Acadia Realty Trust: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2023

GENERAL

Acadia Realty Trust (the “Trust”) was formed on March 4, 1993 as a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”). All references to “Acadia,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Company” refer to the Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries. We are a fully integrated REIT focused on the ownership, acquisition, development, and management of high-quality retail properties located primarily in high-barrier-to-entry, supply-constrained, densely populated metropolitan areas in the United States. We currently own or have an ownership interest in these properties through our Core Portfolio (as defined below). We generate additional growth through our Funds (as defined below) in which we co-invest with high-quality institutional investors.

All of our assets are held by, and all of our operations are conducted through, Acadia Realty Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and entities in which the Operating Partnership owns an interest. As of December 31, 2023, the Trust controlled approximately 95% of the Operating Partnership as the sole general partner. As the general partner, the Trust is entitled to share, in proportion to its percentage interest, in the cash distributions and profits and losses of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners primarily represent entities or individuals that contributed their interests in certain properties or entities to the Operating Partnership in exchange for common or preferred units of limited partnership interest (“Common OP Units” or “Preferred OP Units,” respectively, and collectively, “OP Units”) and employees who have been awarded restricted Common OP Units as long-term incentive compensation (“LTIP Units”). Limited partners holding Common OP and LTIP Units are generally entitled to exchange their units on a one-for-one basis for our common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Shares”). This structure is referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT, or “UPREIT.”

BUSINESS OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

Our primary business objective is to acquire and manage commercial retail properties that will provide cash for distributions to shareholders while also creating the potential for capital appreciation to enhance investor returns. We focus on the following fundamentals to achieve this objective:

• Own and operate a portfolio of high-quality retail properties located primarily in high-barrier-to-entry, densely populated metropolitan areas (“Core Portfolio”). Our goal is to create value through accretive development and re-tenanting activities within our existing portfolio and grow this platform through the acquisition of high-quality assets that have the long-term potential to outperform the asset class.
• Generate additional growth through our Funds (as defined below) in which we co-invest with high-quality institutional investors. Our Fund strategy focuses on opportunistic yet disciplined acquisitions with high inherent opportunity for the creation of additional value. We execute on this opportunity and realize value through the sale of these assets. In connection with this strategy, we focus on:
• value-add investments in street retail properties, located in established and “next-generation” submarkets, with re-tenanting or repositioning opportunities,
• opportunistic acquisitions of well-located real estate anchored by distressed retailers, and
• other opportunistic acquisitions, which vary based on market conditions and may include high-yield acquisitions and purchases of distressed debt.
• Some of these Core Portfolio and Fund investments historically have also included, and may in the future include joint ventures with private equity investors for the purpose of making investments in operating retailers with significant embedded value in their real estate assets.
• Maintain a strong and flexible balance sheet through conservative financial practices while ensuring access to sufficient capital to fund future growth.

Investment Strategy — Generate External Growth through our Dual Platforms: Core Portfolio and Funds

The objective that acquisitions be accretive on a long-term basis based on our cost of capital, as well as increase the overall Core Portfolio quality and value, is a key strategic consideration to the growth of our Core Portfolio. As such, we constantly evaluate the blended cost of equity and debt and adjust the amount of acquisition activity to align the level of investment activity with capital flows.

Given the growing importance of technology and e-commerce, many of our retail tenants are appropriately focused on omni-channel sales and how to best utilize e-commerce initiatives to drive sales at their stores. Considering these initiatives, we have found retailers are becoming more selective as to the location, size and format of their next-generation stores and are focused on dense, high-traffic retail corridors, where they can utilize smaller and more productive formats closer to their shopping population. Accordingly, our focus for Core Portfolio and Fund acquisitions is on those properties which we believe will not only remain relevant to our tenants but become even more so in the future.

In addition to our Core Portfolio investments in real estate assets, we have also capitalized on our expertise in the acquisition, development, leasing, and management of retail real estate by establishing discretionary opportunity funds. Our Fund platform is an investment vehicle where the Operating Partnership invests, along with outside institutional investors, including, but not limited to, endowments, foundations, pension funds and investment management companies, in primarily opportunistic and value-add retail real estate. To date, we have launched five funds (“Funds”); Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund, LP (“Fund I,” which was liquidated in 2015), Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund II, LLC (“Fund II”), Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund III LLC (“Fund III”), Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund IV LLC (“Fund IV”) and Acadia Strategic Opportunity Fund V LLC (“Fund V,” and our “current fund”). The investment period for our current fund was completed in August 2023. Thus, as of December 31, we have closed on all new investments in our Funds, and any remaining obligations to our Funds are related to existing investments. Due to our level of control, we consolidate these Funds for financial reporting purposes. Fund I and Fund II have also included investments in operating companies through Acadia Mervyn Investors I, LLC (“Mervyns I,” which was liquidated in 2018), Acadia Mervyn Investors II, LLC (“Mervyns II”) and, in certain instances, directly through Fund II, all on a non-recourse basis. These investments comprise, and are referred to as, the Company's Retailer Controlled Property Venture (“RCP Venture”).

The Operating Partnership is the sole general partner or managing member of the Funds and Mervyns II and earns priority distributions or fees for asset management, property management, construction, development, leasing, and legal services. Cash flows from the Funds and the RCP Venture are distributed pro-rata to their respective partners and members (including the Operating Partnership) until each receives a certain cumulative return (“Preferred Return”), and the return of all capital contributions. Thereafter, remaining cash flows are distributed 20% to the Operating Partnership (“Promote”) and 80% to the partners or members (including the Operating Partnership).

See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the Funds.

Capital Strategy — Balance Sheet Focus and Access to Capital

Our primary capital objective is to maintain a strong and flexible balance sheet through conservative financial practices, including moderate use of leverage within our Core Portfolio, while ensuring access to sufficient capital to fund future growth. We intend to continue financing acquisitions and property development and redevelopment with sources of capital determined by management to be the most appropriate based on, among other factors, availability in current capital markets, pricing, and other commercial and financial terms. Such sources of capital may include the issuance of public equity, unsecured debt, mortgage and construction loans, and other capital alternatives including strategic capital and the issuance of OP Units. We manage our interest rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt and, where we use variable-rate debt, through the use of certain derivative instruments, including Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) swap agreements and interest rate caps as discussed further in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk of this Report.

We maintain a share repurchase program that authorizes management, at its discretion, to repurchase up to $200.0 million of outstanding Common Shares. The program may be discontinued or extended at any time. We did not repurchase any shares during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021. As of December 31, 2023, management may repurchase up to approximately $122.5 million of Common Shares under the program. See Note 10.

We also maintain an at-the-market equity issuance program (the "ATM Program") that provides us with an efficient and low-cost vehicle for raising capital through public equity issuances on an as-we-go basis to fund our capital needs. Through the ATM Program, we have been able to effectively “match-fund” a portion of the required capital for our Core Portfolio and Fund acquisitions through the issuance of Common Shares over extended periods employing a price averaging strategy. In addition, from time to time, we have issued and intend to continue to issue equity in follow-on offerings separate from our ATM Program. Net proceeds raised through our ATM Program and follow-on offerings are primarily used for acquisitions, both for our Core Portfolio and our pro-rata share of Fund acquisitions, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not issue any Common Shares under our ATM Program. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we issued 5,525,419 Common Shares under our ATM Program for gross proceeds of $123.9 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we issued 2,889,371 Common Shares under our ATM Program for gross proceeds of $64.9 million. See Note 10.

In January 2024, we completed an underwritten offering of 6,900,000 Common Shares (inclusive of the underwriters’ option to purchase 900,000 additional shares) for net proceeds of $113.0 million (Note 17).

Operating Strategy — Experienced Management Team with Proven Track Record

Our senior management team has decades of experience in the real estate industry. We have capitalized on our expertise in the acquisition, development/redevelopment, leasing, and management of retail real estate by creating value through property development/redevelopment, re-tenanting and establishing joint ventures, such as the Funds, in which we earn, in addition to a return on our equity interest, promotes, priority distributions and fees.

Operating functions such as leasing, property management, construction, finance and legal are generally provided by our personnel, providing for a vertically integrated operating platform.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

See Item 2. Properties for a description of the properties in our Core and Fund portfolios. See Significant Developments under Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a detailed discussion of our consolidated and unconsolidated acquisitions, dispositions and financing activity for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Core Portfolio

Our Core Portfolio consists primarily of high-quality street retail and urban assets, as well as suburban properties located in high-barrier-to-entry, trade areas.

As we typically hold our Core Portfolio properties for long-term investment, we review our portfolio and implement programs to renovate and re-tenant targeted properties to enhance their market position. This in turn is expected to strengthen the competitive position of our leasing department to attract and retain quality tenants, increasing cash flow, and consequently, property values. From time to time, we also identify certain properties for disposition and redeploy the capital for acquisitions and for the repositioning of existing properties with greater potential for capital appreciation.

Funds

Our Fund investments, which are discretionary and consolidated, consist of suburban shopping centers and urban retail assets structured as wholly-owned by our Funds or through jointly-owned investments with the Funds.

Structured Finance Program

We also make investments in first mortgages and other notes receivable collateralized by real estate, (which we refer to as our Structured Finance Program or SF) either directly or through entities having an ownership interest therein.

Development and Redevelopment Activities

As part of our investing strategy, we invest in real estate assets that may require significant development. In addition, certain assets may require redevelopment to meet the demand of changing markets. As of December 31, 2023, there were two Core Portfolio and one Fund development projects, and eight Core Portfolio and one Fund redevelopment projects. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we placed three Core Portfolio properties into redevelopment and one Fund Portfolio property into service. See Item 2. Properties—Development Activities and Note 2.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations. As of the date of this Report, we do not expect the cost of compliance with such laws and regulations to have a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position. See Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Litigation, Environmental Matters and Governmental Regulation.

We may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at our property sites, as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including government fines and penalties and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property). These laws may impose liability without regard to whether we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence or disposal of those substances. This liability may be imposed on us in connection with the activities of an operator of, or tenant at our properties. The cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or personal or property damages and our liability therefore could exceed the value of the property and/or our aggregate assets. In addition, the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly dispose of or remove such substances, may adversely impact our ability to sell or rent an affected property or to borrow using that property as collateral, which, in turn, would reduce our revenues and ability to make distributions.

Our existing properties, as well as properties we may acquire, as commercial facilities, are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (the "ADA"). See Item 1A. Risk Factors — Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire, safety and other regulations may require us to make unplanned expenditures that could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

In addition, we may become subject to new compliance requirements and/or new costs or taxes associated with natural resource or energy usage and related emissions (such as a carbon tax), which could increase our operating costs. Compliance with new laws or regulations related to climate change may require us to make improvements to our existing properties or pay additional taxes and fees assessed on us or our properties. See Item 1A. Risk Factors — Climate change, natural disasters or health crises could adversely affect our properties and business.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

Our executive office is located at 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite 300, Rye, New York 10580, and our telephone number is (914) 288-8100.

HUMAN CAPITAL

We recognize that our ability to achieve the high standards we set for our company can best be accomplished by curating a diverse team of top talent. We are committed to fostering an energized and motivated workforce through programs and benefits that promote employee satisfaction, advancement, equity, and inclusion.

As of December 31, 2023, we had 117 employees, of whom 95 were located at our executive office and 22 were located at regional property management offices. During 2023, our total turnover rate was approximately 11%. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and management believes that its relationship with employees is good.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) are fundamental values of our business. We believe that our potential for success is maximized by having a diverse workforce that is reflective of our society and the communities we serve.

As of December 31, 2023, women represent 49% of our employees, 36% of our management-level positions and 25% of the independent trustees on our board of trustees (the "Board"), and racially and ethnically diverse individuals represent 25% of our employees, 24% of our management-level positions, and 13% of the independent trustees on our Board.

Our DEI Program is focused on fostering a professional environment that fully embraces individuals with varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, ages, perspectives, beliefs, and values. Through education and awareness – including annual employee training on DEI topics such as unconscious bias and allyship – we are working to maintain a corporate culture that is characterized by respect, acceptance, and inclusivity. We believe that we have an individual and institutional responsibility to observe, promote and protect DEI principles. As part of our commitment to promoting DEI principles, we signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge in 2020, and since that year, our DEI Steering Committee has actively worked to establish goals and initiatives for our DEI program.

Employee Engagement

We have been recognized as a Great Place to Work® based on employee satisfaction surveys for four consecutive years. We analyze the survey results to identify opportunity areas for enhancing employee satisfaction and engagement.

Training and Development

We continually invest in the training and development of our people. Education opportunities are offered within our organization and through attendance at industry conferences, seminars, and company offered resources, like LinkedIn Learning.

To promote career advancement, leadership training opportunities are available to managers and high-potential employees who are identified as possible successors for senior-level roles.

We believe that mentorship within our organization supports employee development while building a sense of inclusion and increasing employee engagement and satisfaction. Our senior management team focuses on succession planning for senior leadership and business unit lead roles and presents a succession plan to our Board annually.

Our summer internship program offers hands-on experience to students looking to specialize in the retail real estate industry and offers our company a fresh perspective. We are committed to building our own talent pipeline and are thrilled that many of our interns return to Acadia to work with us as full-time employees. We seek to consider a diverse pool of candidates for our internship program through partnerships with external organizations.

Health and Wellness

All of our employees are eligible to participate in our Wellness at Acadia Program, which is focused on education, awareness, and fitness classes, and is coordinated by our Wellness Team, comprised of members across our company with an active interest in wellness programming. Our Wellness at Acadia Program advocates for, and provides resources regarding, nutrition, exercise, mental health, and workplace ergonomics.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to all eligible employees.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (“ESG”)

Achievements and Initiatives

We seek to drive financial performance while engaging in environmentally and socially responsible business practices grounded in sound corporate governance. Our ESG program is overseen by the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (“NCG Committee”). The NCG Committee periodically reviews our ESG strategy, practices and policies, receives regular updates from management regarding our ESG activities and reports to the full Board for further discussion and evaluation as needed and appropriate. Day-to-day management of our ESG program, including developing and guiding the implementation of our ESG initiatives, is performed by our full-time dedicated Director of ESG and our internal ESG Committee, comprised of senior leaders and representatives from various departments. The ESG Committee meets regularly, at least quarterly, and provides periodic updates on our ESG program to our Chief Executive Officer and the Board.

We maintain an Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) plan to identify and formulate responses to the most critical risks to operations, including those related to climate change and environmental impact. ERM planning serves as an additional forum for the integration of ESG considerations into our business operations.

In addition to a dedicated team of professionals, we have established ESG policies and procedures that inform and guide our ESG approach and drive our ESG goals forward, including a firm-wide ESG Policy and a Tenant Sustainability Guide. We continue to align our reporting with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”), and Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) frameworks. We seek to align our ESG strategy and goals with certain United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ("UN SDGs"), such as goals to combat climate change and to promote the sustainability of our communities.

Below are some highlights of our ESG program. Additional information is available in our Proxy and Corporate Responsibility Report. Such information is not incorporated by reference into, and is not part of this Report.

Environmental

We are committed to understanding the environmental impact of our operations and promoting environmental sustainability while maintaining high standards for our company and our stakeholders.

We are building the resiliency of our portfolio to the physical and transition risks of climate change. For standing investments, we analyze climate-related physical and transition risks and we consider any identified risks as part of our ERM budgeting, and capital improvements processes. Climate-related physical and transition risks are also assessed as part of the due diligence process for acquisitions. Understanding climate-related risks to our portfolio enables us to implement mitigation measures, including increased insurance coverage and physical enhancements, such as waterproofing systems, as necessary. In addition, we established a GHG emissions reduction goal for scope 1 and 2 emissions in our portfolio in an effort to reduce our exposure to, and our contribution to, the negative impacts of climate change. See also Item 1A. Risk Factors — Climate change and natural disasters could adversely affect our properties and business.

We prioritize energy efficiency to try to reduce the amount of GHG emissions generated by our properties. Our energy efficiency strategy seeks to reduce energy consumption through a variety of measures, including LED lighting, and smart lighting controls upgrades in our parking areas, and smart thermostat installations in our vacant tenant spaces.

Our energy efficiency strategy is complemented by our renewable energy strategy which seeks to incorporate the use of electricity sourced from renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind, for the landlord-controlled common areas of our properties. We engage in renewable energy projects through leasing roof and parking lot space at our properties for solar panel arrays and electric vehicle charging stations.

Our water management program focuses on monitoring and reducing common area water consumption, while encouraging water management practices by our tenants. We leverage technology to track and analyze water consumption at our properties to identify and decrease excessive use. A majority of our properties benefit from the use of a landscape design focused on drought-resistant, native, pollinator-friendly plantings that save water. For substantially all of our properties with landlord-controlled irrigation, we have installed smart irrigation systems with features like rain sensors, to ensure the irrigation is turned on only when necessary. In addition, we use submeters at certain of our properties to give our retail tenants visibility into their water consumption and a financial incentive to decrease their consumption.

We include a green clause into our standard form of retail leases to align tenant and landlord interests in promoting the sustainability of our properties, which provides for, among other requirements, cooperation on environmental and social initiatives, and upgrades. We are proud to be named a Green Lease Leader by the Institute for Market Transformation/the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Alliance and achieved gold status for using green leases to engage our tenants in making our properties more sustainable.

Our sustainable practices extend to our corporate offices where we have adopted energy reduction, waste management and water conservation initiatives. These initiatives include, for example, installing LED lighting and automatic occupancy sensors for lighting and equipment, recycling programs, implementing electronic communication systems for tenant billing, and using low-flow faucets. Our corporate headquarters is easily accessible by public transit due to the close proximity to two train stations, helping to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from employee travel. As a result of sustainability efforts made at our corporate headquarters, we were awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Land Use Award by the Green Business Partnership in 2019.

Social

DEI are fundamental values of our business. For additional details regarding our DEI Program, as well as employee engagement, employee training and development, and employee health and wellness initiatives, see Item 1. Business - Human Capital.

Our company supports employee volunteerism and philanthropy. We engage with local charitable and volunteer organizations to connect with those in need and provide support to our communities.

We value the importance of community engagement through the facilitation of events at our properties. We partner with local communities and non-profit organizations to host community events and fundraisers throughout our portfolio.

The health and well-being of our tenants and their employees and customers are important to us. Our property managers conduct regular inspections, repairs and improvements to maintain safe and secure shopping centers and enhance the retail experience.

We strive to respect and promote human rights in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We support freedom of association as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Governance

We are dedicated to maintaining a high standard for corporate governance predicated on integrity, ethics, diversity, and transparency. All of our Board members stand for re-election every year. We seek to maintain a diverse Board primarily comprised of independent trustees who represent a mix of varied experience, backgrounds, tenure, and skills to ensure a broad range of perspectives is represented. In 2021, our NCG Committee formally committed in its charter to seek to include candidates with a diversity of race, ethnicity, and gender in the pool from which it selects trustee candidates. The Committee annually reviews the composition of the Board and recommends measures to seek to achieve the appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, and diversity of backgrounds on the Board to enable the Company to execute its strategic plan and achieve its objectives. As of December 31, 2023, two of our eight independent trustees are female and one independent trustee represents racial and ethnic diversity.

Additionally, we regularly monitor developments in the area of corporate governance and seek to enhance our corporate governance structure based upon a review of new developments and recommended best practices, considering investor feedback. We believe that sound corporate governance strengthens the accountability of our Board and management and promotes the long-term interests of our shareholders. Governance highlights include: opt-out of the Board self-classification provisions of Subtitle 8; no shareholder rights plan; annual election of trustees; majority voting standard for trustees in uncontested elections with a resignation policy if an incumbent trustee fails to receive the required vote for re-election; independent and diverse Board with a lead independent trustee; regular succession planning; risk oversight by the full Board and committees; claw-back, anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies; annual Say-on-Pay vote; and shareholders’ ability to call a special meeting.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and associated policies mandate an elevated level of excellence from our company, the Board and management. Through transparency, alignment of interests, and removal of potential conflicts of interests, we ensure that our decisions and actions advance the interests of our shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders.

COMPANY WEBSITE

All of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to such reports, are available at no cost on the Investors page of our website at www.acadiarealty.com (http://www.acadiarealty.com), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. These filings can also be accessed through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov). Alternatively, we will provide paper copies of our filings, including this Report, at no cost upon request addressed to Investor Relations at Acadia Realty Trust, 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite 300, Rye, NY 10580, phone number (914) 288-8100 or email investorrelations@acadiarealty.com (mailto:investorrelations@acadiarealty.com).

We use, and intend to use, the Investors page of our website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and of complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD, including, without limitation, through the posting of investor presentations that may include material nonpublic information. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors page, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts.

The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this Report.

CODE OF ETHICS AND WHISTLEBLOWER POLICIES

Our Board adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, as well as a “Whistleblower Policy.” Copies of these documents are available in the Investors – Corporate Governance page of our website at www.acadiarealty.com (http://www.acadiarealty.com). We will disclose future amendments to, or waivers from (with respect to our executive officers and trustees), our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this Report.

Set forth below are the risk factors that we believe are material to our investors. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this Report, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The occurrence of any of the following risks could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders. In such case, the trading price of our Common Shares could decline, and you may lose all or a significant part of your investment. This section includes or refers to certain forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

The following risk factors are not exhaustive. Other sections of this Report may include additional factors that could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may affect our business. Investors should also refer to our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K for future periods for material updates to these risk factors.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS, OUR PROPERTIES AND OUR TENANTS

There are risks relating to investments in real estate that could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and make distributions to our shareholders.

Real property investments are subject to multiple risks. Real estate values are affected by several factors, including changes in the general economic climate, local conditions (such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand), the quality and philosophy of management, competition from other available space, and the ability to provide adequate maintenance and insurance and to control variable operating costs. Retail properties, in particular, may be affected by changing perceptions of retailers or shoppers regarding the convenience and attractiveness of the property and by the overall climate for the retail industry. Real estate values are also affected by such factors as government regulations, interest rate levels, the availability of financing and potential liability under, and changes in, environmental, zoning, tax, and other laws. A significant portion of our income is derived from rental income from real property. Our income and cash flow would be adversely affected if we were unable to rent our vacant space to viable tenants on economically favorable terms or at all. In the event of default by a tenant, we may experience delays in enforcing, as well as incur substantial costs to enforce, our rights as a landlord. In addition, certain significant expenditures associated with each equity investment (such as mortgage payments, real estate taxes and maintenance costs) are generally not reduced even though there may be a reduction in income from the investment.

We rely on revenues derived from tenants, in particular our key tenants, and a decrease in those revenues could adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Revenue from our properties depends primarily on the ability of our tenants to pay the full amount of rent and other charges due under their leases on a timely basis. We derive significant revenues from a concentration of 20 key tenants, which occupy space at more than one property and collectively account for approximately 17.8% of our consolidated revenue. We could be adversely affected in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of, or a downturn in the business of, any of our key tenants, or in the event that any such tenant does not renew its leases as they expire or renews such leases at lower rental rates. See Item 2. Properties—Major Tenants for quantified information with respect to the percentage of our minimum rents received from major tenants.

Anchor tenants and co-tenancy are crucial to the success of retail properties and vacated anchor space directly and indirectly affects our rental revenues.

Certain of our properties are supported by “anchor” tenants. Anchor tenants pay a significant portion of total rents at a property and contribute to the success of other tenants by drawing large numbers of customers to a property. Vacated anchor space not only directly reduces rental revenues, but, if not re-tenanted with a tenant with comparable consumer attraction, could adversely affect the rest of the property primarily through the loss of customer drawing power. This can also occur through the exercise of the right that most anchors have to vacate and prevent re-tenanting by paying rent for the balance of the lease term, also known as “going dark”, such as the case of the departure of a “shadow” anchor tenant that is owned by another landlord. In addition, in the event that certain anchor tenants cease to occupy a property, such an action results in a significant number of other tenants having the contractual right to terminate their leases, or pay a reduced rent based on a percentage of the tenant’s sales, at the affected property, which could adversely affect the future income from such property, also known as “co-tenancy.” Although it may not directly reduce our rental revenues, and there are no contractual co-tenancy conditions, vacant retail space adjacent to, or even on the same block as our street and urban properties may similarly affect shopper traffic and re-tenanting activities at our properties. See Item 2. Properties—Major Tenants.

The bankruptcy of, or a downturn in the business of, any of our major tenants or a significant number of our smaller tenants may adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and property values.

The bankruptcy of, or a downturn in the business of, any of our major tenants causing them to reject their leases, or to not renew their leases as they expire, or renew at lower rental rates, may adversely affect our cash flows and property values. Furthermore, the impact of vacated anchor space and the potential reduction in customer traffic may adversely impact the balance of tenants at a shopping center.

Historically and from time to time, certain of our tenants experienced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy protection, typically under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Pursuant to bankruptcy law, tenants have the right to reject some or all of their leases. In the event a tenant exercises this right, the landlord generally has the right to file a claim for lost rent equal to the greater of either one year’s rent (including tenant expense reimbursements) for remaining terms greater than one year, or 15% of the rent remaining under the balance of the lease term, but not to exceed three years rent. Actual amounts to be received in satisfaction of those claims will be subject to the tenant’s final bankruptcy plan and the availability of funds to pay its creditors. There can be no assurance that our major tenants will not declare bankruptcy, in which case we may be unable to recoup past and future rent in full, and to re-lease a terminated or rejected space on comparable terms or at all.

We may not be able to renew current leases or the terms of re-letting (including the cost of concessions to tenants) may be less favorable to us than current lease terms.

Upon the expiration of current leases for space located in our properties, we may not be able to re-let all or a portion of that space, or the terms of re-letting (including the cost of concessions to tenants) may be less favorable to us than current lease terms. If we are unable to re-let promptly all or a substantial portion of the space located in our properties or if the rental rates we receive upon re-letting are significantly lower than current rates, our net income and ability to make expected distributions to our shareholders will be adversely affected due to the resulting reduction in revenues. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain tenants in any of our properties upon the expiration of their leases. See Item 2. Properties—Lease Expirations for additional information regarding the scheduled lease expirations in our portfolio. In addition, current inflation levels are greater than the contractual rent increases we obtain from our tenant base. As a result, the Company could feel pricing pressure on rents that it is able to charge to new or renewing tenants, such that future rents and rent spreads could be negatively impacted.

Our business is significantly influenced by demand for retail space generally, and a decrease in such demand may have a greater adverse effect on our business than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio.

A decrease in the demand for retail space may have a greater adverse effect on our business and financial condition than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio. The market for retail space has been, and could continue to be, adversely affected by weakness in the national, regional, and local economies, the adverse financial condition of some large retailing companies and bankruptcy incidence, the ongoing consolidation in the retail sector, the excess amount of retail space in a number of markets and increasing consumer purchases through the Internet. To the extent that any of these conditions occur, they are likely to negatively affect market rents for retail space and could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, the trading price of our Common Shares and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay distributions to our shareholders.

E-commerce can have an impact on our business because it may cause a downturn in the business of our current tenants and affect future leases.

The use of the Internet by retail consumers continues to gain in popularity and the migration toward e-commerce is expected to continue. The increase in Internet sales could result in a downturn in the business of our current tenants in their “brick and mortar” locations, adversely impacting their ability to satisfy their rent obligations, and could affect the way future tenants lease space.

While we devote considerable effort and resources to analyze and respond to tenant trends, preferences, and consumer spending patterns, we cannot predict with certainty what future tenants will want, what future retail spaces will look like and how much revenue will be generated at traditional “bricks and mortar” locations. If we are unable to anticipate and respond promptly to trends in the market because of, among others, the illiquid nature of real estate our occupancy levels and financial results could suffer. See the Risk Factor entitled, “Our ability to change our portfolio is limited because real estate investments are illiquid” below.

Many of our real estate costs are fixed, even if income from our properties decreases, which would cause a decrease in net income.

Our financial results depend primarily on leasing space at our properties to tenants on terms favorable to us. Costs associated with real estate investment, such as real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs, generally are not reduced even when a property is not fully occupied, rental rates decrease, or other circumstances cause a reduction in income from the property. As a result, cash flow from the operations of our properties may be reduced if a tenant does not pay its rent or we are unable to fully lease our properties on favorable terms. Additionally, properties that we develop or redevelop may not produce any significant revenue immediately, and the cash flow from existing operations may be insufficient to pay the operating expenses and debt service associated with such projects until they are fully occupied.

Our ability to change our portfolio is limited because real estate investments are illiquid.

Equity investments in real estate are relatively illiquid and, therefore, our ability to change our portfolio promptly in response to changed conditions is limited, which could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders. In addition, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), contains restrictions on a REIT’s ability to dispose of properties that are not applicable to other types of real estate companies. Our Board may establish investment criteria or limitations as it deems appropriate, but it currently does not limit the number of properties in which we may seek to invest or on the concentration of investments in any one geographic region. As discussed under the heading “Our Board may change our investment policy or objectives without shareholder approval” below, we could change our investment, disposition and financing policies and objectives without a vote of our shareholders, but such change may be delayed or more difficult to implement due to the illiquidity of real estate.

We could be adversely affected by conditions in the markets where our properties are geographically concentrated.

Our performance depends on the economic conditions in markets where our properties are geographically concentrated. We have significant exposure to the greater New York and Chicago metropolitan regions, from which we derive 42.8% and 18.3% of the annual base rents within our Core Portfolio, respectively. In addition, our Funds derive 31.8%, 22.4% and 26.0% of their annual base rents in the New York metropolitan, Southeast, and Northeast regions of the United States, respectively. Our operating results could be adversely affected if market conditions, such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for real estate, occur in these areas.

Our development and construction activities could affect our operating results.

We intend to continue selective development and construction of retail properties. See Item 1. Business — Investing Activities– Funds–Development Activities.

As opportunities arise, we may delay construction until sufficient pre-leasing is reached, and financing is in place. Our development and construction activities include, among others, the risks that:

• we may abandon development opportunities after expending resources to determine feasibility;
• construction costs of a project may exceed our original estimates;
• occupancy rates and rents at a newly completed property may not be sufficient to make the property profitable;
• financing for development of a property may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all;
• we may not complete construction and lease-up on schedule, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction costs, including labor and material costs; and
• we may not be able to obtain or may experience delays in obtaining necessary zoning and land use approvals as well as building, occupancy and other required governmental permits and authorizations.

In addition, the entitlement and development of real estate entails extensive approval processes, sometimes involving multiple regulatory jurisdictions. It is common for a project to require multiple approvals, permits and consents from U.S. federal, state and local governing and regulatory bodies. Compliance with these and other regulations and standards is time intensive and costly and may require additional long range infrastructure review and approvals which can add to project cost. In addition, development of properties containing delineated wetlands may require one or more permits from the U.S. federal government and/or state and local governmental agencies. Any of these issues can materially affect the cost, timing and economic viability of our development and redevelopment projects.

At times, we may also be required to use unionized construction workers or to pay the prevailing wage in a jurisdiction to unionized workers, which could increase a project’s costs and the risk of a strike, thereby affecting construction timelines.

Additionally, the time frame required for development, construction and lease-up of these properties means that we may not realize a significant cash return for several years. If any of the above events occur, the development and construction of properties may hinder our growth and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. In addition, new development and construction activities, regardless of whether or not they are ultimately successful, typically require substantial time and attention from management.

Developments and acquisitions may fail to perform as expected, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our investment strategy includes the development and acquisition of retail properties in supply constrained markets in densely populated areas with high average household incomes and significant barriers to entry. The acquisition of such properties is highly competitive. Additionally, the development and acquisition of such properties entails risks that include the following, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, and our ability to meet our debt obligations and make distributions to shareholders:

• The property may fail to achieve the returns we have projected, either temporarily or for extended periods;
• We may not be able to identify suitable properties to acquire or may be unable to complete the acquisition of the properties we identify;
• We may not be able to integrate an acquisition into our existing operations successfully;
• Properties we redevelop or acquire may fail to achieve the occupancy or rental rates we project or within the time frames we project which may result in the properties’ failure to achieve the returns we projected;
• Our pre-acquisition evaluation of the physical condition of each new investment may not detect certain defects or identify necessary repairs until after the property is acquired, which could significantly increase our total acquisition costs or decrease cash flow from the property; and
• Our investigation of a property or building prior to our acquisition, and any representations we may receive from the seller of such building or property, may fail to reveal various liabilities, which could reduce the cash flow from the property or increase our acquisition cost.

Historically, Fund I, Mervyns I and Fund III have provided Promote income. There can be no assurance that our joint ventures will continue to operate profitably and thus provide additional Promote income in the future. These factors could limit the return that we receive from such investments or cause our cash flows to be lower than our estimates. In addition, a partner or co-venturer may not have access to sufficient capital to satisfy its funding obligations to the joint venture.

We may not be able to recover our investments in marketable securities or other investments, which may result in significant losses to us.

Our investments in marketable securities are subject to specific risks relating to the particular issuer of the securities, including the financial condition and business outlook of the issuer, which may result in significant losses to us. Marketable securities are generally unsecured and may also be subordinated to other obligations of the issuer. As a result, investments in marketable securities are subject to risks of substantial market price volatility, resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates and the possibility that earnings of the issuer may be insufficient to meet its debt service and distribution obligations. These risks may adversely affect the value of outstanding marketable securities and the ability of the issuers to make distribution payments.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 8 for additional discussion regarding the shares held by the Company of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (“Albertsons”).

The economic performance and value of our other investments, which we do not control and are in retail operations, are subject to risks associated with owning and operating retail businesses, as outlined in our other risk factors provided herein. A decline in the value of our other investments may require us to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) against such assets. When the fair value of an investment is determined to be less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, we assess whether the decline is temporary or other-than-temporary. If we intend to sell an impaired asset, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired asset before any anticipated recovery, then we must recognize an OTTI through charges to earnings equal to the entire difference between the asset’s amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date. When an OTTI is recognized through earnings, a new cost basis is established for the asset, and the new cost basis may not be adjusted through earnings for subsequent recoveries in fair value.

Our real estate assets may be subject to impairment charges.

We periodically assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our real estate assets and other investments may be impaired. A property’s value is considered to be impaired only if the estimated aggregate future undiscounted property cash flows are less than the carrying value of the property. In our estimate of cash flows, we consider factors such as trends and prospects and the effects of demand and competition on expected future operating income. If we are evaluating the potential sale of an asset or redevelopment alternatives, the undiscounted future cash flows consider the most likely course of action as of the balance sheet date based on current plans, intended holding periods and available market information. We are required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the value of our real estate assets and other investments. Impairment charges have an immediate direct impact on our earnings. There can be no assurance that we will not take additional charges in the future related to the impairment of our assets. Any future impairment could have a material adverse effect on our operating results in the period in which the charge is taken.

If a third-party vendor fails to provide agreed upon services, we may suffer losses.

We are dependent and rely on third party vendors, including Cloud providers, for redundancy of our network, system data, security, and data integrity. If a vendor fails to provide services as agreed, suffers outages, business interruptions, financial difficulties, or bankruptcy, we may experience service interruption, delays, or loss of information. Cloud computing is dependent upon having access to an Internet connection in order to retrieve data. If a natural disaster, blackout, or other unforeseen event were to occur that disrupted the ability to obtain an Internet connection, we may experience a slowdown or delay in our operations. We conduct due diligence on all services providers, contractually specify privacy and data security responsibilities, and restrict access, use and disclosure of personal information.

Actual or perceived threats associated with epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the COVID-19 Pandemic, have had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on our and our tenants’ businesses, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity, and ability to access the capital markets and satisfy debt service obligations.

Epidemics, pandemics, or other public health crises, including the COVID-19 Pandemic, that impact economic and market conditions, particularly in the markets where our properties are located, and preventative measures taken to alleviate their impact, may have a material adverse effect on our and our tenants’ businesses, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and ability to access capital markets and satisfy debt service obligations.

Our retail tenants depend on in-person interactions with their customers to generate unit-level profitability, and an epidemic, pandemic or other public health crisis may decrease customer willingness to frequent, and “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders or recommendations may prevent customers from frequenting our tenants’ businesses, which may result in their inability to maintain profitability and make timely rental payments to us under their leases. Such restrictions may also affect customer behavior longer term by, among other things, creating a preference for e-commerce, discussed further in our risk factors above.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR LIQUIDITY AND INDEBTEDNESS

If we decided to employ higher leverage levels, we would be subject to increased debt service requirements and a higher risk of default on our debt obligations, which could adversely affect our financial conditions, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders. In addition, increases or changes in interest rates could cause our borrowing costs to rise and may limit our ability to refinance debt.

Although we have historically used moderate levels of leverage, we have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, indebtedness to support our activities. As of December 31, 2023, our outstanding indebtedness was $1,881.1 million, of which $426.4 million was variable-rate indebtedness.

None of our Declaration of Trust, our Bylaws or any policy statement formally adopted by our Board limits either the total amount of indebtedness or the specified percentage of indebtedness that we may incur. Accordingly, we could become more highly leveraged, resulting in increased debt service requirements and a higher risk of default on our debt obligations. This in turn could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Although approximately 77.3% of our outstanding debt has fixed or effectively fixed interest rates, we also borrow funds at variable interest rates. We are exposed to risks related to a potential rising interest rate environment for our current or any future variable interest rate debt, which could cause our borrowing costs to rise and may limit our ability to refinance debt. Interest expense on our variable-rate debt as of December 31, 2023 would increase by approximately $4.3 million annually for a 100-basis-point increase in interest rates. This exposure would increase if we sought additional variable-rate financing based on pricing and other commercial and financial terms. We enter into interest rate hedging transactions, including interest rate swap and cap agreements, with counterparties, generally, the same lenders who made the loan in question. There can be no guarantee that the future financial condition of these counterparties will enable them to fulfill their obligations under these agreements.

As a result of LIBOR being discontinued, our LIBOR-based borrowings and hedges were converted to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The discontinuation of LIBOR did not affect our ability to borrow or maintain already outstanding borrowings. Higher average interest rates resulted in higher interest expense and payments under our debt agreements.

Our inability to raise capital or to carry out our growth strategy could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Our earnings growth strategy is based on the acquisition and development of additional properties, including acquisitions of core properties through our Operating Partnership and our high return investment programs through our Fund platform. The consummation of any future acquisitions will be subject to satisfactory completion of our extensive valuation analysis and due diligence review and to the negotiation of definitive documentation. We cannot be sure that we will be able to implement our strategy because we may have difficulty finding new properties, obtaining necessary entitlements, negotiating with new or existing tenants or securing acceptable financing.

Acquisitions of additional properties entail the risk that investments will fail to perform in accordance with expectations, including operating and leasing expectations. In the context of our business plan, “development” generally means an expansion or renovation of an existing property. Development is subject to numerous risks, including risks of construction delays, cost overruns or uncontrollable events that may increase project costs, new project commencement risks such as the receipt of zoning, occupancy and other required governmental approvals and permits, and incurring development costs in connection with projects that are not pursued to completion.

Historically, a component of our growth strategy has been through private-equity type investments made through our RCP Venture, which have included investments in operating retailers. The inability of such retailers to operate profitably would have an adverse impact on income realized from these investments. Through our investments in joint ventures, we have also invested in operating businesses that have operational risk in addition to the risks associated with real estate investments, including human capital issues, adequate supply of product and material, and merchandising issues.

Furthermore, if we were unable to obtain sufficient investor capital commitments in order to initiate future Funds, or other sources of strategic capital, our current growth strategy would be adversely impacted. Because the Operating Partnership is the sole general partner or managing member of our Funds and earns promote distributions or fees for asset management, property management, construction, development, leasing, and legal services, such a situation would also adversely impact the amount of or ability to earn such promotes or fees.

Our structured financing portfolio is subject to specific risks relating to the structure and terms of the instruments and the underlying collateral.

We invest in notes receivables and preferred equity investments that are collateralized by the underlying real estate, a direct interest or the borrower’s ownership interest in the entities that own the properties and/or by the borrower’s personal guarantee. The underlying assets are sometimes subordinate in payment and collateral to more senior loans. The ability of a borrower or entity to make payments on these investments may be subject to the senior lender and/or the performance of the underlying real estate. In the event of a default by the borrower or entity on its senior loan, our investment will only be satisfied after the senior loan and we may not be able to recover the full value of the investment. In the event of a bankruptcy of an entity in which we have a preferred equity interest, or in which the borrower has pledged its interest, the assets of the entity may not be sufficient to satisfy our investment.

RISKS RELATED TO LITIGATION, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AND GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION

We are exposed to possible liability relating to environmental matters.

Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations, as an owner of real property, we may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, on, in or under our property, as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including government fines and penalties and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property). These laws may impose liability without regard to whether we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence or disposal of those substances. This liability may be imposed on us in connection with the activities of an operator of, or tenant at, the property. The cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or personal or property damages and our liability therefore could exceed the value of the property and/or our aggregate assets. In addition, the presence of those substances, or the failure to properly dispose of or remove those substances, may adversely affect our ability to sell or rent that property or to borrow using that property as collateral, which, in turn, could reduce our revenues and affect our ability to make distributions.

A property can also be adversely affected either through physical contamination or by virtue of an adverse effect upon value attributable to the migration of hazardous or toxic substances, or other contaminants that have or may have emanated from other properties. Although our tenants are primarily responsible for any environmental damages and claims related to the leased premises, in the event of the bankruptcy or inability of any of our tenants to satisfy any obligations with respect to the property leased to that tenant, we may be required to satisfy such obligations. In addition, we may be held directly liable for any such damages or claims irrespective of the provisions of any lease.

From time to time, in connection with the conduct of our business, and prior to the acquisition of any property from a third party or as required by our financing sources, we authorize the preparation of Phase I environmental reports and, when necessary, Phase II environmental reports, with respect to our properties. Based upon these environmental reports and our ongoing review of our properties, we are currently not aware of any environmental condition with respect to any of our properties that we believe would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance, however, that the environmental reports will reveal all environmental conditions at our properties or that the following will not expose us to material liability in the future:

• The discovery of previously unknown environmental conditions;
• Changes in law;
• Activities of tenants; and
• Activities relating to properties in the vicinity of our properties.

Changes in laws increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or increasing the restrictions on discharges or other conditions may result in significant unanticipated expenditures or may otherwise adversely affect the operations of our tenants, which could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Uninsured losses or a loss in excess of insured limits could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We carry comprehensive general liability, all-risk property, extended coverage, loss of rent insurance, and environmental liability on our properties, with policy specifications and insured limits customarily carried for similar properties. However, with respect to those properties where the leases do not provide for abatement of rent under any circumstances, we maintain a minimum of twelve months loss of rent insurance. In addition, there are certain types of losses, such as losses resulting from wars, terrorism or acts of God that generally are not insured because they are either uninsurable or not economically insurable. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could lose capital invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenues from a property, while remaining obligated for any mortgage indebtedness or other financial obligations related to the property. Any loss of these types could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We may from time to time be subject to litigation that could negatively impact our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and the trading price of our Common Shares.

We may from time to time be a defendant in lawsuits and regulatory proceedings relating to our business. Such litigation and proceedings may result in defense costs, settlements, fines, or judgments against us, some of which may not be covered by insurance. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such litigation or proceedings. An unfavorable outcome may result in our having to pay significant fines, judgments, or settlements, which, if uninsured, or if exceeding insurance coverage, could adversely impact our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and the trading price of our Common Shares. Additionally, certain proceedings or the resolution of certain proceedings may affect the availability or cost of some of our insurance coverage and expose us to increased risks that would be uninsured. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC, for pending litigation, if any.

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire, safety and other regulations may require us to make unplanned expenditures that could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

All of our properties are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (the “ADA”). The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” and “commercial facilities,” but generally requires that buildings be made accessible to people with disabilities. Compliance with the ADA requirements could require removal of access barriers, and non-compliance could result in imposition of fines by the U.S. government or an award of damages to private litigants, or both. While the tenants to whom we lease properties are obligated by law to comply with applicable ADA provisions, and are typically obligated to cover costs of compliance, if required changes involve greater expenditures than anticipated, or if the changes must be made on a more accelerated basis than anticipated, the ability of these tenants to cover costs could be adversely affected. As a result of the foregoing or if a tenant is not obligated to cover the cost of compliance, we could be required to expend funds to comply with the provisions of the ADA, which could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. In addition, we are required to operate our properties in compliance with fire and safety regulations, building codes and other land use regulations, as they may be adopted by governmental agencies and bodies and become applicable to the properties. We may be required to make substantial capital expenditures to comply with those requirements, and these expenditures could also adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

The loss of key management members could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our success depends on the contribution of key management members. The loss of the services of Kenneth F. Bernstein, President and Chief Executive Officer, or other key executive-level employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Management continues to strengthen our team and we have CEO succession planning in place, as well as an emergency transition plan, but there can be no assurance that such planning will be capable of implementation or that our efforts will be successful. We have obtained key-man life insurance for Mr. Bernstein. In addition, we have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Bernstein and into severance agreements with other senior executives; however, Mr. Bernstein and such executives may terminate their employment with us at will.

We have pursued and may in the future continue to pursue extensive growth opportunities, including investing in new markets, which may result in significant demands on our operational, administrative, and financial resources.

We have pursued and may pursue growth opportunities, some of which have been, and in the future may be, in locations in which we have not historically invested. This expansion places significant demands on our operational, administrative, and financial resources. The continued growth of our real estate portfolio can be expected to continue to place a significant strain on our resources. Our future performance will depend in part on our ability to successfully attract and retain qualified management personnel to manage the growth and operations of our business. In addition, the acquired properties may fail to operate at expected levels due to the numerous factors that may affect the value of real estate. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient resources to identify and manage the newly acquired properties.

Our Board may change our investment policy or objectives without shareholder approval.

Our Board may determine to change our investment and financing policies or objectives, our growth strategy and our debt, capitalization, distribution, acquisition, disposition, and operating policies. Our Board may establish investment criteria or limitations as it deems appropriate, but currently does not limit the number of properties in which we may seek to invest or the concentration of investments in any one geographic region. Although our Board has no present intention to revise or amend our strategies and policies, it may do so at any time without a vote by our shareholders. Accordingly, the results of decisions made by our Board as implemented by management may or may not serve the interests of all of our shareholders and could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to make distributions to our shareholders.

Concentration of ownership by certain investors may allow these investors to exert influence over the business and affairs of our Company.

As of December 31, 2023, four institutional shareholders own 5% or more individually, and 54.7% in the aggregate, of our Common Shares. While this ownership concentration does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes (due to certain “look-through provisions” of the Code), a significant concentration of ownership may allow an investor or a group of investors to exert a greater influence over our management and affairs and may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of us. Additionally, our Board may, in its sole discretion, waive or modify the 9.8% Common Shares ownership limit in our Declaration of Trust with respect to one or more persons if it is satisfied that ownership in excess of the limit will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. From time to time, we have entered into waivers with certain institutional investors, subject to certain representations from such investors, including that the Common Shares held by the investors will be held in the ordinary course of business and not with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing control of us.

Restrictions on a potential change of control could prevent changes that would be beneficial to our shareholders.

Our Board is authorized by our Declaration of Trust to establish and issue one or more series of preferred shares of beneficial interest without shareholder approval. We have not established any series of preferred shares other than the Series A and Series C Preferred OP Units in the Operating Partnership. However, the establishment and issuance of a class or series of preferred shares could make a change of control of us that could be in the best interests of the shareholders more difficult. In addition, we have entered into an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer and severance agreements with certain of our executives, which provide that, upon the occurrence of a change in control of us and either the termination of their employment without “cause” or their resignation for “good reason” (each, as defined in the respective agreement), such executive officers would be entitled to certain termination or severance payments made by us (which may include a lump sum payment equal to defined percentages of annual salary and prior years’ average bonuses, paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the respective agreement), which could deter a change of control of us that could be in the best interests of our shareholders generally.

Certain provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of our Company.

Under the provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) applicable to REITs, certain business combinations, including certain mergers, consolidations, share exchanges and asset transfers and certain issuances and reclassifications of equity securities, between a Maryland REIT and any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the REIT’s outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest or an affiliate or an associate, as defined in the MGCL, of the REIT who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the REIT (an “interested shareholder”) or an affiliate of the interested shareholder, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. After that five-year period, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of trustees of the REIT and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest of the REIT and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares of beneficial interest of the REIT other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom, or with whose affiliate, the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder, unless, among other conditions, the REIT’s common shareholders receive a minimum price, as defined in the MGCL, for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its common shares.

These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of trustees of the REIT before the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. A person is not an interested shareholder if the board of trustees approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. In approving a transaction, the board of trustees may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board. We have not elected to opt out of the business combination statute.

The MGCL also provides that holders of “control shares” of a Maryland REIT (defined as voting shares that, when aggregated with all other shares owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing trustees) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by employees who are also trustees of the REIT. Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of beneficial interest. Our Bylaws can be amended by our Board by majority vote or by our shareholders, pursuant to a binding proposal properly submitted for consideration at a meeting of shareholders, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, and there can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Additionally, Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL (“Subtitle 8”) permits our Board, without shareholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, to elect to be subject to certain provisions relating to corporate governance that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our Company that might involve a premium to the market price of our Common Shares or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders. We are subject to some of these provisions (for example, a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a trustee) by provisions of our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8. However, pursuant to the Articles Supplementary filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on November 9, 2017, which are referenced in Part IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules hereto, the Board approved a resolution to opt out of Section 3-803 of Subtitle 8 that allows the Board, without shareholder approval, to elect to classify into three classes with staggered three-year terms. The Articles Supplementary prohibit the Company, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by shareholders entitled to vote generally in the election of trustees, from classifying the Board under Subtitle 8.

Becoming subject to, or the potential to become subject to, these provisions of the MGCL could inhibit, delay, or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our Company that might involve a premium price for our shareholders or otherwise be in our or their best interests. In addition, the provisions of our Declaration of Trust on removal of trustees and the provisions of our Bylaws regarding advance notice of shareholder nominations of trustees and other business proposals and restricting shareholder action outside of a shareholders meeting unless such action is taken by unanimous written consent could have a similar effect.

Our rights and shareholders’ rights to take action against trustees and officers are limited, which could limit recourse in the event of actions not in the best interests of shareholders.

As permitted by Maryland law, our Declaration of Trust eliminates the liability of our trustees and officers to the Company and its shareholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from:

• actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services; or
• a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the trustee or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated.

In addition, our Declaration of Trust authorizes, and our Bylaws obligate, us to indemnify each present or former trustee or officer, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, who is made a party to any proceeding because of his or her service to our Company in those or certain other capacities. As part of these indemnification obligations, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our trustees and officers.

We operate through a partnership structure, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our assets.

Our primary property-owning vehicle is the Operating Partnership, of which we are the general partner. Our acquisition of properties through the Operating Partnership in exchange for interests in the Operating Partnership may permit certain tax deferral advantages to limited partners who contribute properties to the Operating Partnership. Since properties contributed to the Operating Partnership may have unrealized gains attributable to the differences between the fair market value and adjusted tax basis in such properties prior to contribution, the sale of such properties could cause adverse tax consequences to the limited partners who contributed such properties. Although we, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, generally have no obligation to consider the tax consequences of our actions to any limited partner, we own several properties subject to material contractual restrictions for varying periods of time designed to minimize the adverse tax consequences to the limited partners who contributed such properties. Such restrictions may result in significantly reduced flexibility to manage some of our assets.

Our joint venture investments carry additional risks not present in our direct investments.

Partnership or joint venture investments (that may include, among others, tenancy-in common and other similar investments) may involve risks not otherwise present for investments made solely by us, including the possibility that our partner or co-venturer might become bankrupt, and that our partner or co-venturer may take action contrary to our instructions, requests, policies, or objectives, including with respect to maintaining our qualification as a REIT. Actions by, or disputes with, joint venture partners might result in subjecting properties owned by the joint venture to additional risks. Other risks of joint venture investments include impasses on decisions, such as a sale, because neither we nor a joint venture partner may have full control over the joint venture. Also, there is no limitation under our organizational documents as to the amount of our funds that may be invested in joint ventures.

Additionally, our partners or co-venturers may engage in malfeasance in spite of our efforts to perform a high level of due diligence on them, which may jeopardize an investment and/or subject us to reputational risk. Such acts may or may not be covered by insurance.

Any disputes that may arise between joint venture partners and us may result in potentially costly litigation or arbitration that would prevent our officers and/or trustees from focusing their time and effort on our business. In addition, we may, in certain circumstances, be liable for the actions of our third-party joint venture partners.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR REIT STATUS

There can be no assurance we have qualified or will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

We believe that we have consistently met the requirements for qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1993, and we intend to continue to meet these requirements in the future. However, qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Code, for which there may be only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. No assurance can be given that we have qualified or will remain qualified as a REIT. The Code provisions and income tax regulations applicable to REITs differ significantly from those applicable to other entities. The determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control can potentially affect our ability to continue to qualify as a REIT. In addition, no assurance can be given that future legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations, or court decisions will not significantly change the requirements for qualification as a REIT or adversely affect the Federal income tax consequences of such qualification. Under current law, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to shareholders in computing our net taxable income. In addition, our income would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at the regular corporate rates and we could be subject to the one-percent excise tax on share repurchases imposed by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Also, we could be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. Cash available for distribution to our shareholders would be significantly reduced for each year in which we do not qualify as a REIT. In that event, we would not be required to continue to make distributions. Although we currently intend to continue to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations may cause us, without the consent of our shareholders, to revoke the REIT election or to otherwise take action that would result in disqualification.

Legislative or regulatory tax changes could have an adverse effect on our status as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes.

There are a number of issues associated with an investment in a REIT that are related to the Federal income tax laws, including, but not limited to, the consequences of our failing to continue to qualify as a REIT. At any time, the Federal income tax laws governing REITs, or the administrative interpretations of those laws may be amended or modified. Any new laws or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect us or our shareholders.

We may be required to borrow funds or sell assets to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements.

Our cash flows may be insufficient to fund distributions required to maintain our qualification as a REIT as a result of differences in timing between the actual receipt of income and the recognition of income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, or as a result of our inability to currently deduct certain expenditures that we must currently pay, such as capital expenditures, payments of compensation for which Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction, any business interest expense that is disallowed under Section 163 (j) of the Code (unless we elect to be an “electing real property trade or business”), and the creation of reserves or required amortization payments. We have historically satisfied these distribution requirements by making cash distributions to our shareholders, a REIT is permitted to satisfy these requirements by making distributions of cash or other property, including, in limited circumstances, its own stock. Assuming we continue to satisfy these distribution requirements with cash, we may need to borrow funds on a short term basis or sell assets, to meet the REIT distribution requirements and avoid the payment of income and excise taxes even if the then prevailing market conditions are not favorable for these borrowings or sales. These cash needs could result from differences in timing between the actual receipt of cash and inclusion of income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or the effect of non-deductible capital expenditures, the creation of cash reserves or required debt or amortization payments. These sources, however, may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends on a number of factors, including the market’s perception of our growth potential, our current debt levels, the market price of our common stock, and our current and potential future earnings. Such actions could adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations.

Dividends payable by REITs generally do not qualify for reduced tax rates.

Certain qualified dividends paid by corporations to individuals, trusts and estates that are U.S. shareholders are taxed at capital gain rates, which are lower than ordinary income rates. Dividends of current and accumulated earnings and profits payable by REITs, however, are taxed at ordinary income rates as opposed to the capital gain rates. Pursuant to section 199A of the Code, from 2018 through 2025, certain REIT shareholders will be permitted to deduct 20% of ordinary REIT dividends received. Dividends payable by REITs in excess of these earnings and profits generally are treated as a non-taxable reduction of the shareholders’ basis in the shares to the extent thereof and thereafter as taxable gain. The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts, and estates to perceive investments in REITs, including us, to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stock of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which may negatively impact the trading prices of our securities.

Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of our Common Shares. In order to meet these tests, we may be required to forego investments we might otherwise make and refrain from engaging in certain activities. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our performance.

In addition, if we fail to comply with certain asset ownership tests at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification. As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

We have limits on ownership of our shares of beneficial interest.

For us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, among other requirements, not more than 50% of the value of our shares of beneficial interest may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year, and such shares of beneficial interest must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year (in each case, other than the first such year). Our Declaration of Trust includes certain restrictions regarding transfers of our shares of beneficial interest and ownership limits that are intended to assist us in satisfying these limitations, among other purposes. These restrictions and limits may not be adequate in all cases, however, to prevent the transfer of our shares of beneficial interest in violation of the ownership limitations. The ownership limits contained in our Declaration of Trust may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change of control of us.

Actual or constructive ownership of our shares of beneficial interest in excess of the share ownership limits contained in our Declaration of Trust would cause the violative transfer or ownership to be null and void from the beginning and subject to purchase by us at a price equal to the fair market value of such shares (determined in accordance with the rules set forth in our Declaration of Trust). As a result, if a violative transfer were made, the recipient of the shares would not acquire any economic or voting rights attributable to the transferred shares. Additionally, the constructive ownership rules for these limits are complex and groups of related individuals or entities may be deemed a single owner and consequently in violation of the share ownership limits.

Distribution requirements imposed by law limit our operating flexibility.

To maintain our status as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes, we are generally required to distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our taxable income for each calendar year. Our taxable income is determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid and by excluding net capital gains. To the extent that we satisfy the distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to Federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions in any year are less than the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for that year; (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for that year; and (iii) 100% of our undistributed taxable income from prior years. We intend to continue to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code and to minimize exposure to Federal income and excise taxes. Differences in timing between the receipt of income and the payment of expenses in determining our income as well as required debt amortization payments and the capitalization of certain expenses could require us to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the distribution requirements that are necessary to achieve the tax benefits associated with qualifying as a REIT. The distribution requirements also severely limit our ability to retain earnings to acquire and improve properties or retire outstanding debt.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

The economic environment may cause us to lose tenants and may impair our ability to borrow money to purchase properties, refinance existing debt or finance our current development projects.

Our operations and performance depend on general economic conditions, including consumer health. The U.S. economy has historically experienced financial downturns from time to time, including a decline in consumer spending, credit tightening and high unemployment.

Certain sectors of the U. S. economy have experienced weakness over the past several years. General economic factors that are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, economic recessions, decreases in consumer confidence, reductions in consumer credit availability, increasing consumer debt levels, rising energy costs, higher tax rates, continued business layoffs, downsizing and industry slowdowns, and/or rising inflation, could have a negative impact on the business of our retail tenants. In turn, this could have a material adverse effect on our business because current or prospective tenants may, among other things, (i) have difficulty paying their rent obligations as they struggle to sell goods and services to consumers, (ii) be unwilling to enter into or renew leases with us on favorable terms or at all, (iii) seek to terminate their existing leases with us or request rental concessions on such leases, or (iv) be forced to curtail operations or declare bankruptcy. There can be no assurance that an economic recovery will occur or continue.

While we currently believe we have adequate sources of liquidity, there can be no assurance that, in the event of a financial downturn, we will be able to obtain secured or unsecured loan facilities to meet our needs, including to purchase additional properties, to complete current development projects, or to successfully refinance our properties as loans become due. To the extent that the availability of credit is limited, it would also adversely impact our notes receivable, as counterparties may not be able to obtain the financing required to repay the loans upon maturity.

Political and economic uncertainty could have an adverse effect on our business.

The year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by significant volatility in global markets, largely driven by rising inflation and interest rates, slowing economic growth (including continued fallout from the COVID-19 Pandemic), geopolitical uncertainty (including as a result of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and recent escalation in the conflict between the State of Israel and Hamas, and potentially other countries in the Middle East and North Africa), supply-chain disruptions and instability in the banking sector following multiple bank failures. We cannot predict how current political and economic uncertainty will affect our critical tenants, joint venture partners, lenders, financial institutions, and general economic conditions, including the health and confidence of the consumer and the volatility of the stock market.

Political and economic uncertainty poses a risk to us in that it may cause consumers to postpone discretionary spending in response to tighter credit, reduced consumer confidence and other macroeconomic factors affecting consumer spending behavior, resulting in a downturn in the business of our tenants. In the event current political and economic uncertainty results in further financial turmoil affecting the banking system and financial markets generally or significant financial service institution failures, there could be new or incremental tightening in the credit markets, low liquidity, and extreme volatility in fixed income, credit, currency, and equity markets. Each of these factors could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Inflation may adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Rising inflation could have a pronounced negative impact on our mortgage and debt interest, development and redevelopment costs, and general and administrative expenses, as such costs and expenses could increase at a rate higher than our rents.

In recent periods, central banks have responded to rapidly rising inflation by tightening monetary policies, which could create headwinds to economic growth. The rate hikes enacted by the Federal Reserve have had a significant impact on interest rate indexes, such as SOFR and the Prime Rate. See “Risks Related to Our Liquidity and Indebtedness”. We believe we manage our properties in a cost-conscious manner to minimize recurring operational expenses and utilize multi-year contracts to alleviate the impact of inflation on our business and our tenants. Most of our leases require tenants to pay their share of operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance, thereby reducing our exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation. While these provisions are designed to partially mitigate the impact of inflation, current inflation levels are greater than the contractual rent increases we are able obtain from our tenant base. Increased inflation could also have an adverse effect on consumer spending, which could impact our tenants’ sales and, in turn, our average rents, and in some cases, our percentage rents, where applicable. In addition, renewals of leases or future leases may not be negotiated on current terms, in which event we may recover a smaller percentage of our operating expenses.

Competition may adversely affect our ability to purchase properties and to attract and retain tenants.

There are numerous commercial developers, real estate companies, financial institutions, and other investors with greater financial resources than we have that compete with us in seeking properties for acquisition and tenants who will lease space in our properties. Our competitors include other REITs, financial institutions, private funds, insurance companies, pension funds, private companies, family offices, sovereign wealth funds and individuals. This competition may result in a higher cost for properties than we wish to pay. In addition, retailers at our properties (both in our Core Portfolio and in the portfolios of the Funds) face increasing competition from outlet malls, discount shopping clubs, e-commerce, direct mail, and telemarketing, which could (i) reduce rents payable to us and (ii) reduce our ability to attract and retain tenants at our properties leading to increased vacancy rates at our properties.

Changes in market conditions could have an adverse effect on our share price and our ability to access the public equity markets.

The market price of our Common Shares may fluctuate significantly in response to many factors, including:

• actual or anticipated variations in our operating results, funds from operations, cash flows or liquidity;
• changes in our earnings estimates or those of analysts;
• changes in our dividend policy;
• impairment charges affecting the carrying value of one or more of our properties or other assets;
• publication of research reports about us, the retail industry, or the real estate industry generally;
• increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of our securities to seek higher dividend or interest rate yields;
• changes in market valuations of similar companies;
• adverse market reaction to the amount of our outstanding debt at any time, the amount of our maturing debt in the near and medium term and our ability to refinance such debt and the terms thereof or our plans to incur additional debt in the future;
• additions or departures of key management personnel;
• actions by institutional security holders;
• proposed or adopted regulatory or legislative changes or developments;
• speculation in the press or investment community;
• the occurrence of any of the other risk factors included in, or incorporated by reference in, this Report; and
• general market and economic conditions.

Many of the factors listed above are beyond our control. Those factors may cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline significantly, regardless of our financial performance, condition, and prospects. We cannot provide any assurance that the market price of our Common Shares will not fall in the future, and it may be difficult for holders to sell such securities at prices they find attractive, or at all. A decline in our share price, as a result of this or other market factors, could unfavorably impact our ability to raise additional equity in the public markets.

Outages, computer viruses and similar events could disrupt our operations.

We rely on information technology networks and systems, some of which are owned and operated by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information. Any of these systems may be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorist or cyber-attacks and similar events. Despite the implementation of network security measures, our systems and those of third parties on which we rely may also be vulnerable to computer viruses and similar disruptions. If we or the third parties on whom we rely are unable to prevent such outages and breaches, our operations could be disrupted.

Increased Information Technology (“IT”) security threats and more sophisticated computer crime could pose a risk to our systems, networks, and services.

Cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. There have been an increased number of significant cyber-attacks targeted at the retail, insurance, financial and banking industries that include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as by causing denial-of-service attacks on websites. Cyber-attacks by third parties or insiders utilize techniques that range from highly sophisticated efforts to electronically circumvent network security or overwhelm a website to more traditional intelligence gathering, and social engineering aimed at obtaining information necessary to gain access.

Increased global IT security threats are more sophisticated and targeted computer crimes pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data. The open nature of interconnected technologies may allow for a network or Web outage or a privacy breach that reveals sensitive data or transmission of harmful/malicious code to business partners and clients. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable, or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may be difficult to detect for long periods of time, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventive measures.

Cyber-attacks may result in substantial financial and reputational cost, including but are not limited to:

• Compromising of confidential information;
• Manipulation and destruction of data;
• Loss of trade secrets;
• System downtimes and operational disruptions;
• Remediation costs that may include liability for stolen assets or information and repairing system damage, as well as incentives offered to customers, tenants, or other business partners in an effort to maintain business relationships;
• Loss of revenues resulting from unauthorized use of proprietary information;
• Cost to deploy additional protection strategies, training employees and engaging third party experts and consultants;
• Reputational damage adversely affecting investor and tenant confidence; and
• Costly litigation.

The control environment for cybersecurity is an ever-changing risk landscape across the entire attack surface which includes risks from on-premises, cloud infrastructure, software as a service and mobile applications. While we attempt to mitigate these risks by employing a number of cybersecurity measures, along with purchasing cybersecurity insurance coverage, our insurance coverage may be insufficient in the event of an incident and our systems, networks, and services remain potentially vulnerable to advanced threats.

Use of social media may adversely impact our reputation and business.

There has been a significant increase in the use of social media platforms, including weblogs, social media websites and other forms of Internet-based communications, which allow individuals access to a broad audience, including our significant business constituents. The availability of information through these platforms is virtually immediate as is its impact and may be posted at any time without affording us an opportunity to redress or correct it timely. This information may be adverse to our interests, may be inaccurate and may harm our reputation, brand image, goodwill, performance, prospects, or business. Furthermore, these platforms increase the risk of unauthorized disclosure of material non-public Company information.

Climate change and natural disasters could adversely affect our properties and business.

Some of our current or future properties could be subject to natural disasters and may be impacted by climate change. To the extent climate change causes adverse changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels or extreme temperatures, our properties in certain markets may be adversely affected. Specifically, properties located in coastal regions, including Florida, Virginia, Georgia, New York, and Massachusetts could be affected by any future increases in sea levels or in the frequency or severity of hurricanes and storms, whether caused by climate change or other factors. Additionally, we own properties in California, which in recent years has experienced intense drought and wildfires and has had earthquake activity.

Climate change could have a variety of direct or indirect adverse effects on our properties and business, including:

• Property damage to our retail properties;
• Indirect financial and operational impacts from disruptions to the operations of major tenants located in our retail properties from severe weather, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires or other natural disasters;
• Increased insurance premiums and deductibles, or a decrease in or unavailability of coverage, for properties in areas subject to severe weather, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires or other natural disasters;
• Increased insurance claims and liabilities;
• Increases in energy costs impacting operational returns;
• Changes in the availability or quality of water or other natural resources on which the tenant’s business depends;
• Decreased consumer demand for products or services resulting from physical changes associated with climate change (e.g., warmer temperatures or decreasing shoreline could reduce demand for residential and commercial properties previously viewed as desirable);
• Incorrect long-term valuation of an equity investment due to changing conditions not previously anticipated at the time of the investment; and
• Economic disruptions arising from the above.

Moreover, compliance with new laws or regulations related to climate change, including compliance with “green” building codes, may require us to make improvements to our existing properties or pay additional taxes and fees assessed on us or our properties. Although we strive to identify, analyze, and respond to the risk and opportunities that climate change presents, at this time there can be no assurance that climate change will not have an adverse effect on us.

Future terrorist attacks or civil unrest could harm the demand for, and the value of, our properties.

Over the past several years, a number of highly publicized terrorist acts and shootings have occurred at domestic and international retail properties. Future terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of terrorism or war could harm the demand for, and the value of, our properties. Terrorist attacks could directly impact the value of our properties through damage, destruction, loss or increased security costs, and the availability of insurance for such acts may be limited or may be subject to substantial cost increases. To the extent that our tenants are impacted by future attacks, their ability to continue to honor obligations under their existing leases could be adversely affected. A decrease in retail demand could make it difficult for us to renew or re-lease our properties at lease rates equal to or above historical rates. These acts might erode business and consumer confidence and spending and might result in increased volatility in national and international financial markets and economies. Any one of these events might decrease demand for real estate, decrease or delay the occupancy of our properties, and limit our access to capital or increase our cost of raising capital.

Increased scrutiny by and changing expectations from investors, tenants, employees, and other stakeholders regarding our ESG practices and reporting could cause us to incur additional costs and adversely impact our reputation, tenant and employee acquisition and retention, and access to capital.

Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny related to their ESG practices and disclosure. Investors, tenants, employees, and other stakeholders have begun to focus increasingly on ESG practices and to place heightened importance on the environmental and social cost of their investments, business decisions and consumer choices. For example, an increasing number of investment funds focus on positive ESG practices and sustainability scores when making an investment decision. Additionally, certain institutional investors have demonstrated increased activism with respect to their existing investments, including by urging companies to take certain actions in areas of perceived ESG significance.

Investors, particularly institutional investors, use or may use third-party benchmarks and scores to assess our ESG practices against our peers and if we are perceived as lagging, such investors may decide to not invest in our Common Shares or to divest from their current investment, and we may face reputational challenges. Alternatively, such investors may decide to actively engage with us to improve ESG disclosure or performance, and may also make voting decisions on this basis. Given increased investor focus and demand, public disclosure regarding ESG practices is becoming more broadly expected. Any disclosure we make may include our policies and practices on a variety of ESG matters, including corporate governance, environmental compliance, human capital management, and workforce inclusion and diversity. It is possible that stakeholders may not be satisfied with our ESG practices, reporting and goals, or with our speed of adoption. If our ESG practices and disclosures do not meet investor, tenant, employee or other stakeholder expectations, which continue to evolve, our reputation and tenant and employee retention, and access to capital may be negatively impacted.

In 2022, the SEC proposed extensive rules aimed at enhancing and standardizing climate-related disclosures in an effort to foster greater consistency, comparability and reliability of climate-related information among public issuers. The proposal, if adopted, would require public issuers to include prescribed climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports, including information regarding greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related risks and opportunities and related financial impacts, governance and strategy. Additionally, we may become subject to new compliance requirements and/or new costs or taxes associated with natural resource or energy usage and related emissions (such as a “carbon tax”), which could increase our operating costs.

We could incur additional costs relating to implementing, monitoring and reporting various ESG practices and initiatives, as well as complying with applicable law, which could place a strain on our personnel, systems and resources. Our failure, or perceived failure, to meet the goals and objectives we set in any ESG disclosure within the timelines announced or at all, or the expectations of our various stakeholders could negatively impact our reputation, tenant and employee retention, and access to capital.

Governance

Cybersecurity is an integral part of the Board’s risk analysis and discussions with management. At least annually, the full Board is updated on the Company’s cybersecurity risks and risk mitigation strategy by our Vice President of Information Technology, who is responsible for management of our Information Technology program. The Board also receives ad hoc updates, as needed, about material changes to the Company’s cybersecurity program and/or the cybersecurity landscape, including briefings on major legislative and regulatory developments, from our Vice President of Information Technology and representatives from Legal and/or Risk Management, as applicable.

Our Vice President of Information Technology and Director of Risk Management regularly evaluate the Company’s cybersecurity risk profile and lead the development of strategies to mitigate risks and address cybersecurity issues that may arise, in consultation with members of our senior management team. Our Vice President of Information Technology and Director of Risk Management each have approximately 25 years of experience in their respective fields, and our Vice President of Information Technology holds certifications in cybersecurity from accredited information technology certification providers.

We have formal policies and procedures that address cybersecurity incident response and disaster recovery from interference with our critical applications. Our Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan provides a documented framework for responding to cybersecurity incidents in coordination across multiple departments. In the event of such an incident, our Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (“CIRT”), which is comprised of our Vice President of Information Technology, Director of Risk Management and representatives from Risk Management, Legal and Financial Reporting, would respond to such incident in accordance with our Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan. Any cybersecurity incident that meets certain criteria will be communicated by the CIRT to senior management and the Board in a timely manner, and will be evaluated by our Executive Management Team, comprised of certain executives, to assess the impact of the incident on the Company, considering qualitative and quantitative factors. In conducting this assessment and responding to an incident, the CIRT and Executive Management Team may utilize the services of third-party consultants.

Cybersecurity user awareness training is mandatory for all new hires and for existing employees on an annual basis to help protect our employees and the Company against cybersecurity threats. This annual training is customized to address specific cybersecurity challenges and scenarios that we may face within the real estate investment industry. Novel cybersecurity threats to the Company that are identified by our Information Technology team are communicated to all employees by email, as needed, in an effort to promote awareness and protect the Company from cyber attacks.

Risk Management and Strategy

We maintain an Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) program to identify and respond to the most critical risks to our business, including cybersecurity risks. Risks and vulnerabilities from our increased reliance on information technology systems are assessed at least annually as part of our ERM program. In response to such assessments, controls are embedded into our processes and technology by our Vice President of Information Technology and Director of Risk Management to seek to mitigate risks to our systems and processes from cybersecurity incidents. We continuously evaluate if we have adequate controls in place utilizing a risk-based approach that aligns with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework.

Our daily operations are monitored by a dedicated information technology team. We conduct monitoring of our computer networks, and have implemented systems and processes intended to secure our information technology systems and prevent unauthorized access to or loss of sensitive data, including through the use of encryption and authentication technologies. We assess the adequacy of our cybersecurity measures through annual penetration testing of our computer networks by external consultants, and we have performed tabletop simulations and drills at both a technical and management level around scenarios involving the loss of critical information and technology systems.

We maintain a risk-based approach to evaluating and overseeing cybersecurity risks presented by our third-party vendors. Third-party vendors that meet certain criteria, such as owning and operating any information technology networks and systems on which the Company relies, are evaluated to assess their performance across several domains, including data security and operations management. We seek to maintain effective communication with our third-party vendors to facilitate timely notification of cybersecurity incidents that might impact the Company.

Although risks from cybersecurity threats have to date not materially affected, and we do not believe they are reasonably likely to materially affect, us, our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition, like other companies in our industry, we could, from time to time, experience threats and security incidents related to our and our third-party vendors’ information systems. For more information, please see Item 1A. Risk Factors - Increased Information Technology (“IT”) security threats and more sophisticated computer crime could pose a risk to our systems, networks, and services.

Retail Properties

The discussion and tables in this Item 2. include wholly-owned and partially-owned properties held through our Core Portfolio and our Funds. We define our Core Portfolio as those properties either 100% owned by, or partially owned through joint venture interests by the Operating Partnership or subsidiaries thereof, not including those properties owned through our Funds.

As of December 31, 2023, our Core Portfolio consisted of 139 operating properties totaling approximately 5.4 million square feet (or 5.0 million at our pro-rata share) of gross leasable area (“GLA”) excluding two properties in development and eight properties under redevelopment. The Core Portfolio properties are located in 12 states and the District of Columbia and primarily consist of street retail and dense suburban shopping centers. These properties are diverse in size, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 800,000 square feet and as of December 31, 2023, were 92.8% occupied and 94.8% leased (or 93.0% occupied and 95.0% leased at our pro-rata share), excluding properties under development or redevelopment.

As of December 31, 2023, we owned and operated 50 properties totaling approximately 9.0 million square feet in total (or 2.0 million square feet at our pro-rata share) of GLA in our Funds, excluding one property under development and one property under redevelopment. In addition to shopping centers, the Funds have invested in mixed-use properties, which generally include retail activities. The Fund properties are located in 19 states and the District of Columbia and, as of December 31, 2023, were 91.4% occupied and 93.3% leased (or 89.6% occupied and 92.4% leased at our pro-rata share), excluding the properties under development.

Within our Core Portfolio and Funds, we had more than 1,200 retail leases as of December 31, 2023. A significant portion of our rental revenues are from national retailers and consist of rents received under long-term leases. These leases generally provide for the monthly payment of fixed minimum rent and the tenants' pro-rata share of the real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, and common area maintenance of the shopping centers. An insignificant portion of our leases also provide for the payment of rent based on a percentage of a tenant's gross sales in excess of a stipulated annual amount, either in addition to, or in place of, minimum rents, which we refer to as percentage rents. Minimum rents and expense reimbursements accounted for substantially all of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Five of our Core Portfolio properties and four of our Fund properties are subject to long-term ground leases in which a third party owns and has leased the underlying land to us. We pay rent for the use of the land and are responsible for all costs and expenses associated with the building and improvements at all of these locations.

No individual property or tenant contributed in excess of 10% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021. See Note 7 for information on the mortgage debt pertaining to our properties.

The following table sets forth more specific information with respect to each of our Core operating properties at December 31, 2023:

32

33

a) Excludes properties under development or redevelopment, see “Development and Redevelopment Activities” section below. The above occupancy and rent amounts do not include space that is currently leased, but for which rent payment has not yet commenced as of December 31, 2023 (other than under “Leased Occupancy). Residential and office GLA are excluded.

b) Includes one property owned by the Company on land subject to a ground lease.

c) Represents the annual base rent paid to the Company pursuant to a master lease and does not reflect the rent paid by the retail tenants at the property.

d) The Company’s stated legal ownership is 49.99%. However, given the preferences embedded in its interests, the Company did not attribute any value to the 50.01% non-controlling interest holders.

e) Property is owned by the Company on land subject to a ground lease.

f) Property or properties are unconsolidated.

g) Excludes 94,000 square feet of office GLA.

h) Anchor GLA includes a 97,300 square foot Wal-Mart store that is not owned by the Company. This square footage has been excluded for calculating annualized base rent per square foot.

i) Anchor GLA includes a 157,616 square foot Target store that is not owned by the Company. This square footage has been excluded for calculating annualized base rent per square foot.

The following table sets forth more specific information with respect to each of our Fund properties at December 31, 2023:

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a) Excludes properties under development or redevelopment, see “Development and Redevelopment Activities” section below. The above occupancy and rent amounts do not include space which is currently leased, other than "leased occupancy," but for which rent payment has not yet commenced. Residential and office GLA are excluded.

b) In place occupancy excludes short-term percentage rent.

c) Property is owned by the Company on land subject to a ground lease.

d) Property also includes 12,371 square feet of 2nd floor office space and a 29,760 square-foot parking garage (131 spaces).

e) Property or properties are unconsolidated.

f) Property also includes 18,493 square feet of office space.

Major Tenants

No individual retail tenant accounted for more than 5.2% of total Core Portfolio and Fund base rents for the year ended December 31, 2023 or occupied more than 7.4% of total Core Portfolio and Fund leased GLA as of December 31, 2023. The following table sets forth certain information for our 20 largest retail tenants by base rent for leases in place as of December 31, 2023. The amounts below include our pro-rata share of GLA and annualized base rent for the Operating Partnership’s partial ownership interest in properties including the Funds (GLA and Annualized Base Rent in thousands):

a) Does not include tenants that operate at only one Company location

b) TJ Maxx (13 locations), HomeGoods (9 locations), Marshalls (7 locations), HomeSense (2 locations)

c) Stop and Shop (4 locations), Giant (2 locations)

d) Uniqlo (1 location), Theory (1 location)

e) Shaw’s (3 locations)

f) ShopRite (4 locations)

Lease Expirations

The following tables show scheduled lease expirations on a pro-rata basis for retail tenants in place as of December 31, 2023, assuming that none of the tenants will exercise renewal options (GLA and Annualized Base Rent in thousands):

Core Portfolio

Funds

a) Base rents do not include percentage rents, additional rents for property expense reimbursements, or contractual rent escalations.

b) No single market, except as discussed below under Geographic Concentrations, represents a material amount of rent exposure to the Company. Given the diversity of our markets, properties and characteristics of the individual spaces, the Company cannot make any general representations relating to the expiring rents and the rates at which these spaces may be re-leased.

Geographic Concentrations

The following table summarizes our operating retail properties by region, excluding redevelopment properties, as of December 31, 2023. The amounts below include our pro-rata share of GLA and annualized base rent for the Operating Partnership’s partial ownership interest in properties, including the Funds (GLA and Annualized Base Rent in thousands):

a) Property GLA includes a total of 255,000 square feet, which is not owned by us. This square footage has been excluded for calculating annualized base rent per square foot.

b) The above occupancy and rent amounts do not include space that is currently leased, but for which payment of rent had not yet commenced as of December 31, 2023.

c) New York Metro includes the tri-state and surrounding states.

Development and Redevelopment Activities

As part of our strategy, we invest in retail real estate assets that may require significant development. As of December 31, 2023, we had the following development or redevelopment projects in various stages of the development process (dollars in millions):

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From time to time, we are a party to various legal proceedings, claims or regulatory inquiries and investigations arising out of, or incident to, our ordinary course of business. While we are unable to predict with certainty the outcome of any particular matter, management does not currently expect, when any such matters are resolved, that our resulting exposure to loss contingencies, if any, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.

OVERVIEW

As of December 31, 2023, there were 201 properties, which we own or have an ownership interest in, within our Core Portfolio and Funds. Our Core Portfolio consists of those properties either 100% owned, or partially owned through joint venture interests by the Operating Partnership, or subsidiaries thereof, not including those properties owned through our Funds. These properties primarily consist of street and urban retail, and suburban shopping centers. See Item 2. Properties for a summary of our wholly-owned and partially-owned retail properties and their physical occupancies at December 31, 2023.

The majority of our operating income is derived from rental revenues from operating properties, including expense recoveries from tenants, offset by operating and overhead expenses.

Our primary business objective is to acquire and manage commercial retail properties that will provide cash for distributions to shareholders while also creating the potential for capital appreciation to enhance investor returns. We focus on the following fundamentals to achieve this objective:

• Own and operate a Core Portfolio of high-quality retail properties located primarily in high-barrier-to-entry, densely populated metropolitan areas and create value through accretive development and re-tenanting activities coupled with the acquisition of high-quality assets that have the long-term potential to outperform the asset class as part of our Core asset recycling and acquisition initiative.
• Generate additional external growth through an opportunistic yet disciplined acquisition program. We target transactions with high inherent opportunity for the creation of additional value through:
• value-add investments in street retail properties, located in established and “next generation” submarkets, with re-tenanting or repositioning opportunities,
• opportunistic acquisitions of well-located real-estate anchored by distressed retailers, and
• other opportunistic acquisitions which may include high-yield acquisitions and purchases of distressed debt.
• Some of these investments historically have also included, and may in the future include, joint ventures with private equity investors for the purpose of making investments in operating retailers with significant embedded value in their real estate assets.
• Maintain a strong and flexible balance sheet through conservative financial practices while ensuring access to sufficient capital to fund future growth.

Inflation and Economic Condition Considerations

The economy continues to face several issues including geopolitical conditions and instability, the Gaza-Israel conflict, the war in Ukraine, the fallout from the COVID-19 Pandemic, supply-chain disruptions, and the recessionary outlook of the current financial markets, which has increased volatility in the market and has caused a surge in interest rates in a period of high inflation. While we have not experienced any material negative impacts at this time, we are actively managing our business to respond to the ongoing economic and social impact from such events. We believe we manage our properties in a cost-conscious manner to minimize recurring operational expenses and utilize multi-year contracts to alleviate the impact of inflation on our business and our tenants. Most of our leases require tenants to pay their share of operating expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, and common area maintenance of the shopping centers, thereby reducing our exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation. These provisions are designed to partially mitigate the impact of inflation; however, current inflation levels are greater than the contractual rent increases we obtain from our tenant base. As a result, the Company could feel pricing pressure on rents that it is able to charge to new or renewing tenants, such that future rents and rent spreads could be negatively impacted. While interest rate increases enacted by the Federal Reserve have had a significant impact on interest rate indexes such as SOFR and the Prime Rate, as of December 31, 2023, approximately 77.3%, or 86.7% at our pro-rata share, of our outstanding debt is fixed or effectively fixed interest rate, with the remaining 22.7%, or 13.3% at our pro-rata share, indexed to SOFR or Prime plus an applicable margin per the loan agreement. We were also counterparty to 36 interest rate swap agreements and four interest rate cap agreements, all of which qualify for and are designated as hedging instruments. This helps to alleviate the impact of rising interest rates on our operations. The Company continues to monitor economic, financial, and social conditions and will assess its asset portfolio for any impairment indicators. See Item 1A. Risk Factors.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE year ended December 31, 2023 AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Investments

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Fund V acquired two consolidated properties and one unconsolidated property totaling $189.3 million, inclusive of transaction costs, as described below (Note 2, Note 4).

• On January 27, 2023, Fund V acquired a 90% interest in an unconsolidated venture for $20.2 million, which purchased a shopping center, Mohawk Commons, located in Schenectady, New York, for $62.1 million, inclusive of transaction costs. In addition, the Mohawk Commons venture entered into a $39.7 million mortgage loan.
• On July 3, 2023, Fund V acquired a shopping center, Cypress Creek, located in Tampa, Florida, for $49.4 million, inclusive of transaction costs.
• On November 27, 2023, Fund V acquired a shopping center, Maple Tree Place, located in Williston, Vermont, for $77.8 million, inclusive of transaction costs.

On January 20, 2023, through Mervyns II, we received a special cash dividend of $28.2 million from our investment in Albertsons, of which our share was $11.3 million. Additionally, following the expiration of the lock-up period and distribution of 2.5 million shares of Albertsons to our partners, we received 1.6 million shares of Albertsons (Note 4, Note 8). During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 200,000 shares of Albertsons, generating net proceeds of $4.6 million. As of December 31, 2023, we still held 1.4 million shares of Albertsons which had a fair value of $33.3 million. In January 2024, we sold an additional 175,000 shares of Albertsons, generating net proceeds of $4.0 million (Note 17).

Financing Activity

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we effected the following financing activities (Note 7, Note 4):

• entered into a new Fund mortgage of $32.2 million;
• modified and extended five Fund mortgages totaling $150.8 million (excluding principal reductions of $2.7 million);
• refinanced four Fund mortgages totaling $111.4 million;
• repaid a Fund mortgage totaling $5.8 million at maturity;
• modified the Fund IV bridge loan with an outstanding balance of $36.2 million (excluding principal reductions of $3.0 million);
• modified and extended five mortgages at unconsolidated properties totaling $271.6 million and restructured a $73.5 million mortgage at an unconsolidated property;
• through Fund V, entered into a new mortgage at an unconsolidated property for $39.7 million, refinanced a $31.8 million unconsolidated mortgage loan;
• through Fund V, modified its subscription line and extended the maturity date to February 28, 2024; and
• made principal payments of $7.7 million.

On July 15, 2023, the 146 Geary Street, Fund IV non-recourse mortgage loan with an outstanding balance of $19.3 million, or $4.5 million at the Company’s share, matured with no further extension options and was in default (Note 7). The property securing the mortgage was a vacant building located in San Francisco, California. The loan accrued default interest at a rate of 4.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate of SOFR + 3.65%. On October 27, 2023, the Company completed the transfer of the property to its lender through a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and derecognized the mortgage loan as it had no continuing obligations. The Company had previously impaired the asset, and recorded an impairment charge of $3.7 million, or $0.9 million at the Company’s share, related to the change in estimated value and holding period of the asset for the year ended December 31, 2023 (Note 8).

In January 2024, through Fund V, made a $3.8 million principal payment on a mortgage loan (Note 17).

Structured Financing Investments

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we originated a Core Portfolio note for $1.4 million collateralized by our venture’s partner’s interest in 840 N. Michigan Avenue. We also funded $5.3 million of a $12.8 million construction loan commitment to an unconsolidated venture (Note 4). Through Fund V, we refinanced a $31.7 million bridge loan at an unconsolidated property that was originated by Fund V at acquisition with a new mortgage loan at an unconsolidated property.

Common Share Issuances

In January 2024, we completed an underwritten offering of 6,900,000 Common Shares (inclusive of the underwriters’ option to purchase 900,000 additional shares) for net proceeds of $113.0 million (Note 17). We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, funding future acquisitions, working capital and other general corporate purposes.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not sell any shares under our ATM program.

Inflation

The year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by significant volatility in global markets, largely driven by rising inflation, rising interest rates, slowing economic growth, geopolitical uncertainty and instability in the banking sector following multiple bank failures. Except for increased interest costs, we have not experienced any material negative impacts at this time and we intend to actively manage our business to respond to the ongoing economic and social impact from such events. The rate hikes enacted by the Federal Reserve have had a significant impact on interest rate indexes such as SOFR and the Prime Rate and cost of borrowing. We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates primarily through the use of fixed-rate debt and interest rate swap and cap agreements. We believe we manage our properties in a cost-conscious manner to minimize recurring operational expenses and utilize multi-year contracts to alleviate the impact of inflation on our business and our tenants. Most of our leases require tenants to pay their share of operating expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, and common area maintenance of the shopping centers. These provisions are designed to partially mitigate the impact of inflation. We also continue to see consumer confidence and we expect to continue to add value to our portfolio by executing on our current leasing momentum, our active development and redevelopment projects, and leasing pipeline.

Tenant Bankruptcy

On April 23, 2023, Bed Bath and Beyond, Inc. (“Bed Bath and Beyond”) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Bed Bath and Beyond had leases at two locations within our Core Portfolio and three locations in our Fund Portfolio, with aggregate GLA of 124,432 square feet and 59,391 square feet, representing 2.1% and 0.7% of Core and Fund GLA, respectively. In our Core Portfolio, we recaptured and re-leased one of the spaces to an existing tenant that is expanding a flagship store under a new 15-year lease. We are actively seeking a tenant for the remaining Core Portfolio location. In our Fund Portfolio, one lease was assumed by a new tenant and we have regained possession of the other two locations; we have one signed lease and identified future tenants at these two Fund locations. As a result of the bankruptcy filing, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we accelerated the amortization of the below-market lease intangibles of $8.1 million related to the Bed Bath and Beyond lease terminations. We did not experience any material negative impacts on our cash flows or property values as a result of the bankruptcy.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

See Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for an overview of our three reportable segments.

Comparison of Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2023 to the Year Ended December 31, 2022

The results of operations by reportable segment for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 are summarized in the table below (in millions, totals may not add due to rounding):

Core Portfolio

The results of operations for our Core Portfolio segment are depicted in the table above under the headings labeled “Core.” Segment net income attributable to Acadia for our Core Portfolio increased $32.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year as a result of the changes further described below.

Revenues for our Core Portfolio increased $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to (i) a $7.8 million acceleration of a below market lease for a bankrupt tenant, (ii) $6.0 million from lease up within the Core Portfolio, and (iii) a $2.8 million increase from Core Portfolio property acquisitions in 2022 (Note 2). These increases were offset by (i) $7.2 million from vacating tenants, (ii) $3.2 million from additional termination income received in 2022, (iii) a $3.2 million increase associated with revenues deemed uncollectible in 2023, and (iv) $1.2 million from Core property dispositions in 2022.

Depreciation and amortization for our Core Portfolio increased $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to Core Portfolio acquisitions in 2022.

Property operating expenses, other operating and real estate taxes for our Core Portfolio increased $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to an increase in non-recurring repairs and maintenance, utility and insurance costs in 2023.

The gain on disposition of properties for our Core Portfolio of $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily relates to the sale of 330-340 River Street (Note 2).

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates for our Core Portfolio increased $48.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to the Company’s $50.8 million proportionate share of an impairment charge at 840 N. Michigan Avenue in 2022 (Note 4).

Interest expense for our Core Portfolio increased $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to (i) $6.1 million from higher average outstanding borrowings in 2023, and (ii) $1.8 million from higher average interest rates in 2023. These increases were partially offset by $1.1 million from higher capitalized interest in 2023.

Realized and unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and other for our Core Portfolio includes (i) a $5.2 million mark-to-market adjustment on the Investment in Albertsons in 2023, and (ii) a $1.2 million bargain purchase gain on the acquisition of the Williamsburg Collection in 2022 (Note 2). In January 2023, following the expiration of the lock-up period and distribution of approximately 2.5 million shares by Mervyns II to its partners, the Company received 1.6 million shares of Albertsons, of which 1.4 million shares are included in the Core portfolio following the sale of 200,000 shares in 2023 (Note 4, Note 8).

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests for our Core Portfolio increased $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year based on the noncontrolling interests’ share of the variances discussed above.

Funds

The results of operations for our Funds segment are depicted in the table above under the headings labeled “Funds.” Segment net income attributable to Acadia for the Funds increased $15.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year as a result of the changes described below.

Revenues for the Funds increased $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to (i) $9.0 million from new tenant lease up in 2022 and 2023, (ii) $4.3 million from Fund property acquisitions in 2023, and (iii) $2.0 million from settlement income related to a tenant. These increases were offset by (i) $4.1 million from Fund property dispositions in 2022 (Note 2).

Depreciation and amortization for the Funds decreased $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to Fund property dispositions in 2022 (Note 2).

Impairment charges for the Funds decreased $29.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year (Note 8). Impairment charges totaled $3.7 million during 2023 for the Funds related to 146 Geary Street in Fund IV. Impairment charges totaled $33.3 million during 2022 for the Funds related to 146 Geary Street and 717 N. Michigan Avenue in Fund IV.

Property operating expenses, other operating and real estate taxes for the Funds increased $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to an increase in non-recurring repairs and maintenance, utility and insurance costs in 2023.

Gain on disposition of properties for the Funds decreased $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year due to the sales of Cortlandt Crossing at Fund III, Lincoln Place, Mayfair, Dauphin and Wake Forest Crossing in Fund IV (Note 2).

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates for the Funds decreased $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year due to new unconsolidated Fund acquisitions in 2022 and 2023 (Note 4) and the $12.8 million gain on sale of Promenade at Manassas in 2022.

Interest expense for the Funds increased $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to $17.3 million from higher average interest rates in 2023 offset by $9.0 million from lower average outstanding borrowings in 2023 and $1.9 million from higher capitalized interest in 2023.

Realized and unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and other for the Funds increased $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year primarily due to (i) a $28.2 million increase in dividend income from Albertsons in 2023 and (ii) a $38.9 million decrease in the mark-to-market adjustment on the Investment in Albertsons in 2022, offset by (i) a $2.0 million decrease in the mark-to-market adjustment on the Investment in Albertsons in 2023, and (ii) a $1.4 million distribution from the Storage Post Management Company in 2022. (Note 4).

Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests for the Funds increased $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year due to the City Point Loan in 2022 (Note 10).

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests for the Funds increased $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year based on the noncontrolling interests’ share of the variances discussed above. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Funds includes asset management fees earned by the Company of $7.2 million and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Structured Financing

The results of operations for our Structured Financing segment are depicted in the table above under the headings labeled “SF.” Interest and other income for the Structured Financing portfolio increased $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year period primarily due to the City Point Loan in 2022 (Note 10).

Unallocated

The Company does not allocate general and administrative expense and income taxes to its reportable segments. These unallocated amounts are depicted in the table above under the headings labeled “Total.” Unallocated general and administrative expense decreased $2.6 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year due to $2.0 million related to acquisition costs (Note 2).

Discussions of 2021 items and comparisons between the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, that are not included in this Report can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Net Property Operating Income

The following discussion of net property operating income (“NOI”) and rent spreads on new and renewal leases includes the activity from both our consolidated and our pro-rata share of unconsolidated properties within our Core Portfolio. Our Funds invest primarily in properties that typically require significant leasing and development. Given that the Funds are finite-life investment vehicles, these properties are sold following stabilization. For these reasons, we believe NOI and rent spreads are not meaningful measures for our Fund investments.

NOI represents property revenues less property expenses. We consider NOI and rent spreads on new and renewal leases for our Core Portfolio to be appropriate supplemental disclosures of Core Portfolio operating performance due to their widespread acceptance and use within the REIT investor and analyst communities. NOI and rent spreads on new and renewal leases are presented to assist investors in analyzing our property performance, however, our method of calculating these may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.

A reconciliation of consolidated operating income to net operating income (loss) - Core Portfolio follows (in thousands):

a) Includes straight-line rent reserves. See Note 1 for additional information about straight-line rent reserves and adjustments for the periods presented.

b) Does not include the Operating Partnership’s share of NOI from unconsolidated joint ventures within the Funds.

Same-Property NOI includes Core Portfolio properties that we owned for both the current and prior period presented, but excludes those properties which we acquired, sold or expected to sell, redeveloped and developed during these periods. The following table summarizes Same-Property NOI for our Core Portfolio (in thousands):

Rent Spreads on Core Portfolio New and Renewal Leases

The following table summarizes rent spreads on both a cash basis and straight-line basis for new and renewal leases based on leases executed within our Core Portfolio for the period presented. Cash basis represents a comparison of rent most recently paid on the previous lease as compared to the initial rent paid on the new lease. Straight-line basis represents a comparison of rents as adjusted for contractual escalations, abated rent, and lease incentives for the same comparable leases. The table below includes embedded option renewals for which the renewed rent was equal to or approximated existing base rent.

a) The average cost per square foot includes tenant improvement costs, leasing commissions and tenant allowances.

Funds from Operations

We consider funds from operations (“FFO”) as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) to be meaningful non-GAAP measure of operating performance for an equity REIT due to its widespread acceptance and use within the REIT and analyst communities. FFO is presented to assist investors in analyzing our performance. It is helpful as it excludes various items included in net income that are not indicative of the operating performance, such as gains (losses) from sales of depreciated property, depreciation and amortization, and impairment of real estate. Our method of calculating FFO may be different from methods used by other REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs. FFO does not represent cash generated from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and is not indicative of cash available to fund all cash needs, including distributions. It should not be considered as an alternative to net income for the purpose of evaluating our performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. Consistent with the NAREIT definition, we define FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (losses) from sales of depreciated property and impairment of depreciable real estate, plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Also consistent with NAREIT’s definition of FFO, the Company has elected to include gains and losses incidental to its main business (including those related to its RCP investments such as Albertsons) in FFO. A reconciliation of net income attributable to Acadia to FFO follows (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

a) Represents the Company's total share of impairment charges from consolidated assets (Note 8) and allocated impairment charges from investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates (Note 4).

b) The adjustment represents the impact of assumed conversion of dilutive convertible securities issued in connection with the City Point Loan in August 2022 that enabled the holder to convert its interest into the Company's Common Shares. The instrument was subsequently modified in the third quarter of 2022 to provide for a cash-only settlement option (Note 10).

c) Diluted Funds from operations, per Common Share and Common OP Unit decreased for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year primarily related to the mark-to-market adjustment on our investment in Albertsons.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Uses of Liquidity and Cash Requirements

Generally, our principal uses of liquidity are (i) distributions to our shareholders and OP unit holders, (ii) investments which include the funding of our capital committed to the Funds and property acquisitions and development/re-tenanting activities within our Core Portfolio, (iii) distributions to our Fund investors, (iv) debt service and loan repayments and (v) share repurchases.

Distributions

In order to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must currently distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to our shareholders. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid dividends and distributions on our Common Shares, Common OP Units and Preferred OP Units totaling $68.6 million.

Investments

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Fund V acquired two consolidated properties and one unconsolidated property totaling $189.3 million, inclusive of transaction costs (Note 2, Note 4).

Structured Financing Investments

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we funded $5.3 million of a $12.8 million construction loan commitment to an unconsolidated venture (Note 4). We originated a new $1.4 million Core Portfolio loan and, through Fund V, we refinanced a $31.7 million bridge loan at an unconsolidated property that was originated by Fund V at acquisition with a new mortgage loan at an unconsolidated property.

Capital Commitments

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we made capital contributions aggregating $15.5 million to Funds IV and V, and $1.3 million to Fund II for City Point.

At December 31, 2023, our share of the remaining capital commitments to our Funds aggregated $29.3 million as follows:

• $0.5 million to Fund III. Fund III was launched in May 2007 with total committed capital of $450.0 million of which our share was $89.6 million. During 2015, we acquired an additional interest, which had an original capital commitment of $20.9 million.
• $6.2 million to Fund IV. Fund IV was launched in May 2012 with total committed capital of $530.0 million of which our share was $122.5 million.
• $22.6 million to Fund V. Fund V was launched in August 2016 with total committed capital of $520.0 million of which our share is $104.5 million.

Development Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2023, capitalized costs associated with development activities totaled $14.9 million (Note 2). At December 31, 2023, we had a total of twelve consolidated projects under development or redevelopment, for which the estimated total cost to complete these projects through 2025 was $26.1 million to $42.5 million. Substantially all remaining development and redevelopment costs are discretionary, which could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effects of the current inflationary environment, rising interest rates, and other risks detailed in Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Debt

A summary of our consolidated debt, which includes the full amount of Fund related obligations and excludes our pro-rata share of debt at our unconsolidated subsidiaries, is as follows (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2023, our consolidated indebtedness aggregated $1,881.1 million, excluding unamortized premium of $0.2 million and unamortized loan costs of $11.2 million, and were collateralized by 33 properties and related tenant leases. Stated interest rates on our outstanding indebtedness ranged from 3.99% to SOFR + 3.75% with maturities that ranged from January 2024 to April 2035, without regard to available extension options. Taking into consideration $1,249.8 million of notional principal under variable to fixed-rate swap agreements currently in effect, $1,454.7 million of the portfolio debt, or 77.3%, was fixed at a 4.71% weighted-average interest rate and $426.4 million, or 22.7% was floating at a 7.77% weighted average interest rate as of December 31, 2023. Our variable-rate debt includes $151.4 million of debt subject to interest rate caps.

Without regard to available extension options, at December 31, 2023 there is $327.6 million of debt maturing in 2024 at a weighted-average interest rate of 4.95%; there is $5.6 million of scheduled principal amortization due in 2024; and our share of scheduled 2024 principal payments and maturities on our unconsolidated debt was $69.1 million. In addition, $680.8 million of our total consolidated debt and $10.2 million of our pro-rata share of unconsolidated debt will come due in 2025. As it relates to the aforementioned maturing debt in 2024 and 2025, we have options to extend consolidated debt aggregating $0.0 million and $535.4 million at December 31, 2023, respectively; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully execute any or all of its available extension options. As it relates to the remaining maturing debt in 2024 and 2025, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay such indebtedness, and, therefore, we expect to refinance at least a portion of this indebtedness or select other alternatives based on market conditions as these loans mature; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing at acceptable terms or at all. Our ability to obtain financing could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effects of the current inflationary environment, rising interest rates, and other risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Share Repurchase Program

We maintain a share repurchase program under which $122.5 million remains available as of December 31, 2023 (Note 10). The Company did not repurchase any of its Common Shares under this program during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Sources of Liquidity

Our primary sources of capital for funding our short-term (less than 12 months) and long-term (12 months and longer) liquidity needs include (i) the issuance of both public equity and OP Units, (ii) the issuance of both secured and unsecured debt, (iii) unfunded capital commitments from noncontrolling interests within our Funds, (iv) investments of strategic capital (v) future sales of existing properties, (vi) repayments of structured financing investments, and (vii) cash on hand and future cash flow from operating activities. Our cash on hand in our consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 2023 totaled $17.5 million. Our remaining sources of liquidity are described further below.

Common Share Issuances

We have an ATM Program (Note 10) that provides us with an efficient and low-cost vehicle for raising capital through public equity issuances on an as-we-go basis to fund our capital needs. Through this program, we have been able to effectively “match-fund” the required capital for our Core Portfolio and Fund acquisitions through the issuance of Common Shares over extended periods employing a price averaging strategy. In addition, from time to time, we have issued and intend to continue to issue, equity in follow-on offerings separate from our ATM Program. Net proceeds raised through our ATM Program and follow-on offerings are primarily used for acquisitions, both for our Core Portfolio and our pro-rata share of Fund acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes. We did not sell any shares under our ATM Program for the year ended December 31, 2023.

In January 2024, we completed an underwritten offering of 6,900,000 Common Shares (inclusive of the underwriters’ option to purchase 900,000 additional shares) for net proceeds of $113.0 million (Note 17). We intend to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, funding future acquisitions, working capital and other general corporate purpose activities.

Fund Capital

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Funds IV and V called for capital contributions of $74.8 million, of which our aggregate share was $15.5 million. At December 31, 2023, unfunded capital commitments from noncontrolling interests within our Funds II, III, IV and V were zero, $1.4 million, $20.4 million, and $90.0 million, respectively.

Other Transactions

The contractual lock-up restrictions on our investment in Albertsons expired in January 2023, and we received 1.6 million shares. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 200,000 shares of Albertsons, generating net proceeds of $4.6 million. At December 31, 2023, we held 1.4 million shares which had a fair value of $33.3 million (Note 4, Note 8). In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized dividend income of $29.1 million (inclusive of the $28.2 million special dividend received from Mervyns II investment in Albertsons prior to the expiration of the lockup), of which the Company's share was $12.0 million (Note 8). In April and June 2023, Fund II received $2.0 million, or $1.1 million at the Company’s share, of proceeds from the Century 21 Department Stores LLC bankruptcy claim (Note 11).

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Fund V refinanced a $31.7 million bridge loan at an unconsolidated property that was originated by Fund V at acquisition. We also have one Structured Financing investment in the amount of $21.6 million including accrued interest (exclusive of default interest and other amounts due on the loan that have not been recognized) that previously matured and has not been repaid (Note 3).

Financing and Debt

As of December 31, 2023, we had $106.1 million of additional capacity under existing consolidated Core and Fund revolving debt facilities. In addition, at that date within our Core and Fund portfolios, we had 92 unleveraged consolidated properties with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $1.8 billion, although there can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain financing for these properties at favorable terms, if at all.

HISTORICAL CASH FLOW

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

The following table compares the historical cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2023 with the cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2022 (in millions, totals may not add due to rounding):

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities primarily consists of cash inflows from dividend income and rental revenue, and cash outflows for property operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, and interest and debt expense.

Our operating activities provided $22.6 million more cash for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to the $28.2 million dividend received from our investment in Albertsons in 2023, offset by higher payments of interest in 2023.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities is impacted by our investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates, the timing and extent of our real estate development, capital improvements, and acquisition and disposition activities during the period.

Our investing activities used $84.3 million more cash for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to (i) $224.6 million less cash received from the disposition of properties, (ii) $33.3 million less cash received from return of capital from unconsolidated affiliates, (iii) $29.5 million less cash received from repayment of notes receivable, and (iv) $18.5 million more cash used in development, construction, and property improvements. These sources of cash were primarily offset by (i) $117.9 million less cash used for the acquisition of properties, and (ii) $101.0 million less cash used in our investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities is impacted by the timing and extent of issuances of debt and equity securities, distributions paid to common shareholders and unitholders of the Operating Partnership as well as principal and other payments associated with our outstanding indebtedness.

Our financing activities provided $50.3 million more cash during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily from (i) $145.4 million more cash received in proceeds from debt, (ii) $48.3 million less cash used for distributions to noncontrolling interests, (iii) $24.3 million less cash used for the acquisition of noncontrolling interests, and (iv) $5.3 million from lower financing costs. These decreases were offset by (i) $119.5 million less cash provided by the sale of Common Shares, (ii) $49.5 million less cash provided by contributions from noncontrolling interests, and (iii) $4.0 million more cash used in dividends paid to Common shareholders.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have the following investments made through joint ventures (that may include, among others, tenancy-in common and other similar investments) for the purpose of investing in operating properties. We account for these investments using the equity method of accounting. As such, our financial statements reflect our investment and our share of income and loss from, but not the individual assets and liabilities, of these joint ventures.

See Note 4 for a discussion of our unconsolidated investments. The Operating Partnership’s pro-rata share of unconsolidated non-recourse debt related to those investments is as follows (dollars in millions):

a) Effective interest rates incorporate the effect of interest rate swaps and caps that were in effect at December 31, 2023, where applicable.

b) The debt has two available 12-month extension options.

c) The debt has one available 12-month extension option.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, referred to as “GAAP”. The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the significant judgments and estimates used by us in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Real Estate and Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates – Impairment of Properties

On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indicators that the value of real estate assets, including any related right-of-use (“ROU”), intangible assets, undeveloped land and construction in progress, may be impaired. A property’s value is impaired only if the estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be generated by the property are less than the carrying value of the property. The determination of undiscounted cash flows requires significant estimates by management. In management’s estimate of cash flows, it considers factors such as expected future sale of an asset or development alternatives, capitalization rates and the undiscounted future cash flows analysis, which is probability-weighted based upon management’s best estimate of the likelihood of the alternative courses of action. Expected future cash flows and recoverability conclusions could be materially impacted by changes in items such as future leasing activity, occupancy, property operating costs, market pricing, our view or strategy relative to a tenant’s business or industry, the manner in which a property is used and the expected hold period of an asset. Subsequent changes in estimated undiscounted cash flows arising from changes in anticipated actions could affect the determination of whether an impairment exists and whether the effects could have a material impact on the Company’s net income. To the extent an impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the property over the fair value of the property.

The Company is required to make subjective assessments as to whether there are impairments in the value of its real estate properties and other investments. These assessments have a direct impact on the Company’s estimates of the projected future cash flows, anticipated holding periods or market conditions change, its evaluation of the impairment charges may be different, and such differences could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Plans to hold properties over longer periods decrease the likelihood of recording impairment losses.

During 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized impairment charges on properties of $3.7 million and $33.3 million, respectively. See Note 8 for a discussion of impairments recognized during the periods presented.

Our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are reviewed for indicators of impairment on a quarterly basis and we record impairment charges when events or circumstances change indicating that a decline in the fair values below the carrying amounts has occurred and such decline is other-than-temporary. This evaluation of the investments in unconsolidated joint ventures is dependent on a number of factors, including the performance of each investment and market conditions. We will record an impairment charge if we determine that a decline in the fair value below the carrying amount of an investment in an unconsolidated joint venture is other-than-temporary. The fair value is calculated using discounted cash flows which is subjective and considers assumptions regarding future occupancy, future rental rates, future capital requirements, debt interest rates and availability, discount rates and capitalization rates that could differ materially from actual results in future periods.

Revenue Recognition and Receivables – Estimating Collectability

We assess the collectability of our accounts receivable related to tenant revenues under ASC *Topic 842 “Leases” (“*ASC 842”). Management exercises judgment in assessing collectability and will look to both quantitative and qualitative factors. Such factors include tenants’ current credit status, either from third parties or using an internal risk assessment, payment history, amount of outstanding receivables, tenant sales performance, potential liquidity and current economic and sector specific trends. Changes in our assessments of collectability are recognized as adjustments to rental revenue in accordance with ASC 842. These assessments are inherently sensitive as they are based on the judgment of management and information available at the time of evaluation. We routinely reassess the quantitative and qualitative factors used to derive these estimates and believe the methods and assumptions noted above to be reasonable in evaluating collectability.

Billed tenant receivables, and receivables arising from the straight-lining of rents, are written-off when management deems the collectability of substantially all future lease payments from a specific lease is not probable, at which point, the Company will begin recognizing revenue from such leases prospectively on a cash basis, based on actual amounts received. If the Company subsequently determines that it is probable it will collect substantially all of the lessee’s remaining lease payments under the lease term, the Company will reinstate the receivables balance, including those arising from the straight-lining of rents, adjusting for the amount related to the period when the lease was accounted for on a cash basis.

Rental revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are reported net of our collectability related adjustments of $(1.3) million, $1.5 million, and $1.9 million, respectively (Note 11).

Real Estate – Estimates Related to Valuing Acquired Assets and Liabilities

Upon acquisitions of real estate, we assess the fair value of acquired tangible and intangible assets (including land, buildings, tenant improvements, “above-” and “below-market” leases, leasing and assumed financing origination costs, acquired in-place leases, other identified intangible assets and assumed liabilities) in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805 “Business Combinations” and ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” and allocate the purchase price to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including land and buildings as if vacant.

We assess fair value based on estimated cash flow projections utilizing appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions. Based on these estimates, we allocate the purchase price to the applicable assets and liabilities based on their relative fair values at date of acquisition. In allocating the purchase price to identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, the value of above-market and below-market leases is estimated based on the present value of the difference between the contractual amounts, including fixed rate below-market renewal options, to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and our estimate of the market lease rates and other lease provisions for comparable leases measured over a period equal to the estimated remaining term of the lease. Tenant related intangibles and improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term, including any renewal options. We amortize identified intangibles that have finite lives over the period they are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business acquired. We consider qualitative and quantitative factors in evaluating the likelihood of a tenant exercising a below market renewal option and include such renewal options in the calculation of in-place leases. If the value of below-market lease intangibles includes renewal option periods, we include such renewal periods in the amortization period utilized. If a lease terminates prior to its stated expiration, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease are written off.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed two asset acquisitions, and the purchase price of each was allocated based on the relative fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Note 2).

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates – Consolidation

We account for our investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates under the equity method of accounting in cases where we exercise significant influence over, but do not control, these entities and are not considered to be the primary beneficiary. We consolidate those joint ventures that we control or which are variable interest entities (each, a "VIE") and where we are considered to be the primary beneficiary. In all these joint ventures, the rights of the joint venture partner are both protective as well as participating. Unless we are determined to be the primary beneficiary in a VIE, these participating rights preclude us from consolidating these VIE entities. Determining control of the entities can be subjective in assessing which activities of the joint venture most significantly impact the economic performance and whether the rights of the joint venture partner are protective or participating. In making this determination, any new or amended joint venture agreement is assessed by the Company for the activities that most significantly impact the joint venture’s economic performance based on the business purpose and design of the venture. We assess the rights that are conveyed to us in the agreement and evaluate whether we are provided with participating or protective rights over the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. We also assess the rights of our joint venture partner. Such participating rights include, among other things, the right to approve/amend the annual budget, leasing of the property to a significant tenant, and approval of financing. If our joint venture partner has substantive participating rights and we are determined not to be the primary beneficiary, we do not consolidate the entity. The assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs are described in Note 16.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Reference is made to Note 1 for information about recently issued and recently adopted accounting pronouncements.

Information as of December 31, 2023

Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates related to our mortgage and other debt. See Note 7 for certain quantitative details related to our mortgage and other debt.

Currently, we manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates primarily through the use of fixed-rate debt and interest rate swap and cap agreements. As of December 31, 2023, we had total mortgage and other notes payable of $1,881.1 million, excluding the unamortized premium of $0.2 million and unamortized debt issuance costs of $11.2 million, of which $1,454.7 million, or 77.3% was fixed-rate, inclusive of debt with rates fixed through the use of derivative financial instruments, and $426.4 million, or 22.7%, was variable-rate based upon LIBOR rates plus certain spreads. As of December 31, 2023, we were party to 36 interest rate swap and four interest rate cap agreements to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates with respect to $1,249.8 million and $151.4 million of LIBOR or SOFR-based variable-rate debt, respectively. For a discussion of the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR, see Item 1A. Risk Factors —Risks Related to Our Liquidity and Indebtedness — If we decided to employ higher leverage levels, we would be subject to increased debt service requirements and a higher risk of default on our debt obligations, which could adversely affect our financial conditions, cash flows and ability to make distributions to our shareholders. In addition, increases or changes in interest rates could cause our borrowing costs to rise and may limit our ability to refinance debt.

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2023 concerning our long-term debt obligations, including principal cash flows by scheduled maturity and weighted average interest rates of maturing amounts (dollars in millions):

Core Consolidated Mortgage and Other Debt

Fund Consolidated Mortgage and Other Debt

Mortgage Debt in Unconsolidated Partnerships (at our Pro-Rata Share)

57

Without regard to available extension options, in 2024, $333.2 million of our total consolidated debt and $69.1 million of our pro-rata share of unconsolidated outstanding debt will become due. In addition, $680.8 million of our total consolidated debt and $10.2 million of our pro-rata share of unconsolidated debt will become due in 2025. As it relates to the maturing debt in 2024 and 2025, we have options to extend consolidated debt aggregating $0.0 million and $535.4 million, respectively; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully execute any or all of its available extension options. As we intend on refinancing some or all of such debt at the then-existing market interest rates, which may be greater than the current interest rate, our interest expense would increase by approximately $10.8 million annually if the interest rate on the refinanced debt increased by 100 basis points. After giving effect to noncontrolling interests, our share of this increase would be $5.6 million. Interest expense on our consolidated variable-rate debt of $426.4 million, net of variable to fixed-rate swap agreements currently in effect, as of December 31, 2023, would increase $4.3 million if interest rates increased by 100 basis points. After giving effect to noncontrolling interests, our share of this increase would be $1.7 million. We may seek additional variable-rate financing if and when pricing and other commercial and financial terms warrant. As such, we would consider hedging against the interest rate risk related to such additional variable-rate debt through interest rate swaps and protection agreements, or other means.

Based on our outstanding debt balances as of December 31, 2023, the fair value of our total consolidated outstanding debt would decrease by approximately $6.9 million if interest rates increase by 1%. Conversely, if interest rates decrease by 1%, the fair value of our total outstanding debt would increase by approximately $6.6 million.

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, we had consolidated notes receivable of $124.9 million and $123.9 million, respectively. We determined the estimated fair value of our notes receivable by discounting future cash receipts utilizing a discount rate equivalent to the rate at which similar notes receivable would be originated under conditions then existing.

Based on our outstanding notes receivable balances as of December 31, 2023, the fair value of our total outstanding notes receivable would decrease by approximately $0.6 million if interest rates increase by 1%. Conversely, if interest rates decrease by 1%, the fair value of our total outstanding notes receivable would increase by approximately $0.6 million.

Summarized Information as of December 31, 2022

As of December 31, 2022, we had total mortgage and other notes payable of $1,805.4 million, excluding the unamortized premium of $0.3 million and unamortized debt issuance costs of $12.7 million, of which $1,440.8 million, or 79.8% was fixed-rate, inclusive of debt with rates fixed through the use of derivative financial instruments, and $364.6 million, or 20.2%, was variable-rate based upon LIBOR, SOFR or Prime rates plus certain spreads. As of December 31, 2022, we were party to 36 interest rate swap and three interest rate cap agreements to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates with respect to $1,264.0 million and $103.8 million of variable-rate debt, respectively.

Interest expense on our variable-rate debt of $364.6 million as of December 31, 2022, would have increased $3.6 million if corresponding rate indices increased by 100 basis points. Based on our outstanding debt balances as of December 31, 2022, the fair value of our total outstanding debt would have decreased by approximately $5.4 million if interest rates increased by 1%. Conversely, if interest rates decreased by 1%, the fair value of our total outstanding debt would have increased by approximately $6.5 million.

Changes in Market Risk Exposures from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023

Our interest rate risk exposure from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023, has increased on an absolute basis, as the $364.6 million of variable-rate debt as of December 31, 2022, has increased to $426.4 million as of December 31, 2023. As a percentage of our overall debt, our interest rate risk exposure has increased as our variable-rate debt accounted for 20.2% of our consolidated debt as of December 31, 2022 compared to 22.7% as of December 31, 2023.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of Acadia Realty Trust is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13(a)-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13(a)-15(c). In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in the framework in Internal Control–Integrated Framework (2013 Framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). Based on our evaluation under the COSO criteria, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited our Financial Statements included in this Annual Report, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, which also appears in this Item 9A.

Acadia Realty Trust

Rye, New York

February 16, 2024

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the three months ended December 31, 2023, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Acadia Realty Trust

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Acadia Realty Trust and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in *Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)*issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, of the Company and our report dated February 16, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 16, 2024