EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1577966
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 1577966_10-K_2021_0000860546-21-000010.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
OUR COMPANY
General. Corporate Office Properties Trust (“COPT”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a fully-integrated and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Corporate Office Properties, L.P. (“COPLP”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”) is the entity through which COPT, the sole general partner of COPLP, conducts almost all of its operations and owns almost all of its assets. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, “we”, “us” and “our” as used herein refer to each of the Company and the Operating Partnership. We own, manage, lease, develop and selectively acquire office and data center properties. The majority of our portfolio is in locations that support the United States Government (“USG”) and its contractors, most of whom are engaged in national security, defense and information technology (“IT”) related activities servicing what we believe are growing, durable, priority missions (“Defense/IT Locations”). We also own a portfolio of office properties located in select urban/urban-like submarkets in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region with durable Class-A office fundamentals and characteristics (“Regional Office”). As of December 31, 2020, our properties included the following:
•181 properties totaling 21.0 million square feet comprised of 16.2 million square feet in 155 office properties and 4.7 million square feet in 26 single-tenant data center shell properties (“data center shells”). We owned 17 of these data center shells through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures;
•a wholesale data center with a critical load of 19.25 megawatts;
•11 properties under development (nine office properties and two data center shells), including three partially-operational properties, that we estimate will total approximately 1.5 million square feet upon completion; and
•approximately 830 acres of land controlled for future development that we believe could be developed into approximately 10.4 million square feet and 43 acres of other land.
COPLP owns real estate directly and through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”). In addition to owning real estate, COPLP also owns subsidiaries that provide real estate services such as property management, development and construction services primarily for our properties but also for third parties. Some of these services are performed by a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”).
Equity interests in COPLP are in the form of common and preferred units. As of December 31, 2020, COPT owned 98.6% of the outstanding COPLP common units (“common units”) and there were no preferred units outstanding. Common units not owned by COPT carry certain redemption rights. The number of common units owned by COPT is equivalent to the number of outstanding common shares of beneficial interest (“common shares”) of COPT, and the entitlement of common units to quarterly distributions and payments in liquidation is substantially the same as that of COPT common shareholders.
COPT’s common shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “OFC”.
Because COPLP is managed by COPT, and COPT conducts substantially all of its operations through COPLP, we refer to COPT’s executive officers as COPLP’s executive officers; similarly, although COPLP does not have a board of trustees, we refer to COPT’s Board of Trustees as COPLP’s Board of Trustees.
We believe that COPT is organized and has operated in a manner that satisfies the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and we intend to continue to operate COPT in such a manner. If COPT continues to qualify for taxation as a REIT, it generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on its taxable income (other than that of its TRS entities) that is distributed to its shareholders. A REIT is subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it distribute at least 90% of its annual taxable income to its shareholders.
Our executive offices are located at 6711 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, Maryland 21046 and our telephone number is (443) 285-5400.
Our Internet address is www.copt.com. We make available on our Internet website free of charge our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably possible after we file such material with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In addition, we have made available on our Internet website under the heading “Corporate Governance” the charters for our Board of Trustees’
Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation and Investment Committees, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Financial Officers. We intend to make available on our website any future amendments or waivers to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Financial Officers within four business days after any such amendments or waivers. The information on our Internet site is not part of this report.
The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. This Internet website can be accessed at www.sec.gov.
Business and Growth Strategies
Our primary goal is to create value and deliver attractive and competitive total returns to our shareholders. This section sets forth key components of our business and growth strategies that we have in place to support this goal.
Defense/IT Locations Strategy: We specialize in serving the unique requirements of tenants in our Defense/IT Locations properties. These properties are primarily occupied by the USG and contractor tenants engaged in what we believe are high priority security, defense and IT missions. These tenants’ missions pertain more to knowledge- and technology-based activities (i.e., cyber security, research and development and other highly technical defense and security areas) than to force structure (i.e., troops) and weapon system mass production. Our office and data center shell portfolio is significantly concentrated in Defense/IT Locations, which as of December 31, 2020 accounted for 171 of the portfolio’s 181 properties, representing 87.1% of its annualized rental revenue, and we control developable land to accommodate future growth in this portfolio. These properties generally have higher tenant renewal rates than is typical in commercial office space due in large part to: their proximity to defense installations or other key demand drivers; the ability of many of these properties to meet Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (“ATFP”) requirements; and significant investments often made by tenants for unique needs such as Secure Compartmented Information Facility (“SCIF”), critical power supply and operational redundancy.
In recent years, data center shells have been a significant growth driver for our Defense/IT Locations. Data center shells are properties leased to tenants to be operated as data centers in which we provide tenants with only the core building and basic power, while the tenants fund the costs for the critical power, fiber connectivity and data center infrastructure. From 2013 through 2020, we placed into service 26 data center shells totaling 4.7 million square feet, and we had an additional two under development totaling 420,000 square feet as of December 31, 2020. We enter into long-term leases for these properties prior to commencing development, with triple-net structures and multiple extension options and rent escalators to provide future growth. Additionally, our tenants’ funding of the costs to fully power and equip these properties significantly enhances the value of these properties and creates high barriers to exit for such tenants.
We believe that our properties and team collectively complement our Defense/IT Locations strategy due to our:
•properties’ proximity to defense installations and other knowledge- and technology-based government demand drivers. Such proximity is generally preferred and often required for our tenants to execute their missions. Specifically, our:
•office properties are proximate to such mission-critical facilities as Fort George G. Meade (which houses over 100 Department of Defense organizations and agencies, including ones engaged in signals intelligence, such as U.S. Cyber Command and Defense Information Systems Agency) and Redstone Arsenal (one of the largest defense installations in the United States, housing priority missions such as Army procurement, missile defense, space exploration, and research and development, testing and engineering of advanced weapons systems); and
•data center shells located in Northern Virginia, proximate to the MAE-East Corridor, which is a major Network Access Point in the United States for interconnecting traffic between Internet service providers;
•well-established relationships with the USG and its contractors;
•extensive experience in developing:
•high quality, highly-efficient office properties;
•secured, specialized space, with the ability to satisfy the USG’s unique needs (including SCIF and ATFP requirements); and
•data center shells to customer specifications within very condensed timeframes to accommodate time-sensitive tenant demand; and
•depth of knowledge, specialized skills and credentialed personnel in operating highly-specialized properties with unique security-oriented requirements.
Regional Office Strategy: While Defense/IT Locations are our primary focus, we also own a portfolio of office properties located in select urban/urban-like submarkets in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region due to our strong market knowledge in that region. We believe that these submarkets possess the following favorable characteristics: (1) mixed-use, lifestyle oriented locations with a robust residential and retail base; (2) proximity to public transportation and major transportation routes; (3) an educated workforce; and (4) a diverse employment base. As of December 31, 2020, we owned eight Regional Office properties, representing 12.5% of our office and data center shell portfolio’s annualized rental revenue. These properties were comprised of: three high-rise Baltimore City properties proximate to the city’s waterfront; four Northern Virginia properties proximate to existing or future Washington Metropolitan Area Metrorail stations and major interstates; and a newly-developed property in Washington, D.C.’s central business district.
Asset Management Strategy: We aggressively manage our portfolio to maximize the value and operating performance of each property through: (1) proactive property management and leasing; (2) maximizing tenant retention in order to minimize space downtime and additional capital associated with space rollover; (3) increasing rental rates where market conditions permit; (4) leasing vacant space; (5) achievement of operating efficiencies by increasing economies of scale and, where possible, aggregating vendor contracts to achieve volume pricing discounts; and (6) redevelopment when we believe property conditions and market demand warrant. We also continuously evaluate our portfolio and consider dispositions when properties no longer meet our strategic objectives, or when capital markets and the circumstances pertaining to such holdings otherwise warrant, in order to maximize our return on invested capital or support our property development and capital strategy.
We aim to sustainably develop and operate our portfolio to create healthier work environments and reduce consumption of resources by: (1) developing new buildings designed to use resources with a high level of efficiency and low impact on human health and the environment during their life cycles through our participation in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) program; (2) investing in energy systems and other equipment that reduce energy consumption and operating costs; (3) adopting select LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (“LEED O+M: Existing Buildings”) prerequisites for much of our portfolio, including guidelines pertaining to cleaning and recycling practices and energy reduction; and (4) participating in the annual Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (“GRESB”) survey, which is widely recognized for measuring the environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) performance of real estate companies and funds. We earned an overall score of “Green Star” on the GRESB survey in each of the last six years, representing the highest quadrant of achievement on the survey.
Property Development and Acquisition Strategy: We expand our operating portfolio primarily through property developments in support of our Defense/IT Locations strategy, and we have significant land holdings that we believe can further support that growth while serving as a barrier against competitive supply. We pursue development activities as market conditions and leasing opportunities support favorable risk-adjusted returns on investment, and therefore typically prefer properties to be significantly leased prior to commencing development. To a lesser extent, we may also pursue growth through acquisitions, seeking to execute such transactions at attractive yields and below replacement cost.
Capital Strategy: Our capital strategy is aimed at maintaining continuous access to capital irrespective of market conditions in the most cost-effective manner by:
•maintaining an investment grade rating to enable us to use debt comprised of unsecured, primarily fixed-rate debt (including the effect of interest rate swaps) from public markets and banks;
•using secured nonrecourse debt from institutional lenders and banks;
•managing our debt by monitoring, among other things: (1) the relationship of certain measures of earnings to our debt level and to certain capital costs; (2) the timing of debt maturities to ensure that maturities in any one year do not exceed levels that we believe we can refinance; (3) our exposure to changes in interest rates; and (4) our total and secured debt levels relative to our overall capital structure;
•raising equity through issuances of common shares in COPT and common units in COPLP, joint venture structures for certain investments and, to a lesser extent, issuances of preferred shares in COPT and preferred units in COPLP;
•monitoring capacity available under revolving credit facilities and equity offering programs to provide liquidity to fund investment activities;
•paying dividends at a level that is at least sufficient for us to maintain our REIT status;
•recycling proceeds from sales of interests in properties to fund our investment activities and/or reduce overall debt; and
•continuously evaluating the ability of our capital resources to accommodate our plans for growth.
Industry Segments
As of December 31, 2020, our operations included the following reportable segments: Defense/IT Locations; Regional Office; Wholesale Data Center; and Other. Our Defense/IT Locations segment included the following sub-segments:
•Fort George G. Meade and the Baltimore/Washington Corridor (referred to herein as “Fort Meade/BW Corridor”);
•Northern Virginia Defense/IT Locations;
•Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas;
•locations serving the U.S. Navy (referred to herein as “Navy Support Locations”). Properties in this sub-segment as of December 31, 2020 were proximate to the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in Virginia;
•Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama; and
•data center shells in Northern Virginia (including 17 owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures).
As of December 31, 2020, Defense/IT Locations comprised 171 of our office and data center shell portfolio’s properties, representing 89.4% of its square feet in operations, while Regional Office comprised eight of the portfolio’s properties, or 9.9% of its square feet in operations. Our Wholesale Data Center segment is comprised of one property in Manassas, Virginia.
For information relating to our segments, refer to Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements, which is included in a separate section at the end of this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page.
Human Capital
Our Workforce: As of December 31, 2020, our workforce was comprised of 406 employees based in Maryland, where we are headquartered, Texas, Virginia, Alabama and Washington, D.C. Our workforce has varying expertise, and includes:
•Building Technicians (175 employees): Skilled trades professionals, who perform mechanical maintenance, maintain our operating systems and service our buildings overall.
•Operations Management (70 employees): Property managers and support staff who support our tenant customer needs.
•Asset Management and Leasing (11 employees): Customer-facing leaders who drive the financial performance of our assets.
•Development and Construction (30 employees): Project managers and support staff who drive our development pipeline and interior design.
•Finance and Accounting (65 employees): Professionals who manage our financial activities.
•Company Support Functions (42 employees): Includes Human Resources, Investor Relations, Investments, Legal, Marketing, Information Technology, Facility Security and Corporate Administrative Support.
•Senior Leadership (13 employees): Our business line and Company leaders, including our Named Executive Officers, who interface with our Board of Trustees and shareholders and manage our business strategy, functional activities, risk and overall success.
In support of our Defense/IT Locations strategy, approximately one-third of our employees carry government credentials.
We operate in markets in which we compete for human capital. We rely on our employees to drive our success and we support them with a variety of programs to enhance their workplace engagement and job fulfillment.
Culture and Workforce Engagement: We develop and reinforce our culture by emphasizing our core values, illustrated by the actiiVe acronym. actiiVe stands for: Accountability, Commitment, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Value Creation and Excellence. These values are intended to serve as a compass to our workforce to inform behavior and fuel our success.
We believe in equal opportunity, engagement and ethics. All employees must adhere to our Code of Business Conduct. We survey our workforce annually to measure engagement, use the feedback to enhance engagement and believe that this has helped us achieve annual “best workplace” honors for over a decade.
Compensation Program: Our compensation philosophy is driven by accountability, which results in a pay-for-performance structure. Our compensation program includes: base salary; an annual cash bonus program based on the achievement of individual, business unit and company objectives; health and welfare benefits; a retirement savings plan with a company match;
financially supported learning programs; and employee recognition programs. We also grant common equity to all new full-time employees and provide our senior leadership and high performers with the ability to earn additional grants to align their interests with those of our shareholders and to incent retention.
Wellbeing and Safety: We view wellbeing as including five pillars: Physical, Emotional, Career, Financial and Community. We design programs to support each of these pillars. We directly incent wellbeing behaviors through a points-driven program each year. Employees who achieve the points threshold receive reductions in medical premiums or funds towards their health savings accounts. We believe this program enhances employee wellbeing and reduces medical costs.
Safety is a key part of our employee wellbeing, largely weighted in the Physical pillar. Recognizing this, we conduct job-tailored safety training on an ongoing basis. We also monitor our workers’ compensation claims to measure the effectiveness of our safety program.
With wellbeing and safety in mind, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we:
•consulted with medical experts in developing an approach to safely operate our properties and workplaces;
•required our on-site property operations staff to use COPT-provided personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, and implement other procedural changes to enhance separation and minimize spread;
•instituted enhanced cleaning measures, particularly for high touch areas and flat surfaces;
•provided signage promoting proper social distancing practices and hand sanitizer stations for property common areas; and
•had most of our employees (other than on-site property operations staff) work from home from mid-March until the end of May, when most began reporting to their normal work locations on a bi-weekly rotational basis.
Talent Development: We aim to attract, retain and develop our top talent throughout the employment cycle in order to enhance our talent pool. During 2020, our workforce grew to support the business’ overall growth and we hired 39 employees. In 2020, 27 employees departed the Company, resulting in a 6.75% attrition rate.
We offer robust learning programs to all employees, including educational assistance for college-level and vocational degree programs, and cover all expenses for licenses and certifications, management and leadership courses, key skills training and industry and professional conferences. Further, we offer internship and mentorship programs to facilitate teaching and learning from others.
Community Engagement: We encourage employee engagement with our communities to facilitate personal growth and connection and to enhance our citizenship within our communities. We provide a platform for employees to engage with communities by contributing time, effort, money and expertise, which includes providing employees eight hours of paid time per year to engage in volunteer activities to serve our community directly, in a company-organized, team or individual format. Our employees select community non-profits for Corporate giving grants and for volunteer time contributions. We empower our employees to become involved and fuel our success in community partnerships.
Competition
The commercial real estate market is highly competitive. Numerous commercial landlords compete with us for tenants. Some of the properties competing with ours may be newer or in more desirable locations, or the competing properties’ owners may be willing to accept lower rents. We also compete with our own tenants, many of whom have the right to sublease their space. The competitive environment for leasing is affected considerably by a number of factors including, among other things, changes in economic conditions and supply of and demand for space. These factors may make it difficult for us to lease existing vacant space and space associated with future lease expirations at rental rates that are sufficient to produce acceptable operating cash flows.
We occasionally compete for the acquisition of land and commercial properties with many entities, including other publicly-traded commercial REITs. Competitors for such acquisitions may have substantially greater financial resources than ours. In addition, our competitors may be willing to accept lower returns on their investments or may be willing to incur higher leverage.
We also compete with many entities, including other publicly-traded commercial office REITs, for capital. This competition could adversely affect our ability to raise capital we may need to fulfill our capital strategy.
In addition, we compete with many entities for talent. If there is an increase in the costs for us to retain employees or if we otherwise fail to attract and retain such employees, our business and operating results could be adversely effected.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Set forth below are risks and uncertainties relating to our business and the ownership of our securities. These risks and uncertainties may lead to outcomes that could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make expected distributions to our equityholders. You should carefully consider each of these risks and uncertainties, along with all of the information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Exhibits, including our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in a separate section at the end of this report beginning on page.
Risks Associated with the Real Estate Industry and Our Properties
Our performance and asset value are subject to risks associated with our properties and with the real estate industry. Real estate investments are subject to various risks and fluctuations in value and demand, many of which are beyond our control. Our performance and the value of our real estate assets may decline due to conditions in the general economy and the real estate industry which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make expected distributions to our shareholders. These conditions include, but are not limited to:
•downturns in national, regional and local economic environments, including increases in the unemployment rate and inflation or deflation;
•competition from other properties;
•trends in office real estate that may adversely affect future demand, including telecommuting and flexible workplaces;
•deteriorating local real estate market conditions, such as oversupply, reduction in demand and decreasing rental rates;
•declining real estate valuations;
•adverse developments concerning our tenants, which could affect our ability to collect rents and execute lease renewals;
•adverse changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and similar pandemics, along with restrictive measures instituted to prevent spread, on our business, the real estate industry and national, regional and local economic conditions;
•government actions and initiatives, including risks associated with the impact of prolonged government shutdowns and budgetary reductions or impasses, such as a reduction of rental revenues, non-renewal of leases and/or reduced or delayed demand for additional space by our strategic customers;
•increasing operating costs, including insurance, utilities, real estate taxes and other expenses, some of which we may not be able to pass through to tenants;
•increasing vacancies and the need to periodically repair, renovate and re-lease space;
•increasing interest rates and unavailability of financing on acceptable terms or at all;
•unavailability of financing for potential purchasers of our properties;
•adverse changes in taxation or zoning laws;
•potential inability to secure adequate insurance;
•adverse consequences resulting from civil disturbances, natural disasters, terrorist acts or acts of war; and
•potential liability under environmental or other laws or regulations.
Our business may be affected by adverse economic conditions. Our business may be affected by adverse economic conditions in the United States economy or real estate industry as a whole or by the local economic conditions in the markets in which our properties are located, including the impact of high unemployment and constrained credit. Adverse economic conditions could increase the likelihood of tenants encountering financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn of business, and as a result could increase the likelihood of tenants defaulting on their lease obligations to us. Such conditions could also decrease our likelihood of successfully renewing tenants at favorable terms or leasing vacant space in existing properties or newly-developed properties. In addition, such conditions could increase the level of risk that we may not be able to obtain new financing for development activities, refinancing of existing debt, acquisitions or other capital requirements at reasonable terms, if at all.
We may suffer adverse consequences as a result of our reliance on rental revenues for our income. We earn revenue from renting our properties. Certain of our operating costs do not necessarily fluctuate in relation to changes in our rental revenue. This means that these costs will not necessarily decline and may increase even if our revenues decline.
For new tenants or upon expiration of existing leases, we generally must make improvements and pay other leasing costs for which we may not receive increased rents. We also make building-related capital improvements for which tenants may not reimburse us.
If our properties do not generate revenue sufficient to meet our operating expenses and capital costs, we may need to borrow additional amounts to cover these costs. In such circumstances, we would likely have lower profits or possibly incur losses. We may also find in such circumstances that we are unable to borrow to cover such costs, in which case our operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, the competitive environment for leasing is affected considerably by a number of factors including, among other things, changes due to economic factors such as supply and demand. These factors may make it difficult for us to lease existing vacant space and space associated with future lease expirations at rental rates that are sufficient to meet our short-term capital needs.
We rely on the ability of our tenants to pay rent and would be harmed by their inability to do so. Our performance depends on the ability of our tenants to fulfill their lease obligations by paying their rental payments in a timely manner. As a result, we would be harmed if one or more of our major tenants, or a number of our smaller tenants, were to experience financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, insolvency, prolonged government shutdown or general downturn of business.
We may be adversely affected by developments concerning our major tenants or the USG and its contractors, including prolonged shutdowns of the government and actual, or potential, reductions in government spending targeting knowledge- and technology-based activities. As of December 31, 2020, our 10 largest tenants accounted for 62.7% of our total annualized rental revenue, the three largest of these tenants accounted for 48.8%, and the USG, our largest tenant, accounted for 34.1%. We calculate annualized rental revenue by multiplying by 12 the sum of monthly contractual base rents and estimated monthly expense reimbursements under active leases in our portfolio as of December 31, 2020; with regard to properties owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures, we include the portion of annualized rental revenue allocable to our ownership interest. For additional information regarding our tenant concentrations, refer to the section entitled “Concentration of Operations” within the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Most of our leases with the USG provide for a series of one-year terms. The USG may terminate its leases if, among other reasons, the United States Congress fails to provide funding. We would be harmed if any of our largest tenants fail to make rental payments to us over an extended period of time, including as a result of a prolonged government shutdown, or if the USG elects to terminate some or all of its leases and the space cannot be re-leased on satisfactory terms.
As of December 31, 2020, 87.1% of our office and data center shell properties’ total annualized rental revenue was from Defense/IT Locations, and we expect to maintain a similarly high revenue concentration from properties in these locations. A reduction in government spending targeting the activities of the government and its contractors (such as knowledge- and technology-based defense and security activities) in these locations could adversely affect our tenants’ ability to fulfill lease obligations, renew leases or enter into new leases and limit our future growth from properties in these locations. Moreover, uncertainty regarding the potential for future reduction in government spending targeting such activities could also decrease or delay leasing activity from tenants engaged in these activities.
Our future ability to fuel growth and raise capital through data center shell development may be adversely affected should we suffer a loss of future development opportunities with our data center shell customer. Data center shells have been a significant growth driver for us in recent years, enabling us to develop and place into service fully-occupied, single-tenant properties, with long-term leases and rent escalators for future growth. These properties have garnered the interest of outside investors, enabling us to raise capital by selling ownership interests through joint venture structures in recent years at favorable profit margins, and to apply the proceeds towards other development opportunities. Our data center shell activity is concentrated with one customer. If that customer no longer chooses to allocate development opportunities to us, we may have limited opportunities to continue to use data center shells as a growth driver and possible source of future capital.
We may suffer economic harm in the event of a decline in the real estate market or general economic conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region, or in particular business parks. Most of our properties are located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, particularly in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region. Our properties are also often concentrated in business parks in which we own most of the properties. Consequently, our portfolio of properties is not broadly distributed geographically. As a result, we would be harmed by a decline in the real estate market or general economic conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region or the business parks in which our properties are located.
We would suffer economic harm if we were unable to renew our leases on favorable terms. When leases expire, our tenants may not renew or may renew on terms less favorable to us than the terms of their original leases. If a tenant vacates a property, we can expect to experience a vacancy for some period of time, as well as incur higher leasing costs than we would likely incur if a tenant renews. As a result, we may be harmed if we experience a high volume of tenant departures at the end of their lease terms.
We may be adversely affected by trends in the office real estate industry. Businesses are increasingly permitting employee telecommuting, flexible work schedules, open workplaces and teleconferencing. There has also been a trend of businesses utilizing shared office and co-working spaces. These practices enable businesses to reduce their space requirements. These trends, some of which could potentially accelerate as a result of changes in work practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, could over time erode the overall demand for office space and, in turn, place downward pressure on occupancy, rental rates and property valuations.
We may encounter a significant decline in the value of our real estate. The value of our real estate could be adversely affected by general economic and market conditions connected to a specific property, a market or submarket, a broader economic region or the office real estate industry. Examples of such conditions include a broader economic recession, declining demand and decreases in market rental rates and/or market values of real estate assets. If our real estate assets significantly decline in value, it could result in our recognition of impairment losses. Moreover, a decline in the value of our real estate could adversely affect the amount of borrowings available to us under future credit facilities and other loans.
We may not be able to compete successfully with other entities that operate in our industry. The commercial real estate market is highly competitive. Numerous commercial properties compete with our properties for tenants; some of the properties competing with ours may be newer or in more desirable locations, or the competing properties’ owners may be willing to accept lower rates than are acceptable to us. In addition, we compete for the acquisition of land and commercial properties with many entities, including other publicly traded commercial office REITs; competitors for such acquisitions may have substantially greater financial resources than ours, or may be willing to accept lower returns on their investments or incur higher leverage.
Real estate investments are illiquid, and we may not be able to dispose of properties on a timely basis when we determine it is appropriate to do so. Real estate investments can be difficult to sell and convert to cash quickly, especially if market conditions, including real estate lending conditions, are not favorable. Such illiquidity could limit our ability to fund capital needs or quickly change our portfolio of properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Moreover, under certain circumstances, the Internal Revenue Code imposes penalties on a REIT that sells property held for less than two years and limits the number of properties it can sell in a given year.
We may be unable to execute our plans to develop additional properties. Although the majority of our investments are in operating properties, we also develop and redevelop properties, including some that are not fully pre-leased. When we develop and redevelop properties, we assume the risk of actual costs exceeding our budgets, conditions occurring that delay or preclude project completion and projected leasing not occurring. In addition, we may find that we are unable to successfully execute plans to obtain financing to fund property development activities.
We may suffer adverse effects from acquisitions of commercial real estate properties. We may pursue acquisitions of existing commercial real estate properties as part of our property development and acquisition strategy. Acquisitions of commercial properties entail risks, such as the risk that we may not be in a position, or have the opportunity in the future, to make suitable property acquisitions on advantageous terms and/or that such acquisitions fail to perform as expected.
We may pursue selective acquisitions of properties in regions where we have not previously owned properties. These acquisitions may entail risks in addition to those we face with acquisitions in more familiar regions, such as our not sufficiently anticipating conditions or trends in a new market and therefore not being able to operate the acquired property profitably.
In addition, we may acquire properties that are subject to liabilities in situations where we have no recourse, or only limited recourse, against the prior owners or other third parties with respect to unknown liabilities. As a result, if a liability were asserted against us based upon ownership of those properties, we might have to pay substantial sums to settle or contest it. Examples of unknown liabilities with respect to acquired properties include, but are not limited to:
•liabilities for remediation of disclosed or undisclosed environmental contamination;
•claims by tenants, vendors or other persons dealing with the former owners of the properties;
•liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business; and
•claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.
Our wholesale data center may become obsolete. Wholesale data centers are much more expensive investments on a per square foot basis than office properties due to the level of infrastructure required to operate the centers. At the same time, technology, industry standards and service requirements for wholesale data centers are rapidly evolving and, as a result, the risk of investments we make in our wholesale data center becoming obsolete is higher than other commercial real estate properties. Our wholesale data center may become obsolete due to the development of new systems to deliver power to, or eliminate heat from, the servers housed in the properties, or due to other technological advances. In addition, we may not be able to efficiently upgrade or change power and cooling systems to meet new demands or industry standards without incurring significant costs that we may not be able to pass on to our tenants.
Data center space in certain of our office properties may be difficult to reposition for alternative uses. Certain of our office properties contain data center space, which is highly specialized space containing extensive electrical and mechanical systems that are uniquely designed to run and maintain banks of computer servers. Data centers are subject to obsolescence risks. In the event that we needed to reposition such space for another use, the renovations required to do so could be difficult and costly, and we may, as a result, deem such renovations to be impractical.
We may be subject to possible environmental liabilities. We are subject to various Federal, state and local environmental laws, including air and water quality, hazardous or toxic substances and health and safety. These laws can impose liability on current and prior property owners or operators for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances released on a property, even if the property owner was not responsible for, or even aware of, the release of the hazardous substances. Costs resulting from environmental liability could be substantial. The presence of hazardous substances on our properties may also adversely affect occupancy and our ability to sell or borrow against those properties. In addition to the costs of government claims under environmental laws, private plaintiffs may bring claims for personal injury or other reasons. Additionally, various laws impose liability for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances at the disposal or treatment facility. Anyone who arranges for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at such a facility is potentially liable under such laws.
Although most of our properties have been subject to varying degrees of environmental assessment, many of these assessments are limited in scope and may not include or identify all potential environmental liabilities or risks associated with the property. Identification of new compliance concerns or undiscovered areas of contamination, changes in the extent or known scope of contamination, discovery of additional sites, human exposure to the contamination or changes in cleanup or compliance requirements could result in significant costs to us.
We may be adversely affected by natural disasters and the effects of climate change. Natural disasters, including earthquakes and severe storms could adversely impact our properties. The potential consequences of climate change could also adversely impact our properties, particularly those located in Baltimore City near the waterfront, and, over time, could adversely affect demand for space and our ability to operate the properties effectively and result in additional operating costs.
Terrorist attacks or incidents related to social unrest may adversely affect the value of our properties, our financial position and cash flows. We have significant investments in properties located in large metropolitan areas or near military installations. Future terrorist attacks or incidents related to social unrest could directly or indirectly damage our properties or cause losses that materially exceed our insurance coverage. After such an attack or incident, tenants in these areas may choose to relocate their businesses to areas of the United States that may be perceived to be less likely targets of future terrorist activity or unrest, and fewer customers may choose to patronize businesses in these areas. This in turn would trigger a decrease in the demand for space in these areas, which could increase vacancies in our properties and force us to lease space on less favorable terms.
We may be subject to other possible liabilities that would adversely affect our financial position and cash flows. Our properties may be subject to other risks related to current or future laws, including laws relating to zoning, development, fire and life safety requirements and other matters. These laws may require significant property modifications in the future and could result in the levy of fines against us. In addition, although we believe that we adequately insure our properties, we are subject to the risk that our insurance may not cover all of the costs to restore a property that is damaged by a fire or other catastrophic events, including acts of war or, as mentioned above, terrorism.
We may be subject to increased costs of insurance and limitations on coverage. Our portfolio of properties is insured for losses under our property, casualty and umbrella insurance policies. These policies include coverage for acts of terrorism. Future changes in the insurance industry’s risk assessment approach and pricing structure may increase the cost of insuring our properties and decrease the scope of insurance coverage. Most of our loan agreements contain customary covenants requiring us to maintain insurance. Although we believe that we have adequate insurance coverage for purposes of these agreements, we may not be able to obtain an equivalent amount of coverage at reasonable costs, or at all, in the future. In addition, if lenders insist on greater coverage than we are able to obtain, it could adversely affect our ability to finance and/or refinance our properties and execute our growth strategies.
We may suffer economic harm as a result of the actions of our partners in real estate joint ventures and other investments. We may invest in certain entities in which we are not the exclusive investor or principal decision maker. Investments in such entities may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present when a third party is not involved, including the possibility that the other parties to these investments might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Our partners in these entities may have economic, tax or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives. Such investments may also lead to impasses on major decisions, such as whether or not to sell a property, because neither we nor the other parties to these investments may have full control over the entity. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of the other parties to these investments.
Our business could be adversely affected by a negative audit by the USG. Agencies of the USG, including the Defense Contract Audit Agency and various agency Inspectors General, routinely audit and investigate government contractors. These agencies review a contractor’s performance under its contracts, cost structure and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards. The USG also reviews the adequacy of, and a contractor’s compliance with, its internal control systems and policies. Any costs found to be misclassified may be subject to repayment. If an audit or investigation uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspension or prohibition from doing business with the USG. In addition, we could suffer serious reputational harm if allegations of impropriety were made against us.
Risks Associated with Financing and Other Capital-Related Matters
We are dependent on external sources of capital for growth. Because COPT is a REIT, it must distribute at least 90% of its annual taxable income to its shareholders. Due to this requirement, we are not able to significantly fund our investment activities using retained cash flow from operations. Therefore, our ability to fund these activities is dependent on our ability to access debt or equity capital. Such capital could be in the form of new debt, common shares, preferred shares, common and preferred units in COPLP, joint venture funding or sales of interests in properties. These capital sources may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Moreover, additional debt financing may substantially increase our leverage and subject us to covenants that restrict management’s flexibility in directing our operations. Our inability to obtain capital when needed could have a material adverse effect on our ability to expand our business and fund other cash requirements.
We often use our Revolving Credit Facility to initially finance much of our investing activities and certain financing activities. Our lenders under this and other facilities could, for financial hardship or other reasons, fail to honor their commitments to fund our requests for borrowings under these facilities. If lenders default under these facilities by not being able or willing to fund a borrowing request, it would adversely affect our ability to access borrowing capacity under these facilities.
We may suffer adverse effects as a result of the indebtedness that we carry and the terms and covenants that relate to this debt. Payments of principal and interest on our debt may leave us with insufficient cash to operate our properties or pay
distributions to COPT’s shareholders required to maintain COPT’s qualification as a REIT. We are also subject to the risks that:
•we may not be able to refinance our existing indebtedness, or may only be able to do so on terms that are less favorable to us than the terms of our existing indebtedness;
•in the event of our default under the terms of our Revolving Credit Facility, COPLP could be restricted from making cash distributions to COPT unless such distributions are required to maintain COPT’s qualification as a REIT, which could result in reduced distributions to our equityholders or the need for us to incur additional debt to fund such distributions; and
•if we are unable to pay our debt service on time or are unable to comply with restrictive financial covenants for certain of our debt, our lenders could foreclose on our properties securing such debt and, in some cases, other properties and assets that we own.
Most of our unsecured debt is cross-defaulted, which means that failure to pay interest or principal on the debt above a threshold value will create a default on certain of our other debt.
If interest rates were to rise, our debt service payments on debt with variable interest rates would increase.
As of December 31, 2020, we had $2.1 billion in debt, the future maturities of which are set forth in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. Our operations likely will not generate enough cash flow to repay all of this debt without additional borrowings, equity issuances and/or property sales. If we cannot refinance, extend the repayment date of, or otherwise raise funds required to repay, our debt by its maturity date, we would default on such debt.
Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of indebtedness that we may incur. Therefore, we may incur additional indebtedness and become more highly leveraged, which could harm our financial position.
We may suffer adverse effects from changes in the method of determining LIBOR or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative interest rate. Our variable-rate debt and interest rate swaps use as a reference rate the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), as calculated for the U.S. dollar (“USD-LIBOR”). In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) that regulates LIBOR announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. As a result, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York organized the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”), which identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative rate for USD LIBOR in derivatives and other financial contracts. While we have been closely monitoring developments in the LIBOR transition, we are not able to predict whether LIBOR will actually cease to be available after 2021 or whether SOFR will become the market benchmark in its place. Any changes announced or adopted by the FCA or other governing bodies in the method used for determining LIBOR rates may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR rates. If that were to occur, the level of interest payments we incur may change. In addition, although our variable rate debt and interest rate swaps will likely provide for alternative methods of calculating the interest rate if LIBOR is not reported, uncertainty as to the extent and manner of future changes may result in interest rates and/or payments that are higher or lower than if the LIBOR rate were to remain available in its current form.
A downgrade in our credit ratings would materially adversely affect our business and financial condition. COPLP’s Senior Notes are currently rated investment grade by the three major rating agencies. These credit ratings are subject to ongoing evaluation by the credit rating agencies and can change. Any downgrades of our ratings or a negative outlook by the credit rating agencies would have a materially adverse impact on our cost and availability of capital and also could have a materially adverse effect on the market price of COPT’s common shares. In addition, since the variable interest rate spread and facility fees on certain of our debt, including our Revolving Credit Facility and a term loan facility, is determined based on our credit ratings, a downgrade in our credit ratings would increase the payments required on such debt.
We have certain distribution requirements that reduce cash available for other business purposes. Since COPT is a REIT, it must distribute at least 90% of its annual taxable income, which limits the amount of cash that can be retained for other business purposes, including amounts to fund development activities and acquisitions. Also, due to the difference in time between when we receive revenue or pay expenses and when we report such items for distribution purposes, it is possible that we may need to borrow funds for COPT to meet the 90% distribution requirement.
We may issue additional common or preferred shares/units that dilute our equityholders’ interests. We may issue additional common and preferred shares/units without shareholder approval. Similarly, COPT may cause COPLP to issue its
common or preferred units for contributions of cash or property without approval by the limited partners of COPLP or COPT’s shareholders. Our existing equityholders’ interests could be diluted if such additional issuances were to occur.
A number of factors could cause our security prices to decline. As is the case with any publicly-traded securities, certain factors outside of our control could influence the value of our equity security issuances. These conditions include, but are not limited to:
•market perception of REITs in general and office REITs in particular;
•market perception regarding our major tenants and sector concentrations;
•the level of institutional investor interest in COPT;
•general economic and business conditions;
•prevailing interest rates;
•our financial performance;
•our underlying asset value;
•market perception of our financial condition, performance, dividends and growth potential; and
•adverse changes in tax laws.
We may be unable to continue to make distributions to our equityholders at expected levels. We expect to make regular quarterly cash distributions to our equityholders. However, our ability to make such distributions depends on a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Some of our loan agreements contain provisions that could, in the event of default, restrict future distributions unless we meet certain financial tests or such payments or distributions are required to maintain COPT’s qualification as a REIT. Our ability to make distributions at expected levels is also dependent, in part, on other matters, including, but not limited to:
•continued property occupancy and timely receipt of rent from our tenants;
•the amount of future capital expenditures and expenses relating to our properties;
•our leasing activity and future rental rates;
•the strength of the commercial real estate market;
•our ability to compete;
•governmental actions and initiatives, including risks associated with the impact of a prolonged government shutdown or budgetary reductions or impasses;
•our costs of compliance with environmental and other laws;
•our corporate overhead levels;
•our amount of uninsured losses; and
•our decision to reinvest in operations rather than distribute available cash.
In addition, we can make distributions to the holders of our common shares/units only after we make preferential distributions to holders of any outstanding preferred shares/units.
Our ability to pay distributions may be limited, and we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to pay distributions regularly. Our ability to pay distributions will depend on a number of things discussed elsewhere herein, including our ability to operate profitably and generate cash flow from our operations. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to pay distributions on a regular quarterly basis in the future. Additionally, the terms of some of COPLP’s debt may limit its ability to make some types of payments and other distributions to COPT in the event of certain default situations. This in turn may limit our ability to make some types of payments, including payment of distributions on common or preferred shares/units, unless we meet certain financial tests or such payments or distributions are required to maintain COPT’s qualification as a REIT. As a result, if we are unable to meet the applicable financial tests, we may not be able to pay distributions in one or more periods. Furthermore, any new common or preferred shares/units that may be issued in the future for raising capital, financing acquisitions, share-based compensation arrangements or otherwise will increase the cash required to continue to pay cash distributions at current levels.
We may experience significant losses and harm to our financial condition if financial institutions holding our cash and cash equivalents file for bankruptcy protection. We believe that we maintain our cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. We have not experienced any losses to date on our deposited cash. However, we may incur significant losses and harm to our financial condition in the future if we were holding large sums of cash in any of these financial institutions at a time when they filed for bankruptcy protection.
Risks Associated with COVID-19
We may suffer further adverse effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, and similar pandemics, along with restrictive measures instituted to prevent spread. Since first being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in early March 2020, the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread worldwide. In an effort to control its spread, governments and other authorities imposed restrictive measures affecting freedom of movement and business operations, such as shelter-in-place orders and business closures. Strong restrictive measures were put into place in much of the United States beginning in March 2020, bringing many businesses to a halt while forcing others to change the way in which they conduct their operations, with much of the workforce working from their homes to the extent they were able. States and local governments began easing these measures to varying extents in late April 2020, with some lifting restrictive measures entirely, while others chose a more gradual, extended easing approach. While the easing of these measures enabled many businesses to gradually resume normal operations, most businesses continue to be hindered to varying extents by either measures still in effect, operational challenges resulting from social distancing requirements/expectations and/or a reluctance by much of the population to engage in certain activities while the pandemic is still active. As of the date of this filing, COVID-19 spread continues world- and nation-wide, and is expected to continue until vaccinations have been administered to much of the population, which is not expected to occur in the United States until at least mid- to late 2021. As a result, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the duration and extent of this pandemic. The outbreak significantly disrupted financial and economic markets worldwide, as well as in the United States at a national, regional and local level. These conditions could continue or further deteriorate as businesses feel the prolonged effects of stalled or reduced operations and uncertainty regarding the pandemic continues.
COVID-19, and any similar pandemics should they occur, along with measures instituted to prevent spread, may adversely affect us in many ways, including, but not limited to:
•disruption of our tenants’ operations, which could adversely affect their ability, or willingness, to sustain their businesses and/or fulfill their lease obligations;
•our ability to maintain occupancy in our properties and obtain new leases for unoccupied and new development space at favorable terms or at all;
•shortages in supply of products or services from our and our tenants’ vendors that are needed for us and our tenants to operate effectively, and which could lead to increased costs for such products and services;
•access to debt and equity capital on attractive terms or at all. Severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may affect our or our tenants’ ability to access capital necessary to fund operations, refinance debt or fund planned investments on a timely basis, and may adversely affect the valuation of financial assets and liabilities;
•our and our tenants’ ability to continue or complete planned development, including the potential for delays in the supply of materials or labor necessary for development; and
•an increase in the pace of businesses implementing remote work arrangements over the long-term, which would adversely effect demand for office space.
The extent of the effect on our operations, financial condition, cash flows and ability to make expected distributions to shareholders will be dependent on future developments, including the duration of the pandemic and any future resurgence or variants thereof, the prevalence, strength and duration of restrictive measures and the resulting effects on our tenants, potential future tenants, the commercial real estate industry and the broader economy, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict. Moreover, some of the risks described in other risk factors set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be more likely to impact us as a result of COVID-19 and the responses to curb its spread, including, but not limited to: downturns in national, regional and local economic environments; deteriorating local real estate market conditions; and declining real estate valuations.
Other Risks
Our business could be adversely affected by security breaches through cyber attacks, cyber intrusions or otherwise. We face risks associated with security breaches and other significant disruptions of our information technology networks and related systems, which are essential to our business operations. Such breaches and disruptions may occur through cyber attacks or cyber intrusions over the Internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to e-mails, persons inside our organization or persons with access to systems inside our organization. Because of our concentration on serving the USG and its contractors with a general focus on national security and information technology, we may be more likely to be targeted by cyber attacks, including by governments, organizations or persons hostile to the USG. We have preventative, detective and responsive measures in place to maintain the security and integrity of our networks and related systems that have to date enabled us to
avoid breaches and disruptions that were individually, or in the aggregate, material. We also have insurance coverage in place in the event of significant future losses from breaches and disruptions. However, despite our activities to maintain the security and integrity of our networks and related systems, there can be no absolute assurance that these activities will be effective in mitigating these risks. A security breach involving our networks and related systems could disrupt our operations in numerous ways, including compromising the confidential information of our tenants, customers, vendors and employees, which could damage our relationships with such parties, and disrupting the proper functioning of our networks and systems on which much of our operations depend.
COPT’s ownership limits are important factors. COPT’s Declaration of Trust limits ownership of its common shares by any single shareholder to 9.8% of the number of the outstanding common shares or 9.8% of the value of the outstanding common shares, whichever is more restrictive. COPT’s Declaration of Trust also limits ownership by any single shareholder of our common and preferred shares in the aggregate to 9.8% of the aggregate value of our outstanding common and preferred shares. We call these restrictions the “Ownership Limit.” COPT’s Declaration of Trust allows our Board of Trustees to exempt shareholders from the Ownership Limit. The Ownership Limit and the restrictions on ownership of our common shares may delay or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common shares/units or otherwise be in the best interest of our equityholders.
COPT’s Declaration of Trust includes other provisions that may prevent or delay a change of control. Subject to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, our Board of Trustees has the authority, without shareholder approval, to issue additional securities on terms that could delay or prevent a change in control. In addition, our Board of Trustees has the authority to reclassify any of our unissued common shares into preferred shares. Our Board of Trustees may issue preferred shares with such preferences, rights, powers and restrictions as our Board of Trustees may determine, which could also delay or prevent a change in control.
The Maryland business statutes impose potential restrictions that may discourage a change of control of our company. Various Maryland laws may have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us, even if the acquisition would be advantageous to equityholders. Resolutions adopted by our Board of Trustees and/or provisions of our bylaws exempt us from such laws, but our Board of Trustees can alter its resolutions or change our bylaws at any time to make these provisions applicable to us.
COPT’s failure to qualify as a REIT would have adverse tax consequences, which would substantially reduce funds available to make distributions to our equityholders. We believe that COPT has qualified for taxation as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes since 1992. We plan for COPT to continue to meet the requirements for taxation as a REIT. Many of these requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. The determination that we are a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that may not be totally within our control. For example, to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of COPT’s gross income must come from certain sources that are specified in the REIT tax laws. COPT is also required to distribute to shareholders at least 90% of its annual taxable income. The fact that COPT holds most of its assets through COPLP and its subsidiaries further complicates the application of the REIT requirements. Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize COPT’s REIT status. Furthermore, Congress and the Internal Revenue Service might make changes to the tax laws and regulations and the courts might issue new rulings that make it more difficult or impossible for COPT to remain qualified as a REIT.
If COPT fails to qualify as a REIT, it would be subject to Federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Also, unless the Internal Revenue Service granted us relief under certain statutory provisions, COPT would remain disqualified as a REIT for four years following the year it first fails to qualify. If COPT fails to qualify as a REIT, it would have to pay significant income taxes and would therefore have less money available for investments or for distributions to our equityholders. In addition, if COPT fails to qualify as a REIT, it would no longer be required to pay distributions to shareholders. As a result of all these factors, COPT’s failure to qualify as a REIT could impair our ability to expand our business and raise capital and would likely have a significant adverse effect on the value of our shares/units.
We may be adversely impacted by changes in tax laws. At any time, U.S. federal tax laws or the administrative interpretations of those laws may be changed. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be issued. In addition, while REITs generally receive certain tax advantages compared to entities taxed as C corporations, it is possible that future legislation could result in REITs having fewer tax advantages, and therefore becoming a less attractive investment alternative. As a result, changes in U.S. federal tax laws could negatively impact our operating results, financial condition and business operations, and adversely impact our equityholders.
Occasionally, changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted that may result in an increase in our tax liability. Shortfalls 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, revenue or income.
Our tenants and contractual counterparties could be designated “Prohibited Persons” by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) maintains a list of persons designated as terrorists or who are otherwise blocked or banned (“Prohibited Persons”). OFAC regulations and other laws prohibit us from conducting business or engaging in transactions with Prohibited Persons. If a tenant or other party with whom we conduct business is placed on the OFAC list or is otherwise a party with whom we are prohibited from doing business, we would be required to terminate the lease or other agreement.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
The following table provides certain information about our operating property segments as of December 31, 2020 (dollars and square feet in thousands, except per square foot amounts):
Segment Number of Properties Rentable Square Feet or Megawatts (“MW”) Occupancy (1) Annualized Rental Revenue (2) Annualized Rental Revenue per Occupied Square
Foot (2)(3)
Office and Data Center Shell Portfolio
Defense/IT Locations:
Fort Meade/BW Corridor:
National Business Park (Annapolis Junction, MD) 31 3,821 91.7 % $ 141,020 $ 40.26
Howard County, MD 35 2,857 89.5 % 71,930 28.09
Other 23 1,679 92.2 % 46,816 30.09
Fort Meade/BW Corridor Subtotal / Average 89 8,357 91.0 % 259,766 34.10
Northern Virginia Defense/IT 13 1,992 88.1 % 61,334 34.96
Lackland Air Force Base 7 953 100.0 % 53,402 53.57
Navy Support Locations 21 1,241 97.2 % 34,556 28.65
Redstone Arsenal 15 1,454 99.4 % 30,439 20.96
Data Center Shells:
Consolidated Properties 9 1,990 100.0 % 32,349 16.26
Unconsolidated Joint Venture Properties (4) 17 2,749 100.0 % 3,842 13.97
Defense/IT Locations Subtotal / Average 171 18,736 94.5 % 475,688 31.05
Regional Office 8 2,066 92.5 % 68,086 35.51
Other Properties 2 157 68.4 % 2,623 24.37
Total Office and Data Center Shell Portfolio 181 20,959 94.1 % 546,397 $ 31.50
Wholesale Data Center 1 19.25 MW 86.7 % 24,638 N/A
Total Operating Properties $ 571,035
Total Consolidated Operating Properties $ 567,193
(1)This percentage is based upon all rentable square feet or megawatts under lease terms that were in effect as of December 31, 2020.
(2)Annualized rental revenue is the monthly contractual base rent as of December 31, 2020 (ignoring free rent then in effect) multiplied by 12, plus the estimated annualized expense reimbursements under existing leases. With regard to properties owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures, we include the portion of annualized rental revenue allocable to our ownership interest. We consider annualized rental revenue to be a useful measure for analyzing revenue sources because, since it is point-in-time based, it does not contain increases and decreases in revenue associated with periods in which lease terms were not in effect; historical revenue under generally accepted accounting principles does contain such fluctuations. We find the measure particularly useful for leasing, tenant and segment analysis.
(3)Annualized rental revenue per occupied square foot is a property’s annualized rental revenue divided by that property’s occupied square feet as of December 31, 2020. Our computation of annualized rental revenue excludes the effect of lease incentives. The annualized rent per occupied square foot, including the effect of lease incentives, was $31.11 for our total office and data center shell portfolio, $33.66 for the Fort Meade/BW Corridor (our largest Defense/IT Location sub-segment) and $34.85 for our Regional Office portfolio.
(4)Represents properties owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures. The amounts reported above reflect 100% of the properties’ square footage but only reflect the portion of Annualized Rental Revenue that was allocable to our ownership interest.
The following table provides certain information about office and data center shell properties that were under development, or otherwise approved, as of December 31, 2020 (dollars and square feet in thousands):
Property and Location Estimated Rentable Square Feet Upon Completion Percentage Leased Calendar Quarter Anticipated to be Operational Costs Incurred to Date (1) Estimated Costs to Complete (1)
Under Development
Fort Meade/BW Corridor:
4600 River Road (2)
College Park, Maryland 102 54 % 4Q 21 $ 24,024 $ 6,710
610 Guardian Way
Annapolis Junction, Maryland 107 100 % 1Q 22 22,043 45,307
Subtotal / Average 209 78 % 46,067 52,017
NoVA Defense/IT:
NoVA Office C
Chantilly, Virginia 348 100 % 4Q 21 59,914 46,305
Lackland Air Force Base:
Project EL
San Antonio, Texas 107 100 % 4Q 21 15,409 39,841
Navy Support:
Expedition VII
St. Mary’s County, Maryland 30 60 % 4Q 22 1,567 6,622
Redstone Arsenal:
6000 Redstone Gateway (2)
Huntsville, Alabama 42 100 % 3Q 21 8,639 1,157
8000 Rideout Road
Huntsville, Alabama 100 9 % 1Q 22 16,242 10,485
7100 Redstone Gateway
Huntsville, Alabama 46 100 % 1Q 21 9,100 2,066
Subtotal / Average 188 52 % 33,981 13,708
Data Center Shells:
Parkstone A
Northern Virginia 227 100 % 2Q 23 5,199 60,401
Parkstone B
Northern Virginia 193 100 % 2Q 24 4,421 50,579
Subtotal / Average 420 100 % 9,620 110,980
Regional Office:
2100 L Street (2)
Washington, D.C. 190 56 % 2Q 21 157,813 19,187
Total Under Development 1,492 84 % $ 324,371 $ 288,660
(1)Includes land, development, leasing costs and allocated portion of structured parking and other shared infrastructure, if applicable.
(2)This property had occupied square feet in service as of December 31, 2020. Therefore, the property and its occupied square feet are included in our operating property statistics, including the information set forth on the previous page.
The following table provides certain information about land that we owned or controlled as of December 31, 2020, including properties under ground lease to us (square feet in thousands):
Segment Acres Estimated Developable Square Feet
Defense/IT Locations:
Fort Meade/BW Corridor:
National Business Park (Annapolis Junction, MD) 175 1,999
Howard County, MD 19 290
Other 126 1,338
Total Fort Meade/BW Corridor 320 3,627
Northern Virginia Defense/IT Locations 29 1,136
Lackland Air Force Base 19 410
Navy Support Locations 38 64
Redstone Arsenal (1) 358 3,125
Data Center Shells 53 1,180
Total Defense/IT Locations 817 9,542
Regional Office 10 900
Total land owned/controlled for future development 827 10,442
Other land owned/controlled 43 638
Total Land Owned/Controlled 870 11,080
(1)This land is owned by the USG and is controlled under a long-term master lease agreement to a consolidated joint venture. As this land is developed in the future, the joint venture will execute site-specific leases under the master lease agreement. Rental payments will commence under the site-specific leases as cash rents under tenant leases commence at the respective properties.
Lease Expirations
The following table provides a summary schedule of lease expirations for leases in place at our operating properties as of December 31, 2020 based on the non-cancelable term of tenant leases determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (dollars and square feet in thousands, except per square foot amounts):
Year of Lease Expiration Square Footage of Leases Expiring Annualized Rental Revenue of Expiring Leases (1) Percentage of Total Annualized Rental Revenue Expiring (1) Total Annualized Rental Revenue of Expiring Leases Per Occupied Square Foot
2021: Office and Data Center Shells 1,485 $ 51,342 9.0 % $ 34.56
Wholesale Data Center N/A 15,011 2.6 % N/A
2022: Office and Data Center Shells 2,311 73,574 12.9 % 31.81
Wholesale Data Center N/A 2,493 0.4 % N/A
2023: Office and Data Center Shells 1,868 64,560 11.3 % 34.53
Wholesale Data Center N/A 1,694 0.3 % N/A
2024: Office and Data Center Shells 2,538 67,288 11.8 % 32.85
Wholesale Data Center N/A 10 - % N/A
2025: Office and Data Center Shells 2,978 110,868 19.4 % 38.59
Wholesale Data Center N/A 5,168 0.9 % N/A
2026: Office and Data Center Shells 1,481 38,332 6.7 % 35.61
2027: Office and Data Center Shells 970 20,901 3.7 % 32.51
Wholesale Data Center N/A 29 - % N/A
2028: Office and Data Center Shells 1,181 21,245 3.7 % 29.63
Wholesale Data Center N/A 233 - % N/A
2029: Office and Data Center Shells 1,405 29,072 5.1 % 26.45
2030: Office and Data Center Shells 817 12,775 2.2 % 23.76
2031: Office and Data Center Shells 657 11,601 2.0 % 17.66
2032: Office and Data Center Shells 21 576 0.1 % 27.95
2033: Office and Data Center Shells 255 9,236 1.6 % 36.21
2034: Office and Data Center Shells 369 4,187 0.7 % 11.34
2035: Office and Data Center Shells 497 9,570 1.7 % 19.24
2036: Office and Data Center Shells 748 14,462 2.5 % 19.34
2037: Office and Data Center Shells 102 6,061 1.1 % 58.30
2038: Office and Data Center Shells 39 618 0.1 % 15.92
2063: Office and Data Center Shells (2) - 129 - % N/A
Total Operating Properties 19,722 $ 571,035 100.0 % N/A
Total Office and Data Center Shells 19,722 $ 546,397 100.0 % $ 31.50
(1)Refer to definition provided on first page of Item 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2)Includes only ground leases.
With regard to office and data center shell property leases expiring in 2021, we believe that the weighted average annualized rental revenue per occupied square foot for such leases as of December 31, 2020 was, on average, approximately 1.5% to 3.5% higher than estimated current market rents for the related space, with specific results varying by market.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are not currently involved in any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any material litigation currently threatened against the Company or the Operating Partnership (other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, substantially all of which is expected to be covered by liability insurance).

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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 Registrants’ Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
COPT’s common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “OFC.” The number of holders of record of COPT’s common shares was 462 as of January 22, 2021. This number does not include shareholders whose shares were held of record by a brokerage house or clearing agency, but does include any such brokerage house or clearing agency as one record holder.
There is no established public trading market for COPLP’s partnership units. Quarterly common unit distributions per unit were the same as quarterly common dividends per share declared by COPT. As of January 22, 2021, there were 28 holders of record of COPLP’s common units.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, COPT issued 2,000 common shares in exchange for 2,000 COPLP common units in accordance with COPLP’s Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, as amended. The issuance of these common shares was effected in reliance upon the exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
COPT’s Common Shares Performance Graph
The graph and the table set forth below assume $100 was invested on December 31, 2015 in COPT’s common shares. The graph and the table compare the cumulative return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) of this investment with a $100 investment at that time in the S&P 500 Index or the All Equity REIT Index of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit”):
Period Ended
Index 12/31/15 12/31/16 12/31/17 12/31/18 12/31/19 12/31/20
Corporate Office Properties Trust $ 100.00 $ 148.61 $ 143.77 $ 108.05 $ 156.91 $ 145.75
S&P 500 Index $ 100.00 $ 111.96 $ 136.40 $ 130.42 $ 171.49 $ 203.04
FTSE Nareit All Equity REIT Index $ 100.00 $ 108.63 $ 118.05 $ 113.28 $ 145.75 $ 138.28

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Omitted pursuant to our election to apply rules adopted by the SEC effective February 10, 2021 to eliminate Item 301 of Regulation S-K.

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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
You should refer to our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and our Selected Financial Data table as you read this section.
This section contains “forward-looking” statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition and operations of our business. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan” or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate. Although we believe that the expectations, estimates and projections reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that these expectations, estimates and projections will be achieved. Future events and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these expectations, estimates and projections include, but are not limited to:
•general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect office property and data center demand and rents, tenant creditworthiness, interest rates, financing availability and property values;
•adverse changes in the real estate markets, including, among other things, increased competition with other companies;
•risks and uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and similar pandemics, along with restrictive measures instituted to prevent spread, on our business, the real estate industry and national, regional and local economic conditions;
•governmental actions and initiatives, including risks associated with the impact of a prolonged government shutdown or budgetary reductions or impasses, such as a reduction in rental revenues, non-renewal of leases and/or reduced or delayed demand for additional space by our strategic customers;
•our ability to borrow on favorable terms;
•risks of real estate acquisition and development activities, including, among other things, risks that development projects may not be completed on schedule, that tenants may not take occupancy or pay rent or that development or operating costs may be greater than anticipated;
•risks of investing through joint venture structures, including risks that our joint venture partners may not fulfill their financial obligations as investors or may take actions that are inconsistent with our objectives;
•changes in our plans for properties or views of market economic conditions or failure to obtain development rights, either of which could result in recognition of significant impairment losses;
•our ability to satisfy and operate effectively under Federal income tax rules relating to real estate investment trusts and partnerships;
•possible adverse changes in tax laws;
•the dilutive effects of issuing additional common shares;
•our ability to achieve projected results;
•security breaches relating to cyber attacks, cyber intrusions or other factors; and
•environmental requirements.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or supplement forward-looking statements.
Overview
While 2020 will most likely be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic, including the restrictive measures instituted to prevent spread and the resulting economic uncertainty, we do not believe that the pandemic significantly affected our ability to execute our business strategy due primarily to our portfolio’s significant concentration in Defense/IT Locations. The tenants in most of these properties were designated as “essential businesses,” and therefore exempt from use and occupancy restrictions that otherwise affected much of the commercial real estate industry. Furthermore, since the tenants in these properties continued to be compensated by the USG for their services, we believe that their ability, and willingness, to fulfill their lease obligations was not significantly disrupted. As a result, while COVID-19 affected the manner in which we conducted our operations and adversely impacted certain of our other tenants and property types, we do not believe that it significantly affected our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows in 2020. Please refer to the section below entitled “Effects of COVID-19” for additional related disclosure.
We ended 2020 with higher leased and occupancy percentages for our office and data center shell portfolio both portfolio-wide and for our Same Properties and, notably, our highest year end portfolio-wide occupancy since 2001. We ended 2020 with our office and data center shell portfolio 94.8% leased (compared to 94.4% as of December 31, 2019) while our Same Properties were 93.1% leased (compared to 93.0% as of December 31, 2019). Our year end portfolio-wide office and data center shell occupancy was 94.1% (compared to 92.9% as of December 31, 2019) and Same Properties occupancy was 92.1% (compared to 91.1% as of December 31, 2019). Our wholesale data center was 86.7% leased as of year end (compared to 76.9% as of December 31, 2019). Please refer to the section below entitled “Occupancy and Leasing” for additional related disclosure.
The higher occupancy and leased percentages in our office and data center shell portfolio were attributable primarily to our placing into service an annual record 1.8 million square feet in 11 newly-developed properties, expansions of three fully-operational properties and one redeveloped property that were 99.5% leased as of December 31, 2020. These properties were predominantly Defense/IT Locations in our data center shells or Redstone Arsenal sub-segments. Other noteworthy 2020 leasing activity in our operating portfolio included:
•renewal leasing of 2.2 million square feet, resulting in a portfolio-wide tenant retention rate of 80.6% (81.6% for our Defense/IT Locations), one of our highest annual rates on record. This leasing included the effect of large early renewals of leases previously scheduled to expire in 2021. Strong tenant retention is key to our asset management strategy in order to maximize revenue (by avoiding downtime) and minimize leasing capital; and
•vacant space leasing of 416,000 square feet, which fell short of our beginning of 2020 expectations due to the impact of restrictive measures and the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
As of December 31, 2020, our scheduled lease expirations in 2021, representing 7.5% of our total occupied square feet, included a high concentration of space in what we believe to be mission-critical Defense/IT Locations. This space included only two leases of 100,000 square feet or more that are with the USG and expected to be renewed.
We had 1.0 million square feet of development leasing in 2020, representing our fourth highest annual volume. Nearly half of this leasing was for data center shells, and we also leased new property space in four of our five other Defense/IT Locations sub-segments. We ended the year with 1.5 million square feet in properties under development that were 84% leased in aggregate, which included new properties in each of our named office and data center shell segments and sub-segments. Most of these properties were 100% leased and all but one were more than half leased (the one being a property built on a speculative basis in Redstone Arsenal in order to keep pace with what we believe to be very strong demand, illustrated by that sub-segment’s 99.4% year-end occupancy rate). For further disclosure regarding our development underway as of year end, please refer to Item 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We believe that our 2020 leasing greatly benefited from a continued:
•healthy defense spending environment, with bipartisan support for funding our national defense. We believe that successive increases in defense spending since 2016, including, most recently, in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, have enhanced the USG and defense contractor tenants’ ability to invest in facility planning. This environment has helped fuel leasing demand, as has continued prioritization of spending allocations towards technology and innovation programs benefiting our Defense/IT Locations, including cyber, space, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence; and
•demand for data center shells. Our leasing included two new data center shells in Northern Virginia, the largest data center market in the world, and represented further expansion of our relationship with an existing customer. As of year end, we held land that would accommodate an additional 1.2 million square feet in future data center shell development.
With respect to financing activities, we:
•amended an existing term loan facility to increase the loan amount by $150.0 million and reduce the LIBOR interest rate spread on the facility. We used the resulting loan proceeds to repay borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility that funded development costs;
•refinanced unsecured senior notes due to mature in June 2021 with a new note issuance on September 17, 2020 by:
•issuing $400.0 million of 2.25% Notes at an initial offering price of 99.416% of their face value. The proceeds from this issuance, after deducting underwriting discounts but before other offering expenses, were approximately $395.3 million; and
•purchased or redeemed $300.0 million of 3.70% Notes for $306.9 million plus accrued interest.
We used the remaining proceeds from the 2.25% Notes issuance to repay borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes, which included the cash settlement of three forward-starting interest rate swaps and accrued interest thereon for $53.1 million;
•raised equity by selling interests in single tenant data center shells in Northern Virginia, including proceeds of approximately:
•$81 million on October 30, 2020 from our sale of a 90% interest in two data center shell properties based on an aggregate property value of $89.7 million. We retained a 10% interest in the properties through B RE COPT DC JV II LLC (“B RE COPT”), a newly-formed joint venture. We recognized a gain on sale of $30.0 million; and
•$60 million on December 22, 2020 from our sale, through a series of transactions, of 80% of our 50% interests in LLCs holding six properties and associated mortgage debt that we owned through GI-COPT DC Partnership LLC, an unconsolidated joint venture. We retained a 10% interest in the LLCs through B RE COPT, and recognized a gain of $29.4 million on the sale of interests.
We used most of these sale proceeds to repay borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility; and
•redeemed COPLP’s Series I Preferred Units from the third party unitholder at the units’ aggregate liquidation preference of $8.8 million ($25.00 per unit), plus accrued and unpaid distributions of return thereon up to the date of redemption.
These activities enabled us to fund $344.4 million in development costs in 2020, while ending the year with: no debt maturing in 2021; no remaining preferred equity; and $657.0 million in borrowing capacity available to us under our Revolving Credit Facility.
Net income in 2020 was $97.1 million lower than in 2019 due primarily to a: $53.2 million loss on interest rate derivatives in 2020 recognized when we consummated the 2.25% Notes issuance; and $45.6 million decrease in gains from sales of real estate interests due to lower sales volume in 2020. Net operating income (“NOI”) from real estate operations, our segment performance measure discussed further below, increased $6.8 million from 2019 to 2020, due primarily to: a $20.5 million increase from properties newly placed into service; offset in part by a net decrease of $9.7 million from dispositions due to our sales of property interests in 2019 and 2020. NOI from our Same Properties only changed marginally, increasing $0.8 million, or 0.3%. Additional disclosure comparing our 2020 and 2019 results of operations is provided below.
We discuss significant factors contributing to changes in our net income between 2020 and 2019 in the section below entitled “Results of Operations.” The results of operations discussion is combined for COPT and COPLP because there are no material differences in the results of operations between the two reporting entities.
In addition, the section below entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” includes discussions of, among other things:
•how we expect to generate cash for short and long-term capital needs; and
•our commitments and contingencies.
We refer to the measure “annualized rental revenue” in various sections of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Annualized rental revenue is a measure that we use to evaluate the source of our rental revenue as of a point in time. It is computed by multiplying by 12 the sum of monthly contractual base rents and estimated monthly expense reimbursements under active leases as of a point in time (ignoring free rent then in effect). Our computation of annualized rental revenue excludes the effect of lease incentives, although the effect of this exclusion is not material. We consider annualized rental revenue to be a useful measure for analyzing revenue sources because, since it is point-in-time based, it does not contain increases and decreases in revenue associated with periods in which lease terms were not in effect; historical revenue under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) does contain such fluctuations. We find the measure particularly useful for leasing, tenant, segment and industry analysis.
With regard to our operating portfolio square footage, occupancy and leasing statistics included below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, amounts disclosed include total information pertaining to properties owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures except for amounts reported for annualized rental revenue, which represent the portion attributable to our ownership interest.
Effects of COVID-19
Pandemic Overview
Since first being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in early March 2020, the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread worldwide. In an effort to control its spread, governments and other authorities imposed restrictive measures affecting freedom of movement and business operations, such as shelter-in-place orders and business closures. Strong restrictive measures were put into place in much of the United States beginning in March 2020, bringing many businesses to a halt while forcing others to change the way in which they conduct their operations, with much of the workforce working from their homes to the extent they were able. States and local governments began easing these measures to varying extents in late April 2020, with some lifting restrictive measures entirely, while others chose a more gradual, extended easing approach. While the easing of these measures enabled many businesses to gradually resume normal operations, most businesses continue to be hindered to varying extents by either measures still in effect, operational challenges resulting from social distancing requirements/expectations and/or a reluctance by much of the population to engage in certain activities while the pandemic is still active. As of the date of this filing, COVID-19 spread continues world- and nation-wide, and is expected to continue until vaccinations have been administered to much of the population, which is not expected to occur in the United States until at least mid- to late 2021. As a result, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the duration and extent of this pandemic. The outbreak has significantly disrupted financial and economic markets worldwide, as well as in the United States at a national, regional and local level. These conditions could continue or further deteriorate as businesses feel the prolonged effects of stalled or reduced operations and uncertainty regarding the pandemic continues.
Effect on Real Estate Industry
COVID-19 has significantly affected the operations of much of the commercial real estate industry as certain tenants’ operations, including the ability to use space and run businesses, have been disrupted. This has adversely affected tenants’ ability to sustain their businesses, including their ability, or willingness, to fulfill their lease obligations. The industry has also been significantly impacted by the economic disruption that COVID-19 has triggered, which has affected the ability to lease space in many property types to new and existing tenants at favorable terms. Key demand drivers for office space, such as employment levels, business confidence and corporate profits, have been adversely affected. In addition, after months of businesses operating in significant part through remote work arrangements out of necessity, the pace of such arrangements becoming more prevalent long-term could accelerate, adversely affecting office space demand, although that effect may be offset by a slowing in the trend toward adoption of shared office and open workplace structures due to greater social distancing concerns. As a result, the commercial real estate industry, including office real estate, has suffered adverse impacts in its operations, financial conditions and cash flows due to the COVID-19 pandemic and faces the potential for future effects.
Effect on the Company
Our office and data center shell portfolio is significantly concentrated in Defense/IT Locations, representing 171 of the portfolio’s 181 properties, or 87.1% of our annualized rental revenue as of December 31, 2020. These properties are primarily occupied by the USG and contractor tenants engaged in what we believe are high-priority security, defense and IT missions. As a result, most of these properties were designated as “essential businesses,” and therefore exempt from many of the restrictions that otherwise have affected much of the commercial real estate industry. Furthermore, since the tenants in these properties are mostly the USG, or contractors of the USG who continue to be compensated by the USG for their services, we believe that their ability, and willingness, to fulfill their lease obligations have not been disrupted. Our Defense/IT Locations do include tenants serving as amenities to business parks housing our properties (such as restaurant, retail and personal service providers); while these tenants’ operations have been significantly disrupted by COVID-19, our annualized rental revenue from these tenants is not significant.
As of December 31, 2020, we owned eight Regional Office properties, representing 12.5% of our office and data center shell portfolio’s annualized rental revenue. These properties were comprised of: three high-rise Baltimore City properties proximate to the city’s waterfront; four Northern Virginia properties; and a newly-developed property in Washington, D.C.’s central business district. While these properties include tenants in the financial services, health care and public health sectors, which, as “essential businesses,” have been exempt from restrictions on operations, they also include a number of non-essential business tenants. These properties are more subject to traditional office fundamentals than our Defense/IT Locations and therefore face much of the enhanced risk in adverse impacts from COVID-19 described above.
The pandemic has affected the manner in which we conduct our operations in the following ways:
•for the operations of our properties:
•we consulted with medical experts in developing an approach to safely operate our properties during the pandemic;
•we use manufacturer recommended heating and air conditioning filters to ensure appropriate outside air distribution;
•we proactively engaged our tenants to help them through unknowns as pandemic concerns heightened and restrictive measures were being instituted, and maintained that engagement to ensure communication regarding steps we were taking in our business operations, any changes in tenant operations (such as office closures or revised work schedules) and the existence of any actual or presumed COVID-19 cases in properties;
•our on-site property operations staff have been required to use personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, and implement other procedural changes to enhance separation and minimize spread;
•we instituted enhanced cleaning measures, particularly for high touch areas and flat surfaces, and conducted special deep cleanings in properties potentially affected by actual or presumed COVID-19 cases;
•we provided signage promoting proper social distancing practices and hand sanitizer stations for property common area lobbies; and
•for properties that were not being used by tenants due to office closures or work from home arrangements, we locked down public (non-tenant) access to the properties for security purposes and instituted other measures aimed at managing costs;
•for our employees:
•our staff deemed to be essential, including our executives, select other members of our leadership team and most of our property management team, have continued to report to their normal work locations; and
•most of our other staff worked from home from mid-March until the end of May, when most began reporting to their normal work locations on a bi-weekly rotational basis; and
•for our leasing activities:
•we continued active engagement for lease transactions already in progress while business closures were in place;
•during periods of time in which we were unable to physically show space to prospective tenants (from mid-March until late May to mid-June), we showed space to new prospective tenants using a combination of virtual technology and pre-recorded video tours; and
•we implemented new advertising strategies to promote space availability.
As of the date of this filing, we believe that COVID-19 has not significantly affected our results of operations. Our:
•same property NOI from real estate operations increased 0.3% for the year ended December 31, 2020 relative to 2019. Included in this increase were offsets associated with a $2.8 million increase in provisions for collectability losses and a $1.9 million decrease in parking revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 relative to 2019. Substantially all of the increase in collectability losses was attributable to tenants whose operations were significantly disrupted by the pandemic (including primarily tenants serving as amenities to Defense/IT Location properties);
•other lease revenue collections were not significantly affected by the pandemic. However, we have agreed to deferred payment arrangements for approximately $2.6 million in lease receivables to be repaid in most cases by 2021 with primarily Regional Office tenants and tenants serving as amenities to Defense/IT Location properties whose operations were significantly disrupted;
•office and data center shell portfolio was 94.1% occupied (compared to 92.9% at December 31, 2019) and 94.8% leased (compared to 94.4% at December 31, 2019) and our Same Properties portfolio was 92.1% occupied (compared to 91.1% at December 31, 2019) and 93.1% leased (compared to 93.0% at December 31, 2019);
•operating expenses included the effect of higher cleaning and maintenance related costs, which were partially offset by higher tenant expense reimbursements; and
•leadership team concluded that the economic disruption resulting from COVID-19 constituted a significant adverse change in the business climate that could affect the value of our Regional Office properties, which are dependent on commercial office tenants and could suffer increased vacancy as a result. Accordingly, we concluded that these circumstances constituted an indicator of impairment. We performed recovery analyses for each Regional Office property’s asset group and concluded that the carrying value of each asset group was recoverable from the respective estimated undiscounted future cash flows. As a result, no impairment loss was recognized.
While we do not currently expect that COVID-19 will significantly affect our future results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, we believe that the impact of the pandemic will be dependent on future developments, including the duration of the pandemic, the prevalence, strength and duration of restrictive measures and the resulting effects on our tenants, potential future tenants, the commercial real estate industry and the broader economy, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict.
Nevertheless, we believe at this time that there is more inherent risk associated with the operations of our Regional Office properties than our Defense/IT Locations.
We believe that COVID-19 led to several leases being executed later than we previously expected, and the inability for us to physically show space to prospective tenants for a period of time due to restrictive measures served as an impediment to initiating new and progressing active leasing transactions. While we do not believe that our development leasing and ability to renew leases scheduled to expire have been significantly affected by the pandemic, we do believe that the impact of the restrictive measures and the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic has impacted our timing and volume of vacant space leasing, and may continue to do so in the future.
For our development activity, we have delivered space in ten newly-developed properties and expansions of three fully-operational properties on schedule since March 2020, and the 11 properties that were under development as of December 31, 2020 face minimal operational risk as they were 84% leased as of the date of this filing. COVID-19 enhances the risk of us being able to stay on pace to complete development and begin operations on schedule due to the potential for delays from: jurisdictional permitting and inspections; factories’ ability to provide materials; and possible labor quarantines. These types of issues have not significantly affected us to date but could in the future, depending on COVID-19 related developments.
We do not expect that we will be required to incur significant additional capital expenditures on existing properties as a result of COVID-19.
In March 2020, due to the potential for financial market instability from the pandemic, we borrowed under our Revolving Credit Facility in order to pre-fund our short-term capital needs. As the capital markets remained stable in the second quarter of 2020, we repaid much of these borrowings in June 2020. We subsequently completed an issuance of $400.0 million in unsecured senior notes in September 2020, which enabled us to refinance $300.0 million in notes maturing in 2021, and we have no other significant debt maturities until 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require us to make certain estimates and assumptions. A summary of our significant accounting policies is provided in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. The following section is a summary of certain aspects of those accounting policies involving estimates and assumptions that (1) require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in accounting for uncertain matters or matters that are susceptible to change and (2) materially affect our reported operating performance or financial condition. It is possible that the use of different reasonable estimates or assumptions in making these judgments could result in materially different amounts being reported in our consolidated financial statements. While reviewing this section, refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, including terms defined therein.
Assessment of Lease Term
As discussed above, a significant portion of our portfolio is leased to the USG, and the majority of those leases consist of a series of one-year renewal options, and/or provide for early termination rights. In addition, certain other leases in our portfolio provide early termination rights to tenants. Applicable accounting guidance requires us to recognize minimum rental payments on a straight-line basis over the term of each lease. The term of a lease includes the noncancellable periods of the lease along with periods covered by: (1) a tenant option to extend the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (2) a tenant option to terminate the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain not to exercise that option; and (3) an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by us as the lessor. When assessing the expected lease end date, we use judgment in contemplating the significance of: any penalties a tenant may incur should it choose not to exercise any existing options to extend the lease or exercise any existing options to terminate the lease; and economic incentives for the tenant based on any existing contract, asset, entity or market-based factors in the lease. Factors we consider in making this assessment include the uniqueness of the purpose or location of the property, the availability of a comparable replacement property, the relative importance or significance of the property to the continuation of the lessee’s line of business and the existence of tenant leasehold improvements or other assets whose value would be impaired by the lessee vacating or discontinuing use of the leased property. For most of our leases with the USG, we have determined, based on the factors above, that exercise of existing renewal options, or continuation of such leases without exercising early termination rights, is reasonably certain as it relates to the expected lease end date. Changes in these lease term assessments could result in the write-off of any recorded assets associated with straight-line rental revenue and acceleration of depreciation and amortization expense associated with costs we incurred related to these leases.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We assess the asset groups associated with each of our properties, including operating properties, properties in development, land held for future development, related intangible assets, right-of-use assets, deferred rents receivable and lease liabilities, for indicators of impairment quarterly or when circumstances indicate that an asset group may be impaired. If our analyses indicate that the carrying values of certain properties’ asset groups may be impaired, we perform a recovery analysis for such asset groups. For properties to be held and used, we analyze recoverability based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the properties over, in most cases, a ten-year holding period. If we believe it is more likely than not that we will dispose of the properties earlier, we analyze recoverability using a probability weighted analysis of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the properties over the various possible holding periods. If the analysis indicates that the carrying value of a tested property’s asset group is not recoverable from its estimated future cash flows, the property’s asset group is written down to the property’s estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recognized. If and when our plans change, we revise our recoverability analyses of such property’s asset group to use the cash flows expected from the operations and eventual disposition of such property using holding periods that are consistent with our revised plans.
Property fair values are estimated based on contract prices, indicative bids, discounted cash flow analyses or comparable sales analyses. Estimated cash flows used in our impairment analyses are based on our plans for the property and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider items such as current and future market rental and occupancy rates, estimated operating and capital expenditures and recent sales data for comparable properties; most of these items are influenced by market data obtained from real estate leasing and brokerage firms and our direct experience with the properties and their markets. Determining the appropriate capitalization or discount rate also requires significant judgment and is typically based on many factors, including the prevailing rate for the market or submarket, as well as the quality and location of the property. Changes in the estimated future cash flows due to changes in our plans for a property (especially our expected holding period), views of market and economic conditions and/or our ability to obtain development rights could result in recognition of impairment losses which could be substantial.
Asset groups associated with properties held for sale are carried at the lower of their carrying values (i.e., cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment loss recognized, where applicable) or estimated fair values less costs to sell. Accordingly, decisions to sell certain properties will result in impairment losses if the carrying values of the specific properties’ asset groups classified as held for sale exceed such properties’ estimated fair values less costs to sell. The estimates of fair value consider matters such as recent sales data for comparable properties and, where applicable, contracts or the results of negotiations with prospective purchasers. These estimates are subject to revision as market conditions, and our assessment of such conditions, change.
Revenue Recognition on Tenant Improvements
Most of our leases provide for some form of improvements to leased space. When we are required to provide improvements under the terms of a lease, we need to determine whether the improvements constitute landlord assets or tenant assets. If the improvements are landlord assets, we capitalize the cost of the improvements and recognize depreciation expense over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the term of the lease and recognize any payments from the tenant as rental revenue over the term of the lease. If the improvements are tenant assets, we defer the cost of improvements funded by us as a lease incentive asset and amortize it as a reduction of rental revenue over the term of the lease. Our determination of whether improvements are landlord assets or tenant assets also may affect when we commence revenue recognition in connection with a lease.
In determining whether improvements constitute landlord or tenant assets, we consider numerous factors that may require subjective or complex judgments, including, whether the economic substance of the lease terms is properly reflected and whether the improvements: have value to us as real estate; are unique to the tenant or reusable by other tenants; may be altered or removed by the tenant without our consent or without compensating us for any lost fair value; are owned, and remain, with us or the tenant at the end of the lease term.
Concentration of Operations
Customer Concentration of Property Operations
The table below sets forth the 20 largest tenants in our portfolio of operating properties (including our office and data center shell properties and wholesale data center) based on percentage of annualized rental revenue:
Percentage of Annualized Rental
Revenue of Operating Properties
for 20 Largest Tenants as of December 31,
Tenant 2020 2019 2018
USG 34.1 % 34.6 % 32.7 %
Fortune 100 Company 9.1 % 7.9 % 8.9 %
General Dynamics Corporation (1) 5.6 % 4.9 % 4.7 %
The Boeing Company (1) 3.0 % 3.2 % 3.8 %
CACI International Inc 2.4 % 2.5 % 2.4 %
Northrop Grumman Corporation (1) 2.3 % 2.2 % 2.3 %
CareFirst Inc. 2.0 % 2.1 % 2.2 %
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. 2.0 % 2.1 % 2.0 %
Wells Fargo & Company (1) 1.2 % 1.3 % 1.3 %
AT&T Corporation (1) 1.1 % 1.3 % 0.7 %
Miles and Stockbridge, PC 1.0 % 1.1 % 1.1 %
Morrison & Foerster, LLP 1.0 % N/A N/A
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (1) 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.1 %
Yulista Holding, LLC 1.0 % N/A N/A
Science Applications International Corp. (1) 0.9 % 1.0 % 1.3 %
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc 0.9 % 1.0 % N/A
Transamerica Life Insurance Company 0.9 % 0.9 % 0.9 %
University of Maryland 0.9 % 1.2 % 1.4 %
The MITRE Corporation 0.8 % 0.7 % 0.8 %
Mantech International Corp. 0.8 % 0.7 % N/A
Peraton Inc. N/A 0.9 % N/A
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions (1) N/A 1.0 % 1.0 %
KEYW Corporation N/A N/A 1.0 %
International Business Machines Corp. N/A N/A 0.7 %
Accenture Federal Services, LLC N/A N/A 0.7 %
Subtotal of 20 largest tenants 72.0 % 71.6 % 71.0 %
All remaining tenants 28.0 % 28.4 % 29.0 %
Total 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Total annualized rental revenue $ 571,035 $ 525,338 $ 522,898
(1)Includes affiliated organizations.
The USG’s concentration decreased from 2019 to 2020 due primarily to new properties placed in service in which it is not a tenant.
Concentration of Office and Data Center Shell Properties by Segment
The table below sets forth the segment allocation of our annualized rental revenue of office and data center shell properties as of the end of the last three calendar years:
Percentage of Annualized Rental Revenue of Office and Data Center Shell Properties as of December 31, Number of Properties as of December 31,
Region 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018
Defense/IT Locations:
Fort Meade/BW Corridor
47.5 % 51.3 % 49.5 % 89 88 87
Northern Virginia Defense/IT
11.2 % 10.9 % 12.0 % 13 13 13
Lackland Air Force Base
9.8 % 10.5 % 10.3 % 7 7 7
Navy Support Locations
6.3 % 6.5 % 6.3 % 21 21 21
Redstone Arsenal
5.6 % 3.5 % 2.8 % 15 10 8
Data Center Shells
6.6 % 5.3 % 7.0 % 26 22 18
Total Defense/IT Locations 87.0 % 87.9 % 87.9 % 171 161 154
Regional Office 12.5 % 11.5 % 11.5 % 8 7 7
Other 0.5 % 0.6 % 0.6 % 2 2 2
100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 181 170 163
For the changes in revenue concentration reflected above between year end 2019 and 2020, the increase in Redstone Arsenal, Data Center Shells and Regional Office was due to new, fully-occupied properties being placed in service, while the decrease in Fort Meade/BW Corridor was due to the effect of increases in other segments coupled with a decrease in that segment’s occupancy.
Occupancy and Leasing
Office and Data Center Shell Portfolio
The tables below set forth occupancy information pertaining to our portfolio of office and data center shell properties:
December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Occupancy rates at period end
Total 94.1 % 92.9 % 93.0 %
Defense/IT Locations:
Fort Meade/BW Corridor
91.0 % 92.4 % 91.1 %
Northern Virginia Defense/IT
88.1 % 82.4 % 91.3 %
Lackland Air Force Base
100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Navy Support Locations
97.2 % 92.5 % 90.5 %
Redstone Arsenal
99.4 % 99.3 % 99.0 %
Data Center Shells
100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Total Defense/IT Locations
94.5 % 93.7 % 93.6 %
Regional Office 92.5 % 88.1 % 89.2 %
Other 68.4 % 73.0 % 77.2 %
Average contractual annualized rental rate per square foot at year end (1)
$ 31.50 $ 31.28 $ 30.41
(1)Includes estimated expense reimbursements.
Rentable
Square Feet Occupied
Square Feet
(in thousands)
December 31, 2019 19,173 17,816
Vacated upon lease expiration (1) - (463)
Occupancy for new leases - 567
Developed or redeveloped 1,823 1,802
Other changes (37) -
December 31, 2020 20,959 19,722
(1)Includes lease terminations and space reductions occurring in connection with lease renewals.
With regard to changes in occupancy from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020:
•Total: Increase was due primarily to placing into service 1.8 million square feet in space that was 99.5% leased as of December 31, 2020;
•Fort Meade/BW Corridor: Decrease was due primarily to vacated space, resulting in a 70.8% retention rate in 2020;
•Northern Virginia Defense/IT, Navy Support Locations and Regional Office: Increases each due to vacant space leasing; and
•Other: Included two properties totaling 157,000 square feet in Aberdeen, Maryland.
In 2020, we leased 3.6 million square feet, including 1.0 million square feet of development and redevelopment space discussed in further detail above.
In 2020, we renewed leases on 2.2 million square feet, representing 80.6% of the square footage of our lease expirations (including the effect of early renewals). The annualized rents of these renewals (totaling $28.35 per square foot) decreased on average by approximately 2.1% and the GAAP rents (totaling $28.45 per square foot) increased on average by approximately 6.5% relative to the leases previously in place for the space. The renewed leases had a weighted average lease term of approximately 4.2 years, with average rent escalations per year of 2.4%, and the per annum average estimated tenant improvements and lease costs associated with completing the leasing was approximately $2.03 per square foot. The decrease in average rents on renewals was attributable primarily to per annum rent escalation terms of the previous leases that increased rents over the lease terms by amounts exceeding the increases in the applicable market rental rates.
In 2020, we also completed leasing on 416,000 square feet of vacant space. The annualized rents of this leasing totaled $31.32 per square foot and the GAAP rents totaled $32.36 per square foot; these leases had a weighted average lease term of approximately 6.2 years, with average rent escalations per year of 2.8%, and the per annum average estimated tenant improvements and lease costs associated with completing this leasing was approximately $7.33 per square foot.
Wholesale Data Center
Our 19.25 megawatt wholesale data center was 86.7% leased as of December 31, 2020 and 76.9% leased as of December 31, 2019, reflecting an increase from our leasing of 3.1 megawatts in April 2020. We have a lease for 11.25 megawatts perpetually renewing that may be terminated by either party with six months’ notice.
Lease Expirations
The table below sets forth as of December 31, 2020 our scheduled lease expirations based on the non-cancelable term of tenant leases determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for our operating properties by segment/sub-segment in terms of percentage of annualized rental revenue:
Expiration of Annualized Rental Revenue of Operating Properties
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Total
Defense/IT Locations
Fort Meade/BW Corridor 4.4 % 6.5 % 8.4 % 7.5 % 8.7 % 10.1 % 45.6 %
Northern Virginia Defense/IT 0.4 % 0.8 % 1.0 % 2.4 % 1.8 % 4.2 % 10.6 %
Lackland Air Force Base 2.1 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 6.9 % 0.4 % 9.4 %
Navy Support Locations 1.5 % 0.9 % 1.1 % 1.0 % 0.2 % 1.5 % 6.2 %
Redstone Arsenal 0.0 % 1.6 % 0.1 % 0.3 % 0.9 % 2.4 % 5.3 %
Data Center Shells 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.1 % 0.0 % 6.2 % 6.3 %
Regional Office 0.5 % 3.1 % 0.8 % 0.4 % 0.7 % 6.5 % 12.0 %
Other 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.2 % 0.0 % 0.4 %
Wholesale Data Center 2.6 % 0.4 % 0.3 % 0.0 % 0.9 % 0.0 % 4.2 %
Total 11.6 % 13.4 % 11.7 % 11.7 % 20.3 % 31.3 % 100.0 %
For our office and data center shell properties, our weighted average lease term as of December 31, 2020 was approximately six years. We believe that the weighted average annualized rental revenue per occupied square foot for our office and data center shell leases expiring in 2021 was, on average, approximately 1.5% to 3.5% higher than estimated current market rents for the related space, with specific results varying by segment. Our wholesale data center had scheduled lease expirations in 2021 for 61% of its annualized rental revenue, which included a lease for 11.25 megawatts perpetually renewing that may be terminated by either party with six months’ notice.
Results of Operations
For a discussion of our results of operations comparison for 2019 and 2018, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed on February 19, 2020.
We evaluate the operating performance of our properties using NOI from real estate operations, our segment performance measure, which includes: real estate revenues and property operating expenses; and the net of revenues and property operating expenses of real estate operations owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures (“UJVs”) that is allocable to COPT’s ownership interest (“UJV NOI allocable to COPT”). We view our NOI from real estate operations as comprising the following primary categories:
•office and data center shell properties:
•stably owned and 100% operational throughout the two years being compared. We define these as changes from “Same Properties.” For further discussion of the concept of “operational,” refer to the section of Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements entitled “Properties”;
•developed or redeveloped and placed into service that were not 100% operational throughout the two years being compared; and
•disposed; and
•our wholesale data center.
In addition to owning properties, we provide construction management and other services. The primary manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our construction management and other service activities is through a measure we define as NOI from service operations, which is based on the net of the revenues and expenses from these activities. The revenues and expenses from these activities consist primarily of subcontracted costs that are reimbursed to us by customers along with a management fee. The operating margins from these activities are small relative to the revenue. We believe NOI from service operations is a useful measure in assessing both our level of activity and our profitability in conducting such operations.
Since both of the measures discussed above exclude certain items includable in net income, reliance on these measures has limitations; management compensates for these limitations by using the measures simply as supplemental measures that are considered alongside other GAAP and non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation of NOI from real estate operations and NOI from service operations to net income reported on the consolidated statements of operations of COPT and subsidiaries is provided in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.
Comparison of Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 Variance
(in thousands)
Revenues
Revenues from real estate operations $ 538,725 $ 527,463 $ 11,262
Construction contract and other service revenues 70,640 113,763 (43,123)
Total revenues 609,365 641,226 (31,861)
Operating expenses
Property operating expenses 203,840 198,143 5,697
Depreciation and amortization associated with real estate operations
138,193 137,069 1,124
Construction contract and other service expenses 67,615 109,962 (42,347)
Impairment losses 1,530 329 1,201
General, administrative and leasing expenses 33,001 35,402 (2,401)
Business development expenses and land carry costs 4,473 4,239 234
Total operating expenses 448,652 485,144 (36,492)
Interest expense (67,937) (71,052) 3,115
Interest and other income 8,574 7,894 680
Credit loss recoveries 933 - 933
Gain on sales of real estate 30,209 105,230 (75,021)
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture 29,416 - 29,416
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (7,306) - (7,306)
Loss on interest rate derivatives (53,196) - (53,196)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities 1,825 1,633 192
Income tax (expense) benefit (353) 217 (570)
Net income $ 102,878 $ 200,004 $ (97,126)
NOI from Real Estate Operations
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 Variance
(Dollars in thousands, except per square foot data)
Revenues
Same Properties revenues
Lease revenue, excluding lease termination revenue and provision for collectability losses
$ 472,207 $ 464,619 $ 7,588
Lease termination revenue
1,451 2,046 (595)
Provision for collectability losses included in lease revenue
(3,923) (1,149) (2,774)
Other property revenue
2,372 4,764 (2,392)
Same Properties total revenues 472,107 470,280 1,827
Developed and redeveloped properties placed in service 34,491 9,186 25,305
Wholesale data center 27,788 29,405 (1,617)
Dispositions 4,325 16,334 (12,009)
Other 14 2,258 (2,244)
538,725 527,463 11,262
Property operating expenses
Same Properties (182,812) (181,803) (1,009)
Developed and redeveloped properties placed in service (6,413) (1,594) (4,819)
Wholesale data center (14,171) (13,213) (958)
Dispositions (429) (1,457) 1,028
Other (15) (76) 61
(203,840) (198,143) (5,697)
UJV NOI allocable to COPT
Dispositions 4,818 4,851 (33)
Retained interests in newly-formed UJVs 2,133 854 1,279
6,951 5,705 1,246
NOI from real estate operations
Same Properties 289,295 288,477 818
Developed and redeveloped properties placed in service 28,078 7,592 20,486
Wholesale data center 13,617 16,192 (2,575)
Dispositions, net of retained interests in newly-formed UJVs 10,847 20,582 (9,735)
Other (1) 2,182 (2,183)
$ 341,836 $ 335,025 $ 6,811
Same Properties NOI from real estate operations by segment
Defense/IT Locations $ 256,432 $ 257,048 $ (616)
Regional Office 31,220 29,928 1,292
Other 1,643 1,501 142
$ 289,295 $ 288,477 $ 818
Same Properties rent statistics
Average occupancy rate 91.8 % 91.0 % 0.8 %
Average straight-line rent per occupied square foot (1) $ 26.31 $ 26.39 $ (0.08)
(1)Includes minimum base rents, net of abatements, and lease incentives on a straight-line basis for the years set forth above.
Our Same Properties pool consisted of 144 properties, comprising 73.0% of our office and data center shell portfolio’s square footage as of December 31, 2020. This pool of properties changed from the pool used for purposes of comparing 2019 and 2018 in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K due to: the addition of five properties placed in service and 100% operational on or before January 1, 2019 and the removal of eight properties in which we sold a 90% interest.
Regarding the changes in NOI from real estate operations reported above:
•our Same Properties pool reflects a net increase due primarily to: increased occupancy and higher expense reimbursements from tenants, partially offset by higher provisions for collectability losses and lower parking revenue (both of which were attributable to the effects of COVID-19);
•developed and redeveloped properties placed in service reflects the effect of 20 properties placed in service in 2019 and 2020;
•our wholesale data center decreased due primarily to lease termination revenue recognized in the prior year that did not recur in the current year;
•dispositions, net of retained interests in newly-formed UJVs reflects the effect of our decrease in ownership of eight data center shells in 2020 and nine data center shells in 2019; and
•Other reflects primarily the effect of previously operational properties that we removed from service in mid-2019.
NOI from Service Operations
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 Variance
(in thousands)
Construction contract and other service revenues $ 70,640 $ 113,763 $ (43,123)
Construction contract and other service expenses (67,615) (109,962) 42,347
NOI from service operations $ 3,025 $ 3,801 $ (776)
Construction contract and other service revenue and expenses decreased due primarily to a lower volume of construction activity in connection with several of our tenants. Construction contract activity is inherently subject to significant variability depending on the volume and nature of projects undertaken by us primarily on behalf of tenants. Service operations are an ancillary component of our overall operations that typically contribute an insignificant amount of income relative to our real estate operations.
General, Administrative and Leasing Expenses
General, administrative and leasing expenses decreased in large part due to lower professional fees and compensation related expenses in the current period.
We capitalize compensation and indirect costs associated with properties, or portions thereof, undergoing development or redevelopment activities. Our capitalized compensation and indirect costs totaled $9.4 million in 2020 and $10.1 million in 2019.
Interest Expense
The table below sets forth components of our interest expense:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 Variance
(in thousands)
Interest on Unsecured Senior Notes $ 53,534 $ 53,321 $ 213
Interest on mortgage and other secured debt
8,658 7,908 750
Interest on unsecured term debt 5,909 8,908 (2,999)
Amortization of deferred financing costs 2,538 2,136 402
Interest expense recognized on interest rate swaps 3,726 (1,415) 5,141
Interest on Revolving Credit Facility 3,239 8,613 (5,374)
Other interest 2,393 2,367 26
Capitalized interest (12,060) (10,786) (1,274)
Interest expense $ 67,937 $ 71,052 $ (3,115)
The increase in interest expense recognized on interest rate swaps was attributable to a decrease in applicable LIBOR rates, while these decreased rates and lower borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility resulted in the decrease in interest on our Revolving Credit Facility.
Our average outstanding debt was $2.1 billion in 2020 and $1.9 billion 2019, and our weighted average effective interest rate on debt was approximately 3.6% in 2020 and 4.1% in 2019.
Gain on sales of real estate
Gain on sales of real estate included gains from sales of 90% interests in data center shell properties, including two properties in 2020 and nine properties in 2019. We retained 10% interests in these properties through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures.
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture
The gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture recognized in 2020 was attributable to our decrease in ownership interest in six data center shell properties resulting from the sale of properties from GI-COPT to B RE COPT and subsequent dissolution of GI-COPT described above.
Loss on extinguishment of debt
The loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized in 2020 was attributable to our purchase and redemption of 3.70% Senior Notes due 2021.
Loss on interest rate derivatives
In 2020, we recognized a loss on interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense on forecasted future borrowings following our determination that such borrowings would probably not occur.
Funds from Operations
Funds from operations (“FFO”) is defined as net income computed using GAAP, excluding gains on sales and impairment losses of real estate (net of associated income tax) and real estate-related depreciation and amortization. FFO also includes adjustments to net income for the effects of the items noted above pertaining to UJVs that were allocable to our ownership interest in the UJVs. We believe that we use the Nareit definition of FFO, although others may interpret the definition differently and, accordingly, our presentation of FFO may differ from those of other REITs. We believe that FFO is useful to management and investors as a supplemental measure of operating performance because, by excluding gains on sales and impairment losses of real estate and investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures (net of associated income tax), and real estate-related depreciation and amortization, FFO can help one compare our operating performance between periods. In addition, since most equity REITs provide FFO information to the investment community, we believe that FFO is useful to investors as a supplemental measure for comparing our results to those of other equity REITs. We believe that net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to FFO.
Since FFO excludes certain items includable in net income, reliance on the measure has limitations; management compensates for these limitations by using the measure simply as a supplemental measure that is weighed in balance with other GAAP and non-GAAP measures. FFO is not necessarily an indication of our cash flow available to fund cash needs. Additionally, it should not be used as an alternative to net income when evaluating our financial performance or to cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities when evaluating our liquidity or ability to make cash distributions or pay debt service.
Basic FFO available to common share and common unit holders (“Basic FFO”) is FFO adjusted to subtract (1) preferred share dividends, (2) income attributable to noncontrolling interests through ownership of preferred units in the Operating Partnership or interests in other consolidated entities not owned by us, (3) depreciation and amortization allocable to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities, (4) Basic FFO allocable to share-based compensation awards and (5) issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred shares. With these adjustments, Basic FFO represents FFO available to common shareholders and common unitholders. Common units in the Operating Partnership are substantially similar to our common shares and are exchangeable into common shares, subject to certain conditions. We believe that Basic FFO is useful to investors due to the close correlation of common units to common shares. We believe that net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Basic FFO. Basic FFO has essentially the same limitations as FFO; management compensates for these limitations in essentially the same manner as described above for FFO.
Diluted FFO available to common share and common unit holders (“Diluted FFO”) is Basic FFO adjusted to add back any changes in Basic FFO that would result from the assumed conversion of securities that are convertible or exchangeable into common shares. We believe that Diluted FFO is useful to investors because it is the numerator used to compute Diluted FFO per share, discussed below. We believe that net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Diluted FFO. Since Diluted FFO excludes certain items includable in the numerator to diluted EPS, reliance on the measure has limitations; management compensates for these limitations by using the measure simply as a supplemental measure that is weighed in the balance with other GAAP and non-GAAP measures. Diluted FFO is not necessarily an indication of our cash flow available to fund cash needs. Additionally, it should not be used as an alternative to net income when evaluating our financial performance or to cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities when evaluating our liquidity or ability to make cash distributions or pay debt service.
Diluted FFO available to common share and common unit holders, as adjusted for comparability is defined as Diluted FFO adjusted to exclude operating property acquisition costs; gain or loss on early extinguishment of debt; FFO associated with properties securing non-recourse debt on which we have defaulted and which we have extinguished, or expect to extinguish, via conveyance of such properties, including property NOI, interest expense and gains on debt extinguishment (discussed further below); loss on interest rate derivatives; demolition costs on redevelopment and nonrecurring improvements; executive transition costs; issuance costs associated with redeemed preferred shares; allocations of FFO to holders on noncontrolling interests resulting from capital events; and certain other expenses that we believe are not closely correlated with our operating performance. This measure also includes adjustments for the effects of the items noted above pertaining to UJVs that were allocable to our ownership interest in the UJVs. We believe this to be a useful supplemental measure alongside Diluted FFO as it excludes gains and losses from certain investing and financing activities and certain other items that we believe are not closely correlated to (or associated with) our operating performance. We believe that net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to this non-GAAP measure. This measure has essentially the same limitations as Diluted FFO, as well as the further limitation of not reflecting the effects of the excluded items; we compensate for these limitations in essentially the same manner as described above for Diluted FFO.
Diluted FFO per share is (1) Diluted FFO divided by (2) the sum of the (a) weighted average common shares outstanding during a period, (b) weighted average common units outstanding during a period and (c) weighted average number of potential additional common shares that would have been outstanding during a period if other securities that are convertible or exchangeable into common shares were converted or exchanged. We believe that Diluted FFO per share is useful to investors because it provides investors with a further context for evaluating our FFO results in the same manner that investors use earnings per share (“EPS”) in evaluating net income available to common shareholders. In addition, since most equity REITs provide Diluted FFO per share information to the investment community, we believe that Diluted FFO per share is a useful supplemental measure for comparing us to other equity REITs. We believe that diluted EPS is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Diluted FFO per share. Diluted FFO per share has most of the same limitations as Diluted FFO (described above); management compensates for these limitations in essentially the same manner as described above for Diluted FFO.
Diluted FFO per share, as adjusted for comparability is (1) Diluted FFO, as adjusted for comparability divided by (2) the sum of the (a) weighted average common shares outstanding during a period, (b) weighted average common units outstanding during a period and (c) weighted average number of potential additional common shares that would have been outstanding during a period if other securities that are convertible or exchangeable into common shares were converted or exchanged. We believe that this measure is useful to investors because it provides investors with a further context for evaluating our FFO results. We believe this to be a useful supplemental measure alongside Diluted FFO per share as it excludes gains and losses from certain investing and financing activities and certain other items that we believe are not closely correlated to (or associated with) our operating performance. We believe that diluted EPS is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to this per share measure. This measure has most of the same limitations as Diluted FFO (described above) as well as the further limitation of not reflecting the effects of the excluded items; we compensate for these limitations in essentially the same manner as described above for Diluted FFO.
The computations for all of the above measures on a diluted basis assume the conversion of common units in COPLP but do not assume the conversion of other securities that are convertible into common shares if the conversion of those securities would increase per share measures in a given period.
We use measures called payout ratios as supplemental measures of our ability to make distributions to investors based on each of the following: FFO; Diluted FFO; and Diluted FFO, adjusted for comparability. These measures are defined as (1) the sum of (a) dividends on unrestricted common shares and (b) distributions to holders of interests in COPLP (excluding unvested
share-based compensation awards) and dividends on convertible preferred shares when such distributions and dividends are included in Diluted FFO divided by either (2) FFO, Diluted FFO or Diluted FFO, adjusted for comparability.
The table below sets forth the computation of the above stated measures for 2020 and 2019 and provides reconciliations to the GAAP measures of COPT and subsidiaries associated with such measures:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
Net income $ 102,878 $ 200,004
Real estate-related depreciation and amortization 138,193 137,069
Depreciation and amortization on UJV allocable to COPT 3,329 2,703
Impairment losses on real estate 1,530 329
Gain on sales of real estate (30,209) (105,230)
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate JV (29,416) -
FFO 186,305 234,875
Noncontrolling interests-preferred units in the Operating Partnership (300) (564)
FFO allocable to other noncontrolling interests (15,705) (5,024)
Basic FFO allocable to share-based compensation awards (719) (905)
Basic FFO available to common shares and common unit holders 169,581 228,382
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 147 132
Diluted FFO available to common shares and common unit holders 169,728 228,514
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 7,306 -
Loss on interest rate derivatives 53,196 -
Demolition costs on redevelopment and nonrecurring improvements 63 148
Executive transition costs - 4
Non-comparable professional and legal expenses - 681
Dilutive preferred units in the Operating Partnership 300 -
FFO allocation to other noncontrolling interests resulting from capital event 11,090 -
Diluted FFO comparability adjustments allocable to share-based compensation awards (327) (3)
Diluted FFO available to common share and common unit holders, as adjusted for comparability $ 241,356 $ 229,344
Weighted average common shares 111,788 111,196
Conversion of weighted average common units 1,236 1,299
Weighted average common shares/units - Basic FFO per share 113,024 112,495
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards 288 308
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 123 119
Weighted average common shares/units - Diluted FFO per share 113,435 112,922
Dilutive convertible preferred units 171 -
Weighted average common shares/units - Diluted FFO per share, as adjusted for comparability 113,606 112,922
Diluted FFO per share $ 1.50 $ 2.02
Diluted FFO per share, as adjusted for comparability $ 2.12 $ 2.03
Denominator for diluted EPS 112,076 111,623
Weighted average common units 1,236 1,299
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 123 -
Denominator for diluted FFO per share 113,435 112,922
Dilutive convertible preferred units 171 -
Denominator for diluted FFO per share, as adjusted for comparability 113,606 112,922
Common share dividends - unrestricted shares and deferred shares $ 123,042 $ 122,823
Common unit distributions - unrestricted units 1,362 1,405
Dividends and distributions for FFO and diluted FFO payout ratios 124,404 124,228
Distributions on dilutive preferred units 300 -
Dividends and distributions for other payout ratio $ 124,704 $ 124,228
FFO payout ratio 66.8 % 52.9 %
Diluted FFO payout ratio 73.3 % 54.4 %
Diluted FFO payout ratio, as adjusted for comparability 51.7 % 54.2 %
Property Additions
The table below sets forth the major components of our additions to properties for 2020 and 2019:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 Variance
(in thousands)
Development and redevelopment $ 345,818 $ 427,526 $ (81,708)
Tenant improvements on operating properties (1) 26,071 26,294 (223)
Capital improvements on operating properties 34,060 26,598 7,462
$ 405,949 $ 480,418 $ (74,469)
(1)Tenant improvement costs incurred on newly-developed properties are classified in this table as development and redevelopment.
Cash Flows
Net cash flow from operating activities increased $9.9 million, or 4.3%, from 2019 to 2020 due primarily to the timing of cash outlays for construction contract costs relative to the cash receipts from customers associated with such costs.
Net cash flow used in investing activities increased $187.8 million from 2019 to 2020 due primarily to proceeds from sales of real estate interests of $143.0 million in the current period compared to $309.6 million in the prior period, partially offset by the effect of $53.1 million paid to cash settle interest rate swaps in the current period.
Net cash flow provided by financing activities in 2020 was $91.3 million and included primarily the following:
•net proceeds from debt borrowings of $252.0 million, which included $150.0 million in borrowings under a term loan facility and the net increase from our issuance of the 2.25% Notes and the purchase and redemption of the 3.70% Notes; offset in part by
•dividends and/or distributions to equity holders of $125.2 million;
•distributions paid to redeemable noncontrolling interests of $14.4 million; and
•our redemption of the Series I Preferred Units for $8.8 million.
Net cash flow used in financing activities in 2019 was $84.4 million and included primarily the following:
•dividends and/or distributions to equity holders of $124.8 million; offset in part by
•net proceeds from the issuance of common shares (or units) of $46.4 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources of COPT
COPLP is the entity through which COPT, the sole general partner of COPLP, conducts almost all of its operations and owns almost all of its assets. COPT occasionally issues public equity but does not otherwise generate any capital itself or conduct any business itself, other than incurring certain expenses in operating as a public company which are fully reimbursed by COPLP. COPT itself does not hold any indebtedness, and its only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of COPLP. COPT’s principal funding requirement is the payment of dividends on its common and preferred shares. COPT’s principal source of funding for its dividend payments is distributions it receives from COPLP.
As of December 31, 2020, COPT owned 98.6% of the outstanding common units in COPLP and there were no preferred units outstanding. As the sole general partner of COPLP, COPT has the full, exclusive and complete responsibility for COPLP’s day-to-day management and control.
The liquidity of COPT is dependent on COPLP’s ability to make sufficient distributions to COPT. The primary cash requirement of COPT is its payment of dividends to its shareholders. COPT also guarantees some of the Operating Partnership’s debt, as discussed further in Note 10 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included herein. If the Operating Partnership fails to fulfill certain of its debt requirements, which trigger COPT’s guarantee obligations, then COPT will be required to fulfill its cash payment commitments under such guarantees. However, COPT’s only significant asset is its investment in COPLP.
As discussed further below, we believe that the Operating Partnership’s sources of working capital, specifically its cash flow from operations, and borrowings available under its Revolving Credit Facility, are adequate for it to make its distribution payments to COPT and, in turn, for COPT to make its dividend payments to its shareholders.
COPT’s short-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds to pay for future dividends expected to be paid to its shareholders. COPT periodically accesses the public equity markets to raise capital by issuing common and/or preferred shares.
For COPT to maintain its qualification as a REIT, it must pay dividends to its shareholders aggregating annually to at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income. As a result of this distribution requirement, it cannot rely on retained earnings to fund its ongoing operations to the same extent that some other companies can. COPT may need to continue to raise capital in the equity markets to fund COPLP’s development activities and acquisitions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources of COPLP
COPLP’s primary cash requirements are for operating expenses, debt service, development of new properties and improvements to existing properties. We expect COPLP to continue to use cash flow provided by operations as the primary source to meet its short-term capital needs, including property operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, scheduled principal amortization of debt, distributions to its security holders and improvements to existing properties. As of December 31, 2020, COPLP had $18.4 million in cash and cash equivalents.
COPLP’s senior unsecured debt is currently rated investment grade by the three major rating agencies. We aim to maintain an investment grade rating to enable COPLP to use debt comprised of unsecured, primarily fixed-rate debt (including the effect of interest rate swaps) from public markets and banks. COPLP also uses secured nonrecourse debt from institutional lenders and banks primarily for joint venture financings. In addition, COPLP periodically raises equity from COPT when COPT accesses the public equity markets by issuing common and/or preferred shares.
COPLP uses its Revolving Credit Facility to initially finance much of its investing activities. COPLP subsequently pays down the facility using cash available from operations and proceeds from long-term borrowings (net of any related hedging costs), equity issuances and sales of interests in properties. The lenders’ aggregate commitment under the facility is $800.0 million, with the ability for COPLP to increase the lenders’ aggregate commitment to $1.25 billion, provided that there is no default under the facility and subject to the approval of the lenders. The facility matures in March 2023, and may be extended by two six-month periods at COPLP’s option, provided that there is no default under the facility and COPLP pays an extension fee of 0.075% of the total availability under the facility for each extension period. As of December 31, 2020, the maximum borrowing capacity under this facility totaled $800.0 million, of which $657.0 million was available.
COPT has a program in place under which it may offer and sell common shares in at-the-market stock offerings having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $300 million. Under this program, COPT may also, at its discretion, sell common shares under forward equity sales agreements. The use of a forward equity sales agreement would enable us to lock in a price on a sale of common shares when the agreement is executed but defer receiving the proceeds from the sale until a later date.
We believe that COPLP’s liquidity and capital resources are adequate for its near-term and longer-term requirements without necessitating property sales. However, we may dispose of interests in properties opportunistically or when capital markets otherwise warrant. We believe that we have the ability to raise additional equity by selling interests in data center shells through joint ventures.
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
For the Years Ending December 31,
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Total
Contractual obligations (1)
Debt (2)
Balloon payments due upon maturity $ - $ 482,882 $ 556,578 $ 277,649 $ 322,100 $ 445,623 $ 2,084,832
Scheduled principal payments (3) 3,955 4,498 3,552 2,334 1,617 677 16,633
Interest on debt (3)(4) 64,643 63,576 45,913 27,625 18,176 2,543 222,476
Development and redevelopment obligations (5)(6)
100,139 7,302 388 - - - 107,829
Third-party construction obligations (6)(7)
18,823 - - - - - 18,823
Tenant and other building improvements (3)(6)
26,624 24,740 7,992 - - - 59,356
Property finance leases (principal and interest) (3) 14 14 - - - - 28
Property operating leases (3) 3,211 3,332 3,382 3,434 1,780 126,350 141,489
Total contractual cash obligations $ 217,409 $ 586,344 $ 617,805 $ 311,042 $ 343,673 $ 575,193 $ 2,651,466
(1)The contractual obligations set forth in this table exclude contracts for property operations and certain other contracts entered into in the normal course of business. Also excluded are accruals and payables incurred and interest rate derivative liabilities, which are reflected in our reported liabilities (although debt and lease liabilities are included on the table).
(2)Represents scheduled principal amortization payments and maturities only and therefore excludes net debt discounts and deferred financing costs of $14.5 million. As of December 31, 2020, maturities included $143.0 million in 2023 that may be extended to 2024, subject to certain conditions.
(3)We expect to pay these items using cash flow from operations.
(4)Represents interest costs for our outstanding debt as of December 31, 2020 for the terms of such debt. For variable rate debt, the amounts reflected above used December 31, 2020 interest rates on variable rate debt in computing interest costs for the terms of such debt. We expect to pay these items using cash flow from operations.
(5)Represents contractual obligations pertaining to new development and redevelopment activities.
(6)Due to the long-term nature of certain development and construction contracts and leases included in these lines, the amounts reported in the table represent our estimate of the timing for the related obligations being payable.
(7)Represents contractual obligations pertaining to projects for which we are acting as construction manager on behalf of unrelated parties who are our clients. We expect to be reimbursed in full for these costs by our clients.
We expect to spend $275 million to $300 million on development costs and approximately $85 million on improvements and leasing costs for operating properties (including the commitments set forth in the table above) in 2021. We expect to fund the development costs initially using primarily borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. We expect to fund improvements to existing operating properties using cash flow from operating activities.
Certain of our debt instruments require that we comply with a number of restrictive financial covenants, including maximum leverage ratio, unencumbered leverage ratio, minimum net worth, minimum fixed charge coverage, minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratio, minimum debt service and maximum secured indebtedness ratio. As of December 31, 2020, we were compliant with these covenants.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements during 2020.
Inflation
Most of our tenants are obligated to pay their share of a property’s operating expenses to the extent such expenses exceed amounts established in their leases, which are based on historical expense levels. Some of our tenants are obligated to pay their full share of a building’s operating expenses. These arrangements somewhat reduce our exposure to increases in such costs resulting from inflation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to certain market risks, one of the most predominant of which is a change in interest rates. Increases in interest rates can result in increased interest expense under our Revolving Credit Facility and other variable rate debt. Increases in interest rates can also result in increased interest expense when our fixed rate debt matures and needs to be refinanced.
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2020 our debt obligations and weighted average interest rates on debt maturing each year (dollars in thousands):
For the Years Ending December 31,
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Total
Debt:
Fixed rate debt (1) $ 3,875 $ 4,033 $ 416,590 $ 279,443 $ 301,302 $ 436,140 $ 1,441,383
Weighted average interest rate
3.97 % 3.98 % 3.70 % 5.16 % 4.99 % 2.38 % 3.86 %
Variable rate debt (2) $ 80 $ 483,347 $ 143,540 $ 540 $ 22,415 $ 10,160 $ 660,082
Weighted average interest rate (3)
1.60 % 1.39 % 1.20 % 1.66 % 1.70 % 1.60 % 1.37 %
(1)Represents principal maturities only and therefore excludes net discounts and deferred financing costs of $14.5 million.
(2)As of December 31, 2020, maturities included $143.0 million in 2023 that may be extended to 2024, subject to certain conditions.
(3)The amounts reflected above used interest rates as of December 31, 2020 for variable rate debt.
The fair value of our debt was $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2020 and $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2019. If interest rates had been 1% lower, the fair value of our fixed-rate debt would have increased by approximately $52 million as of December 31, 2020 and $45 million as of December 31, 2019.
See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for information pertaining to interest rate swap contracts in place as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and their respective fair values.
Based on our variable-rate debt balances, including the effect of interest rate swap contracts, our interest expense would have increased by $2.2 million in 2020 and $2.0 million in 2019 if the applicable LIBOR rate was 1% higher. Interest expense in 2020 was more sensitive to a change in interest rates than 2019 due primarily to our having a higher average variable-rate debt balance in 2020 including the effect of interest rate derivatives in place.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
This item is included in a separate section at the end of this report beginning on page.

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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
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
I.Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
COPT
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of COPT’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2020. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that COPT’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020 were functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and
communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(a) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in a separate section at the end of this report on page.
(b) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is included in a separate section at the end of this report on pages and.
(c) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in COPT’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
COPLP
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of COPLP’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2020. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that COPLP’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020 were functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(a) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in a separate section at the end of this report on page.
(b) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is included in a separate section at the end of this report on pages and.
(c) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in COPLP’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance; Executive Compensation; Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters; Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence; and Principal Accountant Fees and Services
For the information required by Item 10, Item 11, Item 12, Item 13 and Item 14, you should refer to COPT’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2021 Annual Meeting of COPT’s Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K:
1.Financial Statements. See “Index to consolidated financial statements” on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2.Financial Statement Schedules. See “Index to consolidated financial statements” on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3.See section below entitled “Exhibits.”
(b) Exhibits. Refer to the Exhibit Index that follows. Unless otherwise noted, the file number of all documents incorporated by reference is 1-14023.
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
3.1
Articles Supplementary of Corporate Office Properties Trust filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on September 22, 2014 (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Corporate Office Properties Trust, as amended through May 15, 2018 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Corporate Office Properties Trust, as amended through May 2017 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.4
Form of certificate for the Registrant’s Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Commission File No. 333-45649) and incorporated herein by reference).
Description of Common Shares (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1
Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1.1
First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. dated July 31, 2019 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2.1*
Corporate Office Properties Trust Supplemental Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2.2*
First Amendment to the Corporate Office Properties Trust Supplemental Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 4, 2008 (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3.1*
Corporate Office Properties Trust 2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (included in Annex B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3.2*
First Amendment to the Corporate Office Properties Trust 2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
10.4.1*
Form of Corporate Office Properties Trust Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit Award Certificate (2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan) (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4.2*
Form of Corporate Office Properties Trust Performance-Based Profit Interest Unit Award Certificate (2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan) (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4.3*
Form of Corporate Office Properties Trust Time-Based Profit Interest Unit Award Certificate (2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan) (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5*
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. Executive Change in Control and Severance Plan (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 13, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6*
Letter Agreement, dated May 12, 2016, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Stephen E. Budorick (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 17, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7*
Letter Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Anthony Mifsud (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8*
Letter Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Gregory J. Thor (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9.1*
Separation Agreement and Release, dated as of March 16, 2020, by and between Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Paul R. Adkins (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10*
Letter Agreement, dated November 30, 2020, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Todd W. Hartman (filed herewith).
10.11
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 16, 1998, for the benefit of certain shareholders of the Company (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12
Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2013, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13
Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 6, 2013, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., Corporate Office Properties Trust, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.14
Indenture, dated as of September 16, 2013, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 19, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.15
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 16, 2013, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 19, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.16
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2015, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 1, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.17
Indenture, dated as of April 8, 2019, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-230764) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.18
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 17, 2020, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 17, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.19
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2020, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., Corporate Office Properties Trust, Capital One, National Association, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Regions Capital Markets, a division of Regions Bank, PNC Bank, National Association and Regions Bank (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
10.20
Credit Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2018, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P.; Corporate Office Properties Trust; KeyBank National Association; KeyBanc Capital Markets, Inc.; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; Citibank, N.A.; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association; Barclays Bank PLC; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated; Bank of America, N.A.; U.S. Bank National Association; Capital One National Association; Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company; PNC Bank, National Association; Regions Bank; and TD Bank, N.A. (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
21.1
Subsidiaries of COPT (filed herewith).
21.2
Subsidiaries of COPLP (filed herewith).
23.1
COPT’s Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
23.2
COPLP’s Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
31.3
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
31.4
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Furnished herewith).
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). (Furnished herewith).
32.3
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Furnished herewith).
32.4
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). (Furnished herewith).
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 (filed herewith).
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith).
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
101.LAB XBRL Extension Labels Linkbase (filed herewith).
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
* - Indicates a compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CORPORATE OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST
Date: February 12, 2021 By: /s/ Stephen E. Budorick
Stephen E. Budorick
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 12, 2021 By: /s/ Anthony Mifsud
Anthony Mifsud
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signatures Title Date
/s/ Stephen E. Budorick President and Chief Executive Officer and Trustee February 12, 2021
(Stephen E. Budorick)
/s/ Anthony Mifsud Executive Vice President and Chief Financial February 12, 2021
(Anthony Mifsud) Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Gregory J. Thor Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief February 12, 2021
(Gregory J. Thor) Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Thomas F. Brady Chairman of the Board and Trustee February 12, 2021
(Thomas F. Brady)
/s/ Robert L. Denton, Sr. Trustee February 12, 2021
( Robert L. Denton, Sr.)
/s/ Philip L. Hawkins Trustee February 12, 2021
(Philip L. Hawkins)
/s/ David M. Jacobstein Trustee February 12, 2021
(David M. Jacobstein)
/s/ Steven D. Kesler Trustee February 12, 2021
(Steven D. Kesler)
/s/ Letitia A. Long Trustee February 12, 2021
(Letitia A. Long)
/s/ C. Taylor Pickett Trustee February 12, 2021
(C. Taylor Pickett)
/s/ Lisa G. Trimberger Trustee February 12, 2021
(Lisa G. Trimberger)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CORPORATE OFFICE PROPERTIES, L.P.
By: Corporate Office Properties Trust,
its General Partner
Date: February 12, 2021 By: /s/ Stephen E. Budorick
Stephen E. Budorick
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 12, 2021 By: /s/ Anthony Mifsud
Anthony Mifsud
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signatures Title Date
/s/ Stephen E. Budorick President and Chief Executive Officer and Trustee February 12, 2021
(Stephen E. Budorick)
/s/ Anthony Mifsud Executive Vice President and Chief Financial February 12, 2021
(Anthony Mifsud) Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Gregory J. Thor Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief February 12, 2021
(Gregory J. Thor) Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Thomas F. Brady Chairman of the Board and Trustee February 12, 2021
(Thomas F. Brady)
/s/ Robert L. Denton, Sr. Trustee February 12, 2021
( Robert L. Denton, Sr.)
/s/ Philip L. Hawkins Trustee February 12, 2021
(Philip L. Hawkins)
/s/ David M. Jacobstein Trustee February 12, 2021
(David M. Jacobstein)
/s/ Steven D. Kesler Trustee February 12, 2021
(Steven D. Kesler)
/s/ Letitia A. Long Trustee February 12, 2021
(Letitia A. Long)
/s/ C. Taylor Pickett Trustee February 12, 2021
(C. Taylor Pickett)
/s/ Lisa G. Trimberger Trustee February 12, 2021
(Lisa G. Trimberger)
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
Management’s Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Corporate Office Properties Trust
Corporate Office Properties, L.P.
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Corporate Office Properties Trust
Corporate Office Properties, L.P.
Consolidated Financial Statements of Corporate Office Properties Trust
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Financial Statements of Corporate Office Properties, L.P.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statements Schedule
Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation as of December 31, 2020
Corporate Office Properties Trust Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. 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. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and trustees; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.
Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 based upon criteria in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our assessment, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020 based on the criteria in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
Corporate Office Properties, L.P. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. 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. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and trustees; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.
Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 based upon criteria in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our assessment, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020 based on the criteria in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Corporate Office Properties Trust
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Corporate Office Properties Trust and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and trustees of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Determination of Expected Lease End Date for United States Government Leases with One-year Renewal Options and/or Early Termination Rights
As described in Notes 2 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, total lease revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $536.1 million and a significant portion of the Company’s leases are with the United States Government, which represented 25% of the fixed lease revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020. The majority of United States Government leases contain one-year renewal options and/or provide for early termination rights. The Company recognizes minimum rental payments on a straight-line basis over the terms of each lease. The lease term of a lease includes the noncancellable periods of the lease along with periods covered by: (1) a tenant option to extend the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (2) a tenant option to terminate the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain not to exercise that option; and (3) an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the Company as the lessor. When assessing the expected lease end date, management uses judgment in contemplating the significance of any penalties a tenant may incur should it choose not to exercise any existing options to extend the lease or exercise any existing options to terminate the lease; and economic incentives for the tenant based on any existing contract, asset, entity or market-based factors in the lease.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the determination of the expected lease end date for United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights is a critical audit matter are the significant judgments by management when determining the expected lease end date for the United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and audit effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to the determination of such expected lease end dates.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the revenue recognition for leases, including controls over the determination of the expected lease end dates for United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for determining the expected lease end date for a sample of United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights, including evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions utilized by management, related to the significance of any penalties a tenant may incur should it choose not to exercise any existing options to extend the lease or exercise any existing options to terminate the lease; and economic incentives for the tenant based on any existing contract, asset, entity or market-based factors in the lease. Evaluating the assumptions included evaluating whether the assumptions used were reasonable considering past experience with the tenant and the rental property and whether the assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 12, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1997.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Unitholders of Corporate Office Properties, L.P.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and its subsidiaries (the “Operating Partnership”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Operating Partnership maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Operating Partnership’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Operating Partnership’s consolidated financial statements and on the Operating Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Operating Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and trustees of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Determination of Expected Lease End Date for United States Government Leases with One-year Renewal Options and/or Early Termination Rights
As described in Notes 2 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, total lease revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $536.1 million and a significant portion of the Operating Partnership’s leases are with the United States Government, which represented 25% of the fixed lease revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020. The majority of United States Government leases contain one-year renewal options and/or provide for early termination rights. The Operating Partnership recognizes minimum rental payments on a straight-line basis over the terms of each lease. The lease term of a lease includes the noncancellable periods of the lease along with periods covered by: (1) a tenant option to extend the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (2) a tenant option to terminate the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain not to exercise that option; and (3) an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the Operating Partnership as the lessor. When assessing the expected lease end date, management uses judgment in contemplating the significance of any penalties a tenant may incur should it choose not to exercise any existing options to extend the lease or exercise any existing options to terminate the lease; and economic incentives for the tenant based on any existing contract, asset, entity or market-based factors in the lease.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the determination of the expected lease end date for United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights is a critical audit matter are the significant judgments by management when determining the expected lease end date for the United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and audit effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to the determination of such expected lease end dates.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the revenue recognition for leases, including controls over the determination of the expected lease end dates for United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for determining the expected lease end date for a sample of United States Government leases with one-year renewal options and/or early termination rights, including evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions utilized by management, related to the significance of any penalties a tenant may incur should it choose not to exercise any existing options to extend the lease or exercise any existing options to terminate the lease; and economic incentives for the tenant based on any existing contract, asset, entity or market-based factors in the lease. Evaluating the assumptions included evaluating whether the assumptions used were reasonable considering past experience with the tenant and the rental property and whether the assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 12, 2021
We have served as the Operating Partnership’s auditor since 2013.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
2020 2019
Assets
Properties, net:
Operating properties, net $ 3,115,280 $ 2,772,647
Projects in development or held for future development 447,269 568,239
Total properties, net 3,562,549 3,340,886
Property - operating right-of-use assets 40,570 27,864
Property - finance right-of-use assets 40,425 40,458
Cash and cash equivalents 18,369 14,733
Investment in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures 29,303 51,949
Accounts receivable, net 41,637 35,444
Deferred rent receivable 92,876 87,736
Intangible assets on real estate acquisitions, net 19,344 27,392
Deferred leasing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $30,375 and $33,782, respectively)
58,613 58,392
Investing receivables (net of allowance for credit losses of $2,851 at December 31, 2020)
68,754 73,523
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net 104,583 96,076
Total assets $ 4,077,023 $ 3,854,453
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities:
Debt, net $ 2,086,918 $ 1,831,139
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 142,717 148,746
Rents received in advance and security deposits 33,425 33,620
Dividends and distributions payable 31,231 31,263
Deferred revenue associated with operating leases 10,832 7,361
Property - operating lease liabilities 30,746 17,317
Interest rate derivatives 9,522 25,682
Other liabilities 12,490 10,649
Total liabilities 2,357,881 2,105,777
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 25,430 29,431
Equity:
Corporate Office Properties Trust’s shareholders’ equity:
Common Shares of beneficial interest ($0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding of 112,181,759 at December 31, 2020 and 112,068,705 at December 31, 2019)
1,122 1,121
Additional paid-in capital 2,478,906 2,481,558
Cumulative distributions in excess of net income (809,836) (778,275)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (9,157) (25,444)
Total Corporate Office Properties Trust’s shareholders’ equity 1,661,035 1,678,960
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries:
Common units in COPLP 20,465 19,597
Preferred units in COPLP - 8,800
Other consolidated entities 12,212 11,888
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 32,677 40,285
Total equity 1,693,712 1,719,245
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity $ 4,077,023 $ 3,854,453
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenues
Lease revenue $ 536,127 $ 522,472 $ 512,327
Other property revenue 2,598 4,991 4,926
Construction contract and other service revenues 70,640 113,763 60,859
Total revenues 609,365 641,226 578,112
Operating expenses
Property operating expenses 203,840 198,143 201,035
Depreciation and amortization associated with real estate operations 138,193 137,069 137,116
Construction contract and other service expenses 67,615 109,962 58,326
Impairment losses 1,530 329 2,367
General, administrative and leasing expenses 33,001 35,402 28,900
Business development expenses and land carry costs 4,473 4,239 5,840
Total operating expenses 448,652 485,144 433,584
Interest expense (67,937) (71,052) (75,385)
Interest and other income 8,574 7,894 4,358
Credit loss recoveries 933 - -
Gain on sales of real estate 30,209 105,230 2,340
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture 29,416 - -
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (7,306) - (258)
Loss on interest rate derivatives (53,196) - -
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated entities and income taxes
101,406 198,154 75,583
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities 1,825 1,633 2,697
Income tax (expense) benefit (353) 217 363
Net income 102,878 200,004 78,643
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Common units in COPLP (1,180) (2,363) (1,742)
Preferred units in COPLP (300) (564) (660)
Other consolidated entities (4,024) (5,385) (3,940)
Net income attributable to COPT common shareholders
$ 97,374 $ 191,692 $ 72,301
Earnings per common share: (1)
Net income attributable to COPT common shareholders - basic $ 0.87 $ 1.72 $ 0.69
Net income attributable to COPT common shareholders - diluted $ 0.87 $ 1.71 $ 0.69
(1) Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated based on amounts attributable to common shareholders of Corporate Office Properties Trust.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net income $ 102,878 $ 200,004 $ 78,643
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives (39,454) (24,321) (2,373)
Reclassification adjustments on interest rate derivatives recognized in interest expense
3,725 (1,415) (407)
Reclassification adjustments on interest rate derivatives recognized in loss on interest rate derivatives
51,865 - -
Equity in other comprehensive income of equity method investee
- 199 210
Total other comprehensive income (loss) 16,136 (25,537) (2,570)
Comprehensive income 119,014 174,467 76,073
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(5,353) (7,981) (6,453)
Comprehensive income attributable to COPT $ 113,661 $ 166,486 $ 69,620
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Dollars in thousands)
Common
Shares Additional
Paid-in
Capital Cumulative
Distributions in
Excess of Net
Income Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) Noncontrolling
Interests Total
Balance at December 31, 2017 (101,292,299 common shares outstanding)
$ 1,013 $ 2,201,047 $ (802,085) $ 2,167 $ 66,165 $ 1,468,307
Cumulative effect of accounting change for adoption of hedge accounting guidance - - (276) 276 - -
Balance at December 31, 2017, as adjusted
1,013 2,201,047 (802,361) 2,443 66,165 1,468,307
Conversion of common units to common shares (1,904,615 shares)
19 27,394 - - (27,413) -
Redemption of common units - - - - (339) (339)
Common shares issued under forward equity sale agreements (5,907,000 shares)
59 172,235 - - - 172,294
Common shares issued under at-the-market program (991,664 shares)
10 29,722 - - - 29,732
Share-based compensation (146,290 shares issued, net of redemptions)
1 6,962 - - - 6,963
Redemption of vested equity awards
- (1,702) - - - (1,702)
Adjustments to noncontrolling interests resulting from changes in ownership of COPLP
- (2,466) - - 2,466 -
Comprehensive income
- - 72,301 (2,681) 3,930 73,550
Dividends
- - (116,748) - - (116,748)
Distributions to owners of common and preferred units in COPLP
- - - - (3,157) (3,157)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest in other consolidated entities
- - - - (15) (15)
Adjustment to arrive at fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests - (1,837) - - - (1,837)
Balance at December 31, 2018 (110,241,868 common shares outstanding)
1,102 2,431,355 (846,808) (238) 41,637 1,627,048
Conversion of common units to common shares (105,039 shares)
1 1,585 - - (1,586) -
Redemption of common units - - - - (25) (25)
Common shares issued to the public (1,000 shares)
- 29 - - - 29
Common shares issued under forward equity sale agreements (1,614,087 shares)
16 46,438 - - - 46,454
Share-based compensation (106,711 shares issued, net of redemptions)
2 6,131 - - 1,323 7,456
Redemption of vested equity awards
- (2,064) - - - (2,064)
Adjustments to noncontrolling interests resulting from changes in ownership of COPLP
- (167) - - 167 -
Comprehensive income
- - 191,692 (25,206) 4,146 170,632
Dividends
- - (123,159) - - (123,159)
Distributions to owners of common and preferred units in COPLP
- - - - (2,057) (2,057)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities
- - - - 2,570 2,570
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities
- - - - (5,890) (5,890)
Adjustment to arrive at fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests - (1,749) - - - (1,749)
Balance at December 31, 2019 (112,068,705 common shares outstanding)
1,121 2,481,558 (778,275) (25,444) 40,285 1,719,245
Cumulative effect of accounting change for adoption of credit loss guidance - - (5,541) - - (5,541)
Balance at December 31, 2019, as adjusted
1,121 2,481,558 (783,816) (25,444) 40,285 1,713,704
Conversion of common units to common shares (14,009 shares)
- 211 - - (211) -
Redemption of preferred units - - - - (8,800) (8,800)
Share-based compensation (99,045 shares issued, net of redemptions)
1 4,676 - - 1,907 6,584
Redemption of vested equity awards
- (1,699) - - - (1,699)
Adjustments to noncontrolling interests resulting from changes in ownership of COPLP
- 767 - - (767) -
Comprehensive income
- - 97,374 16,287 1,927 115,588
Dividends
- - (123,394) - - (123,394)
Distributions to owners of common and preferred units in COPLP
- - - - (1,746) (1,746)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities
- - - - 112 112
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities
- - - - (30) (30)
Adjustment to arrive at fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests
- (6,607) - - - (6,607)
Balance at December 31, 2020 (112,181,759 common shares outstanding)
$ 1,122 $ 2,478,906 $ (809,836) $ (9,157) $ 32,677 $ 1,693,712
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities
Revenues from real estate operations received $ 542,727 $ 530,280 $ 528,066
Construction contract and other service revenues received 78,470 94,677 33,579
Property operating expenses paid (202,660) (196,611) (197,647)
Construction contract and other service expenses paid (67,760) (96,789) (79,386)
General, administrative, leasing, business development and land carry costs paid (31,406) (29,347) (27,006)
Interest expense paid (61,471) (67,475) (72,460)
Lease incentives paid (11,925) (9,482) (7,679)
Sales-type lease costs paid (10,747) - -
Income taxes paid (4) - (21)
Other 3,200 3,305 3,036
Net cash provided by operating activities 238,424 228,558 180,482
Cash flows from investing activities
Development and redevelopment of properties (344,401) (394,444) (159,994)
Tenant improvements on operating properties (28,754) (23,809) (35,098)
Other capital improvements on operating properties (32,756) (24,659) (24,223)
Proceeds from property dispositions
Distribution from unconsolidated real estate joint venture following contribution of properties
- 201,499 -
Sale of properties 83,165 108,128 -
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture 59,841 - -
Non-operating distributions from unconsolidated real estate joint venture 3,695 22,426 1,942
Investing receivables funded (272) (11,180) (97)
Investing receivables payments received 8,000 - 4,455
Leasing costs paid (16,938) (16,825) (10,926)
Settlement of interest rate derivatives (53,130) - -
Other (4,242) 849 (8,977)
Net cash used in investing activities (325,792) (138,015) (232,918)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from debt
Revolving Credit Facility 664,000 409,000 381,000
Unsecured senior notes 395,264 - -
Other debt proceeds 206,931 43,615 13,406
Repayments of debt
Revolving Credit Facility (698,000) (445,000) (294,000)
Unsecured senior notes (300,000) - -
Scheduled principal amortization (4,125) (4,310) (4,240)
Other debt repayments (12,031) (77) (100,000)
Deferred financing costs paid (2,400) (448) (8,292)
Payments on finance lease liabilities (854) (223) (15,379)
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares - 46,415 202,065
Common share dividends paid (123,367) (122,657) (114,286)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests in COPLP (1,825) (2,166) (3,699)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities (30) (5,890) (16)
Distributions paid to redeemable noncontrolling interests (14,357) (1,659) (1,382)
Redemption of preferred units (8,800) - -
Payments in connection with early extinguishment of debt (7,029) - -
Other (2,106) (963) (5,622)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 91,271 (84,363) 49,555
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 3,903 6,180 (2,881)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning of year 18,130 11,950 14,831
End of year $ 22,033 $ 18,130 $ 11,950
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income $ 102,878 $ 200,004 $ 78,643
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and other amortization 140,031 138,903 139,063
Impairment losses 1,530 329 2,367
Amortization of deferred financing costs and net debt discounts 4,272 3,639 3,393
Increase in deferred rent receivable (2,168) (4,091) (4,621)
Gain on sales of real estate (30,209) (105,230) (2,340)
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture (29,416) - -
Share-based compensation 6,503 6,714 6,376
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 7,306 - 258
Loss on interest rate derivatives 53,196 - -
Other (7,855) (6,022) (2,991)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable (6,377) (7,141) 5,673
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets, net (7,626) (22,457) (987)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 6,554 20,369 (49,179)
(Decrease) increase in rents received in advance and security deposits (195) 3,541 4,827
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 238,424 $ 228,558 $ 180,482
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period $ 14,733 $ 8,066 $ 12,261
Restricted cash at beginning of period 3,397 3,884 2,570
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period $ 18,130 $ 11,950 $ 14,831
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 18,369 $ 14,733 $ 8,066
Restricted cash at end of period 3,664 3,397 3,884
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 22,033 $ 18,130 $ 11,950
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
(Decrease) increase in accrued capital improvements, leasing and other investing activity costs $ (9,421) $ 35,913 $ 6,570
Finance right-of-use asset contributed by noncontrolling interest in joint venture
$ - $ 2,570 $ -
Recognition of operating right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities $ 13,340 $ 840 $ -
Non-cash changes from property dispositions:
Contribution of properties to unconsolidated real estate joint venture $ - $ 158,542 $ -
Investment in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures retained in disposition $ 11,474 $ 34,506 $ -
Non-cash changes from recognition of property sale previously accounted for as financing arrangement:
Decrease in assets held for sale, net $ - $ - $ (42,226)
Decrease in deferred property sale $ - $ - $ 43,377
(Decrease) increase in fair value of derivatives applied to accumulated other comprehensive income and noncontrolling interests $ (35,728) $ (25,817) $ 2,915
Equity in other comprehensive income of an equity method investee
$ - $ 199 $ 210
Dividends/distributions payable
$ 31,231 $ 31,263 $ 30,856
Decrease in noncontrolling interests and increase in shareholders’ equity in connection with the conversion of common units into common shares
$ 211 $ 1,586 $ 27,413
Adjustments to noncontrolling interests resulting from changes in COPLP ownership
$ (767) $ 167 $ 2,466
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests and decrease in equity to carry redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value
$ 6,607 $ 1,749 $ 1,837
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except unit data)
December 31,
2020 2019
Assets
Properties, net:
Operating properties, net $ 3,115,280 $ 2,772,647
Projects in development or held for future development 447,269 568,239
Total properties, net 3,562,549 3,340,886
Property - operating right-of-use assets 40,570 27,864
Property - finance right-of-use assets 40,425 40,458
Cash and cash equivalents 18,369 14,733
Investment in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures 29,303 51,949
Accounts receivable, net 41,637 35,444
Deferred rent receivable 92,876 87,736
Intangible assets on real estate acquisitions, net 19,344 27,392
Deferred leasing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $30,375 and $33,782, respectively)
58,613 58,392
Investing receivables (net of allowance for credit losses of $2,851 at December 31, 2020)
68,754 73,523
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net 101,556 93,016
Total assets $ 4,073,996 $ 3,851,393
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities:
Debt, net $ 2,086,918 $ 1,831,139
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 142,717 148,746
Rents received in advance and security deposits 33,425 33,620
Distributions payable 31,231 31,263
Deferred revenue associated with operating leases 10,832 7,361
Property - operating lease liabilities 30,746 17,317
Interest rate derivatives 9,522 25,682
Other liabilities 9,463 7,589
Total liabilities 2,354,854 2,102,717
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 25,430 29,431
Equity:
Corporate Office Properties, L.P.’s equity:
Preferred units held by limited partner, 352,000 preferred units outstanding at December 31, 2019
- 8,800
Common units, 112,181,759 and 112,068,705 held by the general partner and 1,352,430 and 1,482,425 held by limited partners at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
1,690,610 1,724,159
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (9,155) (25,648)
Total Corporate Office Properties, L.P.’s equity 1,681,455 1,707,311
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 12,257 11,934
Total equity 1,693,712 1,719,245
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity $ 4,073,996 $ 3,851,393
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per unit data)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenues
Lease revenue $ 536,127 $ 522,472 $ 512,327
Other property revenue 2,598 4,991 4,926
Construction contract and other service revenues 70,640 113,763 60,859
Total revenues 609,365 641,226 578,112
Operating expenses
Property operating expenses 203,840 198,143 201,035
Depreciation and amortization associated with real estate operations 138,193 137,069 137,116
Construction contract and other service expenses 67,615 109,962 58,326
Impairment losses 1,530 329 2,367
General, administrative and leasing expenses 33,001 35,402 28,900
Business development expenses and land carry costs 4,473 4,239 5,840
Total operating expenses 448,652 485,144 433,584
Interest expense (67,937) (71,052) (75,385)
Interest and other income 8,574 7,894 4,358
Credit loss recoveries 933 - -
Gain on sales of real estate 30,209 105,230 2,340
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture 29,416 - -
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (7,306) - (258)
Loss on interest rate derivatives (53,196) - -
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated entities and income taxes
101,406 198,154 75,583
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities 1,825 1,633 2,697
Income tax (expense) benefit (353) 217 363
Net income 102,878 200,004 78,643
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities
(4,024) (5,385) (3,940)
Net income attributable to COPLP 98,854 194,619 74,703
Preferred unit distributions (300) (564) (660)
Net income attributable to COPLP common unitholders
$ 98,554 $ 194,055 $ 74,043
Earnings per common unit: (1)
Net income attributable to COPLP common unitholders - basic $ 0.87 $ 1.72 $ 0.69
Net income attributable to COPLP common unitholders - diluted $ 0.87 $ 1.71 $ 0.69
(1) Basic and diluted earnings per common unit are calculated based on amounts attributable to common unitholders of Corporate Office Properties, L.P.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net income $ 102,878 $ 200,004 $ 78,643
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives (39,454) (24,321) (2,373)
Reclassification adjustments on interest rate derivatives recognized in interest expense
3,725 (1,415) (407)
Reclassification adjustments on interest rate derivatives recognized in loss on interest rate derivatives
51,865 - -
Equity in other comprehensive income of equity method investee
- 199 210
Total other comprehensive income (loss) 16,136 (25,537) (2,570)
Comprehensive income 119,014 174,467 76,073
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(3,667) (5,375) (3,940)
Comprehensive income attributable to COPLP $ 115,347 $ 169,092 $ 72,133
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Dollars in thousands)
Limited Partner Preferred Units Common Units Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries Total Equity
Units Amount Units Amount
Balance at December 31, 2017
352,000 $ 8,800 104,543,177 $ 1,445,022 $ 2,173 $ 12,312 $ 1,468,307
Cumulative effect of accounting change for adoption of hedge accounting guidance - - - (276) 276 - -
Balance at December 31, 2017 as adjusted
352,000 8,800 104,543,177 1,444,746 2,449 12,312 1,468,307
Redemption of common units - - (13,377) (339) - - (339)
Issuance of common units resulting from common shares issued under COPT forward equity sale agreements
- - 5,907,000 172,294 - - 172,294
Issuance of common units resulting from common shares issued under COPT at-the-market program
- - 991,664 29,732 - - 29,732
Share-based compensation (units net of redemption)
- - 146,290 6,963 - - 6,963
Redemptions of vested equity awards - - - (1,702) - - (1,702)
Comprehensive income
- 660 - 74,043 (2,570) 1,417 73,550
Distributions to owners of common and preferred units
- (660) - (119,245) - - (119,905)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
- - - - - (15) (15)
Adjustment to arrive at fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests - - - (1,837) - - (1,837)
Balance at December 31, 2018
352,000 8,800 111,574,754 1,604,655 (121) 13,714 1,627,048
Redemption of common units
- - (924) (25) - - (25)
Issuance of common units resulting from public issuance of common shares - - 1,000 29 - - 29
Issuance of common units resulting from common shares issued under COPT forward equity sale agreements
- - 1,614,087 46,454 - - 46,454
Share-based compensation (units net of redemption)
- - 362,213 7,456 - - 7,456
Redemptions of vested equity awards
- - - (2,064) - - (2,064)
Comprehensive income
- 564 - 194,055 (25,527) 1,540 170,632
Distributions to owners of common and preferred units
- (564) - (124,652) - - (125,216)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
- - - - - 2,570 2,570
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
- - - - - (5,890) (5,890)
Adjustment to arrive at fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests
- - - (1,749) - - (1,749)
Balance at December 31, 2019
352,000 8,800 113,551,130 1,724,159 (25,648) 11,934 1,719,245
Cumulative effect of accounting change for adoption of credit loss guidance - - - (5,541) - - (5,541)
Balance at December 31, 2019, as adjusted
352,000 8,800 113,551,130 1,718,618 (25,648) 11,934 1,713,704
Redemption of preferred units (352,000) (8,800) - - - - (8,800)
Share-based compensation (units net of redemption)
- - 280,315 6,584 - - 6,584
Redemptions of vested equity awards
- - - (1,699) - - (1,699)
Comprehensive income
- 300 - 98,554 16,493 241 115,588
Distributions to owners of common and preferred units
- (300) - (124,840) - - (125,140)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
- - - - - 112 112
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
- - - - - (30) (30)
Adjustment to arrive at fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests
- - - (6,607) - - (6,607)
Balance at December 31, 2020
- $ - 113,831,445 $ 1,690,610 $ (9,155) $ 12,257 $ 1,693,712
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities
Revenues from real estate operations received $ 542,727 $ 530,280 $ 528,066
Construction contract and other service revenues received 78,470 94,677 33,579
Property operating expenses paid (202,660) (196,611) (197,647)
Construction contract and other service expenses paid (67,760) (96,789) (79,386)
General, administrative, leasing, business development and land carry costs paid (31,406) (29,347) (27,006)
Interest expense paid (61,471) (67,475) (72,460)
Lease incentives paid (11,925) (9,482) (7,679)
Sales-type lease costs paid (10,747) - -
Income taxes paid (4) - (21)
Other 3,200 3,305 3,036
Net cash provided by operating activities 238,424 228,558 180,482
Cash flows from investing activities
Development and redevelopment of properties (344,401) (394,444) (159,994)
Tenant improvements on operating properties (28,754) (23,809) (35,098)
Other capital improvements on operating properties (32,756) (24,659) (24,223)
Proceeds from property dispositions
Distribution from unconsolidated real estate joint venture following contribution of properties
- 201,499 -
Sale of properties 83,165 108,128 -
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture 59,841 - -
Non-operating distributions from unconsolidated real estate joint venture 3,695 22,426 1,942
Investing receivables funded (272) (11,180) (97)
Investing receivables payments received 8,000 - 4,455
Leasing costs paid (16,938) (16,825) (10,926)
Settlement of interest rate derivatives (53,130) - -
Other (4,242) 849 (8,977)
Net cash used in investing activities (325,792) (138,015) (232,918)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from debt
Revolving Credit Facility 664,000 409,000 381,000
Unsecured senior notes 395,264 - -
Other debt proceeds 206,931 43,615 13,406
Repayments of debt
Revolving Credit Facility (698,000) (445,000) (294,000)
Unsecured senior notes (300,000) - -
Scheduled principal amortization (4,125) (4,310) (4,240)
Other debt repayments (12,031) (77) (100,000)
Deferred financing costs paid (2,400) (448) (8,292)
Payments on finance lease liabilities (854) (223) (15,379)
Net proceeds from issuance of common units - 46,415 202,065
Redemption of preferred units (8,800) - -
Common unit distributions paid (124,815) (124,171) (117,325)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests in other consolidated entities (30) (5,890) (16)
Distributions paid to redeemable noncontrolling interests (14,357) (1,659) (1,382)
Payments in connection with early extinguishment of debt (7,029) - -
Other (2,483) (1,615) (6,282)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 91,271 (84,363) 49,555
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 3,903 6,180 (2,881)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning of year 18,130 11,950 14,831
End of year $ 22,033 $ 18,130 $ 11,950
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income $ 102,878 $ 200,004 $ 78,643
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and other amortization 140,031 138,903 139,063
Impairment losses 1,530 329 2,367
Amortization of deferred financing costs and net debt discounts 4,272 3,639 3,393
Increase in deferred rent receivable (2,168) (4,091) (4,621)
Gain on sales of real estate (30,209) (105,230) (2,340)
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture (29,416) - -
Share-based compensation 6,503 6,714 6,376
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 7,306 - 258
Loss on interest rate derivatives 53,196 - -
Other (7,855) (6,022) (2,991)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable (6,377) (7,141) 5,673
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets, net (7,659) (23,255) (1,735)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 6,587 21,167 (48,431)
(Decrease) increase in rents received in advance and security deposits (195) 3,541 4,827
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 238,424 $ 228,558 $ 180,482
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period $ 14,733 $ 8,066 $ 12,261
Restricted cash at beginning of period 3,397 3,884 2,570
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period $ 18,130 $ 11,950 $ 14,831
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 18,369 $ 14,733 $ 8,066
Restricted cash at end of period 3,664 3,397 3,884
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 22,033 $ 18,130 $ 11,950
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
(Decrease) increase in accrued capital improvements, leasing and other investing activity costs $ (9,421) $ 35,913 $ 6,570
Finance right-of-use asset contributed by noncontrolling interest in joint venture
$ - $ 2,570 $ -
Recognition of operating right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities $ 13,340 $ 840 $ -
Non-cash changes from property dispositions:
Contribution of properties to unconsolidated real estate joint venture $ - $ 158,542 $ -
Investment in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures retained in disposition $ 11,474 $ 34,506 $ -
Non-cash changes from recognition of property sale previously accounted for as financing arrangement:
Decrease in assets held for sale, net $ - $ - $ (42,226)
Decrease in deferred property sale $ - $ - $ 43,377
(Decrease) increase in fair value of derivatives applied to accumulated other comprehensive income and noncontrolling interests $ (35,728) $ (25,817) $ 2,915
Equity in other comprehensive income of an equity method investee
$ - $ 199 $ 210
Distributions payable
$ 31,231 $ 31,263 $ 30,856
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests and decrease in equity to carry redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value
$ 6,607 $ 1,749 $ 1,837
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization
Corporate Office Properties Trust (“COPT”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a fully-integrated and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Corporate Office Properties, L.P. (“COPLP”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”) is the entity through which COPT, the sole general partner of COPLP, conducts almost all of its operations and owns almost all of its assets. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, “we”, “us” and “our” as used herein refer to each of the Company and the Operating Partnership. We own, manage, lease, develop and selectively acquire office and data center properties. The majority of our portfolio is in locations that support the United States Government (“USG”) and its contractors, most of whom are engaged in national security, defense and information technology (“IT”) related activities servicing what we believe are growing, durable, priority missions (“Defense/IT Locations”). We also own a portfolio of office properties located in select urban/urban-like submarkets in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region with durable Class-A office fundamentals and characteristics (“Regional Office”). As of December 31, 2020, our properties included the following (all references to number of properties, square footage, acres and megawatts are unaudited):
•181 properties totaling 21.0 million square feet comprised of 16.2 million square feet in 155 office properties and 4.7 million square feet in 26 single-tenant data center shell properties (“data center shells”). We owned 17 of these data center shells through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures;
•a wholesale data center with a critical load of 19.25 megawatts;
•11 properties under development (nine office properties and two data center shells), including three partially-operational properties, that we estimate will total approximately 1.5 million square feet upon completion; and
•approximately 830 acres of land controlled for future development that we believe could be developed into approximately 10.4 million square feet and 43 acres of other land.
COPLP owns real estate directly and through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”). In addition to owning real estate, COPLP also owns subsidiaries that provide real estate services such as property management, development and construction services primarily for our properties but also for third parties. Some of these services are performed by a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”).
Equity interests in COPLP are in the form of common and preferred units. As of December 31, 2020, COPT owned 98.6% of the outstanding COPLP common units (“common units”) and there were no preferred units outstanding. Common units not owned by COPT carry certain redemption rights. The number of common units owned by COPT is equivalent to the number of outstanding common shares of beneficial interest (“common shares”) of COPT, and the entitlement of common units to quarterly distributions and payments in liquidation is substantially the same as that of COPT common shareholders.
COPT’s common shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “OFC”.
Because COPLP is managed by COPT, and COPT conducts substantially all of its operations through COPLP, we refer to COPT’s executive officers as COPLP’s executive officers; similarly, although COPLP does not have a board of trustees, we refer to COPT’s Board of Trustees as COPLP’s Board of Trustees.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The COPT consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPT, the Operating Partnership, their subsidiaries and other entities in which COPT has a majority voting interest and control. The COPLP consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPLP, its subsidiaries and other entities in which COPLP has a majority voting interest and control. We also consolidate certain entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) if we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. We eliminate all intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.
We use the equity method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity and can exert significant influence over but cannot control the entity’s operations. We discontinue equity method accounting if our investment in an entity (and net advances) is reduced to zero unless we have guaranteed obligations of the entity or are otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the entity.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
When we own an equity investment in an entity and cannot exert significant influence over its operations, we measure the investment at fair value, with changes recognized through net income. For an investment without a readily determinable fair value, we measure the investment at cost, less any impairments, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
We make estimates and assumptions when preparing financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These estimates and assumptions affect various matters, including:
•the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets as of the dates of the financial statements;
•the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements; and
•the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in our consolidated statements of operations during the reporting periods.
Significant estimates are inherent in the presentation of our financial statements in a number of areas, including the evaluation of the collectability of accounts and deferred rent receivable, the determination of estimated useful lives of assets, the determination of lease terms, the evaluation of impairment of long-lived assets, the amount of impairment losses recognized, the allocation of property acquisition costs, the amount of revenue recognized relating to tenant improvements, the level of expense recognized in connection with share-based compensation and the determination of accounting method for investments. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.
Properties
We report properties to be developed or held and used in operations at our depreciated cost, reduced for impairment losses.
We capitalize direct and indirect project costs (including related compensation and other indirect costs), interest expense and real estate taxes associated with properties, or portions thereof, undergoing development or redevelopment activities. In capitalizing interest expense, if there is a specific borrowing for a property undergoing development or redevelopment activities, we apply the interest rate of that borrowing to the average accumulated expenditures that do not exceed such borrowing; for the portion of expenditures exceeding any such specific borrowing, we apply our weighted average interest rate on other borrowings to the expenditures. We continue to capitalize costs while development or redevelopment activities are underway until a property becomes “operational,” which occurs when lease terms commence (generally when the tenant has control of the leased space and we have delivered the premises to the tenant as required under the terms of such lease), but no later than one year after the cessation of major construction activities. When leases commence on portions of a newly-developed or redeveloped property in the period prior to one year from the cessation of major construction activities, we consider that property to be “partially operational.” When a property is partially operational, we allocate the costs associated with the property between the portion that is operational and the portion under development. We start depreciating costs associated with newly-developed or redeveloped properties as they become operational.
Most of our leases provide for some form of improvements to leased space. When we are required to provide improvements under the terms of a lease, we determine whether the improvements constitute landlord assets or tenant assets. If the improvements are landlord assets, we capitalize the cost of the improvements and recognize depreciation expense over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the term of the lease and recognize any payments from the tenant as rental revenue over the term of the lease. If the improvements are tenant assets, we defer the cost of improvements funded by us as a lease incentive asset and amortize it as a reduction of rental revenue over the term of the lease. In determining whether improvements constitute landlord or tenant assets, we consider numerous factors, including whether the economic substance of the lease terms is properly reflected and whether the improvements: have value to us as real estate; are unique to the tenant or reusable by other tenants; may be altered or removed by the tenant without our consent or without compensating us for any lost fair value; or are owned, and remain, with us or the tenant at the end of the lease term.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
We depreciate our fixed assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings and building improvements
10-40 years
Land improvements
10-20 years
Tenant improvements on operating properties
Shorter of remaining useful lives of assets or related lease term
Equipment and personal property
3-10 years
For periods in which a property is classified as held for sale, we classify the assets of the property’s asset group as held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet for such periods.
When we dispose of, or classify as held for sale, a component (such as a reportable segment or sub-segment) or group of components that represents a strategic shift having a major effect on our operations and financial results (such as a major geographical area of operations or major line of business), we classify the associated results of operations as discontinued operations. We had no properties newly classified as discontinued operations in the last three years.
Sales of Properties
We recognize gains from sales of consolidated interests in properties to non-customer third parties when we have transferred control of such interests.
Impairment of Properties
We assess the asset groups associated with each of our properties, including operating properties, properties in development, land held for future development, related intangible assets, right-of-use assets, deferred rents receivable and lease liabilities for indicators of impairment quarterly or when circumstances indicate that an asset group may be impaired. If our analyses indicate that the carrying values of certain properties’ asset groups may be impaired, we perform a recovery analysis for such asset groups. For properties to be held and used, we analyze recoverability based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the properties over, in most cases, a ten-year holding period. If we believe it is more likely than not that we will dispose of the properties earlier, we analyze recoverability using a probability weighted analysis of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the properties over the various possible holding periods. If the analysis indicates that the carrying value of a tested property’s asset group is not recoverable from its estimated future cash flows, the property’s asset group is written down to the property’s estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recognized. If and when our plans change, we revise our recoverability analyses to use the cash flows expected from the operations and eventual disposition of such property using holding periods that are consistent with our revised plans. Changes in holding periods may require us to recognize impairment losses.
Fair values are estimated based on contract prices, indicative bids, discounted cash flow analyses, yield analyses or comparable sales analyses. Estimated cash flows used in our impairment analyses are based on our plans for the property and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider items such as current and future market rental and occupancy rates, estimated operating and capital expenditures and recent sales data for comparable properties; most of these items are influenced by market data obtained from real estate leasing and brokerage firms and our direct experience with the properties and their markets.
When we determine that a property is held for sale, we stop depreciating the property and estimate the property’s fair value, net of selling costs; if we then determine that the estimated fair value, net of selling costs, is less than the net book value of the property’s asset group, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference and reduce the net book value of the property’s asset group.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Acquisition of Operating Properties
Upon completion of operating property acquisitions, we allocate the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities associated with such acquisitions based on our estimates of their fair values. We determine these fair values by using market data and independent appraisals available to us and making numerous estimates and assumptions. We allocate operating property acquisitions to the following components:
•properties based on a valuation performed under the assumption that the property is vacant upon acquisition (the “if-vacant value”). The if-vacant value is allocated between land and buildings or, in the case of properties under development, development in progress. We also allocate additional amounts to properties for in-place tenant improvements based on our estimate of improvements per square foot provided under market leases that would be attributable to the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases;
•above- and below-market lease intangible assets or liabilities based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between: (1) the contractual amounts to be received pursuant to the in-place leases; and (2) our estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding space, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The capitalized above- and below-market lease values are amortized as adjustments to lease revenue over the remaining lease terms of the respective leases, and to renewal periods in the case of below-market leases;
•in-place lease value based on our estimates of: (1) the present value of additional income to be realized as a result of leases being in place on the acquired properties; and (2) costs to execute similar leases. Our estimate of costs to execute similar leases includes leasing commissions, legal and other related costs;
•tenant relationship value based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with that respective tenant. Characteristics we consider in determining these values include the nature and extent of our existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality and expectations of lease renewals, among other factors; and
•above- and below-market cost arrangements (such as real estate tax treaties or above- or below-market ground leases) based on the present value of the expected benefit from any such arrangements in place on the property at the time of acquisition.
Leased Assets, as a Lessee
Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted guidance requiring lessees to classify leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. The resulting classification determines whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The guidance also requires us to recognize upon lease term commencement a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. We adopted this guidance for leases on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach under which we elected to not adjust prior comparative reporting periods. We elected to apply a package of practical expedients that enabled us to carry forward upon adoption our historical assessments of: expired or existing leases regarding their lease classification; and whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases. We also elected a practical expedient that enabled us to avoid the need to assess whether expired or existing land easements not previously accounted for as leases are, or contain, a lease.
In determining right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, we estimate an appropriate incremental borrowing rate on a fully-collateralized basis for the terms of the leases. Since the terms under our ground leases are usually significantly longer than the terms of borrowings available to us on a fully-collateralized basis, our estimate of this rate requires significant judgment, and considers factors such as interest rates available to us on a fully-collateralized basis for shorter-termed debt and U.S. Treasury rates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and liquid investments that mature three months or less from when they are purchased. Cash equivalents are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. We maintain our cash in bank accounts in amounts that may exceed Federally insured limits at times. We have not experienced any losses in these accounts in the past and believe that we are not exposed to significant credit risk because our accounts are deposited with major financial institutions.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Investments in Marketable Securities
We classify marketable securities as trading securities when we have the intent to sell such securities in the near term, and classify other marketable securities as available-for-sale securities. We determine the appropriate classification of investments in marketable securities at the acquisition date and re-evaluate the classification at each balance sheet date. We report investments in marketable securities classified as trading securities at fair value (which is included in the line entitled “Prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets), with unrealized gains and losses recognized through earnings; on our consolidated statements of cash flows, we classify cash flows from these securities as operating activities.
Receivables and Credit Losses
We evaluate our receivables from customers and borrowers for collectability and recognize estimated credit losses on these receivables. We use judgment in estimating these losses based upon the credit status of the entities associated with the individual receivables and payment history.
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that changed how we measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments not measured at fair value through net income from an incurred loss model to an expected loss approach. Our items within the scope of this guidance included the following:
•investing receivables, as disclosed in Note 8;
•tenant notes receivable;
•net investment in sales-type leases;
•other assets comprised of non-lease revenue related accounts receivable (primarily from construction contract services) and contract assets from unbilled construction contract revenue; and
•off-balance sheet credit exposures.
Under this guidance, we recognize an estimate of our expected credit losses on these items as an allowance, as the guidance requires that financial assets be measured on an amortized cost basis and be presented at the net amount expected to be collected (or as a separate liability in the case of off-balance sheet credit exposures). The allowance represents the portion of the amortized cost basis that we do not expect to collect (or loss we expect to incur in the case of off-balance sheet credit exposures) due to credit over the contractual life based on available information relevant to assessing the collectability of cash flows, which includes consideration of past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions (including consideration of asset- or borrower-specific factors). The guidance requires the allowance for expected credit losses to reflect the risk of loss, even when that risk is remote. An allowance for credit losses is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset (or off-balance sheet credit exposure), regardless of whether it is originated or purchased. Quarterly, the expected losses are re-estimated, considering any cash receipts and changes in risks or assumptions, with resulting adjustments recognized as credit loss expense or recoveries on our consolidated statements of operations.
We estimate expected credit losses for in-scope items using historical loss rate information developed for varying classifications of credit risk and contractual lives. Due to our limited quantity of items within the scope of this guidance and the unique risk characteristics of such items, we individually assign each in-scope item a credit risk classification. The credit risk classifications assigned by us are determined based on credit ratings assigned by ratings agencies (as available) or are internally-developed based on available financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, other publicly available information and current economic trends. In addition, for certain items in which the risk of credit loss is affected by the economic performance of a real estate development project, we develop probability weighted scenario analyses for varying levels of performance in estimating our credit loss allowance (applicable to our notes receivable from the City of Huntsville disclosed in Note 8 and a tax incremental financing obligation disclosed in Note 20).
For lease revenue, if collectability is not probable, revenue recognized is limited to the lesser of revenue that would have been recognized if collectability was probable or lease payments collected. Losses on lease revenue receivables are presented on our consolidated statements of operation with property operating expenses for years prior to January 1, 2019, when we adopted new lease accounting guidance, and as reductions in lease revenue thereafter.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Prior to our adoption of the credit loss guidance discussed above, we evaluated the collectability of both interest and principal of loans whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated such amounts may not be recoverable. A loan was impaired when it was probable that we would be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan was impaired, the amount of the loss accrual was calculated by comparing the carrying amount of the investment to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate and the value of any collateral under such loan.
When we believe that collection of interest income on an investing or tenant note receivable is not probable, we place the receivable on nonaccrual status, meaning interest income is recognized when payments are received rather than on an accrual basis.
We write off receivables when we believe the facts and circumstances indicate that continued pursuit of collection is no longer warranted. When cash is received in connection with receivables for which we have previously recognized credit losses, we recognize reductions in our credit losses.
Intangible Assets and Deferred Revenue on Real Estate Acquisitions
We amortize the intangible assets and deferred revenue on real estate acquisitions discussed above as follows:
Asset Type
Amortization Period
Above- and below-market leases
Related lease terms
In-place lease value
Related lease terms
Tenant relationship value
Estimated period of time that tenant will lease space in property
Above- and below-market cost arrangements
Term of arrangements
We recognize the amortization of acquired above- and below-market leases as adjustments to rental revenue. We recognize the amortization of above- and below-market cost arrangements as adjustments to property operating expenses. We recognize the amortization of other intangible assets on property acquisitions as amortization expense.
Deferred Leasing Costs
We defer costs incurred to obtain new tenant leases or extend existing tenant leases; our deferral of costs included related non-incremental compensation costs until January 1, 2019, when we adopted new lease accounting guidance. We amortize these costs evenly over the lease terms. We classify leasing costs paid as an investing activity on our statements of cash flows since such costs are necessary in order for us to generate long-term future cash flows from our properties. When tenant leases are terminated early, we expense any unamortized deferred leasing costs associated with those leases over the shortened term of the lease.
Deferred Financing Costs
We defer costs of financing arrangements and recognize these costs as interest expense over the related debt terms on a straight-line basis, which approximates the amortization that would occur under the effective interest method of amortization. We expense any unamortized loan costs when loans are retired early. We present deferred costs of financing arrangements as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, except for costs attributable to line-of-credit arrangements and interest rate derivatives, which we present in the balance sheet in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net”.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Interest Rate Derivatives
Our primary objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for our making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. We use interest rate swaps to hedge the cash flows associated with interest rates on variable-rate debt borrowings. We also use forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge the cash flows associated with interest rates on forecasted fixed-rate borrowings. We recognize all derivatives as assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet at fair value.
We defer all changes in the fair value of designated cash flow hedges to accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) or loss (“AOCL”), reclassifying such deferrals to interest expense as interest expense is recognized on the hedged forecasted transactions. When an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge no longer qualifies for hedge accounting and the hedged transactions are probable not to occur, we recognize changes in fair value of the hedge previously deferred to AOCI or AOCL, along with any changes in fair value occurring thereafter, through earnings. We do not use interest rate derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We manage counter-party risk by only entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other risk factors.
We use standard market conventions and techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models, replacement cost and termination cost in computing the fair value of derivatives at each balance sheet date. We made an accounting policy election to use an exception provided for in the applicable accounting guidance with respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments; this election enables us to measure the fair value of groups of assets and liabilities associated with derivative instruments consistently with how market participants would price the net risk exposure as of the measurement date.
Noncontrolling Interests
COPT’s consolidated noncontrolling interests are comprised of interests in COPLP not owned by COPT (discussed further in Note 14) and interests in consolidated real estate joint ventures not owned by us (discussed further in Note 6). COPLP’s consolidated noncontrolling interests are comprised primarily of interests in our consolidated real estate joint ventures. We evaluate whether noncontrolling interests are subject to redemption features outside of our control. We classify noncontrolling interests that are currently redeemable for cash at the option of the holders or are probable of becoming redeemable as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets; we adjust these interests each period to the greater of their fair value or carrying amount (initial amount as adjusted for allocations of income and losses and contributions and distributions), with a corresponding offset to additional paid-in capital on COPT’s consolidated balance sheets or common units on COPLP’s balance sheet. Our other noncontrolling interests are reported in the equity section of our consolidated balance sheets.
Revenue Recognition
Lease and Other Property Revenue
We lease real estate properties, comprised primarily of office properties and data center shells, to third parties. These leases usually include options under which the tenant may renew its lease based on market rates at the time of renewal, which are then typically subject to further negotiation. These leases occasionally provide the tenant with an option to terminate its lease early usually for a defined termination fee.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Most of our lease revenue is from fixed contractual payments defined under the lease that, in most cases, escalate annually over the term of the lease. Our lease revenue also includes variable lease payments predominantly for tenant reimbursements of property operating expenses and lease termination fees. Property operating expense reimbursement structures vary, with some tenants responsible for all of a property’s expenses, while others are responsible for their share of a property’s expense only to the extent such expenses exceed amounts defined in the lease (which are derived from the property’s historical expense levels). Lease termination fees in most cases result from a tenant’s exercise of an existing right under a lease.
Upon lease commencement, we evaluate leases to determine if they meet criteria set forth in lease accounting guidance for classification as sales-type leases or direct financing leases; when a lease meets none of these criteria, we classify the lease as an operating lease. Upon commencement of sales-type leases, we derecognize the underlying asset, recognizing in its place a net investment in the lease equal to the sum of the lease receivable and the present value of any unguaranteed residual asset and recognize any selling profit or loss created as a result of the difference between those two amounts. Similarly, for direct financing leases, the lessor derecognizes the underlying asset and recognizes a net investment in the lease, but, unlike in a sales-type lease, defers profit and amortizes it as interest income over the lease term. Our leases of properties as lessor are predominantly classified as operating leases, for which the underlying asset remains on our balance sheet and is depreciated consistently with other owned assets, with income recognized as described further below.
We recognize minimum rents on operating leases, net of abatements, on a straight-line basis over the term of tenant leases. A lease term commences when: (1) the tenant has control of the leased space (legal right to use the property); and (2) we have delivered the premises to the tenant as required under the terms of such lease. The term of a lease includes the noncancellable periods of the lease along with periods covered by: (1) a tenant option to extend the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (2) a tenant option to terminate the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain not to exercise that option; and (3) an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by us as the lessor. When assessing the expected lease end date, we use judgment in contemplating the significance of: any penalties a tenant may incur should it choose not to exercise any existing options to extend the lease or exercise any existing options to terminate the lease; and economic incentives for the tenant based on any existing contract, asset, entity or market-based factors in the lease. While a significant portion of our portfolio is leased to the USG, and the majority of those leases consist of a series of one-year renewal options, or provide for early termination rights, we have concluded that exercise of existing renewal options, or continuation of such leases without exercising early termination rights, is reasonably certain for most of these leases.
We report the amount by which our minimum rental revenue recognized on a straight-line basis under leases exceeds the contractual rent billings associated with such leases as deferred rent receivable on our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts by which our minimum rental revenue recognized on a straight-line basis under leases are less than the contractual rent billings associated with such leases are reported in liabilities as deferred revenue associated with operating leases on our consolidated balance sheets.
In connection with a tenant’s entry into, or modification of, a lease, if we make cash payments to, or on behalf of, the tenant for purposes other than funding the construction of landlord assets, we defer the amount of such payments as lease incentives. As discussed above, when we are required to provide improvements under the terms of a lease, we determine whether the improvements constitute landlord assets or tenant assets; if the improvements are tenant assets, we defer the cost of improvements funded by us as a lease incentive asset. We amortize lease incentives as a reduction of rental revenue over the term of the lease.
If collectability under a lease is not probable, revenue recognized is limited to the lesser of revenue that would have been recognized if collectability was probable or lease payments collected.
We recognize lease revenue associated with tenant expense recoveries in the same periods in which we incur the related expenses, including tenant reimbursements of property taxes, utilities and other property operating expenses.
We recognize fees received for lease terminations as revenue and write off against such revenue any (1) deferred rents receivable, and (2) deferred revenue, lease incentives and intangible assets that are amortizable into rental revenue associated with the leases; the resulting net amount is the net revenue from the early termination of the leases. When a tenant’s lease for space in a property is terminated early but the tenant continues to lease such space under a new or modified lease in the property, the net revenue from the early termination of the lease is recognized evenly over the remaining life of the new or modified lease in place on that property.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted guidance issued by the FASB setting forth principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases, which required lessors of real estate to account for leases using an approach substantially equivalent to guidance previously in place for operating leases, direct financing leases and sales-type leases. We adopted this guidance for leases on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach under which we elected to not adjust prior comparative reporting periods (except for our presentation of lease revenue discussed below). We elected to apply a package of practical expedients that enabled us to carry forward upon adoption our historical assessments of: expired or existing leases regarding their lease classification and deferred recognition of non-incremental direct leasing costs; and whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases. We also elected a practical expedient that enabled us to avoid the need to assess whether expired or existing land easements not previously accounted for as leases are, or contain, a lease. In addition, we elected a practical expedient to avoid separating non-lease components that otherwise would need to be accounted for under revenue accounting guidance (such as tenant reimbursements of property operating expenses) from the associated lease component since (1) the non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer as the associated lease component and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease; this enables us to account for the combination of the lease component and non-lease components as an operating lease since the lease component is the predominant component of the combined components.
Construction Contract and Other Service Revenues
We enter into construction contracts to complete various design and construction services primarily for our USG tenants. The revenues and expenses from these services consist primarily of subcontracted costs that are reimbursed to us by our customers along with a fee. These services are an ancillary component of our overall operations, with small operating margins relative to the revenue. We review each contract to determine the performance obligations and allocate the transaction price based on the standalone selling price, as discussed further below. We recognize revenue under these contracts as services are performed in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those services. Our performance obligations are satisfied over time as work progresses. Revenue recognition is determined using the input method based on costs incurred as of a point in time relative to the total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. We believe incurred costs of work performed best depicts the transfer of control of the services being transferred to the customer.
In determining whether the performance obligations of each construction contract should be accounted for separately versus together, we consider numerous factors that may require significant judgment, including: whether the components contracted are substantially the same with the same pattern of transfer; whether the customer could contract with another party to perform construction based on our design project; and whether the customer can elect not to move forward after the design phase of the contract. Most of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the services is not separately identifiable from other obligations in the contracts and, therefore, are not distinct. Some contracts have multiple performance obligations, most commonly due to having distinct project phases for design and construction for which our customer is making decisions and managing separately. In these cases, we allocate the transaction price between these performance obligations based on the relative standalone selling prices, which we determine by evaluating: the relative costs of each performance obligation; the expected operating margins (which typically do not vary significantly between obligations); and amounts set forth in the contracts for each obligation. Contract modifications, such as change orders, are routine for our construction contracts and are generally determined to be additions to the existing performance obligations because they would have been part of the initial performance obligations if they were identified at the initial contract date.
We have three main types of compensation arrangements for our construction contracts: guaranteed maximum price (“GMP”); firm fixed price (“FFP”); and cost-plus fee.
•GMP contracts provide for revenue equal to costs incurred plus a fee equal to a percentage of such costs, up to a maximum contract amount. We generally enter into GMP contracts for projects that are significant in nature based on the size of the project and total fees, and for which the full scope of the project has not been determined as of the contract date. GMP contracts are lower risk to us than FFP contracts since the costs and revenue move proportionately to one another.
•FFP contracts provide for revenue equal to a fixed fee. These contracts are typically lower in value and scope relative to GMP contracts, and are generally entered into when the scope of the project is well defined. Typically, we assume more risk with FFP contracts than GMP contracts since the revenue is fixed and we could realize losses or less than expected profits if we incur more costs than originally estimated. However, these types of contracts offer the opportunity for additional profits when we complete the work for less than originally estimated.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
•Cost-plus fee contracts provide for revenue equal to costs incurred plus a fee equal to a percentage of such costs but, unlike GMP contracts, do not have a maximum contract amount. Similar to GMP contracts, cost-plus fee contracts are low risk to us since the costs and revenue move proportionately to one another.
Construction contract cost estimates are based primarily on contracts in place with subcontractors to complete most of the work, but may also include assumptions, such as performance of subcontractors and cost and availability of materials, to project the outcome of future events over the course of the project. We review and update these estimates regularly as a significant change could affect the profitability of our construction contracts. We recognize adjustments in estimated profit on contracts under the cumulative catch-up method as the modification does not create a new performance obligation. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment on profit recorded to date on a contract is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods are recognized using the adjusted estimate. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on the contract, we recognize the total loss in the quarter it is identified.
Our timing of revenue recognition for construction contracts generally differs from the timing of invoicing to customers. We recognize such revenue as we satisfy our performance obligations. Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type. Under most of our contracts, we bill customers monthly, as work progresses, in accordance with the contract terms, with payment due in 30 days, although customers occasionally pay in advance of services being provided. We have determined that our contracts generally do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of the timing of our invoicing is for convenience, not to receive financing from our customers or to provide customers with financing. Additionally, the timing of transfer of the services is often at the discretion of the customer.
Under most of our contracts, we bill customers one month subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in contract assets representing unbilled construction revenue.
Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments from our customers or billings in excess of construction contract revenue recognized.
Expense Classification
We classify as property operating expense costs incurred for property taxes, ground rents, utilities, property management, insurance, repairs and exterior and interior maintenance, as well as associated labor and indirect costs attributable to these costs.
We classify as general, administrative and leasing expenses costs incurred for corporate-level management, public company administration, asset management, leasing, investor relations, marketing and corporate-level insurance (including general business and director and officers) and leasing prospects, as well as associated labor and indirect costs attributable to these expenses.
Share-Based Compensation
We issue four forms of share-based compensation: restricted COPT common shares (“restricted shares”), deferred share awards (also known as restricted share units), performance share units (also known as performance share awards) (“PSUs”) and profit interest units (“PIUs”) (time-based and performance-based). We account for share-based compensation in accordance with authoritative guidance provided by the FASB that establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services, focusing primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. The guidance requires us to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based generally on the fair value of the award on the grant date; such cost is then recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The guidance also requires that share-based compensation be computed based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest; as a result, future forfeitures of awards are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. If an award is voluntarily cancelled by an employee, we recognize the previously unrecognized cost associated with the original award on the date of such cancellation. We capitalize costs associated with share-based compensation attributable to employees engaged in development and redevelopment activities.
We compute the fair value of restricted shares, time-based PIUs and deferred share awards based on the fair value of COPT common shares on the grant date. We compute the fair value of PSUs and performance-based PIUs using a Monte Carlo
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
model. Significant assumptions used for that model include the following: the baseline common share value is the market value on the grant date; the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant; and expected volatility is based on historical volatility of COPT’s common shares.
Income Taxes
COPT elected to be treated as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify as a REIT, COPT must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it distribute at least 90% of the Company’s adjusted taxable income to its shareholders. As a REIT, COPT generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on taxable income that it distributes to its shareholders. If COPT fails to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, it will be subject to Federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent tax years.
COPLP is a limited partnership and is not subject to federal income tax. Its partners are required to report their respective share of the Operating Partnership’s taxable income on their respective tax returns. COPT’s share of the Operating Partnership’s taxable income is reported on COPT’s income tax return.
For Federal income tax purposes, dividends to shareholders may be characterized as ordinary income, capital gains or return of capital. The characterization of dividends paid on COPT’s common shares during each of the last three years was as follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Ordinary income 45.1 % 54.4 % 83.1 %
Long-term capital gain 54.9 % 45.6 % - %
Return of capital - % - % 16.9 %
The dividends allocated to each of the above years for Federal income tax purposes included dividends paid on COPT’s common shares during each of those years except for the dividends paid on January 15, 2021 and 2020 (with a record date of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively), which were allocated for Federal income tax purposes to 2020 and 2019, respectively.
We distributed all of COPT’s REIT taxable income in 2020, 2019 and 2018 and, as a result, did not incur Federal income tax in those years.
The net basis of our consolidated assets and liabilities for tax reporting purposes was approximately $10 million higher than the amount reported on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
We are subject to certain state and local income and franchise taxes. The expense associated with these state and local taxes is included in general and administrative expense and property operating expenses on our consolidated statements of operations. We did not separately state these amounts on our consolidated statements of operations because they are insignificant.
Reclassifications
We reclassified certain amounts from prior periods to conform to the current period presentation of our consolidated financial statements with no effect on previously reported net income or equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
As discussed above, effective January 1, 2020, we adopted guidance issued by the FASB that changed how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments not measured at fair value through net income. The guidance replaced the current incurred loss model with an expected loss approach, resulting in a more timely recognition of such losses. The guidance applies to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables (excluding those arising from operating leases), loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Under this guidance, we recognize an estimate of our expected
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
credit losses on these asset types as an allowance, as the guidance requires that financial assets be measured on an amortized cost basis and be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. We adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective transition method under which we recognized a $5.5 million allowance for credit losses by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to cumulative distributions in excess of net income of the Company (or common units of the Operating Partnership), and did not adjust prior comparative reporting periods. Our consolidated statements of operations reflect adjustments for changes in our expected credit losses occurring subsequent to adoption of this guidance.
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted guidance issued by the FASB that modifies disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The resulting changes in disclosure did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted guidance issued by the FASB that aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. FASB guidance did not previously address the accounting for such implementation costs. Our adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance containing practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities pertaining to debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance is optional and may be adopted over time as reference rate reform activities occur. During 2020, we elected to apply an expedient to treat any changes in loans resulting from reference rate reform as debt modifications (as opposed to extinguishments) and hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of the hedge accounting expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. We will continue to evaluate the impact of this guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur.
In April 2020, the FASB issued a Staff Q&A document that addressed the accounting for lease accounting guidance for lease concessions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Under existing lease guidance, we would normally have to determine, on a lease-by-lease basis, if a lease concession was the result of a new arrangement reached with the tenant (treated as a lease modification) or if such a concession was implemented pursuant to enforceable rights and obligations within the existing lease agreement (and, therefore, not treated as a lease modification). The Staff Q&A document enabled us to bypass the lease-by-lease analysis for lease concessions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and instead elect to either apply the lease modification accounting framework or not, with such elections applied consistently to leases with similar characteristics and similar circumstances. Entities may make the elections for any lessor-provided concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (such as deferrals of lease payments or reduced future lease payments) as long as the concession does not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. We chose to apply the elections available under the Staff Q&A to restructurings of lease payment terms granted by us to tenants, the effect of which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
3. Fair Value Measurements
Accounting standards define fair value as the exit price, or the amount that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The standards also establish a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy of these inputs is broken down into three levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs include (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets and (3) inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is most significant to the fair value measurement.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
COPT has a non-qualified elective deferred compensation plan for Trustees and certain members of our management team that, prior to December 31, 2019, permitted participants to defer up to 100% of their compensation on a pre-tax basis and receive a tax-deferred return on such deferrals. The Company froze additional entry into the plan effective December 31, 2019. The assets held in the plan (comprised primarily of mutual funds and equity securities) and the corresponding liability to the participants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on COPT’s consolidated balance sheets using quoted market prices, as are other marketable securities that we hold. The balance of the plan, which was fully funded, totaled $3.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2019, and is included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheets along with an insignificant amount of other marketable securities. The offsetting liability associated with the plan is adjusted to fair value at the end of each accounting period based on the fair value of the plan assets and reported in “other liabilities” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheets. The assets of the plan are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, while the offsetting liability is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The fair values of our interest rate derivatives are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate market data and implied volatilities in such interest rates. While we determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our interest rate derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. However, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivatives and determined that these adjustments are not significant. As a result, we determined that our interest rate derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other assets (excluding investing receivables) and accounts payable and accrued expenses are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. The fair values of our investing receivables, as disclosed in Note 8, were based on the discounted estimated future cash flows of the loans (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy); the discount rates used approximate current market rates for loans with similar maturities and credit quality, and the estimated cash payments include scheduled principal and interest payments. For our disclosure of debt fair values in Note 10, we estimated the fair value of our unsecured senior notes based on quoted market rates for publicly-traded debt (categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy) and estimated the fair value of our other debt based on the discounted estimated future cash payments to be made on such debt (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy); the discount rates used approximate current market rates for loans, or groups of loans, with similar maturities and credit quality, and the estimated future payments include scheduled principal and interest payments. Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment.
For additional fair value information, refer to Note 8 for investing receivables, Note 10 for debt and Note 11 for interest rate derivatives.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
COPT and Subsidiaries
The tables below set forth financial assets and liabilities of COPT and subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the hierarchy level of inputs used in measuring their respective fair values under applicable accounting standards (in thousands):
Description Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other
Observable Inputs(Level 2) Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3) Total
December 31, 2020:
Assets:
Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan (1)
Mutual funds $ 3,008 $ - $ - $ 3,008
Other 19 - - 19
Other marketable securities (1) 30 - - 30
Total assets $ 3,057 $ - $ - $ 3,057
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability (2) $ - $ 3,027 $ - $ 3,027
Interest rate derivatives - 9,522 - 9,522
Total liabilities $ - $ 12,549 $ - $ 12,549
December 31, 2019:
Assets:
Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan (1)
Mutual funds $ 3,035 $ - $ - $ 3,035
Other 25 - - 25
Interest rate derivatives (1) - 23 - 23
Total assets $ 3,060 $ 23 $ - $ 3,083
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability (2) $ - $ 3,060 $ - $ 3,060
Interest rate derivatives - 25,682 - 25,682
Total liabilities $ - $ 28,742 $ - $ 28,742
(1) Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Included in the line entitled “other liabilities” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
COPLP and Subsidiaries
The tables below set forth financial assets and liabilities of COPLP and subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the hierarchy level of inputs used in measuring their respective fair values under applicable accounting standards (in thousands):
Description Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other
Observable Inputs(Level 2) Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3) Total
December 31, 2020:
Assets:
Other marketable securities (1) $ 30 $ - $ - $ 30
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives $ - $ 9,522 $ - $ 9,522
December 31, 2019:
Assets:
Interest rate derivatives (1) $ - $ 23 $ - $ 23
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives $ - $ 25,682 $ - $ 25,682
(1)Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPLP’s consolidated balance sheet.
2019 Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
In the third quarter of 2019, we determined that the carrying amount of land held in Frederick, Maryland would not be recovered from its eventual disposition. As a result, we recognized an impairment loss of $327,000 in order to adjust the land to its estimated fair value. This land was sold in the fourth quarter of 2019.
4. Properties, Net
Operating properties, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Land $ 528,269 $ 472,976
Buildings and improvements 3,711,264 3,306,791
Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,124,253) (1,007,120)
Operating properties, net $ 3,115,280 $ 2,772,647
2020 Dispositions
On October 30, 2020, we sold a 90% interest in two data center shell properties in Northern Virginia based on an aggregate property value of $89.7 million and retained a 10% interest in the properties through B RE COPT DC JV II LLC (“B RE COPT”), a newly-formed joint venture. Our partner in the joint venture acquired the 90% interest from us for $80.7 million. We account for our interest in the joint venture using the equity method of accounting as described further in Note 6. We recognized a gain on sale of $30.0 million.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
2020 Development Activities
In 2020, we placed into service 1.8 million square feet in 11 newly-developed properties, 42,000 square feet in expansions of three fully-operational properties and 21,000 square feet in a redeveloped property. As of December 31, 2020, we had 11 properties under development, including three partially-operational properties, that we estimate will total 1.5 million square feet upon completion.
In the third quarter of 2020, we concluded that we no longer expected to develop a property in Baltimore, Maryland. As a result, we recognized an impairment loss on previously incurred pre-development costs of $1.5 million.
2019 Dispositions
In 2019, we sold, through a series of transactions, a 90% interest in nine data center shells in Northern Virginia based on an aggregate property value of $345.1 million, retaining a 10% interest in the properties through BREIT COPT DC JV LLC (“BREIT-COPT”), a newly-formed joint venture. The transactions for seven of these properties were completed on June 20, 2019 and the remaining two properties on December 5, 2019. Our partner in the joint venture acquired the 90% interest from us for $310.6 million. We account for our interest in the joint venture using the equity method of accounting as described further in Note 6. We recognized a gain on sale of $105.2 million.
2019 Development Activities
In 2019, we placed into service 1.1 million square feet in nine newly-developed properties and 85,000 square feet in one property under redevelopment.
2018 Dispositions
In 2018, we sold 11751 Meadowville Lane, an operating property totaling 193,000 square feet in Chester, Virginia (in our Data Center Shells sub-segment). We contractually closed on the sale of this property on October 27, 2017 for $44.0 million. We provided a financial guaranty to the buyer under which we provided an indemnification for up to $20 million in losses it could incur related to a potential defined capital event occurring on the property; our financial guaranty to the buyer expired on October 1, 2018, resulting in no losses to us. We accounted for this transaction as a financing arrangement. Accordingly, we did not recognize the sale of this property for accounting purposes until the expiration of the guaranty on October 1, 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we recognized a gain on this sale of $1.5 million.
2018 Development Activities
In 2018, we placed into service 666,000 square feet in six newly-developed properties, 22,000 square feet in one redeveloped property and land under a long-term contract.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, we abandoned plans to redevelop a property in our Fort Meade/BW Corridor sub-segment after we completed leasing on the property that did not require any redevelopment. Accordingly, we recognized an impairment loss of $2.4 million representing pre-development costs associated with the property.
5. Leases
Lessor Arrangements
We lease real estate properties, comprised primarily of office properties and data center shells, to third parties. As of December 31, 2020, these leases, which may encompass all, or a portion of, a property, had remaining terms spanning from one month to 18 years and averaging approximately 5.4 years.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Our lease revenue is comprised of: fixed lease revenue, including contractual rent billings under leases recognized on a straight-line basis over lease terms and amortization of lease incentives and above- and below- market lease intangibles; and variable lease revenue, including tenant expense recoveries, lease termination revenue and other revenue from tenants that is not fixed under the lease. The table below sets forth our composition of lease revenue recognized between fixed and variable lease revenue (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
Lease revenue 2020 2019
Fixed $ 425,593 $ 412,342
Variable 110,534 110,130
$ 536,127 $ 522,472
A significant concentration of our lease revenue in 2020 and 2019 was earned from our largest tenant, the USG, including 35% and 34% of our total lease revenue, respectively, and 25% of our fixed lease revenue in each of those years. Our lease revenue from the USG in 2020 and 2019 was earned primarily from properties in the Fort Meade/BW Corridor, Lackland Air Force Base and Northern Virginia Defense/IT reportable sub-segments (see Note 17).
Fixed contractual payments due under our property leases were as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2020
Year Ending December 31, Operating leases Sales-type leases
2021 $ 424,585 $ 871
2022 378,573 949
2023 324,917 949
2024 276,488 949
2025 197,677 949
Thereafter 745,303 4,464
Total contractual payments $ 2,347,543 9,131
Less: Amount representing interest (2,558)
Net investment in sales-type leases $ 6,573
Lessee Arrangements
As of December 31, 2020, our balance sheet included $81.0 million in right-of-use assets associated primarily with land leased from third parties underlying certain properties that we are operating or developing. The land leases have long durations with remaining terms ranging from 28 years (excluding extension options) to 95 years. As of December 31, 2020, our right-of-use assets included:
•$37.8 million for land on which we are developing an office property in Washington, D.C. through our Stevens Investors, LLC joint venture, virtually all of the rent on which was previously paid. This lease has a 95-year remaining term, and we possess a bargain purchase option that we expect to exercise in 2021;
•$11.3 million for land in a business park in Huntsville, Alabama under 15 leases through our LW Redstone Company, LLC joint venture, with remaining terms ranging from 42 to 51 years and options to renew for an additional 25 years that were not included in the term used in determining the asset balance;
•$10.1 million for land underlying operating office properties in Washington, D.C. under two leases with remaining terms of approximately 79 years;
•$6.6 million for land in a research park in College Park, Maryland under four leases through our M Square Associates, LLC joint venture, all of the rent on which was previously paid. These leases had remaining terms ranging from 62 to 73 years;
•$6.5 million for land underlying a parking garage in Baltimore, Maryland under a lease with a remaining term of 28 years and an option to renew for an additional 49 years that was included in the term used in determining the asset balance;
•$6.5 million for data center space in Phoenix, Arizona with a remaining term of 4 years and an option to renew for an additional five years that were not included in the term used in determining the asset balance; and
•$2.2 million for other land underlying operating properties in our Fort Meade/BW Corridor sub-segment under two leases with remaining terms of approximately 47 years, all of the rent on which was previously paid.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Our property right-of-use assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of December 31,
Leases Balance Sheet Location 2020 2019
Right-of-use assets
Operating leases - Property Property - operating right-of-use assets $ 40,570 $ 27,864
Finance leases - Property Property - finance right-of-use assets 40,425 40,458
Total right-of-use assets $ 80,995 $ 68,322
Property lease liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of December 31,
Leases Balance Sheet Location 2020 2019
Lease liabilities
Operating leases - Property Property - operating lease liabilities $ 30,746 $ 17,317
Finance leases - Property Other liabilities 28 702
Total lease liabilities $ 30,774 $ 18,019
The table below sets forth the weighted average terms and discount rates of our property leases as of December 31, 2020:
Weighted average remaining lease term
Operating leases 50 years
Finance leases < 1 year
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases 7.21 %
Finance leases 3.62 %
The table below presents our total property lease cost (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
Lease cost Statement of Operations Location 2020 2019
Operating lease cost
Property leases - fixed Property operating expenses $ 2,413 $ 1,664
Property leases - variable Property operating expenses 127 4
Finance lease cost
Amortization of property right-of-use assets Property operating expenses 34 30
$ 2,574 $ 1,698
The table below presents the effect of property lease payments on our consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
Supplemental cash flow information 2020 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 1,694 $ 1,004
Financing cash flows for financing leases $ 674 $ 14
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Payments on property leases were due as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2020
As of December 31, 2019
Year Ending December 31, Operating
leases Finance
leases Total Operating
leases Finance
leases Total
2020 N/A N/A N/A $ 1,092 $ 674 $ 1,766
2021 $ 3,211 $ 14 $ 3,225 1,138 14 1,152
2022 3,332 14 3,346 1,162 14 1,176
2023 3,382 - 3,382 1,167 - 1,167
2024 3,434 - 3,434 1,173 - 1,173
2025 1,780 - 1,780 N/A N/A N/A
Thereafter 126,350 - 126,350 100,609 - 100,609
Total lease payments 141,489 28 141,517 106,341 702 107,043
Less: Amount representing interest (110,743) - (110,743) (89,024) - (89,024)
Lease liability $ 30,746 $ 28 $ 30,774 $ 17,317 $ 702 $ 18,019
6. Real Estate Joint Ventures
Consolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures
We consolidate the real estate joint ventures described below because of our: (1) power to direct the matters that most significantly impact their activities, including development, leasing and management of the properties developed by the VIEs; and (2) right to receive returns on our fundings and, in many cases, the obligation to fund the activities of the ventures to the extent that third-party financing is not obtained, both of which could be potentially significant to the VIEs.
The table below sets forth information pertaining to our investments in consolidated real estate joint ventures as of December 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):
Nominal Ownership % December 31, 2020 (1)
Date Acquired Total
Assets Encumbered Assets Total Liabilities
Entity Location
LW Redstone Company, LLC 3/23/2010 85% Huntsville, Alabama $ 403,448 $ 92,590 $ 100,334
Stevens Investors, LLC 8/11/2015 95% Washington, D.C. 161,735 158,286 88,028
M Square Associates, LLC 6/26/2007 50% College Park, Maryland 100,258 62,446 55,227
$ 665,441 $ 313,322 $ 243,589
(1)Excludes amounts eliminated in consolidation.
Each of these joint ventures are engaged in the development and operation of real estate. With regard to these joint ventures:
•for LW Redstone Company, LLC, we anticipate funding certain infrastructure costs (up to a maximum of $76.0 million excluding accrued interest thereon) due to be reimbursed by the City of Huntsville as discussed further in Note 8. We had advanced $61.0 million to the City through December 31, 2020 to fund such costs. We also expect to fund additional development costs through equity contributions to the extent that third party financing is not obtained. Our partner was credited with a $9.0 million in invested capital upon formation and is not required to make, nor has it made, additional equity contributions. In March 2020, the LW Redstone Company, LLC joint venture agreement was amended to change the distribution terms to allow the venture to distribute financing proceeds to satisfy our partner’s cumulative preferred return and to provide our partner a priority preferred return on its invested capital. While net cash flow distributions to the partners vary depending on the source of the funds distributed, cash flows are generally distributed to the partners as follows: (1) cumulative preferred returns of 13.5% on our partner’s invested capital; (2) cumulative preferred returns of 13.5% on our invested capital; (3) return of our invested capital; (4) return of our partner’s invested capital; and (5) any remaining residual 85% to us and 15% to our partner. Our partner has the right to require us to acquire its interest for fair value; accordingly, we classify the fair value of our partner’s interest as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets. We have the right to acquire our partner’s interest at fair value upon the earlier of five years following the project’s achievement of a construction commencement threshold of 4.4 million square feet or March 2040; the project had achieved approximately 1.6 million square feet of construction commencement
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
through December 31, 2020. Our partner has the right to receive some or all of the consideration for the acquisition of its interests in the form of common units in COPLP;
•for Stevens Investors, LLC, net cash flows of this entity will be distributed to the partners as follows: (1) member loans and accrued interest; (2) pro rata return of the partners’ capital; (3) pro rata return of the partners’ respective unpaid preferred returns; and (4) varying splits of 85% to 60% to us and the balance to our partners as we reach specified return hurdles. Our partners have the right to require us to acquire some or all of their interests for fair value for a defined period of time following the property’s development completion (expected to occur in 2021) and stabilization (as defined in the operating agreement) of the joint venture’s office property; accordingly, we classify the fair value of our partners’ interest as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets. We and our partners each have the right to acquire each other’s interests at fair value upon the second anniversary of the property’s stabilization date (as defined in the operating agreement). Our partners have the right to receive some or all of the consideration for the acquisition of their interests in the form of common units in COPLP; and
•for M Square Associates, LLC, net cash flows of this entity are distributed to the partners as follows: (1) member loans and accrued interest; (2) our preferred return and capital contributions used to fund infrastructure costs; (3) the partners’ preferred returns and capital contributions used to fund all other costs, including the base land value credit, in proportion to the accrued returns and capital accounts; and (4) residual amounts distributed 50% to each member.
We disclose the activity of our redeemable noncontrolling interests in Note 12.
The ventures discussed above include only ones in which parties other than COPLP and COPT own interests.
Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures
The table below sets forth information pertaining to our investments in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures accounted for using the equity method of accounting (dollars in thousands):
Date Acquired Nominal Ownership % Number of Properties Carrying Value of Investment (1)
Entity December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
B RE COPT DC JV II LLC (2) 10/30/2020 10% 8 $ 15,988 $ -
BREIT COPT DC JV LLC 6/20/2019 10% 9 13,315 14,133
GI-COPT DC Partnership LLC 7/21/2016 50% N/A - 37,816
17 $ 29,303 $ 51,949
(1)Included in the line entitled “investment in unconsolidated real estate joint ventures” on our consolidated balance sheets.
(2)As of December 31, 2020, our investment in B RE COPT was $7.4 million lower than our share of the joint venture’s equity due to a difference between our cost basis and our share of B RE COPT’s underlying equity in the net assets acquired from GI-COPT.
These joint ventures operate triple-net leased, single-tenant data center shell properties in Northern Virginia. With regard to these joint ventures:
•B RE COPT was formed in 2020, when, as described further in Note 4, we sold a 90% interest in two properties and retained a 10% interest in the properties through B RE COPT;
•on December 22, 2020, we sold, through a series of transactions, 80% of our 50% interests in LLCs holding six properties and associated mortgage debt that we owned through GI-COPT DC Partnership LLC (“GI-COPT”). We received $60 million in proceeds and a 10% retained interest in the LLCs through B RE COPT, and recognized a gain of $29.4 million on the sale of these interests. GI-COPT was dissolved upon completion of these transactions; and
•BREIT-COPT was formed in 2019, when, as described further in Note 4, we sold a 90% interest in nine properties and retained a 10% interest in the properties through the joint venture;
We concluded that B RE COPT and BREIT-COPT are variable interest entities. Under the terms of the joint venture agreements, we and our partners receive returns in proportion to our investments, and our maximum exposure to losses is limited to our investments, subject to certain indemnification obligations with respect to nonrecourse debt secured by the properties. The nature of our involvement in the activities of the joint venture does not give us power over decisions that significantly affect its economic performance.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
7. Intangible Assets on Real Estate Acquisitions
Intangible assets on real estate acquisitions consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net
Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net
Carrying Amount
In-place lease value $ 131,974 $ 123,291 $ 8,683 $ 131,975 $ 120,894 $ 11,081
Tenant relationship value 59,069 49,055 10,014 59,131 43,544 15,587
Above-market leases 13,718 13,380 338 13,718 13,318 400
Other 1,333 1,024 309 1,333 1,009 324
$ 206,094 $ 186,750 $ 19,344 $ 206,157 $ 178,765 $ 27,392
Amortization of intangible assets on real estate acquisitions totaled $8.0 million in 2020, $8.7 million in 2019 and $15.6 million in 2018. The approximate weighted average amortization periods of the categories set forth above follow: in-place lease value: six years; tenant relationship value: eight years; above-market leases: eight years; and other: 22 years. The approximate weighted average amortization period for all of the categories combined is seven years. The estimated amortization (to amortization associated with real estate operations, rental revenue and property operating expenses) associated with the intangible asset categories set forth above for the next five years is: $4.7 million for 2021; $3.2 million for 2022; $2.8 million for 2023; $2.3 million for 2024; and $2.0 million for 2025.
8. Investing Receivables
Investing receivables consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Notes receivable from the City of Huntsville $ 65,564 $ 59,427
Other investing loans receivable 6,041 14,096
Amortized cost basis 71,605 73,523
Allowance for credit losses (2,851) -
Investing receivables, net
$ 68,754 $ 73,523
The balances above include accrued interest receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, of $4.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and $4.7 million as of December 31, 2019.
Our notes receivable from the City of Huntsville funded infrastructure costs in connection with our LW Redstone Company, LLC joint venture (see Note 6) and carry an interest rate of 9.95%. These notes and the accrued and unpaid interest thereon, which is compounded annually on March 1, will be repaid using the real estate taxes generated by the properties developed by the joint venture. When these tax revenues are sufficient to cover the debt service on a certain increment of municipal bonds, the City of Huntsville will be required to issue bonds to repay the notes and the accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Each note has a maturity date of the earlier of 30 years from the date issued or the expiration of the tax increment district comprising the developed properties in 2045.
Our other investing loans receivable carry an interest rate of 8.0% and mature in 2021.
The fair value of these receivables was approximately $73 million as of December 31, 2020 and $74 million as of December 31, 2019.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
9. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Net
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Lease incentives, net $ 35,642 $ 28,433
Prepaid expenses 19,690 18,835
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net 10,433 7,823
Construction contract costs in excess of billings, net 10,343 17,223
Net investment in sales-type leases 6,573 -
Non-real estate equity investments 5,509 6,705
Restricted cash 3,664 3,397
Deferred financing costs, net (1) 2,439 3,633
Deferred tax asset, net 1,989 2,328
Other assets 5,274 4,639
Total for COPLP and subsidiaries 101,556 93,016
Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan 3,027 3,060
Total for COPT and subsidiaries $ 104,583 $ 96,076
(1)Represents deferred costs, net of accumulated amortization, attributable to our Revolving Credit Facility and interest rate derivatives.
Deferred tax asset, net reported above includes the following tax effects of temporary differences and carry forwards of our TRS (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Operating loss carry forward $ 2,087 $ 2,885
Property
103 (77)
Valuation allowance
(201) (480)
Deferred tax asset, net $ 1,989 $ 2,328
We recognize a valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset if we believe all or some portion of the asset may not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance resulting from a change in circumstances that causes a change in our judgment about the realizability of our deferred tax asset is included in income. We believe it is more likely than not that the results of future operations in our TRS will generate sufficient taxable income to realize our December 31, 2020 net deferred tax asset.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
10. Debt, Net
Debt Summary
Our debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
Carrying Value (1) as of December 31, 2020
December 31,
2020 December 31, 2019
Stated Interest Rates Scheduled Maturity
Mortgage and Other Secured Debt:
Fixed rate mortgage debt (2) $ 139,991 $ 143,430 3.82% - 4.62% (3)
2023-2026
Variable rate secured debt (4) 115,119 68,055 LIBOR + 1.45% to 2.35% (5)
2022-2026
Total mortgage and other secured debt 255,110 211,485
Revolving Credit Facility 143,000 177,000 LIBOR + 0.775% to 1.45% (6)
March 2023 (7)
Term Loan Facility 398,447 248,706 LIBOR + 1.00% to 1.65% (8)
Unsecured Senior Notes (9)
3.60%, $350,000 aggregate principal
348,888 348,431 3.60% (10)
May 2023
5.25%, $250,000 aggregate principal
248,194 247,652 5.25% (11)
February 2024
5.00%, $300,000 aggregate principal
297,915 297,503 5.00% (12)
July 2025
2.25%, $400,000 aggregate principal
394,464 - 2.25% (13)
March 2026
3.70%, $300,000 aggregate principal
- 299,324 3.70% (14)
N/A (14)
Unsecured note payable 900 1,038 0% (15)
May 2026
Total debt, net $ 2,086,918 $ 1,831,139
(1)The carrying values of our debt other than the Revolving Credit Facility reflect net deferred financing costs of $5.9 million as of December 31, 2020 and $5.8 million as of December 31, 2019.
(2)Certain of the fixed rate mortgages carry interest rates that, upon assumption, were above or below market rates and therefore were recorded at their fair value based on applicable effective interest rates. The carrying values of these loans reflect net unamortized premiums totaling $155,000 as of December 31, 2020 and $217,000 as of December 31, 2019.
(3)The weighted average interest rate on our fixed rate mortgage debt was 4.16% as of December 31, 2020.
(4)Includes a construction loan with $29.1 million in remaining borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2020.
(5)The weighted average interest rate on our variable rate secured debt was 2.28% as of December 31, 2020.
(6)The weighted average interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 1.20% as of December 31, 2020.
(7)The facility matures in March 2023, with the ability for us to further extend such maturity by two six-month periods at our option, provided that there is no default under the facility and we pay an extension fee of 0.075% of the total availability under the facility for each extension period.
(8)The interest rate on this loan was 1.15% as of December 31, 2020.
(9)Refer to the paragraphs below for further disclosure.
(10)The carrying value of these notes reflects an unamortized discount totaling $781,000 as of December 31, 2020 and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2019. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of the issuance costs, was 3.70%.
(11)The carrying value of these notes reflects an unamortized discount totaling $1.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2019. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of the issuance costs, was 5.49%.
(12)The carrying value of these notes reflects an unamortized discount totaling $1.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2019. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of the issuance costs, was 5.15%
(13)The carrying value of these notes reflects an unamortized discount totaling $4.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
(14)The carrying value of these notes reflects an unamortized discount totaling $534,000 as of December 31, 2019. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of the issuance costs, was 3.85%.
(15)This note carries an interest rate that, upon assumption, was below market rates and it therefore was recorded at its fair value based on applicable effective interest rates. The carrying value of this note reflects an unamortized discount totaling $161,000 as of December 31, 2020 and $223,000 as of December 31, 2019.
All debt is owed by the Operating Partnership. While COPT is not directly obligated by any debt, it has guaranteed COPLP’s Revolving Credit Facility, Term Loan Facilities and Unsecured Senior Notes.
Certain of our debt instruments require that we comply with a number of restrictive financial covenants, including maximum leverage ratio, unencumbered leverage ratio, minimum fixed charge coverage, minimum unencumbered interest coverage ratio, minimum debt service and maximum secured indebtedness ratio. In addition, the terms of some of COPLP’s debt may limit its ability to make certain types of payments and other distributions to COPT in the event of default or when
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
such payments or distributions may prompt failure of debt covenants. As of December 31, 2020, we were compliant with these financial covenants.
Our debt matures on the following schedule (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, December 31, 2020
2021 $ 3,955
2022 487,380
2023 560,130
2024 279,983
2025 323,717
Thereafter 446,300
Total $ 2,101,465 (1)
(1)Represents scheduled principal amortization and maturities only and therefore excludes net discounts and deferred financing costs of $14.5 million.
We capitalized interest costs of $12.1 million in 2020, $10.8 million in 2019 and $5.9 million in 2018.
The following table sets forth information pertaining to the fair value of our debt (in thousands):
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Carrying
Amount Estimated
Fair Value Carrying
Amount Estimated
Fair Value
Fixed-rate debt
Unsecured Senior Notes $ 1,289,461 $ 1,334,342 $ 1,192,910 $ 1,227,441
Other fixed-rate debt 140,891 142,838 144,468 149,907
Variable-rate debt 656,566 654,102 493,761 495,962
$ 2,086,918 $ 2,131,282 $ 1,831,139 $ 1,873,310
Revolving Credit Facility
On October 10, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement with a group of lenders to replace our existing unsecured revolving credit facility with a new facility (the prior facility and new facility are referred to collectively herein as our “Revolving Credit Facility”). The lenders’ aggregate commitment under the facility is $800.0 million, with the ability for us to increase the lenders’ aggregate commitment to $1.25 billion, provided that there is no default under the facility and subject to the approval of the lenders. The facility matures on March 10, 2023, with the ability for us to further extend such maturity by two six-month periods at our option, provided that there is no default under the facility and we pay an extension fee of 0.075% of the total availability under the facility for each extension period. The interest rate on the facility is based on LIBOR plus 0.775% to 1.450%, as determined by the credit ratings assigned to COPLP by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings Ltd. (collectively, the “Ratings Agencies”). The facility also carries a quarterly fee that is based on the lenders’ aggregate commitment under the facility multiplied by a per annum rate of 0.125% to 0.300%, as determined by the credit ratings assigned to COPLP by the Ratings Agencies. As of December 31, 2020, the maximum borrowing capacity under this facility totaled $800.0 million, of which $657.0 million was available.
Weighted average borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility totaled $204.9 million in 2020 and $255.6 million in 2019. The weighted average interest rate on our Revolving Credit Facility was 1.55% in 2020 and 3.32% in 2019.
Term Loan Facilities
As of December 31, 2020, we had an unsecured term loan facility that we amended in 2020 to increase the loan amount by $150.0 million and change the interest terms. The loan carries a variable interest rate based on the LIBOR rate (customarily the 30-day rate) plus 1.00% to 1.65%, as determined by: a ratio of our debt to our assets; and the credit ratings assigned to COPLP by the Ratings Agencies.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
In addition to the term loan discussed above, we also had a term loan for which we repaid the remaining balance of $100.0 million in 2018.
In connection with our Revolving Credit Facility discussed above, we have the ability to borrow up to $500.0 million under new term loans from the facility’s lender group provided that there is no default under the facility and subject to the approval of the lenders.
Unsecured Senior Notes
On September 17, 2020, we issued $400.0 million of 2.25% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2.25% Notes”) at an initial offering price of 99.416% of their face value. The proceeds from this issuance, after deducting underwriting discounts, but before other offering expenses, were $395.3 million. The notes mature on March 15, 2026. The effective interest rate under the notes, including amortization of discount and issuance costs, was 2.48%.
With regard to our 3.70% Senior Notes, we:
•purchased $122.9 million of our 3.70% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “3.70% Notes”) on September 17, 2020 for $126.0 million, plus accrued interest, pursuant to a tender offer; and
•redeemed the remaining $177.1 million of the 3.70% Notes on October 19, 2020 for $180.9 million plus accrued interest.
In connection with this purchase and redemption, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $7.3 million in 2020.
We may redeem our unsecured senior notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) the aggregate principal amount of the notes being redeemed or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to its present value, on a semi-annual basis at an adjusted treasury rate plus a spread (30 basis points for the 3.60% Senior Notes, 40 basis points for the 5.25% Senior Notes, 45 basis points for the 5.00% Senior Notes and 35 basis points for the 2.25% Senior Notes), plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. However, in each case, if this redemption occurs on or after a defined period of time prior to the maturity date (one month for the 2.25% Notes or three months for the other notes), the redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the applicable redemption date. These notes are unconditionally guaranteed by COPT.
11. Interest Rate Derivatives
The following table sets forth the key terms and fair values of our interest rate swap derivatives, each of which was designated as a cash flow hedge of interest rate risk (dollars in thousands):
Notional Amount Effective Date Expiration Date Fair Value at December 31,
Fixed Rate Floating Rate Index 2020 2019
$ 100,000 1.901 % One-Month LIBOR 9/1/2016 12/1/2022 $ (3,394) $ (1,028)
100,000 1.905 % One-Month LIBOR 9/1/2016 12/1/2022 (3,401) (1,037)
50,000 1.908 % One-Month LIBOR 9/1/2016 12/1/2022 (1,704) (524)
11,200 (1) 1.678 % One-Month LIBOR 8/1/2019 8/1/2026 (733) (20)
23,000 (2) 0.573 % One-Month LIBOR 4/1/2020 3/26/2025 (290) -
75,000 (3) 3.176 % Three-Month LIBOR 6/30/2020 N/A - (8,640)
75,000 (3) 3.192 % Three-Month LIBOR 6/30/2020 N/A - (8,749)
75,000 (3) 2.744 % Three-Month LIBOR 6/30/2020 N/A - (5,684)
- 1.390 % One-Month LIBOR 10/13/2015 10/1/2020 - 23
$ (9,522) $ (25,659)
(1)The notional amount of this instrument is scheduled to amortize to $10.0 million.
(2)The notional amount of this instrument is scheduled to amortize to $22.1 million.
(3)As discussed below, these instruments were cash settled in September 2020.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The table below sets forth the fair value of our interest rate derivatives as well as their classification on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
Fair Value at December 31,
Derivatives Balance Sheet Location 2020 2019
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net $ - $ 23
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges
Interest rate derivatives (liabilities) $ (9,522) $ (25,682)
The tables below presents the effect of our interest rate derivatives on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):
Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCL on Derivatives Amount of (Loss) Gain Reclassified from AOCL into Interest Expense on Statement of Operations
For the Years Ended December 31, For the Years Ended December 31,
Derivatives in Hedging Relationships 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018
Interest rate derivatives $ (39,454) $ (24,321) $ (2,373) $ (3,725) $ 1,415 $ 407
Amount of Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Loss on Interest Rate Derivatives on Statement of Operations Amount of Loss Recognized on Undesignated Swaps in Loss on Interest Rate Derivatives on Statement of Operations
For the Years Ended December 31, For the Years Ended December 31,
Derivatives in Hedging Relationships 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018
Interest rate derivatives $ (51,865) $ - - $ (1,265) $ - -
As described further in Note 10, in September 2020, we completed our issuance of the 2.25% Notes. In August 2020, in anticipation of pursuing such an issuance, we determined that the forecasted transactions hedged by our three interest rate swaps with an effective date of June 30, 2020 and an aggregate notional amount of $225.0 million were no longer probable of occurring, resulting in our discontinuance of hedge accounting on these swaps. When we consummated the note issuance in September 2020, we determined that it was probable that the forecasted transactions would not occur, resulting in our reclassification of $51.9 million in losses from AOCL to loss on interest rate derivatives on our statements of operations. On September 22, 2020, we cash settled these swaps and accrued interest thereon for an aggregate amount of $53.1 million.
Based on the fair value of our derivatives as of December 31, 2020, we estimate that approximately $4.8 million of losses will be reclassified from AOCL as an increase to interest expense over the next 12 months.
We have agreements with each of our interest rate derivative counterparties that contain provisions under which, if we default or are capable of being declared in default on defined levels of our indebtedness, we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. Failure to comply with the loan covenant provisions could result in our being declared in default on any derivative instrument obligations covered by the agreements. As of December 31, 2020, we were not in default with any of these provisions. As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of interest rate derivatives in a liability position related to these agreements was $9.6 million, excluding the effects of accrued interest and credit valuation adjustments. As of December 31, 2020, we had not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If we breach any of these provisions, we could be required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value, which was $10.0 million as of December 31, 2020.
12. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
As discussed further in Note 6, our partners in two real estate joint ventures, LW Redstone Company, LLC and Stevens Investors, LLC, have the right to require us to acquire their respective interests at fair value; accordingly, we classify the fair
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
value of our partners’ interests as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets. The table below sets forth the activity for these redeemable noncontrolling interests (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Beginning balance $ 29,431 $ 26,260 $ 23,125
Contributions from noncontrolling interests - - 186
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (14,034) (2,413) (1,411)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 3,426 3,835 2,523
Adjustment to arrive at fair value of interests 6,607 1,749 1,837
Ending balance $ 25,430 $ 29,431 $ 26,260
We determine the fair value of the interests based on unobservable inputs after considering the assumptions that market participants would make in pricing the interest. We apply a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows allocable to our partners from the properties underlying the respective joint ventures. Estimated cash flows used in such analyses are based on our plans for the properties and our views of market and economic conditions, and consider items such as current and future rental rates, occupancy projections and estimated operating and development expenditures.
13. Equity - COPT and Subsidiaries
Preferred Shares
As of December 31, 2020, COPT had 25.0 million preferred shares authorized and unissued at $0.01 par value per share.
Common Shares
In November 2018, COPT established an at-the-market (“ATM”) stock offering program under which it may offer and sell common shares in at-the-market stock offerings having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $300.0 million (the “2018 ATM Program”). Under the 2018 ATM Program, COPT may also, at its discretion, sell common shares under forward equity sales agreements. As of December 31, 2020, COPT had not issued any shares under the 2018 ATM Program.
From 2018 to 2020, COPT completed the following share issuances under stock programs no longer in effect:
•1.6 million shares in 2019 for net proceeds of $46.5 million, and 5.9 million shares in 2018 for net proceeds of $172.5 million, under forward equity sale agreements originating on November 2, 2017 to issue shares at an initial gross offering price of $31.00 per share, before underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. The forward sale price received upon physical settlement of the agreements was subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the overnight bank funding rate less a spread, and was decreased on each of certain dates specified in the agreements during the term of the agreements; and
•992,000 common shares in 2018 at a weighted average price of $30.46 per share under an ATM program established in 2016. Net proceeds from the shares issued totaled $29.8 million, after payment of $0.5 million in commissions to sales agents.
COPT contributed the net proceeds from these issuances to COPLP in exchange for an equal number of units in COPLP.
Certain holders of COPLP common units converted their units into COPT common shares on the basis of one common share for each common unit in the amount of 14,009 in 2020, 105,039 in 2019 and 1.9 million in 2018.
COPT declared dividends per common share of $1.10 in 2020, 2019 and 2018.
COPT pays dividends at the discretion of its Board of Trustees. COPT’s ability to pay cash dividends will be dependent upon: (1) the cash flow generated from our operations; (2) cash generated or used by our financing and investing activities; and (3) the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code described in Note 2 and such other factors as the Board of Trustees deems relevant. COPT’s ability to make cash dividends will also be limited by the terms of COPLP’s Partnership Agreement, as well as by limitations imposed by state law. In addition, COPT is prohibited from paying cash dividends in excess of the amount necessary for it to qualify for taxation as a REIT if a default or event of default exists
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
pursuant to the terms of our Revolving Credit Facility; this restriction does not currently limit COPT’s ability to pay dividends, and COPT does not believe that this restriction is reasonably likely to limit its ability to pay future dividends because it expects to comply with the terms of our Revolving Credit Facility.
See Note 15 for disclosure of common share activity pertaining to our share-based compensation plans.
14. Equity - COPLP and Subsidiaries
Limited Partner Preferred Units
On December 21, 2020, COPLP redeemed its 352,000 Series I Preferred Units from the third party unitholder at the units’ aggregate liquidation preference of $8.8 million ($25.00 per unit), plus accrued and unpaid distributions of return thereon up to the date of redemption. The owner of these units earned a priority annual cumulative return on the units equal to: 3.5% of their liquidation preference from September 23, 2019 up to the redemption date; and 7.5% of their liquidation preference prior to September 23, 2019. These units were convertible into common units on the basis of 0.5 common units for each Series I Preferred Unit, with the resulting common units being exchangeable for COPT common shares in accordance with the terms of COPLP’s agreement of limited partnership.
Common Units
COPT owned 98.6% of COPLP’s common units as of December 31, 2020 and 98.7% as of December 31, 2019.
From 2018 to 2020, COPT acquired additional common units through the following common share issuances under stock programs no longer in effect:
•1.6 million shares in 2019 for net proceeds of $46.5 million, and 5.9 million shares in 2018 for net proceeds of $172.5 million, under forward equity sale agreements originating on November 2, 2017; and
•992,000 shares in 2018 at a weighted average price of $30.46 per share under an ATM program established in 2016. Net proceeds from the shares issued totaled $29.8 million, after payment of $0.5 million in commissions to sales agents.
Limited partners in COPLP holding common units have the right to require COPLP to redeem all or a portion of their common units. COPLP (or COPT as the general partner) has the right, in its sole discretion, to deliver to such redeeming limited partners for each partnership unit either one COPT common share (subject to anti-dilution adjustment) or a cash payment equal to the then fair market value of such share (so adjusted) (based on the formula for determining such value set forth in the partnership agreement). Certain limited partners holding common units redeemed their units into common shares on the basis of one common share for each common unit in the amount of 14,009 in 2020, 105,039 in 2019 and 1.9 million in 2018. In addition, we redeemed 924 common units in 2019 for $25,000 and 13,377 in 2018 for $339,000.
COPLP declared distributions per common unit of $1.10 in 2020, 2019 and 2018.
15. Share-Based Compensation and Other Compensation Matters
Share-Based Compensation Plans
In May 2017, COPT adopted the 2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) following the approval of such plan by our common shareholders. COPT may issue equity-based awards under this plan to officers, employees, non-employee trustees and any other key persons of us and our subsidiaries, as defined in the plan. The plan provides for a maximum of 3.4 million common shares in COPT to be issued in the form of options, share appreciation rights, restricted share unit awards, restricted share awards, unrestricted share awards, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards and for the granting of cash-based awards. In November 2018, we amended the 2017 Plan to provide for the future grant of awards in the form of PIUs; PIUs are a special class of common unit structured to qualify as “profit interests” for tax purposes which are similar to restricted shares and PSUs, except that upon vesting recipients will receive common units in COPLP. This plan expires on May 11, 2027. Shares for the 2017 Plan are issued under a registration statement on Form S-8 that became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In connection with awards of common shares granted by COPT under the 2017 Plan, COPLP issues to COPT an equal number of equity instruments with identical terms.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The table below sets forth our reporting for share based compensation cost (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
General, administrative and leasing expenses $ 5,385 $ 5,748 $ 5,415
Property operating expenses 1,119 966 961
Capitalized to development activities 556 742 587
Share-based compensation cost $ 7,060 $ 7,456 $ 6,963
The amounts included in our consolidated statements of operations for share-based compensation reflected an estimate of pre-vesting forfeitures of 0% for PSUs, PIUs and deferred share awards and 0% to 8% for restricted shares.
As of December 31, 2020, unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested awards included:
•$5.6 million on restricted shares expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years;
•$2.2 million on performance-based PIUs (“PB-PIUs”) expected to be recognized over a weighted average performance period of approximately two years;
•$2.1 million on time-based PIUs (“TB-PIUs”) expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years; and
•$121,000 on deferred share awards expected to be recognized through October 2021.
Restricted Shares
The following table summarizes restricted shares under the share-based compensation plans for 2018, 2019 and 2020:
Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2017
425,626 $ 30.37
Granted 219,716 25.62
Forfeited (25,419) 30.02
Vested (181,238) 29.49
Unvested as of December 31, 2018
438,685 28.38
Granted 195,520 26.56
Forfeited (56,341) 29.44
Vested (185,001) 28.01
Unvested as of December 31, 2019
392,863 27.49
Granted 166,918 25.22
Forfeited (25,773) (1) 27.12
Vested (173,191) 28.14
Unvested as of December 31, 2020
360,817 $ 26.16
Unvested shares as of December 31, 2020 that are expected to vest
330,605 $ 26.14
(1)Includes 9,064 restricted shares previously awarded to our former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer that were forfeited upon his resignation.
Restricted shares granted to employees vest based on increments and over periods of time set forth under the terms of the respective awards provided that the employee remains employed by us. Restricted shares granted to non-employee Trustees vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the Trustee remains in his or her position.
The aggregate intrinsic value of restricted shares that vested was $4.4 million in 2020, $4.9 million in 2019 and $4.6 million in 2018.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
PIUs
Commencing in 2019, we offered our executives and Trustees the opportunity to select PIUs as a form of long-term compensation in lieu of, or in combination with, other forms of share-based compensation awards (restricted shares, deferred share awards and PSUs). Our executives and certain of our Trustees selected PIUs as their form of share-based compensation for their 2019 and 2020 grants. We granted two forms of PIUs: TB-PIUs; and PB-PIUs. TB-PIUs are subject to forfeiture restrictions until the end of the requisite service period, at which time the TB-PIUs automatically convert into vested PIUs. PB-PIUs are subject to a market condition in that the number of earned awards are determined at the end of the performance period (as described further below) and then settled in vested PIUs. Vested PIUs carry substantially the same rights to redemption and distributions as non-PIU common units.
TB-PIUs
TB-PIUs granted to executives vest based on increments and over periods of time set forth under the terms of the respective awards provided that the employee remains employed by us. TB-PIUs granted to non-employee Trustees vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the Trustee remains in his or her position. Prior to vesting, TB-PIUs carry substantially the same rights to distributions as non-PIU common units but carry no redemption rights. The following table summarizes TB-PIUs under the share-based compensation plan for 2019 and 2020:
Number of TB-PIUs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2018
- N/A
Granted 61,820 $ 26.01
Unvested as of December 31, 2019
61,820 26.01
Granted 98,318 25.47
Forfeited (20,622) (1) 25.50
Vested (25,182) 26.30
Unvested as of December 31, 2020
114,334 $ 25.57
Unvested TB-PIUs as of December 31, 2020 that are expected to vest
114,334 $ 25.57
(1)Represents TB-PIUs previously awarded to our former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer that were forfeited upon his resignation.
The aggregate intrinsic value of TB-PIUs that vested was $640,000 in 2020.
PB-PIUs
We made the following grants of PB-PIUs to executives in 2019 and 2020: (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
Grant Date Number of PB-PIUs Granted Performance Period Commencement Date Performance Period End Date Grant Date Fair Value Number of PB-PIUs Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 (1)
1/1/2019 193,682 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 $ 2,415 156,104
1/1/2020 176,758 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 $ 2,891 141,152
(1)Excludes 73,184 PB-PIUs previously awarded to our former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer that were forfeited upon his resignation.
The PB-PIUs each have a three-year performance period concluding on the earlier of the respective performance period end dates, or the date of: (1) termination by us without cause, death or disability of the executive or constructive discharge of the executive (collectively, “qualified termination”); or (2) a sale event. The number of earned awards at the end of the
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
performance period will be determined based on the percentile rank of COPT’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) relative to a peer group of companies, as set forth in the following schedule:
Percentile Rank Earned Awards Payout %
75th or greater 100% of PB-PIUs granted
50th (target) 50% of PB-PIUs granted
25th 25% of PB-PIUs granted
Below 25th 0% of PB-PIUs granted
If the percentile rank exceeds the 25th percentile and is between two of the percentile ranks set forth in the table above, then the percentage of the earned awards will be interpolated between the ranges set forth in the table above to reflect any performance between the listed percentiles. If COPT’s TSR during the measurement period is negative, the maximum number of earned awards will be limited to the target level payout percentage. During the performance period, PB-PIUs carry rights to distributions equal to 10% of the distribution rights of non-PIU common units but carry no redemption rights.
At the end of the performance period, we will settle the award by issuing vested PIUs equal to the number of earned awards in settlement of the award plan and paying cash equal to the excess, if any, of: the aggregate distributions that would have been paid with respect to vested PIUs issued in settlement of the earned awards through the date of settlement had such vested PIUs been issued on the grant date; over the aggregate distributions made on the PB-PIUs during the performance period. If a performance period ends due to a sale event or qualified termination, the number of earned awards is prorated based on the portion of the three-year performance period that has elapsed. If employment is terminated by the employee or by us for cause, all PB-PIUs are forfeited.
We computed grant date fair values for PB-PIUs using Monte Carlo models and are recognizing these values over the respective performance periods. The grant date fair value and certain of the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo models for the PB-PIUs granted in 2019 and 2020 are set forth below:
Grant Date Grant Date Fair Value Per PB-PIU Baseline Common Share Value Expected Volatility of Common Shares Risk-free Interest Rate
1/1/2019 $ 12.47 $ 21.03 21.0 % 2.51 %
1/1/2020 $ 16.36 $ 29.38 18.0 % 1.65 %
PSUs
We made the following grants of PSUs to executives from 2016 through 2018 (dollars in thousands):
Grant Date Number of PSUs Granted Performance Period Commencement Date Performance Period End Date Grant Date Fair Value Number of PSUs Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
3/1/2016 26,299 1/1/2016 12/31/2018 $ 1,005 -
1/1/2017 39,351 1/1/2017 12/31/2019 $ 1,415 -
1/1/2018 59,110 1/1/2018 12/31/2020 $ 1,890 46,912 (1)
(1)Excludes 12,198 PSUs previously awarded to our former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer that were forfeited upon his resignation.
The PSUs each had three-year performance periods concluding on the earlier of the respective performance period end dates set forth above or the date of: (1) termination by us without cause, death or disability of the executive or constructive discharge of the executive (collectively, “qualified termination”); or (2) a sale event. The number of PSUs earned (“earned PSUs”) at the end of the performance period were determined based on the percentile rank of COPT’s TSR relative to a peer group of companies, as set forth in the following schedule:
Percentile Rank Earned PSUs Payout %
75th or greater 200% of PSUs granted
50th (target) 100% of PSUs granted
25th 50% of PSUs granted
Below 25th 0% of PSUs granted
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
If the percentile rank exceeded the 25th percentile and was between two of the percentile ranks set forth in the table above, then the percentage of the earned PSUs was interpolated between the ranges set forth in the table above to reflect any performance between the listed percentiles. At the end of the performance period, we settled the award by issuing fully-vested COPT shares equal to the number of earned PSUs in settlement of the award plan and either:
•for awards granted January 1, 2017 and prior thereto, issuing fully-vested COPT shares equal to the aggregate dividends that would have been paid with respect to the common shares issued in settlement of the earned PSUs through the date of settlement had such shares been issued on the grant date, divided by the share price on such settlement date, as defined under the terms of the agreement; or
•for awards issued subsequent to January 1, 2017, paying cash equal to the aggregate dividends that would have been paid with respect to the common shares issued in settlement of the earned PSUs through the date of settlement had such shares been issued on the grant date.
If a performance period ends due to a sale event or qualified termination, the number of earned PSUs was prorated based on the portion of the three-year performance period that had elapsed. If employment was terminated by the employee or by us for cause, all PSUs were forfeited. PSUs do not carry voting rights.
Based on COPT’s TSR relative to its peer group of companies:
•for the 2016 PSUs issued to executives that vested on December 31, 2018, we issued 44,757 common shares in settlement of the PSUs on January 18, 2019;
•for the 2017 PSUs issued to executives that vested on December 31, 2019, we issued 23,181 common shares in settlement of the PSUs on January 13, 2020; and
•for the 2018 PSUs issued to executives that vested on December 31, 2020, we issued 93,824 common shares in settlement of the PSUs on February 3, 2021.
We computed grant date fair values for PSUs using Monte Carlo models and recognized these values over the performance periods. The 2018 grant date fair value of $31.97 was computed using a Monte Carlo model that included the following assumptions: baseline common share value of $29.20; expected volatility for common shares of 17.0%; and a risk-free interest rate of 2.04%.
Deferred Share Awards
We made the following grants of deferred share awards to nonemployee members of our Board of Trustees in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
Year of Grant Number of Deferred Share Awards Granted Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
2018 13,832 $ 388 $ 28.08
2019 3,432 $ 95 $ 27.60
2020 10,679 $ 253 $ 23.68
Deferred share awards vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the Trustee remains in his or her position. We settle deferred share awards by issuing an equivalent number of common shares upon vesting of the awards or a later date elected by the Trustee (generally upon cessation of being a Trustee). We issued the following common shares in settlement of deferred shares in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
Year of Settlement Number of Common Shares Issued Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Aggregate Intrinsic Value
2018 5,515 $ 29.32 $ 154
2019 3,097 $ 26.77 $ 86
2020 - N/A N/A
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Options
We have not issued options since 2009, the last of which expired in 2019, and all of our options were vested and fully expensed prior to 2018.
16. Credit Losses, Financial Assets and Other Instruments
The table below sets forth the activity for the allowance for credit losses (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Investing Receivables Tenant Notes
Receivable (1) Other Assets (2) Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures Total
December 31, 2019 $ - $ 97 $ - $ - $ 97
Cumulative effect of change for adoption of credit loss guidance
3,732 325 144 1,340 5,541
Credit loss (recoveries) expense (881) 729 559 (1,340) (933)
Other changes - 52 (60) - (8)
December 31, 2020 $ 2,851 $ 1,203 $ 643 $ - $ 4,697
(1)Included in the line entitled “accounts receivable, net” on our consolidated balance sheets.
(2)The balance as of December 31, 2020 included $257,000 in the line entitled “accounts receivable, net” and $386,000 in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of our investing receivables and tenants notes receivable by credit risk classification, by origination year as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Origination Year
2015 and Earlier 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Investing receivables:
Credit risk classification:
Investment grade
$ 64,354 $ - $ 971 $ - $ - $ 239 $ 65,564
Non-investment grade
- - - - 6,041 - 6,041
Total
$ 64,354 $ - $ 971 $ - $ 6,041 $ 239 $ 71,605
Tenant notes receivable:
Credit risk classification:
Investment grade
$ - $ 14 $ - $ 1,028 $ 84 $ 343 $ 1,469
Non-investment grade
97 165 - 164 1,883 1,803 4,112
Total
$ 97 $ 179 $ - $ 1,192 $ 1,967 $ 2,146 $ 5,581
Sales-type lease receivable:
Credit risk classification:
Investment grade
$ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 6,573 $ 6,573
Our investment grade credit risk classification represents entities with investment grade credit ratings from ratings agencies (such as Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings Ltd.), meaning that they are considered to have at least an adequate capacity to meet their financial commitments, with credit risk ranging from minimal to moderate. Our non-investment grade credit risk classification represents entities with either no credit agency credit ratings or ratings deemed to be sub-investment grade; we believe that there is significantly more credit risk associated with this classification. The credit risk classifications of our investing receivables and tenant notes receivable were last updated in December 2020.
An insignificant portion of the investing and tenant notes receivables set forth above was past due, which we define as being delinquent by more than three months from the due date.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Notes receivable on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were not significant. We did not recognize any interest income during the year ended December 31, 2020 on notes receivable on nonaccrual status.
17. Information by Business Segment
We have the following reportable segments: Defense/IT Locations; Regional Office; Wholesale Data Center; and Other. We also report on Defense/IT Locations sub-segments, which include the following: Fort George G. Meade and the Baltimore/Washington Corridor (“Fort Meade/BW Corridor”); Northern Virginia Defense/IT Locations; Lackland Air Force Base (in San Antonio); locations serving the U.S. Navy (“Navy Support Locations”), which included properties proximate to the Washington Navy Yard, the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in Virginia; Redstone Arsenal (in Huntsville); and data center shells (properties leased to tenants to be operated as data centers in which the tenants fund the costs for the power, fiber connectivity and data center infrastructure).
We measure the performance of our segments through the measure we define as net operating income from real estate operations (“NOI from real estate operations”), which includes: real estate revenues and property operating expenses; and the net of revenues and property operating expenses of real estate operations owned through unconsolidated real estate joint ventures (“UJVs”) that is allocable to COPT’s ownership interest (“UJV NOI allocable to COPT”). Amounts reported for segment assets represent long-lived assets associated with consolidated operating properties (including the carrying value of properties, right-of-use assets, net of related lease liabilities, intangible assets, deferred leasing costs, deferred rents receivable and lease incentives) and the carrying value of investments in UJVs owning operating properties. Amounts reported as additions to long-lived assets represent additions to existing consolidated operating properties, excluding transfers from non-operating properties, which we report separately.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The table below reports segment financial information for our reportable segments (in thousands):
Operating Property Segments
Defense/Information Technology Locations
Fort Meade/BW Corridor Northern Virginia Defense/IT Lackland Air Force Base Navy Support Locations Redstone Arsenal Data Center Shells Total Defense/IT Locations Regional Office Operating
Wholesale
Data Center Other Total
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues from real estate operations $ 254,197 $ 57,817 $ 50,982 $ 32,869 $ 22,515 $ 29,139 $ 447,519 $ 60,627 $ 27,788 $ 2,791 $ 538,725
Property operating expenses (85,032) (21,321) (29,055) (12,655) (8,119) (3,195) (159,377) (29,144) (14,171) (1,148) (203,840)
UJV NOI allocable to COPT - - - - - 6,951 6,951 - - - 6,951
NOI from real estate operations $ 169,165 $ 36,496 $ 21,927 $ 20,214 $ 14,396 $ 32,895 $ 295,093 $ 31,483 $ 13,617 $ 1,643 $ 341,836
Additions to long-lived assets $ 31,295 $ 11,620 $ - $ 7,104 $ 2,905 $ - $ 52,924 $ 17,232 $ 11,158 $ 165 $ 81,479
Transfers from non-operating properties
$ 21,859 $ 2,557 $ 456 $ - $ 138,122 $ 230,277 $ 393,271 $ 83,091 $ - $ - $ 476,362
Segment assets at December 31, 2020
$ 1,277,849 $ 392,714 $ 142,137 $ 178,897 $ 281,386 $ 419,929 $ 2,692,912 $ 490,422 $ 202,089 $ 3,555 $ 3,388,978
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Revenues from real estate operations $ 252,781 $ 55,742 $ 51,140 $ 32,659 $ 16,593 $ 26,571 $ 435,486 $ 59,611 $ 29,405 $ 2,961 $ 527,463
Property operating expenses (82,815) (19,779) (29,042) (13,579) (6,626) (1,962) (153,803) (29,682) (13,213) (1,445) (198,143)
UJV NOI allocable to COPT - - - - - 5,705 5,705 - - - 5,705
NOI from real estate operations $ 169,966 $ 35,963 $ 22,098 $ 19,080 $ 9,967 $ 30,314 $ 287,388 $ 29,929 $ 16,192 $ 1,516 $ 335,025
Additions to long-lived assets $ 34,618 $ 9,326 $ - $ 8,912 $ 1,548 $ - $ 54,404 $ 20,925 $ 893 $ 128 $ 76,350
Transfers from non-operating properties
$ 18,606 $ 4,548 $ 10,781 $ - $ 33,606 $ 159,472 $ 227,013 $ - $ (1,012) $ - $ 226,001
Segment assets at December 31, 2019
$ 1,280,656 $ 396,914 $ 146,592 $ 184,257 $ 138,501 $ 279,099 $ 2,426,019 $ 392,319 $ 202,935 $ 3,685 $ 3,024,958
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Revenues from real estate operations $ 248,927 $ 53,518 $ 46,286 $ 31,927 $ 14,745 $ 25,650 $ 421,053 $ 61,181 $ 31,892 $ 3,127 $ 517,253
Property operating expenses (82,975) (20,330) (26,888) (13,536) (6,050) (3,225) (153,004) (30,253) (16,342) (1,436) (201,035)
UJV NOI allocable to COPT - - - - - 4,818 4,818 - - - 4,818
NOI from real estate operations $ 165,952 $ 33,188 $ 19,398 $ 18,391 $ 8,695 $ 27,243 $ 272,867 $ 30,928 $ 15,550 $ 1,691 $ 321,036
Additions to long-lived assets $ 38,612 $ 7,956 $ - $ 6,535 $ 573 $ - $ 53,676 $ 19,730 $ 856 $ 480 $ 74,742
Transfers from non-operating properties
$ 35,648 $ 10,231 $ 14,718 $ (116) $ 4,167 $ 99,191 $ 163,839 $ - $ 2,304 $ - $ 166,143
Segment assets at December 31, 2018
$ 1,279,571 $ 399,339 $ 139,731 $ 188,911 $ 108,010 $ 353,165 $ 2,468,727 $ 395,380 $ 216,640 $ 4,115 $ 3,084,862
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table reconciles our segment revenues to total revenues as reported on our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Segment revenues from real estate operations $ 538,725 $ 527,463 $ 517,253
Construction contract and other service revenues 70,640 113,763 60,859
Total revenues $ 609,365 $ 641,226 $ 578,112
The following table reconciles UJV NOI allocable to COPT to equity in income of unconsolidated entities as reported on our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
UJV NOI allocable to COPT
$ 6,951 $ 5,705 $ 4,818
Less: Income from UJV allocable to COPT attributable to depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense
(5,120) (4,065) (3,314)
Add: Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated non-real estate entities (6) (7) 1,193
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
$ 1,825 $ 1,633 $ 2,697
As previously discussed, we provide real estate services such as property management, development and construction services primarily for our properties but also for third parties. The primary manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our service activities is through a measure we define as net operating income from service operations (“NOI from service operations”), which is based on the net of revenues and expenses from these activities. Construction contract and other service revenues and expenses consist primarily of subcontracted costs that are reimbursed to us by the customer along with a management fee. The operating margins from these activities are small relative to the revenue. We believe NOI from service operations is a useful measure in assessing both our level of activity and our profitability in conducting such operations. The table below sets forth the computation of our NOI from service operations (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Construction contract and other service revenues $ 70,640 $ 113,763 $ 60,859
Construction contract and other service expenses (67,615) (109,962) (58,326)
NOI from service operations $ 3,025 $ 3,801 $ 2,533
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table reconciles our NOI from real estate operations for reportable segments and NOI from service operations to net income as reported on our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
NOI from real estate operations $ 341,836 $ 335,025 $ 321,036
NOI from service operations 3,025 3,801 2,533
Interest and other income 8,574 7,894 4,358
Credit loss recoveries 933 - -
Gain on sales of real estate 30,209 105,230 2,340
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture 29,416 - -
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities 1,825 1,633 2,697
Income tax (expense) benefit (353) 217 363
Depreciation and other amortization associated with real estate operations (138,193) (137,069) (137,116)
Impairment losses (1,530) (329) (2,367)
General, administrative and leasing expenses (33,001) (35,402) (28,900)
Business development expenses and land carry costs (4,473) (4,239) (5,840)
Interest expense (67,937) (71,052) (75,385)
UJV NOI allocable to COPT included in equity in income of unconsolidated entities (6,951) (5,705) (4,818)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (7,306) - (258)
Loss on interest rate derivatives (53,196) - -
Net income $ 102,878 $ 200,004 $ 78,643
The following table reconciles our segment assets to the consolidated total assets of COPT and subsidiaries (in thousands):
As of December 31,
2020 2019
Segment assets $ 3,388,978 $ 3,024,958
Operating properties lease liabilities included in segment assets 30,721 17,317
Non-operating property assets 466,991 621,630
Other assets 190,333 190,548
Total COPT consolidated assets $ 4,077,023 $ 3,854,453
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used to prepare our consolidated financial statements. In the segment reporting presented above, we did not allocate interest expense, depreciation and amortization, impairment losses, gain on sales of real estate, gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture, loss on early extinguishment of debt, loss on interest rate derivatives and equity in income of unconsolidated entities not included in NOI to our real estate segments since they are not included in the measure of segment profit reviewed by management. We also did not allocate general, administrative and leasing expenses, business development expenses and land carry costs, interest and other income, credit loss recoveries (expense), income taxes and noncontrolling interests because these items represent general corporate or non-operating property items not attributable to segments.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
18. Construction Contract and Other Service Revenues
We disaggregate our construction contract and other service revenues by compensation arrangement and by service type as we believe it best depicts the nature, timing and uncertainty of our revenue. The table below reports construction contract and other service revenues by compensation arrangement (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Construction contract revenue:
GMP $ 22,032 $ 67,708 $ 34,050
Cost-plus fee 34,025 34,386 5,540
FFP 12,373 10,688 20,327
Other 2,210 981 942
$ 70,640 $ 113,763 $ 60,859
The table below reports construction contract and other service revenues by service type (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Construction contract revenue:
Construction $ 66,087 $ 112,170 $ 57,986
Design 2,343 612 1,931
Other 2,210 981 942
$ 70,640 $ 113,763 $ 60,859
We derived 55% of our construction contract revenue from the USG in 2020, 74% in 2019 and 95% in 2018.
We recognized an insignificant amount of revenue in 2020, 2019 and 2018 from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods.
Accounts receivable related to our construction contract services is included in accounts receivable, net on our consolidated balance sheets. The beginning and ending balances of accounts receivable related to our construction contracts were as follows (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 12,378 $ 6,701
Ending balance $ 13,997 $ 12,378
Contract assets, which we refer to herein as construction contract costs in excess of billings, are included in prepaid expenses and other assets, net reported on our consolidated balance sheets. The beginning and ending balances of our contract assets were as follows (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 17,223 $ 3,189
Ending balance $ 10,343 $ 17,223
Contract liabilities are included in other liabilities reported on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in contract liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 1,184 $ 568
Ending balance $ 4,610 $ 1,184
Portion of beginning balance recognized in revenue during the year $ 757 $ 446
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Revenue allocated to the remaining performance obligations under existing contracts as of December 31, 2020 that will be recognized as revenue in future periods was $81.9 million, all of which we expect to recognize in 2021.
We have no deferred incremental costs incurred to obtain or fulfill our construction contracts or other service revenues, and had no significant credit loss expense on construction contracts receivable or unbilled construction revenue in 2020, 2019 and 2018.
19. Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) and Earnings Per Unit (“EPU”)
COPT and Subsidiaries EPS
We present both basic and diluted EPS. We compute basic EPS by dividing net income available to common shareholders allocable to unrestricted common shares under the two-class method by the weighted average number of unrestricted common shares outstanding during the period. Our computation of diluted EPS is similar except that:
•the denominator is increased to include: (1) the weighted average number of potential additional common shares that would have been outstanding if securities that are convertible into common shares were converted; and (2) the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period attributable to COPT’s forward equity sale agreements, redeemable noncontrolling interests and our share-based compensation using the treasury stock or if-converted methods; and
•the numerator is adjusted to add back any changes in income or loss that would result from the assumed conversion into common shares that we add to the denominator.
Summaries of the numerator and denominator for purposes of basic and diluted EPS calculations are set forth below (in thousands, except per share data):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Numerator:
Net income attributable to COPT $ 97,374 $ 191,692 $ 72,301
Income attributable to share-based compensation awards
(431) (656) (462)
Numerator for basic EPS on net income attributable to COPT common shareholders
$ 96,943 $ 191,036 $ 71,839
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
- 132 -
Income attributable to share-based compensation awards
27 33 -
Numerator for diluted EPS on net income attributable to COPT common shareholders
$ 96,970 $ 191,201 $ 71,839
Denominator (all weighted averages):
Denominator for basic EPS (common shares) 111,788 111,196 103,946
Dilutive effect of redeemable noncontrolling interests
- 119 -
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards
288 308 134
Dilutive effect of forward equity sale agreements
- - 45
Denominator for diluted EPS (common shares) 112,076 111,623 104,125
Basic EPS $ 0.87 $ 1.72 $ 0.69
Diluted EPS $ 0.87 $ 1.71 $ 0.69
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Our diluted EPS computations do not include the effects of the following securities since the conversions of such securities would increase diluted EPS for the respective periods (in thousands):
Weighted Average Shares Excluded from Denominator for the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Conversion of common units 1,236 1,299 2,468
Conversion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
957 896 936
Conversion of Series I Preferred Units 171 176 176
The following securities were also excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because their effect was antidilutive:
•weighted average restricted shares and deferred share awards of 430,000 for 2020, 441,000 for 2019 and 452,000 for 2018;
•weighted average unvested TB-PIUs of 89,000 for 2020 and 51,000 for 2019;
•weighted average options of 12,000 for 2019 and 42,000 for 2018; and
•weighted average shares related to COPT’s forward equity sale agreements of 376,000 for 2019.
COPLP and Subsidiaries EPU
We present both basic and diluted EPU. We compute basic EPU by dividing net income available to common unitholders allocable to unrestricted common units under the two-class method by the weighted average number of unrestricted common units outstanding during the period. Our computation of diluted EPU is similar except that:
•the denominator is increased to include: (1) the weighted average number of potential additional common units that would have been outstanding if securities that are convertible into our common units were converted; and (2) the effect of dilutive potential common units outstanding during the period attributable to COPT’s forward equity sale agreements, redeemable noncontrolling interests and our share-based compensation using the treasury stock or if-converted methods; and
•the numerator is adjusted to add back any changes in income or loss that would result from the assumed conversion into common units that we add to the denominator.
Summaries of the numerator and denominator for purposes of basic and diluted EPU calculations are set forth below (in thousands, except per unit data):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Numerator:
Net income attributable to COPLP $ 98,854 $ 194,619 $ 74,703
Preferred unit distributions (300) (564) (660)
Income attributable to share-based compensation awards
(511) (785) (462)
Numerator for basic EPU on net income attributable to COPLP common unitholders
98,043 193,270 73,581
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
- 132 -
Income attributable to share-based compensation awards
- 33 -
Numerator for diluted EPU on net income attributable to COPLP common unitholders
$ 98,043 $ 193,435 $ 73,581
Denominator (all weighted averages):
Denominator for basic EPU (common units) 113,024 112,495 106,414
Dilutive effect of redeemable noncontrolling interests - 119 -
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation awards 288 308 134
Dilutive effect of forward equity sale agreements - - 45
Denominator for diluted EPU (common units) 113,312 112,922 106,593
Basic EPU $ 0.87 $ 1.72 $ 0.69
Diluted EPU $ 0.87 $ 1.71 $ 0.69
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Our diluted EPU computations do not include the effects of the following securities since the conversions of such securities would increase diluted EPU for the respective periods (in thousands):
Weighted Average Units Excluded from Denominator for the Years Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Conversion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
957 896 936
Conversion of Series I Preferred Units 171 176 176
The following securities were also excluded from the computation of diluted EPU because their effect was antidilutive:
•weighted average restricted units and deferred share awards of 430,000 for 2020, 441,000 for 2019 and 452,000 for 2018;
•weighted average unvested TB-PIUs of 89,000 for 2020 and 51,000 for 2019;
•weighted average options of 12,000 for 2019 and 42,000 for 2018; and
•weighted average shares related to COPT’s forward equity sale agreements of 376,000 for 2019.
20. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation and Claims
In the normal course of business, we are subject to legal actions and other claims. We record losses for specific legal proceedings and claims when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2020, management believes that it is reasonably possible that we could recognize a loss of up to $3.1 million for certain municipal tax claims. While we do not believe this loss would materially affect our financial position or liquidity, it could be material to our results of operations. Management believes that it is also reasonably possible that we could incur losses pursuant to other such claims but do not believe such losses would materially affect our financial position, liquidity or results of operations. Our assessment of the potential outcomes of these matters involves significant judgment and is subject to change based on future developments.
Environmental
We are subject to various Federal, state and local environmental regulations related to our property ownership and operation. We have performed environmental assessments of our properties, the results of which have not revealed any environmental liability that we believe would have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, operations or liquidity.
In connection with a lease and subsequent sale in 2008 and 2010 of three properties in Dayton, New Jersey, we agreed to provide certain environmental indemnifications limited to $19 million in the aggregate. We have insurance coverage in place to mitigate much of any potential future losses that may result from these indemnification agreements.
Tax Incremental Financing Obligation
Anne Arundel County, Maryland issued tax incremental financing bonds to third-party investors in order to finance public improvements needed in connection with our project known as the National Business Park. These bonds had a remaining principal balance of approximately $33 million as of December 31, 2020. The real estate taxes on increases in assessed values post-bond issuance of properties in development districts encompassing the National Business Park are transferred to a special fund pledged to the repayment of the bonds. While we are obligated to fund, through a special tax, any future shortfalls between debt service of the bonds and real estate taxes available to repay the bonds, as of December 31, 2020, we do not expect any such future fundings will be required.
Effects of COVID-19
Since first being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in early March 2020, the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread worldwide. In an effort to control its spread, governments and other authorities imposed restrictive measures affecting freedom of movement and business operations, such as shelter-in-place orders and business closures. Strong restrictive measures were put into place in much of the United States beginning in March 2020, bringing many businesses to a halt while forcing others to change the way in which they conduct their operations, with much of the workforce working from
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
their homes to the extent they were able. States and local governments began easing these measures to varying extents in late April 2020, with some lifting restrictive measures entirely, while others chose a more gradual, extended easing approach. While the easing of these measures enabled many businesses to gradually resume normal operations, most businesses continue to be hindered to varying extents by either measures still in effect, operational challenges resulting from social distancing requirements/expectations and/or a reluctance by much of the population to engage in certain activities while the pandemic is still active. As of the date of this filing, COVID-19 spread continues world- and nation-wide, and is expected to continue until vaccinations have been administered to much of the population, which is not expected to occur in the United States until at least mid- to late 2021. As a result, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the duration and extent of this pandemic. The outbreak significantly disrupted financial and economic markets worldwide, as well as in the United States at a national, regional and local level. These conditions could continue or further deteriorate as businesses feel the prolonged effects of stalled or reduced operations and uncertainty regarding the pandemic continues.
COVID-19, and any similar pandemics should they occur, along with measures instituted to prevent spread, may adversely affect us in many ways, including, but not limited to:
•disruption of our tenants’ operations, which could adversely affect their ability, or willingness, to sustain their businesses and/or fulfill their lease obligations;
•our ability to maintain occupancy in our properties and obtain new leases for unoccupied and new development space at favorable terms or at all;
•shortages in supply of products or services from our and our tenants’ vendors that are needed for us and our tenants to operate effectively, and which could lead to increased costs for such products and services;
•access to debt and equity capital on attractive terms or at all. Severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may affect our or our tenants’ ability to access capital necessary to fund operations, refinance debt or fund planned investments on a timely basis, and may adversely affect the valuation of financial assets and liabilities;
•our and our tenants’ ability to continue or complete planned development, including the potential for delays in the supply of materials or labor necessary for development; and
•an increase in the pace of businesses implementing remote work arrangements over the long-term, which would adversely effect demand for office space.
The extent of the effect on our operations, financial condition and cash flows will be dependent on future developments, including the duration of the pandemic and any future resurgence or variants thereof, the prevalence, strength and duration of restrictive measures and the resulting effects on our tenants, potential future tenants, the commercial real estate industry and the broader economy, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict.
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Subsidiaries and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Initial Cost Gross Amounts Carried
At Close of Period
Property (Type) (1) Location Encumbrances (2) Land Building
and Land Improvements Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Land Building
and Land Improvements Total
(3) Accumulated Depreciation (4) Year Built or Renovated Date Acquired (5)
100 Light Street (O) Baltimore, MD $ 46,543 $ 26,715 $ 58,002 $ 21,859 $ 26,715 $ 79,861 $ 106,576 $ (20,981) 1973/2011 8/7/2015
100 Secured Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 70,552 - - 70,552 70,552 (566) 2020 3/23/2010
1000 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL 9,666 - 20,533 65 - 20,598 20,598 (4,007) 2013 3/23/2010
1100 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL 10,263 - 19,593 66 - 19,659 19,659 (3,418) 2014 3/23/2010
114 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 364 3,109 302 364 3,411 3,775 (1,584) 2002 6/30/2000
1200 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL 11,851 - 22,389 60 - 22,449 22,449 (3,945) 2013 3/23/2010
1201 M Street SE (O) Washington, DC - - 49,785 9,621 - 59,406 59,406 (19,011) 2001 9/28/2010
1201 Winterson Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 2,130 17,007 901 2,130 17,908 20,038 (5,506) 1985/2017 4/30/1998
1220 12th Street SE (O) Washington, DC - - 42,464 8,795 - 51,259 51,259 (17,812) 2003 9/28/2010
1243 Winterson Road (L) Linthicum, MD - 630 - - 630 - 630 - (6) 12/19/2001
131 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,906 7,623 5,075 1,906 12,698 14,604 (7,442) 1990 9/28/1998
132 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,917 12,259 4,730 2,917 16,989 19,906 (10,566) 2000 5/28/1999
133 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,517 10,068 6,274 2,517 16,342 18,859 (10,443) 1997 9/28/1998
134 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 3,684 7,517 5,007 3,684 12,524 16,208 (7,329) 1999 11/13/1998
1340 Ashton Road (O) Hanover, MD - 905 3,620 2,042 905 5,662 6,567 (3,255) 1989 4/28/1999
13450 Sunrise Valley Drive (O) Herndon, VA - 1,386 5,576 4,636 1,386 10,212 11,598 (6,156) 1998 7/25/2003
13454 Sunrise Valley Drive (O) Herndon, VA - 2,847 11,986 9,184 2,847 21,170 24,017 (12,075) 1998 7/25/2003
135 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,484 9,750 6,528 2,484 16,278 18,762 (10,164) 1998 12/30/1998
1362 Mellon Road (O) Hanover, MD - 950 3,864 1,065 950 4,929 5,879 (854) 2006 2/10/2006
13857 McLearen Road (O) Herndon, VA - 3,507 30,177 4,915 3,507 35,092 38,599 (12,784) 2007 7/11/2012
140 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 3,407 24,167 1,751 3,407 25,918 29,325 (10,941) 2003 12/31/2003
141 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,398 9,538 4,832 2,398 14,370 16,768 (9,190) 1990 9/28/1998
14280 Park Meadow Drive (O) Chantilly, VA - 3,731 15,953 5,485 3,731 21,438 25,169 (9,512) 1999 9/29/2004
1460 Dorsey Road (L) Hanover, MD - 1,577 76 - 1,577 76 1,653 - (6) 2/28/2006
14840 Conference Center Drive (O) Chantilly, VA - 1,572 8,175 5,751 1,572 13,926 15,498 (7,351) 2000 7/25/2003
14850 Conference Center Drive (O) Chantilly, VA - 1,615 8,358 3,873 1,615 12,231 13,846 (7,115) 2000 7/25/2003
14900 Conference Center Drive (O) Chantilly, VA - 3,436 14,402 8,659 3,436 23,061 26,497 (13,126) 1999 7/25/2003
1501 South Clinton Street (O) Baltimore, MD - 27,964 51,990 20,656 27,964 72,646 100,610 (28,175) 2006 10/27/2009
15049 Conference Center Drive (O) Chantilly, VA - 4,415 20,365 17,851 4,415 38,216 42,631 (18,061) 1997 8/14/2002
15059 Conference Center Drive (O) Chantilly, VA - 5,753 13,615 4,386 5,753 18,001 23,754 (10,079) 2000 8/14/2002
1550 West Nursery Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 14,071 16,930 - 14,071 16,930 31,001 (6,310) 2009 10/28/2009
1560 West Nursery Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 1,441 113 - 1,441 113 1,554 (19) 2014 10/28/2009
1610 West Nursery Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 259 246 - 259 246 505 (23) 2016 4/30/1998
1616 West Nursery Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 393 3,323 75 393 3,398 3,791 (268) 2017 4/30/1998
1622 West Nursery Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 393 2,542 - 393 2,542 2,935 (244) 2016 4/30/1998
16442 Commerce Drive (O) Dahlgren, VA - 613 2,582 980 613 3,562 4,175 (1,860) 2002 12/21/2004
Initial Cost Gross Amounts Carried
At Close of Period
Property (Type) (1) Location Encumbrances (2) Land Building
and Land Improvements Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Land Building
and Land Improvements Total
(3) Accumulated Depreciation (4) Year Built or Renovated Date Acquired (5)
16480 Commerce Drive (O) Dahlgren, VA - 1,856 7,425 2,602 1,856 10,027 11,883 (4,274) 2000 12/28/2004
16501 Commerce Drive (O) Dahlgren, VA - 522 2,090 1,040 522 3,130 3,652 (1,399) 2002 12/21/2004
16539 Commerce Drive (O) Dahlgren, VA - 688 2,860 2,326 688 5,186 5,874 (2,879) 1990 12/21/2004
16541 Commerce Drive (O) Dahlgren, VA - 773 3,094 2,594 773 5,688 6,461 (2,696) 1996 12/21/2004
16543 Commerce Drive (O) Dahlgren, VA - 436 1,742 838 436 2,580 3,016 (1,231) 2002 12/21/2004
1751 Pinnacle Drive (O) McLean, VA - 10,486 42,339 33,689 10,486 76,028 86,514 (38,872) 1989/1995 9/23/2004
1753 Pinnacle Drive (O) McLean, VA - 8,275 34,353 23,954 8,275 58,307 66,582 (25,248) 1976/2004 9/23/2004
206 Research Boulevard (O) Aberdeen, MD - - - - - - - (1) 2012 9/14/2007
209 Research Boulevard (O) Aberdeen, MD - 134 1,711 327 134 2,038 2,172 (599) 2010 9/14/2007
210 Research Boulevard (O) Aberdeen, MD - 113 1,402 248 113 1,650 1,763 (493) 2010 9/14/2007
2100 L Street (O) Washington, DC 82,882 19,024 92,387 - 19,024 92,387 111,411 - 2020 (7) 8/11/2015
2100 Rideout Road (O) Huntsville, AL - - 7,347 2,995 - 10,342 10,342 (1,786) 2016 3/23/2010
22289 Exploration Drive (O) Lexington Park, MD - 1,422 5,719 2,061 1,422 7,780 9,202 (4,126) 2000 3/24/2004
22299 Exploration Drive (O) Lexington Park, MD - 1,362 5,791 2,994 1,362 8,785 10,147 (4,888) 1998 3/24/2004
22300 Exploration Drive (O) Lexington Park, MD - 1,094 5,038 2,770 1,094 7,808 8,902 (3,624) 1997 11/9/2004
22309 Exploration Drive (O) Lexington Park, MD - 2,243 10,419 8,205 2,243 18,624 20,867 (8,227) 1984/1997 3/24/2004
23535 Cottonwood Parkway (O) California, MD - 692 3,051 648 692 3,699 4,391 (2,027) 1984 3/24/2004
250 W Pratt St (O) Baltimore, MD - 8,057 34,588 16,213 8,057 50,801 58,858 (15,418) 1985 3/19/2015
2500 Riva Road (O) Annapolis, MD - 2,791 12,155 1 2,791 12,156 14,947 (12,146) 2000 3/4/2003
2600 Park Tower Drive (O) Vienna, VA - 20,284 34,443 3,883 20,284 38,326 58,610 (7,108) 1999 4/15/2015
2691 Technology Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,098 17,334 5,565 2,098 22,899 24,997 (11,747) 2005 5/26/2000
2701 Technology Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,737 15,266 5,629 1,737 20,895 22,632 (12,487) 2001 5/26/2000
2711 Technology Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,251 21,611 4,332 2,251 25,943 28,194 (13,586) 2002 11/13/2000
2720 Technology Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 3,863 29,272 2,796 3,863 32,068 35,931 (13,249) 2004 1/31/2002
2721 Technology Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 4,611 14,597 3,247 4,611 17,844 22,455 (10,267) 2000 10/21/1999
2730 Hercules Road (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 8,737 31,612 8,726 8,737 40,338 49,075 (22,740) 1990 9/28/1998
30 Light Street (O) Baltimore, MD 3,915 - 12,101 1,009 - 13,110 13,110 (1,894) 2009 8/7/2015
300 Sentinel Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,517 59,165 2,095 1,517 61,260 62,777 (16,564) 2009 11/14/2003
302 Sentinel Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,648 29,687 1,094 2,648 30,781 33,429 (10,028) 2007 11/14/2003
304 Sentinel Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 3,411 24,917 1,982 3,411 26,899 30,310 (11,186) 2005 11/14/2003
306 Sentinel Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 3,260 22,592 2,566 3,260 25,158 28,418 (9,147) 2006 11/14/2003
308 Sentinel Drive (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,422 26,208 2,354 1,422 28,562 29,984 (7,003) 2010 11/14/2003
310 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,372 42,584 - 2,372 42,584 44,956 (5,027) 2016 11/14/2003
310 The Bridge Street (O) Huntsville, AL - 261 26,531 5,135 261 31,666 31,927 (11,066) 2009 8/9/2011
312 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 3,138 27,797 - 3,138 27,797 30,935 (4,389) 2014 11/14/2003
314 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,254 7,741 - 1,254 7,741 8,995 (1,247) 2008 11/14/2003
Initial Cost Gross Amounts Carried
At Close of Period
Property (Type) (1) Location Encumbrances (2) Land Building
and Land Improvements Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Land Building
and Land Improvements Total
(3) Accumulated Depreciation (4) Year Built or Renovated Date Acquired (5)
316 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,748 38,156 226 2,748 38,382 41,130 (8,426) 2011 11/14/2003
318 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,185 28,426 560 2,185 28,986 31,171 (10,716) 2005 11/14/2003
320 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,067 21,623 132 2,067 21,755 23,822 (7,029) 2007 11/14/2003
322 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,605 22,827 1,900 2,605 24,727 27,332 (8,568) 2006 11/14/2003
324 Sentinel Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,656 23,018 38 1,656 23,056 24,712 (5,956) 2010 6/29/2006
4000 Market Street (O) Huntsville, AL 6,052 - 9,207 - - 9,207 9,207 (394) 2018 3/23/2010
410 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,831 23,257 2,080 1,831 25,337 27,168 (5,032) 2012 6/29/2006
4100 Market Street (O) Huntsville, AL 5,269 - 8,020 - - 8,020 8,020 (304) 2019 3/23/2010
420 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,370 27,751 148 2,370 27,899 30,269 (4,752) 2013 6/29/2006
430 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 1,852 21,563 830 1,852 22,393 24,245 (4,936) 2011 6/29/2006
44408 Pecan Court (O) California, MD - 817 1,583 1,706 817 3,289 4,106 (1,679) 1986 3/24/2004
44414 Pecan Court (O) California, MD - 405 1,619 1,138 405 2,757 3,162 (1,512) 1986 3/24/2004
44417 Pecan Court (O) California, MD - 434 3,822 180 434 4,002 4,436 (2,005) 1989/2015 3/24/2004
44420 Pecan Court (O) California, MD - 344 890 291 344 1,181 1,525 (546) 1989 11/9/2004
44425 Pecan Court (O) California, MD - 1,309 3,506 2,349 1,309 5,855 7,164 (3,431) 1997 5/5/2004
45310 Abell House Lane (O) California, MD - 2,272 13,808 816 2,272 14,624 16,896 (3,455) 2011 8/30/2010
4600 River Road (O) College Park, MD - - 23,294 - - 23,294 23,294 (19) 2020 (7) 1/29/2008
46579 Expedition Drive (O) Lexington Park, MD - 1,406 5,796 2,712 1,406 8,508 9,914 (4,231) 2002 3/24/2004
46591 Expedition Drive (O) Lexington Park, MD - 1,200 7,199 3,399 1,200 10,598 11,798 (3,932) 2005 3/24/2004
4851 Stonecroft Boulevard (O) Chantilly, VA - 1,878 11,558 299 1,878 11,857 13,735 (4,697) 2004 8/14/2002
540 National Business Parkway (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 2,035 31,249 9 2,035 31,258 33,293 (2,521) 2017 6/29/2006
5520 Research Park Drive (O) Catonsville, MD - - 20,072 1,641 - 21,713 21,713 (6,375) 2009 4/4/2006
5522 Research Park Drive (O) Catonsville, MD - - 4,550 855 - 5,405 5,405 (1,652) 2007 3/8/2006
5801 University Research Court (O) College Park, MD 11,200 - 17,434 - - 17,434 17,434 (1,195) 2018 1/29/2008
5825 University Research Court (O) College Park, MD 20,011 - 22,771 1,780 - 24,551 24,551 (7,170) 2008 1/29/2008
5850 University Research Court (O) College Park, MD 21,171 - 31,906 405 - 32,311 32,311 (8,885) 2008 1/29/2008
6000 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 8,268 - - 8,268 8,268 (14) 2020 (7) 3/23/2010
610 Guardian Way (O) Annapolis Junction, MD - 6,946 14,597 - 6,946 14,597 21,543 - (7) 6/29/2006
6700 Alexander Bell Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,755 7,019 8,788 1,755 15,807 17,562 (8,825) 1988 5/14/2001
6708 Alexander Bell Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 897 12,644 1,618 897 14,262 15,159 (4,674) 1988/2016 5/14/2001
6711 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 2,683 23,239 1,557 2,683 24,796 27,479 (9,200) 2006-2007 9/28/2000
6716 Alexander Bell Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,242 4,969 4,672 1,242 9,641 10,883 (6,123) 1990 12/31/1998
6721 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,753 34,090 2,391 1,753 36,481 38,234 (10,096) 2009 9/28/2000
6724 Alexander Bell Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 449 5,039 2,507 449 7,546 7,995 (3,592) 2001 5/14/2001
6731 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 2,807 19,098 5,605 2,807 24,703 27,510 (13,179) 2002 3/29/2000
6740 Alexander Bell Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,424 5,696 3,466 1,424 9,162 10,586 (6,236) 1992 12/31/1998
Initial Cost Gross Amounts Carried
At Close of Period
Property (Type) (1) Location Encumbrances (2) Land Building
and Land Improvements Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Land Building
and Land Improvements Total
(3) Accumulated Depreciation (4) Year Built or Renovated Date Acquired (5)
6741 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 675 1,711 169 675 1,880 2,555 (639) 2008 9/28/2000
6750 Alexander Bell Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,263 12,461 5,075 1,263 17,536 18,799 (10,635) 2001 12/31/1998
6760 Alexander Bell Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 890 3,561 3,920 890 7,481 8,371 (4,859) 1991 12/31/1998
6940 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 3,545 9,916 8,739 3,545 18,655 22,200 (10,795) 1999 11/13/1998
6950 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 3,596 27,723 3,223 3,596 30,946 34,542 (11,991) 1998/2019 10/22/1998
7000 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 3,131 12,103 7,537 3,131 19,640 22,771 (9,679) 1999 5/31/2002
7005 Columbia Gateway Drive (L) Columbia, MD - 3,036 747 - 3,036 747 3,783 - (6) 6/26/2014
7015 Albert Einstein Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 2,058 6,093 3,319 2,058 9,412 11,470 (4,585) 1999 12/1/2005
7061 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 729 3,094 2,640 729 5,734 6,463 (3,393) 2000 8/30/2001
7063 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 902 3,684 3,468 902 7,152 8,054 (4,450) 2000 8/30/2001
7065 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 919 3,763 3,097 919 6,860 7,779 (4,565) 2000 8/30/2001
7067 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,829 11,823 5,404 1,829 17,227 19,056 (8,693) 2001 8/30/2001
7100 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 9,101 - - 9,101 9,101 - (7) 3/23/2010
7125 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 20,487 47,029 23,580 20,487 70,609 91,096 (27,691) 1973/1999 6/29/2006
7130 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,350 4,359 2,896 1,350 7,255 8,605 (3,848) 1989 9/19/2005
7134 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 704 4,700 668 704 5,368 6,072 (1,803) 1990/2016 9/19/2005
7138 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,104 3,518 2,853 1,104 6,371 7,475 (4,072) 1990 9/19/2005
7142 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,342 7,148 2,611 1,342 9,759 11,101 (4,052) 1994/2018 9/19/2005
7150 Columbia Gateway Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,032 3,429 813 1,032 4,242 5,274 (1,789) 1991 9/19/2005
7150 Riverwood Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,821 4,388 1,850 1,821 6,238 8,059 (3,016) 2000 1/10/2007
7160 Riverwood Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 2,732 7,006 4,405 2,732 11,411 14,143 (4,768) 2000 1/10/2007
7170 Riverwood Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,283 3,096 2,281 1,283 5,377 6,660 (2,576) 2000 1/10/2007
7175 Riverwood Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,788 7,269 - 1,788 7,269 9,057 (1,298) 1996/2013 7/27/2005
7200 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 8,348 81 - 8,429 8,429 (1,393) 2013 3/23/2010
7200 Riverwood Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 4,089 22,630 4,634 4,089 27,264 31,353 (12,592) 1986 10/13/1998
7205 Riverwood Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,367 21,419 - 1,367 21,419 22,786 (3,987) 2013 7/27/2005
7272 Park Circle Drive (O) Hanover, MD - 1,479 6,300 4,608 1,479 10,908 12,387 (5,467) 1991/1996 1/10/2007
7318 Parkway Drive (O) Hanover, MD - 972 3,888 1,324 972 5,212 6,184 (2,929) 1984 4/16/1999
7400 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 9,223 75 - 9,298 9,298 (1,281) 2015 3/23/2010
7467 Ridge Road (O) Hanover, MD - 1,565 3,116 5,041 1,565 8,157 9,722 (4,110) 1990 4/28/1999
7500 Advanced Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 19,070 - - 19,070 19,070 (264) 2020 3/23/2010
7600 Advanced Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 14,126 - - 14,126 14,126 (135) 2020 3/23/2010
7740 Milestone Parkway (O) Hanover, MD 16,902 3,825 34,176 1,084 3,825 35,260 39,085 (9,279) 2009 7/2/2007
7770 Backlick Road (O) Springfield, VA - 6,387 78,779 1,531 6,387 80,310 86,697 (14,971) 2012 3/10/2010
7880 Milestone Parkway (O) Hanover, MD - 4,857 25,916 321 4,857 26,237 31,094 (3,384) 2015 9/17/2013
8000 Rideout Road (O) Huntsville, AL - - 16,138 - - 16,138 16,138 - (7) 3/23/2010
Initial Cost Gross Amounts Carried
At Close of Period
Property (Type) (1) Location Encumbrances (2) Land Building
and Land Improvements Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Land Building
and Land Improvements Total
(3) Accumulated Depreciation (4) Year Built or Renovated Date Acquired (5)
8600 Advanced Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL - - 25,168 - - 25,168 25,168 (45) 2020 3/23/2010
8621 Robert Fulton Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 2,317 12,642 6,191 2,317 18,833 21,150 (6,700) 2005-2006 6/10/2005
8661 Robert Fulton Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,510 3,764 3,019 1,510 6,783 8,293 (3,528) 2002 12/30/2003
8671 Robert Fulton Drive (O) Columbia, MD - 1,718 4,280 4,294 1,718 8,574 10,292 (4,716) 2002 12/30/2003
870 Elkridge Landing Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 2,003 9,442 10,464 2,003 19,906 21,909 (11,574) 1981 8/3/2001
8800 Redstone Gateway (O) Huntsville, AL 11,679 - 18,446 - - 18,446 18,446 (511) 2019 3/23/2010
891 Elkridge Landing Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 1,165 4,772 3,512 1,165 8,284 9,449 (5,193) 1984 7/2/2001
901 Elkridge Landing Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 1,156 4,437 4,789 1,156 9,226 10,382 (4,687) 1984 7/2/2001
911 Elkridge Landing Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 1,215 4,861 3,431 1,215 8,292 9,507 (4,786) 1985 4/30/1998
938 Elkridge Landing Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 922 4,748 1,516 922 6,264 7,186 (3,221) 1984 7/2/2001
939 Elkridge Landing Road (O) Linthicum, MD - 939 3,756 4,444 939 8,200 9,139 (5,388) 1983 4/30/1998
9651 Hornbaker Road (D) Manassas, VA - 6,050 250,355 16,105 6,050 266,460 272,510 (72,246) 2010 9/14/2010
Arundel Preserve (L) Hanover, MD - 13,352 9,699 - 13,352 9,699 23,051 - (6) 7/2/2007
Canton Crossing Land (L) Baltimore, MD - 17,285 8,363 142 17,285 8,505 25,790 - (6) 10/27/2009
Canton Crossing Util Distr Ctr (O) Baltimore, MD - 6,100 10,450 1,689 6,100 12,139 18,239 (6,269) 2006 10/27/2009
Columbia Gateway - Southridge (L) Columbia, MD - 6,387 3,722 - 6,387 3,722 10,109 - (6) 9/20/2004
Dahlgren Technology Center (L) Dahlgren, VA - 978 178 - 978 178 1,156 - (6) 3/16/2005
Expedition VII (O) Lexington Park, MD - 705 862 - 705 862 1,567 - (7) 3/24/2004
IN 1 (O) Northern Virginia - 1,815 15,972 - 1,815 15,972 17,787 (735) 2019 8/31/2016
IN 2 (O) Northern Virginia - 2,627 28,829 - 2,627 28,829 31,456 (1,081) 2019 8/31/2016
M Square Research Park (L) College Park, MD - - 2,020 - - 2,020 2,020 - (6) 1/29/2008
MP 1 (O) Northern Virginia - 9,426 30,924 - 9,426 30,924 40,350 (1,240) 2019 11/20/2017
MP 2 (O) Northern Virginia - 9,426 29,989 - 9,426 29,989 39,415 (1,416) 2018 11/20/2017
MR Land (L) Northern Virginia - 9,038 514 - 9,038 514 9,552 - (6) 11/8/2018
National Business Park North (L) Annapolis Junction, MD - 21,898 35,639 - 21,898 35,639 57,537 - (6) 6/29/2006
North Gate Business Park (L) Aberdeen, MD - 1,755 5 - 1,755 5 1,760 - (6) 9/14/2007
NoVA Office A (O) (8) Chantilly, VA - 2,096 46,849 10 2,096 46,859 48,955 (6,926) 2015 7/18/2002
NoVA Office B (O) (8) Chantilly, VA - 739 38,376 - 739 38,376 39,115 (3,734) 2016 7/18/2002
NoVA Office C (O) (8) Chantilly, VA - 5,604 48,235 - 5,604 48,235 53,839 - (7) 7/18/2002
NoVA Office D (O) (8) Chantilly, VA - 6,587 40,559 - 6,587 40,559 47,146 (3,450) 2017 7/2/2013
Oak Grove A (O) Northern Virginia - 12,866 34,427 - 12,866 34,427 47,293 (494) 2020 11/1/2018
Oak Grove B (O) Northern Virginia - 12,866 40,550 - 12,866 40,550 53,416 (811) 2019 11/1/2018
Oak Grove Phase II (L) Northern Virginia - 23,483 8,833 - 23,483 8,833 32,316 - (6) 11/1/2018
Old Annapolis Road (O) Columbia, MD - 1,637 5,500 6,710 1,637 12,210 13,847 (4,870) 1974/1985 12/14/2000
P2 A (O) Northern Virginia - 16,878 39,934 - 16,878 39,934 56,812 (738) 2020 5/2/2019
P2 B (O) Northern Virginia - 22,866 35,960 - 22,866 35,960 58,826 (292) 2020 5/2/2019
Initial Cost Gross Amounts Carried
At Close of Period
Property (Type) (1) Location Encumbrances (2) Land Building
and Land Improvements Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Land Building
and Land Improvements Total
(3) Accumulated Depreciation (4) Year Built or Renovated Date Acquired (5)
P2 C (O) Northern Virginia - 14,842 30,272 - 14,842 30,272 45,114 (60) 2020 5/2/2019
Paragon Park (L) Northern Virginia - 7,738 462 - 7,738 462 8,200 - (6) 5/8/2017
Parkstone A (O) Northern Virginia - 3,942 1,257 - 3,942 1,257 5,199 - (7) 1/27/2005
Parkstone B (O) Northern Virginia - 3,346 1,074 - 3,346 1,074 4,420 - (7) 1/27/2005
Patriot Ridge (L) Springfield, VA - 18,517 14,562 - 18,517 14,562 33,079 - (6) 3/10/2010
Project EL (O) Confidential-USA - 7,430 7,479 - 7,430 7,479 14,909 - (7) 1/20/2006
Project EX (O) (9) Confidential-USA - 8,959 16,981 - 8,959 16,981 25,940 (698) 2018 7/16/2008
Redstone Gateway (L) Huntsville, AL - - 33,310 - - 33,310 33,310 (5) (6) 3/23/2010
Sentry Gateway (L) San Antonio, TX - 4,052 1,833 - 4,052 1,833 5,885 - (6) 3/30/2005
Sentry Gateway - T (O) San Antonio, TX - 14,020 38,804 13 14,020 38,817 52,837 (13,473) 1982/2008 3/30/2005
Sentry Gateway - V (O) San Antonio, TX - - 1,066 - - 1,066 1,066 (321) 2007 3/30/2005
Sentry Gateway - W (O) San Antonio, TX - - 1,884 71 - 1,955 1,955 (548) 2009 3/30/2005
Sentry Gateway - X (O) San Antonio, TX - 1,964 21,178 - 1,964 21,178 23,142 (5,375) 2010 1/20/2006
Sentry Gateway - Y (O) San Antonio, TX - 1,964 21,298 - 1,964 21,298 23,262 (5,407) 2010 1/20/2006
Sentry Gateway - Z (O) San Antonio, TX - 1,964 30,573 - 1,964 30,573 32,537 (4,438) 2015 6/14/2005
SP Manassas (L) Manassas, VA - 8,156 187 - 8,156 187 8,343 - (6) 7/24/2019
Westfields - Park Center (L) Chantilly, VA - 10,815 6,206 - 10,815 6,206 17,021 - (6) 7/2/2013
Other Developments, including intercompany eliminations (V) Various - - 282 257 - 539 539 (90) Various Various
$ 257,404 $ 712,057 $ 3,427,401 $ 547,344 $ 712,057 $ 3,974,745 $ 4,686,802 $ (1,124,253)
(1)A legend for the Property Type follows: (O) = Office or Data Center Shell Property; (L) = Land held or pre-development; (D) = Wholesale Data Center; and (V) = Various.
(2)Excludes our Revolving Credit Facility of $143.0 million, term loan facilities of $398.4 million, unsecured senior notes of $1.3 billion, unsecured notes payable of $900,000, and deferred financing costs, net of premiums, on the remaining loans of $2.3 million.
(3)The aggregate cost of these assets for Federal income tax purposes was approximately $3.6 billion as of December 31, 2020.
(4)The estimated lives over which depreciation is recognized follow: Building and land improvements: 10-40 years; and tenant improvements: related lease terms.
(5)The acquisition date of multi-parcel properties reflects the date of the earliest parcel acquisition. The acquisition date of properties owned through real estate joint ventures reflects the date of the formation of the joint venture.
(6)Held as of December 31, 2020.
(7)Under development or redevelopment as of December 31, 2020.
(8)The carrying amounts of these properties exclude allocated costs of the garage being constructed to support the properties.
(9)This property represents land under a long-term contract.
The following table summarizes our changes in cost of properties for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
2020 2019 2018
Beginning balance $ 4,348,006 $ 4,148,529 $ 3,980,813
Improvements and other additions 405,940 480,418 224,524
Sales (1) (65,475) (242,497) (53,547)
Impairments (1,530) (329) (2,493)
Other dispositions (139) (340) (768)
Reclassification to right-of use asset - (37,775) -
Ending balance $ 4,686,802 $ 4,348,006 $ 4,148,529
The following table summarizes our changes in accumulated depreciation for the same time periods (in thousands):
2020 2019 2018
Beginning balance $ 1,007,120 $ 897,903 $ 801,038
Depreciation expense 119,377 117,973 112,610
Sales (1) (2,105) (8,416) (14,845)
Impairments - - (132)
Other dispositions (139) (340) (768)
Ending balance $ 1,124,253 $ 1,007,120 $ 897,903
(1)Includes our sale, through a series of transactions, of ownership interests in data center shells through newly-formed unconsolidated real estate joint ventures in 2020 and 2019, as described in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K:
1.Financial Statements. See “Index to consolidated financial statements” on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2.Financial Statement Schedules. See “Index to consolidated financial statements” on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3.See section below entitled “Exhibits.”
(b) Exhibits. Refer to the Exhibit Index that follows. Unless otherwise noted, the file number of all documents incorporated by reference is 1-14023.
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
3.1
Articles Supplementary of Corporate Office Properties Trust filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on September 22, 2014 (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Corporate Office Properties Trust, as amended through May 15, 2018 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Corporate Office Properties Trust, as amended through May 2017 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.4
Form of certificate for the Registrant’s Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Commission File No. 333-45649) and incorporated herein by reference).
Description of Common Shares (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1
Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1.1
First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. dated July 31, 2019 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2.1*
Corporate Office Properties Trust Supplemental Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2.2*
First Amendment to the Corporate Office Properties Trust Supplemental Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 4, 2008 (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3.1*
Corporate Office Properties Trust 2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (included in Annex B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3.2*
First Amendment to the Corporate Office Properties Trust 2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
10.4.1*
Form of Corporate Office Properties Trust Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit Award Certificate (2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan) (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4.2*
Form of Corporate Office Properties Trust Performance-Based Profit Interest Unit Award Certificate (2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan) (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4.3*
Form of Corporate Office Properties Trust Time-Based Profit Interest Unit Award Certificate (2017 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan) (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5*
Corporate Office Properties Trust and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. Executive Change in Control and Severance Plan (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 13, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6*
Letter Agreement, dated May 12, 2016, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Stephen E. Budorick (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 17, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7*
Letter Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Anthony Mifsud (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8*
Letter Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Gregory J. Thor (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9.1*
Separation Agreement and Release, dated as of March 16, 2020, by and between Corporate Office Properties, L.P. and Paul R. Adkins (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10*
Letter Agreement, dated November 30, 2020, between Corporate Office Properties Trust, Corporate Office Properties, L.P., and Todd W. Hartman (filed herewith).
10.11
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 16, 1998, for the benefit of certain shareholders of the Company (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12
Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2013, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13
Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 6, 2013, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., Corporate Office Properties Trust, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.14
Indenture, dated as of September 16, 2013, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 19, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.15
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 16, 2013, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 19, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.16
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2015, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 1, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.17
Indenture, dated as of April 8, 2019, among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-230764) and incorporated herein by reference).
10.18
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 17, 2020, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., as issuer, Corporate Office Properties Trust, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 17, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.19
Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2020, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P., Corporate Office Properties Trust, Capital One, National Association, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Regions Capital Markets, a division of Regions Bank, PNC Bank, National Association and Regions Bank (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
10.20
Credit Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2018, by and among Corporate Office Properties, L.P.; Corporate Office Properties Trust; KeyBank National Association; KeyBanc Capital Markets, Inc.; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; Citibank, N.A.; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association; Barclays Bank PLC; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated; Bank of America, N.A.; U.S. Bank National Association; Capital One National Association; Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company; PNC Bank, National Association; Regions Bank; and TD Bank, N.A. (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
21.1
Subsidiaries of COPT (filed herewith).
21.2
Subsidiaries of COPLP (filed herewith).
23.1
COPT’s Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
23.2
COPLP’s Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
31.3
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
31.4
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith).
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Furnished herewith).
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties Trust required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). (Furnished herewith).
32.3
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Furnished herewith).
32.4
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. required by Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). (Furnished herewith).
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 (filed herewith).
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith).
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
101.LAB XBRL Extension Labels Linkbase (filed herewith).
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
* - Indicates a compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.
(c) Not applicable.