Form 10-Q September 30, 2014
Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
OR
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 001-11312
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
GEORGIA
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
58-0869052
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
191 Peachtree Street, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)
30303-1740
(Zip Code)
(404) 407-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at October 24, 2014
Common Stock, $1 par value per share
 
216,508,024 shares


Table of Contents


 
Page No.
 
 


Table of Contents


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters contained in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to uncertainties and risks, as itemized in Item 1A included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the Company's business and the Company's financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and objectives. They also include, among other things, statements regarding subjects that are forward-looking by their nature, such as:
the Company's business and financial strategy;
the Company's ability to obtain future financing arrangements;
future acquisitions and future dispositions of operating assets;
future acquisitions of land;
future development and redevelopment opportunities;
future dispositions of land and other non-core assets;
projected operating results;
market and industry trends;
future distributions;
projected capital expenditures; and
interest rates.
The forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of the Company's future performance, taking into account information currently available. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations may change as a result of possible events or factors, not all of which are known. If a change occurs, the Company's business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements due to, but not limited to, the following:
the availability and terms of capital and financing;
the ability to refinance indebtedness as it matures;
the failure of purchase, sale, or other contracts to ultimately close;
the failure to achieve anticipated benefits from acquisitions and investments or from dispositions;
the potential dilutive effect of common stock offerings;
the availability of buyers and adequate pricing with respect to the disposition of assets;
risks related to the geographic concentration of our portfolio;
risks and uncertainties related to national and local economic conditions, the real estate industry in general, and the commercial real estate markets in particular;
changes to the Company's strategy with regard to land and other non-core holdings that require impairment losses to be recognized;
leasing risks, including the ability to obtain new tenants or renew expiring tenants, and the ability to lease newly developed and/or recently acquired space;
the adverse change in the financial condition of one or more of its major tenants;
volatility in interest rates and insurance rates;
the availability of sufficient investment opportunities;
competition from other developers or investors;
the risks associated with real estate developments (such as zoning approval, receipt of required permits, construction delays, cost overruns, and leasing risk);
the loss of key personnel;
the potential liability for uninsured losses, condemnation, or environmental issues;
the potential liability for a failure to meet regulatory requirements;
the financial condition and liquidity of, or disputes with, joint venture partners;
any failure to comply with debt covenants under credit agreements; and
any failure to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust.
The words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “may,” “intend,” “will,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that such plans, intentions, or expectations will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information, or otherwise, except as required under U.S. federal securities laws.

2

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    Financial Statements.
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Real estate assets:
 
 
 
Operating properties, net of accumulated depreciation of $297,034 and $235,707 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
$
1,863,442

 
$
1,828,437

Projects under development
76,772

 
21,681

Land
26,831

 
35,053

 
1,967,045

 
1,885,171

Operating properties and related assets held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $14,851 and $21,444 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
181,116

 
24,554

Cash and cash equivalents
7,210

 
975

Restricted cash
4,652

 
2,810

Notes and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,635 and $1,827 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
12,208

 
11,778

Deferred rents receivable
52,985

 
39,969

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
111,353

 
107,082

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $64,947 and $37,544 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
141,610

 
170,973

Other assets
55,481

 
29,894

Total assets
$
2,533,660

 
$
2,273,206

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Notes payable
$
671,074

 
$
630,094

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
87,415

 
76,668

Deferred income
24,156

 
25,754

Intangible liabilities, net of accumulated amortization of $14,514 and $6,323 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
67,659

 
66,476

Other liabilities
15,753

 
15,242

Total liabilities
866,057

 
814,234

Commitments and contingencies

 

Equity:
 
 
 
Stockholders' investment:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, 7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $1 par value, $25 liquidation preference, 20,000,000 shares authorized, -0- and 3,791,000 shares issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively

 
94,775

Common stock, $1 par value, 350,000,000 and 250,000,000 shares authorized, 220,078,986 and 193,236,454 shares issued in 2014 and 2013, respectively
220,079

 
193,236

Additional paid-in capital
1,720,559

 
1,420,951

Treasury stock at cost, 3,570,082 shares in 2014 and 2013
(86,840
)
 
(86,840
)
Distributions in excess of cumulative net income
(187,773
)
 
(164,721
)
 
1,666,025

 
1,457,401

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
1,578

 
1,571

Total equity
1,667,603

 
1,458,972

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,533,660

 
$
2,273,206

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes.
 
 
 

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Table of Contents
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)


 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental property revenues
$
86,857

 
$
47,575

 
$
244,375

 
$
117,799

Fee income
1,802

 
2,420

 
6,165

 
8,932

Other
439

 
439

 
4,786

 
4,488

 
89,098

 
50,434

 
255,326

 
131,219

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental property operating expenses
38,685

 
22,035

 
109,501

 
55,112

Reimbursed expenses
783

 
1,097

 
2,703

 
4,365

General and administrative expenses
5,021

 
6,635

 
16,388

 
17,257

Interest expense
6,817

 
5,149

 
20,954

 
14,325

Depreciation and amortization
32,704

 
18,511

 
101,979

 
44,686

Separation expenses

 
520

 
84

 
520

Acquisition and related costs
644

 
6,859

 
815

 
7,427

Other
481

 
1,072

 
1,852

 
3,258

 
85,135

 
61,878

 
254,276

 
146,950

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes, unconsolidated joint ventures, and sale of investment properties
3,963

 
(11,444
)
 
1,050

 
(15,731
)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes from operations
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
20

 
(3
)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures
2,030

 
63,078

 
5,343

 
65,862

Income from continuing operations before gain on sale of investment properties
5,992

 
51,633

 
6,413

 
50,128

Gain on sale of investment properties
81

 
3,801

 
1,569

 
61,361

Income from continuing operations
6,073

 
55,434

 
7,982

 
111,489

Income from discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations
348

 
1,257

 
1,806

 
2,724

Gain on sale from discontinued operations
12,993

 
8,346

 
19,372

 
8,550

 
13,341

 
9,603

 
21,178

 
11,274

Net income
19,414

 
65,037

 
29,160

 
122,763

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(92
)
 
(3,879
)
 
(376
)
 
(4,901
)
Net income attributable to controlling interests
19,322

 
61,158

 
28,784

 
117,862

Dividends to preferred stockholders

 
(1,777
)
 
(2,955
)
 
(8,231
)
Preferred share original issuance costs

 

 
(3,530
)
 
(2,656
)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
19,322

 
$
59,381

 
$
22,299

 
$
106,975

Per common share information — basic and diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest
$
0.03

 
$
0.30

 
$

 
$
0.74

Income from discontinued operations
0.06

 
0.06

 
0.11

 
0.09

Net income available to common stockholders
$
0.09

 
$
0.36

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.83

Weighted average shares — basic
209,839

 
163,426

 
200,073

 
128,953

Weighted average shares — diluted
210,111

 
163,603

 
200,325

 
129,121

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.075

 
$
0.045

 
$
0.225

 
$
0.135


See accompanying notes.

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COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Distributions in
Excess of
Net Income
 
Stockholders’
Investment
 
Nonredeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance December 31, 2013
$
94,775

 
$
193,236

 
$
1,420,951

 
$
(86,840
)
 
$
(164,721
)
 
$
1,457,401

 
$
1,571

 
$
1,458,972

Net income

 

 

 

 
28,784

 
28,784

 
376

 
29,160

Common stock issued pursuant to:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Director stock grants

 
55

 
598

 

 

 
653

 

 
653

Stock option exercises

 
40

 
(267
)
 

 

 
(227
)
 

 
(227
)
Common stock offering, net of issuance costs

 
26,700

 
295,212

 

 

 
321,912

 

 
321,912

Restricted stock grants, net of amounts withheld for income taxes

 
53

 
(978
)
 

 

 
(925
)
 

 
(925
)
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock, net of forfeitures

 
(5
)
 
1,513

 

 

 
1,508

 

 
1,508

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
(369
)
 
(369
)
Redemption of preferred shares
(94,775
)
 

 
3,530

 

 
(3,530
)
 
(94,775
)
 

 
(94,775
)
Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 
(2,955
)
 
(2,955
)
 

 
(2,955
)
Common dividends

 

 

 

 
(45,351
)
 
(45,351
)
 

 
(45,351
)
Balance September 30, 2014
$

 
$
220,079

 
$
1,720,559

 
$
(86,840
)
 
$
(187,773
)
 
$
1,666,025

 
$
1,578

 
$
1,667,603

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance December 31, 2012
$
169,602

 
$
107,660

 
$
690,024

 
$
(86,840
)
 
$
(260,104
)
 
$
620,342

 
$
22,611

 
$
642,953

Net income

 

 

 

 
117,862

 
117,862

 
4,840

 
122,702

Common stock issued pursuant to:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Director stock grants

 
50

 
494

 

 

 
544

 

 
544

Stock option exercises

 
25

 
(162
)
 

 

 
(137
)
 

 
(137
)
Common stock offering, net of issuance costs

 
85,507

 
741,022

 

 

 
826,529

 

 
826,529

Restricted stock grants, net of amounts withheld for income taxes

 
30

 
(1,209
)
 

 

 
(1,179
)
 

 
(1,179
)
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock, net of forfeitures

 
(42
)
 
1,463

 

 

 
1,421

 

 
1,421

Distributions to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
(25,888
)
 
(25,888
)
Redemption of preferred shares
(74,827
)
 

 
(10,822
)
 

 
10,822

 
(74,827
)
 

 
(74,827
)
Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 
(8,231
)
 
(8,231
)
 

 
(8,231
)
Common dividends

 

 

 

 
(18,657
)
 
(18,657
)
 

 
(18,657
)
Balance September 30, 2013
$
94,775

 
$
193,230

 
$
1,420,810

 
$
(86,840
)
 
$
(158,308
)
 
$
1,463,667

 
$
1,563

 
$
1,465,230

See accompanying notes.

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COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)


 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
29,160

 
$
122,763

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Gain on sale of investment properties, including discontinued operations
(20,941
)
 
(69,911
)
Depreciation and amortization, including discontinued operations
102,481

 
45,950

Amortization of deferred financing costs
604

 
778

Amortization of stock options and restricted stock, net of forfeitures
1,508

 
1,421

Effect of certain non-cash adjustments to rental revenues
(21,740
)
 
(5,605
)
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures
(5,343
)
 
(65,862
)
Operating distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures
5,195

 
65,563

Land and multi-family cost of sales, net of closing costs paid
302

 
904

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Change in other receivables and other assets, net
(1,912
)
 
(3,572
)
Change in operating liabilities
5,282

 
6,247

Net cash provided by operating activities
94,596

 
98,676

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from investment property sales
53,827

 
171,779

Property acquisition, development, and tenant asset expenditures
(351,657
)
 
(1,502,016
)
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
(10,578
)
 
(2,139
)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures
7,433

 
86,752

Collection of notes receivable
1,020

 
1,233

Change in notes receivable and other assets
(2,838
)
 
(1,930
)
Change in restricted cash
(1,834
)
 
(101
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(304,627
)
 
(1,246,422
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from credit facility
395,175

 
343,725

Repayment of credit facility
(347,550
)
 
(292,650
)
Proceeds from other notes payable
68

 
304,268

Repayment of notes payable
(6,713
)
 
(76,314
)
Payment of loan issuance costs
(3,176
)
 
(1,693
)
Common stock issued, net of expenses
321,912

 
826,529

Redemption of preferred shares
(94,775
)
 
(74,827
)
Common dividends paid
(45,351
)
 
(18,657
)
Preferred dividends paid
(2,955
)
 
(8,231
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(369
)
 
(25,888
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
216,266

 
976,262

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
6,235

 
(171,484
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
975

 
176,892

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
7,210

 
$
5,408

 
 
 
 
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
$
20,450

 
$
14,522

 
 
 
 
Significant non-cash transactions:
 
 
 

Increase in accrued property acquisition, development, and tenant asset expenditures
$
3,055

 
$
14,764

Transfer from operating properties to operating properties and related assets held for sale
181,116

 
49,435

Transfer from projects under development to operating properties

 
25,629

Transfer from other assets to projects under development

 
3,062


See accompanying notes.

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COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2014
(Unaudited)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein include the accounts of Cousins Properties Incorporated (“Cousins”) and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Cousins Real Estate Corporation and its subsidiaries (“CREC”). All of the entities included in the condensed consolidated financial statements are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Company.”
The Company develops, acquires, leases, manages, and owns primarily Class A office assets and opportunistic mixed-use properties in Sunbelt markets with a focus on Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. Cousins has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and intends to, among other things, distribute 90% of its net taxable income to stockholders, thereby eliminating any liability for federal income taxes under current law. Therefore, the results included herein do not include a federal income tax provision for Cousins. CREC operates as a taxable REIT subsidiary and is taxed separately from Cousins as a C-Corporation. Accordingly, if applicable, the Company's statements of operations include a provision for, or benefit from, CREC's income taxes.
The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and were prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary (which adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature) for the fair presentation of the Company's financial position as of September 30, 2014 and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The accounting policies employed are substantially the same as those shown in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in such Form 10-K.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, there were no items of other comprehensive income. Therefore, no presentation of comprehensive income is required.
The Company evaluates all partnerships, joint ventures and other arrangements with variable interests to determine if the entity or arrangement qualifies as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). If the entity or arrangement qualifies as a VIE and the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, the Company is required to consolidate the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the VIE.
In August 2014, the Company acquired a building and transferred it to a special purpose entity to facilitate a potential Section 1031 exchange under the Internal Revenue Code. To realize the tax deferral available under the Section 1031 exchange, the Company must complete the Section 1031 exchange, if any, and take title to the to-be-exchanged building within 180 days of the acquisition date. The Company has determined that this entity is a VIE, and the Company is the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company consolidates this entity. As of September 30, 2014, this VIE had total assets of $215.0 million, no significant liabilities, and no significant cash flows.
In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the presentation of discontinued operations. Prior to this new guidance, the Company included activity for all assets held for sale and disposals in discontinued operations on the statements of operations. Under the new guidance, only assets held for sale and disposals representing a major strategic shift in operations, such as the disposal of a line of business, a significant geographical area, or a major equity investment, will be presented as discontinued operations. Additionally, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide more information about their assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company adopted this guidance in 2014.
In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. Under the new guidance, companies will recognize revenue when the seller satisfies a performance obligation, which would be when the buyer takes control of the good or service. This new guidance could result in different amounts of revenue being recognized and could result in revenue being recognized in different reporting periods than it is under the current guidance. The new guidance specifically excludes revenue associated with lease contracts. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is prohibited.

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2. PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

Held for Sale
Assets and significant liabilities, if any, of held for sale properties, as defined, are required to be separately categorized on the balance sheet.
The following properties were held for sale in 2014 or 2013, respectively:
Property
 
Property Type
 
Location
 
Square Feet
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
777 Main
 
Office
 
Fort Worth, TX
 
980,000

Mahan Village
 
Retail
 
Tallahassee, FL
 
147,000

2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lakeshore Park Plaza
 
Office
 
Birmingham, AL
 
197,000

600 University Park Place
 
Office
 
Birmingham, AL
 
123,000

Discontinued Operations
In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the presentation of discontinued operations, which changed the accounting criteria for discontinued operations. See footnote 1 for further information. The new guidance applies to assets that are sold or meet the criteria for held for sale after the date of adoption. The Company adopted the new standard in 2014. As a result, two of the Company’s properties that became held for sale in the third quarter of 2014 (777 Main and Mahan Village) that under the previous guidance would have been considered discontinued operations are not considered discontinued operations under the new guidance.
The following properties met the criteria for discontinued operations presentation prior to the adoption of the new guidance discussed above.  Accordingly, the results of operations of these properties are included in a separate section, discontinued operations, in the statements of operations for all periods presented ($ in thousands):
Property
 
Property Type
 
Location
 
Square Feet
 
Sales Price
 
Quarter Sold
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lakeshore Park Plaza
 
Office
 
Birmingham, AL
 
197,000

 
$
25,000

 
3Q 2014
600 University Park Place
 
Office
 
Birmingham, AL
 
123,000

 
$
19,700

 
1Q 2014
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tiffany Springs MarketCenter
 
Retail
 
Kansas City, MO
 
238,000

 
$
53,500

 
3Q 2013
Lakeshore Park Plaza
 
Office
 
Birmingham, AL
 
197,000

 
Held for sale

 
N/A
600 University Park Place
 
Office
 
Birmingham, AL
 
123,000

 
Held for sale

 
N/A
Inhibitex
 
Office
 
Atlanta, GA
 
51,000

 
$
8,300

 
4Q 2013
The components of discontinued operations and the gains and losses on property sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

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Table of Contents


 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Income from discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental property revenues
 
$
601

 
$
2,870

 
$
2,923

 
$
8,811

Fee income
 

 

 

 
76

Other income
 
14

 
18

 
29

 
33

Rental property operating expenses
 
(260
)
 
(1,118
)
 
(1,125
)
 
(3,493
)
General and administrative expenses
 
(1
)
 
(15
)
 
(2
)
 
(94
)
Depreciation and amortization
 

 
(492
)
 

 
(2,590
)
Other expenses
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
(19
)
 
(19
)
 
 
$
348

 
$
1,257

 
$
1,806

 
$
2,724

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lakeshore Park Plaza
 
$
13,025

 
$

 
$
13,025

 
$

600 University Park Place
 
(37
)
 

 
6,334

 

Third party management and leasing business
 

 
4,531

 

 
4,531

Tiffany Springs MarketCenter
 

 
3,715

 

 
3,715

King Mill
 

 
38

 

 
246

Other
 
5

 
62

 
13

 
58

 
 
$
12,993

 
$
8,346

 
$
19,372

 
$
8,550

Fifth Third Center Acquisition
In August 2014, the Company acquired Fifth Third Center, a 698,000 square foot Class-A office tower located in the Charlotte, North Carolina central business district. The gross purchase price for this property was $215.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had incurred $328,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with this acquisition.
The following tables summarize preliminary allocations of the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities of Fifth Third Center (in thousands):
Tangible assets:
 
 
Land and improvements
 
$
22,863

Building
 
163,649

Tenant improvements
 
16,781

Accounts receivable
 
1,014

Total tangible assets
 
204,307

 
 
 
Intangible assets:
 
 
Above-market leases
 
632

In-place leases
 
17,096

Below-market ground leases
 
338

Total intangible assets
 
18,066

 
 
 
Tangible Liabilities:
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
(1,026
)
Total tangible liabilities
 
(1,026
)
 
 
 
Intangible Liabilities:
 
 
Below-market leases
 
(9,374
)
Total intangible liabilities
 
(9,374
)
 
 
 
Total net assets acquired
 
$
211,973

Subsequent Event

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In October 2014, the Company acquired Northpark Town Center, a 1.5 million square foot office asset located in Atlanta, Georgia. The gross purchase price for this property was $348.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits. The Company funded the purchase of Northpark Town Center with cash on hand and borrowings under its Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had incurred $385,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with this acquisition, and the Company expects to incur additional acquisition and related costs in the fourth quarter. Due to the limited time since the acquisition date, the initial accounting for this transaction is incomplete and, as such, the Company is unable to provide purchase price allocation disclosures.

3. INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
The Company describes its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in note 5 of notes to consolidated financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table summarizes balance sheet data of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
 
Total Assets
 
Total Debt
 
Total Equity
 
Company’s Investment
 
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 Terminus Office Holdings
$
291,415

 
$
297,815

 
$
214,228

 
$
215,942

 
$
62,481

 
$
69,867

 
$
32,157

 
$
35,885

 
 EP I LLC
86,059

 
88,130

 
58,029

 
57,092

 
26,671

 
29,229

 
23,401

 
25,319

 
 EP II LLC
33,048

 
12,644

 
3,608

 
1

 
24,969

 
11,695

 
19,773

 
9,566

 
 Cousins Watkins LLC
50,226

 
51,653

 
27,278

 
27,710

 
21,775

 
23,081

 
17,522

 
17,213

 
 Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC
131,937

 
135,966

 
39,852

 
52,408

 
90,101

 
82,373

 
11,226

 
11,252

 
 Temco Associates, LLC
7,910

 
8,474

 

 

 
7,672

 
8,315

 
3,659

 
4,083

 
 CL Realty, L.L.C.
7,389

 
7,602

 

 

 
7,220

 
7,374

 
3,614

 
3,704

 
 Wildwood Associates
21,101

 
21,127

 

 

 
20,997

 
21,121

 
(1,739
)
(1)
(1,689
)
(1)
 Crawford Long - CPI, LLC
30,876

 
32,042

 
75,000

 
75,000

 
(46,183
)
 
(44,295
)
 
(21,997
)
(1)
(21,071
)
(1)
 Other
1,245

 
1,931

 

 

 
1,204

 
1,700

 
1

 
60

 
 
$
661,206

 
$
657,384

 
$
417,995

 
$
428,153

 
$
216,907

 
$
210,460

 
$
87,617

 
$
84,322

 
(1) Negative balances are included in deferred income on the balance sheets.
The following table summarizes statement of operations information of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
Total Revenues
 
Net Income (Loss)
 
Company's Share of Income (Loss)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 Terminus Office Holdings
$
29,354

 
$
23,842

 
$
314

 
$
(219
)
 
$
134

 
$
(110
)
 EP I LLC
9,024

 
5,499

 
2,102

 
(348
)
 
1,577

 
(261
)
 Cousins Watkins LLC
3,801

 
4,297

 
217

 
16

 
1,702

 
1,738

 Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC
25,079

 
25,079

 
8,635

 
7,931

 
882

 
882

 Temco Associates, LLC
793

 
437

 
157

 
48

 
(24
)
 
(12
)
 CL Realty, L.L.C.
1,240

 
1,246

 
846

 
801

 
410

 
392

 Wildwood Associates
29

 

 
(125
)
 
(126
)
 
(50
)
 
(63
)
 Crawford Long - CPI, LLC
8,905

 
8,826

 
2,075

 
2,134

 
1,062

 
1,028

 CF Murfreesboro Associates

 
8,079

 

 
48,969

 
(390
)
 
23,562

 CP Venture Five LLC

 
20,192

 

 
3,056

 

 
17,146

 CP Venture Two LLC

 
12,965

 

 
7,035

 

 
21,592

 MSREF/ Cousins Terminus 200 LLC

 
1,268

 

 
(172
)
 

 
(28
)
 Other
5

 
1,273

 
(245
)
 
(375
)
 
40

 
(4
)
 
$
78,230

 
$
113,003

 
$
13,976

 
$
68,750

 
$
5,343

 
$
65,862

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets on the balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included the following (in thousands):

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September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
In-place leases, net of accumulated amortization of $51,957 and $26,239 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
 
$
127,624

 
$
152,830

Above-market tenant leases, net of accumulated amortization of $12,990 and $11,284 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
 
9,929

 
12,332

Below-market ground lease, net of accumulated amortization of $0 and $21 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
 

 
1,680

Goodwill
 
4,057

 
4,131

 
 
$
141,610

 
$
170,973


Goodwill relates entirely to the office reportable segment. As office assets are sold, either by the Company or by joint ventures in which the Company has an ownership interest, goodwill is reduced. The following is a summary of goodwill activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
$
4,131

 
$
4,751

Allocated to property sales
(74
)
 
(604
)
Ending balance
$
4,057

 
$
4,147

5. OTHER ASSETS
Other assets on the balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Lease inducements, net of accumulated amortization of $5,139 and $4,181 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
 
$
12,189

 
$
12,548

FF&E and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $18,712 and $17,684 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
 
8,959

 
8,743

Loan closing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,927 and $2,621 in 2014 and 2013, respectively
 
6,418

 
4,176

Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
3,793

 
3,606

Predevelopment costs and earnest money
 
24,122

 
821

 
 
$
55,481

 
$
29,894


6. NOTES PAYABLE
The following table summarizes the terms and amounts of the Company’s notes payable at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):
Description
 
Interest Rate
 
Maturity
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Post Oak Central mortgage note
 
4.26
%
 
2020
 
$
185,922

 
$
188,310

The American Cancer Society Center mortgage note
 
6.45
%
 
2017
 
131,507

 
132,714

Promenade mortgage note
 
4.27
%
 
2022
 
111,612

 
113,573

191 Peachtree Tower mortgage note
 
3.35
%
 
2018
 
100,000

 
100,000

Credit Facility, unsecured
 
1.25
%
 
2019
 
87,700

 
40,075

Meridian Mark Plaza mortgage note
 
6.00
%
 
2020
 
25,512

 
25,813

The Points at Waterview mortgage note
 
5.66
%
 
2016
 
14,736

 
15,139

Mahan Village construction facility
 
1.80
%
 
2015
 
14,085

 
14,470

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
671,074

 
$
630,094


In the third quarter of 2014, the Mahan Village construction facility's maturity date was extended from September 2014 to January 2015.

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On May 28, 2014, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “New Facility”) under which the Company may borrow up to $500 million if certain conditions are satisfied. The New Facility recast the Company's existing $350 million senior unsecured revolving line of credit, dated February 28, 2012 (the “Existing Facility”) by:
Increasing the size by $150 million to $500 million;
Extending the maturity date from February 28, 2016 to May 28, 2019;
Reducing the per annum variable interest rate spread and other fees; and
Providing for the expansion of the New Facility by an additional $250 million for a total available of $750 million, subject to receipt of additional commitments from lenders and other customary conditions.
The New Facility contains certain financial covenants that require, among other things, the maintenance of an unencumbered interest coverage ratio of at least 2.00; a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.50; an overall leverage ratio of no more than 60%; and a minimum shareholders’ equity in an amount equal to $1.0 billion, plus a portion of the net cash proceeds from certain equity issuances. The New Facility also contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, as well as customary events of default. The amounts outstanding under the New Facility may be accelerated upon the occurrence of any events of default.
The interest rate applicable to the New Facility varies according to the Company’s leverage ratio, and may, at the election of the Company, be determined based on either (1) the current LIBOR plus the applicable spread detailed below, or (2) the greater of Bank of America’s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the one-month LIBOR plus 1.0% (the “Base Rate”), plus the applicable spread detailed below. Fees on letters of credit issued under the New Facility are payable at an annual rate equal to the spread applicable to loans bearing interest based on LIBOR. The Company also pays an annual facility fee on the total commitments under the New Facility. The pricing spreads and the facility fee under the New Facility are as follows:
Leverage Ratio
 
Applicable % Spread for LIBOR Loans
 
Applicable % Spread for Base Rate Loans
 
Annual Facility Fee %
≤ 30%
 
1.10%
 
0.10%
 
0.15%
> 30% but ≤ 35%
 
1.10%
 
0.10%
 
0.20%
> 35% but ≤ 40%
 
1.15%
 
0.15%
 
0.20%
> 40% but ≤ 45%
 
1.20%
 
0.20%
 
0.20%
> 45% but ≤ 50%
 
1.20%
 
0.20%
 
0.25%
> 50%
 
1.45%
 
0.45%
 
0.30%
At September 30, 2014, the Company's spread over LIBOR was 1.10%. The New Facility also provides for alternative pricing spreads and facility fees, which would be available to the Company on any date after the Company obtains an investment grade credit rating.
Fair Value
At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate estimated fair values of the Company's notes payable were $711.3 million and $654.1 million, respectively, calculated by discounting the debt's remaining contractual cash flows at estimated rates at which similar loans could have been obtained at those respective dates. The estimate of the current market rate, which is the most significant input in the discounted cash flow calculation, is intended to replicate debt of similar maturity and loan-to-value relationship. These fair value calculations are considered to be Level 2 under the guidelines as set forth in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, as the Company utilizes market rates for similar type loans from third party brokers.
Other Information
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, interest expense was as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Total interest incurred
$
7,667

 
$
5,268

 
$
22,787

 
$
14,602

Interest capitalized
(850
)
 
(119
)
 
(1,833
)
 
(277
)
Total interest expense
$
6,817

 
$
5,149

 
$
20,954

 
$
14,325


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The real estate and other assets of The American Cancer Society Center (the “ACS Center”) are restricted under the ACS Center loan agreement in that they are not available to settle debts of the Company. However, provided that the ACS Center loan has not incurred any uncured event of default, as defined in the loan agreement, the cash flows from the ACS Center, after payments of debt service, operating expenses and reserves, are available for distribution to the Company.
Subsequent Events
On October 1, 2014, the Company acquired Northpark Town Center as discussed in note 2 and funded the acquisition with cash on hand and with borrowings under its Credit Facility. On October 14, 2014, the Company entered into an $85.0 million mortgage note secured by 816 Congress. This mortgage note has a fixed rate of 3.75% and matures in November 2024. The Company used the proceeds from this mortgage note to reduce amounts outstanding under its Credit Facility. As of October 24, 2014, the amount outstanding under the Company's Credit Facility was $318.2 million.

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments
At September 30, 2014, the Company had outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds totaling $2.4 million. As a lessor, the Company had $103.6 million in future obligations under leases to fund tenant improvements as of September 30, 2014. As a lessee, the Company had future obligations under ground and office leases of $150.0 million as of September 30, 2014. At September 30, 2014, the Company had a commitment to purchase land for an anticipated future development in the amount of $7.4 million.
Litigation
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which are expected to be covered by liability insurance. Management makes assumptions and estimates concerning the likelihood and amount of any potential loss relating to these matters using the latest information available. The Company records a liability for litigation if an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and a reasonable estimate of the loss is a range, the Company accrues the best estimate within the range. If no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the Company accrues the minimum amount within the range. If an unfavorable outcome is probable but the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the litigation and indicates that an estimate of the loss or range of loss cannot be made. If an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and the estimated loss is material, the Company discloses the nature and estimate of the possible loss of the litigation. The Company does not disclose information with respect to litigation where an unfavorable outcome is considered to be remote or where the estimated loss would not be material. Based on current expectations, such matters, both individually and in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, results of operations, business or financial condition of the Company.

8. NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
The Company consolidates various joint ventures that are involved in the ownership and/or development of real estate. The following table details the components of redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning Balance
$

 
$

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests

 
61

Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests

 
(61
)
Ending Balance
$

 
$

The following reconciles the net income or loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests as shown in the statements of equity to the net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests as shown in the statements of operations, which includes both redeemable and nonredeemable interests, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

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Table of Contents


 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
$
376

 
$
4,840

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests

 
61

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
$
376

 
$
4,901

9. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
In August 2014, the Company issued 18.0 million shares of common stock, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $223.4 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to acquire Fifth Third Center, a 698,000 square foot Class-A office tower located in the Charlotte, North Carolina central business district.
In March 2014, the Company issued 8.7 million shares of common stock, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $98.5 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to paydown the Credit Facility in preparation for the redemption of all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In April 2014, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, for $25.00 per share or $94.8 million, excluding accrued dividends. In connection with the redemption of Preferred Stock, the Company decreased net income available for common shareholders by $3.5 million (non-cash), which represents the original issuance costs applicable to the shares redeemed.
In April 2013, the Company issued 16.5 million shares of common stock resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $165.1 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to paydown the Credit Facility in preparation for the redemption of all outstanding shares of its 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In May 2013, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, for $25.00 per share or $74.8 million, excluding accrued dividends. In connection with the redemption of Preferred Stock, the Company increased net loss available for common shareholders by $2.7 million (non-cash), which represents the original issuance costs applicable to the shares redeemed.
10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has several types of stock-based compensation - stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) - which are described in note 13 of notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The expense related to a portion of the stock-based compensation awards is fixed. The expense related to other stock-based compensation awards fluctuates from period to period dependent, in part, on the Company's stock price and stock performance relative to its peers. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures, of $2.3 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and $7.2 million and $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The Company maintains the 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the “RSU Plan”), which is described in note 13 of notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Under the RSU Plan, the Company made restricted stock grants in 2014 of 137,591 shares to key employees, which vest ratably over a three-year period. In addition, the Company awarded two types of RSUs to key employees based on the following metrics: (1) Total Stockholder Return of the Company, as defined in the RSU Plan, as compared to the companies in the SNL US REIT Office index (“SNL RSUs”), and (2) the ratio of cumulative funds from operations per share to targeted cumulative funds from operations per share (“FFO RSUs”) as defined in the RSU Plan. The performance period for both awards is January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016, and the targeted units awarded of SNL RSUs and FFO RSUs is 108,751 and 56,405, respectively. The ultimate payout of these awards can range from 0% to 200% of the targeted number of units depending on the achievement of the market and performance metrics described above. Both of these RSUs cliff vest on January 30, 2017 and are dependent upon the attainment of required service, market and performance criteria. The number of RSUs vesting will be determined at that date, and the payout per unit will be equal to the average closing price on each trading day during the 30-day period ending on December 31, 2016. The SNL RSUs are valued using a quarterly Monte Carlo valuation and are expensed over the vesting period. The FFO RSUs are expensed over the vesting period using the fair market value of the Company's stock at the reporting date multiplied by the anticipated number of units to be paid based on the current estimate of what the ratio is expected to be upon vesting.
11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net income (loss) per share-basic is calculated as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including nonvested restricted stock which has nonforfeitable dividend rights. Net income (loss) per share-diluted is calculated as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided

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Table of Contents


by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted weighted average number of common shares uses the same weighted average share number as in the basic calculation and adds the potential dilution, if any, that would occur if stock options (or any other contracts to issue common stock) were exercised and resulted in additional common shares outstanding, calculated using the treasury stock method. The numerator is reduced for the effect of preferred dividends in both the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share calculations. Weighted average shares-basic and diluted for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Weighted average shares — basic
209,839

 
163,426

 
200,073

 
128,953

Dilutive potential common shares — stock options
272

 
177

 
252

 
168

Weighted average shares — diluted
210,111

 
163,603

 
200,325

 
129,121

Weighted average anti-dilutive stock options
2,200

 
2,784

 
2,200

 
2,908

Stock options are dilutive when the average market price of the Company's stock during the period exceeds the option exercise price. In periods where the Company is in a net loss position, the dilutive effect of stock options is not included in the diluted weighted average shares total.
Anti-dilutive stock options represent stock options which are outstanding but which are not exercisable during the period because the exercise price exceeded the average market value of the Company's stock. These anti-dilutive stock options are not included in the current calculation of dilutive weighted average shares, but could be dilutive in the future.

12. REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
The Company has four reportable segments: Office, Retail, Land, and Other. These reportable segments represent an aggregation of operating segments reported to the chief operating decision maker based on similar economic characteristics that include the type of product and the nature of service. Each segment includes both consolidated operations and joint ventures, where applicable. The Office and Retail segments show the results for that product type. The Land segment includes results of operations for certain land holdings and single-family residential communities. The Other segment includes:
fee income and related expenses for third party owned properties and joint venture properties for which the Company performs management, development and leasing services;
compensation for corporate employees;
general corporate overhead costs, interest expense for consolidated and unconsolidated entities;
income attributable to noncontrolling interests;
income taxes;
depreciation; and
preferred dividends.
Company management evaluates the performance of its reportable segments in part based on funds from operations available to common stockholders (“FFO”). FFO is a supplemental operating performance measure used in the real estate industry. The Company calculated FFO using the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ (“NAREIT”) definition of FFO, which is net income (loss) available to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and gains on sale or impairment losses on depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures to reflect FFO on the same basis.
FFO is used by industry analysts, investors and the Company as a supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. Thus, NAREIT created FFO as a supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance that excludes historical cost depreciation, among other items, from GAAP net income. Management believes the use of FFO, combined with the required primary GAAP presentations, has been fundamentally beneficial, improving the understanding of operating results of REITs among the investing public and making comparisons of REIT operating results more meaningful. Company management evaluates operating performance in part based on FFO. Additionally, the Company uses FFO, along with other measures, to assess performance in connection with evaluating and granting incentive compensation to its officers and other key employees.

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Table of Contents


Segment net income, the balance of the Company’s investment in joint ventures and the amount of capital expenditures are not presented in the following tables. Management does not utilize these measures when analyzing its segments or when making resource allocation decisions, and therefore this information is not provided. FFO is reconciled to net income (loss) on a total Company basis (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Office
 
Retail
 
Land
 
Other
 
Total
 Net operating income
$
52,691

 
$
1,221

 
$

 
$
1,200

 
$
55,112

 Sales less costs of sales

 

 
82

 

 
82

 Fee income

 

 

 
1,802

 
1,802

 Other income

 

 

 
399

 
399

 General and administrative expenses

 

 

 
(5,021
)
 
(5,021
)
 Reimbursed expenses

 

 

 
(783
)
 
(783
)
 Interest expense

 

 

 
(8,660
)
 
(8,660
)
 Other expenses

 

 

 
(1,255
)
 
(1,255
)
 Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 Funds from operations available to common stockholders
 
$
52,691

 
$
1,221

 
$
82

 
$
(12,318
)
 
41,676

 Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(35,347
)
 Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,993

 Net income available to common stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
19,322

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Office
 
Retail
 
Land
 
Other
 
Total
 Net operating income
 
$
30,308

 
$
3,663

 
$

 
$
861

 
$
34,832

 Sales less costs of sales
 

 

 
725

 
(6
)
 
719

 Fee income
 

 

 

 
2,420

 
2,420

 Other income
 

 

 

 
303

 
303

 Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business
 

 

 

 
4,531

 
4,531

 Separation expenses
 

 

 

 
(520
)
 
(520
)
 General and administrative expenses
 

 

 

 
(6,635
)
 
(6,635
)
 Reimbursed expenses
 

 

 

 
(1,097
)
 
(1,097
)
 Interest expense
 

 

 

 
(7,224
)
 
(7,224
)
 Other expenses
 

 

 

 
(8,326
)
 
(8,326
)
 Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs
 

 

 

 
(1,777
)
 
(1,777
)
 Funds from operations available to common stockholders
 
$
30,308

 
$
3,663

 
$
725

 
$
(17,470
)
 
17,226

 Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(21,890
)
 Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties including the Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67,435

 Noncontrolling interest related to sale of depreciated properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,390
)
 Net income available to common stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
59,381


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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Office
 
Retail
 
Land
 
Other
 
Total
 Net operating income
 
$
149,110

 
$
3,813

 
$

 
$
3,496

 
$
156,419

 Sales less costs of sales
 

 

 
1,573

 
42

 
1,615

 Fee income
 

 

 

 
6,165

 
6,165

 Other income
 

 

 

 
4,563

 
4,563

 Separation expenses
 

 

 

 
(84
)
 
(84
)
 General and administrative expenses
 

 

 

 
(16,388
)
 
(16,388
)
 Reimbursed expenses
 

 

 

 
(2,703
)
 
(2,703
)
 Interest expense
 

 

 

 
(26,485
)
 
(26,485
)
 Other expenses
 

 

 

 
(2,974
)
 
(2,974
)
 Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs
 

 

 

 
(6,485
)
 
(6,485
)
Funds from operations available to common stockholders
 
$
149,110

 
$
3,813

 
$
1,573

 
$
(40,853
)
 
113,643

Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(110,319
)
Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18,975

Net income available to common stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
22,299

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Office
 
Retail
 
Land
 
Other
 
Total
 Net operating income
 
$
76,039

 
$
12,255

 
$

 
$
1,280

 
$
89,574

 Sales less costs of sales
 

 

 
1,244

 
154

 
1,398

 Fee income
 

 

 

 
9,007

 
9,007

 Other income
 

 

 

 
2,649

 
2,649

 Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business
 

 

 

 
4,531

 
4,531

 Separation expenses
 

 

 

 
(520
)
 
(520
)
 General and administrative expenses
 

 

 

 
(17,257
)
 
(17,257
)
 Reimbursed expenses
 

 

 

 
(4,365
)
 
(4,365
)
 Interest expense
 

 

 

 
(20,442
)
 
(20,442
)
 Other expenses
 

 

 

 
(10,843
)
 
(10,843
)
 Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs
 

 

 

 
(10,887
)
 
(10,887
)
Funds from operations available to common stockholders
 
$
76,039

 
$
12,255

 
$
1,244

 
$
(46,693
)
 
42,845

Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(57,162
)
Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
124,682

Noncontrolling interest related to sale of depreciated properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,390
)
Net income available to common stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
106,975

When reviewing the results of operations for the Company, management analyzes the following revenue and income items net of their related costs:
Rental property operations;
Land sales; and
Gains on sales of investment properties.
These amounts are shown in the segment tables above in the same “net” manner as shown to management. In addition, management reviews the operations of discontinued operations and its share of the operations of its joint ventures in the same manner as the operations of its wholly-owned properties included in the continuing operations. Therefore, the information in the tables above includes the operations of discontinued operations and its share of joint ventures in the same categories as the operations of the properties included in continuing operations. Certain adjustments are required to reconcile the above segment information to the Company’s consolidated revenues. The following table reconciles information presented in the tables above to the Company’s consolidated revenues (in thousands):

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Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net operating income
$
55,112

 
$
34,832

 
$
156,419

 
$
89,574

Sales less cost of sales
82

 
719

 
1,615

 
1,398

Fee income
1,802

 
2,420

 
6,165

 
9,007

Other income
399

 
303

 
4,563

 
2,649

Rental property operating expenses
38,685

 
22,035

 
109,501

 
55,112

Cost of sales
55

 
147

 
325

 
1,725

Net operating income in joint ventures
(6,601
)
 
(7,538
)
 
(19,748
)
 
(21,567
)
Sales less cost of sales in joint ventures

 
(109
)
 
(47
)
 
(111
)
Net operating income in discontinued operations
(341
)
 
(1,752
)
 
(1,798
)
 
(5,318
)
Fee income in discontinued operations

 

 

 
(76
)
Other income in discontinued operations
(14
)
 
(18
)
 
(29
)
 
(33
)
Termination fees in discontinued operations and in joint ventures

 

 
(74
)
 
(19
)
Gain on land sales (included in gain on investment properties)
(81
)
 
(605
)
 
(1,566
)
 
(1,122
)
Total consolidated revenues
$
89,098

 
$
50,434

 
$
255,326

 
$
131,219



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Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview:
The Company is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT. The Company's core focus is on the acquisition, development, leasing, management and ownership of Class-A office properties in Sunbelt markets with a particular focus on Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. As of September 30, 2014, the Company's portfolio of real estate assets consisted of interests in 16 operating office properties containing 15.1 million square feet of space, 6 operating retail properties containing 566,000 square feet of space, and two projects (one office and one mixed use) under active development. The Company has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets and opportunistic investments. This streamlined approach enables the Company to maintain a targeted, asset specific approach to investing where it seeks to leverage its development skills, relationships, market knowledge, and operational expertise. The Company intends to generate returns and create value for shareholders through the continued lease up of its portfolio, through the execution of its development pipeline, and through opportunistic investments in office and mixed-use projects within its core markets.
In March 2014, the Company issued 8.7 million shares of common stock, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $98.5 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to reduce amounts outstanding under its Credit Facility in preparation for the redemption of all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In April 2014, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, for $25.00 per share or $94.8 million, excluding accrued dividends. The Company believes that this transaction will improve the financial condition of the Company by reducing fixed charges and by eliminating preferred stock from its capital structure and effectively replacing it with common stock.
In May 2014, the Company's Credit Facility was recast to, among other things, increase the size from $350 million to $500 million, extend the maturity from February 28, 2016 to May 28, 2019, and reduce the per annum variable interest rate spread and other fees. The Company believes that this transaction will improve the financial condition of the Company by reducing interest expense and by extending the average maturity of the Company's debt.
In August 2014, the Company issued 18.0 million shares of common stock, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $223.4 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to acquire Fifth Third Center, a 698,000 square foot Class-A office tower located in the Charlotte, North Carolina central business district. The gross purchase price for this property was $215.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits.
Subsequent to quarter end, the Company acquired Northpark Town Center, a 1.5 million square foot office asset in Atlanta, Georgia for $348.0 million. The Company funded the purchase of this property with cash on hand and with borrowings under its Credit Facility. The Company paid down a portion of its Credit Facility with proceeds from a mortgage loan on 816 Congress totaling $85.0 million. Prior to year end, the Company expects to sell 777 Main, Mahan Village, and a joint venture containing four Publix-anchored shopping centers. The Company anticipates using the proceeds from these sales to reduce amounts outstanding under its Credit Facility. In addition, the Company is exploring bringing in a joint venture partner for 191 Peachtree in the first half of 2015. If the Company proceeds with a joint venture, the Company anticipates using the proceeds from entering the joint venture to further reduce amounts outstanding under the Company's Credit Facility.
The Company leased or renewed 691,492 square feet of office space during the third quarter of 2014, bringing total square footage of office space leased for the year to 1.5 million. Net effective rent, representing base rent less operating expense reimbursements and leasing costs, was $16.81 per square foot for office properties in the third quarter of 2014 and was $16.55 for the first nine months of 2014. Net effective rent per square foot for office properties increased 36.3% during the third quarter of 2014 and increased 33.1% for the first nine months of 2014 on spaces that have been previously occupied in the past year. The same property leasing percentage remained stable throughout the first nine months of 2014. The Company continues to target urban high-barrier-to-entry submarkets in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh/Durham. Management believes these markets continue to show positive demographic and economic trends compared to the national average.
Results of Operations
Rental Property Revenues
Rental property revenues increased $39.3 million (83%) and $126.6 million (107%) between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively, primarily due to the following:
Increase of $27.6 million and $93.4 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to the September 2013 acquisition of Greenway Plaza;
Increase of $4.4 million and $15.5 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to the September 2013 acquisition of 777 Main;

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Increase of $3.2 million between each of the three and nine month periods due to the August 2014 acquisition of Fifth Third Center;
Increase of $1.4 million and $8.2 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to the February 2013 acquisition of Post Oak Central and due to increased occupancy at Post Oak Central subsequent to the acquisition;
Increase of $814,000 and $1.8 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to increased occupancy at Promenade;
Increase of $737,000 and $1.1 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to increased occupancy at 2100 Ross;
Increase of $464,000 and $4.7 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to the April 2013 acquisition of 816 Congress and due to increased occupancy at 816 Congress subsequent to acquisition; and
Decrease of $2.3 million between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods due to the February 2013 sale of 50% of the Company's interest in Terminus 100.
Fee Income
Fee income decreased $2.8 million (31%) between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in management fees resulting from the sale of the Company's 50% interest in The Avenue Murfreesboro and its noncontrolling interests in eight retail properties in two joint ventures with Prudential in the third quarter of 2013.
Subsequent to quarter end, in October 2014, the Company received a $4.5 million participation interest related to a contract that the Company assumed in the acquisition of an entity several years ago. Under this contract, the Company is entitled to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of a project that the entity developed and from payments received from a related seller-financed note. The Company had recognized fee income from this contract in previous periods. The payment received in October will be recognized as fee income in the fourth quarter of 2014 and represents the final payment the Company will receive related to this contract. The Company paid a commission to an employee related to this fee in the amount of $1.1 million, which will be recorded in other expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Rental Property Operating Expenses
Rental property operating expenses increased $16.7 million (76%) and $54.4 million (99%) between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively, primarily due to the following:
Increase of $12.3 million and $40.6 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to the September 2013 acquisition of Greenway Plaza;
Increase of $2.4 million and $8.5 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, due to the September 2013 acquisition of 777 Main;
Increase of $2.2 million between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods due to the April 2013 acquisition of 816 Congress;
Increase of $2.0 million between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods due to the February 2013 acquisition of Post Oak Central; and
Increase of $1.0 million between the three month 2014 and 2013 periods due to the August 2014 acquisition of Fifth Third Center.
Reimbursed Expenses
Reimbursed expenses decreased $1.7 million (38%) between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods. This decrease is primarily due to the sale of the majority of the Company's 50% interest in The Avenue Murfreesboro and its noncontrolling interests in eight retail properties in two joint ventures with Prudential in the third quarter of 2013.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased $1.6 million between the three month 2014 and 2013 periods. This decrease is primarily due to an increase in capitalized costs associated with development activities and an accounting and reporting software implementation.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $1.7 million (32%) and $6.6 million (46%) between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively, primarily due to the following:
Increase of $1.5 million and $5.5 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, as a result of a mortgage loan on Post Oak Central that closed in September 2013;
Increase of $871,000 and $3.3 million between the three and nine month periods, respectively, as a result of a mortgage loan on Promenade that closed in September 2013; and

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Decrease of $731,000 and $1.6 between the three and nine month periods, respectively, as a result of an increase in capitalized interest between periods.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $14.2 million (77%) and $57.3 million (128%) between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively, primarily due to the September 2013 acquisition of Greenway Plaza, the September 2013 acquisition of 777 Main, the February 2013 acquisition of Post Oak Central, and the April 2013 acquisition of 816 Congress. These were partially offset by the February 2013 sale of 50% of the Company's interest in Terminus 100 and the September 2013 sale of Tiffany Springs MarketCenter.
Acquisition and Related Costs
Acquisition and related costs decreased $6.2 million and $6.6 million between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively, primarily as a result of expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2013 related to the acquisition of Greenway Plaza and 777 Main.
Income from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $61.0 million and $60.5 million between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods as a result of gains recognized on the sale of the Company's interest in the following joint ventures in the third quarter of 2013: CF Murfreesboro Associates, CP Venture Two LLC, and CP Venture Five LLC.
Gain on Sale of Investment Properties
Gain on sale of investment properties decreased $59.8 million between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods. This decrease is primarily due to gains recognized in February 2013 on the sale of 50% of the Company’s interest in Terminus 100 and on the acquisition of Terminus 200, which was achieved in stages. The 2014 amount relates to the sale of an undeveloped tract of land in Austin, Texas.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations generally includes the operations of properties that have been sold during the periods presented and properties that are held for sale as of the end of the reporting period. The properties that typically have the largest impact on discontinued operations are those that have recently sold or are held for sale. These properties include:
Tiffany Springs MarketCenter and Inhibitex, which were sold in 2013;
600 University Park Place, a 123,000 square foot office building in Birmingham, Alabama, which was sold in the first quarter of 2014 for a gross sales price of $19.7 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits; and
Lakeshore Park Plaza, a 197,000 square foot office building in Birmingham, Alabama, which was sold in the third quarter of 2014 for a gross sales price of $25.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits. This sales price, combined with the sales price of 600 University Park Place, represents a weighted average 7.26% capitalization rate. Capitalization rates are generally calculated by dividing projected annualized net operating income by the sales price.
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance on discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only assets held for sale and disposals representing a major strategic shift in operations will be presented as discontinued operations. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this new standard in 2014. As a result, two of the Company’s properties that became held for sale in the third quarter (777 Main and Mahan Village) that under the previous guidance would have been considered discontinued operations are not considered discontinued operations under the new guidance.
Dividends to Preferred Stockholders
Dividends to preferred stockholders decreased $1.8 million and $5.3 million between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively, due to the redemption of the Series B preferred stock in the second quarter of 2014 and the redemption of the Series A preferred stock in the second quarter of 2013. The Company has no remaining outstanding preferred stock as of June 30, 2014 and, as a result, in future periods will have no preferred stock dividends.
Preferred Stock Original Issuance Costs
In April 2014, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In connection with the redemption of Preferred Stock, the Company decreased net income available for common shareholders by $3.5 million (non-cash), which represents the original issuance costs applicable to the shares redeemed.

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In May 2013, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In connection with the redemption of Preferred Stock, the Company increased net loss available for common shareholders by $2.7 million (non-cash), which represents the original issuance costs applicable to the shares redeemed.
Funds From Operations
The table below shows Funds from Operations Available to Common Stockholders (“FFO”) and the related reconciliation to net income available to common stockholders for the Company. The Company calculates FFO in accordance with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ (“NAREIT”) definition, which is net income available to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and gains on sale or impairment losses on depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures to reflect FFO on the same basis.
FFO is used by industry analysts and investors as a supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. Thus, NAREIT created FFO as a supplemental measure of REIT operating performance that excludes historical cost depreciation, among other items, from GAAP net income. The use of FFO, combined with the required primary GAAP presentations, has been fundamentally beneficial, improving the understanding of operating results of REITs among the investing public and making comparisons of REIT operating results more meaningful. Company management evaluates operating performance in part based on FFO. Additionally, the Company uses FFO, along with other measures, to assess performance in connection with evaluating and granting incentive compensation to its officers and other key employees. The reconciliation of net income (loss) available to common stockholders to FFO is as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share information):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
$
19,322

 
$
59,381

 
$
22,299

 
$
106,975

Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated properties
32,472

 
18,319

 
101,361

 
44,122

Discontinued properties

 
492

 

 
2,590

Share of unconsolidated joint ventures
2,874

 
3,079

 
8,958

 
10,450

(Gain) loss on sale of depreciated properties:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated properties

 
(3,643
)
 

 
(60,686
)
Discontinued properties
(12,993
)
 
(3,371
)
 
(19,362
)
 
(3,575
)
Share of unconsolidated joint ventures

 
(60,421
)
 
387

 
(60,421
)
Noncontrolling interest related to the sale of depreciated properties

 
3,390

 

 
3,390

Funds From Operations Available to Common Stockholders
$
41,675

 
$
17,226

 
$
113,643

 
$
42,845

Per Common Share — Basic and Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Available
$
0.09

 
$
0.36

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.83

Funds From Operations
$
0.20

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.33

Weighted Average Shares — Basic
209,839

 
163,426

 
200,073

 
128,953

Weighted Average Shares — Diluted
210,111

 
163,603

 
200,325

 
129,121


Same Property Net Operating Income
Net Operating Income is used by industry analysts, investors and Company management to measure operating performance of the Company's properties. Net Operating Income, which is rental property revenues less rental property operating expenses, excludes certain components from net income in order to provide results that are more closely related to a property's results of operations. Certain items, such as interest expense, while included in FFO and net income, do not affect the operating performance of a real estate asset and are often incurred at the corporate level as opposed to the property level. As a result, management uses only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level to evaluate a property's performance. Depreciation and amortization are also excluded from Net Operating Income. Same Property Net Operating Income includes those office properties that have been fully operational in each of the comparable reporting periods. A fully operational property is one that has achieved 90% economic occupancy for each of the two periods presented or has been substantially complete and owned by

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the Company for each of the two periods presented and the preceding year. Same Property Net Operating Income allows analysts, investors and management to analyze continuing operations and evaluate the growth trend of the Company's portfolio.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net Operating Income - Consolidated Properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental property revenues
$
86,857

 
$
47,575

 
$
244,375

 
$
117,799

Rental property expenses
(38,685
)
 
(22,035
)
 
(109,501
)
 
(55,112
)
 
48,172

 
25,540

 
134,874

 
62,687

Net Operating Income - Discontinued Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental property revenues
601

 
2,870

 
2,923

 
8,811

Rental property expenses
(260
)
 
(1,118
)
 
(1,125
)
 
(3,493
)
 
341

 
1,752

 
1,798

 
5,318

Net Operating Income - Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
6,599


7,540

 
19,747


21,570

Total Net Operating Income
$
55,112

 
$
34,832

 
$
156,419

 
$
89,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Operating Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same Property
$
14,751


$
14,233

 
$
44,558


$
42,675

Non-Same Property
40,361


20,599

 
111,861


46,900


$
55,112

 
$
34,832

 
$
156,419

 
$
89,575

Change year over year in Net Operating Income - Same Property
3.6
%
 
 
 
4.4
%
 
 
Same Property Net Operating Income increased 3.6% and 4.4% between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively. The increase is primarily attributed to increased rental revenue at American Cancer Society Center, Terminus 200, and 191 Peachtree Tower and to lower expenses at 191 Peachtree Tower.

Net Rental Rates
Net rental rates for the office portfolio increased 69% and 27% on new leases between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively. Net rental rates for the office portfolio increased 23% and 36% on renewals between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively. Net rental rates for the retail portfolio increased 4% and decreased 7% on renewals between the three and nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively. There were no new second generation retail leases in the first nine months of 2014. Net rental rates represent average rent per square foot after operating expense reimbursement over the lease term for leased space that has not been vacant for more than one year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s primary liquidity sources are:
Net cash from operations;
Sales of assets;
Borrowings under its Credit Facility;
Proceeds from mortgage notes payable;
Proceeds from equity offerings; and
Joint venture formations.
The Company’s primary liquidity uses are:
Property acquisitions;
Expenditures on development projects;
Building improvements, tenant improvements, and leasing costs;
Principal and interest payments on indebtedness; and
Common stock dividends.
In the first quarter of 2014, the Company issued 8.7 million shares of common stock, which generated net proceeds to the Company of $98.5 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. The Company used the proceeds

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Table of Contents


from this offering to paydown the Credit Facility in preparation for the redemption of all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, for $25.00 per share or $94.8 million, excluding accrued dividends. The Company believes that these transactions will improve the financial condition of the Company by reducing fixed charges and eliminating preferred stock from its capital structure. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company decreased net income available to common stockholders by $3.5 million (non-cash), which represents the original issuance costs of the preferred stock that was redeemed. The Company has no remaining outstanding preferred stock and, as a result, in future periods will have no preferred stock dividends.
In the first quarter of 2014, the Company increased the dividend on its common stock from $0.045 per share to $0.075 per share.
In the second quarter of 2014, the Credit Facility was recast to, among other things, increase the size to $500 million, extend the maturity to May 28, 2019, and reduce the per annum variable interest rate spread and other fees. This transaction improved the financial condition of the Company by reducing the spread it pays over LIBOR and by extending the average maturity of its debt. At September 30, 2014, the Company had $87.7 million outstanding under its Credit Facility, cash on hand of $7.2 million, and the ability to borrow $411.3 million under the Credit Facility.
In the third quarter of 2014, the Company issued 18.0 million shares of common stock, which generated net proceeds to the Company of $223.4 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to acquire Fifth Third Center, a 698,000 square foot Class-A office tower located in the Charlotte, North Carolina central business district. The gross purchase price for this property was $215.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits.
In the third quarter of 2014, the Mahan Village construction facility's maturity date was extended to January 2015.
Subsequent to quarter end, in October 2014, the Company acquired Northpark Town Center, a 1.5 million square foot office asset located in Atlanta, Georgia. The gross purchase price for this property was $348.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits. The Company funded the purchase of this property with cash on hand and with borrowings under its Credit Facility. The Company paid down a portion of its Credit Facility with proceeds from a mortgage loan on 816 Congress totaling $85.0 million. Prior to year end, the Company expects to sell 777 Main, Mahan Village, and a joint venture containing four Publix-anchored shopping centers. The Company anticipates using the proceeds from these sales to reduce amounts outstanding under its Credit Facility. In addition, the Company is exploring bringing in a joint venture partner for 191 Peachtree in the first half of 2015. If the Company proceeds with a joint venture, the Company anticipates using the proceeds from entering the joint venture to further reduce amounts outstanding under the Company's Credit Facility.
The Company continually pursues acquisition and development opportunities that are consistent with its strategy. The Company expects to fund any additional future investments with one or more of the following: sale of additional non-core assets, additional borrowings under its Credit Facility, additional mortgage loans secured by existing or newly acquired properties, construction loans, the issuance of common equity, and joint ventures with third parties.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
At September 30, 2014, the Company was subject to the following contractual obligations and commitments (in thousands):

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Total
 
Less than 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More than 5 years
Contractual Obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured Credit Facility and construction facility
 
$
101,785

 
$
14,085

 
$

 
$
87,700

 
$

Mortgage notes payable
 
569,289

 
8,719

 
160,465

 
112,273

 
287,832

Interest commitments (1)
 
133,609

 
27,976

 
53,235

 
31,417

 
20,981

Ground leases
 
149,485

 
1,579

 
3,559

 
3,563

 
140,784

Other operating leases
 
550

 
230

 
258

 
62

 

Total contractual obligations
 
$
954,718

 
$
52,589

 
$
217,517

 
$
235,015

 
$
449,597

Commitments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unfunded tenant improvements and other
 
$
103,631

 
$
64,770

 
$
22,513

 
$
5,158

 
$
11,190

Letters of credit
 
1,000

 
1,000

 

 

 

Performance bonds
 
1,386

 
117

 
100

 
1,169

 

Other commitments
 
7,447

 
7,447

 

 

 

Total commitments
 
$
113,464

 
$
73,334

 
$
22,613

 
$
6,327

 
$
11,190

(1)
Interest on variable rate obligations is based on rates effective as of September 30, 2014.
In addition, the Company has several standing or renewable service contracts mainly related to the operation of buildings. These contracts are in the ordinary course of business and are generally one year or less. These contracts are not included in the above table and are usually reimbursed in whole or in part by tenants.
Other Debt Information
The real estate and other assets of The American Cancer Society Center (the “ACS Center”) are restricted under the ACS Center loan agreement in that they are not available to settle debts of the Company. However, provided that the ACS Center loan has not incurred any uncured event of default, as defined in the loan agreement, the cash flows from the ACS Center, after payments of debt service, operating expenses and reserves, are available for distribution to the Company.
The Company's existing mortgage debt is primarily non-recourse, fixed-rate mortgage notes secured by various real estate assets. Many of the Company's non-recourse mortgages contain covenants which, if not satisfied, could result in acceleration of the maturity of the debt. The Company expects that it will either refinance the non-recourse mortgages at maturity or repay the mortgages with proceeds from asset sales or other financings.
Future Capital Requirements
Over the long term, management intends to actively manage its portfolio of properties and strategically sell assets to exit its non-core holdings, reposition its portfolio of income-producing assets geographically and by product type, and generate capital for future investment activities. The Company expects to continue to utilize indebtedness to fund future commitments and expects to place long-term mortgages on selected assets as well as to utilize construction facilities for some development assets, if available and under appropriate terms.
The Company may also generate capital through the issuance of securities that include common or preferred stock, warrants, debt securities or depositary shares. In March 2013, the Company filed a shelf registration statement to allow for the issuance of such securities through March 2016.
The Company’s business model is dependent upon raising or recycling capital to meet obligations. If one or more sources of capital are not available when required, the Company may be forced to reduce the number of projects it acquires or develops and/or raise capital on potentially unfavorable terms, or may be unable to raise capital, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Cash Flows
The reasons for significant increases and decreases in cash flows between the periods are as follows:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities decreased $4.1 million between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods due to the following:
Cash flows increased $72.2 million from property operations due primarily to the 2014 acquisition of Fifth Third Center and the 2013 acquisitions of Greenway Plaza, 777 Main, Post Oak Central, and 816 Congress. This was partially offset by the 2013 sales of Tiffany Springs MarketCenter and of 50% of the Company's interest in Terminus 100;

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Cash flows decreased $60.5 million from joint ventures as a result of the 2013 sales of the Company's interests in CF Murfreesboro Associates, CP Venture Two LLC, and CP Venture Five LLC;
Cash flows decreased $5.9 million due to an increase in interest paid between periods;
Cash flows decreased $2.8 million from fee income due primarily to a decrease in management fees; and
Cash flows decreased $3.5 million as a result of discontinued operations.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities increased $941.8 million between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods due to the following:
Cash flows increased $1.2 billion from property acquisition, development and tenant asset expenditures due to the 2013 acquisitions of Greenway Plaza, 777 Main, 816 Congress, Post Oak Central, and the remaining interest in Terminus 200, net of an increase in capital expenditures for the 2014 acquisition of Fifth Third Center, the development of Colorado Tower, and for building improvements at 2100 Ross, Greenway Plaza, Promenade, and 777 Main during 2014;
Cash flows decreased $118.0 million from proceeds from the sales of investment properties. In the 2014 period, the Company sold Lakeshore Park Plaza, 600 University Park, and non-core land parcels. In the 2013 period, the Company sold Tiffany Springs MarketCenter, effectively sold 50% of its interest in Terminus 100 to a third party, and sold non-core land parcels; and
Cash flows decreased $79.3 million from distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures due mainly to distributions from the CF Murfreesboro Associates, Crawford Long - CPI, LLC, and Terminus Office Holdings joint ventures in 2013.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Cash flows provided by financing activities decreased $760.0 million between the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods due to the following:
Cash flows decreased $504.6 million from common stock issuances. In the 2014 period, the Company issued 26.7 million common shares. In the 2013 period, the Company issued 85.5 million common shares;
Cash flows decreased $236.1 million primarily as a result of entering into mortgage notes secured by Promenade and Post Oak Central in 2013 and from the repayment of the Terminus 100 mortgage note payable in 2013;
Cash flows decreased $26.7 million due to an increase in common dividends paid as a result of an increase in the number of issued common shares and in the dividend rate;
Cash flows decreased $19.9 million from the redemption of preferred shares. In the 2014 period, the Company redeemed the Series B Preferred stock. In the 2013 period, the Company redeemed the Series A Preferred stock; and
Cash flows increased $25.5 million due to a distribution to noncontrolling interests in the 2013 period as a result of the sale of the Company's interest in CP Venture Five LLC.

Capital Expenditures. The Company incurs costs related to its real estate assets that include acquisition of properties, development of new properties, redevelopment of existing or newly purchased properties, leasing costs for new or replacement tenants, and ongoing property repairs and maintenance.
Capital expenditures for assets the Company develops or acquires and then holds and operates are included in the property acquisition, development, and tenant asset expenditures line item within investing activities on the statements of cash flows. Amounts accrued are removed from the table below (accrued capital adjustment) to show the components of these costs on a cash basis. Components of costs included in this line item for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Acquisition of property
$
234,471

 
$
1,456,763

Development
55,250

 
10,029

Operating — building improvements
49,294

 
28,510

Operating — leasing costs
7,611

 
4,270

Capitalized interest
1,833

 
277

Capitalized personnel costs
5,226

 
4,070

Accrued capital adjustment
(2,028
)
 
(1,903
)
Total property acquisition and development expenditures
$
351,657

 
$
1,502,016

Capital expenditures decreased in 2014 mainly due to the acquisitions of Greenway Plaza, 777 Main, 816 Congress, Post Oak Central, and the remaining interest in Terminus 200 during 2013. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures for the acquisition of Fifth Third Center, for the development of Colorado Tower, and for building improvements at 2100 Ross, Greenway Plaza, Promenade, and 816 Congress. Tenant improvements and leasing costs, as well as related capitalized

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personnel costs, are a function of the number and size of newly executed leases or renewals of existing leases. The amounts of tenant improvement and leasing costs for the Company's office portfolio on a per square foot basis were as follows:
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
New leases
 
$8.05
Renewal leases
 
$3.25
Expansion leases
 
$6.16
The amounts of tenant improvement and leasing costs on a per square foot basis vary by lease and by market. Given the level of expected leasing and renewal activity, in future periods management expects tenant improvements and leasing costs per square foot to remain consistent with those experienced in the first nine months of 2014.
Dividends. The Company paid common dividends of $45.4 million and $18.7 million in the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively. The Company paid preferred dividends of $3.0 million and $8.2 million in the nine month 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively. The Company funded the dividends with cash provided by operating activities. Going forward, the Company expects to fund its quarterly distributions to common stockholders with cash provided by operating activities and distributions from joint ventures.
On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews the amount of the common dividend in light of current and projected future cash flows from the sources noted above and also considers the requirements needed to maintain its REIT status. In addition, the Company has certain covenants under its Credit Facility which could limit the amount of dividends paid. In general, dividends of any amount can be paid as long as leverage, as defined in the facility, is less than 60% and the Company is not in default under its facility. Certain conditions also apply in which the Company can still pay dividends if leverage is above that amount. The Company routinely monitors the status of its dividend payments in light of the Credit Facility covenants.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
General. The Company has a number of off balance sheet joint ventures with varying structures, as described in note 5 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The joint ventures in which the Company has an interest are involved in the ownership, acquisition, and/or development of real estate. A venture will fund capital requirements or operational needs with cash from operations or financing proceeds, if possible. If additional capital is deemed necessary, a venture may request a contribution from the partners, and the Company will evaluate such request.
Debt. At September 30, 2014, the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures had aggregate outstanding indebtedness to third parties of $418.0 million. These loans are generally mortgage or construction loans, most of which are non-recourse to the Company, except as described in the paragraphs below. In addition, in certain instances, the Company provides “non-recourse carve-out guarantees” on these non-recourse loans. Certain of these loans have variable interest rates, which creates exposure to the ventures in the form of market risk from interest rate changes.
The Company guarantees 25% of two of the four outstanding loans at the Cousins Watkins LLC joint venture, which owns four retail shopping centers. The two loans have a total capacity of $16.3 million, of which the Company guarantees 25% of the outstanding balance. At September 30, 2014, the Company guaranteed $2.9 million, based on amounts outstanding under these loans as of that date. These guarantees may be reduced or eliminated based on achievement of certain criteria.
The EP II construction loan has a total capacity of $46.0 million, of which the Company guarantees the lesser of $8.6 million or the outstanding balance. At September 30, 2014, the Company guaranteed $3.6 million, based on amounts outstanding under this loan as of that date. This guarantee may be reduced and/or eliminated based on the achievement of certain criteria.
Critical Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes in the Company's critical accounting policies from those disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
In the third quarter of 2014, the Mahan Village construction facility's maturity date was extended to January 2015. In the second quarter of 2014, the Credit Facility was recast to, among other things, increase the size to $500 million, extend the maturity to May 28, 2019, and reduce the per annum variable interest rate spread and other fees. Therefore, the market risk associated with Company's notes payable has changed since that disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table outlines the market risk associated with the Company's notes payable as of September 30, 2014 ($ in thousands):

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Twelve months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 Fixed Rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal maturities
 
$

 
$
14,736

 
$
131,507

 
$

 
$100,000
 
$
323,046

 
$
569,289

 
$
609,505

Average interest rate
 

 
5.66
%
 
6.45
%
 

 
3.35
%
 
4.40
%
 
4.72
%
 

 Variable Rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal maturities
 
$
14,085

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
87,700

 
$

 
$
101,785

 
$
101,770

Average interest rate (1)
 
1.80
%
 

 

 

 
1.25
%
 

 
1.33
%
 

(1) Interest rates on variable rate notes payable are equal to the variable rates in effect on September 30, 2014.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness, design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based upon the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. In addition, based on such evaluation we have identified no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.
Information regarding legal proceedings is described under the subheading "Litigation" in note 7 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in this Form 10-Q.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The Company detailed its risk factors in Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
For information on the Company’s equity compensation plans, see note 13 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and note 10 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in this Form 10-Q. The Company did not make any sales of unregistered securities during the third quarter of 2014.
The Company purchased the following common shares during the third quarter of 2014:
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share (1)
July 1 - 31
605

 
$
12.49

August 1 - 31
17,601

 
$
13.06

September 1 - 30

 
N/A

 
18,206

 
$
13.04

(1) Activity for the third quarter of 2014 related to the remittances of shares for income taxes associated with restricted stock vesting and to the remittance of shares for option exercises.


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Item 6. Exhibits.
2.1
 †
Purchase and Sale Contract for Northpark Town Center, dated as of August 1, 2014, by and between FulcoProp400LLC and FulcoProp56 LLC and Cousins Acquisitions Entity, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant (schedules and exhibits omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K).
 
 
 
3.1
 
Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended August 9, 1999, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
3.1.1
 
Articles of Amendment to Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended July 22, 2003, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
3.1.2
 
Articles of Amendment to Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended December 15, 2004, filed as Exhibit 3(a)(i) to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
3.1.3
 
Articles of Amendment to Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended May 4, 2010, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 10, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
3.1.4
 
Articles of Amendment to Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended May 9, 2014, filed as Exhibit 3.1.4 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
3.2
 
Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended and restated December 4, 2012, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 7, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
11.0
 *
Computation of Per Share Earnings.
 
 
 
31.1
 †
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2
 †
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1
 †
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2
 †
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101
 †
The following financial information for the Registrant, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


 *
 
Data required by ASC 260, “Earnings per Share,” is provided in note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
 †
 
Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED
 
 
 /s/ Gregg D. Adzema
 
Gregg D. Adzema 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) 
Date: October 29, 2014


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