UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
OR
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from_____________ to _____________
Commission File Number 001-08546
TRINITY PLACE HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (212) 235-2190
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. Yes x No ¨
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 (Section 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 xNo ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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. (Check One):
Large Accelerated Filer ¨ Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer ¨
Smaller Reporting Company ¨ Emerging Growth Company ¨
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). Yes ¨ Nox
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes x No¨
As of November 8, 2017, there were 31,451,796 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.
INDEX
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value and share amounts)
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Note 1 – Business
Overview
Trinity Place Holdings Inc. (“Trinity,” “we”, “our”, or “us”) is a real estate holding, investment and asset management company. Our business is primarily to acquire, invest in, own, manage, develop or redevelop and sell real estate assets and/or real estate related securities. Our largest asset is a property located at 77 Greenwich Street (“77 Greenwich”) in Lower Manhattan. 77 Greenwich is a vacant building that was demolished and is under development as a residential condominium tower that also includes plans for retail and a New York City elementary school. We also own a retail strip center located in West Palm Beach, Florida, a property formerly occupied by a retail tenant in Paramus, New Jersey, and, through a joint venture, a 50% interest in a newly constructed 95-unit multi-family property, known as The Berkley, located in Brooklyn, New York. We continue to evaluate new investment opportunities.
We control a variety of intellectual property assets focused on the consumer sector, including our on-line marketplace at FilenesBasement.com, our rights to the Stanley Blacker® brand, as well as the intellectual property associated with the Running of the Brides® event and An Educated Consumer is Our Best Customer® slogan. We also had approximately $230.3 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) at September 30, 2017.
Trinity is the successor to Syms Corp. (“Syms”), which also owned Filene’s Basement. Syms and its subsidiaries filed for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code in 2011. In September 2012, the Syms Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) became effective and Syms and its subsidiaries consummated their reorganization under Chapter 11 through a series of transactions contemplated by the Plan and emerged from bankruptcy. As part of those transactions, reorganized Syms merged with and into Trinity, with Trinity as the surviving corporation and successor issuer pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Exchange Act. On or about March 8, 2016, a General Unsecured Claim Satisfaction occurred under the Plan. On March 14, 2016, we made the final Majority Shareholder payment (as defined in the Plan) to the former Majority Shareholder in the amount of approximately $6.9 million. Together these satisfied our remaining payment and reserve obligations under the Plan.
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include our financial statements and the financial statements of our wholly-owned subsidiaries.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information has been prepared according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with such rules and regulations. Our management believes that the disclosures presented in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In management’s opinion, all adjustments and eliminations, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for the reported periods have been included. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information should be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2016 audited consolidated financial statements, as previously filed with the SEC in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2016 Annual Report”), and other public information.
We consolidate a variable interest entity (the “VIE”) in which we are considered the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. As of September 30, 2017, we had no VIEs.
We assess the accounting treatment for joint venture investments. This assessment includes a review of the joint venture or limited liability company agreement to determine which party has what rights and whether those rights are protective or participating. For potential VIEs, we review such agreements in order to determine which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. In situations where we and our partner approve, among other things, the annual budget, receive a detailed monthly reporting package, meet on a quarterly basis to review the results of the joint venture, review and approve the joint venture's tax return before filing, and approve all leases that cover more than a nominal amount of space relative to the total rentable space at each property, we do not consolidate the joint venture as we consider these to be substantive participation rights that result in shared power of the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the joint venture. Our joint venture agreements may contain certain protective rights such as requiring partner approval to sell, finance or refinance the property and the payment of capital expenditures and operating expenditures outside of the approved budget or operating plan.
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.
Assets and liabilities disclosed at fair value are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels, which are defined by ASC 820-10-35, are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities. Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment and we evaluate our hierarchy disclosures each quarter.
Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
ASC 740-10-65 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC 740-10-65, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. ASC 740-10-65 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. As of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had determined that no liabilities are required in connection with unrecognized tax positions. As of September 30, 2017, our tax returns for the prior three years are subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service.
We are subject to certain federal, state, local and franchise taxes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the De-recognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20) to add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets, including partial sales of real estate. Historically, U.S. GAAP contained several different accounting models to evaluate whether the transfer of certain assets qualified for sale treatment. ASU 2017-05 reduces the number of potential accounting models that might apply and clarifies which model does apply in various circumstances. ASU 2017-05 is effective for annual reporting periods after December 16, 2017, including interim reporting period within that reporting period. The adoption of ASU 2017-05 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The guidance clarifies the definition of a business and provides guidance to assist with determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The main provision is that an acquiree is not a business if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of assets. Upon the adoption of ASU No. 2017-01, we evaluate each acquisition of real estate or in-substance real estate to determine if the integrated set of assets and activities acquired meet the definition of a business and need to be accounted as a business combination. If either of the following criteria is met, the integrated set of assets and activities acquired would not qualify as a business:
An acquired process is considered substantive if:
Generally, we expect that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the revised definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e. land, buildings, and related intangible assets) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 outlines a new model for accounting by lessees, whereby their rights and obligations under substantially all leases, existing and new, would be capitalized and recorded on the balance sheet. For lessors, however, the accounting remains largely unchanged from the current model, with the distinction between operating and financing leases retained, but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard discussed above. As lessee, we are party to various office leases with future payment obligations aggregating $3.2 million at September 30, 2017 (see Note 8 - Commitments) for which we expect to record right of use assets upon adoption of ASU 2016-02. The new guidance also requires that internal leasing costs be expensed as incurred, as opposed to capitalized and deferred. We do not capitalize internal leasing costs. ASU 2016-02 will also require extensive quantitative and qualitative disclosures and is effective beginning after December 15, 2018, but early adoption is permitted.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 does not apply to our lease revenues, but will apply to reimbursed tenant costs. Additionally, this guidance modifies disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year, until years beginning in 2018, with early adoption permitted but not before 2017. Entities may adopt ASU 2014-09 using either a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients or a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of adoption. Management believes the majority of our revenue falls outside of the scope of this guidance and does not anticipate any significant changes to the timing of our revenue recognition. We intend to implement the standard retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized in retained earnings at the date of application.
Note 3 – Real Estate, Net
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, real estate, net, includes the following (in thousands):
Real estate under development as of September 30, 2017 consists of the 77 Greenwich and Paramus, New Jersey properties while real estate under development as of December 31, 2016 consists of the 77 Greenwich, Paramus, New Jersey and Westbury, New York properties. Buildings and building improvements, tenant improvements and land at both dates consist of the West Palm Beach, Florida property.
On August 4, 2017, we closed on the sale of our property located in Westbury, New York for a gross sale price of $16.0 million. The sale resulted in a gain of $3.9 million and generated approximately $15.2 million in net proceeds to us.
Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $61,000 and $57,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively, and $184,000 and $145,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The increase in depreciation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the West Palm Beach, Florida property.
Write-off of costs relating to demolished asset was approximately $3.4 million. This is related to the 77 Greenwich property’s acceleration of depreciation of the building and building improvements and demolition costs at 77 Greenwich due to the completion of demolition of the 57,000 square foot six-story commercial building.
On September 8, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours entered into an agreement pursuant to which it acquired an option to purchase a newly built 105-unit, 12 story apartment building located at 237 11th Street, Brooklyn, New York for a purchase price of $81.0 million. Under the agreement, we are entitled to exercise the option during the period commencing on February 1, 2018 and expiring on February 28, 2018. We paid an initial deposit of $8.1 million, which is included in restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, upon entering into the agreement, which is nonrefundable if we do not exercise the option. The purchase price will be funded through acquisition financing and cash on hand. The acquisition of this property, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.
Note 4 – Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Net
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, prepaid expenses and other assets, net, include the following (in thousands):
Note 5 – Loans Payable and Secured Line of Credit
Mortgages
77 Greenwich Loan
On February 9, 2015, our wholly-owned subsidiary that owns 77 Greenwich and related assets (“TPH Greenwich Borrower”), entered into a loan agreement with Sterling National Bank as lender and administrative agent (the “Agent”), and Israel Discount Bank of New York, as lender (the “Lender”), pursuant to which we borrowed $40.0 million (the “77 Greenwich Loan”). The 77 Greenwich Loan can be increased up to $50.0 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The 77 Greenwich Loan, which was scheduled to mature on August 8, 2017, was extended to mature on February 8, 2018. We are evaluating our options which include, among others, refinancing the 77 Greenwich Loan as part of a construction loan.
The 77 Greenwich Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) the rate published from time to time by the Wall Street Journal as the U.S. Prime Rate plus 1.25% (the “Contract Rate”) or (ii) 4.50% and requires interest only payments through maturity. The interest rate on the 77 Greenwich Loan was 5.00% as of December 31, 2016 and 5.50% as of September 30, 2017. The Contract Rate will be increased by 1.5% per annum during any period in which TPH Greenwich Borrower does not maintain funds in its deposit accounts with the Agent and the Lender sufficient to make payments then due under the 77 Greenwich Loan documents. TPH Greenwich Borrower can prepay the 77 Greenwich Loan at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.
The collateral for the 77 Greenwich Loan is TPH Greenwich Borrower’s fee interest in 77 Greenwich and the related air rights, which is the subject of a mortgage in favor of the Agent. TPH Greenwich Borrower also entered into an environmental compliance and indemnification undertaking.
The 77 Greenwich Loan agreement requires TPH Greenwich Borrower to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants including restrictions on debt, liens, business activities, distributions and dividends, disposition of assets and transactions with affiliates. TPH Greenwich Borrower has established blocked accounts with the initial lenders, and pledged the funds maintained in such accounts, in the amount of 9% of the outstanding loans. The 77 Greenwich Loan agreement also provides for certain events of default. As of September 30, 2017, TPH Greenwich Borrower was in compliance with all 77 Greenwich Loan covenants.
We entered into a Nonrecourse Carve-Out Guaranty pursuant to which we agreed to guarantee certain items, including losses arising from fraud, intentional harm to 77 Greenwich, or misapplication of loan, insurance or condemnation proceeds, a voluntary bankruptcy filing by TPH Greenwich Borrower, and the payment by TPH Greenwich Borrower of maintenance costs, insurance premiums and real estate taxes.
West Palm Beach, Florida Loan
On May 11, 2016, our subsidiary that owns our West Palm Beach, Florida property commonly known as The Shoppes at Forest Hill (the “TPH Forest Hill Borrower”), entered into a loan agreement with Citizens Bank, National Association, as lender (the “WPB Lender”), pursuant to which the WPB Lender will provide a loan to the TPH Forest Hill Borrower in the amount of up to $12.6 million, subject to the terms and conditions as set forth in the loan agreement (the “WPB Loan”). TPH Forest Hill Borrower borrowed $9.1 million under the WPB Loan at closing. The WPB Loan requires interest-only payments and bears interest at the 30-day LIBOR plus 230 basis points. The effective interest rate was 2.75% as of December 31, 2016 and 3.54% as of September 30, 2017. The WPB Loan matures on May 11, 2019, subject to extension until May 11, 2021 under certain circumstances. The TPH Forest Hill Borrower can prepay the WPB Loan at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.
The collateral for the WPB Loan is the TPH Forest Hill Borrower’s fee interest in our West Palm Beach, Florida property. The WPB Loan requires the TPH Forest Hill Borrower to comply with various customary affirmative and negative covenants and provides for certain events of default, the occurrence of which permit the WPB Lender to declare the WPB Loan due and payable, among other remedies. As of September 30, 2017, the TPH Forest Hill Borrower was in compliance with all WPB Loan covenants.
On May 11, 2016 we entered into an interest rate cap agreement as required under the WPB Loan. The interest rate cap agreement provides the right to receive cash if the reference interest rate rises above a contractual rate. We paid a premium of $14,000 for the 3.0% interest rate cap for the 30-day LIBOR rate on the notional amount of $9.1 million. The fair value of the interest rate cap as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets, net in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We did not designate this interest rate cap as a hedge and are recognizing the change in estimated fair value in interest expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized the change in value of the interest rate cap of approximately $3,000 in interest expense. As of September 30, 2017, the carrying value of the interest rate cap was approximately $6,000.
Secured Line of Credit
On February 22, 2017, we entered into two secured lines of credit for an aggregate of $12.0 million, with Sterling National Bank as the lender, which were secured by our properties located in Paramus, New Jersey, and Westbury, New York, respectively, and had an original maturity date of February 22, 2018. On August 4, 2017, in connection with the sale of the Westbury, New York property, the $2.9 million line of credit that was secured by this property, and which was undrawn, matured on that date. The $9.1 million line of credit, which is secured by the Paramus, New Jersey property, was undrawn as of September 30, 2017 and November 8, 2017. This line of credit was increased to $11.0 million in September 2017, and we extended the maturity date to February 22, 2019. The line of credit bears interest, for drawn amounts only, at 100 basis points over Prime, as defined, with a floor of 3.75%, and is pre-payable at any time without penalty.
Interest
Consolidated interest (income) expense, net includes the following (in thousands):
Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of our financial instruments are determined based upon applicable accounting guidance. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance requires disclosure of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, including measurements using quoted process in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), quoted process for similar instruments in active markets or quoted process for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active (Level 2), and significant valuation assumptions that are not readily observable in the market (Level 3).
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and other liabilities approximated their carrying value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of each of the loans payable approximated their carrying value as all our loans are variable-rate instruments.
Note 7 – Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
Pension Plans – Our predecessor, Syms, sponsored a defined benefit pension plan for certain eligible employees not covered under a collective bargaining agreement. The pension plan was frozen effective December 31, 2006. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had a recorded liability of $2.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, which is included in pension liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. We currently intend to maintain the Syms pension plan and make all contributions required under applicable minimum funding rules, although we may terminate the Syms pension plan. In the event that we terminate the Syms pension plan, we intend that any such termination shall be a standard termination.
Prior to the bankruptcy, certain employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements and participated in multiemployer pension plans. Syms ceased to have an obligation to contribute to these plans in 2012, thereby triggering a complete withdrawal from the plans within the meaning of section 4203 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Consequently, we are subject to the payment of a withdrawal liability to the remaining pension fund. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had a recorded liability of $1.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively, which is reflected in pension liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. We are required to make quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.2 million until this liability is completely paid to the multiemployer plan.
In accordance with minimum funding requirements and court ordered allowed claims distributions, we paid approximately $4.1 million to the Syms sponsored plan and approximately $5.0 million to the multiemployer plans from September 17, 2012 through September 30, 2017. Approximately $0.5 million was funded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 to the Syms sponsored plan and $0.2 million and $0.6 million was funded during the three months and nine months, respectively, ended September 30, 2017 to the multiemployer plan.
Note 8 – Commitments
Note 9 – Income Taxes
At September 30, 2017, we had federal NOLs of approximately $230.3 million. These NOLs will expire in years through fiscal 2034. At September 30, 2017, we also had state NOLs of approximately $104.4 million. These NOLs expire between 2029 and 2034. We also had the New York State and New York City prior NOL conversion (“PNOLC”) subtraction pools of approximately $31.1 million and $25.5 million, respectively. The conversion to the PNOLC under the New York State and New York City corporate tax reforms does not have any material tax impact.
Based on management’s assessment, we believe it is more likely than not that the entire deferred tax assets will not be realized by future taxable income or tax planning strategy. In recognition of this risk, we have provided a valuation allowance of $96.8 million and $95.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. If our assumptions change and we determine we will be able to realize these NOLs, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets would be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense and an increase in equity.
Note 10 – Stockholders’ Equity
Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 120,000,000 shares, $0.01 par value per share, consisting of 79,999,997 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, two (2) shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (which have been redeemed in accordance with their terms and may not be reissued), one (1) share of special stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 40,000,000 shares of a new class of blank check preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were 36,806,915 shares and 30,679,566 shares of common stock issued, respectively, and 31,451,796 shares and 25,663,820 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.
On February 14, 2017, we issued an aggregate of 3,585,000 shares of common stock in a private placement at a purchase price of $7.50 per share, and received gross proceeds of $26.9 million. On April 5, 2017, we issued an aggregate of 1,884,564 shares of common stock in a rights offering at a purchase price of $7.50 per share and received gross proceeds of $14.1 million (the “Rights Offering”). We anticipate using the proceeds from the private placement and the Rights Offering for the development of 77 Greenwich, potential new real estate acquisitions and investment opportunities and for working capital.
At-The-Market Equity Offering Program
In December 2016, we entered into an "at-the-market" equity offering program (the “ATM Program”), to sell up to an aggregate of $12.0 million of our common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we issued 120,299 shares of our common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $1.2 million (excluding approximately $218,000 in professional and brokerage fees) at a weighted average price of $9.76 per share. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we issued no shares and 2,492 shares, respectively, of our common stock and received gross proceeds of $0 and $23,000, respectively, at a weighted average price of $9.32 per share. As of September 30, 2017, $10.8 million of common stock remained available for issuance under the ATM Program.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue two shares of preferred stock, (one share each of Series A and Series B preferred stock), one share of special stock and 40,000,000 shares of blank-check preferred stock. The share of Series A preferred stock was issued to a trustee acting for the benefit of our creditors. The share of Series B preferred stock was issued to the former Majority Shareholder. The share of special stock was issued and sold to Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund (“Third Avenue”), and enables Third Avenue or its affiliated designee to elect one member of the Board of Directors.
On or about March 8, 2016, a General Unsecured Claim Satisfaction occurred. Under the Plan, a General Unsecured Claim Satisfaction occurs when all of the allowed creditor claims of Syms Corp. and Filene’s Basement, LLC, have been paid in full their distributions provided for under the Plan and any disputed creditor claims have either been disallowed or reserved for by Trinity. On March 14, 2016, we made the final Majority Shareholder payment (as defined in the Plan) to the Majority Shareholder in the amount of approximately $6.9 million. Following the General Unsecured Claim Satisfaction and payment to the former Majority Shareholder, we satisfied our payment and reserve obligations under the Plan. Upon the occurrence of the General Unsecured Claim Satisfaction, the share of Series A preferred stock was automatically redeemed in accordance with its terms and may not be reissued. In addition, upon the payment to the former Majority Shareholder, the share of Series B preferred stock was automatically redeemed in accordance with its terms and may not be reissued.
Note 11 – Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Incentive Plan
We adopted the Trinity Place Holdings Inc. 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “SIP”), effective September 9, 2015. Prior to the adoption of the SIP, we granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to our executive officers and employees pursuant to individual agreements. The SIP, which has a ten year term, authorizes (i) stock options that do not qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, or NQSOs, (ii) stock appreciation rights, (iii) shares of restricted and unrestricted common stock, and (iv) RSUs. The exercise price of stock options will be determined by the compensation committee, but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of grant. The SIP authorizes the issuance of up to 800,000 shares of our common stock. Our SIP activity was as follows:
We recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $42,000 and $127,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, related to non-employee director stock grants.
Restricted Stock Units
We have typically granted RSUs to certain employees and executive officers each year as part of compensation. These grants have vesting dates ranging from immediate vest at grant date to five years, with a distribution of shares at various dates ranging from the time of vesting up to four years after vesting.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we granted 8,600 RSUs to certain employees. These RSUs vest and settle over various times in a two year period, subject to each employee’s continued employment. Approximately $14,000 and $49,000 in RSU expense related to these shares was amortized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, of which approximately $3,000 and $15,000 was capitalized in real estate under development for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 totaled $277,000 and $831,000, respectively, which is net of $311,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, capitalized as part of real estate under development.
Our RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was as follows:
As of September 30, 2017, there was approximately $1.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs which is expected to be recognized through December 2020.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we issued 636,355 shares of common stock to employees and executive officers to settle vested RSUs from previous RSU grants. In connection with those transactions, we repurchased 339,375 shares to provide for the employees’ withholding tax liability.
Director Deferred Compensation Program
We adopted our Non-Employee Director’s Deferral Program (the “Deferral Program”) on November 2, 2016. Under the Deferral Program, our non-employee directors may elect to defer receipt of their annual equity compensation. The non-employee directors’ annual equity compensation, and any deferred amounts, are paid under the SIP. Compensation deferred under the Deferral Program is reflected by the grant of stock units under the SIP equal to the number of shares that would have been received absent a deferral election. The stock units, which are fully vested at grant, generally will be settled for an equal number of shares of common stock within 10 days after the participant ceases to be a director. In the event that the Company distributes dividends, each participant shall receive a number of additional stock units (including fractional stock units) equal to the quotient of (i) the aggregate amount of the dividend that the participant would have received had all outstanding stock units been shares of common stock divided by (ii) the closing price of a share of common stock on the date the dividend was issued.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, 5,643 stock units were deferred under the Deferral Program.
Note 12 – Investment in Our Unconsolidated Joint Venture
Through a wholly-owned subsidiary, we own a 50% interest in a joint venture formed to acquire and operate 223 North 8th Street, Brooklyn, New York, a newly constructed 95-unit multi-family property, known as The Berkley, encompassing approximately 99,000 gross square feet. On December 5, 2016, the joint venture closed on the acquisition of The Berkley through a wholly-owned special purpose entity for a purchase price of $68.885 million, of which $42.5 million was financed through a 10-year loan (the “Loan”) secured by The Berkley and the balance was paid in cash (half of which was funded by us). The Loan bears interest at the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 216 basis points, is interest only for five years, is pre-payable after two years with a 1% prepayment premium and has covenants and defaults customary for a Freddie Mac financing. Trinity and our joint venture partner are joint and several recourse carve-out guarantors under the Loan pursuant to Freddie Mac’s standard form of guaranty. The effective interest rate was 3.40% at September 30, 2017 and 2.93% at December 31, 2016.
This joint venture is a voting interest entity. As we do not control this joint venture, we account for it under the equity method of accounting.
The balance sheets for the unconsolidated joint venture at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
The statements of operations for the unconsolidated joint venture for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive Overview
Trinity Place Holdings Inc. (referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as “Trinity,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a real estate holding, investment and asset management company. Our business is primarily to acquire, invest in, own, manage, develop or redevelop and sell real estate assets and/or real estate related securities. Our largest asset is a property located at 77 Greenwich Street (“77 Greenwich”) in Lower Manhattan. 77 Greenwich is a vacant building that was demolished and is under development as a residential condominium tower that also includes plans for retail and a New York City elementary school. We also own a retail strip center located in West Palm Beach, Florida, a property formerly occupied by a retail tenant in Paramus, New Jersey, and, through a joint venture, a 50% interest in a newly constructed 95-unit multi-family property, known as The Berkley, located in Brooklyn, New York (see Properties below for a more detailed description of our properties). On August 4, 2017, we sold our property located in Westbury, New York for a gross sale price of $16.0 million. The sale resulted in a gain of $3.9 million and generated approximately $15.2 million in net proceeds to us. We continue to evaluate new investment opportunities.
The predecessor to Trinity is Syms Corp. (“Syms”). Syms and its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) in 2011. In August 2012, the Court entered an order confirming the Syms Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”). In September 2012, the Plan became effective and Syms and its subsidiaries consummated their reorganization under Chapter 11 through a series of transactions contemplated by the Plan and emerged from bankruptcy. As part of those transactions, reorganized Syms merged with and into Trinity, with Trinity as the surviving corporation and successor issuer pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Exchange Act. On or about March 8, 2016, a General Unsecured Claim Satisfaction occurred under the Plan. On March 14, 2016, we made the final Majority Shareholder payment (as defined in the Plan) to the former Majority Shareholder in the amount of approximately $6.9 million. Together these satisfied our remaining payment and reserve obligations under the Plan.
From the effective date of the Plan in 2012 through the date the General Unsecured Claims Satisfaction occurred, our business plan was historically focused on the monetization of our commercial real estate properties, including the development of 77 Greenwich, and the payment of approved claims in accordance with the terms of the Plan. During the period from the effective date of the Plan through March 8, 2016, we sold 14 properties and paid approximately $116.8 million for approved claims. These payments reflect cumulative improvements of approximately $11.5 million in respect of all claim payments made to date as compared with amounts initially estimated. As of September 30, 2017, the amount of remaining multiemployer pension plan claims was $1.9 million (see Note 7 – Pension and Profit Sharing Plans to the condensed consolidated financial statements). In addition, we had other pension liabilities of $2.9 million as of September 30, 2017.
On September 8, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours entered into an agreement pursuant to which it acquired an option to purchase a newly built 105-unit, 12 story apartment building located at 237 11th Street, Brooklyn, New York for a purchase price of $81.0 million. Under the agreement, we are entitled to exercise the option during the period commencing on February 1, 2018 and expiring on February 28, 2018. We paid an initial deposit of $8.1 million upon entering into the agreement, which is nonrefundable if we do not exercise the option. The purchase price will be funded through acquisition financing and cash on hand. The acquisition of this property, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.
Properties
The table below provides information on the properties we owned at September 30, 2017:
Lease Expirations
The following chart shows the tenancy, by year of lease expiration, of our retail properties for all tenants in place as of September 30, 2017, excluding the license agreement with Restoration Hardware at the Paramus, New Jersey property and a pop-up store at the West Palm Beach, Florida property (dollars in thousands):
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. A summary of the accounting policies that management believes are critical to the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements are included in this report (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Presentation to our condensed consolidated financial statements). Certain of the accounting policies used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are particularly important for an understanding of the financial position and results of operations presented in the historical condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report and require the application of significant judgment by management and, as a result, are subject to a degree of uncertainty. We believe there have been no material changes to the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2016 Annual Report”) for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The following discussion and analysis is intended to assist readers in understanding our financial condition and results of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 and should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our 2016 Annual Report.
These results include revenues and expenses from the Westbury, New York property as of May 8, 2017 when the property was classified as an asset held for sale through its date of sale on August 4, 2017. In prior periods, this property’s revenues and expenses were capitalized as the property was considered as real estate under development.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Rental revenues increased by $8,000 to $336,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $328,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in rental revenues was mainly due to increased tenancy at the West Palm Beach, Florida property as well as revenues from the Westbury, New York property, partially offset by a non-cash rent adjustment for a tenant at the West Palm Beach, Florida property. Tenant reimbursements decreased by $37,000 to $171,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $208,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in tenant reimbursements was mainly due to the sale of the Westbury, New York property on August 4, 2017.
Property operating expenses increased by $34,000 to $178,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $144,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. These amounts consisted of costs incurred for maintenance and repairs, utilities and general operating expenses at our West Palm Beach, Florida property as well as from the Westbury, New York property.
Real estate tax expense increased by $61,000 to $124,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $63,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase related to increased real estate taxes at the West Palm Beach, Florida property as well as from the real estate taxes at Westbury, New York property.
General and administrative expenses were essentially flat for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, at approximately $1.5 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, of this amount, approximately $277,000 related to stock-based compensation, $479,000 related to payroll and payroll related expenses, $389,000 related to other corporate costs, including board fees, corporate office rent and insurance and $364,000 related to legal, accounting and other professional fees. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, of this amount, approximately $446,000 related to stock-based compensation, $392,000 related to payroll and payroll related costs, $321,000 related to other corporate costs including board fees, corporate office rent and insurance and $370,000 related to legal, accounting and other professional fees.
Transaction related costs decreased by $40,000 to $9,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $49,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. These costs represent professional fees and other costs incurred in connection with formation activities and the underwriting and evaluation of potential acquisitions and investments for deals that were not consummated.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by approximately $24,000 to $145,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $121,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, approximately $61,000 related to depreciation for the West Palm Beach, Florida property, and $84,000 related to the amortization of trademarks and lease commissions. Of the $121,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016, approximately $29,000 related to depreciation for the West Palm Beach, Florida property and approximately $92,000 related to amortization of trademarks and lease commissions.
Write-off of costs for the three months ended September 30, 2017 relating to demolished asset was approximately $3.4 million. This is related to the 77 Greenwich property’s acceleration of depreciation of the building and building improvements and demolition costs at 77 Greenwich due to the completion of demolition of the 57,000 square foot six-story commercial building.
Operating loss increased by approximately $3.5 million to $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as a result of the changes in revenues and operating expenses as described above.
Equity in net loss from unconsolidated joint venture for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $296,000. This amount represents our 50% share in the joint venture of the newly constructed 95-unit multi-family property in Brooklyn, New York purchased on December 5, 2016. Our share of the loss is primarily comprised of operating income before depreciation of $279,000 offset by depreciation and amortization of $387,000 and interest expense of $188,000.
Interest income, net, increased by approximately $32,000 to $20,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from interest expense, net of $12,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, $644,000 related to gross interest incurred offset by $562,000 of capitalized interest and $102,000 of interest income. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, $553,000 related to gross interest incurred offset by $486,000 of capitalized interest and $55,000 of interest income. The increase in interest income, net, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 of $32,000 is primarily attributable to the overall increase in interest income on our average daily cash balance of approximately $43.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to approximately $26.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, partially offset by the interest on the WPB Loan (see Note 5 – Loans Payable and Secured Line of Credit – to our condensed consolidated financial statements) and interest rate increases period over period.
Amortization of deferred finance costs increased by approximately $106,000 to $145,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $39,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, $264,000 related to amortization of costs related to obtaining the loans encumbering 77 Greenwich, the West Palm Beach, Florida property and the lines of credit partially offset by $119,000 of costs capitalized to real estate under development. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, $125,000 related to amortization of costs related to obtaining the loans encumbering 77 Greenwich and the West Palm Beach, Florida property partially offset by $86,000 of costs capitalized to real estate under development.
Gain on sale from real estate for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $3.9 million due to the sale of the Westbury, New York property on August 4, 2017 which generated approximately $15.2 million in net proceeds. No properties were sold during the same period last year.
We recorded no tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.
Net loss available to common stockholders increased by approximately $29,000 to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
Results of Operations for the Nine months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to the Nine months Ended September 30, 2016
Rental revenues increased by $43,000 to $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $974,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in rental revenues was mainly due to the increased tenancy at the West Palm Beach, Florida property as well as revenues at the Westbury, New York property, partially offset by a non-cash rent adjustment for a tenant at the West Palm Beach, Florida property. Tenant reimbursements increased by $10,000 to $445,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $435,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in tenant reimbursements was mainly due to increased tenancy at the West Palm Beach, Florida property as well as revenues at the Westbury, New York property, partially offset by the catch-up of real estate tax recoveries in 2016 for certain tenants whose leases commenced in 2015.
Property operating expenses increased by $104,000 to $549,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $445,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These amounts consisted of costs incurred for maintenance and repairs, utilities and general operating expenses at our West Palm Beach, Florida property and the Westbury, New York property. The increase was mainly due to the increased tenancy at the West Palm Beach, Florida property and the Westbury, New York property.
Real estate tax expense increased by $178,000 to $345,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $167,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase related to increased real estate taxes at the West Palm Beach, Florida property and the Westbury, New York property.
General and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, approximately $831,000 related to stock-based compensation, $1.4 million related to payroll and payroll related expenses, $1.2 million related to other corporate costs including board fees, corporate office rent and insurance and $798,000 related to legal, accounting and other professional fees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately $1.9 million related to stock-based compensation, $1.2 million related to payroll and payroll related costs, $1.1 million related to other corporate costs including board fees, corporate office rent and insurance and $1.1 million related to legal, accounting and other professional fees. The overall decrease of approximately $1.1 million is mainly a result of a $1.1 million reduction in stock-based compensation related to restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that were granted in the first quarter of 2016, including grants of 99,000 RSUs that vested immediately.
Transaction related costs decreased by $22,000 to $77,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $99,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. These costs represent professional fees and other costs incurred in connection with formation activities and the underwriting and evaluation of potential acquisitions and investments for deals that were not consummated.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by approximately $60,000 to $394,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $334,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, approximately $184,000 related to depreciation for the West Palm Beach, Florida property and approximately $210,000 related to the amortization of trademarks and lease commissions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately $116,000 related to depreciation for the West Palm Beach, Florida property and approximately $218,000 related to the amortization of trademarks and lease commissions. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 was primarily attributable to West Palm Beach, Florida property.
Write-off of costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 relating to demolished asset was approximately $3.4 million. This is related to the 77 Greenwich property’s acceleration of depreciation of the building and building improvements and demolition costs at 77 Greenwich due to the completion of demolition of the 57,000 square foot six-story commercial building.
Operating loss increased by approximately $2.6 million to $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as a result of the changes in revenues and operating expenses as described above.
Equity in net loss from unconsolidated joint venture for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $804,000. This amount represents our 50% share in the joint venture of the newly constructed 95-unit multi-family property in Brooklyn, New York purchased on December 5, 2016. Our share of the loss is primarily comprised of operating income before depreciation of $900,000 offset by depreciation and amortization of $1.2 million, interest expense of $538,000 and other expenses of $6,000.
Interest expense, net increased by approximately $172,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from interest income, net of approximately $83,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, approximately $1.8 million related to gross interest incurred offset by approximately $1.6 million of capitalized interest and $141,000 of interest income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately $1.5 million related to gross interest incurred offset by approximately $1.4 million of capitalized interest and $194,000 of interest income. The increase in interest expense, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 of approximately $172,000 is primarily attributable to interest on the WPB Loan (see Note 5 – Loans Payable and Secured Line of Credit – to our condensed consolidated financial statements) and interest rate increases period over period partially offset by an overall increase in interest income on our average daily cash balance of approximately $34.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to approximately $31.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Amortization of deferred finance costs increased by approximately $285,000 to $345,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $60,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, $523,000 related to amortization of costs related to obtaining the loans encumbering 77 Greenwich, the West Palm Beach, Florida property and the lines of credit, partially offset by $178,000 of costs capitalized to real estate under development. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $318,000 related to amortization of costs related to obtaining the loan encumbering 77 Greenwich partially offset by $258,000 of costs capitalized to real estate under development.
We recorded an adjustment to our claims liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $1.0 million due to the settlement with our insurance carrier. We recorded an adjustment to our claims liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $132,000 which was due mainly to the positive settlement of the former Majority Shareholder liability.
Gain on sale from real estate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $3.9 million due to the sale of the Westbury, New York property on August 4, 2017 which generated approximately $15.2 million in net proceeds. No properties were sold during the same period last year.
We recorded approximately $38,000 in tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. We recorded no tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Net loss available to common stockholders decreased by $844,000 to $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We currently expect that our principal sources of funds to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements for working capital and funds for acquisition and development or redevelopment of properties, tenant improvements, leasing costs, and repayments of outstanding indebtedness will include:
Cash flow from operations is primarily dependent upon the occupancy level of our portfolio, the net effective rental rates achieved on our leases, the collectability of rent, operating escalations and recoveries from our tenants and the level of operating and other costs.
As of September 30, 2017, we had total cash of $47.4 million, of which approximately $34.9 million was cash and cash equivalents and approximately $12.5 million was restricted cash. As of December 31, 2016, we had total cash of $8.4 million, of which approximately $4.7 million was cash and cash equivalents and approximately $3.7 million was restricted cash. Restricted cash represents amounts required to be restricted under our loan agreements (see Note 5 – Loans Payable and Secured Line of Credit - to our condensed consolidated financial statements), tenant related security deposits and deposits on property acquisitions. The increase in total cash during the period from January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 was primarily the result of the closing of a private placement of shares of common stock in February 2017 in which we raised proceeds of approximately $26.6 million (net of $0.3 million in costs) as well as the consummation of our Rights Offering in April 2017 in which we raised proceeds of approximately $13.9 million (net of $0.2 million in costs), which was partially offset by payments for operating expenses and pre-development activities. In addition, on August 4, 2017, we sold our property located in Westbury, New York which generated approximately $15.2 million in net proceeds.
On February 22, 2017, we entered into two secured lines of credit for an aggregate of $12.0 million, with Sterling National Bank as the lender, which were secured by our properties located in Paramus, New Jersey, and Westbury, New York, respectively, and had an original maturity date of February 22, 2018. On August 4, 2017, we closed on the sale of the Westbury, New York property and the $2.9 million line of credit that was secured by this property, which was undrawn, matured on that date. The $9.1 million line of credit, which is secured by the Paramus, New Jersey property, was undrawn as of September 30, 2017 and November 9, 2017. This line of credit was increased to $11.0 million in September 2017, and we extended the maturity date to February 22, 2019. The line of credit bears interest, for drawn amounts only, at 100 basis points over Prime, as defined, with a floor of 3.75%, and is pre-payable at any time without penalty.
Cash Flows
Cash Flows for the Nine months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to the Nine months Ended September 30, 2016
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to approximately $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease of approximately $3.9 million of net cash used was due to the $1.6 million write-off of costs relating to the demolished asset at the 77 Greenwich property due to its completion of demolition and a one-time $6.9 million payment to the former majority shareholder made during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which was partially offset by the gain on the sale of the Westbury, New York property of approximately $3.9 million.
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $17,000 as compared to approximately $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease of approximately $15.6 million mainly pertained to the net proceeds from the sale of the Westbury, New York property on August 4, 2017 of approximately $15.2 million as well as approximately $5.1 million less in development work being performed this year at our properties compared to the same period last year, partially offset by approximately $4.7 million more in restricted cash which was used for an $8.1 million initial deposit for the option to purchase a property at 237 11th Street, Brooklyn, New York.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $37.3 million as compared to approximately $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This increase mainly results from our private placement of common stock in February 2017 in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $26.6 million as well as our Rights Offering in April 2017 in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $13.9 million, partially offset by an increase of net cash used in financing activities of $0.6 million from the prior year related to the repurchase of common stock from certain employees in order to pay withholding taxes on the common stock which vested during the period as well as $8.7 million of net proceeds last year from the Loan.
Net Operating Losses
We believe that our U.S. Federal NOLs as of the emergence date of the Syms bankruptcy Plan were approximately $162.8 million and believe our U.S. Federal NOLs at September 30, 2017 were approximately $230.3 million. Based on management’s assessment, it is more likely than not that the entire deferred tax assets will not be realized by future taxable income or tax planning strategy. Accordingly a valuation allowance of $96.8 million was recorded as of September 30, 2017.
We believe that the rights offering and the redemption of the Syms shares owned by the former Majority Shareholder that occurred in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy on September 14, 2012 resulted in us undergoing an “ownership change,” as that term is used in Section 382 of the Code. However, while the analysis is complex and subject to subjective determinations and uncertainties, we believe that we should qualify for treatment under Section 382(l)(5) of the Code. As a result, we currently believe that our NOLs are not subject to an annual limitation under Code Section 382. However, if we were to undergo a subsequent ownership change in the future, our NOLs could be subject to limitation under Code Section 382.
Notwithstanding the above, even if all of our regular U.S. Federal income tax liability for a given year is reduced to zero by virtue of utilizing our NOLs, we may still be subject to the U.S. Federal alternative minimum tax and to state, local or other non-federal income taxes.
Our certificate of incorporation includes a provision intended to help preserve certain tax benefits primarily associated with our NOLs (the “Protective Amendment”). The Protective Amendment generally prohibits transfers of stock that would result in a person or group of persons becoming a 4.75% stockholder, or that would result in an increase or decrease in stock ownership by a person or group of persons that is an existing 4.75% stockholder.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including information included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report or any supplement to this Quarterly Report, may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and information relating to us that are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions that are not historical facts, and other statements identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” believes,” “plans,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other and similar expressions. In addition, in some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including among others:
In evaluating such statements, you should specifically consider the risks identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our 2016 Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 15, 2017, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those contemplated by any forward looking statements. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere described in the aforementioned 2016 Annual Report, this Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the SEC. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q or, in the case of any documents incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q, the date of such document, in each case based on information available to us as of such date, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risks that arise from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and other market changes affect market sensitive instruments. In pursuing our business strategies, the primary market risk which we are exposed to is interest rate risk.
Low to moderate levels of inflation during the past several years have favorably impacted our operations by stabilizing operating expenses. At the same time, low inflation has had the indirect effect of reducing our ability to increase tenant rents. However, our tenant leases include expense reimbursements and other provisions to minimize the effect of inflation.
The market risk associated with financial instruments and derivative financial instruments is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices or interest rates. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. From time to time, we may enter into interest rate hedge contracts such as swaps, caps, collars, and treasury lock agreements in order to mitigate our interest rate risk with respect to various debt instruments. We would not hold or issue these derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes. We do not have any foreign operations and thus we are not exposed to foreign currency fluctuations.
As of September 30, 2017, our debt consisted of two variable-rate secured mortgage loans payable, with carrying values of $40.0 million and $9.1 million, which approximated their fair values at September 30, 2017. We also have a secured line of credit of $11.0 million that was undrawn as of September 30, 2017. Changes in market interest rates on our variable-rate debt impact the fair value of the loans and interest incurred or cash flow. For instance, if interest rates increase 100 basis points and our variable-rate debt balance remains constant, we expect the fair value of our obligation to decrease, the same way the price of a bond declines as interest rates rise. The sensitivity analysis related to our variable–rate debt assumes an immediate 100 basis point move in interest rates from their September 30, 2017 levels, with all other variables held constant. A 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would result in a decrease in the fair value of our variable-rate debt by $0.6 million. A 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in an increase in the fair value of our variable-rate debt by $0.6 million. These amounts were determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates changes on our borrowing costs, and assuming no other changes in our capital structure.
As of September 30, 2017, the debt on the unconsolidated joint venture, in which we hold a 50% interest, consisted of a variable-rate secured mortgage loan payable, with a carrying value of $42.5 million (see Note 12 – Investment in Our Unconsolidated Joint Venture – to our condensed consolidated financial statements), which approximated its fair value at September 30, 2017. A 100 basis point increase in market interest rates on the loan taken out by the unconsolidated joint venture would result in a decrease in the fair value of the joint ventures’ variable-rate debt by $0.5 million. A 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in an increase in the fair value of the joint ventures’ variable-rate debt by $0.5 million. These amounts were determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates changes on borrowing costs, and assuming no other changes in the capital structure of the joint venture.
As the information presented above includes only those exposures that existed as of September 30, 2017, it does not consider exposures or positions arising after that date. The information represented herein has limited predictive value. Future actual realized gains or losses with respect to interest rate fluctuations will depend on cumulative exposures, hedging strategies employed and the magnitude of the fluctuations.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within Trinity to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports.
Our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2017, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We are a party to routine legal proceedings, which are primarily incidental to our former business. Some of the actions to which we are a party are covered by insurance and are being defended or reimbursed by our insurance carriers. Based on an analysis performed by our actuary and available information and taking into account accruals where they have been established, management currently believes that any liabilities ultimately resulting from this routine litigation will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position. Additionally, as discussed in Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we currently operate under the Plan that was approved in connection with the resolution of the Chapter 11 cases involving Syms and its subsidiaries.
There are no material changes to the Risk Factors as disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report.
None.
Not Applicable.
*Filed herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.