Macerich - 10-K annual report 2011

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PART IV

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

Commission File No. 1-12504

THE MACERICH COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (310) 394-6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

        Indicate by check mark if the registrant is well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act YES ý    NO o

        Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act YES o    NO ý

        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 report) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES ý    NO o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ý    NO o

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment on to this Form 10-K. o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o    NO ý

        The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $7.0 billion as of the last business day of the registrant's most recent completed second fiscal quarter based upon the price at which the common shares were last sold on that day.

        Number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, as of February 16, 2012: 131,992,974 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        Portions of the proxy statement for the annual stockholders meeting to be held in 2012 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K

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THE MACERICH COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
INDEX

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PART I

IMPORTANT FACTORS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Macerich Company (the "Company") contains or incorporates by reference statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any statements that do not relate to historical or current facts or matters are forward-looking statements. You can identify some of the forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "predicts," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "scheduled" and variations of these words and similar expressions. Statements concerning current conditions may also be forward-looking if they imply a continuation of current conditions. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Form 10-K and include statements regarding, among other matters:

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expectations regarding the Company's growth;



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the Company's beliefs regarding its acquisition, redevelopment, development, leasing and operational activities and opportunities, including the performance of its retailers;



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the Company's acquisition, disposition and other strategies;



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regulatory matters pertaining to compliance with governmental regulations;



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the Company's capital expenditure plans and expectations for obtaining capital for expenditures;



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the Company's expectations regarding income tax benefits;



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the Company's expectations regarding its financial condition or results of operations; and



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the Company's expectations for refinancing its indebtedness, entering into and servicing debt obligations and entering into joint venture arrangements.

        Stockholders are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or the industry to differ materially from the Company's future results, performance or achievements, or those of the industry, expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully review the disclosures we make concerning risks and other factors that may affect our business and operating results, including those made in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless required by law to do so.

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

General

        The Company is involved in the acquisition, ownership, development, redevelopment, management and leasing of regional and community shopping centers located throughout the United States. The Company is the sole general partner of, and owns a majority of the ownership interests in, The Macerich Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "Operating Partnership"). As of December 31, 2011, the Operating Partnership owned or had an ownership interest in 65 regional shopping centers and 14 community shopping centers totaling approximately 66 million square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA"). These 79 regional and community shopping centers are referred to herein as the "Centers," and consist of consolidated Centers ("Consolidated Centers") and unconsolidated

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joint venture Centers ("Unconsolidated Joint Venture Centers") as set forth in "Item 2. Properties," unless the context otherwise requires. The Company is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") and conducts all of its operations through the Operating Partnership and the Company's management companies, Macerich Property Management Company, LLC, a single member Delaware limited liability company, Macerich Management Company, a California corporation, Macerich Arizona Partners LLC, a single member Arizona limited liability company, Macerich Arizona Management LLC, a single member Delaware limited liability company, Macerich Partners of Colorado LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, MACW Mall Management, Inc., a New York corporation, and MACW Property Management, LLC, a single member New York limited liability company. All seven of the management companies are collectively referred to herein as the "Management Companies."

        The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation in September 1993. All references to the Company in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include the Company, those entities owned or controlled by the Company and predecessors of the Company, unless the context indicates otherwise.

        Financial information regarding the Company for each of the last three fiscal years is contained in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in "Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules."

Recent Developments

Acquisitions:

        On February 24, 2011, the Company increased its ownership interest in Kierland Commons, a 434,642 square foot community center in Scottsdale, Arizona, from 24.5% to 50%. The Company's share of the purchase price for this transaction was $34.2 million in cash and the assumption of $18.6 million of existing debt.

        On February 28, 2011, the Company, in a 50/50 joint venture, acquired The Shops at Atlas Park, a 377,924 square foot community center in Queens, New York, for a total purchase price of $53.8 million. The Company's share of the purchase price was $26.9 million and was funded from the Company's cash on hand.

        On February 28, 2011, the Company acquired the additional 50% ownership interest in Desert Sky Mall, an 893,863 square foot regional shopping center in Phoenix, Arizona, that it did not own. The total purchase price was $27.6 million, which included the assumption of the third party's pro rata share of the mortgage note payable on the property of $25.7 million. Concurrent with the purchase of the partnership interest, the Company paid off the $51.5 million loan on the property.

        On April 29, 2011, the Company purchased a fee interest in a freestanding Kohl's store at Capitola Mall in Capitola, California for $28.5 million. The purchase price was paid from cash on hand.

        On June 3, 2011, the Company acquired an additional 33.3% ownership interest in Arrowhead Towne Center, a 1,197,006 square foot regional shopping center in Glendale, Arizona, an additional 33.3% ownership interest in Superstition Springs Center, a 1,204,540 square foot regional shopping center in Mesa, Arizona, and an additional 50% ownership interest in the land under Superstition Springs Center in exchange for the Company's ownership interest in six anchor stores, including five former Mervyn's stores and a cash payment of $75.0 million. The cash purchase price was funded from borrowings under the Company's line of credit. This transaction is referred herein as the "GGP Exchange".

        On July 22, 2011, the Company acquired the Fashion Outlets of Niagara, a 529,059 square foot outlet center in Niagara Falls, New York. The initial purchase price of $200.0 million was funded by a cash payment of $78.6 million and the assumption of the mortgage note payable of $121.4 million. The

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cash purchase price was funded from borrowings under the Company's line of credit. The purchase and sale agreement includes contingent consideration based on the performance of the Fashion Outlets of Niagara from the acquisition date through July 21, 2014 that could increase the purchase price from the initial $200.0 million up to a maximum of $218.7 million. The Company estimated the fair value of the contingent consideration as of December 31, 2011 to be $14.8 million, which has been included in other accrued liabilities.

        On December 31, 2011, the Company and its joint venture partner reached agreement for the distribution and conveyance of interests in SDG Macerich Properties, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("SDG Macerich") that owned 11 regional malls in a 50/50 partnership. Six of the eleven assets were distributed to the Company on December 31, 2011. The Company received 100% ownership of Eastland Mall in Evansville, Indiana, Lake Square Mall in Leesburg, Florida, SouthPark Mall in Moline, Illinois, Southridge Mall in Des Moines, Iowa, NorthPark Mall in Davenport, Iowa and Valley Mall in Harrisonburg, Virginia (collectively referred to herein as the "SDG Acquisition Properties"). These wholly-owned assets were recorded at fair value at the date of transfer, which resulted in a gain of $188.3 million. The gain reflected the fair value of the net assets received in excess of the book value of the Company's interest in SDG Macerich. This transaction is referred to herein as the "SDG Transaction."

Financing Activity:

        On January 18, 2011, the Company replaced the existing loan on Twenty Ninth Street with a new $107.0 million loan that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.63% and matures on January 18, 2016.

        On February 1, 2011, the Company paid off the $50.3 million mortgage on Chesterfield Towne Center. The loan bore interest at an effective rate of 9.07% with a maturity in January 2024.

        On February 23, 2011 and November 28, 2011, the Company exercised options under the loan agreement on Danbury Fair Mall to borrow an additional $20.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively. The entire loan bears interest at an effective rate of 5.53%.

        On February 28, 2011, in connection with the acquisition of an additional 50% interest in Desert Sky Mall (See "Acquisitions" in Recent Developments), the Company paid off the existing $51.5 million loan on the property that bore interest at 1.36%.

        On March 10, 2011, the Company's joint venture in Inland Center replaced the existing loan on the property with a new $50.0 million loan that bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.0% and matures on April 1, 2016.

        On March 15, 2011, the Company paid off the $33.1 million loan on Capitola Mall that bore interest at an effective rate of 7.13%.

        On April 26, 2011, the Company's joint venture in Chandler Village Center replaced the existing loan on the property with a new $17.5 million loan that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% and matures on March 1, 2014 with two one-year extension options.

        On May 2, 2011, the Company replaced the $1.5 billion line of credit that had matured on April 25, 2011 with a new $1.5 billion revolving line of credit that bears interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 1.75% to 3.0% depending on the Company's overall leverage and matures on May 2, 2015 with a one-year extension option. Based on the Company's current leverage levels, the borrowing rate on the new facility is LIBOR plus 2.0%. The new line of credit can be expanded, depending on certain conditions, up to a total facility of $2.0 billion less the outstanding balance of the $125.0 million unsecured term loan, as discussed below.

        On June 1, 2011, the Company paid off the $83.4 million loan on Pacific View that bore interest at an effective rate of 7.23%.

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        On July 1, 2011, the Company paid off the $40.2 million loan on Rimrock Mall that bore interest at an effective rate of 7.57%.

        On July 1, 2011, the Company's joint venture in the Los Cerritos Center replaced the existing loan on the property with a new $200.0 million loan that bears interest at 4.50% and matures on July 1, 2018.

        On September 29, 2011, the Company's joint venture in Arrowhead Towne Center replaced the existing loan on the property with a new $230.0 million loan that bears interest at 4.30% and matures on October 5, 2018.

        On September 30, 2011, the Company paid off the $8.6 million loan on Hilton Village that bore interest at an effective rate of 5.27%.

        On October 28, 2011, the Company's joint venture in Superstition Springs Center replaced the existing loan on the property with a new $67.5 million loan that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.30% and matures on October 28, 2016.

        In October 2011, the Company repurchased and retired $180.3 million of the 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2012 (the "Senior Notes") for $180.8 million.

        On December 8, 2011, the Company obtained a $125 million unsecured term loan under the Company's line of credit that bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.20% and matures on December 8, 2018.

        On December 9, 2011, the Company paid off the $19.0 million loan on La Cumbre Plaza that bore interest at an effective rate of 2.41%.

        On December 30, 2011, the Company conveyed Shoppingtown Mall to the lender by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. As a result, the Company has been discharged from the loan on the property (See "Other Transactions and Events" in Recent Developments).

        On February 1, 2012, the Company replaced the existing loan on Tucson La Encantada with a new $75.1 million loan that bears interest at 4.22% and matures on February 1, 2022.

        The Company has arranged a $140 million, 10-year fixed rate loan on Pacific View. The loan is expected to close in March 2012 with an interest rate of 4.00%. The property is currently unencumbered by debt.

        The Company expects to obtain in the near future a construction loan for the Fashion Outlets of Chicago that will allow for borrowings of up to $130 million and will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% and mature in February 2015 with two one-year extension options. The loan will allow for an additional $10 million of borrowings, depending upon certain conditions.

        In February 2012, the Company entered into an arrangement for a $220.0 million, 10-year fixed rate loan to replace the existing loan on The Oaks. The new loan is expected to close in April 2012 with an interest rate of approximately 4.10%.

Redevelopment and Development Activity:

        In August 2011, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with a subsidiary of AWE/Talisman for the development of the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in the Village of Rosemont, Illinois. The Company will own 60% of the joint venture and AWE/Talisman will own 40%. The Center will be a fully enclosed two level, 528,000 square foot outlet center. The site is located within a mile of O'Hare International Airport. The project broke ground in November 2011 and is expected to be completed in Summer 2013. The total estimated project cost is approximately $200.0 million.

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Other Transactions and Events:

        On July 15, 2010, a court appointed receiver assumed operational control of Valley View Center and responsibility for managing all aspects of the property. The Company anticipates the disposition of the asset, which is under the control of the receiver, will be executed through foreclosure, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, or by some other means, and will be completed in the near future. Although the Company is no longer funding any cash shortfall, it continues to record the operations of Valley View Center until the title for the Center is transferred and its obligation for the loan is discharged. Once title to the Center is transferred, the Company will remove the net assets and liabilities from the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The mortgage note payable on Valley View Center is non-recourse to the Company.

        On April 1, 2011, the Company's joint venture in SDG Macerich conveyed Granite Run Mall to the mortgage note lender by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. The mortgage note was non-recourse. The Company's pro rata share of gain on early extinguishment of debt was $7.8 million.

        On May 11, 2011, the non-recourse mortgage note payable on Shoppingtown Mall went into maturity default. As a result of the maturity default and the corresponding reduction of the expected holding period, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $35.7 million to write-down the carrying value of the long-lived assets to its estimated fair value. On September 14, 2011, the Company exercised its right and redeemed the outside ownership interests in Shoppingtown Mall for a cash payment of $11.4 million. On December 30, 2011, the Company conveyed Shoppingtown Mall to the mortgage note lender by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. As a result of the conveyance, the Company recognized a $3.9 million additional loss on the disposal of the property.

        As of December 1, 2011, the Prescott Gateway non-recourse loan was in maturity default. The Company is negotiating with the lender and the outcome is uncertain at this time.

The Shopping Center Industry

General:

        There are several types of retail shopping centers, which are differentiated primarily based on size and marketing strategy. Regional shopping centers generally contain in excess of 400,000 square feet of GLA and are typically anchored by two or more department or large retail stores ("Anchors") and are referred to as "Regional Shopping Centers" or "Malls." Regional Shopping Centers also typically contain numerous diversified retail stores ("Mall Stores"), most of which are national or regional retailers typically located along corridors connecting the Anchors. "Strip centers," "urban villages" or "specialty centers" ("Community Shopping Centers") are retail shopping centers that are designed to attract local or neighborhood customers and are typically anchored by one or more supermarkets, discount department stores and/or drug stores. Community Shopping Centers typically contain 100,000 square feet to 400,000 square feet of GLA. Outlet Centers generally contain a wide variety of designer and manufacturer stores located in an open-air center and typically range in size from 200,000 to 850,000 square feet of GLA. In addition, freestanding retail stores are located along the perimeter of the shopping centers ("Freestanding Stores"). Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores over 10,000 square feet are also referred to as "Big Box." Anchors, Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores and other tenants typically contribute funds for the maintenance of the common areas, property taxes, insurance, advertising and other expenditures related to the operation of the shopping center.

Regional Shopping Centers:

        A Regional Shopping Center draws from its trade area by offering a variety of fashion merchandise, hard goods and services and entertainment, often in an enclosed, climate controlled environment with convenient parking. Regional Shopping Centers provide an array of retail shops and entertainment facilities and often serve as the town center and a gathering place for community, charity, and promotional events.

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        Regional Shopping Centers have generally provided owners with relatively stable income despite the cyclical nature of the retail business. This stability is due both to the diversity of tenants and to the typical dominance of Regional Shopping Centers in their trade areas.

        Regional Shopping Centers have different strategies with regard to price, merchandise offered and tenant mix, and are generally tailored to meet the needs of their trade areas. Anchors are located along common areas in a configuration designed to maximize consumer traffic for the benefit of the Mall Stores. Mall GLA, which generally refers to GLA contiguous to the Anchors for tenants other than Anchors, is leased to a wide variety of smaller retailers. Mall Stores typically account for the majority of the revenues of a Regional Shopping Center.

Business of the Company

Strategy:

        The Company has a long-term four-pronged business strategy that focuses on the acquisition, leasing and management, redevelopment and development of Regional Shopping Centers.

        Acquisitions.    The Company principally focuses on well-located, quality Regional Shopping Centers that can be dominant in their trade area and have strong revenue enhancement potential. In addition, the Company pursues other opportunistic acquisitions of property that include retail and will complement the Company's portfolio such as Outlet Centers. The Company subsequently seeks to improve operating performance and returns from these properties through leasing, management and redevelopment. Since its initial public offering, the Company has acquired interests in shopping centers nationwide. The Company believes that it is geographically well positioned to cultivate and maintain ongoing relationships with potential sellers and financial institutions and to act quickly when acquisition opportunities arise. (See "Recent Developments—Acquisitions").

        Leasing and Management.    The Company believes that the shopping center business requires specialized skills across a broad array of disciplines for effective and profitable operations. For this reason, the Company has developed a fully integrated real estate organization with in-house acquisition, accounting, development, finance, information technology, leasing, legal, marketing, property management and redevelopment expertise. In addition, the Company emphasizes a philosophy of decentralized property management, leasing and marketing performed by on-site professionals. The Company believes that this strategy results in the optimal operation, tenant mix and drawing power of each Center, as well as the ability to quickly respond to changing competitive conditions of the Center's trade area.

        The Company believes that on-site property managers can most effectively operate the Centers. Each Center's property manager is responsible for overseeing the operations, marketing, maintenance and security functions at the Center. Property managers focus special attention on controlling operating costs, a key element in the profitability of the Centers, and seek to develop strong relationships with and be responsive to the needs of retailers.

        Similarly, the Company generally utilizes on-site and regionally located leasing managers to better understand the market and the community in which a Center is located. The Company continually assesses and fine tunes each Center's tenant mix, identifies and replaces underperforming tenants and seeks to optimize existing tenant sizes and configurations.

        On a selective basis, the Company provides property management and leasing services for third parties. The Company currently manages four regional shopping centers and three community centers for third party owners on a fee basis.

        Redevelopment.    One of the major components of the Company's growth strategy is its ability to redevelop acquired properties. For this reason, the Company has built a staff of redevelopment

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professionals who have primary responsibility for identifying redevelopment opportunities that they believe will result in enhanced long-term financial returns and market position for the Centers. The redevelopment professionals oversee the design and construction of the projects in addition to obtaining required governmental approvals. (See "Recent Developments—Redevelopment and Development Activity").

        Development.    The Company pursues ground-up development projects on a selective basis. The Company has supplemented its strong acquisition, operations and redevelopment skills with its ground-up development expertise to further increase growth opportunities. (See "Recent Developments—Redevelopment and Development Activity").

The Centers

        As of December 31, 2011, the Centers consist of 65 Regional Shopping Centers and 14 Community Shopping Centers totaling approximately 66 million square feet of GLA. The 65 Regional Shopping Centers in the Company's portfolio average approximately 923,000 square feet of GLA and range in size from 2.1 million square feet of GLA at Tysons Corner Center to 314,000 square feet of GLA at Panorama Mall. The Company's 14 Community Shopping Centers have an average of approximately 298,000 square feet of GLA. As of December 31, 2011, the Centers included 256 Anchors totaling approximately 34.5 million square feet of GLA and approximately 8,100 Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores totaling approximately 31.8 million square feet of GLA.

Competition

        There are numerous owners and developers of real estate that compete with the Company in its trade areas. There are eight other publicly traded mall companies in the United States and several large private mall companies, any of which under certain circumstances could compete against the Company for an acquisition of an Anchor or a tenant. In addition, other REITs, private real estate companies, and financial buyers compete with the Company in terms of acquisitions. This results in competition for both the acquisition of properties or centers and for tenants or Anchors to occupy space. Competition for property acquisitions may result in increased purchase prices and may adversely affect the Company's ability to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms. The existence of competing shopping centers could have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to lease space and on the level of rents that can be achieved. There is also increasing competition from other retail formats and technologies, such as lifestyle centers, power centers, Internet shopping, home shopping networks, outlet centers, discount shopping clubs and mail-order services that could adversely affect the Company's revenues.

        In making leasing decisions, the Company believes that retailers consider the following material factors relating to a center: quality, design and location, including consumer demographics; rental rates; type and quality of Anchors and retailers at the center; and management and operational experience and strategy of the center. The Company believes it is able to compete effectively for retail tenants in its local markets based on these criteria in light of the overall size, quality and diversity of its Centers.

Major Tenants

        The Centers derived approximately 79% of their total rents for the year ended December 31, 2011 from Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores under 10,000 square feet. Big Box and Anchor tenants accounted for 21% of total rents for the year ended December 31, 2011.

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        The following retailers (including their subsidiaries) represent the 10 largest rent payers in the Centers (excluding Valley View Center, which is under the control of a court appointed receiver) based upon total rents in place as of December 31, 2011:

Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores

        Mall Store and Freestanding Store leases generally provide for tenants to pay rent comprised of a base (or "minimum") rent and a percentage rent based on sales. In some cases, tenants pay only minimum rent, and in other cases, tenants pay only percentage rent. The Company has generally entered into leases for Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores that require tenants to pay a stated amount for operating expenses, generally excluding property taxes, regardless of the expenses the Company actually incurs at any Center. Additionally, certain leases for Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores contain provisions that require tenants to pay their pro rata share of maintenance of the common areas, property taxes, insurance, advertising and other expenditures related to the operations of the Center.

        Tenant space of 10,000 square feet and under in the Company's portfolio at December 31, 2011 comprises 66.9% of all Mall Store and Freestanding Store space. The Company uses tenant spaces of 10,000 square feet and under for comparing rental rate activity because this space is more consistent in terms of shape and configuration and, as such, the Company is able to provide a meaningful comparison of rental rate activity for this space. Mall Store and Freestanding Store space greater than 10,000 square feet is inconsistent in size and configuration throughout the Company's portfolio and as a result does not lend itself to a meaningful comparison of rental rate activity with the Company's other space. Most of the non-Anchor space over 10,000 square feet is not physically connected to the mall, does not share the same common area amenities and does not benefit from the foot traffic in the mall.

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As a result, space greater than 10,000 square feet has a unique rent structure that is inconsistent with mall space under 10,000 square feet.

        The following tables set forth the average base rent per square foot for the Centers, as of December 31 for each of the past five years:

Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores under 10,000 square feet:

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Big Box and Anchors:

Cost of Occupancy

        A major factor contributing to tenant profitability is cost of occupancy, which consists of tenant occupancy costs charged by the Company. Tenant expenses included in this calculation are minimum rents, percentage rents and recoverable expenditures, which consist primarily of property operating expenses, real estate taxes and repair and maintenance expenditures. These tenant charges are collectively referred to as tenant occupancy costs. These tenant occupancy costs are compared to tenant sales. A low cost of occupancy percentage shows more capacity for the Company to increase rents at

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the time of lease renewal than a high cost of occupancy percentage. The following table summarizes occupancy costs for Mall Store and Freestanding Store tenants in the Centers as a percentage of total Mall Store sales for the last five years:

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Lease Expirations

        The following tables show scheduled lease expirations for Centers owned as of December 31, 2011, excluding Valley View Center because the Center is under the control of a court appointed receiver, for the next ten years, assuming that none of the tenants exercise renewal options:

Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores under 10,000 square feet:

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Big Boxes and Anchors:

Anchors

        Anchors have traditionally been a major factor in the public's identification with Regional Shopping Centers. Anchors are generally department stores whose merchandise appeals to a broad range of shoppers. Although the Centers receive a smaller percentage of their operating income from Anchors than from Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores, strong Anchors play an important part in maintaining customer traffic and making the Centers desirable locations for Mall Store and Freestanding Store tenants.

        Anchors either own their stores, the land under them and in some cases adjacent parking areas, or enter into long-term leases with an owner at rates that are lower than the rents charged to tenants of Mall Stores and Freestanding Stores. Each Anchor that owns its own store and certain Anchors that lease their stores enter into reciprocal easement agreements with the owner of the Center covering, among other things, operational matters, initial construction and future expansion.

        Anchors accounted for approximately 7.3% of the Company's total rents for the year ended December 31, 2011.

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        The following table identifies each Anchor, each parent company that owns multiple Anchors and the number of square feet owned or leased by each such Anchor or parent company in the Company's portfolio at December 31, 2011. Anchors at Valley View Center are excluded from the table below because the Center is under the control of a court appointed receiver.

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Environmental Matters

        Each of the Centers has been subjected to an Environmental Site Assessment—Phase I (which involves review of publicly available information and general property inspections, but does not involve soil sampling or ground water analysis) completed by an environmental consultant.

        Based on these assessments, and on other information, the Company is aware of the following environmental issues, which may result in potential environmental liability and cause the Company to incur costs in responding to these liabilities or in other costs associated with future investigation or remediation:

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Asbestos.  The Company has conducted asbestos-containing materials ("ACM") surveys at various locations within the Centers. The surveys indicate that ACMs are present or suspected in certain areas, primarily vinyl floor tiles, mastics, roofing materials, drywall tape and joint compounds. The identified ACMs are generally non-friable, in good condition, and possess low probabilities for disturbance. At certain Centers where ACMs are present or suspected, however, some ACMs have been or may be classified as "friable," and ultimately may require removal under certain conditions. The Company has developed and implemented an operations and maintenance ("O&M") plan to manage ACMs in place.



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Underground Storage Tanks.  Underground storage tanks ("USTs") are or were present at certain Centers, often in connection with tenant operations at gasoline stations or automotive tire, battery and accessory service centers located at such Centers. USTs also may be or have been present at properties neighboring certain Centers. Some of these tanks have either leaked or are suspected to have leaked. Where leakage has occurred, investigation, remediation, and monitoring costs may be incurred by the Company if responsible current or former tenants, or other responsible parties, are unavailable to pay such costs.



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Chlorinated Hydrocarbons.  The presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as perchloroethylene ("PCE") and its degradation byproducts have been detected at certain Centers, often in connection with tenant dry cleaning operations. Where PCE has been detected, the Company may incur investigation, remediation and monitoring costs if responsible current or former tenants, or other responsible parties, are unavailable to pay such costs.

        See "Item 1A. Risk Factors—Possible environmental liabilities could adversely affect us."

Insurance

        Each of the Centers has comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance with insured limits customarily carried for similar properties. The Company does not insure certain types of losses (such as losses from wars) because they are either uninsurable or not economically insurable. In addition, while the Company or the relevant joint venture, as applicable, further carries specific earthquake insurance on the Centers located in California, the policies are subject to a deductible equal to 5% of the total insured value of each Center, a $100,000 per occurrence minimum and a combined annual aggregate loss limit of $150 million on these Centers. The Company or the

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relevant joint venture, as applicable, carries specific earthquake insurance on the Centers located in the Pacific Northwest. However, the policies are subject to a deductible equal to 2% of the total insured value of each Center, a $50,000 per occurrence minimum and a combined annual aggregate loss limit of $800 million on these Centers. While the Company or the relevant joint venture also carries terrorism insurance on the Centers, the policies are subject to a $50,000 deductible and a combined annual aggregate loss of $800 million. Each Center has environmental insurance covering eligible third-party losses, remediation and non-owned disposal sites, subject to a $100,000 deductible and a $20 million five-year aggregate limit. Some environmental losses are not covered by this insurance because they are uninsurable or not economically insurable. Furthermore, the Company carries title insurance on substantially all of the Centers for less than their full value.

Qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust

        The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), commencing with its first taxable year ended December 31, 1994, and intends to conduct its operations so as to continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal and state income taxes on its net taxable income that it currently distributes to stockholders. Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on the Company's ability to meet certain dividend distribution tests, share ownership requirements and various qualification tests prescribed in the Code.

Employees

        As of December 31, 2011, the Company had approximately 1,377 employees, of which approximately 1,094 were full-time. Unions represent five of these employees. The Company believes that relations with its employees are good.

Seasonality

        For a discussion of the extent to which the Company's business may be seasonal, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management's Overview and Summary—Seasonality."

Available Information; Website Disclosure; Corporate Governance Documents

        The Company's corporate website address is www.macerich.com. The Company makes available free-of-charge through this website its reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and all amendments thereto, as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports have been filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. These reports are available under the heading "Investing—Financial Information—SEC Filings", through a free hyperlink to a third-party service. Information provided on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.

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        The following documents relating to Corporate Governance are available on the Company's website at www.macerich.com under "Investing—Corporate Governance":

Guidelines on Corporate Governance
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers
Audit Committee Charter
Compensation Committee Charter
Executive Committee Charter
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter

        You may also request copies of any of these documents by writing to:

Attention: Corporate Secretary
The Macerich Company
401 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
Santa Monica, CA 90401

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        The following factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and presented elsewhere by our management from time to time. This list should not be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties as it does not describe additional risks of which we are not presently aware or that we do not currently consider material. We may update our risk factors from time to time in our future periodic reports. Any of these factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

We invest primarily in shopping centers, which are subject to a number of significant risks that are beyond our control.

        Real property investments are subject to varying degrees of risk that may affect the ability of our Centers to generate sufficient revenues to meet operating and other expenses, including debt service, lease payments, capital expenditures and tenant improvements, and to make distributions to us and our stockholders. For purposes of this "Risk Factor" section, Centers wholly owned by us are referred to as "Wholly Owned Centers" and Centers that are partly but not wholly owned by us are referred to as "Joint Venture Centers." A number of factors may decrease the income generated by the Centers, including:

•

the national economic climate (including the continued impact of the severe economic recession that began in 2007);



•

the regional and local economy (which may be negatively impacted by rising unemployment, declining real estate values, increased foreclosures, higher taxes, plant closings, industry slowdowns, union activity, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities and other factors);



•

local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of, or a reduction in demand for, retail space or retail goods, decreases in rental rates, declining real estate values and the availability and creditworthiness of current and prospective tenants);



•

decreased levels of consumer spending, consumer confidence, and seasonal spending (especially during the holiday season when many retailers generate a disproportionate amount of their annual sales);

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•

negative perceptions by retailers or shoppers of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of a Center; and



•

increased costs of maintenance, insurance and operations (including real estate taxes).

        Income from shopping center properties and shopping center values are also affected by applicable laws and regulations, including tax, environmental, safety and zoning laws.

Continued economic weakness from the severe economic recession that began in 2007 may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

        The U.S. economy is still experiencing weakness from the severe recession that began in 2007 and resulted in increased unemployment, the bankruptcy or weakened financial condition of a number of large retailers, a decline in residential and commercial property values and reduced demand and rental rates for retail space. Although the U.S. economy has improved, high levels of unemployment have persisted, and rental rates and valuations for retail space have not fully recovered to pre-recession levels and may not for a number of years. We may continue to experience downward pressure on the rental rates we are able to charge as leases signed prior to the recession expire, and tenants may declare bankruptcy, announce store closings or fail to meet their lease obligations, any of which could adversely affect the value of our properties and our financial condition and results of operations.

A significant percentage of our Centers are geographically concentrated and, as a result, are sensitive to local economic and real estate conditions.

        A significant percentage of our Centers are located in California and Arizona, and eight Centers in the aggregate are located in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Many of these states have been more adversely affected by weak economic and real estate conditions than have other states. To the extent that weak economic or real estate conditions, including as a result of the factors described in the preceding risk factors, or other factors continue to affect or affect California, Arizona, New York, New Jersey or Connecticut (or their respective regions) more severely than other areas of the country, our financial performance could be negatively impacted.

We are in a competitive business.

        There are numerous owners and developers of real estate that compete with us in our trade areas. There are seven other publicly traded mall companies in the United States and several large private mall companies, any of which under certain circumstances could compete against us for an acquisition of an Anchor or a tenant. In addition, other REITs, private real estate companies, and financial buyers compete with us in terms of acquisitions. This results in competition both for the acquisition of properties or centers and for tenants or Anchors to occupy space. Competition for property acquisitions may result in increased purchase prices and may adversely affect our ability to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms. The existence of competing shopping centers could have a material adverse impact on our ability to lease space and on the level of rents that can be achieved. There is also increasing competition from other retail formats and technologies, such as lifestyle centers, power centers, Internet shopping, home shopping networks, outlet centers, discount shopping clubs and mail-order services that could adversely affect our revenues.

We may be unable to renew leases, lease vacant space or re-let space as leases expire, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

        There are no assurances that our leases will be renewed or that vacant space in our Centers will be re-let at net effective rental rates equal to or above the current average net effective rental rates or that substantial rent abatements, tenant improvements, early termination rights or below-market renewal options will not be offered to attract new tenants or retain existing tenants. If the rental rates

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at our Centers decrease, if our existing tenants do not renew their leases or if we do not re-let a significant portion of our available space and space for which leases will expire, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

If Anchors or other significant tenants experience a downturn in their business, close or sell stores or declare bankruptcy, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

        Our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected if a downturn in the business of, or the bankruptcy or insolvency, of an Anchor or other significant tenant leads them to close retail stores or terminate their leases after seeking protection under the bankruptcy laws from their creditors, including us as lessor. In recent years a number of companies in the retail industry, including some of our tenants, have declared bankruptcy or have gone out of business. We may be unable to re-let stores vacated as a result of voluntary closures or the bankruptcy of a tenant. Furthermore, if the store sales of retailers operating at our Centers decline significantly due to adverse economic conditions or for any other reason, tenants might be unable to pay their minimum rents or expense recovery charges. In the event of a default by a lessee, the affected Center may experience delays and costs in enforcing its rights as lessor.

        In addition, Anchors and/or tenants at one or more Centers might terminate their leases as a result of mergers, acquisitions, consolidations or dispositions in the retail industry. The sale of an Anchor or store to a less desirable retailer may reduce occupancy levels, customer traffic and rental income. Given current economic conditions, there is an increased risk that Anchors or other significant tenants will sell stores operating in our Centers or consolidate duplicate or geographically overlapping store locations. Store closures by an Anchor and/or a significant number of tenants may allow other Anchors and/or certain other tenants to terminate their leases, receive reduced rent and/or cease operating their stores at the Center or otherwise adversely affect occupancy at the Center.

Our acquisition and real estate development strategies may not be successful.

        Our historical growth in revenues, net income and funds from operations has been in part tied to the acquisition and redevelopment of shopping centers. Many factors, including the availability and cost of capital, our total amount of debt outstanding, our ability to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all, interest rates and the availability of attractive acquisition targets, among others, will affect our ability to acquire and redevelop additional properties in the future. We may not be successful in pursuing acquisition opportunities, and newly acquired properties may not perform as well as expected. Expenses arising from our efforts to complete acquisitions, redevelop properties or increase our market penetration may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We face competition for acquisitions primarily from other REITs, as well as from private real estate companies and financial buyers. Some of our competitors have greater financial and other resources. Increased competition for shopping center acquisitions may result in increased purchase prices and may impact adversely our ability to acquire additional properties on favorable terms. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to implement our growth strategy successfully or manage our expanded operations effectively and profitably.

        We may not be able to achieve the anticipated financial and operating results from newly acquired assets. Some of the factors that could affect anticipated results are:

•

our ability to integrate and manage new properties, including increasing occupancy rates and rents at such properties;



•

the disposal of non-core assets within an expected time frame; and



•

our ability to raise long-term financing to implement a capital structure at a cost of capital consistent with our business strategy.

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        Our business strategy also includes the selective development and construction of retail properties. Any development, redevelopment and construction activities that we may undertake will be subject to the risks of real estate development, including lack of financing, construction delays, environmental requirements, budget overruns, sunk costs and lease-up. Furthermore, occupancy rates and rents at a newly completed property may not be sufficient to make the property profitable. Real estate development activities are also subject to risks relating to the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, all necessary zoning, land-use, building, and occupancy and other required governmental permits and authorizations. If any of the above events occur, our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders and service our indebtedness could be adversely affected.

We may be unable to sell properties at the time we desire and on favorable terms.

        Investments in real estate are relatively illiquid, which limits our ability to adjust our portfolio in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Moreover, there are some limitations under federal income tax laws applicable to REITs that limit our ability to sell assets. In addition, because our properties are generally mortgaged to secure our debts, we may not be able to obtain a release of a lien on a mortgaged property without the payment of the associated debt and/or a substantial prepayment penalty, which restricts our ability to dispose of a property, even though the sale might otherwise be desirable. Furthermore, the number of prospective buyers interested in purchasing shopping centers is limited. Therefore, if we want to sell one or more of our Centers, we may not be able to dispose of it in the desired time period and may receive less consideration than we originally invested in the Center.

Possible environmental liabilities could adversely affect us.

        Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in that real property. These laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances. The costs of investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances may be substantial. In addition, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances, or the failure to remedy environmental hazards properly, may adversely affect the owner's or operator's ability to sell or rent affected real property or to borrow money using affected real property as collateral.

        Persons or entities that arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at the disposal or treatment facility, whether or not that facility is owned or operated by the person or entity arranging for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances. Laws exist that impose liability for release of asbestos containing materials ("ACMs") into the air, and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real property for personal injury associated with exposure to ACMs. In connection with our ownership, operation, management, development and redevelopment of the Centers, or any other centers or properties we acquire in the future, we may be potentially liable under these laws and may incur costs in responding to these liabilities.

Some of our properties are subject to potential natural or other disasters.

        Some of our Centers are located in areas that are subject to natural disasters, including our Centers in California or in other areas with higher risk of earthquakes, our Centers in flood plains or in areas that may be adversely affected by tornados, as well as our Centers in coastal regions that may be adversely affected by increases in sea levels or in the frequency or severity of hurricanes and tropical storms.

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Uninsured losses could adversely affect our financial condition.

        Each of our Centers has comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and rental loss insurance with insured limits customarily carried for similar properties. We do not insure certain types of losses (such as losses from wars), because they are either uninsurable or not economically insurable. In addition, while we or the relevant joint venture, as applicable, carries specific earthquake insurance on the Centers located in California, the policies are subject to a deductible equal to 5% of the total insured value of each Center, a $100,000 per occurrence minimum and a combined annual aggregate loss limit of $150 million on these Centers. We or the relevant joint venture, as applicable, carries specific earthquake insurance on the Centers located in the Pacific Northwest. However, the policies are subject to a deductible equal to 2% of the total insured value of each Center, a $50,000 per occurrence minimum and a combined annual aggregate loss limit of $800 million on these Centers. While we or the relevant joint venture also carries terrorism insurance on the Centers, the policies are subject to a $50,000 deductible and a combined annual aggregate loss of $800 million. Each Center has environmental insurance covering eligible third-party losses, remediation and non-owned disposal sites, subject to a $100,000 deductible and a $20 million five-year aggregate limit. Some environmental losses are not covered by this insurance because they are uninsurable or not economically insurable. Furthermore, we carry title insurance on all of the Centers for generally less than their full value.

        If an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occurs, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the property, but may remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property.

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

        If inflation increases in the future, we may experience any or all of the following:

•

Difficulty in replacing or renewing expiring leases with new leases at higher rents;



•

Decreasing tenant sales as a result of decreased consumer spending which could adversely affect the ability of our tenants to meet their rent obligations and/or result in lower percentage rents; and



•

An inability to receive reimbursement from our tenants for their share of certain operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance.

We have substantial debt that could affect our future operations.

        Our total outstanding loan indebtedness at December 31, 2011 was $6.2 billion (which includes $852.8 million of unsecured debt and $1.9 billion of our pro rata share of joint venture debt). Approximately $737.0 million of such indebtedness (at our pro rata share), including $437.8 million of Senior Notes, matures in 2012 (excluding Valley View Center, Prescott Gateway and refinancing transactions that have recently closed). As a result of this substantial indebtedness, we are required to use a material portion of our cash flow to service principal and interest on our debt, which limits the amount of cash available for other business opportunities. We are also subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the risk that our cash flow from operations will be insufficient to meet required debt service and that rising interest rates could adversely affect our debt service costs. In addition, our use of interest rate hedging arrangements may expose us to additional risks, including that the counterparty to the arrangement may fail to honor its obligations and that termination of these arrangements typically involves costs such as transaction fees or breakage costs. Furthermore, a majority of our Centers are mortgaged to secure payment of indebtedness, and if income from the Center is insufficient to pay that indebtedness, the Center could be foreclosed upon by the mortgagee resulting in a loss of income and a decline in our total asset value.

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We are obligated to comply with financial and other covenants that could affect our operating activities.

        Our unsecured credit facilities contain financial covenants, including interest coverage requirements, as well as limitations on our ability to incur debt, make dividend payments and make certain acquisitions. These covenants may restrict our ability to pursue certain business initiatives or certain transactions that might otherwise be advantageous. In addition, failure to meet certain of these financial covenants could cause an event of default under and/or accelerate some or all of such indebtedness which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We depend on external financings for our growth and ongoing debt service requirements.

        We depend primarily on external financings, principally debt financings and, in more limited circumstances, equity financings, to fund the growth of our business and to ensure that we can meet ongoing maturities of our outstanding debt. Our access to financing depends on the willingness of banks, lenders and other institutions to lend to us based on their underwriting criteria which can fluctuate with market conditions and on conditions in the capital markets in general. The credit markets experienced a severe dislocation during 2008 and 2009, which, for certain periods of time, resulted in the near unavailability of debt financing for even the most creditworthy borrowers. Although the credit markets have recovered from this severe dislocation, there are a number of continuing effects, including a weakening of many traditional sources of debt financing and changes in underwriting standards and terms. Since the severe recession that began in 2007, the capital markets have also experienced and may continue to experience significant volatility and disruption. While the capital markets have shown signs of improvement, the sustainability of an economic recovery is uncertain and additional levels of market disruption and volatility could materially adversely impact our ability to access the capital markets for equity financings. There are no assurances that we will continue to be able to obtain the financing we need for future growth or to meet our debt service as obligations mature, or that the financing will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, any debt refinancing could also impose more restrictive terms.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Certain individuals have substantial influence over the management of both us and the Operating Partnership, which may create conflicts of interest.

        Under the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership, we, as the sole general partner, are responsible for the management of the Operating Partnership's business and affairs. Three of the principals of the Operating Partnership serve as our executive officers, and a member of our board of directors. Accordingly, these principals have substantial influence over our management and the management of the Operating Partnership. As a result, certain decisions concerning our operations or other matters affecting us may present conflicts of interest for these individuals.

Outside partners in Joint Venture Centers result in additional risks to our stockholders.

        We own partial interests in property partnerships that own 34 Joint Venture Centers as well as several development sites. We may acquire partial interests in additional properties through joint venture arrangements. Investments in Joint Venture Centers involve risks different from those of investments in Wholly Owned Centers.

        We may have fiduciary responsibilities to our partners that could affect decisions concerning the Joint Venture Centers. Third parties may share control of major decisions relating to the Joint Venture Centers, including decisions with respect to sales, refinancings and the timing and amount of additional capital contributions, as well as decisions that could have an adverse impact on our status. For example, we may lose our management and other rights relating to the Joint Venture Centers if:

•

we fail to contribute our share of additional capital needed by the property partnerships;

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•

we default under a partnership agreement for a property partnership or other agreements relating to the property partnerships or the Joint Venture Centers; or



•

with respect to certain of the Joint Venture Centers, if certain designated key employees no longer are employed in the designated positions.

        In addition, some of our outside partners control the day-to-day operations of two Joint Venture Centers (NorthPark Center and West Acres Center). We, therefore, do not control cash distributions from these Centers, and the lack of cash distributions from these Centers could jeopardize our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT. Furthermore, certain Joint Venture Centers have debt that could become recourse debt to us if the Joint Venture Center is unable to discharge such debt obligation.

        Our percentage ownership interest in the equity of a joint venture vehicle may not reflect our economic interest in the Joint Venture Center owned by the entity, since each joint venture has various agreements regarding cash flow, profits and losses, allocations, capital requirements, priority on return of capital, preferential returns to joint venture partners, incentive compensation for the joint venture manager and other matters.

Our holding company structure makes us dependent on distributions from the Operating Partnership.

        Because we conduct our operations through the Operating Partnership, our ability to service our debt obligations and pay dividends to our stockholders is strictly dependent upon the earnings and cash flows of the Operating Partnership and the ability of the Operating Partnership to make distributions to us. Under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the Operating Partnership is prohibited from making any distribution to us to the extent that at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, all liabilities of the Operating Partnership (other than some non-recourse liabilities and some liabilities to the partners) exceed the fair value of the assets of the Operating Partnership. An inability to make cash distributions from the Operating Partnership could jeopardize our ability to maintain qualification as a REIT.

An ownership limit and certain anti-takeover defenses could inhibit a change of control or reduce the value of our common stock.

        The Ownership Limit.    In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock (after taking into account options to acquire stock) may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include some entities that would not ordinarily be considered "individuals") during the last half of a taxable year. Our Charter restricts ownership of more than 5% (the "Ownership Limit") of the lesser of the number or value of our outstanding shares of stock by any single stockholder or a group of stockholders (with limited exceptions for some holders of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership, and their respective families and affiliated entities, including all three principals who serve as one of our executive officers and directors). In addition to enhancing preservation of our status as a REIT, the Ownership Limit may:

•

have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us or other transaction without the approval of our board of directors, even if the change in control or other transaction is in the best interest of our stockholders; and



•

limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their common stock or preferred stock that they might otherwise receive if an investor were attempting to acquire a block of stock in excess of the Ownership Limit or otherwise effect a change in control of us.

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        Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may waive or modify (subject to limitations) the Ownership Limit with respect to one or more of our stockholders, if it is satisfied that ownership in excess of this limit will not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

        Selected Provisions of our Charter and Bylaws.    Some of the provisions of our Charter and bylaws may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us and may inhibit a change in control that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interest or that could give our stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market prices for our shares. These provisions include the following:

•

advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations of directors and stockholder proposals to be considered at stockholder meetings;



•

the obligation of the directors to consider a variety of factors (in addition to maximizing stockholder value) with respect to a proposed business combination or other change of control transaction;



•

the authority of the directors to classify or reclassify unissued shares and issue one or more series of common stock or preferred stock;



•

the authority to create and issue rights entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of stock or other securities or property from us; and



•

limitations on the amendment of our Charter and bylaws, the dissolution or change in control of us, and the liability of our directors and officers.

        Selected Provisions of Maryland Law.    The Maryland General Corporation Law prohibits business combinations between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (which includes any person who beneficially holds 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's outstanding voting stock or any affiliate or associate of ours who was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's outstanding stock at any time within the two year period prior to the date in question) or its affiliates for five years following the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder and, after the five-year period, requires the recommendation of the board of directors and two super-majority stockholder votes to approve a business combination unless the stockholders receive a minimum price determined by the statute. As permitted by Maryland law, our Charter exempts from these provisions any business combination between us and the principals and their respective affiliates and related persons. Maryland law also allows the board of directors to exempt particular business combinations before the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Furthermore, a person is not an interested stockholder if the transaction by which he or she would otherwise have become an interested stockholder is approved in advance by the board of directors.

        The Maryland General Corporation Law also provides that the acquirer of certain levels of voting power in electing directors of a Maryland corporation (one-tenth or more but less than one-third, one-third or more but less than a majority and a majority or more) is not entitled to vote the shares in excess of the applicable threshold, unless voting rights for the shares are approved by holders of two-thirds of the disinterested shares or unless the acquisition of the shares has been specifically or generally approved or exempted from the statute by a provision in our Charter or bylaws adopted before the acquisition of the shares. Our Charter exempts from these provisions voting rights of shares owned or acquired by the principals and their respective affiliates and related persons. Our bylaws also contain a provision exempting from this statute any acquisition by any person of shares of our common stock. There can be no assurance that this bylaw will not be amended or eliminated in the future. The Maryland General Corporation Law and our Charter also contain supermajority voting requirements with respect to our ability to amend our Charter, dissolve, merge, or sell all or substantially all of our assets.

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FEDERAL INCOME TAX RISKS

The tax consequences of the sale of some of the Centers and certain holdings of the principals may create conflicts of interest.

        The principals will experience negative tax consequences if some of the Centers are sold. As a result, the principals may not favor a sale of these Centers even though such a sale may benefit our other stockholders. In addition, the principals may have different interests than our stockholders because they are significant holders of the Operating Partnership.

If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT, we will have reduced funds available for distributions to our stockholders.

        We believe that we currently qualify as a REIT. No assurance can be given that we will remain qualified as a REIT. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations. The complexity of these provisions and of the applicable income tax regulations is greater in the case of a REIT structure like ours that holds assets in partnership form. The determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control, including determinations by our partners in the Joint Venture Centers, may affect our continued qualification as a REIT. In addition, legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could significantly change the tax laws with respect to our qualification as a REIT or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of that qualification.

        In addition, we currently hold certain of our properties through subsidiaries that have elected to be taxed as REITs and we may in the future determine that it is in our best interests to hold one or more of our other properties through one or more subsidiaries that elect to be taxed as REITs. If any of these subsidiaries fails to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we may also fail to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

        If in any taxable year we were to fail to qualify as a REIT, we will suffer the following negative results:

•

we will not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in computing our taxable income; and



•

we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates.

        In addition, if we were to lose our REIT status, we will be prohibited from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which the qualification was lost, absent relief under statutory provisions. As a result, net income and the funds available for distributions to our stockholders would be reduced for at least five years and the fair market value of our shares could be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, the Internal Revenue Service could challenge our REIT status for past periods, which if successful could result in us owing a material amount of tax for prior periods. It is possible that future economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations might cause our board of directors to revoke our REIT election.

        Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we might face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow. Further, we might be subject to federal, state and local taxes on our income and property. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distributions to stockholders.

Complying with REIT requirements might cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.

        In order to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must satisfy tests concerning, among other things, our sources of income, the nature of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. We may also be required to make

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distributions to our stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Thus, compliance with REIT requirements may cause us to forego opportunities we would otherwise pursue.

        In addition, the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code impose a 100% tax on income from "prohibited transactions." Prohibited transactions generally include sales of assets that constitute inventory or other property held for sale in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property. This 100% tax could impact our desire to sell assets and other investments at otherwise opportune times if we believe such sales could be considered a prohibited transaction.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to borrow or take other measures to make distributions to our stockholders.

        As a REIT, we generally must distribute 90% of our annual taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to our stockholders. From time to time, we might generate taxable income greater than our net income for financial reporting purposes, or our taxable income might be greater than our cash flow available for distributions to our stockholders. If we do not have other funds available in these situations, we might be unable to distribute 90% of our taxable income as required by the REIT rules. In that case, we would need to borrow funds, liquidate or sell a portion of our properties or investments (potentially at disadvantageous or unfavorable prices), in certain limited cases distribute a combination of cash and stock (at our stockholders' election but subject to an aggregate cash limit established by the Company) or find another alternative source of funds. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. In addition, to the extent we borrow funds to pay distributions, the amount of cash available to us in future periods will be decreased by the amount of cash flow we will need to service principal and interest on the amounts we borrow, which will limit cash flow available to us for other investments or business opportunities.

Tax legislative or regulatory action could adversely affect investors.

        In recent years, numerous legislative, judicial, and administrative changes have been made to the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to investments similar to an investment in our stock. Additional changes to tax laws are likely to continue in the future, and we cannot assure you that any such changes will not adversely affect the taxation of us or our stockholders. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our stock or on the market value or the resale potential of our properties.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Centers and other locations that are wholly owned or partly owned by the Company. Valley View Center is excluded from the table below because it is under the control of a court appointed receiver.

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Mortgage Debt

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding the mortgages encumbering the Centers, including those Centers in which the Company has less than a 100% interest. The information set forth below is as of December 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands):