Brixmor Property Group - 10-K annual report

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

or

Brixmor Property Group Inc.

Brixmor Operating Partnership LP

450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017

212-869-3000

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Brixmor Property Group Inc. $5,256,180,743 Brixmor Operating Partnership LP N/A

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of February 1, 2019, Brixmor Property Group Inc. had 298,637,033 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be filed by Brixmor Property Group Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A relating to the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 15, 2019 will be incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K in response to Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III. The definitive proxy statement will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018 of Brixmor Property Group Inc. and Brixmor Operating Partnership LP. Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to the “Parent Company” or “BPG” mean Brixmor Property Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries; and references to the “Operating Partnership” mean Brixmor Operating Partnership LP and its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms the “Company,” “Brixmor,” “we,” “our” and “us” mean the Parent Company and the Operating Partnership, collectively.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “targets” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe these factors include but are not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this report, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. These factors include (1) changes in national, regional and local economic climates or demographics; (2) local market conditions, including an oversupply of space in, or a reduction in demand for, properties similar to those in our Portfolio; (3) competition from other available properties and e-commerce, and the attractiveness of properties in our Portfolio to our tenants; (4) ongoing disruption and/or consolidation in the retail sector, the financial stability of our tenants and the overall financial condition of large retailing companies, including their ability to pay rent and expense reimbursements; (5) in the case of percentage rents, the sales volume of our tenants; (6) increases in operating costs, including common area expenses, utilities, insurance and real estate taxes, which are relatively inflexible and generally do not decrease if revenue or occupancy decreases; (7) increases in the costs to repair, renovate and re-lease space; (8) earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, damage from rising sea levels due to climate change and other natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorist acts or acts of war, which may result in uninsured or underinsured losses; (9) changes in laws and governmental regulations, including those governing usage, zoning, the environment and taxes; and (10) new developments in the litigation and governmental investigations discussed under the heading “Legal Matters” in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in this report. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report and in our other periodic filings. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except to the extent otherwise required by law.

PART I

Because the Operating Partnership is managed by BPG, and BPG conducts substantially all of its operations through the Operating Partnership, BPG’s executive officers are the Operating Partnership’s executive officers, and although, as a partnership, the Operating Partnership does not have a board of directors, we refer to BPG’s board of directors as the Operating Partnership’s board of directors.

The following table provides summary information regarding our Portfolio as of December 31, 2018.

Our primary objective is to maximize total returns to our stockholders through consistent, sustainable growth in cash flow. Our key strategies to achieve this objective include proactively managing our Portfolio to drive internal growth, pursuing value-enhancing reinvestment opportunities and prudently executing on acquisition and disposition

activity, while also maintaining a flexible capital structure positioned for growth. In addition, as we execute on our key strategies, we do so guided by a commitment to operate in a socially responsible manner that allows us to realize our goal of owning and managing properties that are the center of the communities we serve.

Over the past three years, we have heightened our focus on achieving higher contractual rent increases over the term of our new and renewal leases, providing for enhanced embedded contractual rent growth across our portfolio. During 2018, our executed new leases reflected an average in-place contractual rent increase over the lease term of 2.0% as compared to 1.7% in 2015.  Additionally, 94% of the executed new leases during 2018 had embedded contractual rent growth provisions, compared with only 78% of the executed new leases during 2015.

We have access to multiple forms of capital, including secured property level debt, unsecured corporate level debt, preferred equity, and common equity, which will allow us to efficiently execute on our strategic and operational objectives. We currently have investment grade credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies.

Our ongoing commitment to sustainability and the local communities we serve is also evident in our approach to value-enhancing reinvestment, which is focused on transforming properties to meet the needs of communities through strategic remerchandising and redevelopment, executed with a focus on resource efficiency and energy management. Additionally, we work to provide safe and secure environments for our tenants and their customers to connect and engage, both within stores at our centers and in public spaces throughout our Portfolio.  We collaborate with our tenants through ongoing tenant coordination and proactive property management, and we continually monitor our success through the use of tenant engagement surveys.

We are also highly committed to being a responsible employer and creating and sustaining a positive work environment and corporate culture characterized by high levels of employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. We seek to attract and retain talented and passionate professionals who align with our cultural tenets, which are focused on integrity, accountability and trust. We challenge our employees to act like owners, provide training to help them succeed, and empower them to connect with local communities in order to deliver value to all stakeholders. Through employee engagement surveys we continually monitor our performance and utilize the results to improve our organization. 

We face considerable competition in the leasing of real estate. We compete with a number of other companies in leasing space to prospective tenants and in renewing current tenants upon expiration of their respective leases. We believe that the principal competitive factors in attracting tenants include the quality of the location and co-tenancy, the relevancy of a center to its community, and the physical conditions and cost of occupancy of our shopping centers. In this regard, we proactively manage and, where and when appropriate, reinvest in and upgrade our shopping centers, with an emphasis on maintaining high occupancy levels with a strong base of nationally and regionally recognized anchor tenants that generate substantial daily traffic. In addition, we believe that the breadth of our national portfolio of shopping centers, the local market knowledge derived from our regional operating teams, and the close relationships we have established with most major national and regional retailers allow us to maintain a strong competitive position.

We are subject to federal, state and local environmental regulations that apply generally to the ownership of real property and the operations conducted on real property. For further information regarding our risks related to

environmental exposure see “Environmental conditions that exist at some of the properties in our Portfolio could result in significant unexpected costs” in Item 1A. “Risk Factors”.

As of December 31, 2018, we had 458 employees.

Our principal business is the ownership and operation of community and neighborhood shopping centers. We do not distinguish our principal business or group our operations on a geographical basis for purposes of measuring performance. Accordingly, we have a single reportable segment for disclosure purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In the opinion of our management, no material part of our and our subsidiaries’ business is dependent upon a single tenant, the loss of any one of which would have a material adverse effect on us, and during 2018 no single tenant or single shopping center accounted for 5% or more of our consolidated revenues.

We have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the U.S. federal income tax laws, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011, have maintained such requirements through our taxable year ended December 31, 2018, and intend to satisfy such requirements for subsequent taxable years. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on net taxable income that we distribute annually to our stockholders. In order to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the real estate qualification of sources of our income, the composition and value of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the diversity of ownership of our stock. In order to comply with REIT requirements, we may need to forego otherwise attractive opportunities or limit the manner in which we conduct our operations. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to our REIT Status and Certain Other Tax Items.”

Brixmor Property Group Inc., a Maryland corporation, was incorporated in Delaware on May 27, 2011, changed its name to Brixmor Property Group Inc. on June 17, 2013 and changed its jurisdiction of incorporation to Maryland on November 4, 2013. The Operating Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, was formed on May 23, 2011. Our principal executive offices are located at 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, and our telephone number is (212) 869-3000.

Our website address is http://www.brixmor.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge on our website or provide a link on our website to our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We also make available through our website other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC under the Exchange Act, including our proxy statements and reports filed by officers and directors under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. You may access these filings by visiting “SEC Filings” under the “Financial Information” section of the “Investors” portion of our website. In addition, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, such as us, at http://www.sec.gov.

From time to time, we may use our website as a channel of distribution of material information. Financial and other material information regarding our company is routinely posted on and accessible at http://www.brixmor.com. In addition, you may enroll to automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about our company by visiting “Email Alerts” under the “Information Request” section of the “Investors” portion of our website.

Our Portfolio is predominantly comprised of community and neighborhood shopping centers. Our performance is, therefore, subject to risks associated with owning and operating these types of real estate assets, including: (1) changes in national, regional and local economic climates or demographics; (2) local market conditions, including an oversupply of space in, or a reduction in demand for, properties similar to those in our Portfolio; (3) competition from other available properties and e-commerce, and the attractiveness of properties in our Portfolio to our tenants; (4) ongoing disruption and/or consolidation in the retail sector, the financial stability of our tenants and the overall financial condition of large retailing companies, including their ability to pay rent and expense reimbursements; (5) in the case of percentage rents, the sales volume of our tenants; (6) increases in operating costs, including common area expenses, utilities, insurance and real estate taxes, which are relatively inflexible and generally do not decrease if revenue or occupancy decreases; (7) increases in the costs to repair, renovate and re-lease space; (8) earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, damage from rising sea levels due to climate change and other natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorist acts or acts of war, which may result in uninsured or underinsured losses; and (9) changes in laws and governmental regulations, including those governing usage, zoning, the environment and taxes. These and other factors could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

In certain circumstances, a tenant may have a right to terminate its lease. For example, in certain circumstances, a failure by an anchor tenant to occupy their leased premises could result in lease terminations or reductions in rent paid by other tenants in those shopping centers. In such situations, we cannot be certain that we will be able to re-lease space on similar or economically advantageous terms. The loss of rental revenues from a significant number of tenants and difficulty in replacing such tenants could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

We have seen an increase in retailer bankruptcies in recent years, including with respect to certain current and former tenants. If a tenant files for bankruptcy, we may not be able to collect amounts owed by that party prior to the filing. In addition, after filing for bankruptcy, a tenant may terminate any or all of its leases with us, in which event we would have a general unsecured claim against such tenant that would likely be worth less than the full amount owed to us for the remainder of the lease term. In these situations, we may be required to make capital improvements to re-lease the space, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to re-lease space on similar or economically advantageous terms, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

Costs associated with our business, such as common area expenses, utilities, insurance, real estate taxes, mortgage payments, and corporate expenses are relatively inflexible and generally do not decrease in the event that a property is not fully occupied, rental rates decrease, a tenant fails to pay rent or other circumstances cause our revenues to decrease. In addition, inflation could result in higher operating costs. If we are unable to lower our operating costs when revenues decline and/or are unable to pass along cost increases to our tenants, our financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be adversely impacted.

Our ability to dispose of properties on advantageous terms depends on factors beyond our control, including competition from other sellers and the availability of attractive financing for potential buyers, and we cannot predict the various market conditions affecting real estate investments that will exist at any particular time in the future. We may be required to expend funds to correct defects or to make capital improvements before a property can be sold and we cannot assure that we will have funds available to make such capital improvements; and therefore, we may be unable to sell a property on favorable terms or at all. In addition, the ability to sell assets in our Portfolio may also be restricted by certain covenants in our debt agreements and the credit agreement governing our senior unsecured credit facility agreement, as amended December 12, 2018 (the “Unsecured Credit Facility”). As a result, we may be unable to realize our investment objectives through dispositions, which could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

We periodically assess whether there are any indicators, including property operating performance, changes in anticipated holding period and general market conditions, 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 and unleveraged property cash flows, taking into account the anticipated probability weighted holding period, are less than the carrying value of the property. In our estimate of cash flows, we consider trends and prospects for a property 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. 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 recognized.

We continue to evaluate the market for available properties and may acquire properties when we believe strategic opportunities exist. Our ability to acquire properties on favorable terms and successfully integrate, operate or re-develop them is subject to a number of risks. We may be unable to acquire a desired property because of competition from other well-capitalized real estate investors, including from other REITs and institutional investment funds. Even if we are able to acquire a desired property, competition from such investors may significantly increase the purchase price. We may also abandon acquisition activities after expending significant resources to pursue such opportunities. Once we acquire new properties, these properties may not yield expected returns for a number of reasons, including: (1) failure to achieve expected occupancy and/or rent levels within the projected time frame, if at all; (2) inability to successfully integrate new properties into existing operations; and (3) exposure to fluctuations in the general economy, including due to a significant time lag between signing definitive documentation to acquire and the closing of the acquisition of a new property. If any of these events occur, the cost of the acquisition may exceed initial estimates or the expected returns may not achieve those originally contemplated, which could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $4.9 billion aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding. Our leverage could have important consequences to us. For example, it could (1) require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, reducing the cash flow available to fund our business, pay dividends, including those necessary to maintain our REIT qualification, or use for other purposes; (2) increase our vulnerability to an economic downturn, as debt payments are not reduced if the economic performance of any property or the Portfolio as a whole declines; (3) limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures; and (4) reduce our flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions. In addition, non-compliance with the terms of our debt agreements could result in the acceleration of a significant amount of debt and could materially impair our ability to borrow unused amounts under existing financing arrangements or to obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

Borrowings under our Revolving Facility, unsecured $500.0 million term loan agreement, as amended on December 12, 2018 (the “$500 Million Term Loan”), unsecured $350.0 million term loan agreement, as amended on December 12, 2018 (the “$350 Million Term Loan”), unsecured $300.0 million term loan agreement, as amended on December 12, 2018 (the “$300 Million Term Loan”), and unsecured $250.0 million Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) bear interest at variable rates. If interest rates were to increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed would remain the same, and our net income and cash flows would correspondingly decrease. In order to partially mitigate our exposure to increases in interest rates, we have entered into interest rate swaps on $1.2 billion of our variable rate debt, which involve the exchange of variable for fixed rate interest payments. Taking into account our current interest rate swap agreements, a 100 basis point increase in interest rates would result in an $5.1 million increase in annual interest expense.

As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $1.7 billion of debt outstanding that was indexed to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) announced its intention to phase out LIBOR rates by the end of 2021. It is not possible to predict the further effect of the FCA’s announcement, any changes in the methods by which LIBOR is determined, or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the United Kingdom, the European Union or elsewhere. Such developments may cause LIBOR to perform differently than in the past, or cease to exist. In addition, any other legal or regulatory changes made by the FCA, ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the European Money Markets Institute (formerly Euribor-EBF), the European Commission or any other successor governance or oversight body, or future changes adopted by such body, in the method by which LIBOR is determined or the transition from LIBOR to a successor benchmark may

result in, among other things, a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in LIBOR, a delay in the publication of LIBOR, and changes in the rules or methodologies in LIBOR, which may discourage market participants from continuing to administer or to participate in LIBOR’s determination, and, in certain situations, could result in LIBOR no longer being determined and published. If a published U.S. dollar LIBOR rate is unavailable after 2021, the interest rates on our debt which is indexed to LIBOR will be determined using various alternative methods, any of which may result in interest obligations which are more than or do not otherwise correlate over time with the payments that would have been made on such debt if U.S. dollar LIBOR was available in its current form. Further, the same costs and risks that may lead to the unavailability of U.S. dollar LIBOR may make one or more of the alternative methods impossible or impracticable to determine. Any of these proposals or consequences could have a material adverse effect on our financing costs, and as a result, our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

We cannot assure that we will be able to access the capital markets to obtain additional debt or equity financing or that we will be able to obtain capital on terms favorable to us. Our access to external capital depends upon a number of factors, including general market conditions, our current and potential future earnings, liquidity and leverage ratios, the market’s perception of our growth potential, cash distributions, and the market price of our common stock. Our inability to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all could result in the disruption of our ability to: (1) operate, maintain or reinvest in our Portfolio; (2) acquire new properties; (3) repay or refinance our indebtedness on or before maturity; or (4) dispose of some of our assets on favorable terms due to an immediate need for capital.

Our credit worthiness is rated by nationally recognized credit rating agencies. The credit ratings assigned are based on our operating performance, liquidity and leverage ratios, financial condition and prospects, and other factors viewed by the credit rating agencies as relevant to our industry. Our credit rating can affect our ability to access debt capital, as well as the terms of certain existing and future debt financing we may obtain. Since we depend on debt financing to fund our business, an adverse change in our credit rating, including changes in our credit outlook, or even the initiation of a review of our credit rating that could result in an adverse change, could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

Our debt agreements contain various financial and operating covenants, including, among other things, certain coverage ratios and limitations on our ability to incur secured and unsecured debt. The breach of any of these covenants, if not cured within any applicable cure period, could result in a default and acceleration of certain of our indebtedness. If any of our indebtedness is accelerated prior to maturity, we may not be able to repay or refinance such indebtedness on favorable terms, or at all, which could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

As discussed under the heading “Legal Matters” in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in this report, the Company is engaged in legal matters related to the Audit Committee review. As a result of these and possible future legal proceedings related to the Audit Committee review, including our obligation to indemnify our former officers, we may incur significant professional fees and other costs, damages and fines, some of which may be in excess of our insurance coverage or not be covered by our insurance coverage. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

We carry comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage, business interruption, and acts of terrorism insurance with policy specifications and insured limits customarily carried for similar properties. There are, however, certain types of losses, such as from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, terrorism or wars, which may be uninsurable, or

not economically justifiable based on the cost of insuring against such losses. In addition, tenants generally are required to indemnify and hold us harmless from liabilities resulting from injury to persons or damage to personal or real property, on the premises, due to activities conducted by tenants or their agents on the properties (including without limitation any environmental contamination), and at the tenant’s expense, to obtain and keep in full force during the term of the lease, liability and property damage insurance policies. However, tenants may not properly maintain their insurance policies or have the ability to pay the deductibles associated with such policies. Should a loss occur that is uninsured or in an amount exceeding the combined aggregate limits for the policies noted above, or in the event of a loss that is subject to a substantial deductible under an insurance policy, we could lose all or part of the capital invested in, and anticipated revenue from, one or more of the properties, which could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental regulations that apply generally to the ownership of real property and the operations conducted on real property. Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, we may be or become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances released on or in our property or disposed of by us or our tenants, as well as certain other potential costs which could relate to hazardous or toxic substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property). Such liability may be imposed whether or not we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence of these hazardous or toxic substances. As is the case with many community and neighborhood shopping centers, many of our properties have or had on-site dry cleaners and/or on-site gas stations and these prior or current uses could potentially increase our environmental liability exposure. The cost of investigation, remediation or removal of such substances may be substantial, and the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate such substances, may adversely affect our ability to lease such property, to borrow using such property as collateral, or to dispose of such property.

We are aware that soil and groundwater contamination exists at some of the properties in our Portfolio. The primary contaminants of concern at these properties include perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene (associated with the operations of on-site dry cleaners) and petroleum hydrocarbons (associated with the operations of on-site gas stations). There may also be asbestos-containing materials at some of the properties in our Portfolio. Further, no assurance can be given that any environmental studies performed have identified or will identify all material environmental conditions that may exist with respect to any of the properties in our Portfolio.

Further information relating to recognition of remediation obligations in accordance with GAAP is discussed under the heading “Environmental matters” in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in this report.

All of the properties in our Portfolio are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“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 necessitate the removal of access barriers, and non-compliance could result in the imposition of fines by the U.S. government or an award of damages to private litigants, or both. We are continually assessing our Portfolio to determine our compliance with the current requirements of the ADA. We are required to comply with the ADA within the common areas of our Portfolio and we may not be able to pass on to our tenants the costs necessary to remediate any common area ADA issues, which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. In addition, we are required to operate the properties in compliance with fire and safety regulations, building codes, and other regulations, as they may be adopted by governmental agencies and bodies and become applicable to our Portfolio. As a result, we may be required to make substantial capital expenditures to comply with, and we may be restricted in our ability to renovate or redevelop the properties subject to, those requirements. The resulting expenditures and restrictions could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

We rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions and operate and manage our business, and our business is at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity attacks. These attacks could include attempts to gain

unauthorized access to our data and/or computer systems. Attacks can be both individual and highly organized attempts by very sophisticated hacking organizations. We employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, which include password protection, frequent mandatory password change events, firewall detection systems, frequent backups, a redundant data system for core applications and annual penetration testing; however, there is no guarantee that such efforts will be successful in preventing a cybersecurity attack. A cybersecurity attack could compromise the confidential information of our employees, tenants and vendors, disrupt the proper functioning of our networks, result in misstated financial reports or loan covenants and/or missed reporting deadlines, prevent us from properly monitoring our REIT qualification, result in our inability to maintain the building systems relied upon by our tenants for the efficient use of their leased space or require significant management attention and resources to remedy any damages that result. A successful attack could also disrupt and affect our business operations, damage our reputation, and result in significant litigation and remediation costs. Similarly, our tenants rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions and manage their businesses and thus are also at risk from and may be impacted by cybersecurity attacks. An interruption in the business operations of our tenants or a deterioration in their reputation resulting from a cybersecurity attack could indirectly impact our business operations. As of December 31, 2018, we have not had any material incidences involving cybersecurity attacks.

We are highly dependent on the performance and continued efforts of our senior management team. Our future success is dependent on our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified executive officers and senior management. Any inability to manage our operations effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

BPG’s investment, financing and dividend policies and our policies with respect to all other business activities, including strategy and operations, will be determined by BPG’s board of directors. These policies may be amended or revised at any time and from time to time at the discretion of BPG’s board of directors without a vote of our stockholders. BPG’s charter also provides that BPG’s board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election without approval of BPG’s stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in BPG’s best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT. In addition, BPG’s board of directors may change BPG’s policies with respect to conflicts of interest provided that such changes are consistent with applicable legal requirements. A change in any of these policies could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, our operating results, our cash flow, and our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay dividends to BPG’s stockholders.

BPG’s charter permits its board of directors to authorize the issuance of stock in one or more classes or series. Our board of directors may also classify or reclassify any unissued stock and establish the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any such stock, which rights may be superior to those of our common stock. Thus, BPG’s board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of a class or series of stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of discouraging an unsolicited acquisition of us or change of our control in which holders of some or a majority of BPG’s outstanding common stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then-current market price of our common stock.

BPG’s charter eliminates the liability of BPG’s directors and officers to us and BPG’s stockholders for money damages to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law. Under current Maryland law and BPG’s charter, BPG’s directors and officers do not have any liability to BPG or BPG’s stockholders for money damages other than liability resulting from:

BPG’s charter authorizes BPG and BPG’s bylaws require BPG to indemnify each of BPG’s directors or officers who is made a party to or witness in a proceeding by reason of his or her service in those capacities (or in a similar capacity at another entity at the request of BPG), to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer of BPG. In addition, BPG may be obligated to pay or reimburse the expenses incurred by BPG’s present and former directors and officers without requiring a preliminary determination of their ultimate entitlement to indemnification. As a result, BPG and BPG’s stockholders may have more limited rights to recover money damages from BPG’s directors and officers than might otherwise exist absent these provisions in BPG’s charter and bylaws or that might exist with other companies, which could limit the recourse of stockholders in the event of actions that are not in BPG’s best interests.

BPG’s charter provides that, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Maryland law, BPG renounce any interest or expectancy that BPG has in, or any right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunities that are from time to time presented to or developed by BPG’s directors or their affiliates, other than to those directors who are employed by BPG or BPG’s subsidiaries, unless the business opportunity is expressly offered or made known to such person in his or her capacity as a director. Non-employee directors or any of their affiliates will not have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities or similar business activities or lines of business in which we or our affiliates engage or propose to engage or to refrain from otherwise competing with us or our affiliates.

BPG’s charter provides that, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Maryland law, each of BPG’s non-employee directors, and any of their affiliates, may:

BPG’s charter also provides that, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Maryland law, in the event that any non-employee director, or any of their respective affiliates, acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity, such person will have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates and may take any such opportunity for itself, himself or herself or offer it to another person or entity unless the business opportunity is expressly offered to such person in their capacity as our director. These provisions may deprive us of opportunities which we may have otherwise wanted to pursue.

BPG intends to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code. However, qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist. Notwithstanding the availability of cure provisions in the Code, BPG could fail to meet various compliance requirements, which could jeopardize its REIT status. Furthermore, new tax legislation, administrative guidance or court decisions, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for BPG to qualify as a REIT.

If BPG fails to qualify as a REIT in any tax year and BPG is not entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions:

The IRS, the U.S. Treasury Department and Congress frequently review U.S. federal income tax legislation, regulations and other guidance. BPG cannot predict whether, when, or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations, or rulings will be adopted. Any legislative action may prospectively or retroactively modify BPG’s tax treatment and, therefore, may adversely affect taxation of BPG or BPG’s stockholders. Stockholders should consult with their tax advisors with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in BPG stock.

In order to qualify as a REIT, BPG must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of its assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets. BPG’s investments in securities cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer unless: (1) such issuer is a REIT; (2) BPG and such issuer jointly elect for such issuer to be treated as a “taxable REIT subsidiary” under the Code; or (3) for purposes of the 10% value limitation only, the securities satisfy certain requirements and are not considered “securities” for this test. The total value of all of BPG’s investments in taxable REIT subsidiaries cannot exceed 20% of the value of BPG’s total assets. In addition, no more than 5% of the value of BPG’s assets can consist of the securities of any one issuer other than a taxable REIT subsidiary, and no more than 25% of the value of BPG’s total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by “publicly offered REITs” (as defined under the Code) that are “nonqualified” (e.g., not secured by real property or interests in real property). If BPG fails to comply with these requirements, BPG must dispose of a portion of its assets within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter in order to avoid losing its REIT status and suffering adverse tax consequences. In addition to the quarterly asset test requirements, BPG must annually satisfy two income test requirements (the “75% and 95% gross income tests”). As a result, BPG may be required to liquidate from its portfolio, or contribute to a taxable REIT subsidiary, otherwise attractive investments in order to maintain its qualification as a REIT. These actions could have the effect of reducing BPG’s income and amounts available for distribution to its stockholders. BPG may be unable to pursue investments that would otherwise be advantageous to it in order to satisfy the income or asset diversification requirements for qualifying as a REIT. Thus, compliance with REIT requirements may hinder BPG’s ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

The REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit BPG’s ability to hedge its liabilities. Any income from a hedging transaction BPG enters into to manage the risk of interest rate fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets, or to manage the risk of currency fluctuations, if clearly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations, does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests that BPG must satisfy in order to maintain its qualification as a REIT. To the extent that BPG enters into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests. As a result of these rules, BPG intends to limit its use of hedging techniques that are not clearly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations or implement those hedges through a domestic taxable REIT subsidiary. This could expose BPG to greater risks than BPG would

otherwise want to bear or it could increase the cost of BPG’s hedging activities because its taxable REIT subsidiary would be subject to tax on gains.

For BPG to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% of the value of BPG’s outstanding stock may be owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals (including certain entities treated as individuals for this purpose) during the last half of a taxable year. For the purpose of assisting BPG’s qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, BPG’s charter prohibits beneficial or constructive ownership by any person of more than a certain percentage, currently 9.8%, in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of BPG’s common stock or 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of BPG’s stock, which BPG refers to as the “ownership limit.” The constructive ownership rules under the Code and BPG’s charter are complex and may cause shares of the outstanding common stock owned by a group of related persons to be deemed to be constructively owned by one person. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of BPG’s outstanding common stock or BPG’s stock by a person could cause a person to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of BPG’s outstanding common stock or BPG’s stock, respectively, and thus violate the ownership limit. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of BPG’s stock in excess of the ownership limit without an exemption from BPG’s board of directors will result either in the shares in excess of the limit being transferred by operation of the charter to a charitable trust or the transfer being void, and the person who attempted to acquire such excess shares will not have any rights in such excess shares. In addition, there can be no assurance that BPG’s board of directors, as permitted in the charter, will not decrease this ownership limit in the future.

The ownership limit may have the effect of precluding a change in control of BPG by a third party, even if such change in control would be in the best interests of BPG’s stockholders or would result in BPG’s stockholders receiving a premium for their shares over the then current market price of BPG’s common stock (and even if such change in control would not reasonably jeopardize BPG’s REIT status).

BPG will be a domestically-controlled REIT if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its shares are held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders. Because its shares are publicly traded, BPG cannot guarantee that it will, in fact, be a domestically-controlled REIT. If BPG fails to qualify as a domestically-controlled REIT, its non-U.S. stockholders that otherwise would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain attributable to a sale of BPG’s shares of common stock would be subject to taxation upon such a sale if either (a) the shares were not considered to be “regularly traded” under applicable Treasury regulations on an established securities market, such as the NYSE, or (b) the shares were considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market and the selling non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, more than 10% in value of the outstanding shares at any time during specified testing periods. If gain on the sale or exchange of BPG’s shares of common stock was subject to taxation for these reasons, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to federal income tax with respect to any gain on a net basis in a manner similar to the taxation of a taxable U.S. stockholder, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals, and corporate non-U.S. stockholders may be subject to an additional branch profits tax.

In connection with BPG’s qualification as a REIT, BPG is required to annually distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. Although it does not currently intend to do so, in order to satisfy this requirement, BPG is permitted, subject to certain conditions and limitations, to make distributions that are in whole or in part payable in shares of BPG’s stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such distributions will be required to include the full amount of such distributions as ordinary dividend income to the extent of BPG’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for federal income tax purposes. As a result, U.S. stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such distributions in excess of the cash portion of the distribution received. Accordingly, U.S. stockholders receiving a distribution in shares of BPG’s stock may be required to sell shares received in such distribution or may be required to sell other stock or assets owned by them, at a time that may be disadvantageous,

in order to satisfy any tax imposed on such distribution. Furthermore, with respect to certain non-U.S. stockholders, BPG may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such distribution, including in respect of all or a portion of such distribution that is payable in shares of BPG’s stock, by withholding or disposing of part of the shares included in such distribution and using the net proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed. In addition, if a significant number of BPG’s stockholders determine to sell shares of BPG’s stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividend income, such sale may put downward pressure on the market price of BPG’s stock.

The maximum tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income payable by non-REIT “C” corporations to certain non-corporate U.S. stockholders has been reduced by legislation to 23.8% (taking into account the 3.8% Medicare tax applicable to net investment income). Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, non-corporate U.S. stockholders may deduct 20% of their dividends from REITs (excluding qualified dividend income and capital gains dividends). For non-corporate U.S. stockholders in the top marginal tax bracket of 37%, the deduction for REIT dividends yields an effective income tax rate of 29.6% on REIT dividends, which is higher than the 23.8% tax rate on qualified dividend income paid by non-REIT “C” corporations. As a result of the more favorable rates applicable to non-REIT “C” corporate qualified dividends, certain non-corporate investors could perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT “C” corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including BPG.

If cash available for distributions decreases in future periods, our inability to make expected distributions could result in a decrease in the market price of BPG’s common stock. See “Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.” All distributions will be made at the discretion of BPG’s board of directors and will depend on our sources and uses of capital, operating fundementals, maintenance of our REIT qualification, and other factors BPG’s board of directors may deem relevant. We may not be able to make distributions in the future or we may need to fund a portion or all of the distribution with borrowed funds and/or asset sales. If we borrow to fund distributions, our future interest costs would increase, thereby reducing our earnings and cash available for distribution from what they otherwise would have been. We may make distributions that are in whole or part payable in shares of BPG’s stock, which has certain tax implications as described above. To the extent that we decide to make distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions would generally be considered a return of capital for federal income tax purposes to the extent of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in their shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it has the effect of reducing the holder’s adjusted tax basis in its investment. To the extent that distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares, they will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such stock.

The trading market for BPG’s shares is influenced by the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Events that could adversely affect BPG’s share price and trading volume include: (1) BPG’s operating results being below the expectations of securities and industry analysts and investors; (2) downgrades or inaccurate or unfavorable research about BPG’s business published by analysts; or (3) the termination of research coverage or the failure by analysts to regularly publish reports on us, which may cause us to lose visibility in the financial markets. A less liquid market for BPG’s shares may also impair our ability to raise additional equity capital by issuing shares and may impair our ability to fund growth opportunities by using BPG’s shares as consideration.

The stock market in general, and the REIT market in particular, experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market, or political conditions, could reduce the market price of shares without regard to our operating performance. For example, the trading prices of equity securities issued by REITs have historically been affected by changes in market interest rates. An increase in market

interest rates may lead prospective purchasers of shares of BPG’s common stock to demand a higher distribution rate or seek alternative investments. The market value of equity securities is also based upon the market’s perception of the growth potential and current and potential future cash distributions of a security, whether from operations, sales, or refinancings, and, for REITs, is secondarily based upon the real estate market value of the underlying assets. Our failure to meet the market’s expectations with regard to future earnings and distributions would likely adversely affect the market price of BPG’s common stock.

The following table summarizes the geographic diversity of our Portfolio by state, ranked by ABR, as of December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands, expect per square foot information):

More specific information with respect to each of our properties is set forth in Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Our anchor tenants generally have leases with original terms ranging from 10 to 20 years, which may contain renewal options for one or more additional periods. Smaller tenants typically have leases with original terms ranging from five to 10 years, which may or may not contain renewal options. Leases in our Portfolio generally provide for the payment of fixed monthly rent. Leases may also provide for the payment of additional rent based upon a percentage of the tenant’s gross sales above a certain threshold level. Leases typically contain contractual increases in base rent over both the primary terms and renewal periods, and tenant reimbursements of common area expenses, utilities, insurance and real estate taxes. Utilities are generally paid by tenants either through separate meters or reimbursement.

The foregoing general description of the characteristics of the leases of our Portfolio is not intended to describe all leases, and material variations in the lease terms exist.

We have a wholly owned captive insurance company, Brixmor Incap, LLC (“Incap”). Incap underwrites the first layer of general liability insurance programs for the Company’s properties. The Company formed Incap as part of its overall risk management program and to stabilize insurance costs, manage exposure and recoup expenses through the functions of the captive program. Incap is capitalized in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements.

We also maintain commercial liability, fire, extended coverage, earthquake, business interruption, and rental loss insurance covering all of the properties in our Portfolio. We select coverage specifications and insured limits which we believe to be appropriate given the relative risk of loss, the cost of coverage, industry practice, and the nature of the shopping centers in our Portfolio. In addition, tenants generally are required to indemnify and hold us harmless from liabilities resulting from injury to persons or damage to personal or real property due to activities conducted by tenants or their agents on the properties (including without limitation any environmental contamination), and at the tenant’s expense, to obtain and keep in full force during the term of the lease, liability and property damage insurance policies. In the opinion of our management, all of the properties in our Portfolio are currently adequately insured. We do not carry insurance for generally uninsured losses such as losses from war. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Portfolio and Our Business – An uninsured loss on properties or a loss that exceeds the limits of our insurance policies could result in a loss of our investment or related revenue in those properties.”

The information contained under the heading “Legal Matters” in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in this report is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.

PART II

BPG’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “BRX.” As of February 1, 2019, the number of holders of record of BPG’s common stock was 449.  This figure does not represent the actual number of beneficial owners of BPG’s common stock because shares of BPG’s common stock are frequently held in “street name” by securities dealers and others for the benefit of beneficial owners who may vote the shares.

BPG’s future distributions will be at the sole discretion of BPG’s Board of Directors. When determining the amount of future distributions, we expect that BPG’s Board of Directors will consider, among other factors; (1) the amount of cash recently and expected to be generated from our operating activities; (2) the amount of cash required for capital expenditures and leasing; (3) the amount of cash required for debt repayments, redevelopment, selective acquisitions of new properties, and share repurchases; (4) the amount of cash required to be distributed to maintain BPG’s status as a REIT and to reduce any income and excise taxes that BPG otherwise would be required to pay; (5) any limitations on our distributions contained in our financing agreements, including, without limitation, in our Unsecured Credit Facility; (6) the sufficiency of legally-available assets; and (7) our ability to continue to access additional sources of capital.

To the extent BPG is prevented, by provisions of our financing arrangements or otherwise, from distributing 100% of BPG’s REIT taxable income, or otherwise does not distribute 100% of BPG’s REIT taxable income, BPG will be subject to income tax, and potentially excise tax, on the retained amounts. If our operations do not generate sufficient cash flow to allow BPG to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements, we may be required to fund distributions with working capital, borrowed funds, or asset sales, or we may be required to reduce such distributions or make such distributions in whole or in part payable in shares of BPG's stock. For more information regarding risk factors that could materially adversely affect our actual results of operations, please see Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

Distributions to the extent of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income or capital gain income.  Distributions in excess of taxable earnings and profits generally will be treated as non-taxable return of capital.  These distributions, to the extent that they do not exceed the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in its common shares, have the effect of deferring taxation until the sale of the shareholder’s common shares.  To the extent that distributions are both in excess of taxable earnings and profits and in excess of the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in its common shares, the distribution will be treated as capital gain from the sale of common shares.  For the taxable year ended December 31, 2018, 84.7% of the Company’s distributions to shareholders constituted taxable ordinary income and 15.3% constituted a return of capital.

The following performance chart compares, for the period from December 31, 2013 through December 31, 2018, the cumulative total stockholder return on BPG’s common stock with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the FTSE NAREIT Equity Shopping Centers Index. All stockholder return performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The information in this paragraph and the following performance chart are deemed to be furnished, not filed.

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2018.