EQUITY COMMONWEALTH The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in our Annual Report.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws including, but not limited to, statements pertaining to our anticipated business strategies, goals, policies and objectives, capital resources and financing, portfolio performance, lease expiration schedules, results of operations or anticipated market conditions, including our statements regarding remote working trends and the overall impact of COVID-19, and changing laws, statutes, regulations, and the interpretations thereof, on the foregoing. Any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology, including but not limited to, "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report and in Part II, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
OVERVIEW
We are an internally managed and self-advised REIT primarily engaged in the ownership and operation of office properties inthe United States . We were formed in 1986 underMaryland law. The Company operates as an UPREIT, conducting substantially all of its activities through theOperating Trust . As ofMarch 31, 2023 , the Company beneficially owned 99.68% of the outstanding OP Units. AtMarch 31, 2023 , our portfolio consisted of four properties (eight buildings), with a combined 1.5 million square feet, and we had$2.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents. We use leasing and occupancy metrics to evaluate the performance of our properties. We believe these metrics provide useful information to investors because they reflect the leasing activity and vacant space at the properties and may facilitate comparisons of our leasing and occupancy metrics with other REITs and real estate companies. As ofMarch 31, 2023 , our overall portfolio was 81.6% leased. During the three months endedMarch 31, 2023 , we entered into leases for 60,000 square feet, including a lease renewal for 37,000 square feet and new leases for 23,000 square feet. The renewal lease entered into during the three months endedMarch 31, 2023 had cash and GAAP rental rates that were approximately 4.8% higher and 16.8% higher, respectively, compared to prior rental rates for the same space, and new leases entered into during the three months endedMarch 31, 2023 had cash and GAAP rental rates that were approximately 1.5% higher and 8.9% higher, respectively, compared to prior rental rates for the same space. The change in GAAP rents is different than the change in cash rents due to differences in the amount of rent abatements, the magnitude and timing of contractual rent increases over the lease term, and the length of term for the newly executed leases compared to the prior leases. Percent change in GAAP and cash rents is a comparison of current rent, including estimated tenant expense reimbursements, if any, to the rent, including actual/projected tenant expense reimbursements, if any, last received for the same space on a GAAP and cash basis, respectively. Cash rent during the reporting period is calculated before deducting any initial period free rent. 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents OnFebruary 13, 2023 , ourBoard of Trustees declared a special, one-time cash distribution of$4.25 per common share/unit to shareholders/unitholders of record onFebruary 23, 2023 . OnMarch 9, 2023 , we paid this distribution to such shareholders/unitholders in the aggregate amount of$468.3 million . We have engagedCBRE, Inc. , or CBRE, to provide property management services. We pay CBRE a property-by-property management fee and may engage CBRE from time-to-time to perform project management services, such as coordinating and overseeing the completion of tenant improvements and other capital projects at the properties. We reimburse CBRE for certain expenses incurred in the performance of its duties, including certain personnel and equipment costs. For the three months endedMarch 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred expenses of$0.8 million and$0.8 million , respectively, related to our property management agreement with CBRE, for property management fees, typically calculated as a percentage of the properties' revenues, and salary and benefits reimbursements for property personnel, such as property managers, engineers and maintenance staff. As ofMarch 31, 2023 andDecember 31, 2022 , we had amounts payable pursuant to these services of$0.3 million and$0.4 million , respectively. We are focusing our efforts on capital allocation as we continue to evaluate investment opportunities. We are seeking to use the strength and liquidity of our balance sheet for investments in high-quality assets or businesses in a range of property types that offer a compelling risk-reward profile. We may also determine to sell, liquidate or otherwise exit our business if we believe doing so will maximize shareholder value. Our business has been and is continuing to be impacted by economic uncertainty following the COVID-19 virus as well as tenant uncertainty regarding office space needs given the evolving remote and hybrid working trends. Many of our employees and the majority of our tenants' employees are currently working at least in part remotely. Overall, our business has experienced a significant reduction in leasing interest and activity as well as parking revenue when compared to pre-pandemic levels. As ofMarch 31, 2023 andDecember 31, 2019 , our comparable property portfolio was 81.6% and 91.5% leased, respectively. The duration of these business disruptions continues to be unknown at this time, and we currently are not able to estimate the full impact of the COVID-19 virus and remote working trends on our business.
Property Operations
Leased occupancy data for 2023 and 2022 are as follows (square feet in
thousands):
All Properties Comparable Properties(1)
As of March 31, As of March 31,
2023 2022 2023 2022
Total properties 4 4 4 4
Total square feet 1,507 1,507 1,507 1,507
Percent leased(2) 81.6 % 83.3 % 81.6 % 83.3 %
(1)Based on properties owned continuously from January 1, 2022 through March 31,
2023 .
(2)Percent leased is the percent of space subject to signed leases. Percent
leased is disclosed to quantify the ratio of leased square feet to rentable
square feet and we believe it provides useful information as to the proportion
of rentable square feet subject to a lease.
The weighted average lease term based on square feet for leases entered into
during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was 5.8 years. Commitments made
for leasing expenditures and concessions, such as tenant improvements and
leasing commissions, for the leases entered into during the three months ended
March 31, 2023 totaled $3.9 million , or $64.87 per square foot on average
(approximately $11.22 per square foot per year of the lease term).
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As of March 31, 2023 , approximately 7.4% of our leased square feet and 7.4% of
our annualized rental revenue, determined as set forth below, are included in
leases scheduled to expire through December 31, 2023 . Renewal and new leases
and rental rates at which available space may be relet in the future will depend
on prevailing market conditions at the times these leases are negotiated. We
believe that the in-place cash rents for leases expiring for the remainder of
2023, that have not been backfilled, are approximately market. Lease expirations
by year, as of March 31, 2023 , are as follows (square feet and dollars in
thousands):
Annualized Cumulative
% of Leased Cumulative Rental % of % of
Number Leased Square Square Feet % of Leased Square Revenue Annualized Rental Annualized Rental
Year of Tenants Expiring(1) Feet Expiring(2) Expiring(2) Feet Expiring(2) Expiring(3) Revenue Expiring Revenue Expiring
2023 12 91 7.4 % 7.4 % $ 4,200 7.4 % 7.4 %
2024 16 185 15.0 % 22.4 % 8,205 14.5 % 21.9 %
2025 12 146 11.9 % 34.3 % 7,008 12.5 % 34.4 %
2026 9 72 5.9 % 40.2 % 3,567 6.3 % 40.7 %
2027 16 227 18.5 % 58.7 % 11,012 19.5 % 60.2 %
2028 11 126 10.2 % 68.9 % 5,916 10.5 % 70.7 %
2029 7 137 11.1 % 80.0 % 6,964 12.3 % 83.0 %
2030 7 145 11.8 % 91.8 % 5,325 9.4 % 92.4 %
2031 2 22 1.8 % 93.6 % 607 1.1 % 93.5 %
2032 1 32 2.6 % 96.2 % 1,908 3.4 % 96.9 %
Thereafter 4 47 3.8 % 100.0 % 1,730 3.1 % 100.0 %
97 1,230 100.0 % $ 56,442 100.0 %
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): 4.3 4.2
(1)Tenants with leases expiring in multiple years are counted in each year they
expire.
(2)Leased Square Feet as of March 31, 2023 includes space subject to leases that
have commenced for revenue recognition purposes in accordance with GAAP, space
being fitted out for occupancy pursuant to existing leases, and space which is
leased but is not occupied or is being offered for sublease by tenants. The
Leased Square Feet Expiring corresponds to the latest-expiring signed lease for
a given suite. Thus, backfilled suites expire in the year stipulated by the new
lease.
(3)Annualized rental revenue is annualized contractual rents from our tenants
pursuant to leases which have commenced as of March 31, 2023 , plus estimated
recurring expense reimbursements; excludes lease value amortization,
straight-line rent adjustments, abated (free) rent periods and parking revenue.
We calculate annualized rental revenue by aggregating the recurring billings
outlined above for the most recent month during the quarter reported, adding
abated rent, and multiplying the sum by 12 to provide an estimation of near-term
potentially-recurring revenues. Annualized rental revenue is a forward-looking
non-GAAP measure. Annualized rental revenue cannot be reconciled to a
comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts, primarily due to the fact
that it is calculated from the billings of tenants in the most recent month at
the most recent rental rates during the quarter reported, whereas historical
GAAP measures include billings from a potentially different group of tenants
over multiple months at potentially different rental rates.
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The principal source of funds for our operations is rents from tenants at our
properties. Rents are generally received from our tenants monthly in advance.
As of March 31, 2023 , tenants representing 2.5% or more of our total annualized
rental revenue were as follows (square feet in thousands):
Weighted
Average
% of Total Leased % of Annualized Remaining
Tenant Square Feet(1) Square Feet(1) Rental Revenue(2) Lease Term
1. Equinor Energy Services, Inc. 80 6.5 % 6.0 % 0.8
2. Salesforce.com, Inc. 65 5.3 % 5.5 % 2.7
3. KPMG, LLP 64 5.2 % 5.0 % 6.2
4. Crowdstrike, Inc. 48 3.9 % 3.7 % 6.9
5. CBRE, Inc. 40 3.3 % 3.7 % 5.0
6. RSM US LLP 32 2.6 % 3.4 % 9.2
7. SonarSource US, Inc. 28 2.3 % 3.0 % 4.4
8. Alden Torch Financial, LLC 34 2.8 % 2.8 % 3.9
9. Wunderman Thompson, LLC 24 2.0 % 2.5 % 4.3
10. Shiseido Americas Corporation 21 1.7 % 2.5 % 6.6
Total 436 35.6 % 38.1 % 4.5
(1)Total Leased Square Feet as of March 31, 2023 includes space subject to
leases that have commenced, space being fitted out for occupancy pursuant to
existing leases, and space which is leased but is not occupied or is being
offered for sublease by tenants.
(2)Annualized rental revenue is annualized contractual rents from our tenants
pursuant to leases which have commenced as of March 31, 2023 , plus estimated
recurring expense reimbursements; excludes lease value amortization,
straight-line rent adjustments, abated (free) rent periods and parking revenue.
We calculate annualized rental revenue by aggregating the recurring billings
outlined above for the most recent month during the quarter reported, adding
abated rent, and multiplying the sum by 12 to provide an estimation of near-term
potentially-recurring revenues. Annualized rental revenue is a forward-looking
non-GAAP measure. Annualized rental revenue cannot be reconciled to a
comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts, primarily due to the fact
that it is calculated from the billings of tenants in the most recent month at
the most recent rental rates during the quarter reported, whereas historical
GAAP measures include billings from a potentially different group of tenants
over multiple months at potentially different rental rates.
Regulation FD Disclosures
We use any of the following to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD: press releases,SEC filings, public conference calls, or our website. We routinely post important information on our website at www.eqcre.com, including information that may be deemed to be material. We encourage investors and others interested in the Company to monitor these distribution channels for material disclosures. Our website address is included in this Quarterly Report as a textual reference only and the information on the website is not incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report. 17
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