings from third party lenders or issue other debt or equity securities as additional sources of capital. The nature and timing of these additional sources of capital will be highly dependent on market conditions. As of December 31, 2022, we had the full $600 million of capacity available under our $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit, and we believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations for the foreseeable future.
Our most consistent use of capital has historically been, and we believe will continue to be, to fund capital expenditures for our existing portfolio of properties. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we incurred the following types of capital expenditures (in thousands):
December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021
Capital expenditures for redevelopment/renovations $ 57,788 $ 53,790
Other capital expenditures, including building and tenant improvements 63,571 68,836
Total capital expenditures (1)
$ 121,359 $ 122,626
(1)Of the total amounts paid, approximately $7.2 million and $6.3 million related to soft costs such as capitalized interest, payroll, and other general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
"Capital expenditures for redevelopment/renovations" during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 primarily related to building upgrades, primarily to the lobbies and the addition of tenant amenities at our 60 Broad Street building in New York City; our Galleria Tower buildings in Dallas, Texas; as well as our Galleria buildings and 999 Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia, among others.
"Other capital expenditures, including building and tenant improvements" include all other capital expenditures during the respective period and are typically comprised of tenant and building improvements necessary to lease, maintain, or provide enhancements, including energy efficient equipment to our existing portfolio of office properties. We currently do not anticipate incurring any unusually large or material capital expenditures within any given year in order to meet recognized sustainable development standards, and achieve our environmental impact goals.
Given that our operating model frequently results in leases for multiple blocks of space to credit-worthy tenants, our leasing success can result in capital outlays which vary from one reporting period to another based upon the specific leases executed. For example, for leases executed during the year ended December 31, 2022, we committed to spend approximately $5.34 per square foot per year of lease term for tenant improvement allowances and lease commissions (net of expired lease commitments) as compared to $4.25 (net of expired lease commitments) for the year ended December 31, 2021. Commitments per square foot per year of lease term for tenant improvement allowances and lease commissions for the year ended December 31, 2021 were unusually low as they reflected the 330,000 square foot, five-year extension of the New York City lease at our 60 Broad Street asset, which did not include a tenant improvement allowance.
In addition to the amounts that we have already committed to as a part of executed leases, we also anticipate continuing to incur similar market-based tenant improvement allowances and leasing commissions in conjunction with procuring future leases for our existing portfolio of properties. Both the timing and magnitude of expenditures related to future leasing activity can vary
due to a number of factors and are highly dependent on the size of the leased square footage and the competitive market conditions of the particular office market at the time a lease is being negotiated.
There are other uses of capital that may arise as part of our typical operations. Subject to the identification and availability of attractive investment opportunities and our ability to consummate such acquisitions on satisfactory terms, acquiring new assets consistent with our investment strategy could also be a significant use of capital. We may also use capital resources to repurchase additional shares of our common stock under our stock repurchase program when we believe such purposes would be a prudent use of capital. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately $150.5 million of board-authorized share repurchase capacity under the program which may be used for share repurchases through February 2024. Finally, other than our $350 Million Unsecured Senior Notes due 2023 discussed above, we have no other debt maturing until 2024; however, we may use capital to repay debt obligations when we deem it prudent to refinance various obligations.
We may also use capital resources to pay dividends to our stockholders. The amount and form of payment (cash or stock issuance) of future dividends to be paid to our stockholders will continue to be largely dependent upon (i) the amount of cash generated from our operating activities; (ii) our expectations of future cash flows; (iii) our determination of near-term cash needs for debt repayments, development projects, and selective acquisitions of new properties; (iv) the timing of significant expenditures for tenant improvements, leasing commissions, building redevelopment projects, and general property capital improvements; (v) long-term dividend payout ratios for comparable companies; (vi) our ability to continue to access additional sources of capital, including potential sales of our properties; and (vii) the amount required to be distributed to maintain our status as a REIT. With the fluctuating nature of cash flows and expenditures, we may periodically borrow funds on a short-term basis to cover timing differences in cash receipts and cash disbursements.
Results of Operations (2022 vs. 2021)
Overview
Piedmont recognized net income applicable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2022 of $146.8 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, as compared with net loss applicable to common stockholders of $1.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2021. The year ended December 31, 2022 included approximately $151.7 million of gain on the sales of real estate assets as well as increased revenues due to rental rate increases across the portfolio, offset by $26.0 million in non-cash impairment charges related to reductions in our carrying value of goodwill and one real estate asset. The year ended December 31, 2021 included a $41.0 million non-cash impairment charge related to the subsequent sale of our last remaining Chicago asset (see Note 7 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements).
Comparison of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 vs. the year ended December 31, 2021.
The following table sets forth selected data from our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as well as each balance as a percentage of total revenues for the years presented (dollars in millions):
December 31, 2022 % of Revenues December 31, 2021 % of Revenues Variance
Revenue:
Rental and tenant reimbursement revenue $ 545.7 $ 514.6 $ 31.1
Property management fee revenue 1.7 2.5 (0.8)
Other property related income 16.4 11.6 4.8
Total revenues 563.8 100 % 528.7 100 % 35.1
Expense:
Property operating costs 226.1 40 % 210.9 40 % 15.2
Depreciation 133.6 24 % 120.6 23 % 13.0
Amortization 90.9 16 % 86.0 16 % 4.9
Impairment losses 26.0 4 % 41.0 8 % (15.0)
General and administrative 29.1 5 % 30.3 5 % (1.2)
505.7 488.8 16.9
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (65.7) 12 % (51.3) 10 % (14.4)
Other income 2.7 - % 10.2 2 % (7.5)
Gain on sale of real estate assets 151.7 27 % - - % 151.7
Net income/(loss) $ 146.8 26 % $ (1.2) - % $ 148.0
Revenue
Rental and tenant reimbursement revenue increased approximately $31.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to capital recycling activity subsequent to January 1, 2021, rental rate increases associated with recent leasing activity across the portfolio, and higher tenant reimbursements as a result of higher recoverable operating expenses as compared to the prior year.
Property management fee revenue decreased approximately $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year. Such fees fluctuate from period to period due to the variability of construction activity as well as the commencement or termination of property management agreements we may enter into with unrelated third-party owners. During the year ended December 31, 2022, one multi-year property management agreement with a third-party terminated in Chicago, Illinois.
Other property related income increased approximately $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year primarily due to higher transient parking at our buildings during the current year, as compared to the prior year, and additional parking revenue associated with properties acquired subsequent to January 1, 2021.
Expense
Property operating costs increased approximately $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year. The variance was primarily due to higher recoverable operating expenses such as janitorial, security, and utilities resulting from higher tenant utilization during the current period, and capital recycling activity subsequent to January 1, 2021.
Depreciation expense increased approximately $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to additional building and tenant improvements acquired and/or placed in service subsequent to January 1, 2021.
Amortization expense increased approximately $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to additional amortization associated with property acquisitions subsequent to January 1, 2021, partially offset by certain lease intangible assets at our existing properties becoming fully amortized during the same period.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss on real estate assets of approximately $10.0 million related to a change in hold period assumptions for one of our Minneapolis properties. See Note 7 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional details. Also, during the year ended December 31, 2022, due to the decline of the stock market and our stock price, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss related to goodwill of approximately $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. See Note 2 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further details. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss on real estate assets of approximately $41.0 million related to a change in hold period assumptions for our last remaining Chicago asset, which was subsequently sold during the year ended December 31, 2022.
General and administrative expenses decreased approximately $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily reflecting decreased accruals for potential performance-based compensation, partially offset by approximately $2.2 million in severance costs related to a reorganization of management during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense increased approximately $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year primarily driven by a higher average debt balance outstanding during the current year as a result of the purchase of the 1180 Peachtree Street building, as well as increased interest rates on our variable rate debt. This increase was partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in capitalized interest associated with various redevelopment projects in progress during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Other income decreased approximately $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year due to the payoff of notes receivable due from the purchaser of our New Jersey Portfolio in March of 2022.
Gain on sale of real estate assets during the year ended December 31, 2022 includes $49.2 million of gain recognized on the sale of the 225 & 235 Presidential Way buildings, which closed in January of 2022, as well as $102.6 million of gain recognized on the sale of the 1414 Massachusetts Avenue building and the One Brattle Square building in December of 2022.
Results of Operations (2021 vs. 2020)
Please refer to "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations (2021 vs. 2020)" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC on February 17, 2022, for a discussion of the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.
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Issuer and Guarantor Financial Information
Piedmont, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Piedmont OP (the "Issuer"), has issued senior unsecured notes payable of $350 million that mature in 2023, $400 million that mature in 2024, and two separate issuances of $300 million, that mature in 2030 and 2032 respectively, (collectively, the "Notes"). The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Piedmont OP, rank equally in right of payment with all of Piedmont OP's other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, and would be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any of Piedmont OP’s future mortgage or other secured indebtedness (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness) and to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of Piedmont OP’s subsidiaries, whether secured or unsecured.
The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Guarantor"), the parent entity that consolidates Piedmont OP and all other subsidiaries. In particular, the Guarantor guarantees to each holder of the Notes that the principal and interest on the Notes will be paid in full when due, whether at the maturity dates of the respective loans, or upon acceleration, upon redemption, or otherwise; interest on overdue principal and interest on any overdue interest, if any, on the Notes will also be paid in full when due; and all other obligations of the Issuer to the holders of the Notes will be promptly paid in full. The Guarantor's guarantee of the Notes is its senior unsecured obligation and ranks equally in right of payment with all of the Guarantor's other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and guarantees. The Guarantor’s guarantee of the Notes is effectively subordinated in right of payment to any future mortgage or other secured indebtedness or secured guarantees of the Guarantor (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness and guarantees); and all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, whether secured or unsecured, of the Guarantor’s subsidiaries.
In the event of the bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up of Piedmont OP or the Guarantor, assets that secure any of their respective secured indebtedness and other secured obligations will be available to pay their respective obligations under the Notes or the guarantee, as applicable, and their other respective unsecured indebtedness and other unsecured obligations only after all of their respective indebtedness and other obligations secured by those assets have been repaid in full.
All non-Guarantor subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the Notes, or to make any funds available therefore, whether by dividends, loans, distributions or other payments.
Pursuant to Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X, Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered, the following tables present summarized financial information for Piedmont OP as Issuer and Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. as Guarantor on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the Issuer and the Guarantor and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary that is a non-Guarantor (in thousands):
Combined Balances of Piedmont OP and Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. as Issuer and Guarantor, respectively As of
December 31, 2022
As of
December 31, 2021
Due from non-guarantor subsidiary $ 900 $ 900
Total assets $ 325,884 $ 352,788
Total liabilities $ 1,845,551 $ 1,945,846
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Total revenues $ 52,800
Net loss $ (16,149)
Net Operating Income by Geographic Segment
Our chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), who is our President and Chief Executive Officer, evaluates our portfolio and assesses the ongoing operations and performance of our properties utilizing the following geographic segments: Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia, Boston, Orlando, Minneapolis, and New York. These operating segments are also Piedmont’s reportable segments. Additionally, as of December 31, 2022, Piedmont owned two properties in Houston that did not meet the definition of an operating or reportable segment as the CODM does not regularly review these properties for purposes of allocating resources or assessing performance, and Piedmont does not maintain a significant presence or anticipate
further investment in these markets. These two properties are included in "Other" below. See Note 16 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information and a reconciliation of Net income/(loss) applicable to Piedmont to Net Operating Income ("NOI").
The following table presents accrual-basis NOI by geographic segment (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2022 2021
Atlanta $ 82,878 $ 62,772
Dallas 62,444 66,155
Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia 39,994 36,914
Boston 39,101 45,587
Orlando 35,327 33,449
Minneapolis 31,886 32,538
New York 31,252 30,049
Total reportable segments 322,882 307,464
Other 14,685 10,163
Total NOI $ 337,567 $ 317,627
Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2022 Versus the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Atlanta
NOI increased primarily due to the acquisition of 999 Peachtree Street during the fourth quarter of 2021 and 1180 Peachtree Street during the third quarter of 2022.
Dallas
NOI decreased primarily due to a contraction by a tenant at 750 West John Carpenter Freeway, as well as an expiration of a lease at One Galleria Tower during 2021.
Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia
NOI increased due to the commencement of certain leases, primarily at 400 Virginia Avenue and 3100 Clarendon Boulevard.
Boston
NOI decreased primarily due to the disposition of 225 and 235 Presidential Way in January 2022.
Other
NOI increased primarily due to the expiration of rental and operating expense abatements associated with the Transocean lease at our Enclave Place building in Houston, Texas during the second quarter of 2021.
Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Core Funds From Operations ("Core FFO"), and Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”)
Net income/(loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP is the starting point for calculating FFO, Core FFO, and AFFO. These metrics are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be viewed as an alternative measurement of our operating performance to net income/(loss). Management believes that accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting alone to be insufficient. As a result, we believe that the additive use of FFO, Core FFO, and AFFO, together with the required GAAP presentation, provides a more complete understanding of our performance relative to our competitors and a more informed and appropriate basis on which to make decisions involving operating, financing, and investing activities.
We calculate FFO in accordance with the current National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") definition. NAREIT currently defines FFO as Net income/(loss) (calculated in accordance with GAAP), excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from change in control, and impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investment in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity, along with appropriate adjustments to those reconciling items for joint ventures, if any. Other REITs may not define FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition, or may interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do; therefore, our computation of FFO may not be comparable to the computation made by other REITs.
We calculate Core FFO by starting with FFO, as defined by NAREIT, and adjusting for gains or losses on the extinguishment of swaps and/or debt and any significant non-recurring or infrequent items. Core FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be viewed as an alternative to net income/(loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP as a measurement of our operating performance. We believe that Core FFO is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure because it excludes the effects of certain infrequent or non-recurring items which can create significant earnings volatility, but which do not directly relate to our core recurring business operations. As a result, we believe that Core FFO can help facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and provides a more meaningful predictor of future earnings potential. Other REITs may not define Core FFO in the same manner as us; therefore, our computation of Core FFO may not be comparable to the computation made by other REITs.
We calculate AFFO by starting with Core FFO and adjusting for non-incremental capital expenditures and then adding back non-cash items including: non-real estate depreciation, straight-lined rents and fair value lease adjustments, non-cash components of interest expense and compensation expense, and by making similar adjustments for joint ventures, if any. AFFO is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be viewed as an alternative to net income/(loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP as a measurement of our operating performance. We believe that AFFO is helpful to investors as a meaningful supplemental comparative performance measure of our ability to make incremental capital investments in new properties or enhancements to existing properties that improve revenue growth potential. Other REITs may not define AFFO in the same manner as us; therefore, our computation of AFFO may not be comparable to the computation of other REITs.
Reconciliations of net income/(loss) to FFO, Core FFO, and AFFO for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, are presented below (in thousands except per share amounts):
2022 Per
Share (1)
2021 Per
Share(1)
2020 Per
Share(1)
GAAP net income/(loss) applicable to common stock $ 146,830 $ 1.19 $ (1,153) $ (0.01) $ 232,688 $ 1.85
Depreciation of real assets
132,849 1.07 119,629 0.96 109,326 0.86
Amortization of lease-related costs
90,891 0.74 85,946 0.69 93,242 0.74
Impairment losses
25,981 0.21 41,000 0.33 - -
Gain on sale of real estate assets
(151,729) (1.23) - - (205,666) (1.63)
NAREIT Funds From Operations applicable to common stock
$ 244,822 $ 1.98 $ 245,422 $ 1.97 $ 229,590 $ 1.82
Adjustments:
Severance costs associated with fourth quarter 2022 management reorganization 2,248 0.02 - - - -
Loss on extinguishment of debt
- - - - 9,336 0.07
Core Funds From Operations applicable to common stock
$ 247,070 $ 2.00 $ 245,422 $ 1.97 $ 238,926 $ 1.89
Adjustments:
Amortization of debt issuance costs, fair market adjustments on notes payable, and discounts on debt
3,389 2,857 2,833
Depreciation of non real estate assets
728 949 1,216
Straight-line effects of lease revenue
(11,230) (10,566) (22,601)
Stock-based compensation adjustments
4,833 7,924 7,014
Amortization of lease-related intangibles
(13,426) (11,290) (12,284)
Non-incremental capital expenditures (2)
(53,324) (75,162) (77,682)
Adjusted Funds From Operations applicable to common stock
$ 178,040 $ 160,134 $ 137,422
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted 123,524 124,455 (3)
126,104
(1)Based on weighted-average shares outstanding-diluted.
(2)We define non-incremental capital expenditures as capital expenditures of a recurring nature related to tenant improvements, leasing commissions, and building capital that do not incrementally enhance the underlying assets' income generating capacity. Tenant improvements, leasing commissions, building capital and deferred lease incentives incurred to lease space that was vacant at acquisition, leasing costs for spaces vacant for greater than one year, leasing costs for spaces at newly acquired properties for which in-place leases expire shortly after acquisition, improvements associated with the expansion of a building, and renovations that either enhance the rental rates of a building or change the property's underlying classification, such as from a Class B to a Class A property, are excluded from this measure.
(3)Includes potential dilution under the treasury stock method that would occur if our remaining unvested and potential stock awards vested and resulted in additional common shares outstanding. Such shares are not included when calculating net loss per diluted share applicable to Piedmont for the year ended December 31, 2021 as they would reduce the loss per share presented.
Property and Same Store Net Operating Income
Property Net Operating Income ("Property NOI") is a non-GAAP measure which we use to assess our operating results. We calculate Property NOI beginning with Net income/(loss) (calculated in accordance with GAAP) before adjusting for interest, depreciation and amortization and removing any impairments and gains or losses from sales of property and other significant infrequent items that create volatility within our earnings and make it difficult to determine the earnings generated by our core ongoing business. Furthermore, we remove general and administrative expenses, income associated with property management performed by us for other organizations, and other income or expense items, such as interest income from loan investments. For Property NOI (cash basis), the effects of non-cash general reserve for uncollectible accounts, straight-lined rents and fair value lease revenue are also eliminated; while such effects are not adjusted in calculating Property NOI (accrual basis). Property NOI is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be viewed as an alternative to net income/(loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP as a measurement of our operating performance. We believe that Property NOI, on either a cash or accrual basis, is helpful to investors as a supplemental comparative performance measure of income generated by our properties alone without our administrative overhead. Other REITs may not define Property NOI in the same manner as we do; therefore, our computation of Property NOI may not be comparable to that of other REITs.
We calculate Same Store Net Operating Income ("Same Store NOI") as Property NOI attributable to the properties (excluding undeveloped land parcels) that were (i) owned by us during the entire span of the current and prior year reporting periods; (ii) that were not being developed or redeveloped during those periods; and (iii) for which no operating expenses were capitalized during those periods. Same Store NOI, on either a cash or accrual basis, is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be viewed as an alternative to net income/(loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP as a measurement of our operating performance. We believe that Same Store NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental comparative performance measure of the income generated from the same group of properties from one period to the next. Other REITs may not define Same Store NOI in the same manner as we do; therefore, our computation of Same Store NOI may not be comparable to that of other REITs.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation from net income/(loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP to EBITDAre, Core EBITDA, Property NOI, and Same Store NOI on both a cash and accrual basis, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in thousands):
Cash Basis Accrual Basis
December 31,
2022 December 31,
2021 December 31,
2022 December 31,
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piedmont (GAAP basis) $ 146,830 $ (1,153) $ 146,830 $ (1,153)
Net loss applicable to noncontrolling interest
- (14) - (14)
Interest expense
65,656 51,292 65,656 51,292
Depreciation
133,577 120,578 133,577 120,578
Amortization
90,891 85,946 90,891 85,946
Depreciation and amortization attributable to noncontrolling interests 85 84 85 84
Impairment losses
25,981 41,000 25,981 41,000
Gain on sale of real estate assets
(151,729) - (151,729) -
EBITDAre(1)
311,291 297,733 311,291 297,733
Severance costs associated with fourth quarter 2022 management reorganization 2,248 - 2,248 -
Core EBITDA(2)
313,539 297,733 313,539 297,733
General & administrative expenses
26,879 30,252 26,879 30,252
Management fee revenue(3)
(1,004) (1,269) (1,004) (1,269)
Other income
(1,847) (9,089) (1,847) (9,089)
Non-cash general reserve/(reversal) for uncollectible accounts (3,000) (553)
Straight-line rent effects of lease revenue
(11,230) (10,566)
Straight-line effects of lease revenue attributable to noncontrolling interests (10) 3
Amortization of lease-related intangibles
(13,426) (11,290)
Property NOI 309,901 295,221 337,567 317,627
Net operating (income)/loss from:
Acquisitions(4)
(18,720) (2,460) (27,055) (3,273)
Dispositions(5)
(10,714) (17,572) (10,826) (18,400)
Other investments(6)
763 841 651 1,067
Same Store NOI $ 281,230 $ 276,030 $ 300,337 $ 297,021
Change period over period in Same Store NOI 1.9 % N/A 1.1 % N/A
(1)We calculate Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization- Real Estate ("EBITDAre") in accordance with the current NAREIT definition. NAREIT currently defines EBITDAre as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP) adjusted for gains or losses from sales of property, impairment losses, depreciation on real estate assets, amortization on real estate assets, interest expense and taxes, along with the same adjustments for joint ventures. Some of the adjustments mentioned can vary among owners of identical assets in similar conditions based on historical cost accounting and useful-life estimates. EBITDAre is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be viewed as an alternative to net income calculated in accordance with GAAP as a measurement of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDAre is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure because it provides a metric for understanding our results from ongoing operations without taking into account the effects of non-cash expenses (such as depreciation and amortization) and capitalization and capital structure expenses (such as interest
expense and taxes). We also believe that EBITDAre can help facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and with other REITs. However, other REITs may not define EBITDAre in accordance with the NAREIT definition, or may interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than us; therefore, our computation of EBITDAre may not be comparable to that of such other REITs.
(2)We calculate Core Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization ("Core EBITDA") as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and removing any impairment losses, gains or losses from sales of property and other significant infrequent items that create volatility within our earnings and make it difficult to determine the earnings generated by our core ongoing business. Core EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be viewed as an alternative to net income calculated in accordance with GAAP as a measurement of our operating performance. We believe that Core EBITDA is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure because it provides a metric for understanding the performance of our results from ongoing operations without taking into account the effects of non-cash expenses (such as depreciation and amortization), as well as items that are not part of normal day-to-day operations of our business. Other REITs may not define Core EBITDA in the same manner as us; therefore, our computation of Core EBITDA may not be comparable to that of other REITs.
(3)Presented net of related operating expenses incurred to earn such management fee revenue.
(4)Acquisitions include 999 Peachtree Street, purchased during the fourth quarter of 2021, and 1180 Peachtree Street, purchased during the third quarter of 2022, both located in Atlanta, Georgia.
(5)Dispositions include Two Pierce Place in Itasca, Illinois and 225 and 235 Presidential Way in Woburn, Massachusetts, all sold during the first quarter of 2022, and One Brattle Square and 1414 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts, sold in the fourth quarter of 2022.
(6)Other investments consist of active redevelopment and development projects, land, and recently completed redevelopment and development projects for which some portion of operating expenses were capitalized during the current and/or prior year reporting periods. The operating results from 222 South Orange Avenue in Florida are included in this line item.
Overview
Our portfolio consists of office properties located within identified growth submarkets in large metropolitan cities concentrated primarily in the Sunbelt. We typically lease space to creditworthy corporate or governmental tenants on a long-term basis. As of December 31, 2022, our average lease was approximately 15,000 square feet with approximately six years of lease term remaining. Consequently, leased percentage, as well as rent roll ups and roll downs, which we experience as a result of re-leasing, can fluctuate widely between buildings and between tenants, depending on when a particular lease is scheduled to commence or expire.
Leased Percentage
Our portfolio was 86.7% leased as of December 31, 2022, as compared to 85.5% leased as of December 31, 2021, and scheduled lease expirations for the portfolio as a whole for 2023 represent approximately 7% of our ALR, some portion of which may renew. To the extent the square footage from new leases for currently vacant space exceed or fall short of the square footage associated with non-renewing expirations, such leases would increase or decrease our overall leased percentage, respectively.
Impact of Downtime, Abatement Periods, and Rental Rate Changes
Commencement of a lease associated with a new tenant in the property typically occurs 6-18 months after the lease execution date, after refurbishment of the space is completed. The downtime between a lease expiration and the new lease's commencement can negatively impact Property NOI and Same Store NOI comparisons (both accrual and cash basis). In addition, office leases, both to new tenants and those renewing, often contain upfront rental and/or operating expense abatement periods which delay the cash flow benefits of the lease even after the new lease or renewal has commenced and negatively impact Property NOI and Same Store NOI on a cash basis until such abatements expire. As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 1.14 million square feet of executed leases for vacant space yet to commence or under rental abatement, representing approximately $33 million of additional annual cash revenue.
If we are unable to replace expiring leases with new or renewal leases at rental rates equal to or greater than the expiring rates, rental rate roll downs could occur and negatively impact Property NOI and Same Store NOI comparisons. As mentioned above, our diverse portfolio and the magnitude of some of our tenants' leased spaces can result in rent roll ups and roll downs that can fluctuate widely on a building-by-building and a quarter-to-quarter basis. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we experienced a 9.7% and 17.2% roll up in cash and accrual rents, respectively, on executed leases related to space vacant one year or less. Both increases for the year were impacted by a lease renewal and extension executed with a large tenant with an average lease term of three years at our Three Galleria Tower building in Dallas, Texas.
Same Store NOI increased by 1.9% and 1.1% on a cash and accrual basis, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The primary drivers of the increases in both metrics were increased rental rates and the expiration of abatements at certain properties. Property NOI and Same Store NOI comparisons for any given period fluctuate as a result of the mix of net leasing activity in individual properties during the respective period.
Election as a REIT
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code and have operated as such beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1998. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our adjusted REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains attributable to our stockholders, as defined by the Code. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we may be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income for that year and for the four years following the year during which qualification is lost and/or penalties, unless the IRS grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income/(loss) and net cash available for distribution to our stockholders. However, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT and intend to continue to operate in the foreseeable future in such a manner that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. We have elected to treat one of our wholly owned subsidiaries as a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS"). Our TRS performs non-customary services for tenants of buildings that we own, including real estate and non-real estate related-services. Any earnings related to such services performed by our TRS are subject to federal and state income taxes. In addition, for us to continue to qualify as a REIT, our investments in TRS cannot exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.
Inflation
We are exposed to inflation risk, as income from long-term leases is the primary source of our cash flows from operations. There are provisions in the majority of our tenant leases that are intended to protect us from, and mitigate the risk of, the impact of inflation. These provisions include rent steps, reimbursement billings for operating expense pass-through charges, real estate tax, and insurance on a per square-foot basis, or in some cases, annual reimbursement of operating expenses above certain per square-foot allowances. However, due to the long-term nature of the leases, the leases may not readjust their reimbursement rates frequently enough to fully cover inflation.
Application of Critical Accounting Estimates
Our accounting policies have been established to conform with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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, thus, resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact comparability of our results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses. The critical accounting policies outlined below have been discussed with members of the Audit Committee of the board of directors.
Valuation of Real Estate Assets
We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of the real estate and intangible assets of operating properties in which we have an ownership interest, either directly or through investments in joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present, we assess whether the respective carrying values will be recovered from the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition for assets held for use, or from the estimated fair value, less costs to sell, for assets held for sale. In the event that the expected undiscounted future cash flows for assets held for use or the estimated fair value, less costs to sell, for assets held for sale do not exceed the respective asset carrying value, we adjust such assets to the respective estimated fair values and recognize an impairment loss.
Projections of expected future cash flows require that we estimate future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, the number of months it takes to re-lease the property, and the number of years the property is held for investment, among other factors. The changing of these assumptions and the subjectivity of assumptions used in the future cash flow analysis, including capitalization and discount rates, could result in a changed assessment or an incorrect assessment of the property’s estimated fair value and, therefore, could result in the
misstatement of the carrying value of our real estate and related intangible assets and our reported net income/(loss) attributable to Piedmont.
Valuation of Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts specifically assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in purchase accounting for business combinations, and is allocated to each of our reporting units. We test the carrying value of the goodwill assigned to each of our reporting units for impairment on an annual basis, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit may be less than its carrying value. Such interim circumstances may include, but are not limited to, significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the general business climate, adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, the loss of key personnel, or persistent declines in an entity’s stock price below the carrying value of the entity.
In performing our goodwill impairment assessment, we compare the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units to the reporting unit's carrying value. If we conclude the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then we would recognize a goodwill impairment loss equal to the excess of the reporting unit's carrying amount over its estimated fair value (not to exceed the total goodwill allocated to that reporting unit). Estimation of the fair value of each reporting unit involves projections of discounted future cash flows, which are derived using certain assumptions that are subjective in nature. We also make estimates about future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, and the number of months it takes to re-lease the property, among other factors. The changing of these assumptions and the subjectivity of the market based assumptions used in the discounted future cash flow analysis, particularly the capitalization rates and discount rates, could result in a changed assessment or an incorrect assessment of the reporting unit’s estimated fair value and, therefore, could result in the misstatement of the carrying value of our reporting units and related goodwill and our reported net income/(loss) attributable to Piedmont. In addition, adverse economic conditions could also cause us to recognize additional asset impairment charges in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Rental Revenue Recognition
Rental income for office properties is our principal source of revenue. The timing of rental revenue recognition is largely dependent on our conclusion as to whether we, or our tenant, are the owner of tenant improvements at the leased property. The determination of whether we, or our tenant, are the owner of tenant improvements for accounting purposes is subject to significant judgment. In making that determination, we consider numerous factors and perform an evaluation of each individual lease. No one factor is determinative in reaching a conclusion. The factors we evaluate include but are not limited to the following:
•whether the tenant is obligated by the terms of the lease agreement to construct or install the leasehold improvements as a condition of the lease;
•whether the landlord can require the lessee to make specified improvements or otherwise enforce its economic rights to those assets;
•whether the tenant is required to provide the landlord with documentation supporting the cost of tenant improvements prior to reimbursement by the landlord;
•whether the landlord is obligated to fund cost overruns for the construction of leasehold improvements;
•whether the leasehold improvements are unique to the tenant or could reasonably be used by other parties; and
•whether the estimated economic life of the leasehold improvements is long enough to allow for a significant residual value that could benefit the landlord at the end of the lease term.
When we conclude that we are the owner of tenant improvements, we record the cost to construct the tenant improvements as an asset and commence rental revenue recognition when the tenant takes possession of or controls the finished space, which is typically when the improvements being recorded as our asset are substantially complete, and our landlord obligation has been materially satisfied. When we conclude that our tenant is the owner of certain tenant improvements, we record our contribution towards those improvements as a lease incentive, which is amortized as a reduction to rental and tenant reimbursement revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease, and the recognition of rental revenue begins when the tenant takes possession of or controls the space.
In addition, we also record the cost of certain tenant improvements paid for or reimbursed by tenants when we conclude that we are the owner of such tenant improvements using the factors discussed above. For these tenant-funded tenant improvements, we record the amount funded or reimbursed by tenants as an asset and deferred revenue. The asset is depreciated and the deferred revenue is amortized and recognized as rental revenue over the term of the related lease beginning upon substantial completion
of the leased premises. Consequently, our determination as to whether we, or our tenant, are the owner of tenant improvements for accounting purposes has a significant impact on both the amount and timing of rental revenue that we record related to tenant-funded tenant improvements.
Related-Party Transactions and Agreements
There were no related-party transactions during the three years ended December 31, 2022, other than a consulting agreement with our former Chief Investment Officer, who retired effective June 30, 2017, and remained a consultant for us until June 30, 2020, earning $18,500 per month. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, Piedmont recognized approximately $0, $0, and $0.1 million, respectively, of expense related to this consulting agreement.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our future income, cash flows, and estimated fair values of our financial instruments depend in part upon prevailing market interest rates. Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency, exchange rates, commodity prices, and equity prices. As of December 31, 2022, our potential for exposure to market risk includes interest rate fluctuations in connection with borrowings under our $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit and the $200 Million Unsecured 2022 Term Loan Facility. As a result, the primary market risk to which we believe we are exposed is interest rate risk. Many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, and other factors that are beyond our control contribute to interest rate risk, including changes in the method pursuant to which LIBOR rates and SOFR rates are determined. Furthermore, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has announced that USD LIBOR will no longer by published after June 30, 2023. Piedmont has completed an evaluation of its credit agreements which reference LIBOR and determined that each of these agreements already contain "fallback" language allowing for the establishment of an alternate rate of interest that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the U.S. at that time by Piedmont and the respective agent, as defined in the respective agreements. In addition, all new unsecured debt agreements entered into during the year ended December 31, 2022 utilize SOFR as the reference rate.
Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flow primarily through a low-to-moderate level of overall borrowings, as well as managing the variability in rate fluctuations on our outstanding debt. As such, all of our debt as of December 31, 2022, other than the $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit and our $200 Million Unsecured Term Loan Facility, is currently based on fixed or effectively-fixed interest rates to hedge against volatility in the credit markets. We do not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes, as such all of our debt and derivative instruments were entered into for purposes other than trading purposes.
Our financial instruments consist of both fixed and variable-rate debt. As of December 31, 2022, our consolidated principal outstanding for aggregate debt maturities consisted of the following (in thousands):
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Thereafter Total
Maturing debt:
Variable rate repayments $ - $ 200,000 (2)
$ - $ - $ - $ - $ 200,000
Variable rate average interest rate (1)
- % 5.42 % - % - % - % - % 5.42 %
Fixed rate repayments $ 350,000 $ 400,000 $ 250,000 (3)
$ - $ - $ 797,000 $ 1,797,000
Fixed rate average interest rate (1)
3.40 % 4.45 % 4.54 % - % - % 3.23 % 3.72 %
(1)See Note 4 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further details on our debt structure.
(2)We may extend the term for six additional months to a final extended maturity date of June 18, 2025, provided we are not then in default and all representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects and upon payment of extension fees.
(3)Includes the $250 Million Unsecured 2018 Term Loan. The facility has a stated variable rate; however, Piedmont's interest rate swap agreements as of December 31, 2022 effectively fix, exclusive of changes to Piedmont's credit rating, the full principal balance to 4.54% through the maturity date of the loan.
The estimated fair value of our debt above as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $1.8 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Our interest rate swap agreements in place as of December 31, 2022 carried a notional amount of $250 million and a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 4.54%, whereas the interest rate swap agreements in place as of December 31, 2021 carried a notional amount totaling $100 million and a weighted-average fixed interest rate of 3.56%.
As of December 31, 2022, our total outstanding debt subject to fixed, or effectively fixed, interest rates totaling approximately $1.8 billion has an average effective interest rate of approximately 3.72% per annum with expirations ranging from 2023 to 2032. A change in the market interest rate impacts the net financial instrument position of our fixed-rate debt portfolio but has no impact on interest incurred or cash flows for that portfolio.
As of December 31, 2022, we had no outstanding balance on our $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit. Our $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit currently has a stated rate of Adjusted SOFR plus 0.85% per annum (based on our current corporate credit rating). Our $200 Million Unsecured Term Loan Facility has a stated rate of Adjusted SOFR plus 1.00% per annum (based on our current corporate credit rating), resulting in a total interest rate of 5.42%. To the extent that we borrow funds in the future under the $600 Million Unsecured 2022 Line of Credit or potential future variable-rate lines of credit, we would have exposure to increases in interest rates, which would potentially increase our cost of debt. Additionally, a 1.0% increase in variable interest rates on our existing outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2022 would increase interest expense approximately $2.0 million on a per annum basis.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and supplementary data filed as part of this report are set forth beginning on page of this report.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There were no disagreements with our independent registered public accountants during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s Conclusions Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report in providing a reasonable level of assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods in SEC rules and forms, including providing a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the 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 GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of our assets;
•provide reasonable assurance that the transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and/or members of the board of 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 the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls, material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Accordingly, even internal controls determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and represented within the time periods required.
Our management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2022. To make this assessment, we used the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2022, our system of internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Piedmont’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of Piedmont’s internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control -Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, of the Company and our report dated February 23, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s 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 Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (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.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 23, 2023

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pursuant to Paragraph G(3) of the General Instructions to Form 10-K, the information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14) is being incorporated by reference herein from our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 in connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics, which is available on Piedmont’s website at www.piedmontreit.com under the “Investor Relations” section. Any amendments to, or waivers of, the Code of Ethics will be disclosed on our website promptly following the date of such amendment or waiver. The information contained on our website is not incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 12 will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by Item 13 will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Item 14 will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) 1. The financial statements begin on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following financial statements of the Registrant, together with the applicable report of independent registered public accounting firm, are filed as part of this report:
Financial Statements Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB Firm # 34)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a) 2. Schedule III-Real Estate Assets and Accumulated Depreciation.
Information with respect to this item begins on page S-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is given in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(b) The Exhibits filed in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed on the Exhibit Index listed below.
Exhibit Number Description of Document
3.1 Third Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Company") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed on March 16, 2010)
3.2 Articles of Amendment of the Company effective June 30, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2011)
3.3 Articles Supplementary of the Company effective June 30, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2011)
3.4 Articles Supplementary to the Third Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as supplemented and amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 14, 2016)
3.5 Articles of Amendment to the Third Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as supplemented and amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 23, 2018)
3.6 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 19, 2019)
4.1 Indenture, dated May 9, 2013, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP (the "Operating Partnership"), the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 13, 2013)
4.2 Form of 3.40% Senior Notes due 2023 (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto)
4.3 Indenture, dated March 6, 2014, by and among the Operating Partnership, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 6, 2014)
4.4 Supplemental Indenture, dated March 6, 2014, by and among the Operating Partnership, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 6, 2014)
4.5 Form of 4.450% Senior Notes due 2024 (included in Exhibit 4.2 hereto)
4.6 Supplemental Indenture, dated August 12, 2020, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2020)
4.7 Form of 3.150% Senior Notes due 2030 (included in Exhibit 4.1) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2020)
4.8 Description of Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on February 19, 2020)
4.9 Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 20, 2021, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 20, 2021)
4.10 Form of 2.75% Senior Notes due 2023 (included in Exhibit 4.9)
10.1 Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, dated January 1, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed on March 28, 2001)
10.2 Amendment to Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2000, dated April 16, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 20, 2007)
10.3 Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2000, dated August 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 10, 2007)
10.4 Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment Plan of the Company adopted February 24, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 24, 2011)
10.5* The Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Executive Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 5, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on February 18, 2014)
10.6* The Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Executive Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Adoption Agreement dated December 5, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on February 18, 2014)
10.7* Employment Agreement dated April 16, 2007, by and between the Company and Robert E. Bowers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 20, 2007)
10.8* Employment Agreement dated May 14, 2007, by and between the Company and Laura P. Moon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 14, 2007)
10.9* Offer Letter Dated October 17, 2012 among the Company and Robert K. Wiberg (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed on February 27, 2013)
10.10* Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2019, by and between the Company and Christopher Kollme (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed on February 20, 2019)
10.11* Employment Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2019, between the Company and C. Brent Smith (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 19, 2019)
10.12* Consulting Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2016, by and between the Company and Raymond L. Owens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed on February 21, 2017)
10.13* Confidential Retirement Agreement and General Release, dated as of November 28, 2016, by and between the Company and Raymond L. Owens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed on February 21, 2017)
10.14 Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement Dated as Of September 28, 2018 by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., as Parent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Co-Lead Arrangers and Book Managers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, SunTrust Bank as Syndication Agent, and the other financial institutions initially signatory thereto and their assignees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2018)
10.15* Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the Commission on March 22, 2017)
10.16* Amendment Number Three to the Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Program effective May 2, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017, filed on August 2, 2017)
10.17* Form of Employee Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company effective May 2, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017, filed on August 2, 2017)
10.18 Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2018, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., as Parent, U.S. Bank National Association, PNC Capital Markets LLC, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners, U.S. Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, PNC Bank, National Association and SunTrust Bank as Syndication Agents, and the other banks signatory thereto as Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 3, 2018)
10.19 Amendment No. 1, dated as of September 28, 2018, to the Term Loan Agreement between Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association as Administrative Agent dated as of March 29, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018, filed on October 30, 2018)
10.20 Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 3, 2020, to the Term Loan Agreement dated March 29, 2018, between Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, filed on April 29, 2020)
10.21 Revolving Credit Agreement Dated as of September 28, 2018 by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., as Parent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association and PNC Capital Markets LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, SunTrust Bank, U.S. Bank National Association and PNC Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agents, Bank Of America, N.A., BMO Harris Bank, N.A., Branch Banking and Trust Company, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., TD Bank, N.A., The Bank Of Nova Scotia and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Documentation Agents, and the other financial institutions initially signatory thereto and their assignees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 2, 2018)
10.22* Form of Employee Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company effective February 19, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on February 19, 2020)
10.23* Form of Director Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company effective February 19, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on February 19, 2020)
10.24 Purchase and Sale Agreement Between SPUS7 Galleria, LP, as Seller and Piedmont Dallas Galleria, LLC, as Purchaser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2020)
10.25 Term Loan Agreement, dated February 10, 2020, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. as Parent, Suntrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book Manager, Truist Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the other financial institutions initially signatory hereto and their assignees as Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 12, 2020)
10.26 Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan Agreement, dated March 24, 2020, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Truist Bank, as administrative agent and lender, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, as new Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2020)
10.27* Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Program Award Agreement dated May 3, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, filed on April 29, 2020)
10.28* Amendment No. 4 to Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc.'s Long-Term Incentive Program effective March 19, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021, filed on July 28, 2021)
10.29* Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Program Award Agreement effective March 19, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, filed on April 29, 2020)
10.30* Piedmont Realty Trust, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 12, 2021)
10.31* Form of Employee Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 filed on April 28, 2021)
10.32* Form of Employee Officer Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 filed on April 28, 2021)
10.33* Form of Director Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 filed on April 28, 2021)
10.34 Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2022, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., as Parent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Truist Securities, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC., as Joint Lead Arrangers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank National Association, PNC Bank, National Association, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Syndication Agents, and the other financial institutions initially signatory thereto and their assignees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 15, 2022)
10.35 Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 22, 2022, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., as Parent, Truist Securities, Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book Manager, Truist Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the other financial institutions initially signatory thereto and their assignees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 27, 2022)
10.36 Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan Agreement dated as of December 14, 2022, by and among Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP, as Borrower, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., as Parent, Truist Securities, Inc., as Lead Arranger and Book Manager, Truist Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the other financial institutions initially signatory thereto and their assignees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 14, 2022)
10.37 Loan Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Omnibus Amendment to Note, Loan Agreement and Other Loan Documents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 16, 2022)
10.38 Loan Agreement dated as of September 10, 2018 by and between 1180 Peachtree Office Investors, LLC, as Borrower, and Metlife Real Estate Lending LLC, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 16, 2022)
10.39* Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Program Award Agreement effective February 17, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022, filed on April 27, 2022)
10.40* Form of Employee Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company effective February 10, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022 filed on April 27, 2022)
10.41* Form of Employee Officer Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company effective February 10, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022 filed on April 27, 2022)
10.42* Employment Agreement dated November 1, 2022, by and between the Company and George M. Wells (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022 filed on November 2, 2022)
21.1 List of Subsidiaries of the Company
22.1 Subsidiary Issuer of Guaranteed Securities
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.1** Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2** Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*** Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*** Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104.1 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Identifies each management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed.
** Filed herewith.
*** Furnished herewith.