EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 866368
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 866368_10-K_2021_0000866368-21-000008.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are made throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “may,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of the Company to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: (i) the duration and severity of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and its impact on our business and our customers; (ii) changes in general economic and business conditions, including as a result of the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) potential regulatory actions to close our facilities or limit our ability to evict delinquent customers; (iv) decreases in rental rates or increases in vacancy rates/failure to renew or replace expiring leases; (v) tenant defaults; (vi) the effect of the recent credit and financial market conditions; (vii) our failure to maintain our status as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); (viii) the economic health of our customers; (ix) increases in operating costs; (x) casualties to our properties not covered by insurance; (xi) the availability and cost of capital; (xii) increases in interest rates and its effect on our stock price; (xiii) security breaches or a failure of our networks, systems or technology could adversely impact our business, customer and employee relationships; and (xiv) other factors discussed under the heading Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. Moreover, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
The Company
PS Business Parks, Inc. (“PSB”) is a fully-integrated, self-advised and self-managed REIT that owns, operates, acquires and develops commercial properties, primarily multi-tenant industrial, flex and office space. As of December 31, 2020, PSB owned and operated 27.7 million rentable square feet of commercial space, comprising 98 business parks and 675 buildings located in California, Texas, Virginia, Florida, Maryland, and Washington. PSB focuses on owning concentrated business parks, which provides us with the greatest flexibility to meet the needs of our customers. PSB also held a controlling interest in the following joint venture arrangements, both located in Tysons, Virginia: a 95.0% interest in Highgate at the Mile, a 395-unit multifamily apartment complex, and a 98.2% interest in Brentford at the Mile, a 411-unit multifamily apartment complex development. PSB manages 0.4 million rentable square feet on behalf of Public Storage (“PS”).
Substantially all of PSB’s assets are held, and its business is conducted, through PS Business Parks, L.P. (the “OP”), a California limited partnership. As of December 31, 2020, PSB owned 79.0% of the common partnership units of PS Business Parks, L.P. (the “OP”). The remaining common partnership units are owned by PS. PSB, as the sole general partner of the OP, has full, exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in managing and controlling the OP. PS also owns 7.2 million common shares and would own 41.6% (or 14.5 million shares) of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock if it redeemed its common partnership units for common shares.
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references to “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar references mean PS Business Parks, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the OP and our consolidated joint ventures.
History of the Company: The Company was formed in 1990 as a California corporation. Through a series of transactions between January 1997 and March 1998, the Company was renamed “PS Business Parks, Inc.” and became a publicly held, fully integrated, self-advised and self-managed REIT having interests in commercial real estate held through our OP.
Principal Business Activities
We are a commercial property landlord, with 98 business parks consisting of multi-tenant industrial, flex and office space. The Company owns 18.4 million square feet of industrial space that is primarily configured as warehouse space with ample dock access. We own 6.2 million square feet of flex space, representing industrial buildings that are
configured with a combination of warehouse and office space that can be designed to fit a wide variety of use types. The warehouse component of the flex space has a number of uses including light manufacturing and assembly, storage and warehousing, showroom, laboratory, distribution and research and development activities. The office component of flex space is complementary to the warehouse component by enabling businesses to accommodate management and production staff in the same facility. In addition, the Company owns 3.1 million square feet of low-rise office space, generally either in business parks that combine office buildings with industrial and/or flex buildings or in submarkets where the market demand is more office focused.
We generally seek to own and operate multi-tenant buildings in multi-building business parks which accommodate various businesses and uses. Our business parks average 14 buildings and 0.8 million rentable square feet per park, located on parcels of various sizes, ranging from 1 to 49 buildings and 12,000 to 3.5 million square feet of rentable space. Parking at most of our parks is open but in some instances is covered. The ratio of parking spaces to rentable square feet generally ranges from two to six per thousand square feet depending upon the use of the property and its location. Office space generally requires a greater parking ratio than most industrial uses.
The customer base for our facilities is diverse. For certain operational performance metrics, we bifurcate our facilities into those with average unit sizes over 5,000 square feet and those with average unit sizes under 5,000 square feet given that the nature of the customer base and use types differ between the two, which can result in varying performance. Approximately 35.9% of in-place rents as of December 31, 2020 were derived from customers at properties with average unit sizes under 5,000 square feet. The remaining 64.1% of in-place rents came from customers at properties with average unit sizes over 5,000 square feet. The Company also has several customers that lease space in multiple buildings and locations. As of December 31, 2020, the U.S. Government is the largest customer with 21 separate leases encompassing approximately 657,000 square feet and 3.8% of the Company’s annualized rental income.
We operate in six states and we may expand our operations to other states or reduce the number of states in which we operate. Properties are acquired for both income and capital appreciation potential, and we place no limitation on the amount that can be invested in any specific property.
The Company owns approximately 14.0 acres and 6.4 acres of land in Dallas and Northern Virginia, respectively, which are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as land and building held for development. The Company will seek to develop these parcels and possibly seek redevelopment of other assets in the future.
During 2020, we developed an 83,000 square foot shallow-bay industrial building at our Freeport Business Park in Irving, Texas, on 4.0 of the 14.0 acres located in the Dallas submarket. As of December 31, 2020, $7.8 million of the estimated $8.1 million total development costs had been incurred and was reflected under land and building held for development, net on our consolidated balance sheets. The remaining $0.3 million of development cost was incurred subsequent to December 31, 2020 and construction was completed in January 2021.
See “Objectives and Strategies” below for further information.
Our principal executive offices are located at 701 Western Avenue, Glendale, California 91201-2349, and our telephone number is (818) 244-8080. We maintain a website with the address www.psbusinessparks.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Recent Company Developments
Acquisition of Real Estate Facilities: On October 28, 2020, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 246,000 rentable square feet in Alexandria, Virginia, for a total purchase price of $46.6 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The park consists of three buildings and was 100.0% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 7,000 to 75,000 square feet.
On January 10, 2020, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 73,000 rentable square feet in La Mirada, California, for a total purchase price of $13.5 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The park consists of five buildings and was 100.0% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet.
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Development of Multifamily Real Estate: In 2019, we successfully rezoned our 44.5 acre office and multifamily park, known as The Mile, located in Tysons, Virginia. The rezoning will allow us to develop, at our election, up to 3,000 additional multifamily units and approximately 500,000 square feet of other commercial uses. We leveraged the expertise of a well-regarded local developer and operator of multifamily real estate to develop our first multifamily development at The Mile, a 395-unit multifamily property known as Highgate at The Mile, which completed in 2017. In August 2020, the Company entered into a new joint venture agreement with the same well-regarded local developer for the purpose of developing our second multifamily property, Brentford at The Mile, a planned 411-unit multifamily apartment complex. Construction of Brentford at The Mile commenced in August 2020 and is anticipated to be completed over a period of 24 to 36 months at an estimated development cost of $110 million to $115 million, excluding land cost. There could be several phases of the development at The Mile beyond that, but the scope, timing and construction of all future phases of development of The Mile are subject to a variety of uncertainties, including site plan approvals and building permits. See “Objectives and Strategies” below for further information regarding our development and redevelopment activities.
Sales of Real Estate Facilities: On September 16, 2020, the Company sold two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet located in Redmond, Washington, which were subject to an eminent domain process for net proceeds of $11.4 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $7.7 million.
On January 7, 2020, the Company completed the sale of a single-tenant building totaling 113,000 square feet in Montgomery County, Maryland, for net sale proceeds of $29.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $19.6 million.
Tax and Corporate Structure
For all periods presented herein, we have elected REIT status under the Code. For each taxable year in which we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our “REIT taxable income” (generally, taxable income subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends paid and excluding our net capital gain) that is distributed to our shareholders. We believe we have met these requirements in all periods presented herein, and we expect to continue to qualify as a REIT.
PSB is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT (“UPREIT”), with substantially all of our activities conducted through the OP. We acquired interests in certain properties from PS during PSB’s initial formation in exchange for operating partnership units, which allowed PS to defer the recognition of a tax gain on the contributed properties.
We are the sole general partner of the OP, which has equity in the form of common partnership units and preferred partnership units. As of December 31, 2020, we owned 79.0% of the common partnership units of the OP and 100% of the preferred partnership units. The remainder of the common partnership units are owned by PS. The common units owned by PS may be redeemed, subject to certain limitations, for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis or, at our option, an equivalent value in cash.
The Company’s interest in the OP entitles it to share in cash distributions from, and the profits and losses of, the OP in proportion to the Company’s economic interest in the OP (apart from tax allocations of profits and losses to take into account pre-contribution property appreciation or depreciation). The Company, since 1998, has paid per share dividends on its common and preferred stock that track, on a one-for-one basis, the amount of per unit cash distributions the Company receives from the OP in respect of the common and preferred partnership units in the OP that are owned by the Company.
As the general partner of the OP, the Company has the exclusive responsibility under the Operating Partnership Agreement to manage and conduct the business of the OP.
Common Officers and Directors with PS
Ronald L. Havner, Jr., Chairman of the Company, is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PS. Joseph D. Russell, Jr. is a director of the Company and also President and Chief Executive Officer of PS. Kristy M. Pipes, an independent director of the Company, is also a trustee of PS and Gary E. Pruitt, an independent director of the Company, was also a trustee of PS until he retired from the Board of Trustees of PS in January 2021. Other employees of PS render services to the Company pursuant to a cost sharing and administrative services agreement.
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Services Provided to and by PS
We manage industrial, office, and retail facilities in the United States for PS under either the “Public Storage” or “PS Business Parks” names (the “PS Management Agreement”). Under PS’s supervision, we coordinate and assist in rental and marketing activities, property maintenance and other operational activities, including the selection of vendors, suppliers, employees and independent contractors. Management fee revenue derived from the PS Management Agreement totaled $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. These amounts are included in “interest and other income” on our consolidated statements of income.
PS also provides property management services for the self-storage component of two assets owned by the Company. Management fee expenses under the contract were $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. These amounts are included under “cost of operations” on our consolidated statements of income.
Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement, we share certain administrative services, corporate office space, and certain other third party costs with PS which are allocated based upon fair and reasonable estimates of the cost of the services expected to be provided. We reimbursed PS $1.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 for costs paid on our behalf, while PS reimbursed us less than $0.1 million for costs we incurred on their behalf for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
Management
John W. Petersen, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, leads the Company’s senior management team. The Company’s senior management includes: Jeffrey D. Hedges, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Trenton A. Groves, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer; Coby A. Holley, Vice President, Investments; Christopher M. Auth, Divisional Vice President (Washington Metro Division); Stuart H. Hutchison, Divisional Vice President (Southern California and Pacific Northwest Divisions); Richard E. Scott, Divisional Vice President (Northern California Division); David A. Vicars, Divisional Vice President (Texas Division); Rich Guertin, Divisional Vice President (Florida Division); and Eugene Uhlman, Vice President, Construction Management.
Competition
Our properties compete for tenants with similar properties located in our markets primarily on the basis of location, rental rate, services provided and the design and condition of improvements. Competition in the market areas we operate in is significant and has from time to time negatively impacted occupancy levels and rental rates of, and increased the operating expenses of, certain of our properties. The demand for space in our markets is impacted by general economic conditions, which can affect the local competition for tenants. Sublease space and unleased developments have from time to time created competition among operators in certain markets in which the Company operates. Refer to “Management Discussion and Analysis-Analysis of Net Income” for a discussion of trends in our occupancy levels, rental rates and operating expenses.
Objectives and Strategies
Our primary objective is to grow shareholder value in a risk appropriate and stable manner by maximizing net cash flow generated by our existing properties, as well as prudently seeking opportunities for growth through acquisitions and development with attractive risk-adjusted returns on invested capital.
We seek to maximize net cash flow of our existing properties by optimizing occupancy levels and rental rates, while minimizing capital expenditures and leasehold improvements. Below are the primary elements of our strategy:
Concentration in favorable markets: We believe that our properties generally are located in markets that have favorable characteristics such as above average population, job, and income growth, as well as high education levels. In addition, we believe our business parks are generally in markets with higher than average barriers to entry that are close to critical infrastructure, middle to high income housing or universities and have easy access to major transportation arteries. We believe that these characteristics contribute to property operating cash flow stability and growth.
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Standard build outs and finishes: We generally seek to configure our rentable space with standard buildouts and finishes that meet the needs of a wide variety of tenants, minimizing the need for specialized and costly tenant improvements and enabling space to be “move-in ready” quickly upon vacancy. We believe this makes our space more attractive to potential tenants, allows tenants to move in quickly and seamlessly, and reduces the cost of capital improvements, relative to real estate operators that offer specialized finishes or build outs. Also, such flexibility facilitates our ability to offer diverse sizes and configurations to meet potential customer’s needs, as well as to change space sizes for existing customers when their needs change.
Large, Diverse Parks: Our business parks are generally concentrated in large complexes of diverse buildings, with a variety of available space sizes and configurations that we can offer to tenants. We believe that this allows us to attract a greater number of potential tenants to our parks and minimizes the loss of existing customers when their space requirements change.
Smaller tenants and diverse tenant base with shorter-term leases: By concentrating on smaller spaces, we seek to reach a large number of smaller tenants in the market. We believe this focus gives us a competitive edge as most institutional owners focus primarily on large users. Small users perceive more incremental value from the level of customer service that we offer. We also believe having smaller tenants improves our diversity of tenants across industries, which improves the stability of our cash flows. In addition, our lease term tends to be short, generally an average of three and a half years, which we believe allows us to more quickly capture increases in market rents in our high-growth markets. At December 31, 2020, our average suite size was approximately 5,000 rentable square feet and we had only four customers - the U.S. Government, Amazon Inc., KZ Kitchen Cabinet & Stone, and Luminex Corporation - representing more than 1% of our annualized rental income.
Decentralized operating strategy: Our local management teams are empowered, within a prescribed decision and metrics framework, to make many leasing and capital decisions in a manner which we believe maximizes the return on investment on lease transactions. We believe this decentralized approach allows us to be more nimble and efficient in our decision making, and more effectively price and market our space, relative to a more centralized approach.
Superior Service to Customers: We seek to provide a superior level of service to our customers in order to maintain occupancy and increase rental rates, as well as minimize customer turnover. The Company’s property management offices are located on-site, helping the Company maintain its properties and providing customers with convenient access to management, while conveying a sense of quality, order and security. We believe that our personnel are among the most experienced and effective real estate professionals in our markets. The Company has significant experience in acquiring properties managed by others and thereafter improving customer satisfaction, occupancy levels, retention rates and rental income by implementing established customer service programs.
In addition, we seek to expand through acquisitions or development activities that generate attractive returns on invested capital, as follows:
Acquire facilities in targeted markets at prudent price levels: We have a disciplined capital allocation approach, seeking to purchase properties at prices that are not in excess of the cost to develop similar facilities (i.e. replacement cost), which we believe reduces our risk and maximizes long term returns. We seek generally to acquire in our existing markets, which we believe have favorable growth characteristics. We also believe acquiring in our existing markets leverages our operating efficiencies. We would consider expanding to additional markets with similar favorable characteristics of our existing markets, if we could acquire sufficient scale.
Redevelop existing real estate facilities: Certain of our existing business parks were developed in or near areas that have been undergoing gentrification with an influx of residential development, and, as a result, certain buildings in our business parks may have higher and better uses. We will seek to identify potential candidates for redevelopment within our portfolio, and where appropriate will leverage the expertise and scale of existing operators and developers should we pursue redevelopment of any of our properties. For example, at The Mile in Tysons, Virginia, we demolished an existing building and developed Highgate at The Mile, a 395-unit apartment building, with a joint venture partner. In 2019, we successfully rezoned the remainder of The Mile, allowing us to pursue the development of additional multifamily and mixed use projects. In 2020, we demolished a vacant office building and began developing our second multifamily property, Brentford at The Mile, a planned 411-unit multifamily apartment complex with the same joint venture partner. There can be no assurance as to the level of additional redevelopment opportunities throughout our portfolio in the future.
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Financing Strategy
Overview of financing strategy and sources of capital: As a REIT, we generally distribute all of our “REIT taxable income” to our shareholders each year, which relative to a taxable C corporation, limits the amount of cash flow from operations that we can retain for investment purposes. As a result, in order to expand our asset base, access to capital is important.
Our financial profile is characterized by strong credit metrics, including low leverage relative to our total capitalization and operating cash flows. Our credit profile and ratings enable us to effectively access both the public and private capital markets to raise capital. We will seek to maintain our current credit profile and ratings.
Sources of capital available to us include retained cash flow, the issuance of preferred and common equity, the issuance of medium and long-term debt, joint venture financing, the sale of existing properties, and borrowing off our revolving line of credit.
Historically, we have financed our cash investment activities primarily with retained operating cash flow and the issuance of preferred equity.
We select from the sources of capital available to us based upon relative cost, availability, desired leverage levels, nature of the investment opportunities for which the capital will be used, as well as other factors such as the impact of covenants in the case of debt.
Retained Operating Cash Flow: Although we are required to distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our “REIT taxable income” each year, we have nonetheless been able to retain operating cash flow to the extent that our tax depreciation exceeds our capital expenditures. In recent years, we have retained between $40 to $60 million in operating cash flow per year.
Preferred Equity: We view preferred equity as an important source of capital over the long term. We have historically favored preferred equity as a source of capital due to the low interest rate and refinancing risk as the dividend rate is fixed for life and it never matures. In addition, the consequences of defaulting on required preferred distributions are less severe than with debt. However, rates and market conditions for the issuance of preferred securities can be volatile or inefficient from time to time. As of December 31, 2020, we have $944.8 million in preferred securities outstanding with an average coupon rate of 5.10%.
Medium or long-term debt: In addition to borrowing from our revolving line of credit, we may seek to issue term debt in the future in an effort to diversify our sources of capital. We may consider issuance in the public bond market or private placement of senior unsecured debt depending on the nature and timing of the associated use of capital.
Common equity: We believe that the market for our common equity is liquid and, as a result, common equity is a viable potential source of capital.
Tax advantaged equity: As noted above, we have the ability to offer common or preferred operating partnership units with economic characteristics that are similar to our common and preferred stock, but provide the seller the opportunity to defer the recognition of a tax gain.
Credit Facility: We have a $250.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit (the “Credit Facility”), which we use from time to time as temporary financing, along with short-term bank loans when necessary, until we are able to replace it with longer-term capital. As of December 31, 2020, there was no balance outstanding on our Credit Facility and we had no short-term bank loans.
Investments in Real Estate Facilities
As of December 31, 2020, the Company owned and operated 27.7 million rentable square feet comprising 98 business parks in six states compared to 27.6 million rentable square feet comprising 97 business parks in six states as of December 31, 2019. The Company also held a 95.0% interest in a 395-unit multifamily apartment complex as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019, and a 98.2% interest in a 411-unit multifamily apartment complex development as of December 31, 2020.
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Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates
The Company’s Restated Bylaws provide that the Company may engage in transactions with affiliates provided that a purchase or sale transaction with an affiliate is (i) approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors and (ii) fair to the Company based on an independent appraisal or fairness opinion.
Insurance
The Company believes that its properties are adequately insured. Facilities operated by the Company have historically been covered by comprehensive insurance, including fire, earthquake, wind damage and liability coverage from nationally recognized carriers, subject to customary deductibles.
Compliance with Government Regulations
We are subject to various laws, ordinances and regulations, including various federal, state and local regulations that apply generally to the ownership of real property and the operation of such properties. These include various laws and government regulations concerning environmental matters, labor matters and employee safety and health matters. Further, all of our properties must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with related regulations, which generally requires that buildings be made accessible to persons with disabilities. Various state laws impose similar requirements. In addition, we must operate our properties in compliance with numerous local fire and safety regulations, building codes, zoning requirements and other land use regulations. We are not aware of any government regulations that have resulted or that we expect will result in compliance costs that had or will have a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. See “We must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, fire and safety regulations and zoning requirements, which can require significant expenditures” in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further information regarding our risks related to government regulations. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our properties and our customers have been subject to public-health regulations that have impacted our operations and our business. See “We are subject to risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and we may in the future be subject to risks from other public health crises.” in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further information regarding these regulations. We are also subject to the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which amends and expands the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). The CPRA, which goes into effect on January 1, 2023, provides new rights and amends existing rights found in the CCPA and also creates a new privacy enforcement authority, the California Privacy Protection Agency (“CalPPA”). The CPRA grants the Attorney General and the CalPPA the authority to issue regulations on a wide range of topics. We are not aware of any current privacy requirements that have resulted or that we expect will result in compliance costs that had or will have a material effect on our business practices that could increase costs or reduce revenues. Other states have also considered or are considering privacy laws similar to those passed in California. Similar laws may be implemented in other jurisdictions that we do business in and in ways that may be more restrictive than those in California. See “We are subject to laws and governmental regulations and actions that affect our operating results and financial condition.” in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further information regarding our risks related to this regulation.
We are committed to a long-term environmental stewardship program that reduces emissions of hazardous materials into the environment and the remediation of identified existing environmental concerns, including environmentally-friendly capital initiatives and building and operating properties with a high structural resilience and low obsolescence. We accrue environmental assessments and estimated remediation costs when it is probable that such efforts will be required and the related costs can be reasonably estimated. Our current practice is to conduct environmental investigations in connection with property acquisitions. Although there can be no assurance, we are not aware of any environmental contamination of any of our facilities, which individually or in the aggregate would be material to our overall business, financial condition, or results of operations. Compliance with laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those regarding the discharge of material into the environment, has not had any material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company. See “We may incur significant environmental remediation costs” in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further information regarding our risks related to government regulations.
Human Capital Management
The Company’s human capital management objectives are to attract, retain, and develop the highest quality talent. To support these objectives, the Company develops its employees to prepare them for critical roles and leadership positions for the future and fosters a team-oriented culture aimed at making the workplace more engaging and inclusive. The Company works to acquire talent and facilitate internal talent mobility to create a high-performing and diverse workforce that is empowered to make thoughtful decisions, eager to collaborate, and motivated to provide a high level of service to our customers. The Company employed 155 people as of December 31, 2020, comprised
primarily of personnel engaged in property operations. Our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee oversees our sustainability efforts, including our environmental, social, and governance initiatives.
Diversity and Inclusion: At PSB, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, included, and excited to be part of our team. For example, we strive to include a subset of diverse candidates as we seek to fill open positions. With team members from all different races, backgrounds, and life experiences, we celebrate inclusion and value the diversity each person brings to PSB. Our employee population is approximately 50% female, with 30% in a supervisory role, and approximately 43% have self-identified as Hispanic or Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, Asian, Black or African American, or of two or more races, with 24% in a supervisory role. Our workforce also has generational diversity: 54% millennials (aged 24-42), 25% generation X (aged 43-54), and 21% baby boomers (aged 55-73).
Compensation Policies: PSB believes in aligning employee compensation with our short- and long-term performance goals and to provide compensation and incentives needed to attract, motivate, and retain employees who are crucial to our success. We tailor our compensation programs to each employee group to ensure competitiveness in the market and to drive employee engagement. The Company provides the opportunity for employees to own a part of the Company through equity grants for senior members of our team, with nearly 65% of our exempt employees having received equity grants in the form of restricted stock units or stock option awards.
Health and Wellness: PSB is committed to its employees’ overall health and well-being. We want to help them feel happy, healthy, socially connected, and purposeful. Our goal is to provide tools and resources to help empower our employees to explore what they need and to evaluate for themselves what makes sense in achieving a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We partner with our health care provider to promote health and wellness programs to incentivize our employees to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
We provide benefits to all of our employees and dependents, including medical, dental, vision, flexible and health savings accounts, and income protection plans. We also offer a 401(k) plan with matching employer contributions to help our employees prepare for retirement.
Supporting Our Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic brought varying challenges to each of our team members. We took a multipronged approach in providing resources, tools and added protocols that focused on the safety of employees and their families while still allowing us to support the customers we serve during these unprecedented times. For example, our field operations and business park protocols were quickly modified to ensure a safe workspace. Additionally, we had a swift transition to work-from-home for our entire workforce, where applicable, by utilizing various existing technology platforms and implementing new technologies necessary to accommodate the situation. We provided additional incentive pay for certain personnel. Additionally, we provided an employee assistance program, which offers employees mental health, financial, and legal support to assist them in their well-being during these unique times.
Training, Development, and Recognition: We hire and develop outstanding team members to lease and manage all of our properties and deliver market-leading service to our customers. Our decentralized, vertically integrated platform gives us the flexibility to meet the needs of our customers, react quickly to local market dynamics, and contain operating expenses and capital expenditures, and allows us to keep all property management and leasing activity in-house, maximize cost efficiencies, and speed up decision making.
We offer training programs for new team members and ongoing training and development programs for our entire workforce. We are able to accomplish this, in part, by utilizing an online platform that provides a central repository for accessing training courses and reference materials. We also reinforce our Company culture by celebrating major accomplishments, stand-out performances, and individual milestones through various recurring recognition programs and events throughout the year, and offer incentive programs designed to recognize and reward outstanding achievements. We work towards development of our employees and creating opportunities for them to advance. For example, where and when possible, we seek to fill open positions with internal candidates.
Communication and Engagement: Given our decentralized platform, it is important for us to ensure that team members feel they are informed and included. We communicate through various channels such as recurring meetings, frequent email communications and updates from management, Company intranet postings, and engagement surveys. Employee engagement is instrumental in understanding and evaluating the effectiveness of our strategies. We actively solicit input from our employees on how the Company can better achieve its goals, including through employee surveys that give us feedback and help us measure commitment, motivation and engagement.
Community and Social Impact: We encourage employees to give back to our communities by providing two “volunteer” days to all employees annually which can be used by participating in group volunteer events or individually. We also offer a charitable gift matching program, providing a donation match up to the preset limit per employee annually to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should consider the risks described below that we believe may be material to investors in evaluating the Company. This section contains forward-looking statements, and in considering these statements, you should refer to the qualifications and limitations on our forward-looking statements that are described in Item 1, “Business.”
Risks Related to Our Business
We have significant exposure to real estate risk.
Since our business consists primarily of acquiring, developing, and operating real estate, we are subject to risks related to the ownership and operation of real estate that can adversely impact our business and financial condition. Certain significant costs, such as mortgage payments, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance, generally are not reduced even when a property’s rental income is reduced. In addition, environmental and tax laws, interest rate levels, the availability of financing and other factors may affect real estate values and property income. Furthermore, the supply of commercial space fluctuates with market conditions.
Since we derive substantially all our income from real estate operations, we are subject to the following general risks of acquiring and owning real estate related assets that could result in reduced revenues, increased expenses, increased capital expenditures, or increased borrowings, which could negatively impact our operating results, cash flow available for distribution or reinvestment and our stock price:
changes in the national, state and local economic climate and real estate conditions, such as oversupply of or reduced demand for commercial real estate space and changes in market rental rates;
how prospective tenants perceive the attractiveness, convenience and safety of our properties;
difficulties in consummating and financing acquisitions and developments on advantageous terms and the failure of acquisitions and developments to perform as expected;
our ability to provide adequate management, maintenance and insurance;
natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, hurricanes and floods, which could exceed the aggregate limits of our insurance coverage;
the consequences of changes in climate, including severe weather events, and the steps taken to prevent climate change, could result in increased capital expenditures and expenses
the expense of periodically renovating, repairing and re-letting spaces;
the impact of environmental protection laws;
compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations;
increasing operating and maintenance costs, including property taxes, insurance and utilities, if these increased costs cannot be passed through to customers;
the result of a future California statewide ballot initiative (or similar legislative or regulatory actions) that could remove the property tax protections of Proposition 13 with respect to our California real estate and result in substantial increases in our California property tax bills;
adverse changes in tax, real estate and zoning laws and regulations;
increasing competition from other commercial properties in our market;
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tenant defaults and bankruptcies;
tenants’ right to sublease space; and
concentration of properties leased to non-rated private companies with uncertain financial strength.
There is significant competition among commercial property operators: Other commercial properties compete with our properties for tenants. Some of the competing properties may be newer and better located than our properties. Competition in the market areas in which many of our properties are located is significant and has affected our occupancy levels, rental rates and operating expenses. We also expect that new properties will be built in our markets. In addition, we compete with other buyers, some of which are larger than us, for attractive commercial properties. Therefore, we may not be able to grow as rapidly as we would like.
We may encounter significant delays and expense in re-letting vacant space, or we may not be able to re-let space at existing rates, in each case resulting in losses of income: When leases expire, we may incur expenses in retrofitting space and we may not be able to re-lease the space on the same terms. Certain leases provide customers with the right to terminate early if they pay a fee. As of December 31, 2020, 2,133 leases, representing 5.7 million, or 22.1%, of the leased square footage of our total portfolio, or 21.8% of annualized rental income, are scheduled to expire in 2021. While we have estimated our cost of renewing leases that expire in 2021, our estimates could be wrong. If we are unable to re-lease space promptly, if the terms are significantly less favorable than anticipated or if the costs are higher, our operating results, cash available for distribution or reinvestment and stock price could be negatively impacted.
Tenant defaults and bankruptcies may reduce our cash flow and distributions: We may have difficulty collecting from customers in default, particularly if they declare bankruptcy. Since many of our customers are non-rated private companies, this risk may be enhanced. There is inherent uncertainty in a customer’s ability to continue paying rent if they are in bankruptcy. This could negatively affect our operating results, cash available for distribution or reinvestment and stock price.
Natural disasters or terrorist attacks could cause damage to our facilities that is not covered by insurance, and could increase costs, reduce revenues, and otherwise impair our operating results: While we maintain insurance coverage for the losses caused by earthquakes, fire or hurricanes, we could suffer uninsured losses or losses in excess of our insurance policy limits for such occurrences. Approximately 40.7% of our properties are located in California and are generally in areas that are subject to risks of earthquake-related damage. In the event of an earthquake, fire, hurricane or other natural disaster, we would remain liable on any mortgage debt or other unsatisfied obligations related to that property. In addition, we may not have sufficient insurance coverage for losses caused by a terrorist attack, or such insurance may not be available or cost-effective. Significant natural disasters, terrorist attacks, threats of future terrorist attacks, or resulting wider armed conflict could have negative impacts on the U.S. economy, reducing demand for our rental space and impairing our operating results, even if our specific losses were covered. This could negatively affect our operating results, cash available for distribution or reinvestment and stock price.
Consequences of climate change, including severe weather events, and the steps taken to prevent climate change, could result in increased capital expenditures, increased expenses, and reduced revenues: Direct and indirect impacts of climate change, such as increased destructive weather events, fires, reduced lifespans and population reduction, reduced natural habitats, water, food, arable land, and other resources, as well as resulting armed conflicts, could increase our costs. Governmental, political, and societal pressure could (i) require costly changes to future newly developed facilities, or require retrofitting of our existing facilities, to reduce carbon emissions through multiple avenues including changes to insulation, space configuration, lighting, heating, and air conditioning, and (ii) increase energy costs as a result of switching to less carbon-intensive, but more expensive, sources of energy to operate our facilities.
The illiquidity of our real estate investments may prevent us from adjusting our portfolio to respond to market changes: There may be delays and difficulties in selling real estate. Therefore, we cannot easily change our portfolio when economic conditions change. In addition, when we sell properties at significant gains upon sale, it can increase our distribution requirements, thus making it difficult to retain and reinvest the sales proceeds. Also, REIT tax laws may impose negative consequences if we sell properties held for less than two years.
We may be adversely affected by changes in laws: Increases in income and service taxes may reduce our cash flow and ability to make expected distributions to our shareholders. Additionally, any changes in the tax law applicable to REITs may adversely affect taxation of us and/or our shareholders. Our properties are also subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as state and local fire and safety codes. If we fail to comply with these requirements, governmental authorities could fine us or courts could award damages against us. We believe our
properties comply with all significant legal requirements. However, these requirements could change in a way that could negatively affect our operating results, cash available for distribution or reinvestment and stock price.
We may incur significant environmental remediation costs: As an owner and operator of real properties, under various federal, state and local environmental laws, we are required to clean up spills or other releases of hazardous or toxic substances on or from our properties. Certain environmental laws impose liability whether or not the owner or buyer knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances. In some cases, liability may not be limited to the value of the property. The presence of these substances, or the failure to properly remediate any resulting contamination, whether from environmental or microbial issues, also may adversely affect our ability to sell, lease, operate, or encumber our facilities.
We have conducted preliminary environmental assessments of most of our properties (and conduct these assessments in connection with property acquisitions) to evaluate the environmental condition of, and potential environmental liabilities associated with, our properties. These assessments generally consist of an investigation of environmental conditions at the property (including soil or groundwater sampling or analysis if appropriate), as well as a review of available information regarding the site and publicly available data regarding conditions at other sites in the vicinity. In connection with these property assessments, our operations and recent property acquisitions, we have become aware that prior operations or activities at some properties or from nearby locations have or may have resulted in contamination to the soil or groundwater at these properties. In circumstances where our environmental assessments disclose potential or actual contamination, we may attempt to obtain indemnifications and, in appropriate circumstances, we obtain limited environmental insurance in connection with the properties acquired, but we cannot assure you that such protections will be sufficient to cover actual future liabilities nor that our assessments have identified all such risks. Although we cannot provide any assurance, based on the preliminary environmental assessments, we are not aware of any environmental contamination of our facilities material to our overall business, financial condition or results of operations.
There has been an increasing number of claims and litigation against owners and managers of rental properties relating to moisture infiltration, which can result in mold or other property damage. When we receive a complaint concerning moisture infiltration, condensation or mold problems and/or become aware that an air quality concern exists, we implement corrective measures in accordance with guidelines and protocols we have developed with the assistance of outside experts. We seek to work proactively with our customers to resolve moisture infiltration and mold-related issues, subject to our contractual limitations on liability for such claims. However, we can give no assurance that material legal claims relating to moisture infiltration and the presence of, or exposure to, mold will not arise in the future.
Any such environmental remediation costs or issues, including any potential ongoing impacts on rent or operating expenses, could negatively impact our operating results, cash flow available for distribution or reinvestment and our stock price.
Operating costs, including property taxes, could increase: We could be subject to increases in insurance premiums, property or other taxes, repair and maintenance costs, payroll, utility costs, workers compensation, and other operating expenses due to various factors such as inflation, labor shortages, commodity and energy price increases, weather, changes to governmental safety and real estate use limitations, as well as other governmental actions. Our property tax expense, which totaled $47.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, generally depends upon the assessed value of our real estate facilities as determined by assessors and government agencies, and accordingly could be subject to substantial increases if such agencies changed their valuation approaches or opinions or if new laws are enacted, especially if new approaches are adopted or laws are enacted that result in increased property tax assessments in states or municipalities where we have a high concentration of facilities.
We have exposure to increased property tax in California: Approximately $128.3 million of our 2020 net operating income is from our properties in California, and we incurred approximately $17.0 million in related property tax expense. Due to the impact of Proposition 13, which generally limits increases in assessed values to 2% per year, the assessed value and resulting property tax we pay is significantly less than it would be if the properties were assessed at current values. From time to time proposals have been made to reduce the beneficial impact of Proposition 13, particularly with respect to commercial and industrial (non-residential) real estate. An initiative was on California’s November 2020 statewide ballot (“Prop 15”) that would have resulted in the reassessment of our California properties and would substantially increase our property tax expense likely starting in 2023. Prop 15 did not pass; however, there can be no assurance that a similar initiative will not be proposed and passed in the future. If a similar initiative or a similar proposal were to be adopted, it would end the beneficial effect of Proposition 13 for our properties, and our property tax expense could increase substantially, adversely affecting our cash flow from operations and net income.
We must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, fire and safety regulations and zoning requirements, which can require significant expenditures: All of our properties must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with related regulations (the “ADA”). The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities,” but generally requires that buildings be made accessible to persons with disabilities. Various state laws impose similar requirements. A failure to comply with the ADA or similar state laws could lead to government imposed fines on us and/or litigation, which could also involve an award of damages to individuals affected by the non-compliance. In addition, we must operate our properties in compliance with numerous local fire and safety regulations, building codes, zoning requirements and other land use regulations, all of which are subject to change and could become more costly to comply with in the future. The cost of compliance with these requirements can be substantial, and could reduce cash otherwise available for distribution to shareholders. Failure to comply with these requirements could also affect the marketability and rentability of our real estate facilities.
We incur liability from customer and employment-related claims: From time to time we have to make monetary settlements or defend actions or arbitration to resolve customer or employment-related claims and disputes. Settling any such liabilities could negatively impact our earnings and cash available for distribution to shareholders, and could also adversely affect our ability to sell, lease, operate, or encumber affected facilities.
Our development of real estate can subject us to certain risks: We are engaged in significant real estate development. For example, as of December 31, 2020, we have a 98.2% interest in a 411-unit multifamily apartment complex development and in 2019 we successfully rezoned the remainder of The Mile and are able to pursue the development of additional multifamily and mixed use projects. We are also considering the potential redevelopment of other facilities in our portfolio. Development or redevelopment of facilities are subject to a number of risks, including construction delays, complications in obtaining necessary zoning, occupancy and other governmental permits, cost overruns, failures of our development partners, financing risks, and the possible inability to meet expected occupancy and rent levels. In addition, we do not have experience in multifamily development and are relying to some degree on the experience of our joint venture partner. As a result of these risks, our development projects may be worth less or may generate less revenue than we believed at the time of development. Any of the foregoing risks could negatively impact our operating results, cash flow available for distribution or reinvestment and our stock price. In addition, we may be unable to successfully integrate and effectively manage the properties we develop, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and we may in the future be subject to risks from other public health crises.
Beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, including to every state in the United States, adversely affecting public health and economic activity. Our business is subject to risks from the COVID-19 pandemic, including, among others:
illness or death of our employees or customers, negative impacts to the economic environment and to our customers which could reduce the demand for commercial property space or reduce our ability to collect rent, or potential regulatory action to close certain of our facilities that were determined not to be an “essential business” or for other reasons, limit our ability to complete development and redevelopment projects;
risk that government restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic ease, such as social distancing requirements, will continue or will be reinstituted in case of future waves of infection or if additional pandemics occur;
risk that the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could reduce consumer confidence and result in an elevated level of move-outs of our long-term customers, resulting in a reduction in rental income due to occupancy reductions and increased “rent roll down” due to new customers having lower rental rates than departing customers; and
risk of negative impacts on the cost and availability of debt and equity capital as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could have a material impact upon our capital and growth plans.
We believe that the degree to which the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacts our business, operating results, cash flows and/or financial condition will be driven primarily by the duration, spread and severity of the pandemic itself, the speed and effectiveness of vaccine and treatment developments and distribution, as well as the duration of indirect economic impacts such as recession, dislocation in capital markets, and job loss, as well as potential longer term changes in consumer behavior, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict. As a result, we are not able at this time to estimate the effect of these factors on our business, but the adverse impact on our business, results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows could be material. Future pandemics or public health crises could have similar impacts.
Economic conditions can adversely affect our business, financial condition, growth and access to capital.
Economic conditions in the areas we operate, capital markets, global economic conditions, and other events or factors could adversely affect rental demand for our real estate, our ability to grow our business and acquire new facilities, to access capital, as well as the value of our real estate. Such conditions, which could negatively impact our operating results, cash flow available for distribution or reinvestment and our stock price, include the following:
Commercial credit markets: Our results of operations and share price are sensitive to volatility in the credit markets. From time to time, the commercial real estate debt markets experience volatility as a result of various factors, including changing underwriting standards by lenders and credit rating agencies. This may result in lenders increasing the cost for debt financing, which could affect the economic viability of any acquisition or development activities we may undertake or otherwise increase our costs of borrowing. Conversely, to the extent that debt becomes cheaper or underwriting terms become more favorable, it could increase the overall amount of capital being invested in real estate, allowing more competitors to bid for facilities that we may wish to acquire, reducing the potential yield from acquisitions or preventing us from acquiring assets we might otherwise wish to acquire.
Capital markets: The issuance of perpetual preferred securities historically has been a significant source of capital to grow our business, and we have considered issuing unsecured debt publicly or in private transactions. We also consider issuance of our common equity a potential source of capital. Our ability to access these sources of capital can be adversely affected by challenging market conditions, which can increase the cost of issuance of preferred equity and debt, and reduce the value of our common shares, making such sources of capital less attractive or not feasible. We believe that we have sufficient working capital and capacity under our credit facilities and our retained cash flow from operations to continue to operate our business as usual and meet our current obligations. However, if we were unable to issue public equity or borrow at reasonable rates, that could limit the earnings growth that might otherwise result from the acquisition and development of real estate facilities.
Asset valuations: Market volatility makes the valuation of our properties difficult. There may be significant uncertainty in the valuation, or in the stability of the value, of our properties, which could result in a substantial decrease in the value of our properties. As a result, we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of our properties, which may require us to recognize an impairment charge in earnings. Reductions in the value of our assets could result in a reduction in the value of our common shares.
Potential negative impacts upon demand for our space and customers’ ability to pay: We believe that our current and prospective customers are susceptible to global and local economic conditions as well as the impact of capital markets, asset valuations, and commercial credit markets, which could result in an impairment of our customers’ existing business operations or curtail plans for growth. Such impairment could reduce demand for our rental space, or make it difficult for customers to fulfill their obligations to us under their leases.
The acquisition of existing properties is a significant component of our long-term growth strategy, and acquisitions of existing properties are subject to risks that may adversely affect our growth and financial results.
We acquire existing properties, either in individual transactions or portfolios offered by other commercial real estate owners. In addition to the general risks related to real estate described above, we are also subject to the following risks associated with the acquisition of real estate facilities which could negatively impact our operating results, cash flow available for distribution or reinvestment and our stock price:
Due diligence could be insufficient: Failure to identify all significant circumstances or conditions that affect the value, rentability, or costs of operation of an acquired facility, such as unidentified structural, environmental, zoning, or marketability issues, could jeopardize realization of anticipated earnings from an acquisition and negatively impact our operating results.
We could fail to successfully integrate acquired properties into our platform: Failures to integrate acquired properties into our operating platform, such as a failure to maintain existing relationships with customers due to changes in processes, standards, customer service, could temporarily or permanently impair our operating results.
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We compete with other real estate operators for facilities: We face significant competition for suitable acquisition properties from other real estate investors, including other publicly traded real estate investment trusts and private institutional investors. As a result, we may be unable to acquire additional properties we desire or the purchase price for desirable properties may be significantly increased, reducing potential yields from acquisitions.
Acquired properties are subject to property tax reappraisals, which occur following the acquisition and can be difficult to estimate: Facilities that we acquire are subject to property tax reappraisal, which can substantially increase ongoing property taxes. The reappraisal process is subject to a significant degree of uncertainty, because it involves the judgment of governmental agencies regarding real estate values and other factors. In connection with underwriting future or recent acquisitions of properties, if our estimates of property taxes following reappraisal are too low, we may not realize anticipated earnings from an acquisition.
We are subject to laws and governmental regulations and actions that affect our operating results and financial condition.
Our business is subject to regulation under a wide variety of U.S. federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies including those applicable to our status as a REIT, and those imposed by the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), as well as applicable local, state and national labor laws. Although we have policies and procedures designed to comply with applicable laws and regulations, failure to comply with the various laws and regulations may result in civil and criminal liability, fines and penalties, increased costs of compliance and restatement of our financial statements and could also affect the marketability of our real estate facilities.
In response to current economic conditions or the current political environment or otherwise, laws and regulations could be implemented or changed in ways that adversely affect our operating results and financial condition, such as legislation that could otherwise increase operating costs. Such changes could also adversely affect the operations of our customers, which could affect the price and demand for our space as well as our customer’s ability to pay their rent.
On November 3, 2020, Californians passed a ballot measure that creates the CPRA. The CPRA amends and expands the CCPA, which went into effect on January 1, 2020. The CPRA, which goes into effect on January 1, 2023, provides new rights and amends existing rights found in the CCPA. It also creates a new privacy enforcement authority, the CalPPA. The CPRA grants the Attorney General and the CalPPA the authority to issue regulations on a wide range of topics. It therefore remains unclear what, if any, modifications will be made to the CPRA or how it will be interpreted. While we believe we have developed processes to comply with current privacy requirements, a regulatory agency may not agree with certain of our implementation decisions, which could subject us to litigation, regulatory actions or changes to our business practices that could increase costs or reduce revenues. Other states have also considered or are considering privacy laws similar to those passed in California. Similar laws may be implemented in other jurisdictions that we do business in and in ways that may be more restrictive than those in California, increasing the cost of compliance, as well as the risk of noncompliance, on our business.
Ineffective succession planning for our CEO and executive management, as well as for our other key employees, may impact the execution of the Company’s strategic plan.
We may not effectively or appropriately identify ready-now succession candidates for CEO and executive management team, which may negatively impact the Company’s ability to meet key strategic goals. Failure to implement a succession plan for other key employees may leave the Company vulnerable to retirements and turnover.
We rely on technology in our operations and failures, inadequacies or interruptions to our service could harm our business.
The execution of our business strategy is heavily dependent on the use of technologies and systems, including the Internet, to access, store, transmit, deliver and manage information and processes. We rely extensively on third-party vendors to retain data, process transactions and provide other systems services. The failure, damage or interruption of these systems, including as a result of power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, hackers, computer worms, viruses and other destructive or disruptive security breaches, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other catastrophic events could significantly and have a material adverse effect on our business.
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If our confidential information is compromised or corrupted, including as a result of a cybersecurity breach, our reputation and business relationships could be damaged, which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
In the ordinary course of our business we acquire and store sensitive data, including personally identifiable information of our prospective and current customers and our employees. The secure processing and maintenance of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. Although we believe we have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the security of our confidential information, information security risks have generally increased in recent years due to the rise in new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyberattacks. Despite our security measures, we have experienced security breaches due to cyberattacks and additional breaches could occur in the future. In these cases, our information technology and infrastructure could be vulnerable and our or our customers’ or employees’ confidential information could be compromised or misappropriated. Any such breach could result in serious and harmful consequences for us or our customers.
Our confidential information may also be compromised due to programming or human error or malfeasance. We must continually evaluate and adapt our systems and processes to address the evolving threat landscape, and therefore there is no guarantee that they will be adequate to safeguard against all data security breaches or misuses of data. In addition, as the regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy becomes increasingly rigorous, with new and changing requirements applicable to our business from multiple regulatory agencies at the local, state, federal, or international level, compliance with those requirement could also result in additional costs, or we could fail to comply with those requirements due to various reasons such as not being aware of them.
Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disruption to our operations and the services we provide to customers or damage our reputation, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations, reputation and competitive position. In addition, our customers could lose confidence in our ability to protect their personal information, which could cause them to discontinue leasing our facilities. Such events could lead to lost future revenues and adversely affect our results of operations and could result in remedial and other costs, fines or lawsuits, which could be in excess of any available insurance that we have procured.
Risks Related to Our Ownership, Organization and Structure
We would incur adverse tax consequences if we failed to qualify as a REIT and we would have to pay substantial U.S. federal corporate income taxes.
REITs are subject to a range of complex organizational and operational requirements. A qualifying REIT does not generally incur U.S. federal corporate income tax on its “REIT taxable income” (generally, taxable income subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) that it distributes to its shareholders. We believe we have qualified as a REIT and we intend to continue to maintain our REIT status.
However, there can be no assurance that we qualify or will continue to qualify as a REIT, because of the highly technical nature of the REIT rules, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, the possibility of unidentified issues in prior periods, or changes in our circumstances, as well as share ownership limits in our articles of incorporation that do not necessarily ensure that our shareholder base is sufficiently diverse for us to qualify as a REIT. For any year we fail to qualify as a REIT, unless certain relief provisions apply (the granting of such relief could nonetheless result in significant excise or penalty taxes), we would not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid, we would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income, and generally we would not be allowed to elect REIT status until the fifth year after such a disqualification. Any taxes, interest, and penalties incurred would reduce our cash available for distributions to shareholders and could negatively affect our stock price. However, for years in which we failed to qualify as a REIT, we would not be subject to REIT rules that require us to distribute substantially all of our taxable income to our shareholders.
Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes, including payroll taxes, taxes on any undistributed income, taxes on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, a 100% excise tax on any transactions with a Taxable REIT Subsidary (“TRS”) that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis, and state or local income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. Moreover, if we have net income from the sale of properties that are “dealer” properties (a “prohibited transaction” under the Code), that income will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In addition, our TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate
income taxes on their net taxable income, if any. Any of these taxes would reduce our cash available for distributions to shareholders and could negatively affect our stock price.
We may need to borrow funds to meet our REIT distribution requirements.
As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our “REIT taxable income” (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) to our shareholders each year. Our income consists primarily of our share of our OP’s income. We intend to make sufficient distributions to qualify as a REIT and otherwise avoid corporate tax. However, differences in timing between income and expenses and the need to make nondeductible expenditures such as capital improvements and principal payments on debt could force us to borrow funds to make necessary shareholder distributions. Future dividend levels are not determinable at this time.
Changes in tax laws could negatively impact us.
The United States Treasury Department and Congress frequently review U.S. federal income tax legislation, regulations and other guidance. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be adopted. Any legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify our tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect taxation of us or our shareholders.
PS has significant influence over us.
As of December 31, 2020, PS owned 7.2 million shares of the Company’s common stock and 7.3 million common units of the OP (100.0% of the common units not owned by the Company). Assuming issuance of the Company’s common stock upon redemption of its partnership units, PS would own 41.6% (or 14.5 million shares) of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2020. In addition, the PS Business Parks name and logo are owned by PS and licensed to the Company under a non-exclusive, royalty-free license agreement. The license can be terminated by either party for any reason with six months written notice. Ronald L. Havner, Jr., the Company’s chairman, is also Chairman of Trustees of PS. Joseph D. Russell, Jr. is a director and former Chief Executive Officer of the Company and also President and Chief Executive Officer of PS. Kristy M. Pipes, an independent director of the Company, is also a trustee of PS and Gary E. Pruitt, an independent director of the Company, was also a trustee of PS until he retired from the Board of Trustees of PS in January 2021. Consequently, PS has the ability to significantly influence all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including electing directors, changing our articles of incorporation, dissolving and approving other extraordinary transactions such as mergers, and all matters requiring the consent of the limited partners of the OP. PS’s interest in such matters may differ from other shareholders. In addition, PS’s ownership may make it more difficult for another party to take over or acquire our Company without PS’s approval, even if favorable to our public shareholders.
Provisions in our organizational documents may prevent changes in control.
In certain circumstances, shareholders might desire a change of control or acquisition of us in order to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of our shares or for other reasons. However, current provisions of our articles of incorporation and the powers of our Board could prevent, deter, or delay such a transaction, including (1) restrictions on the acquisition of our shares, (2) the power to issue additional common stock, preferred stock or equity stock on terms approved by the Board without obtaining shareholder approval and (3) the advance notice provisions of our bylaws.
Our articles generally prohibit any person from owning more than 7% of our shares: Our articles of incorporation restrict the number of shares that may be owned by any “person,” and the partnership agreement of our OP contains an anti-takeover provision. No shareholder (other than PS and certain other specified shareholders) may own more than 7% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, unless our Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) waives this limitation. We imposed this limitation to avoid, to the extent possible, a concentration of ownership that might jeopardize our ability to qualify as a REIT. This limitation, however, also makes a change of control much more difficult (if not impossible). These provisions will prevent future takeover attempts not supported by PS even if a majority of our public shareholders consider it to be in their best interests, such as to receive a premium for their shares over market value or for other reasons.
Our Board can set the terms of certain securities without shareholder approval: Our Board is authorized, without shareholder approval, to issue up to 50.0 million shares of preferred stock and up to 100.0 million shares of equity stock, in each case in one or more series. Our Board has the right to set the terms of each of these series of stock. Consequently, the Board could set the terms of a series of stock that could make it difficult (if not impossible) for another party to take over our Company even if it might be favorable to our public shareholders. Our articles of
incorporation also contain other provisions that could have the same effect. We can also cause our OP to issue additional interests for cash or in exchange for property.
The partnership agreement of our OP restricts our ability to enter into mergers: The partnership agreement of our OP generally provides that we may not merge or engage in a similar transaction unless either the limited partners of our OP are entitled to receive the same proportionate consideration as our shareholders, or 60% of the OP’s limited partners approve the merger. In addition, we may not consummate a merger unless the matter is approved by a vote of the OP’s partners, with our interests in the OP voted in proportion to the manner in which our shareholders voted to approve the merger. These provisions have the effect of increasing PS’s influence over us due to PS’s ownership of operating partnership units. These provisions may make it more difficult for us to merge with another entity.
The interests of limited partners of our OP may conflict with the interests of our common stockholders.
Limited partners of our OP, including PS, have the right to vote on certain changes to the partnership agreement. They may vote in a way that is against the interests of our shareholders. Also, as general partner of our OP, we are required to protect the interests of the limited partners of the OP. The interests of the limited partners and of our shareholders may differ.
We depend on external sources of capital to grow our Company.
As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our “REIT taxable income” (determined before the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains) to our shareholders each year. Because of this distribution requirement, we may not be able to fund future capital needs, including any necessary building and tenant improvements, from operating cash flow. Consequently, we may need to rely on third-party sources of capital to fund our capital needs. We may not be able to obtain the financing on favorable terms or at all. Access to third-party sources of capital depends, in part, on general market conditions, the market’s perception of our growth potential, our current and expected future earnings, our cash flow, and the market price per share of our common stock. If we cannot obtain capital from third-party sources, we may not be able to acquire properties when strategic opportunities exist, satisfy any debt service obligations, or make cash distributions to shareholders.
Risks Related to Our Preferred Stock
Holders of depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000 of a share of our outstanding preferred stock, have dividend, liquidation and other rights that are senior to the rights of the holders of shares of our common stock.
Holders of our shares of preferred stock are entitled to cumulative dividends before any dividends may be declared or set aside on our common stock. Upon liquidation, before any payment is made to holders of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock are entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $25.00 per depositary share) plus any accrued and unpaid distributions before any payment is made to the common shareholders. These preferences may limit the amount received by our common shareholders for ongoing distributions or upon liquidation. In addition, our preferred stockholders have the right to elect two additional directors to our Board whenever dividends are in arrears in an aggregate amount equivalent to six or more quarterly dividends, whether or not consecutive.
Preferred Shareholders are subject to certain risks.
Holders of our preferred shares have preference rights over our common shareholders with respect to liquidation and distributions, which give them some assurance of continued payment of their stated dividend rate, and receipt of their principal upon liquidation of the Company or redemption of their securities. However, holders of our preferred shares should consider the following risks:
The Company has in the past, and could in the future, issue or assume additional debt. Preferred shareholders would be subordinated to the interest and principal payments of such debt, which would increase the risk that there would not be sufficient funds to pay distributions or liquidation amounts to the preferred shareholders.
The Company has in the past, and could in the future, issue additional preferred shares that, while pari passu to the existing preferred shares, increases the risk that there would not be sufficient funds to pay distributions to the preferred shareholders.
While the Company has no plans to do so, if the Company were to lose its REIT status or no longer elect REIT status, it would no longer be required to distribute its taxable income to maintain REIT status. If, in such a
circumstance, the Company ceased paying dividends, unpaid distributions to the preferred shareholders would continue to accumulate. The preferred shareholders would have the ability to elect two additional members to serve on our Board until the arrearage was cured. The preferred shareholders would not receive any compensation (such as interest) for the delay in the receipt of distributions, and it is possible that the arrearage could accumulate indefinitely.

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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
As of December 31, 2020, we owned 98 business parks and 675 buildings in a geographically diverse portfolio of 27.7 million rentable square feet of commercial real estate which consists of 18.4 million square feet of industrial space, 6.2 million square feet of flex space, and 3.1 million square feet of office space. The weighted average occupancy rate for these assets throughout 2020 was 91.9% and the realized rent per square foot was $16.03.
The following table reflects the geographical diversification of the 98 business parks owned by the Company as of December 31, 2020, the type of rentable square footage and the weighted average occupancy rates throughout 2020 (except as set forth below, all of the properties are held fee simple) (in thousands, except number of business parks):
Weighted
Number of
Average
Business
Rentable Square Footage
Occupancy
Region
Parks
Industrial
Flex
Office
Total
Rate
Northern California
6,391
7,324
91.3%
Southern California
2,989
3,973
91.6%
Dallas (1)
1,300
1,587
-
2,887
88.0%
Austin
1,208
-
1,963
94.9%
Northern Virginia
1,810
1,440
1,970
5,220
92.3%
South Florida
3,728
3,866
93.5%
Seattle
1,052
1,350
95.6%
Suburban Maryland
-
1,145
89.5%
Total
18,419
6,177
3,132
27,728
91.9%
____________________________
(1)The Company owns two properties comprising 231,000 square feet that are subject to ground leases in Irving, Texas. These leases expire in 2029 and 2030.
Along with the 27.7 million rentable square feet of commercial space, we also have a 95.0% interest in a 395-unit multifamily apartment complex and a 98.2% interest in a 411-unit multifamily apartment complex development.
We currently anticipate that each of our properties will continue to be used for its current purpose. However, we will from time to time evaluate our properties from a highest and best use perspective, and may identify higher and better uses for our real estate. We renovate our properties in connection with the re-leasing of space to customers and expect to fund the costs of such renovations generally from rental income.
Competition exists in each of the market areas in which our properties are located, and we have risks that customers could default on leases and declare bankruptcy. We believe these risks are mitigated in part through the Company’s geographic diversity and our diverse customer base.
Please refer to Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for portfolio information with respect to lease expirations and operating results in 2020, 2019, and 2018 by region and by type of rentable space.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not presently subject to material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against us, other than routine actions, claims and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which are expected to be covered by liability insurance or third party indemnifications and all of which collectively are not expected to have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

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

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity:
The common stock of the Company trades on the NYSE under the symbol PSB.
Holders:
As of February 19, 2021, there were 260 holders of record of the common stock.
Dividends:
Holders of common stock are entitled to receive distributions when and if declared by our Board out of any funds legally available for that purpose. As a REIT, we do not incur U.S. federal corporate income tax on our “REIT taxable income” that is fully distributed each year (for this purpose, certain distributions paid in a subsequent year may be considered), and if we meet certain organizational and operational requirements. We believe we have met these REIT requirements in all periods presented herein, and we expect to continue to elect and qualify as a REIT.
The Board has established a distribution policy intended to maximize the retention of operating cash flow and distribute the amount required for the Company to maintain its tax status as a REIT.
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities:
The Board has authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of up to 6.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, there were no shares of the Company’s common stock repurchased. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has 1,614,721 shares available for repurchase under the program. The program does not expire. Purchases will be made subject to market conditions and other investment opportunities available to the Company.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans:
Information related to the Company’s equity compensation plan is provided in Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.
‎

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the selected financial data and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates:
Our accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. We believe our critical accounting policies relate to income tax expense, accounting for acquired real estate facilities, accounting for customer receivable balances, including deferred rent receivable balances, impairment of long-lived assets, and accrual for uncertain and contingent liabilities, each of which are more fully discussed below.
Income Tax Expense: We have elected to be treated as a REIT, as defined in the Code. As a REIT, we do not incur U.S. federal corporate income tax on our “REIT taxable income” that is fully distributed each year (for this purpose, certain distributions paid in a subsequent year may be considered), and if we meet certain organizational and operational requirements. We believe we have met these REIT requirements for all periods presented herein. Accordingly, we have recorded no U.S. federal corporate income tax expense related to our “REIT taxable income.”
Our evaluation that we have met the REIT requirements could be incorrect, because compliance with the tax rules requires factual determinations, and circumstances we have not identified could result in noncompliance with the tax requirements in current or prior years. For any taxable year that we fail to qualify as a REIT and for which applicable statutory relief provisions did not apply, we would be taxed at the regular corporate rates on all of our taxable income for at least that year and the ensuing four years, we could be subject to penalties and interest, and our net income would be materially different from the amounts shown in our consolidated financial statements.
Accounting for Acquired Real Estate Facilities: We estimate the fair value of land, buildings, intangible assets and intangible liabilities for purposes of allocating purchase price. Such estimates, which are determined with the assistance of third-party valuation specialists where appropriate, are based upon many assumptions and judgments, including, but not limited to, (i) market rates of return and capitalization rates on real estate and intangible assets, (ii) building and material cost levels, (iii) estimated market rent levels, (iv) future revenue growth rates, (v) future cash flows from the real estate and the existing customer base and (vi) comparisons of the acquired underlying land parcels to recent land transactions. Others could come to materially different conclusions as to the estimated fair values, which could result in different depreciation and amortization expense, rental income, gains and losses on sale of real estate assets, and real estate and intangible assets.
Accounting for Customer Receivable Balances, including Deferred Rent Receivable Balances: Customer receivables consist primarily of amounts due for contractual lease payments, reimbursements of common area maintenance expenses, property taxes and other expenses recoverable from customers. Deferred rent receivables represent the amount that the cumulative straight-line rental income recorded as of a reporting date exceeds cash rents billed through that same date under the lease agreement, inclusive of rent deferrals and abatements granted to our customers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company writes off uncollectible customer receivable balances, including deferred rent receivable balances, in the period such receivable balances are deemed uncollectible. Significant bad debt losses could materially impact our net income.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The analysis of impairment of our long-lived assets involves identification of indicators of impairment, projections of future operating cash flows and estimates of fair values or selling prices, all of which require significant judgment and subjectivity. Others could come to materially different conclusions. In addition, we may not have identified all current facts and circumstances that may affect impairment. Any unidentified impairment loss, or change in conclusions, could have a material adverse impact on our net income.
Accrual for Uncertain and Contingent Liabilities: We accrue for certain contingent and other liabilities that have significant uncertain elements, such as property taxes, performance bonuses and other operating expenses, as well as other legal claims and disputes involving customers, employees, governmental agencies and other third parties. We estimate such liabilities based upon many factors such as past trends and our evaluation of likely outcomes. However, the estimates of known liabilities could be incorrect or we may not be aware of all such liabilities, in which case our accrued liabilities and net income could be materially different.
‎
Business Overview
The Company is a fully-integrated, self-advised and self-managed REIT that owns, operates, acquires and develops commercial properties, primarily multi-tenant industrial, flex and office space. As of December 31, 2020, the Company owned and operated 27.7 million rentable square feet of commercial space in six states consists of 98 parks and 675 buildings located in markets that have experienced long-term economic growth with a particular concentration on small- and medium-size customers. Accordingly, a significant degree of management attention is paid to maximizing the cash flow from our existing real estate portfolio. The Company also held a 95.0% interest in a joint venture entity which owns Highgate at The Mile, a 395-unit multifamily apartment complex located in Tysons, Virginia, and a 98.2% interest in a joint venture formed to develop Brentford at The Mile, a planned 411-unit multifamily apartment complex also located in Tysons, Virginia. Our strong and conservative capital structure allows us the flexibility to use debt and equity capital prudently to fund our growth, which allows us to acquire properties we believe will create long-term value. From time to time we sell properties which no longer fit the Company’s strategic objectives.
Existing Real Estate Facilities: The operating results of our existing real estate facilities are substantially influenced by demand for rental space within our properties and our markets, which impacts occupancy, rental rates and capital expenditure requirements. We strive to maintain high occupancy levels while increasing rental rates and minimizing capital expenditures when market conditions allow, although the Company may decrease rental rates in markets where conditions require. Management’s initiatives and strategies with respect to our existing real estate facilities, which include incentivizing our personnel to maximize the return on investment for each lease transaction and provide a superior level of service to our customers.
Acquisitions of Real Estate Facilities: We seek to grow our portfolio through acquisitions of facilities generally consistent with the Company’s focus on owning concentrated business parks with easy to configure space and in markets and product types with favorable long-term return potential.
On October 28, 2020, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 246,000 rentable square feet in Alexandria, Virginia, for a total purchase price of $46.6 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The park consists of three buildings and was 100.0% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 7,000 to 75,000 square feet.
On January 10, 2020, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 73,000 rentable square feet in La Mirada, California, for a total purchase price of $13.5 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The park consists of five buildings and was 100.0% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet.
On December 20, 2019, we acquired a multi-tenant flex park comprising approximately 79,000 rentable square feet in Santa Clara, California, for a total purchase price of $16.8 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The park consists of nine buildings and was 95.6% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 200 to 3,500 square feet.
On September 5, 2019, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 543,000 rentable square feet in Santa Fe Springs, California, for a total purchase price of $104.3 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The park consists of ten buildings and was 100.0% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 5,000 to 288,000 square feet.
On April 18, 2019, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 74,000 rentable square feet in Signal Hill, California, for a total purchase price of $13.8 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The park consists of eight buildings and was 98.4% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 1,200 to 8,000 square feet.
On June 8, 2018, we acquired two multi-tenant industrial parks aggregating 1.1 million rentable square feet in Springfield, Virginia, for a total purchase price of $143.8 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. The portfolio consists of 19 buildings and was 76.1% occupied at acquisition with suites ranging from 100 to 32,000 square feet.
We continue to seek to acquire additional properties in our existing markets and generally in close proximity to our existing portfolio; however, there can be no assurance that we will acquire additional facilities that meet our risk-adjusted return and underwriting requirements.
Development or Redevelopment of Real Estate Facilities: In certain instances, we may seek to redevelop our existing real estate or develop new buildings on excess land parcels. During 2020, we developed an 83,000 square foot shallow-bay industrial building on an excess land parcel at our Freeport Business Park in Irving, Texas. As of December 31, 2020, $7.8 million of the estimated $8.1 million total development costs had been incurred and was reflected under land and building held for development, net on our consolidated balance sheets. The remaining $0.3 million was incurred subsequent to December 31, 2020 and construction was completed in January 2021.
The Mile is an office and multifamily park we own which sits on 44.5 contiguous acres of land located in Tysons, Virginia. The park consists of 628,000 square feet of office space and a 395-unit multifamily apartment community, Highgate at The Mile, which we completed in 2017 through a joint venture with an unrelated real estate development company (the “JV Partner”). In 2019, we successfully rezoned The Mile allowing us to develop, at our election, up to 3,000 additional multifamily units and approximately 500,000 square feet of other commercial uses.
In August 2020, the Company entered into a new joint agreement with the JV Partner for the purpose of developing Brentford at The Mile, a planned 411-unit multifamily apartment complex (the “Brentford Joint Venture”). Under the Brentford Joint Venture agreement, the Company has a 98.2% controlling interest and is the managing member with the JV Partner holding the remaining 1.8% limited partnership interest. We contributed a parcel of land to the Brentford Joint Venture (the “Brentford Parcel”) at a value of $18.5 million, for which we received equity contribution credit in the Brentford Joint Venture. Our cost basis in the Brentford Parcel was $5.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
Construction of Brentford at The Mile commenced in August 2020 and is anticipated to be completed over a period of 24 to 36 months at an estimated development cost of $110 million to $115 million, excluding land cost. As of December 31, 2020, the development cost incurred was $9.6 million, which is reflected in land and building held for development, net on our consolidated balance sheets along with our $5.5 million cost basis in the Brentford Parcel. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company also recorded non-capitalizable demolition costs of $0.3 million in interest and other expense on our consolidated statements of income.
While multifamily real estate was not previously a core asset class for us, we determined that multifamily real estate represented a unique opportunity and the highest and best use of the Brentford Parcel. Through joint ventures we have partnered with a local developer and operator of multifamily properties in order to leverage their development and operational expertise. The scope and timing of the future phases of development of The Mile are subject to a variety of uncertainties, including site plan approvals and building permits.
We consolidate both the joint venture that owns Highgate at The Mile and the joint venture that is developing Brentford at The Mile.
See “Analysis of Net Income - Multifamily” below and Note 3 and 4 to our consolidated financial statements for more information on Highgate at The Mile and Brentford at The Mile.
Sales of Real Estate Facilities: We may from time to time sell individual real estate facilities based on market conditions, fit with our existing portfolio, evaluation of long-term potential returns of markets or product types, or other reasons.
On September 16, 2020, the Company sold two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet located in Redmond, Washington, which were subject to an eminent domain process for net proceeds of $11.4 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $7.7 million. These properties were classified as held for sale, net, in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019.
On January 7, 2020, the Company completed the sale of a single-tenant building totaling 113,000 square feet in Montgomery County, Maryland, for net sale proceeds of $29.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $19.6 million. This property was classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2019.
On October 8, 2019, we sold three business parks located in Montgomery County, Maryland: Metro Park North, Meadow Business Park and WesTech Business Park. The parks, consisting of 28 buildings totaling approximately 1.3 million rentable square feet sold for net sale proceeds of $144.6 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $16.6 million.
On March 5, 2018, we sold Corporate Pointe Business Park, a park consisting of five multi-tenant office buildings totaling 161,000 square feet located in Orange County, California, for net sale proceeds of $41.7 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $26.8 million. On April 18, 2018, we sold Orange County Business Center, a park consisting of five multi-tenant office buildings totaling 437,000 square feet located in Orange County, California, for
net sale proceeds of $73.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $50.6 million. On April 30, 2018, we sold Northgate Business Park, a park consisting of seven multi-tenant flex buildings totaling 194,000 square feet located in Dallas, Texas, for net sale proceeds of $11.8 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $7.9 million. On October 31, 2018, we sold Orangewood Office Park, a park consisting of two multi-tenant office buildings totaling 107,000 square feet located in Orange County, California, for net sale proceeds of $18.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $8.2 million.
The operations of these facilities are presented below under “assets sold.”
Certain Factors that May Impact Future Results
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in cessation, severe curtailment, or impairment of business activities in most sectors of the economy in all markets we operate in, due to governmental “stay at home” orders, risk mitigation procedures, and closure of businesses not considered to be “essential.” This resulted in a rapid and dramatic increase in unemployment in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2020, with only a partial recovery by year end. Since it remains unknown at this time how long the COVID-19 pandemic will continue, we cannot estimate how long these negative economic impacts will persist.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe negative impact on many of our customers’ businesses. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company granted rent relief to 393 customers (representing 11.0% of total customers based on rental income), including $5.7 million of rent deferrals, of which $3.1 million had been repaid by December 31, 2020, and $1.3 million of rent abatements. The Company also wrote off accounts receivable and deferred rent receivable of $1.6 million and $3.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The table below represents percentages of billed revenue that the Company has collected, deferred, and abated/written-off, by product type, for the respective periods presented (percentages shown are all as of December 31, 2020):
Percentage of Rent
Collected
Outstanding
Deferred
Abated/Written-off
Q4 2020
Industrial
98%
2%
0%
0%
Flex
98%
2%
0%
0%
Office
99%
1%
0%
0%
Total
98%
2%
0%
0%
FY 2020
Industrial
97%
0%
2%
1%
Flex
98%
1%
1%
0%
Office
99%
0%
1%
0%
Total
97%
1%
1%
1%
As of February 19, 2021, the Company had open rent relief requests from approximately 1% of customers. It is possible that additional rent relief requests will arise in future months as a result of continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related responses from state and local governments; however the timing and magnitude of such future requests cannot be easily predicted due to the inherent uncertainty of the virus and its varying regional effects. All rent relief requests to date have been, and all future rent relief requests are expected to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To the extent we grant additional requests for abatement, or to the extent that our customers default on their lease obligations, it will have a negative effect on our future rental income and net income.
Our ability to re-lease space as leases expire in a way that minimizes vacancy periods and maximizes market rental rates will depend upon market conditions in the specific submarkets in which each of our properties are located. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Company’s future ability to grow or maintain existing occupancy levels, possible decreases in rental rates on new and renewal transactions, and the potential negative effect of additional rent deferrals, rent abatements, and customer defaults, we believe the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have adverse effects on rental income for 2021 and possibly beyond.
‎
Impact of Inflation: Although inflation has not been significant in recent years, an increase in inflation could impact our future results, and the Company continues to seek ways to mitigate its potential impact. A substantial portion of the Company’s leases require customers to pay operating expenses, including real estate taxes, utilities and insurance, as well as increases in common area expenses, partially reducing the Company’s exposure to inflation during each lease’s respective lease period.
Regional Concentration: Our portfolio is concentrated in eight regions, in six states. We have chosen to concentrate in these regions because we believe they have characteristics which enable them to be competitive economically, such as above average population growth, job growth, higher education levels and personal income. Changes in economic conditions in these regions in the future could impact our future results.
Industry and Customer Concentrations: We seek to minimize the risk of industry or customer concentrations. As of December 31, 2020, only three industry concentrations represented more than 10% of our annualized rental income as depicted in the following table.
Percent of
Annualized
Industry
Rental Income
Business services
19.8%
Warehouse, distribution, transportation and logistics
12.9%
Computer hardware, software and related services
11.1%
Retail, food, and automotive
8.9%
Engineering and construction
8.3%
Health services
7.6%
Government
6.6%
Electronics
3.1%
Insurance and financial services
2.6%
Home furnishings
2.6%
Communications
1.8%
Aerospace/defense products and services
1.8%
Educational services
1.0%
Other
11.9%
Total
100.0%
As of December 31, 2020, leases from our top 10 customers comprised 11.4% of our annualized rental income with four customers representing more than 1% as depicted in the following table (in thousands).
Percent of
Annualized
Annualized
Customers
Square Footage
Rental Income (1)
Rental Income
U.S. Government
657,000
$
15,832
3.8%
Amazon Inc.
543,000
6,632
1.6%
KZ Kitchen Cabinet & Stone
343,000
5,321
1.3%
Luminex Corporation
198,000
4,472
1.1%
ECS Federal, LLC
142,000
2,938
0.7%
Lockheed Martin Corporation
124,000
2,671
0.6%
Carbel, LLC
236,000
2,502
0.6%
CentralColo, LLC
96,000
2,402
0.6%
Applied Materials, Inc.
162,000
2,401
0.6%
Costco
180,000
1,933
0.5%
Total
2,681,000
$
47,104
11.4%
____________________________
(1)For leases expiring prior to December 31, 2021, annualized rental income represents income to be received under existing leases from January 1, 2021 through the date of expiration.
Customer Credit Risk: Historically we have experienced a low level of write-offs of uncollectible rents, with less than 0.4% of rental income written off in any single year from 2011-2019. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on our customers’ ability to pay rent resulted in accounts receivable write-offs of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which equates to 0.4% of rental income, which is at the high end of the historical range noted above. The majority of write-offs occurred in the second quarter near the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the third and fourth quarters of 2020 account receivable write-off volume was in-line
with historic levels. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we wrote-off $0.2 million of accounts receivable, which is consistent with the $0.2 million written-off during the three months ended December 31, 2019.
The Company writes off deferred rent receivable balances as a reduction to rental income in the period such balances are no longer deemed probable of being collected. In the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company wrote-off $3.1 million of deferred rent receivable, which is well above the amount written-off for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $0.5 million. Similar to accounts receivable write-offs, the majority of deferred rent receivable write-offs in 2020 were recognized in the second quarter. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we wrote-off deferred rent receivables of $0.4 million, which is slightly above the $0.1 million written-off during the three months ended December 31, 2019.
For the three months ended December 31, 2020, we agreed to defer and abate a total of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to customers whose businesses were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, well below amounts granted in the second and third quarters. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company granted $5.7 million of rent deferrals and $1.3 million of rent abatements. We are closely monitoring the collectability of such deferred rents. As of February 19, 2021, the Company had collected $3.7 million, or 97.1%, of the scheduled repayments of COVID-19 related rent deferrals billed through February 1, 2021.
As of February 19, 2021, we had 51,000 square feet of leased space occupied by three customers that are protected by Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which have an aggregate remaining lease value of $1.8 million. From time to time, customers contact us, requesting early termination of their lease, reductions in space leased, or rent deferment or abatement, which we are not obligated to grant but will consider and grant under certain circumstances.
Net Operating Income
We utilize net operating income (“NOI”), a measure that is not defined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), to evaluate the operating performance of our real estate. We define NOI as rental income less Adjusted Cost of Operations. Adjusted cost of operations represents cost of operations, excluding stock compensation, which can vary significantly period to period based upon the performance of the Company.
We believe NOI assists investors in analyzing the performance of our real estate by excluding (i) corporate overhead (i.e., general and administrative expense) because it does not relate to the direct operating performance of our real estate, (ii) depreciation and amortization expense because it does not accurately reflect changes in the fair value of our real estate and (iii) stock compensation expense because this expense item can vary significantly from period to period and thus impact comparability across periods. The Company’s calculation of NOI may not be comparable to those of other companies and should not be used as an alternative to performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
See “Analysis of net income” below for reconciliations of each of these measures to their closest analogous GAAP measure from our consolidated statements of income.
Results of Operations
Operating Results for 2020 and 2019
For the year ended December 31, 2020, net income allocable to common shareholders was $124.6 million or $4.52 per diluted share, compared to $108.7 million or $3.95 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was mainly due to higher gain on sale of real estate facilities sold in 2020 than 2019, a charge related to the redemption of preferred stock incurred in 2019 that did not reoccur in 2020, lower preferred distributions in 2020 compared to 2019, and increased NOI from our Non-Same Park portfolio (defined below), partially offset by a decrease in NOI generated from assets sold.
Operating Results for 2019 and 2018
For the year ended December 31, 2019, net income allocable to common shareholders was $108.7 million or $3.95 per diluted share, compared to $172.9 million or $6.31 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was mainly due to higher gain on sale of real estate facilities sold in 2018 than 2019, a charge related to the redemption of preferred stock incurred in 2019 that did not occur in 2018, and reduced NOI from facilities sold in 2018 and 2019, partially offset by an increase in NOI with respect to the Company’s Same Park (defined below) and Non-Same Park portfolios and multifamily asset.
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Analysis of Net Income
Our net income is comprised primarily of our real estate operations, depreciation and amortization expense, general and administrative expense, interest and other income, interest and other expenses and gain on sale of real estate facilities.
We segregate our real estate activities into (i) same park operations, representing all operating properties acquired prior to January 1, 2018, comprising 25.7 million rentable square feet of our total 27.7 million of rentable square feet at December 31, 2020 (the “Same Park” portfolio), (ii) non-same park operations, representing those facilities we own that were acquired after January 1, 2018 (the “Non-Same Park” portfolio), (iii) multifamily operations, and (iv) assets sold, including 899,000 square feet of assets sold in 2018, 1.3 million square feet of assets sold in October 2019, 113,000 square feet of assets sold in January 2020, and 40,000 square feet of assets sold in September 2020.
The table below sets forth the various components of our net income (in thousands):
For the Years
For the Years
Ended December 31,
Ended December 31,
Variance
Variance
Rental income
Same Park (1)
$
383,364
$
381,950
$
1,414
$
381,950
$
364,020
$
17,930
Non-Same Park
22,109
14,276
7,833
14,276
5,532
8,744
Multifamily
9,464
10,075
(611)
10,075
7,353
2,722
Assets sold (2)
23,545
(22,859)
23,545
36,611
(13,066)
Total rental income
415,623
429,846
(14,223)
429,846
413,516
16,330
Cost of operations
Adjusted Cost of Operations (3)
Same Park
112,569
109,559
3,010
109,559
104,227
5,332
Non-Same Park
7,327
4,899
2,428
4,899
1,884
3,015
Multifamily
4,264
4,137
4,137
4,054
Assets sold (2)
8,614
(8,471)
8,614
13,019
(4,405)
Stock compensation expense (4)
1,210
1,134
1,134
1,446
(312)
Total cost of operations
125,513
128,343
(2,830)
128,343
124,630
3,713
NOI (5)
Same Park
270,795
272,391
(1,596)
272,391
259,793
12,598
Non-Same Park
14,782
9,377
5,405
9,377
3,648
5,729
Multifamily
5,200
5,938
(738)
5,938
3,299
2,639
Assets sold (2)
14,931
(14,388)
14,931
23,592
(8,661)
Stock compensation expense (4)
(1,210)
(1,134)
(76)
(1,134)
(1,446)
Depreciation and amortization expense
(96,314)
(104,249)
7,935
(104,249)
(99,242)
(5,007)
General and administrative expense
(14,526)
(13,761)
(765)
(13,761)
(12,072)
(1,689)
Interest and other income
1,234
4,492
(3,258)
4,492
1,510
2,982
Interest and other expense
(1,072)
(657)
(415)
(657)
(665)
Gain on sale of real estate facilities
27,273
16,644
10,629
16,644
93,484
(76,840)
Net income
$
206,705
$
203,972
$
2,733
$
203,972
$
271,901
$
(67,929)
____________________________
(1)Included in the calculation of Same Park rental income are (a) lease buyout income of $1.2 million, $1.4 million, and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, (b) accounts receivable write-offs of $1.5 million, $1.0 million, and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, and (c) deferred rent receivable write-offs of $3.0 million, $0.5 million, and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
(2)Amounts for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflect the operating results attributable to two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet sold in September 2020 and a 113,000 square foot asset sold in January 2020; amounts for the year ended December 31, 2019 reflect the operating results attributable to the two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet and the 113,000 square foot asset sold in 2020, and 1.3 million square feet of flex and office assets sold in October 2019; amounts for the year ended December 31, 2018 reflect the operating results attributable to the two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet and the 113,000 square foot asset sold in 2020, 1.3 million square feet of assets sold in 2019, and 899,000 square feet of assets sold in 2018.
(3)Adjusted Cost of Operations excludes the impact of stock compensation expense.
(4)Stock compensation expense, as shown here, represents stock compensation expense for employees whose compensation expense is recorded in cost of operations. Note that stock compensation expense attributable to our executive management
team (including divisional vice presidents) and other corporate employees is recorded within general and administrative expense.
(5)NOI represents rental income less Adjusted Cost of Operations.
Rental income decreased $14.2 million in 2020 compared to 2019 and increased $16.3 million in 2019 compared to 2018. The decrease in 2020 was due primarily to reduced rental income from assets sold, partially offset by an increase in rental income from our Non-Same Park and Same Park portfolios. The increase in 2019 was due primarily to increases in rental income at our Same Park portfolio, Non-Same Park portfolio, and our multifamily asset, offset partially by rental income from assets sold.
Cost of operations decreased $2.8 million in 2020 compared to 2019 and increased $3.7 million in 2019 compared to 2018. The decrease in 2020 was due primarily to reduced operating expenses from assets sold partially offset by higher Adjusted Cost of Operations incurred by our Same Park portfolio, and higher Adjusted Costs of Operations incurred by our Non-Same Park portfolio. The increase in 2019 was due primarily to increases in Adjusted Cost of Operations for our Same Park and Non-Same Park portfolios, offset partially by reduced operating expenses from assets sold.
Net income increased $2.7 million in 2020 compared to 2019 and decreased $67.9 million in 2019 compared to 2018. The increase in 2020 was mainly due to higher gain on sale of real estate facilities sold in 2020 than 2019 combined with lower depreciation and amortization expense partially offset by lower NOI and lower interest and other income. The decrease in 2019 was mainly due to higher gain on sale of real estate facilities sold in 2018 than 2019 combined with higher depreciation and amortization expense and higher general and administrative expense partially offset by higher NOI.
Same Park Portfolio
We believe that evaluation of the Same Park portfolio provides an informative view of how the Company’s portfolio has performed over comparable periods. We believe that investors and analysts use Same Park information in a similar manner.
The following table summarizes the historical operating results of our Same Park portfolio and certain statistical information related to leasing activity in 2020, 2019, and 2018 (in thousands, except per square foot data):
For the Years
For the Years
Ended December 31,
Ended December 31,
Variance
Variance
Rental income (1)
$
383,364
$
381,950
0.4%
$
381,950
$
364,020
4.9%
Adjusted Cost of Operations (2)
Property taxes
42,360
40,016
5.9%
40,016
38,028
5.2%
Utilities
18,835
19,493
(3.4%)
19,493
19,502
(0.0%)
Repairs and maintenance
24,495
23,489
4.3%
23,489
21,670
8.4%
Payroll
15,981
15,197
5.2%
15,197
14,522
4.6%
Snow removal
1,046
(73.8%)
1,046
46.7%
Property insurance
4,082
3,371
21.1%
3,371
2,964
13.7%
Other expenses
6,542
6,947
(5.8%)
6,947
6,828
1.7%
Total Adjusted Cost of Operations
112,569
109,559
2.7%
109,559
104,227
5.1%
NOI
$
270,795
$
272,391
(0.6%)
$
272,391
$
259,793
4.8%
Selected Statistical Data
NOI margin (3)
70.6%
71.3%
(1.0%)
71.3%
71.4%
(0.1%)
Weighted average square foot occupancy
92.4%
94.5%
(2.2%)
94.5%
94.8%
(0.3%)
Revenue per occupied square foot (4)
$
16.17
$
15.75
2.7%
$
15.75
$
14.96
5.3%
Revenue per available foot (RevPAF) (5)
$
14.94
$
14.89
0.3%
$
14.89
$
14.19
4.9%
____________________________
(1)Included in the calculation of Same Park rental income are (a) lease buyout income of $1.2 million, $1.4 million, and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, (b) accounts receivable write-offs of $1.5 million, $1.0 million, and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 , and 2018, respectively, and (c) deferred rent receivable write-offs of $3.0 million, $0.5 million, and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
(2)Adjusted Cost of Operations excludes the impact of stock compensation expense.
(3)NOI margin is computed by dividing NOI by rental income.
(4)Revenue per occupied square foot is computed by dividing rental income for the period by weighted average occupied square feet for the same period.
(5)Revenue per Available Square Foot (RevPAF) is computed by dividing rental income for the period by weighted average available square feet for the same period.
Analysis of Same Park Rental Income
Rental income for our Same Park portfolio increased 0.4% in 2020 compared to 2019 and 4.9% in 2019 compared to 2018. The increase in 2020 was due primarily to higher rental rates charged to customers, as revenue per occupied square foot increased 2.7%, partially offset by a 2.2% decrease in weighted average occupancy in 2020 compared to 2019, rent deferrals and abatements granted in 2020, and higher write-offs of accounts receivable and deferred rent receivable in 2020. The increase in 2019 was due primarily to higher rental rates, as revenue per occupied square foot increased 5.3%, partially offset by a 0.3% decrease in weighted average occupancy in 2019 compared to 2018.
The following table details the change in Same Park rental income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
For The Years
For The Years
Ended December 31,
Ended December 31,
Change
Change
Rental income
Base rental income
$
292,729
$
289,361
$
3,368
$
289,361
$
274,935
$
14,426
Expense recovery income
90,225
88,523
1,702
88,523
84,261
4,262
Lease buyout income
1,199
1,373
(174)
1,373
Rent receivable write-off
(1,461)
(1,033)
(428)
(1,033)
(814)
(219)
Abatements
(1,300)
-
(1,300)
-
-
-
Deferrals, net of repayments
(2,356)
-
(2,356)
-
-
-
Fee Income
1,271
(360)
1,271
1,274
(3)
Non-Cash Rental Income (1)
3,417
2,455
2,455
3,781
(1,326)
Total rental income
$
383,364
$
381,950
$
1,414
$
381,950
$
364,020
$
17,930
____________________________
(1)Non-cash rental income includes amortization of deferred rent receivable (net of write-offs), in-place lease intangible, tenant improvement reimbursement, and lease incentive intangible.
Our future revenue growth will come primarily from contractual rental increases as well as from potential increases in market rents allowing us to increase rent levels when leases are either renewed with existing customers or re-leased to new customers. The following table sets forth the expirations of existing leases in our Same Park portfolio over the next 10 years based on lease data at December 31, 2020 (dollars and square feet in thousands):
Percent of
Rentable Square
Percent of
Annualized Rental
Annualized Rental
Number of
Footage Subject to
Total Leased
Income Under
Income Represented
Year of Lease Expiration
Customers
Expiring Leases
Square Footage
Expiring Leases
by Expiring Leases
1,990
5,352
22.5%
$
93,128
22.0%
1,305
5,518
23.2%
99,114
23.5%
4,529
19.0%
76,791
18.2%
3,054
12.8%
54,835
13.0%
2,567
10.8%
45,622
10.8%
1,111
4.7%
20,557
4.9%
1.2%
5,762
1.3%
2.2%
8,964
2.1%
1.2%
7,066
1.7%
2.3%
9,744
2.3%
Thereafter
0.1%
0.2%
Total
4,656
23,813
100.0%
$
422,482
100.0%
See “Analysis of Same Park Market Trends” below for further analysis of such data on a by market basis.
‎
Analysis of Same Park Adjusted Cost of Operations
Adjusted Cost of Operations for our Same Park portfolio increased 2.7% in 2020 compared to 2019 due primarily to higher property taxes, higher repairs and maintenance, higher payroll costs, and higher insurance costs, partially offset by lower utility costs and savings from snow removal costs. Adjusted Costs of Operations increased 5.1% in 2019 compared to 2018 due to higher property tax expense, higher repairs and maintenance costs, higher payroll expense, higher insurance costs, and an increase in snow removal costs.
Property taxes increased 5.9% in 2020 compared to 2019 and 5.2% in 2019 compared to 2018 due to higher assessed values. We expect potential property tax growth in the future due to higher assessed values.
Utilities are dependent upon energy prices and usage levels. Changes in usage levels are driven primarily by weather and temperature. Utilities decreased 3.4% in 2020 compared to 2019 and remained flat in 2019 compared to 2018. The decrease in 2020 was due primarily to a rate reduction related to adopting a renewable energy program during the year as well as reduced water and electricity usage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is difficult to estimate future utility costs because weather, temperature and energy prices are volatile and not readily predictable. However, we expect utility costs in the future to be higher than our results for year ended December 31, 2020 due to increased traffic and use at our parks as our customers resume operations.
Repairs and maintenance increased 4.3% in 2020 compared to 2019 and 8.4% in 2019 compared to 2018. The increase in 2020 was primarily due to increased property services combined with higher landscaping repairs and security costs incurred partially offset by a reduction in general repairs and maintenance projects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in 2019 resulted from higher roof and landscaping repairs compared to 2018. Repairs and maintenance costs are dependent upon many factors including weather conditions, which can impact repair and maintenance needs, inflation in material and labor costs and random events, and as a result are not readily predictable. However, we expect repairs and maintenance costs in the future to be higher than our results for the year ended December 31, 2020 as a result of increased traffic and use at our parks as customers resume operations.
Payroll expense increased 5.2% in 2020 compared to 2019 and 4.6% in 2019 compared to 2018. Payroll expense includes on site and supervisory personnel costs incurred in the operation of our properties. The increases in payroll was primarily due to salary increases and promotions. We expect payroll expenses to increase in the future at a similar rate.
Snow removal decreased 73.8% in 2020 compared to 2019 and increased 46.7% in 2019 compared to 2018. Snow removal costs are weather dependent and therefore not predictable.
Property insurance expense increased 21.1% in 2020 compared to 2019 and 13.7% in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to an increase in our property insurance premium for the policy period June 2019 to May 2020 and a further increase for the policy period June 2020 to May 2021. We expect to experience increases in property insurance expense in the future as unfavorable market conditions pervasive throughout commercial real estate sectors persist.
Other expenses decreased 5.8% in 2020 compared to 2019 and increased 1.7% in 2019 compared to 2018. Other expenses are general property expenses incurred in the operation of our properties. The decrease in 2020 was primarily due to higher than average professional fees related to ordinary course tenant related matters incurred in 2019, which did not recur in 2020. This was also the primary reason for the increase in 2019 compared to 2018. We expect other expenses to be comparable to our results for the year ended December 31, 2020.
‎
Same Park Quarterly Trends
The following table sets forth historical quarterly data related to the operations of our Same Park portfolio for rental income, Adjusted Cost of Operations, weighted average occupancy, annualized revenue per occupied square foot, and RevPAF (in thousands, except per square foot data):
For the Three Months Ended
March 31
June 30
September 30
December 31
Full Year
Rental income (1)
$
97,735
$
92,657
$
96,399
$
96,573
$
383,364
$
94,604
$
94,794
$
95,137
$
97,415
$
381,950
$
90,634
$
90,786
$
91,240
$
91,360
$
364,020
Adjusted Cost of Operations (2)
$
28,134
$
26,997
$
28,903
$
28,535
$
112,569
$
28,143
$
26,683
$
27,452
$
27,281
$
109,559
$
26,918
$
26,093
$
25,998
$
25,218
$
104,227
NOI (3)
$
69,601
$
65,660
$
67,496
$
68,038
$
270,795
$
66,461
$
68,111
$
67,685
$
70,134
$
272,391
$
63,716
$
64,693
$
65,242
$
66,142
$
259,793
Weighted average square foot occupancy
92.9%
92.4%
92.3%
92.0%
92.4%
94.7%
94.2%
94.7%
94.4%
94.5%
94.4%
94.5%
95.1%
95.4%
94.8%
Revenue per occupied square foot (4)
$
16.40
$
15.64
$
16.29
$
16.37
$
16.17
$
15.57
$
15.68
$
15.66
$
16.09
$
15.75
$
14.96
$
14.98
$
14.96
$
14.93
$
14.96
RevPAF (5)
$
15.24
$
14.45
$
15.03
$
15.06
$
14.94
$
14.75
$
14.78
$
14.83
$
15.19
$
14.89
$
14.13
$
14.15
$
14.23
$
14.24
$
14.19
____________________________
(1)Included in the calculation of Same Park rental income are (a) lease buyout income of $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.2 million, $0.1 million, $0.2 million, $0.8 million, $0.2 million, $0.2 million, $0.3 million, $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018, December 31, 2018, March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019, September 30, 2019, December 31, 2019, March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020, September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively, (b) accounts receivable write-offs of $0.2 million, $0.1 million, $0.2 million, $0.3 million, $0.2 million, $0.3 million, $0.3 million, $0.2 million, $0.1 million, $1.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018, December 31, 2018, March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019, September 30, 2019, December 31, 2019, March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020, September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively, and (c) deferred rent receivable write-offs of $0.1 million, $0, $0, $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0, $2.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018, December 31, 2018, March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019, September 30, 2019, December 31, 2019, March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020, September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(2)Adjusted Cost of Operations excludes stock compensation expense for employees whose compensation expense is recorded in cost of operations, which can vary significantly period to period based upon the performance of the Company.
(3)NOI represents rental income less Adjusted Cost of Operations.
(4)Revenue per occupied square foot is computed by dividing rental income for the period by weighted average occupied square feet for the same period.
(5)RevPAF is computed by dividing rental income for the period by weighted average available square feet for the same period.
‎
Analysis of Same Park Market Trends
The following tables set forth historical data by region related to the operations of our Same Park portfolio for rental income, Adjusted Cost of Operations, weighted average occupancy, annualized revenue per occupied square foot, and RevPAF (in thousands, except per square foot data):
For the Years
For the Years
Ended December 31,
Ended December 31,
Region
Variance
Variance
Geographic Data on Same Park
Rental income
Northern California (7.2 million feet)
$
108,007
$
108,046
(0.0%)
$
108,046
$
99,610
8.5%
Southern California (3.3 million feet)
54,810
55,080
(0.5%)
55,080
52,873
4.2%
Dallas (2.9 million feet)
32,502
33,789
(3.8%)
33,789
30,899
9.4%
Austin (2.0 million feet)
33,285
30,679
8.5%
30,679
29,608
3.6%
Northern Virginia (3.9 million feet)
71,901
73,734
(2.5%)
73,734
73,818
(0.1%)
South Florida (3.9 million feet)
43,979
43,601
0.9%
43,601
41,824
4.2%
Seattle (1.4 million feet)
19,223
17,145
12.1%
17,145
16,413
4.5%
Suburban Maryland (1.1 million feet)
19,657
19,876
(1.1%)
19,876
18,975
4.7%
Total Same Park (25.7 million feet)
383,364
381,950
0.4%
381,950
364,020
4.9%
Adjusted Cost of Operations
Northern California
25,123
24,313
3.3%
24,313
22,653
7.3%
Southern California
14,593
14,215
2.7%
14,215
13,349
6.5%
Dallas
11,703
11,488
1.9%
11,488
10,896
5.4%
Austin
12,041
10,843
11.0%
10,843
10,352
4.7%
Northern Virginia
24,621
25,488
(3.4%)
25,488
25,128
1.4%
South Florida
12,469
11,977
4.1%
11,977
10,733
11.6%
Seattle
5,051
4,109
22.9%
4,109
4,127
(0.4%)
Suburban Maryland
6,968
7,126
(2.2%)
7,126
6,989
2.0%
Total Same Park
112,569
109,559
2.7%
109,559
104,227
5.1%
NOI
Northern California
82,884
83,733
(1.0%)
83,733
76,957
8.8%
Southern California
40,217
40,865
(1.6%)
40,865
39,524
3.4%
Dallas
20,799
22,301
(6.7%)
22,301
20,003
11.5%
Austin
21,244
19,836
7.1%
19,836
19,256
3.0%
Northern Virginia
47,280
48,246
(2.0%)
48,246
48,690
(0.9%)
South Florida
31,510
31,624
(0.4%)
31,624
31,091
1.7%
Seattle
14,172
13,036
8.7%
13,036
12,286
6.1%
Suburban Maryland
12,689
12,750
(0.5%)
12,750
11,986
6.4%
Total Same Park
$
270,795
$
272,391
(0.6%)
$
272,391
$
259,793
4.8%
Weighted average square foot occupancy
Northern California
91.3%
96.1%
(5.0%)
96.1%
97.8%
(1.7%)
Southern California
94.9%
95.0%
(0.1%)
95.0%
97.6%
(2.7%)
Dallas
88.0%
92.4%
(4.8%)
92.4%
89.7%
3.0%
Austin
94.9%
91.8%
3.4%
91.8%
92.5%
(0.8%)
Northern Virginia
92.7%
94.1%
(1.5%)
94.1%
92.8%
1.4%
South Florida
93.5%
95.4%
(2.0%)
95.4%
96.4%
(1.0%)
Seattle
95.6%
96.0%
(0.4%)
96.0%
98.2%
(2.2%)
Suburban Maryland
89.5%
89.3%
0.2%
89.3%
83.1%
7.5%
Total Same Park
92.4%
94.5%
(2.2%)
94.5%
94.8%
(0.3%)
Revenue per occupied square foot (1)
Northern California
$
16.33
$
15.52
5.2%
$
15.52
$
14.06
10.4%
Southern California
$
17.60
$
17.67
(0.4%)
$
17.67
$
16.50
7.1%
Dallas
$
12.78
$
12.66
0.9%
$
12.66
$
11.92
6.2%
Austin
$
17.87
$
17.02
5.0%
$
17.02
$
16.29
4.5%
Northern Virginia
$
19.80
$
20.01
(1.0%)
$
20.01
$
20.31
(1.5%)
South Florida
$
12.16
$
11.82
2.9%
$
11.82
$
11.23
5.3%
Seattle
$
19.12
$
13.22
44.6%
$
13.22
$
12.39
6.7%
Suburban Maryland
$
14.89
$
19.39
(23.2%)
$
19.39
$
19.89
(2.5%)
Total Same Park
$
16.17
$
15.75
2.7%
$
15.75
$
14.96
5.3%
RevPAF (2)
Northern California
$
14.91
$
14.91
-
$
14.91
$
13.75
8.4%
Southern California
$
16.70
$
16.78
(0.5%)
$
16.78
$
16.11
4.2%
Dallas
$
11.26
$
11.70
(3.8%)
$
11.70
$
10.70
9.3%
Austin
$
16.96
$
15.63
8.5%
$
15.63
$
15.08
3.6%
Northern Virginia
$
18.36
$
18.82
(2.4%)
$
18.82
$
18.85
(0.2%)
South Florida
$
11.38
$
11.28
0.9%
$
11.28
$
10.82
4.3%
Seattle
$
14.24
$
12.70
12.1%
$
12.70
$
12.16
4.4%
Suburban Maryland
$
17.17
$
17.36
(1.1%)
$
17.36
$
16.57
4.8%
Total Same Park
$
14.94
$
14.89
0.3%
$
14.89
$
14.19
4.9%
____________________________
(1)Revenue per occupied square foot is computed by dividing rental income for the period by weighted average occupied square feet for the same period.
(2)RevPAF is computed by dividing rental income for the period by weighted average available square feet for the same period.
Supplemental Same Park Data by Product Type
The following supplemental tables provide further detail of our Same Park rental income, Adjusted Cost of Operations and NOI by region, further segregated by industrial, flex, and office for each of the three years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Industrial
Flex
Office
Total
Industrial
Flex
Office
Total
Industrial
Flex
Office
Total
In thousands
Rental Income:
Northern California
$
86,560
$
9,453
$
11,994
$
108,007
$
86,088
$
9,801
$
12,157
$
108,046
$
78,721
$
9,442
$
11,447
$
99,610
Southern California
35,379
18,621
54,810
35,387
18,932
55,080
34,272
17,954
52,873
Dallas
11,857
20,645
-
32,502
12,412
21,377
-
33,789
11,566
19,333
-
30,899
Austin
8,448
24,837
-
33,285
8,317
22,362
-
30,679
7,863
21,745
-
29,608
Northern Virginia
7,878
24,277
39,746
71,901
7,468
24,620
41,646
73,734
7,350
24,755
41,713
73,818
South Florida
42,006
1,834
43,979
41,543
1,916
43,601
39,810
1,931
41,824
Seattle
11,772
6,855
19,223
10,077
6,342
17,145
9,683
6,003
16,413
Suburban Maryland
4,211
-
15,446
19,657
4,396
-
15,480
19,876
4,464
-
14,511
18,975
Total
208,111
106,522
68,731
383,364
205,688
105,350
70,912
381,950
193,729
101,163
69,128
364,020
Adjusted Cost of Operations:
Northern California
19,342
2,672
3,109
25,123
18,526
2,602
3,185
24,313
17,207
2,512
2,934
22,653
Southern California
9,053
5,196
14,593
8,869
5,063
14,215
8,397
4,685
13,349
Dallas
3,885
7,818
-
11,703
3,702
7,786
-
11,488
3,666
7,230
-
10,896
Austin
3,022
9,019
-
12,041
2,778
8,065
-
10,843
2,637
7,715
-
10,352
Northern Virginia
2,118
7,650
14,853
24,621
2,104
7,557
15,827
25,488
1,998
7,314
15,816
25,128
South Florida
11,840
12,469
11,262
11,977
10,162
10,733
Seattle
3,192
1,635
5,051
2,417
1,492
4,109
2,459
1,446
4,127
Suburban Maryland
1,431
-
5,537
6,968
1,427
-
5,699
7,126
1,349
-
5,640
6,989
Total
53,883
34,552
24,134
112,569
51,085
33,167
25,307
109,559
47,875
31,411
24,941
104,227
NOI:
Northern California
67,218
6,781
8,885
82,884
67,562
7,199
8,972
83,733
61,514
6,930
8,513
76,957
Southern California
26,326
13,425
40,217
26,518
13,869
40,865
25,875
13,269
39,524
Dallas
7,972
12,827
-
20,799
8,710
13,591
-
22,301
7,900
12,103
-
20,003
Austin
5,426
15,818
-
21,244
5,539
14,297
-
19,836
5,226
14,030
-
19,256
Northern Virginia
5,760
16,627
24,893
47,280
5,364
17,063
25,819
48,246
5,352
17,441
25,897
48,690
South Florida
30,166
1,272
31,510
30,281
1,314
31,624
29,648
1,422
31,091
Seattle
8,580
5,220
14,172
7,660
4,850
13,036
7,224
4,557
12,286
Suburban Maryland
2,780
-
9,909
12,689
2,969
-
9,781
12,750
3,115
-
8,871
11,986
Total
$
154,228
$
71,970
$
44,597
$
270,795
$
154,603
$
72,183
$
45,605
$
272,391
$
145,854
$
69,752
$
44,187
$
259,793
Our past revenue growth has come from contractual annual rent increases, as well as re-leasing of space at rates above outgoing rental rates. We believe the percentage difference between outgoing cash rent inclusive of estimated expense recoveries and incoming cash rent inclusive of estimated expense recoveries for leases executed (“Cash Rental Rate Change”) is useful in understanding trends in current market rates relative to our existing lease rates. The following table summarizes Cash Rental Rate Change and other key statistical information with respect to the Company’s leasing production for its Same Park portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2020 (square feet in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Square
Transaction
Footage
Customer
Costs per
Cash Rental
Regions
Leased
Retention
Executed Foot
Rate Change (1)
Northern California
1,708
60.5%
$
2.60
11.5%
Southern California
1,187
69.4%
$
2.13
3.1%
Dallas
48.3%
$
2.72
1.4%
Austin
75.3%
$
4.10
1.9%
Northern Virginia
70.4%
$
5.35
(1.5%)
South Florida
1,193
58.7%
$
1.02
3.0%
Seattle
76.3%
$
0.78
18.0%
Suburban Maryland
48.5%
$
6.77
(0.5%)
Total
6,761
63.3%
$
2.70
5.0%
____________________________
(1)Cash Rental Rate Change is computed by taking the percentage difference between the incoming initial billed monthly cash rental rates inclusive of estimated expense recoveries (excluding the impact of certain items such as concessions or future escalators) on new leases or extensions executed in the period, and the outgoing monthly cash rental rates inclusive of estimated expense recoveries last billed on the previous lease for that space. Leases executed on spaces vacant for more than the preceding twelve months have been excluded from this measure.
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected occupancy levels across our portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2020, weighted average occupancy was 92.4%, a decrease from weighted average occupancy of 94.5% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Weighted average cash rental rate growth on leases executed during the year ended December 31, 2020 was 5.0% while average net effective rent1 growth was 14.2%. Renewals of leases with existing customers represented 63.7% of our leasing activity for the year ended December 31, 2020. Average lease term of the leases executed during the year ended December 31, 2020 was 3.4 years, with associated average transaction costs (tenant improvements and leasing commissions) of $2.70 per square foot. For comparative purposes, average lease term and transaction costs on leases executed in the same period of 2019 were 4.2 years and $3.73 per square foot, respectively. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Company’s future ability to increase or maintain existing occupancy levels, possible decreases in rental rates on new and renewal transactions, and the negative effect of additional rent deferrals, rent abatements, and customer defaults, we may continue to experience challenges growing Same Park rental income in the near future.
Non-Same Park Portfolio: The table below reflects the assets comprising our Non-Same Park portfolio (in thousands):
Purchase
Square
Occupancy at
Occupancy at
Acquired Property
Date Acquired
Location
Price
Feet
Acquisition
December 31, 2020
Pickett Industrial Park
October 2020
Alexandria, VA
$
46,582
100.0%
92.2%
La Mirada Commerce Center
January 2020
La Mirada, CA
13,513
100.0%
91.9%
San Tomas Business Center
December 2019
Santa Clara, CA
16,787
95.6%
88.8%
Hathaway Industrial Park
September 2019
Santa Fe Springs, CA
104,330
100.0%
95.6%
Walnut Avenue Business Park
April 2019
Signal Hill, CA
13,824
98.4%
95.0%
Northern Virginia and Fullerton
June 2018
Lorton and Springfield,
Road Industrial Parks
VA
143,766
1,057
76.1%
92.2%
Total Acquired Property
$
338,802
2,072
87.5%
93.1%
We believe that our management and operating infrastructure typically allows us to generate higher NOI from newly acquired real estate facilities than was achieved by previous owners. However, it can take 24 or more months for us to fully achieve higher NOI, and the ultimate levels of NOI to be achieved can be affected by changes in general economic conditions. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Company’s ability to generate higher NOI from these newly acquired real estate facilities in the future, there can be no assurance that we will achieve our expectations with respect to newly acquired real estate facilities.
_____________________________
1Net effective rent represents average rental payments for the term of a lease on a straight-line basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding operating expense reimbursements.
Multifamily: As of December 31, 2020, we held a 95.0% controlling interest in a joint venture that owns Highgate at The Mile, a 395-unit apartment complex. The following table summarizes the historical operating results of Highgate at The Mile and certain statistical information (in thousands, except per unit data):
For The Years
For The Years
Ended December 31,
Ended December 31,
Change
Change
Rental income
$
9,464
$
10,075
(6.1%)
$
10,075
$
7,353
37.0%
Cost of operations
4,264
4,137
3.1%
4,137
4,054
2.0%
NOI
$
5,200
$
5,938
(12.4%)
$
5,938
$
3,299
80.0%
Selected Statistical Data
Weighted average square foot occupancy
92.9%
95.4%
(2.6%)
95.4%
78.2%
22.0%
As of December 31, 2020
Total costs (1)
$
115,426
Physical occupancy
94.9%
Average rent per unit (2)
$
2,048
____________________________
(1)The project cost for Highgate at The Mile includes the underlying land at its assigned contribution value upon formation of the joint venture of $27.0 million, which includes unrealized land appreciation of $6.0 million that is not recorded on our balance sheet.
(2)Average rent per unit is defined as the total potential monthly rental revenue (actual rent for occupied apartment units plus market rent for vacant apartment units) divided by the total number of rentable apartment units.
The decrease in NOI in 2020 compared to 2019 was primarily due to a decline in occupancy and rental rates as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to accounts receivable write-offs of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Physical occupancy at Highgate at The Mile had returned to 94.9% at December 31, 2020; however, due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Company’s future ability to maintain existing occupancy levels and rental rates, we may continue to experience lower NOI levels in the near future.
Assets Sold: These amounts include historical operating results with respect to properties that we sold. Amounts for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflect the operating results attributable to two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet sold in September 2020 and a 113,000 square foot asset sold in January 2020; amounts for the year ended December 31, 2019 reflect the operating results attributable to the two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet and the 113,000 square foot asset sold in 2020, and 1.3 million square feet of flex and office sold in October 2019; amounts for the year ended December 31, 2018 reflect the operating results attributable to the two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet and the 113,000 square foot asset sold in 2020, 1.3 million square feet of flex and office sold in October 2019, and 899,000 square feet of assets sold in 2018.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense: Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 7.6% in 2020 compared to 2019 and increased 5.0% in 2019 compared to 2018. The decrease in 2020 over 2019 was primarily due to acceleration of depreciation expense related to the building held for development in 2019, which is also the primary reason for the increase in 2019 over 2018.
General and Administrative Expense: General and administrative expense primarily represents executive and other compensation, audit and tax fees, legal expenses and other costs associated with being a public company. General and administrative expense increased $0.8 million, or 5.6%, in 2020 compared to 2019 and $1.7 million, or 14.0%, in 2019 compared to 2018.
The increase in 2020 over 2019 was primarily due to higher stock compensation expense due to accelerated stock compensation expense related to our President and CEO retiring in September 2020 (discussed below) and an increase in professional fees related to various corporate service projects. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in compensation expense related to our President and CEO’s retirement and stock compensation expense incurred during 2019 tied to a modification of the Director Retirement Plan which did not recur in 2020.
In August 2020, the Company announced that Maria Hawthorne was retiring from her role as President and CEO effective September 1, 2020, and would continue to serve as a director of the Company. Due to Ms. Hawthorne’s continued service as a director of the Company, her unvested stock option and restricted stock units will continue to vest on their original vesting schedule in accordance with the Company’s 2012 Equity and Performance-Based Incentive Compensation Plan and related award agreements. For financial reporting purposes, the end of the service periods for these stock option and restricted stock unit grants have changed from the various respective vesting dates to September 1, 2020, the date of her retirement as President and CEO. Accordingly, all remaining stock compensation
expense for Ms. Hawthorne, which totaled $1.7 million, was amortized and included in general and administrative expense during year ended December 31, 2020.
The increase in 2019 over 2018 was primarily due to an increase in stock compensation expense tied to a modification of the Director Retirement Plan during 2019 as well as an increase in compensation costs relating to the chief financial officer who started during the latter half of 2018.
Gain on sale of real estate facilities: On September 16, 2020, we sold two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet located in Redmond, Washington, which were subject to an eminent domain process for net proceeds of $11.4 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $7.7 million.
On January 7, 2020, we sold a 113,000 square foot office building located at Metro Park North in Montgomery County, Maryland, for net sale proceeds of $29.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $19.6 million.
On October 8, 2019, we sold 1.3 million rentable square feet located in Rockville and Silver Spring, Maryland, for net sale proceeds of $144.6 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $16.6 million.
On March 5, 2018, we sold Corporate Pointe Business Park, a park consisting of five multi-tenant office buildings totaling 161,000 square feet located in Orange County, California, for net sale proceeds of $41.7 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $26.8 million. On April 18, 2018, we sold Orange County Business Center, a park consisting of office multi-tenant office buildings totaling 437,000 square feet located in Orange County, California, for net sale proceeds of $73.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $50.6 million. On April 30, 2018, we sold Northgate Business Park, a park consisting of seven multi-tenant flex buildings totaling 194,000 square feet located in Dallas, Texas, for net sale proceeds of $11.8 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $7.9 million. On October 31, 2018, we sold Orangewood Office Park, a park consisting of two multi-tenant office buildings totaling 107,000 square feet located in Orange County, California, for net sale proceeds of $18.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $8.2 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
This section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 and the notes to our consolidated financial statements, which set forth the major components of our historical liquidity and capital resources. The discussion below sets forth the factors which we expect will affect our future liquidity and capital resources or which may vary substantially from historical levels.
Capital Raising Strategy: As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our “REIT taxable income” to our shareholders each year, which relative to a taxable C corporation, limits the amount of cash flow from operations that we can retain for investment purposes. As a result, in order to grow our asset base, access to capital is important.
Our financial profile is characterized by strong credit metrics, including low leverage relative to our total capitalization and operating cash flows. We are a highly rated REIT, as determined by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. Our corporate credit rating by Standard and Poor’s is A-, while our preferred shares are rated BBB by Standard and Poor’s and Baa2 by Moody’s. We believe our credit profile and ratings will enable us to efficiently access both the public and private capital markets to raise capital, as necessary.
In order to maintain efficient access to the capital markets, we target a minimum ratio of FFO (as defined below) to combined fixed charges and preferred distributions of 3.0 to 1.0. Ratio of FFO to fixed charges and preferred distributions is calculated by dividing FFO excluding fixed charges and preferred distributions by fixed charges and preferred distributions paid. Fixed charges include interest expense, capitalized interest and preferred equity distributions paid. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the ratio of FFO to combined fixed charges and preferred distributions paid was 5.7 to 1.0.
We have a $250.0 million revolving Credit Facility that can be expanded to $400.0 million and expires in January 2022. We can use the Credit Facility as necessary as temporary financing until we are able to raise longer term capital. Historically we have funded our long-term capital requirements with retained operating cash flow and proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred securities. We will select among these sources of capital based upon availability, relative cost, the impact of constraints on our operations (such as covenants), and the desire for leverage.
‎
The COVID-19 pandemic has had varying effects on the cost and availability of debt and equity capital and may have intensified negative impacts if resurgent outbreaks of the virus occur. Based upon our substantial current liquidity relative to our capital requirements noted below, and our strong financial profile and credit ratings, we do not expect such capital market turbulence to have a material impact upon our capital and growth plans over the next 12 months. However, there can be no assurance that it would not in the future if the COVID-19 pandemic were to persist for a long period of time or intensify.
Short-term Liquidity and Capital Resource Analysis: We believe that our net cash provided by our operating activities will continue to be sufficient to enable us to meet our ongoing requirements for debt service, capital expenditures and distributions to our shareholders for the foreseeable future.
As of December 31, 2020, we had $69.1 million in unrestricted cash. In the last five years, we have retained between $40 to $60 million in operating cash flow per year. Retained operating cash flow represents cash flow provided by operating activities, less shareholder and unit holder distributions and capital expenditures.
Required Debt Repayment: As of December 31, 2020, we have no debt outstanding on our Credit Facility. We are in compliance with all of the covenants and other requirements of our Credit Facility.
Capital Expenditures: We define recurring capital expenditures as those necessary to maintain and operate our real estate at its current economic value. Nonrecurring capital improvements generally are related to property reconfigurations and other capital expenditures related to repositioning asset acquisitions. The following table sets forth our commercial capital expenditures paid for in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 on an aggregate and per square foot basis:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Commercial Real Estate
(in thousands)
(per total weighted average square foot)
Recurring capital expenditures
Capital improvements (1)
$
9,497
$
11,224
$
10,738
$
0.34
$
0.40
$
0.38
Tenant improvements
15,948
17,360
18,688
0.58
0.62
0.67
Lease commissions
8,878
8,267
8,048
0.32
0.29
0.29
Total commercial recurring
capital expenditures (1)
34,323
36,851
37,474
1.24
1.31
1.34
Nonrecurring capital improvements
1,715
2,494
1,176
0.06
0.09
0.05
Total commercial capital
expenditures (1)
$
36,038
$
39,345
$
38,650
$
1.30
$
1.40
$
1.39
____________________________
(1)Excludes $24, $20, and $13 of recurring capital improvements on our multifamily asset in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
‎
The following table summarizes recurring capital expenditures paid and the related percentage of NOI for Same Park, Non-Same Park, multifamily, and assets sold by region for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
Recurring Capital Expenditures
Recurring Capital Expenditures
as a Percentage of NOI
Region
Change
Change
Same Park
Northern California
$
6,354
$
4,411
44.0%
$
4,411
$
3,602
22.5%
7.7%
5.3%
4.7%
Southern California
3,568
4,514
(21.0%)
4,514
3,167
42.5%
8.9%
11.0%
8.0%
Dallas
3,984
4,623
(13.8%)
4,623
5,027
(8.0%)
19.2%
20.7%
25.1%
Austin
1,955
4,539
(56.9%)
4,539
2,362
92.2%
9.2%
22.9%
12.3%
Northern Virginia
9,819
10,366
(5.3%)
10,366
10,810
(4.1%)
20.8%
21.5%
22.2%
South Florida
2,313
2,191
5.6%
2,191
3,149
(30.4%)
7.3%
6.9%
10.1%
Seattle
1,326
45.1%
(4.0%)
9.4%
7.0%
7.7%
Suburban Maryland
1,794
2,051
(12.5%)
2,051
2,714
(24.4%)
14.1%
16.1%
22.6%
Total Same Park
31,113
33,609
(7.4%)
33,609
31,783
5.7%
11.5%
12.3%
12.2%
Non-Same Park
Northern California
-
100.0%
-
-
-
-
-
-
Southern California
2,134
3,851.9%
-
100.0%
-
-
-
Northern Virginia
2,154
(54.3%)
2,154
250.2%
-
-
-
Total Non-Same Park
3,194
2,208
44.7%
2,208
259.0%
-
-
-
Assets sold
1,034
(98.5%)
1,034
5,076
(79.6%)
-
-
-
Total commercial
recurring capital
expenditures
34,323
36,851
(6.9%)
36,851
37,474
(1.7%)
12.0%
12.4%
13.1%
Multifamily
20.0%
53.8%
-
-
-
Total
$
34,347
$
36,871
(6.8%)
$
36,871
$
37,487
(1.6%)
11.8%
12.2%
12.9%
In the last five years, our annual recurring capital expenditures have ranged between 11.5% and 16.3% as a percentage of NOI, and we expected future recurring capital expenditures to be within or near the low end of this range. While what we disclose herein with respect to capital expenditures represents our best estimates at this time, there can be no assurance that these amounts will not change substantially in the future for various reasons, including the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on capital projects and leasing volume.
Redemption of Preferred Stock: Historically, we have reduced our cost of capital by refinancing higher coupon preferred securities with lower coupon preferred securities. We have one series of preferred securities that will become redeemable during 2021, at our option, with a coupon rate of 5.20% at a par value of $189.8 million (see Note 9 to our December 31, 2020 financial statements). Redemption of such preferred shares will depend upon many factors, including our cost of capital. None of our preferred securities are redeemable at the option of the holders.
Acquisitions of Real Estate Facilities: On October 28, 2020, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 246,000 rentable square feet in Alexandria, Virginia, for a total purchase price of $46.6 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. On January 10, 2020, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 73,000 rentable square feet in La Mirada, California, for a total purchase price of $13.5 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. On December 20, 2019, we acquired a multi-tenant flex park comprising approximately 79,000 rentable square feet in Santa Clara, California, for a total purchase price of $16.8 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. On September 5, 2019, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 543,000 rentable square feet in Santa Fe Springs, California, for a total purchase price of $104.3 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. On April 18, 2019, we acquired a multi-tenant industrial park comprising approximately 74,000 rentable square feet in Signal Hill, California, for a total purchase price of $13.8 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. On June 8, 2018, we acquired two multi-tenant industrial parks aggregating 1.1 million rentable square feet in Springfield, Virginia, for a total purchase price of $143.8 million, inclusive of capitalized transaction costs. We continue to seek to acquire additional real estate facilities; however, there is significant competition to acquire existing facilities in our markets and there can be no assurance as to the volume of future acquisition activity.
Sale of Real Estate: On September 16, 2020, we sold two industrial buildings totaling 40,000 square feet located in Redmond, Washington, which were subject to an eminent domain process for net proceeds of $11.4 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $7.7 million. On January 7, 2020, we sold an 113,000 square foot office building located at Metro Park North in Montgomery County, Maryland, for net sale proceeds of $29.3 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $19.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we sold 1.3 million rentable square feet of flex and office business parks located in Rockville and Silver Spring, Maryland, for net sale proceeds of $144.6 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $16.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we sold 899,000
rentable square feet of real estate facilities located in Orange County, California, and Dallas, Texas, for net sale proceeds of $145.1 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $93.5 million.
Development of Real Estate Facilities: As noted above, during 2020, we developed an 83,000 square foot shallow-bay industrial building at our Freeport Business Park in Irving, Texas. As of December 31, 2020, $7.8 million of the estimated $8.1 million total development costs had been incurred and was reflected under land and building held for development, net on our consolidated balance sheets. The remaining $0.3 million was incurred subsequent to December 31, 2020 and construction was completed in January 2021.
In August 2020, we entered into the Brentford Joint Venture with the JV Partner for the purpose of developing Brentford at The Mile, a planned 411-unit multifamily apartment complex. We contributed the Brentford Parcel to the Brentford Joint Venture at a value of $18.5 million, for which we received equity contribution credit in the Brentford Joint Venture. Our cost basis in the Brentford Parcel was $5.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
Construction of Brentford at The Mile commenced in August 2020 and is anticipated to be completed over a period of 24 to 36 months at an estimated development cost of $110 million to $115 million, excluding land cost. As of December 31, 2020, the development cost incurred was $9.6 million, which is reflected in land and building held for development, net on our consolidated balance sheets along with our $5.5 million cost basis in the Brentford Parcel. During year ended December 31, 2020, the Company also recorded non-capitalizable demolition costs of $0.3 million in interest and other expense on our consolidated statements of income.
Repurchase of Common Stock: No shares of common stock were repurchased under the board-approved common stock repurchase program during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. As of December 31, 2020, management has the authorization to repurchase an additional 1,614,721 shares.
Requirement to Pay Distributions: Our election to be taxed as a REIT, as defined by the Code, applies to all periods presented herein. As a REIT, we do not incur U.S. federal corporate income tax on our “REIT taxable income” that is distributed each year (for this purpose, certain distributions paid in a subsequent year may be considered), and we continue to meet certain organizational and operational requirements. We believe we have met these requirements in all periods presented herein, and we expect we will continue to qualify as a REIT in future periods.
We paid REIT qualifying distributions of $163.6 million ($48.2 million to preferred shareholders and $115.4 million to common shareholders) during the year ended December 31, 2020.
We estimate the annual distribution requirements with respect to our preferred shares outstanding at December 31, 2020 to be $48.2 million per year.
Our consistent, long-term dividend policy has been to set dividend distribution amounts based on our taxable income. Future quarterly distributions with respect to common shares will continue to be determined based upon our REIT distribution requirements and, along with distributions to preferred shareholders, we expect will be funded with cash provided by operating activities.
Funds from Operations, Core Funds from Operations, and Funds Available for Distribution
Funds from Operations (“FFO”) is a non-GAAP measure defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) and is considered a helpful measure of REIT performance by REITs and many REIT analysts. FFO represents GAAP net income before real estate depreciation and amortization expense, gains or losses on sales of operating properties and land and impairment charges on real estate assets.
We also present Core FFO and Funds Available for Distribution (“FAD”) which are both also non-GAAP measures. Core FFO is defined by the Company as FFO excluding the net impact of (i) income allocated to preferred shareholders to the extent redemption value exceeds the related carrying value (a “Preferred Redemption Allocation”) and (ii) other nonrecurring income or expense items as appropriate. FAD represents Core FFO adjusted to (i) deduct recurring capital improvements and capitalized tenant improvements and lease commissions and (ii) remove certain non-cash income or expense items such as amortization of deferred rent receivable and stock compensation expense.
FFO for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $6.51 per share representing an increase of 0.6% from the same period in 2019.
Core FFO was $6.57 and $6.78 per share for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Core FFO excludes the impact of the (i) accelerated amortization of stock
compensation expense of $1.7 million related to the retirement of our former President and CEO and (ii) non-capitalizable demolition costs of $0.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Core FFO excludes the impact of the Preferred Redemption Allocation of $11.0 million related to the redemption of our 5.75% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series U, and our 5.70% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series V, during December 2019.
The following table reconciles net income allocable to common shareholders to FFO, Core FFO and FAD as well as net income per share to FFO per share and Core FFO per share (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
For The Years Ended December 31,
Net income allocable to common shareholders
$
124,645
$
108,703
$
172,899
Adjustments
Gain on sale of real estate facilities
(27,273)
(16,644)
(93,484)
Depreciation and amortization expense
96,314
104,249
99,242
Net income allocated to noncontrolling interests
33,158
29,006
45,199
Net income allocated to restricted stock unit holders
1,923
FFO allocated to JV partner
(118)
(149)
(13)
FFO allocable to diluted common shares and units
227,442
226,075
225,766
Non-capitalizable demolition costs
-
-
Acceleration of stock compensation expense
due to President and CEO retirement
1,687
-
-
Preferred Redemption Allocation
-
11,007
-
Core FFO allocable to diluted common shares and units
$
229,464
$
237,082
$
225,766
Adjustments
Recurring capital improvements
(9,521)
(11,244)
(10,751)
Tenant improvements
(15,948)
(17,360)
(18,688)
Capitalized lease commissions
(8,878)
(8,267)
(8,048)
Non-cash rental income (1)
(4,713)
(3,936)
(5,230)
Non-cash stock compensation expense (2)
3,961
4,956
4,174
Cash paid for taxes in lieu of shares upon vesting
of restricted stock units
(4,216)
(6,350)
(4,981)
FAD allocable to diluted common shares and units
$
190,149
$
194,881
$
182,242
Weighted average outstanding
Common shares
27,475
27,418
27,321
Common operating partnership units
7,305
7,305
7,305
Restricted stock units
Common share equivalents
Total common and dilutive shares
34,919
34,955
34,909
Reconciliation of Earnings per Share to FFO per Share
Net income per common share - diluted
$
4.52
$
3.95
$
6.31
Gain on sale of real estate facilities
(0.77)
(0.47)
(2.68)
Depreciation and amortization expense
2.76
2.99
2.84
FFO per share
6.51
6.47
6.47
Non-capitalizable demolition costs
0.01
-
-
Acceleration of stock compensation expense
due to President and CEO retirement
0.05
-
-
Preferred Redemption Allocation
-
0.31
-
Core FFO per share
$
6.57
$
6.78
$
6.47
____________________________
(1)Non-cash rental income includes amortization of deferred rent receivable (net of write-offs), in-place lease intangible, tenant improvement reimbursement, and lease incentive intangible.
(2)Amounts shown are net of accelerated stock compensation expense related to the President and CEO retirement, which is also excluded from the computation of Core FFO.
We believe FFO, Core FFO and FAD assist investors in analyzing and comparing the operating and financial performance of a company’s real estate from period to period. FFO, Core FFO and FAD are not substitutes for GAAP net income. In addition, other REITs may compute FFO, Core FFO, and FAD differently, which could inhibit comparability.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements: The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Contractual Obligations: We paid $48.2 million in distributions to our preferred shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2020 and expect to continue to pay quarterly distributions of $12.0 million to our preferred shareholders for the foreseeable future or until such time as there is a change in the amount or composition of our series of preferred equity outstanding. Dividends on preferred equity are paid when and if declared by the Company’s Board and accumulate if not paid. Shares of preferred equity are redeemable by the Company in order to preserve its status as a REIT and are also redeemable five years after issuance, but are not redeemable at the option of the holder.
Our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020 and their impact on our future cash flow and liquidity are summarized below (in thousands):
Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations
Total
Less than 1 year
1 - 3 years
4 - 5 years
More than 5 years
Transaction costs (1)
$
9,144
$
9,144
$
-
$
-
$
-
Ground lease obligations (2)
1,769
Total
$
10,913
$
9,343
$
$
$
____________________________
(1)Represents transaction costs, including tenant improvements and lease commissions, which we are committed to under the terms of executed leases.
(2)Represents future contractual payments on land under various operating leases.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
To limit the Company’s exposure to market risk, the Company principally finances its operations and growth with permanent equity capital consisting of either common or preferred stock. The Company had no debt outstanding as of as of December 31, 2020.
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Credit Facility, which is subject to variable interest rates. See Notes 2 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K for additional information regarding the terms, valuations and approximate principal maturities of the Company’s indebtedness, including the Credit Facility.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 and the report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, thereon and the related financial statement schedule, are included elsewhere herein. Reference is made to the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules in Item 15.

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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
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2020. These controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that information required for disclosure is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee on Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
PS Business Parks, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited PS Business Parks, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, PS Business Parks, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of PS Business Parks, Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) and our report dated February 22, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 22, 2021
‎

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item with respect to directors is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with the annual shareholders’ meeting to be held in 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”) under the caption “Proposal 1: Election of Directors.”
The Information required by this item with respect to executive officers is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Our Named Executive Officers.”
Information required by this item with respect to the nominating process, the audit committee and the audit committee financial expert is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Corporate Governance and Board Matters.”
Information required by this item with respect to a code of ethics is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Corporate Governance and Board Matters.” We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, which is available on our website at www.psbusinessparks.com. The information contained on the Company’s website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any amendments to or waivers of the code of ethics granted to the Company’s executive officers or the controller will be published promptly on our website or by other appropriate means in accordance with SEC rules.
Information required by this item with respect to the compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation of Directors,” Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A),” “Executive Compensation Tables,” “Compensation Committee Report,” and “Pay Ratio Disclosure.”

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2020 on the Company’s equity compensation plans:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Number of
Weighted
Number of Securities
Securities to be
Average
Remaining Available for
Issued Upon
Exercise Price of
Future Issuance under
Exercise of
Outstanding
Equity Compensation
Outstanding
Options,
Plans (Excluding
Options, Warrants
Warrants and
Securities Reflected in
Plan Category
and Rights
Rights
Column (a)) (2)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
171,694
$
108.29
815,894
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
171,694
*
$
108.29
*
815,894
____________________________
(1)Represents shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Company’s 2012 Equity and Performance-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (2012 Plan).
(2)Amounts remaining available for future issuance account for stock options and RSUs issued and outstanding.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” and “Additional Information about our Directors and Executive Officers; Certain Relationships.”

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the material appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accountants.”
‎
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
a.1. Financial Statements
The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules are filed as part of this report.
2.Financial Statements Schedule
The financial statements schedule listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules are filed as part of this report.
3.Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference in this report.
b.Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference in this report.
c.Financial Statement Schedules
Not applicable.