BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- First Potomac Realty Trust (NYSE: FPO), a leader in the ownership, management, development and redevelopment of office and business park properties in the greater Washington, D.C. region, reported results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth Quarter 2016 and Subsequent Highlights


    --  Reported net loss attributable to common shareholders of $1.6 million,
        or $0.03 per diluted share.
    --  Reported Core Funds From Operations of $16.0 million, or $0.27 per
        diluted share.
    --  Increased occupied percentage to 92.6% from 90.3% at December 31, 2015.
    --  Increased leased percentage to 93.8% from 92.1% at December 31, 2015.
    --  Sold One Fair Oaks, a 214,000 square-foot office building located in
        Northern Virginia, for net proceeds of $13.3 million in January 2017 and
        sold Plaza 500, a 503,000 square-foot industrial property located in
        Northern Virginia, for net proceeds of $72.5 million in February 2017.
    --  Entered into a binding contract in January 2017 to sell Rivers Park I
        and II and Aviation Business Park, which are located in Maryland and are
        owned through unconsolidated joint ventures.

Full-Year 2016 Highlights


    --  Reported net loss attributable to common shareholders of $9.6 million,
        or $0.17 per diluted share.
    --  Reported Core Funds From Operations of $63.9 million, or $1.06 per
        diluted share.
    --  Increased same property net operating income ("Same Property NOI") by
        2.4% on an accrual basis compared with the same period in 2015.
    --  Completed construction and commenced revenue recognition on the 167,000
        square foot, fully-leased build-to-suit in Northern Virginia (the "NOVA
        build-to-suit").
    --  Redeemed all 6.4 million outstanding 7.750% Series A Cumulative
        Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares (the "7.750% Series A Preferred
        Shares").

Bob Milkovich, Chief Executive Officer of First Potomac Realty Trust stated, "A year ago we announced our strategic plan to de-risk our portfolio, de-lever our balance sheet and maximize value for our shareholders, and I am pleased with the progress we have made to date. While there was an intense focus on executing the Strategic Plan, we were also able to deliver very strong operational and financial results in 2016. As we look forward, we know there is plenty of work to be done in 2017, including completing our targeted non-core asset dispositions and executing on our redevelopment projects, but we are prepared for those objectives and look forward to continuing to deliver value for our shareholders."



                                                                        Reconciliation of Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders and FFO, FFO Available to Common Shareholders and Unitholders and Core FFO

                                                                                                                     (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                                                                                                        Three Months Ended                                    Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                                                                           December 31,                                           December 31,

                                                                                                                                 2016                    2015                      2016                     2015
                                                                                                                                 ----                    ----                      ----                     ----

    Net loss attributable to common shareholders                                                                                        $(1,646)                                        $(41,220)                 $(9,635)    $(45,366)

    Depreciation and amortization:

       Rental property(1)                                                                                                      16,787                              16,715                                60,862        66,624

       Discontinued operations                                                                                                      -                                  -                                    -        1,222

    Unconsolidated joint ventures                                                                                                 940                                 867                                 3,610         3,916

    Impairment of rental property(2)                                                                                                -                             60,826                                 2,772        60,826

    (Gain) loss on sale of rental property                                                                                          -                           (26,093)                                1,155      (30,334)

    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership                                               (71)                            (1,870)                                (428)      (2,056)

    Dividends on preferred shares                                                                                                   -                              3,100                                 3,053        12,400

    Issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares(3)                                                                                  -                                  -                                5,515             -
                                                                                                                                  ---                                ---                                -----           ---

    Funds from operations ("FFO")                                                                                              16,010                              12,325                                66,904        67,232

    Dividends on preferred shares                                                                                                   -                            (3,100)                              (3,053)     (12,400)

    Issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares(3)                                                                                  -                                  -                              (5,515)            -
                                                                                                                                  ---                                ---                               ------           ---

    FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders                                                                       16,010                               9,225                                58,336        54,832

    Issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares(3)                                                                                  -                                  -                                5,515             -

    Yield maintenance payment(4)                                                                                                    -                                  -                                    -      (2,426)

    Personnel separation costs(5)                                                                                                   -                              6,057                                     -        6,462

    Loss on debt extinguishment(6)                                                                                                  -                              1,824                                    48         2,313

    Deferred abatement and straight-line amortization(7)                                                                            -                                  -                                    -          854

    Core FFO                                                                                                                             $16,010                                           $17,106                   $63,899       $62,035
                                                                                                                                         =======                                           =======                   =======       =======


    Net loss attributable to common shareholders per share - diluted                                                                     $(0.03)                                          $(0.72)                  $(0.17)      $(0.79)

    Weighted average diluted common shares                                                                                     57,606                              57,470                                57,581        57,982


    FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders per share - diluted                                                               $0.27                                             $0.15                     $0.97         $0.90

    Core FFO per share - diluted                                                                                                           $0.27                                             $0.28                     $1.06         $1.02

    Weighted average diluted common shares and units                                                                           60,383                              60,209                                60,325        60,704


                  (1)    In the fourth quarter of 2016, we
                          wrote-off $2.0 million of lease-
                          level assets associated with a
                          defaulted tenant at 840 First
                          Street, NE.

                  (2)    In the second quarter of 2016, we
                          recorded a $2.8 million impairment
                          charge on Storey Park, which was
                          sold in July 2016. In the fourth
                          quarter of 2015, we recorded a $33.9
                          million impairment charge on One
                          Fair Oaks, which was sold in January
                          2017, and a $26.9 million impairment
                          charge on the NOVA Non-Core
                          Portfolio (defined below under
                          "Dispositions"), which was sold in
                          March 2016.

                  (3)    Represents original issuance costs
                          associated with the 7.750% Series A
                          Preferred Shares that were redeemed
                          during the periods presented.

                  (4)    On February 24, 2015, the owners of
                          America's Square, a 461,000 square
                          foot office complex located in
                          Washington, D.C., prepaid a
                          mezzanine loan that had an
                          outstanding balance of $29.7
                          million. We received a yield
                          maintenance payment of $2.4 million
                          associated with the prepayment of
                          the loan.

                  (5)    Primarily relate to the departure of
                          the Company's former Chief Executive
                          Officer and former Chief Investment
                          Officer during the fourth quarter of
                          2015.

                  (6)    In the first quarter of 2016, we
                          recorded a loss on debt
                          extinguishment related to charges
                          associated with the defeasance of
                          the outstanding balance of the
                          mortgage loan encumbering Gateway
                          Centre Manassas, which was included
                          in the NOVA Non-Core Portfolio
                          (defined below under "Dispositions")
                          and sold on March 25, 2016. In the
                          fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded
                          a loss on debt extinguishment
                          related to the amendment and
                          restatement of our unsecured
                          revolving credit facility and
                          unsecured term loan. During the
                          three months ended March 31, 2015,
                          we recorded $0.5 million in charges
                          related to our prepayment of
                          mortgage loans in connection with
                          the sale of our Richmond portfolio.

                  (7)    As a result of the sale of the
                          Richmond Portfolio in March 2015, we
                          accelerated the amortization of
                          straight-line rents and deferred
                          rent abatements related to those
                          properties.

The definitions of FFO, FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders and Core FFO, as well as the statements of purpose, are included below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Fourth Quarter Results

Net loss attributable to common shareholders, Core FFO and FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders for the three and twelve months ended 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands):



                           Three Months Ended                           Twelve Months Ended
                              December 31,                                 December 31,

                      2016                  2015 Change            2016          2015           Change
                      ----                  ---- ------            ----          ----           ------

    Net loss
     attributable to
     common
     shareholders          $(1,646)                     $(41,220)                     $39,574          $(9,635)   $(45,366)    $35,731

    Core FFO                $16,010                        $17,106                     $(1,096)          $63,899      $62,035      $1,864

    FFO available to
     common
     shareholders and
     unitholders            $16,010                         $9,225                       $6,785           $58,336      $54,832      $3,504

Three months ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015

Positive impacts to net loss attributable to common shareholders, Core FFO and FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders reflect the following:


    --  an additional $1.2 million of net operating income resulting from rent
        commencement at the NOVA build-to-suit in August 2016;
    --  a $0.3 million decrease in general and administrative costs (which
        excludes $6.1 million of personnel severance costs related to the
        departure of the Company's former Chief Executive Officer and former
        Chief Investment Officer during the fourth quarter of 2015) primarily
        due to a decline in compensation expense; and
    --  a $3.1 million reduction in accrued preferred dividends due to the
        redemption of our 7.750% Series A Preferred Shares prior to the fourth
        quarter of 2016.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders, Core FFO and FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders were adversely impacted by the following:


    --  a $1.3 million decrease in Same Property NOI due to a combined $1.4
        million write-off of unamortized lease incentives and rent abatement
        associated with a defaulted tenant at 840 First Street, NE in
        Washington, D.C. The write-off is reflected as a reduction to rental
        revenue in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months
        ended December 31, 2016;
    --  a $3.5 million reduction in net operating income due to property
        dispositions; and
    --  a $0.9 million decrease in interest income due to the repayment of the
        $34.0 million mezzanine loan on 950 F Street, NW in the second quarter
        of 2016.

Twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015

Positive impacts to net loss attributable to common shareholders, Core FFO and FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders reflect the following:


    --  a $2.3 million increase in Same Property NOI, which primarily relates to
        increases in occupancy in our comparable portfolio and is net of a $1.4
        million write-off of unamortized lease incentives and rent abatement
        associated with a defaulted tenant at 840 First Street, NE;
    --  an additional $2.1 million of net operating income resulting from rent
        commencement at the NOVA build-to-suit in August 2016;
    --  a $2.0 million decrease in general and administrative costs (which
        excludes $6.5 million of personnel severance costs primarily related to
        the departure of the Company's former Chief Executive Officer and former
        Chief Investment Officer during the fourth quarter of 2015) primarily
        due to a decline in compensation expense; and
    --  a $9.3 million reduction in accrued preferred dividends due to the
        redemption of our 7.750% Series A Preferred Shares in 2016.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders, Core FFO and FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders were adversely impacted by the following:


    --  a $12.8 million reduction in net operating income due to property
        dispositions; and
    --  a $2.1 million decrease in interest income due to the repayment of the
        $29.7 million mezzanine loan on America's Square in the first quarter of
        2015 and the repayment of the $34.0 million mezzanine loan on 950 F
        Street, NW in the second quarter of 2016.

Operating Performance - Leasing and Occupancy

At December 31, 2016, our consolidated portfolio consisted of 74 buildings totaling 6.7 million square feet. Leasing and occupancy highlights for our consolidated portfolio were as follows:



    Leased and occupied %

                            December   Year- September
                                                31, 2015         over-  30, 2016
                                                                 year
                                                                 basis
                                                                 point
                          December 31,                         increase
                                  2016
                                  ----

    Leased                       93.8%                   92.1%                170 94.1%

    Occupied                     92.6%                   90.3%                230 92.8%

The increase in occupancy during the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 is primarily a result of tenant move-ins at 440 First Street, NW, Cloverleaf Center and Atlantic Corporate Park.



    Leasing Activity
     (square feet)

                     Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                      December 31, 2016          December 31, 2016
                     -----------------          -----------------

    Total new leases                    54,000                     299,000

    Total renewal
     leases                             42,000                     535,000
                                        ------

    Total leases
     executed                           96,000                     834,000
                                        ======                     =======

The 42,000 square feet of renewal leases in the fourth quarter reflected a tenant retention rate of 36%, which was primarily due to a low number of lease expirations during the quarter and the move-out of two tenants at Crossways Commerce Center and Ammendale Business Park who occupied a combined 58,000 square feet. We experienced negative net absorption of 31,000 square feet in the fourth quarter of 2016.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, we achieved a tenant retention rate of 74% and had positive net absorption of 135,000 square feet. Our executed new and renewal leases for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 do not include a one-year lease extension with the Bureau of Prisons at 500 First Street, NW, which is scheduled to expire in July 2017, or the 125,000 square feet of combined new and renewal leases at our unconsolidated joint venture properties.

Operating Performance - Same Properties

Same Property NOI increased (decreased) on an accrual basis as follows:



                        % Increase (Decrease) in Same Property NOI
                           Compared with the Same Period in 2015

                 Three Months Ended                       Twelve Months Ended
                  December 31, 2016                        December 31, 2016
                 -----------------                         -----------------

     Washington,
     D.C.(1)                (22.3)%                                           (2.8)%

    Maryland                   1.6%                                             7.1%

    Northern
     Virginia                (2.6)%                                           (1.4)%

    Southern
     Virginia                  3.6%                                             7.0%

    Total -
     accrual
     basis(2)                (5.2)%                                             2.4%


                  (1)    Excluding the $1.4 million
                          write-off of unamortized lease
                          incentives and rent abatement
                          associated with a defaulted
                          tenant at 840 First Street, NE,
                          Same Property NOI in
                          Washington, D.C. would have
                          decreased 0.4% and increased
                          2.8% for the three and twelve
                          months ended December 31, 2016,
                          respectively, compared with the
                          same periods in 2015.

                  (2)    Excluding the $1.4 million
                          write-off of unamortized lease
                          incentives and rent abatement
                          associated with a defaulted
                          tenant at 840 First Street, NE,
                          total Same Property NOI would
                          have increased 0.5% and 3.9%
                          for the three and twelve months
                          ended December 31, 2016,
                          respectively, compared with the
                          same periods in 2015.

The decrease in total Same Property NOI for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 is due to the write-off of a combined $1.4 million of unamortized lease incentives and rent abatement associated with a defaulted tenant at 840 First Street, NE in Washington, D.C. Increases in Same Property NOI in Maryland and Southern Virginia for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 were primarily due to increases in occupancy, particularly at the following properties: Cloverleaf Center, which is located in Maryland, and Greenbrier Business Park, which is located in Southern Virginia. Same Property NOI decreased for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 in Washington D.C., due to the $1.4 million write-off at 840 First Street, NE and a tenant move out at 11 Dupont Circle, NW, and in Northern Virginia primarily due to an increase in certain operating costs and real estate tax expenses.

The increase in Same Property NOI for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 was primarily due to increases in occupancy at properties in Maryland and Southern Virgina. Same Property NOI decreased in Washington, D.C. due to the $1.4 million write-off of unamortized lease incentives and rent abatement discussed above. Same Property NOI decreased in Northern Virginia for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 primarily due to an increase in certain operating costs and real estate tax expenses.

A reconciliation of net loss from our consolidated statements of operations to Same Property NOI and a definition and statement of purpose are included below in the financial tables accompanying this press release and under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," respectively.

A list of our properties, as well as additional information regarding our results of operations, and our definition of "strategic hold," "reposition" and "non-core" as they relate to our portfolio, can be found in our Fourth Quarter 2016 Supplemental Financial Information Report, which is posted on our website, www.first-potomac.com.

Strategic Plan Results

At the beginning of 2016, we completed an extensive underwriting of our business, our portfolio and our team. Based on this underwriting, we have been implementing our strategic plan to de-risk the portfolio, de-lever the balance sheet and maximize asset values (the "Strategic Plan"). As we near the completion of the Strategic Plan, the key action items of the Strategic Plan and our results on the action items are as follows:


    --  Improve our portfolio composition by disposing of approximately $350
        million of non-core assets.

As of the date of this earnings release, aggregate gross proceeds from dispositions identified as part of our Strategic Plan total over $290 million.


    --  Address three large upcoming lease expirations at single-tenant
        buildings through the sale of One Fair Oaks and the repositioning of 500
        First Street, NW and 540 Gaither Road at Redland Corporate Center.

On January 9, 2017, we sold One Fair Oaks for gross proceeds of $13.7 million. We have begun repositioning 540 Gaither Road at Redland Corporate Center, which is expected to be placed into redevelopment at the end of March 2017. In addition, we have re-leased two floors at 540 Gaither Road, which total 45,000 square feet, or approximately 34% of the building's total square footage. The tenant at 500 First Street, NW extended their lease through July 2017. We are currently evaluating various strategies with respect to 500 First Street, which include repositioning the property and guaging new tenant interest.


    --  Strengthen the balance sheet and improve liquidity by reducing leverage,
        limiting our floating rate debt exposure over time, and extending our
        debt maturities to better match our capital structure with our assets.

At December 31, 2016, our debt plus preferred shares over the undepreciated book value of our real estate assets was 57.1% compared with 66.6% at December 31, 2015. During 2016, we redeemed all 6.4 million shares of our outstanding 7.750% Series A Preferred Shares with proceeds from property dispositions and from the prepayment of a note receivable.


    --  Manage our cost structure by reducing corporate overhead and general and
        administrative expenses.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, our corporate overhead expense (which is allocated between property operating and general and administrative expenses) was $23.4 million compared with $33.5 million for the same period in 2015, which included $6.5 million of separation costs. Excluding the separation costs recorded in 2015, corporate overhead expense decreased 14% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared with the same period in 2015. The portion of our corporate overhead expense recorded as general and administrative expense was $17.0 million in 2016 compared with $25.5 million for the same period in 2015. The aforementioned $6.5 million of separation costs were recorded as general and administrative expense in 2015, and excluding these costs, our general and administrative expense decreased 11% in 2016 compared with the same period in 2015.


    --  Reduce our targeted annualized common share dividend from $0.60 to
        $0.40.

On April 26, 2016, the Board of Trustees declared a reduction of our dividend rate by 33% from $0.15 per common share to $0.10 per common share, which equates to an annualized dividend of $0.40 per common share and was effective for the dividends paid on and after May 16, 2016.

Dispositions

On January 9, 2017, we sold One Fair Oaks, a 214,000 square-foot office building located in Northern Virginia, for gross proceeds of $13.7 million, which generated net proceeds of $13.3 million. At December 31, 2016, we classified One Fair Oaks as "held-for-sale" on our consolidated balance sheet. The operating results of One Fair Oaks are reflected in continuing operations in our consolidated statements of operations for each of the periods presented in this press release.

On February 17, 2017, we sold Plaza 500, a 503,000 square-foot industrial property located in Northern Virginia, for gross proceeds of $75.0 million, which generated net proceeds of $72.5 million.

Aggregate gross proceeds from dispositions identified as part of our Strategic Plan now total $294.6 million toward our stated goal of $350 million. This amount reflects the sales of the following properties: Plaza 500, which was sold in February 2017; One Fair Oaks, which was sold in January 2017; Storey Park, which was sold in the third quarter of 2016; the combined sale of Enterprise Center, Gateway Centre Manassas, Linden Business Center, Herndon Corporate Center, Prosperity Business Center, Reston Business Campus, Windsor at Battlefield and Van Buren Office Park (collectively, the "NOVA Non-Core Portfolio"), which was sold in the first quarter of 2016; and Cedar Hill I and III and Newington Business Park Center, which were both sold in the fourth quarter of 2015.

In addition, in January 2017, three of our unconsolidated joint ventures entered into binding contracts to collectively sell Aviation Business Park and Rivers Park I and II, which are located in Maryland. We anticipate completing the sale in March 2017; however, we can provide no assurances regarding the timing or pricing of such sale, or that such sale will ultimately occur.

Financing Activity

As previously disclosed, on October 6, 2016, we prepaid, without penalty, the $12.2 million loan encumbering Hillside I and II. The loan had a fixed interest rate of 5.75% and was scheduled to mature in December 2016. The prepayment was funded with a draw on the unsecured revolving credit facility and available cash.

Balance Sheet

We had $743.4 million of gross debt outstanding at December 31, 2016, of which $232.6 million was fixed-rate debt, $240.0 million was hedged variable-rate debt and $270.8 million was unhedged variable-rate debt. The weighted average interest rate of our debt was 3.5% at December 31, 2016.

During 2016, we redeemed all 6.4 million outstanding 7.750% Series A Preferred Shares, and on July 6, 2016, the 7.750% Series A Preferred Shares (NYSE: FPO-PA) were delisted from trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Dividends

On January 24, 2017, we declared a dividend of $0.10 per common share, equating to an annualized dividend of $0.40 per common share. The dividend was paid on February 15, 2017 to common shareholders of record as of February 8, 2017.

2017 Core FFO Guidance

We expect our full-year 2017 Core FFO to be in the range of $0.78 to $0.84 per diluted share. The following is a summary of the assumptions that we used in arriving at our guidance (unaudited, amounts in thousands except percentages and per share amounts):



                                Expected Ranges
                                ---------------

    Portfolio Net Operating
     Income(1)                                  $82,000          - $88,000

    Interest and Other Income                      $400          -    $500

    FFO from Unconsolidated
     Joint Ventures(2)                           $4,500          -  $5,000

    Interest Expense                            $23,000          - $25,000

    General and Administrative
     Expense                                    $17,500          - $18,500

    Weighted Average Shares and
     OP Units                         60,400              - 60,800

    Year-End Occupancy(3)              91.0%             -  93.0%

    Same Property NOI Growth -
     Accrual Basis(4)                  -1.0%             -  +1.0%
    --------------------------          ----            ---   ----


                     (1)    Reflects the sale of One Fair Oaks,
                             which occurred on January 9, 2017,
                             as well as the sale of Plaza 500,
                             which occurred on February 17,
                             2017.  No assumption for additional
                             acquisitions or dispositions is
                             included in the guidance range.

                     (2)    Assumes Aviation Business Park and
                             Rivers Park I and II are sold at
                             the end of the first quarter of
                             2017; however, we can provide no
                             assurances regarding the timing or
                             pricing of such sale, or that the
                             sale will ultimately occur.

                     (3)    Assumes 500 First Street, NW and 540
                             Gaither Road at Redland are placed
                             into redevelopment during 2017, and
                             the square footage associated with
                             the properties is excluded from
                             reported portfolio metrics,
                             including occupancy.

                     (4)    Assumes 500 First Street, NW and 540
                             Gaither Road at Redland are placed
                             into redevelopment during 2017,
                             resulting in the properties being
                             excluded from the full-year 2017
                             same property NOI calculation.

Our guidance is also based on a number of other assumptions, many of which are outside our control and all of which are subject to change. We may change our guidance as actual and anticipated results vary from these assumptions.



    Guidance Range
     for 2017              Low Range          High Range
    --------------         ---------          ----------

    Net loss
     attributable to
     common
     shareholders
     per diluted
     share                            $(0.18)                    $(0.14)

    Real estate
     depreciation(1)             0.97                       0.99

    Net loss
     attributable to
     noncontrolling
     interests and
     items excluded            (0.01)                    (0.01)
             from Core FFO
              per diluted
              share(2)

    Core FFO per
     diluted share                      $0.78                       $0.84
                                        =====                       =====


                     (1)    Includes our pro-rata share of
                             depreciation from our unconsolidated
                             joint ventures and depreciation
                             related to disposed properties. The
                             depreciation associated with our
                             unconsolidated joint ventures
                             assumes Aviation Business Park and
                             Rivers Park I and II are sold at the
                             end of the first quarter of 2017;
                             however, we can provide no
                             assurances regarding the timing or
                             pricing of such sale, or that the
                             sale will ultimately occur.

                     (2)    Items excluded from Core FFO consist
                             of personnel separation costs, the
                             gains or losses associated with
                             disposed properties, property
                             impairment, loss on debt
                             extinguishment and other non-
                             recurring items.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

We will host a conference call on February 24, 2017 at 9:00 AM ET to discuss the fourth quarter and full-year 2016 results and our 2017 Core FFO guidance. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (877) 705-6003 or (201) 493-6725 for international participants. A replay of the call will be available from 12:00 PM ET on February 24, 2017, until midnight ET on March 3, 2017. The replay can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671 for international callers, and entering pin number 13652088.

A live broadcast of the conference call will also be available online at the Company's website, www.first-potomac.com, on February 24, 2017 beginning at 9:00 AM ET. An online replay will follow shortly after the call and will continue for 90 days.

About First Potomac Realty Trust

First Potomac Realty Trust is a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust that focuses on owning, operating, developing and redeveloping office and business park properties in the greater Washington, D.C. region. FPO common shares (NYSE: FPO) are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. As of December 31, 2016, our consolidated portfolio totaled 6.7 million square feet. Based on annualized cash basis rent, our portfolio consists of 66% office properties and 34% business park and industrial properties. A key element of First Potomac's overarching strategy is its dedication to sustainability. Over one million square feet of First Potomac property is LEED Certified and over half of the portfolio's multi-story office square footage is LEED or Energy Star Certified.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Funds from Operations - Funds from operations ("FFO"), which is a non-GAAP measure used by many investors and analysts that follow the public real estate industry, represents net income (computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")), excluding gains (losses) on sales of rental property and impairments of rental property, plus real estate-related depreciation and amortization and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. We also exclude from our FFO calculation the impact related to third parties from our consolidated joint venture. FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders is calculated as FFO less accumulated dividends on our preferred shares for the applicable periods presented. We compute FFO in accordance with standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), which may differ from the methodology for calculating FFO, or similarly titled measures, utilized by other equity REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such other REITs.

We consider FFO and FFO available to common shareholders and unitholders useful measures of performance for an equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") as they facilitate an understanding of the operating performance of our properties without giving effect to real estate depreciation and amortization, which assume that the value of rental property diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, we believe that FFO provides a meaningful indication of our performance. We also consider FFO an appropriate supplemental performance measure given its wide use by investors and analysts. However, FFO does not represent amounts available for our discretionary use because of needed capital replacement or expansion, debt service obligations or other commitments and uncertainties, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make distributions. Our methodology for computing FFO adds back noncontrolling interests in the income from our Operating Partnership in determining FFO. We believe this is appropriate as common Operating Partnership units are presented on an as-converted, one-for-one basis for common shares in determining FFO per diluted share.

Our presentation of FFO in accordance with NAREIT's definition should not be considered as an alternative to net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders (computed in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of our financial performance.

Core FFO - We believe that the computation of FFO in accordance with NAREIT's definition includes certain items that are not indicative of the results provided by our operating portfolio and affect the comparability of our period-over-period performance. These items include, but are not limited to, gains and losses on the retirement of debt, personnel separation costs, contingent consideration charges, acceleration of deferred abatement and straight-line amortization, gains on the receipt of yield maintenance payments from the prepayment of a note receivable, issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares and acquisition costs. Core FFO is presented less accumulated dividends on our preferred shares for all the periods presented.

Our presentation of Core FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders (computed in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of our financial performance. Our FFO and Core FFO calculations are reconciled to (loss) income attributable to common shareholders in this release.

Same Property NOI - Same Property Net Operating Income ("Same Property NOI"), defined as property revenues (rental and tenant reimbursements and other revenues) less property operating expenses (real estate taxes, property operating and insurance expenses) from the consolidated properties owned by us and in-service for the entirety of the periods presented, is a primary performance measure we use to assess the results of operations at our properties. Same Property NOI is a non-GAAP measure. As an indication of our operating performance, Same Property NOI should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of our Same Property NOI to net income is presented below. The Same Property NOI results exclude the collection of termination fees, as these items vary significantly period-over-period, thus impacting trends and comparability. Also, Same Property NOI includes a normalized management fee percentage in lieu of an administrative overhead allocation for comparative purposes. We eliminate depreciation and amortization expense, which are property level expenses, in computing Same Property NOI as these are non-cash expenses that are based on historical cost accounting assumptions and management believes these expenses do not offer the investor significant insight into the operations of the property. This presentation allows management and investors to determine whether growth or declines in net operating income are a result of increases or decreases in property operations or the acquisition or disposition of additional properties. While this presentation provides useful information to management and investors, the results below should be read in conjunction with the results from the consolidated statements of operations to provide a complete depiction of our total performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including statements regarding our 2017 Core FFO guidance and related assumptions, the execution of our strategic plan, potential dispositions and the timing and pricing of such dispositions, future acquisition and growth opportunities and the timing of future tenant occupancies, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include changes in general or regional economic conditions; our ability to timely lease or re-lease space at current or anticipated rents; changes in interest rates; changes in operating costs; our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions on acceptable terms, or at all; our ability to manage our current debt levels and repay or refinance our indebtedness upon maturity or other required payment dates; our ability to maintain financial covenant compliance under our debt agreements; our ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; our ability to obtain debt and/or financing on attractive terms, or at all; changes in the assumptions underlying our earnings and Core FFO guidance and other risks detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. For forward-looking statements herein, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events. We do not intend to, and expressly disclaim any duty to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this discussion to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or otherwise, after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely upon these forward-looking statements after the date of this report and should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made in this discussion, or elsewhere, might not occur.





                                                                                     Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                                                          (unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)




                                                                                                    Three Months Ended                                 Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                                     December 31,                                   December 31,

                                                                                             2016                    2015             2016                     2015
                                                                                             ----                    ----             ----                     ----

    Revenues:

    Rental                                                                                           $31,411                                  $34,955                        $129,225      $139,006

    Tenant reimbursements and other                                                         7,561                               8,149                       31,109              33,840
                                                                                            -----                               -----                       ------              ------

    Total revenues                                                                         38,972                              43,104                      160,334             172,846
                                                                                           ------                              ------                      -------             -------

    Operating expenses:

    Property operating                                                                      8,974                               9,417                       38,554              44,093

    Real estate taxes and insurance                                                         4,917                               5,077                       19,808              19,745

    General and administrative                                                              3,980                              10,340                       16,976              25,450

    Depreciation and amortization                                                          16,787                              16,715                       60,862              66,624

    Impairment of rental property                                                               -                             60,826                        2,772              60,826
                                                                                              ---                             ------                        -----              ------

    Total operating expenses                                                               34,658                             102,375                      138,972             216,738
                                                                                           ------                             -------                      -------             -------

    Operating income (loss)                                                                 4,314                            (59,271)                      21,362            (43,892)
                                                                                            -----                             -------                       ------             -------

    Other expenses (income):

    Interest expense                                                                        6,571                               6,576                       26,370              26,797

    Interest and other income                                                               (129)                              (998)                     (2,348)            (6,794)

    Equity in earnings of affiliates                                                        (411)                              (590)                     (2,294)            (1,825)

    (Gain) loss on sale of rental property                                                      -                           (26,093)                       1,155            (29,477)

    Loss on debt extinguishment                                                                 -                              1,824                           48               1,824


    Total other expenses (income)                                                           6,031                            (19,281)                      22,931             (9,475)
                                                                                            -----                             -------                       ------              ------

    Loss from continuing operations                                                       (1,717)                           (39,990)                     (1,569)           (34,417)
                                                                                           ------                             -------                       ------             -------

    Discontinued operations:

    Loss from operations                                                                        -                                  -                           -              (975)

    Loss on debt extinguishment / modification                                                  -                                  -                           -              (489)

    Gain on sale of rental property                                                             -                                  -                           -                857
                                                                                              ---                                ---                         ---                ---

    Loss from discontinued operations                                                           -                                  -                           -              (607)
                                                                                              ---                                ---                         ---               ----

    Net loss                                                                              (1,717)                           (39,990)                     (1,569)           (35,024)
                                                                                           ------                             -------                       ------             -------

         Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests                               71                               1,870                          502               2,058
                                                                                              ---                               -----                          ---               -----

    Net loss attributable to First Potomac Realty Trust                                   (1,646)                           (38,120)                     (1,067)           (32,966)

         Less: Dividends on preferred shares                                                    -                            (3,100)                     (3,053)           (12,400)

         Less: Issuance costs of redeemed preferred shares                                      -                                  -                     (5,515)                  -
                                                                                              ---                                ---                      ------                 ---

    Net loss attributable to common shareholders                                                    $(1,646)                               $(41,220)                       $(9,635)    $(45,366)
                                                                                                     =======                                 ========                         =======      ========


    Basic and diluted earnings per common share:

    Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders                              $(0.03)                                 $(0.72)                        $(0.17)      $(0.78)

    Loss from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders                       -                                  -                           -             (0.01)


    Net loss attributable to common shareholders                                                     $(0.03)                                 $(0.72)                        $(0.17)      $(0.79)
                                                                                                      ======                                   ======                          ======        ======

    Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    Basic and diluted                                                                      57,606                              57,470                       57,581              57,982




                                                                                                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                                                                 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                                                                                                                  December 31, 2016            December 31, 2015
                                                                                                                                                  -----------------            -----------------

                                                                                                                                                     (unaudited)

    Assets:

    Rental property, net                                                                                                                                            $1,059,272                     $1,130,266

    Assets held-for-sale                                                                                                                                     13,176                         90,674

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                14,144                         13,527

    Escrows and reserves                                                                                                                                      1,419                          2,514

    Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $655 and $876, respectively                                                     6,892                          9,868

    Accrued straight-line rents, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $414 and $105, respectively                                                       42,745                         36,888

    Notes receivable                                                                                                                                              -                        34,000

    Investment in affiliates                                                                                                                                 49,392                         48,223

    Deferred costs, net                                                                                                                                      42,712                         36,537

    Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                                                                                         5,389                          6,950

    Intangibles assets, net                                                                                                                                  25,106                         32,959
                                                                                                                                                             ------                         ------

    Total assets                                                                                                                                                    $1,260,247                     $1,442,406
                                                                                                                                                                    ==========                     ==========

    Liabilities:

    Mortgage loans, net                                                                                                                                               $296,212                       $307,769

    Unsecured term loan, net                                                                                                                                299,404                        299,404

    Unsecured revolving credit facility, net                                                                                                                141,555                        116,865

    Liabilities held-for-sale                                                                                                                                     -                         1,513

    Accounts payable and other liabilities                                                                                                                   43,904                         47,972

    Accrued interest                                                                                                                                          1,537                          1,603

    Rents received in advance                                                                                                                                 6,234                          6,003

    Tenant security deposits                                                                                                                                  4,982                          4,982

    Deferred market rent, net                                                                                                                                 1,792                          2,154
                                                                                                                                                              -----                          -----

    Total liabilities                                                                                                                                       795,620                        788,265
                                                                                                                                                            -------                        -------

    Noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership                                                                                                    28,244                         28,813

    Equity:

    Preferred Shares, $0.001 par value per share, 50,000 shares authorized:

    7.750% Series A Preferred Shares, $25 per share liquidation preference, 0 and 6,400 shares issued and outstanding, respectively                               -                       160,000

    Common shares, $0.001 par value per share, 150,000 shares authorized; 58,319 and 57,718 shares issued and outstanding, respectively                          58                             58

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                              913,367                        907,220

    Noncontrolling interests in consolidated partnerships                                                                                                         -                           800

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                                      (844)                       (2,360)

    Dividends in excess of accumulated earnings                                                                                                           (476,198)                     (440,390)
                                                                                                                                                           --------

    Total equity                                                                                                                                            436,383                        625,328
                                                                                                                                                            -------                        -------

    Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and equity                                                                                                          $1,260,247                     $1,442,406
                                                                                                                                                                    ==========                     ==========





                                                                               Same Property Analysis

                                                                         (unaudited, dollars in thousands)




    Reconciliation of net loss to Same Property NOI(1):

                                                                    Three Months Ended                                       Twelve Months Ended
                                                                        December 31,                                             December 31,

                                                                      2016                         2015                              2016                          2015
                                                                      ----                         ----                              ----                          ----

    Number of buildings                                                 73                                       73                                                 73           73


    Net loss                                                                  $(1,717)                                                     $(39,990)                    $(1,569)    $(35,024)

    Loss from discontinued operations                                    -                                       -                                                 -         607

    Total other expenses (income)                                    6,031                                 (19,281)                                            22,931      (9,475)

    Impairment of rental property                                        -                                  60,826                                              2,772       60,826

    Depreciation and amortization                                   16,787                                   16,715                                             60,862       66,624

    General and administrative expenses                              3,980                                   10,340                                             16,976       25,450

    Non-comparable net operating income(2)                         (1,328)                                 (3,558)                                           (3,888)    (13,260)

    Same Property NOI                                                          $23,753                                                        $25,052                      $98,084       $95,748
                                                                               =======                                                        =======                      =======       =======


    Same property revenues

    Rental(3)                                                                  $30,371                                                        $30,980                     $124,997      $121,843

    Tenant reimbursements and other(4)                               6,846                                    6,761                                             28,682       28,303
                                                                     -----                                    -----                                             ------       ------

    Total same property revenues                                    37,217                                   37,741                                            153,679      150,146
                                                                    ------                                   ------                                            -------      -------

    Same property operating expenses

    Property(5)                                                      8,586                                    8,079                                             36,630       36,691

    Real estate taxes and insurance                                  4,878                                    4,610                                             18,965       17,707
                                                                     -----                                    -----                                             ------       ------

    Total same property operating expenses                          13,464                                   12,689                                             55,595       54,398
                                                                    ------                                   ------                                             ------       ------

    Same Property NOI                                                          $23,753                                                        $25,052                      $98,084       $95,748
                                                                               =======                                                        =======                      =======       =======


    Same Property NOI growth(6)                                     (5.2)%                                                                      2.4%


                                                            Weighted Average Occupancy for the                       Weighted Average Occupancy for the
                                                             Three Months Ended December 31,                          Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                                                                      2016                         2015                              2016                          2015
                                                                      ----                         ----                              ----                          ----

    Same Properties                                                  92.5%                                   92.0%                                             92.3%       90.3%


    Change in Same Property NOI (accrual basis)

    By Region                                           Three Months Ended               Percentage of              Twelve Months Ended                Percentage of
                                                         December 31, 2016                 Base Rent                 December 31, 2016
                                                                                                                                                       Base Rent
    ---                                                                                                                                                  ---------

    Washington, D.C.(7)                                            (22.3)%                         29%                           (2.8)%                          29%

    Maryland                                                          1.6%                         29%                             7.1%                          29%

    Northern Virginia                                               (2.6)%                         23%                           (1.4)%                          23%

    Southern Virginia                                                 3.6%                         19%                             7.0%                          19%

    By Type
    -------

    Business Park / Industrial                                        1.9%                         32%                             2.7%                          32%

    Office(8)                                                       (9.2)%                         68%                             2.3%                          68%


                      (1)    Same property comparisons are
                              based upon those consolidated
                              properties owned and in-service
                              for the entirety of the periods
                              presented. Same property results
                              for the three and twelve months
                              ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
                              exclude the operating results of
                              all disposed properties and the
                              results of the following non-
                              same property that was owned as
                              of December 31, 2016: the NOVA
                              build-to-suit.

                      (2)    Includes property results for the
                              NOVA build-to-suit and all
                              properties that were disposed of
                              prior to December 31, 2016 and
                              whose operations remained
                              classified within continuing
                              operations for the periods
                              presented. Also includes an
                              administrative overhead
                              allocation, which was replaced by
                              a normalized management fee for
                              comparative purposes, and
                              termination fee income.

                      (3)    During the fourth quarter of 2016,
                              we recorded a $1.4 million write-
                              off of unamortized lease
                              incentives and rent abatement
                              associated with a defaulted
                              tenant at 840 First Street, NE.
                              The write-off is included in
                              same property rental revenue for
                              the three and twelve months ended
                              December 31, 2016.

                      (4)    Excludes termination fee income
                              for comparative purposes.

                      (5)    Same property operating expenses
                              have been adjusted to reflect a
                              normalized management fee in lieu
                              of an administrative overhead
                              allocation for comparative
                              purposes.

                      (6)    Excluding the $1.4 million write-
                              off of unamortized lease
                              incentives and rent abatement
                              associated with a defaulted
                              tenant at 840 First Street, NE,
                              total Same Property NOI would
                              have increased 0.5% and 3.9% for
                              the three and twelve months ended
                              December 31, 2016, respectively,
                              compared with the same periods in
                              2015.

                      (7)    Excluding the $1.4 million write-
                              off of unamortized lease
                              incentives and rent abatement
                              associated with a defaulted at
                              840 First Street, NE, Same
                              Property NOI for Washington D.C
                              would have decreased 0.4% and
                              increased 2.8% for the three and
                              twelve months ended December 31,
                              2016, respectively, compared with
                              the same periods in 2015.

                      (8)    Excluding the $1.4 million write-
                              off of unamortized lease
                              incentives and rent abatement
                              associated with a defaulted
                              tenant at 840 First Street, NE,
                              Same Property NOI for office
                              properties would have decreased
                              0.3% and increased 4.6% for the
                              three and twelve months ended
                              December 31, 2016, respectively,
                              compared with the same periods in
                              2015.

Company Contact:
Randy Haugh
Vice President, Finance
(240) 235-5573
rhaugh@first-potomac.com

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SOURCE First Potomac Realty Trust