PDM-9.30.13 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
____________________________________________________  
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2013
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT of 1934
For the Transition Period From                      To                     
Commission file number 001-34626
PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 ____________________________________________________ 
Maryland
 
58-2328421
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

11695 Johns Creek Parkway
Ste. 350
Johns Creek, Georgia 30097
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(770) 418-8800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x    No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large Accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-Accelerated filer o     (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)        
 
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o No   x
Number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s
common stock, as of October 30, 2013:
161,112,966 shares
 


Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q
PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page No.
PART I.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II.
Other Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.


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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (“Piedmont”) may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. In addition, Piedmont, or its executive officers on Piedmont’s behalf, may from time to time make forward-looking statements in reports and other documents Piedmont files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in connection with oral statements made to the press, potential investors, or others. Statements regarding future events and developments and Piedmont’s future performance, as well as management’s expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates, or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” or other similar words. Examples of such statements in this report include descriptions of our real estate, financing, and operating objectives; discussions regarding future dividends and stock repurchases; and discussions regarding the potential impact of economic conditions on our portfolio.
These statements are based on beliefs and assumptions of Piedmont’s management, which in turn are based on currently available information. Important assumptions relating to the forward-looking statements include, among others, assumptions regarding the demand for office space in the sectors in which Piedmont operates, competitive conditions, and general economic conditions. These assumptions could prove inaccurate. The forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Many of these factors are beyond Piedmont’s ability to control or predict. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
Market and economic conditions remain challenging and the demand for office space, rental rates and property values may continue to lag the general economic recovery causing our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and access to capital to be adversely affected or otherwise impact performance, including the potential recognition of impairment charges;
The success of our real estate strategies and investment objectives, including our ability to identify and consummate suitable acquisitions;
Acquisitions of properties may have unknown risks and other liabilities at the time of acquisition;
Lease terminations or lease defaults, particularly by one of our large lead tenants;
The impact of competition on our efforts to renew existing leases or re-let space on terms similar to existing leases;
Changes in the economies and other conditions of the office market in general and of the specific markets in which we operate, particularly in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and the New York metropolitan area;
Economic and regulatory changes, including accounting standards, that impact the real estate market generally;
Additional risks and costs associated with directly managing properties occupied by government tenants;
Adverse market and economic conditions may continue to adversely affect us and could cause us to recognize impairment charges or otherwise impact our performance;
Availability of financing and our lending banks’ ability to honor existing line of credit commitments;
We have significant indebtedness and may not be able to meet our debt service obligations;
Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations;
Uncertainties associated with environmental and other regulatory matters;
Potential changes in political environment and reduction in federal and/or state funding of our governmental tenants;
We may be subject to litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition;
Piedmont’s ability to continue to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”); and
Other factors, including the risk factors discussed under Item 1A. of Piedmont’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and the Risk Factors contained in Piedmont's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 4, 2013.
Management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and management undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

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PART I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 1.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The information presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows reflects all adjustments that are, in management’s opinion, necessary for a fair and consistent presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to Piedmont’s financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this report on Form 10-Q and with Piedmont’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as well as the Current Report on Form 8-K containing Exhibit 99.1 filed on June 4, 2013, for the purpose of recasting certain sections of Piedmont's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for dispositions subsequent to December 31, 2012. Piedmont’s results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results expected for the full year.

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PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Assets:
 
 
 
Real estate assets, at cost:
 
 
 
Land
$
675,281

 
$
627,351

Buildings and improvements, less accumulated depreciation of $955,480 and $877,644 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
3,049,905

 
2,891,323

Intangible lease assets, less accumulated amortization of $70,744 and $67,940 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
66,870

 
54,744

Construction in progress
61,162

 
20,373

Real estate assets held for sale, net
19,734

 
18,941

Total real estate assets
3,872,952

 
3,612,732

Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
18,668

 
37,226

Cash and cash equivalents
15,972

 
12,957

Tenant receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $306 and $346 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
31,006

 
25,038

Straight-line rent receivables
135,487

 
121,506

Due from unconsolidated joint ventures

 
463

Restricted cash and escrows
385

 
334

Prepaid expenses and other assets
17,610

 
13,022

Goodwill
180,097

 
180,097

Interest rate swaps
19,192

 
1,075

Deferred financing costs, less accumulated amortization of $12,365 and $10,479 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
7,990

 
6,454

Deferred lease costs, less accumulated amortization of $129,998 and $112,496 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
275,234

 
243,178

Other assets held for sale, net
1,960

 
793

Total assets
$
4,576,553

 
$
4,254,875

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Unsecured debt
$
835,650

 
$
429,000

Secured debt
987,525

 
987,525

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued capital expenditures
159,675

 
127,263

Deferred income
26,575

 
21,552

Intangible lease liabilities, less accumulated amortization of $43,322 and $40,931 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
41,435

 
40,805

Interest rate swaps
5,010

 
8,235

Total liabilities
2,055,870

 
1,614,380

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Shares-in-trust, 150,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012

 

Preferred stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 750,000,000 shares authorized; 161,270,766 and 167,556,001 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
1,613

 
1,676

Additional paid-in capital
3,668,424

 
3,667,051

Cumulative distributions in excess of earnings
(1,165,794
)
 
(1,022,681
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
14,827

 
(7,160
)
Piedmont stockholders’ equity
2,519,070

 
2,638,886

Noncontrolling interest
1,613

 
1,609

Total stockholders’ equity
2,520,683

 
2,640,495

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
4,576,553

 
$
4,254,875

See accompanying notes

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PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
116,810

 
$
104,948

 
$
333,855

 
$
312,007

Tenant reimbursements
27,418

 
27,132

 
77,168

 
80,290

Property management fee revenue
890

 
520

 
2,034

 
1,720

 
145,118

 
132,600

 
413,057

 
394,017

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
58,767

 
50,483

 
164,420

 
154,568

Depreciation
30,785

 
27,921

 
90,688

 
81,721

Amortization
13,878

 
15,165

 
34,244

 
39,095

General and administrative
5,841

 
5,508

 
16,678

 
15,629

 
109,271

 
99,077

 
306,030

 
291,013

Real estate operating income
35,847

 
33,523

 
107,027

 
103,004

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(19,331
)
 
(16,247
)
 
(53,932
)
 
(48,727
)
Interest and other income/(expense)
(611
)
 
383

 
(1,960
)
 
765

Litigation settlement recovery/(expense)

 
(7,500
)
 
1,250

 
(7,500
)
Net recoveries of casualty loss
3,919

 

 
6,061

 

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
46

 
323

 
604

 
739

Loss on consolidation
(898
)
 

 
(898
)
 

 
(16,875
)

(23,041
)
 
(48,875
)
 
(54,723
)
Income from continuing operations
18,972

 
10,482

 
58,152

 
48,281

Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
128

 
607

 
1,109

 
2,914

Impairment loss

 

 
(6,402
)
 

Gain/(loss) on sale of real estate assets

 
(254
)
 
16,258

 
27,583

Income from discontinued operations
128

 
353

 
10,965

 
30,497

Net income
19,100

 
10,835

 
69,117

 
78,778

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
(12
)
 
(12
)
Net income attributable to Piedmont
$
19,096

 
$
10,831

 
$
69,105

 
$
78,766

Per share information – basic and diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
0.12

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.28

Income from discontinued operations

 

 
0.06

 
0.18

Net income available to common stockholders
$
0.12

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.41

 
$
0.46

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
164,683,173

 
168,805,589

 
166,597,577

 
171,162,281

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted
164,796,275

 
168,929,039

 
166,734,464

 
171,295,098

See accompanying notes.

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PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Piedmont
 
 
$
19,096

 
 
 
$
10,831

 
 
 
$
69,105

 
 
 
$
78,766

Other comprehensive income/(loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective portion of gain/(loss) on derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges (See Note 5)
(2,201
)
 
 
 
(2,756
)
 
 
 
19,659

 
 
 
(8,628
)
 
 
Plus: Reclassification of previously recorded loss included in net income (See Note 5)
783

 
 
 
762

 
 
 
2,328

 


 
2,249

 


Other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
 
(1,418
)
 
 
 
(1,994
)
 
 
 
21,987

 
 
 
(6,379
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Piedmont
 
 
$
17,678

 
 
 
$
8,837

 
 
 
$
91,092

 
 
 
$
72,387



See accompanying notes

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PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Common  Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Cumulative
Distributions
in Excess of
Earnings
 
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)
 
Non-
controlling
Interest
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance, December 31, 2011
172,630

 
$
1,726

 
$
3,663,662

 
$
(891,032
)
 
$
(2,537
)
 
$
1,609

 
$
2,773,428

Share repurchases as part of an announced plan
(5,255
)
 
(52
)
 

 
(88,685
)
 

 

 
(88,737
)
Offering costs associated with the issuance of common stock

 

 
567

 

 

 

 
567

Dividends to common stockholders ($0.80 per share), distributions to noncontrolling interest, and dividends reinvested

 

 
(195
)
 
(136,168
)
 

 
(15
)
 
(136,378
)
Shares issued and amortized under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, net of tax
181

 
2

 
3,017

 

 

 

 
3,019

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
15

 
15

Net income attributable to Piedmont

 

 

 
93,204

 

 

 
93,204

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
(4,623
)
 

 
(4,623
)
Balance, December 31, 2012
167,556

 
1,676

 
3,667,051

 
(1,022,681
)
 
(7,160
)
 
1,609

 
2,640,495

Share repurchases as part of an announced plan
(6,433
)
 
(64
)
 

 
(112,287
)
 

 

 
(112,351
)
Offering costs associated with the issuance of common stock

 

 
(91
)
 

 

 

 
(91
)
Dividends to common stockholders ($0.60 per share), distributions to noncontrolling interest, and dividends reinvested

 

 
(163
)
 
(99,931
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(100,102
)
Shares issued and amortized under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, net of tax
148

 
1

 
1,627

 

 

 

 
1,628

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 
12

 
12

Net income attributable to Piedmont

 

 

 
69,105

 

 

 
69,105

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
21,987

 

 
21,987

Balance, September 30, 2013
161,271

 
$
1,613

 
$
3,668,424

 
$
(1,165,794
)
 
$
14,827

 
$
1,613

 
$
2,520,683



See accompanying notes

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PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands) 
 
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
69,117

 
$
78,778

Operating distributions received from unconsolidated joint ventures
1,475

 
1,805

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
91,376

 
84,100

Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,931

 
2,056

Settlement of forward starting interest rate swaps
672

 

Other amortization
34,384

 
38,895

Impairment loss on real estate assets
6,402

 

Stock compensation expense
1,489

 
1,492

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
(604
)
 
(740
)
Gain on sale of real estate assets, net
(16,258
)
 
(27,583
)
Loss on consolidation
898

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Increase in tenant receivables, net
(24,257
)
 
(15,358
)
Increase in restricted cash and escrows
(51
)
 
(13,813
)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets
(4,539
)
 
(3,335
)
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
1,291

 
(483
)
Increase/(decrease) in deferred income
5,022

 
(3,211
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
168,348

 
142,603

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition of real estate assets and related intangibles
(250,127
)
 
(2,500
)
Capitalized expenditures, net of accruals
(112,486
)
 
(71,936
)
Acquisition of unconsolidated joint ventures, net of cash assumed
(14,242
)
 

Net sales proceeds from wholly-owned properties
49,326

 
74,845

Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
(793
)
 

Deferred lease costs paid
(28,349
)
 
(39,319
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(356,671
)
 
(38,910
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Deferred financing costs paid
(3,447
)
 
(2,991
)
Proceeds from debt
832,603

 
365,000

Repayments of debt
(426,000
)
 
(401,500
)
Costs of issuance of common stock
(91
)
 
(229
)
Repurchases of common stock as part of announced plan
(111,625
)
 
(80,130
)
Dividends paid and discount on dividend reinvestments
(100,102
)
 
(102,770
)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
191,338

 
(222,620
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
3,015

 
(118,927
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
12,957

 
139,690

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
15,972

 
$
20,763

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures of Significant Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Change in accrued share repurchases as part of an announced plan
$
726

 
$

Accrued capital expenditures and deferred lease costs
$
38,837

 
$
11,177

Accrued deferred financing costs
$

 
$
110


See accompanying notes

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PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
(unaudited)

1.Organization
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (“Piedmont”) (NYSE: PDM) is a Maryland corporation that operates in a manner so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes and engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial real estate properties throughout the United States, including properties that are under construction, are newly constructed, or have operating histories. Piedmont was incorporated in 1997 and commenced operations in June of 1998. Piedmont conducts business primarily through Piedmont Operating Partnership, L.P. (“Piedmont OP”), a Delaware limited partnership, as well as performing the management of its buildings through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Piedmont Government Services, LLC and Piedmont Office Management, LLC. Piedmont owns 99.9% of, and is the sole general partner of, Piedmont OP and as such, possesses full legal control and authority over the operations of Piedmont OP. The remaining 0.1% ownership interest of Piedmont OP is held indirectly by Piedmont through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Piedmont Office Holdings, Inc ("POH"), the sole limited partner of Piedmont OP. Piedmont OP owns properties directly, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, and through both consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures. References to Piedmont herein shall include Piedmont and all of its subsidiaries, including Piedmont OP and its subsidiaries and joint ventures.

As of September 30, 2013, Piedmont owned interests in 77 consolidated office properties, plus two buildings owned through an unconsolidated joint venture. Our 77 consolidated office properties are located in 18 metropolitan areas across the United States. These office properties comprise approximately 21.1 million square feet of primarily Class A commercial office space, and were approximately 86.7% leased as of September 30, 2013.

2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of Piedmont have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the statements for the unaudited interim periods presented include all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. Results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results and certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. The reclassifications relate to the required presentation of income from discontinued operations for properties sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and during the year ended December 31, 2012 (see Note 9), as well as reclassifying other rental income as rental income to be consistent with current period presentation, as further described in "Revenue Recognition" below. None of these reclassifications affect net income attributable to Piedmont as presented in previous periods.

Piedmont’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Piedmont, Piedmont’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, any variable interest entity of which Piedmont or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries is considered the primary beneficiary, or any entity in which Piedmont or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries owns a controlling interest. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in Piedmont’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as well as the Current Report on Form 8-K containing Exhibit 99.1 filed on June 4, 2013, for the purpose of recasting certain sections of Piedmont's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for dispositions subsequent to December 31, 2012.

Further, Piedmont has formed special purpose entities to acquire and hold real estate. Each special purpose entity is a separate legal entity and consequently the assets of the special purpose entities are not available to all creditors of Piedmont. The assets owned by these special purpose entities are being reported on a consolidated basis with Piedmont’s assets for financial reporting purposes only.

Deferred Lease Costs

Deferred lease costs are comprised of costs and incentives incurred to acquire operating leases, including intangible lease origination costs and direct payroll costs incurred related to negotiating and executing specific leases, and are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related underlying leases. The amortization of deferred lease costs and intangibles is

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recorded as amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Upon receipt of a lease termination notice, Piedmont adjusts any unamortized deferred lease costs to their net realizable value ratably over the revised remaining term of the lease after giving effect to the termination notice. If there is no remaining lease term and no other obligation to provide the tenant space in the property, then any unamortized tenant-specific costs are recognized immediately upon termination.

Revenue Recognition

All leases of real estate assets held by Piedmont are classified as operating leases, and the related base rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Tenant reimbursements are recognized as revenue in the period that the related operating cost is incurred. Rents and tenant reimbursements collected in advance are recorded as deferred income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Lease termination revenues are recognized ratably as rental revenue over the revised remaining lease term after giving effect to the termination notice. Contingent rental income recognition is deferred until the specific lease-related targets are achieved.

Gains on the sale of real estate assets are recognized upon completing the sale and, among other things, determining the sale price and transferring all of the risks and rewards of ownership without significant continuing involvement with the purchaser. Recognition of all or a portion of the gain would be deferred until both of these conditions are met. Losses are recognized through impairment charges when identified.

Income Taxes

Piedmont has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and has operated as such, beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 1998. To qualify as a REIT, Piedmont must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income. As a REIT, Piedmont is generally not subject to federal income taxes. Piedmont is subject to certain taxes related to the operations of properties in certain locations, as well as operations conducted by its taxable REIT subsidiary, POH, which have been provided for in the financial statements.

3.Acquisitions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Piedmont acquired the following properties:

Property
 
Metropolitan Statistical Area
 
Date of Acquisition
 
Rentable Square Feet
 
Percentage Leased as of Acquisition
 
Contractual Purchase Price (in millions)
 
Arlington Gateway
 
Washington, D.C.
 
March 4, 2013
 
333,948

 
99
%
 
$
175.6

 
5 & 15 Wayside Road
 
Boston, MA
 
March 22, 2013
 
271,434

 
95
%
 
$
69.3

 
2020 W. 89th Street
(1) 
Kansas City, KS
 
August 12, 2013
 
68,376

 
89
%
 
$
4.3

(2) 
5301 Maryland Way
(1) 
Nashville, TN
 
August 12, 2013
 
201,237

 
100
%
 
$
18.5

(2) 
4685 Investment Drive
(1) 
Detroit, MI
 
August 12, 2013
 
77,045

 
100
%
 
$
10.0

(2) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land Parcel
 
Metropolitan Statistical Area
 
Date of Acquisition
 
Acreage
 
Purchase Price (in millions)
 
 
 
Royal Lane
 
Dallas, TX
 
August 1, 2013
 
10.59

 
$
2.6

 
 
 

(1) On August 12, 2013, Piedmont purchased all of the remaining interests in three office properties previously held through two unconsolidated joint ventures for approximately $14.7 million in cash.

(2) Purchase price represents the estimated fair value of the respective property which was derived by reference to a credible, unrelated third-party offer and verified using discounted cash flow analysis. Under the terms of the respective joint venture agreements, Piedmont exercised its dissenter's right to buy out each of its co-venturers' interests based upon the terms of the third-party offer. The $0.9 million difference between the fair value of the properties acquired and the sum of Piedmont's previously recorded book value in investment in unconsolidated joint ventures plus cash consideration paid for the interests was recorded as a loss on consolidation in Piedmont's consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013.


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4.Debt
On May 9, 2013, Piedmont, through its 100% owned operating partnership, Piedmont OP, issued $350 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.40% Senior Notes which mature on June 1, 2023 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were originally offered in a private offering and subsequently exchanged for notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Piedmont.

Upon issuance of the Senior Notes, Piedmont OP received proceeds of approximately $348.6 million, reflecting a discount of approximately $1.4 million which is being amortized as interest expense under the effective interest method over the ten-year term of the Senior Notes. In addition, in conjunction with the issuance, Piedmont settled two forward starting rate swaps, consisting of notional amounts of $220 million and $30 million, respectively. The settlement of the swaps resulted in a gain of approximately $0.7 million that is being amortized as an offset to interest expense over the ten-year term of the Senior Notes. See Note 5 for further detail.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Piedmont incurred additional working capital borrowings of $484.0 million and, utilizing the proceeds of the Senior Notes issuance described above as well as other cash on hand, made repayments totaling $426.0 million on its $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit. Piedmont also made interest payments on all debt facilities, including interest rate swap cash settlements, of approximately $15.5 million and $15.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $47.3 million and $47.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 Piedmont had no capitalized interest.

See Note 7 for a description of Piedmont’s estimated fair value of debt as of September 30, 2013.


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The following table summarizes the terms of Piedmont’s indebtedness outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
Facility
 
Collateral
 
Rate(1)
 
Maturity
 
Amount Outstanding as of
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Secured (Fixed)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$200.0 Million Mortgage Note
 
Aon Center
 
4.87
%
 
5/1/2014
 
$
200,000

 
$
200,000

$25.0 Million Mortgage Note
 
Aon Center
 
5.70
%
 
5/1/2014
 
25,000

 
25,000

$350.0 Million Secured Pooled Facility
 
Nine Property Collateralized
Pool (2)
 
4.84
%
 
6/7/2014
 
350,000

 
350,000

$105.0 Million Fixed-Rate Loan
 
US Bancorp Center
 
5.29
%
 
5/11/2015
 
105,000

 
105,000

$125.0 Million Fixed-Rate Loan
 
Four Property Collateralized
Pool (3)
 
5.50
%
 
4/1/2016
 
125,000

 
125,000

$42.5 Million Fixed-Rate Loan
 
Las Colinas Corporate
Center I & II
 
5.70
%
 
10/11/2016
 
42,525

 
42,525

$140.0 Million WDC Mortgage Notes
 
1201 & 1225 Eye Street
 
5.76
%
 
11/1/2017
 
140,000

 
140,000

Subtotal/Weighted Average (4)
 
 
 
5.17
%
 
 
 
987,525

 
987,525

Unsecured (Variable and Fixed)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$300 Million Unsecured Term Loan
 
 
 
LIBOR +  1.45%

(5) 
11/22/2016
 
300,000

 
300,000

$500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit
 
 
 
1.36
%
(6) 
8/19/2016
 
187,000

 
129,000

$350 Million Senior Notes
 
 
 
3.40
%
(7) 
6/1/2023
 
348,650

 

Subtotal/Weighted Average (4)
 
 
 
2.71
%
 
 
 
835,650

 
429,000

Total/ Weighted Average (4)
 
 
 
4.04
%
 
 
 
$
1,823,175

 
$
1,416,525


(1) 
All of Piedmont’s outstanding debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is interest-only debt.
(2) 
Nine property collateralized pool includes: 1200 Crown Colony Drive, Braker Pointe III, 2 Gatehall Drive, One and Two Independence Square, 2120 West End Avenue, 400 Bridgewater Crossing, 200 Bridgewater Crossing, and Fairway Center II.
(3) 
Four property collateralized pool includes 1430 Enclave Parkway, Windy Point I and II, and 1055 East Colorado Boulevard.
(4) 
Weighted average is based on contractual balance of outstanding debt and interest rates in the table as of September 30, 2013, except for the $350 Million Senior Notes, which were issued at a discount (see footnote 7 below).
(5) 
The $300 Million Unsecured Term Loan has a stated variable rate; however, Piedmont entered into interest rate swap agreements which effectively fix, exclusive of changes to Piedmont's credit rating, the rate on this facility to 2.69%.
(6) 
Piedmont may select from multiple interest rate options with each draw, including the prime rate and various-length LIBOR locks. All LIBOR selections are subject to an additional spread (1.175% as of September 30, 2013) over the selected rate based on Piedmont’s current credit rating. The outstanding balance as of September 30, 2013 consisted of 30-day LIBOR draws ranging from 0.18% to 0.19% (subject to the additional spread mentioned above).
(7) 
The $350 Million Senior Notes have a fixed coupon rate of 3.40%, however, as a result of the issuance of the notes at a discount, Piedmont recognizes an effective interest rate on this debt issuance of 3.45%.


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Table of Contents

5.Derivative Instruments
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

In addition to operational risks which arise in the normal course of business, Piedmont is exposed to economic risks such as interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk. In certain situations, Piedmont has entered into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements and other similar agreements to manage interest rate risk exposure arising from current or future variable rate debt transactions. Interest rate swap agreements involve the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Piedmont’s objective in using interest rate derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for Piedmont making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without changing the underlying notional amount. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Piedmont used four interest rate swap agreements with a total notional value of $300 million to hedge the variable cash flows associated with its $300 Million Unsecured Term Loan.

Additionally, over the course of the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, Piedmont entered into six forward starting interest rate swap agreements with a total notional value of $530 million to hedge the risk of changes in the interest-related cash flows associated with various potential issuances of long-term debt. In conjunction with the issuance of the Senior Notes (see Note 4), Piedmont settled two of the forward starting swap agreements with a total notional value of $250 million for a gain of approximately $0.7 million. The gain was recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income and is being amortized as an offset to interest expense over the ten-year term of the Senior Notes. Piedmont continues to hold the remaining $280 million of forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for additional potential future debt issuances over a maximum period of 126 months.

A detail of Piedmont’s interest rate derivatives outstanding as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:

Interest Rate Derivative
Notional Amount
(in millions)
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity Date
Interest rate swap
$
125

 
11/22/2011
 
11/22/2016
Interest rate swap
75

 
11/22/2011
 
11/22/2016
Interest rate swap
50

 
11/22/2011
 
11/22/2016
Interest rate swap
50

 
11/22/2011
 
11/22/2016
Forward starting interest rate swap
70

 
3/3/2014
 
3/3/2024
Forward starting interest rate swap
70

 
3/3/2014
 
3/3/2024
Forward starting interest rate swap
70

 
3/3/2014
 
3/3/2024
Forward starting interest rate swap
70

 
3/3/2014
 
3/3/2024
Total
$
580

 
 
 
 

Piedmont has elected to present its interest rate derivatives on its consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as interest rate swap asset and interest rate swap liabilities. A detail of Piedmont’s interest rate derivatives on a gross and net basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, is as follows (in thousands):

Interest rate swaps classified as:
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Gross derivative assets
$
19,192

 
$
1,075

Gross derivative liabilities
(5,010
)
 
(8,235
)
Net derivative asset/(liability)
$
14,182

 
$
(7,160
)

All of Piedmont's interest rate derivative agreements outstanding for the periods presented were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. As such, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of these derivatives designated as, and that qualify as, cash flow hedges is recorded in other comprehensive income ("OCI") and is reclassified into earnings as interest expense in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The effective portion of Piedmont's interest rate derivatives that

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was recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
Derivative in
Cash Flow Hedging
Relationships (Interest Rate Swaps) (in thousands)
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in OCI on derivative
$
(2,201
)
 
$
(2,756
)
 
$
19,659

 
$
(8,628
)
Amount of previously recorded loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into interest expense
$
783

 
$
762

 
$
2,328

 
$
2,249


Piedmont estimates that approximately $5.9 million will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense over the next twelve months. No gain or loss was recognized related to hedge ineffectiveness or to amounts excluded from effectiveness testing on Piedmont’s cash flow hedges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

Additionally, see Note 7 for fair value disclosures of Piedmont's derivative instruments.

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

Piedmont has agreements with its derivative counterparties that contain a provision whereby if Piedmont defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then Piedmont could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. If Piedmont were to breach any of the contractual provisions of the derivative contracts, it would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of the fair values plus accrued interest, or approximately $5.1 million. Additionally, Piedmont has rights of set-off under certain of its derivative agreements related to potential termination fees and amounts payable under the agreements, if a termination were to occur.

6.Variable Interest Entities
Variable interest holders who have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and have the obligation to absorb the majority of losses of the entity or the right to receive significant benefits of the entity are considered to be the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the VIE.
A summary of Piedmont’s interests in and consolidation treatment of its VIEs as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (net carrying amount in millions):


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Table of Contents

Entity
 
Piedmont’s
%
Ownership
of Entity
 
Related
Building
 
Consolidated/
Unconsolidated
 
Net Carrying
Amount as of
September 30, 2013
 
Net Carrying
Amount as of
December 31,
2012
 
Primary Beneficiary
Considerations
1201 Eye Street NW Associates, LLC
 
49.5%
 
1201 Eye Street
 
Consolidated
 
$
(4.5
)
 
$
(5.7
)
 
In accordance with the partnership’s governing documents, Piedmont is entitled to 100% of the cash flow of the entity and has sole discretion in directing the management and leasing activities of the building.
1225 Eye Street NW Associates, LLC
 
49.5%
 
1225 Eye Street
 
Consolidated
 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
In accordance with the partnership’s governing documents, Piedmont is entitled to 100% of the cash flow of the entity and has sole discretion in directing the management and leasing activities of the building.
Piedmont 500 W. Monroe Fee, LLC
 
100%
 
500 W. Monroe
 
Consolidated
 
$
228.0

 
$
194.0

 
The Omnibus Agreement with the previous owner includes equity participation rights for the previous owner, if certain financial returns are achieved; however, Piedmont has sole decision making authority and is entitled to the economic benefits of the property until such returns are met.
Suwanee Gateway One, LLC
 
100%
 
Suwanee Gateway One
 
Consolidated
 
$
7.4

 
$
7.6

 
The fee agreement includes equity participation rights for the incentive manager, if certain returns on investment are achieved; however, Piedmont has sole decision making authority and is entitled to the economic benefits of the property until such returns are met.
Medici Atlanta, LLC
 
100%
 
The Medici
 
Consolidated
 
$
14.5

 
$
13.7

 
The fee agreement includes equity participation rights for the incentive manager, if certain returns on investment are achieved; however, Piedmont has sole decision making authority and is entitled to the economic benefits of the property until such returns are met.
400 TownPark, LLC
 
100%
 
400 TownPark
 
Consolidated
 
$
22.1

 
$
23.5

 
The fee agreement includes equity participation rights for the incentive manager, if certain returns on investment are achieved; however, Piedmont has sole decision making authority and is entitled to the economic benefits of the property until such returns are met.

Each of the VIEs described above has the sole purpose of holding office buildings and their resulting operations, and are classified in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in the same manner as Piedmont’s wholly-owned properties.


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7.Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments
Piedmont considers its cash, accounts receivable, restricted cash and escrows, accounts payable and accrued expenses, interest rate swap agreements, and debt to meet the definition of financial instruments. The following table sets forth the carrying and estimated fair value for each of Piedmont’s financial instruments, as well as its level within the GAAP fair value hierarchy, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands):

 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Financial Instrument
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Level Within Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
Level Within Fair Value Hierarchy
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
$
15,972

 
$
15,972

 
Level 1
 
$
12,957

 
$
12,957

Level 1
Tenant receivables, net(1)
$
31,006

 
$
31,006

 
Level 1
 
$
25,038

 
$
25,038

Level 1
Restricted cash and escrows(1)
$
385

 
$
385

 
Level 1
 
$
334

 
$
334

Level 1
Interest rate swap asset
$
19,192

 
$
19,192

 
Level 2
 
$
1,075

 
$
1,075

Level 2
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(1)
$
22,229

 
$
22,229

 
Level 1
 
$
23,113

 
$
23,113

Level 1
Interest rate swap liability
$
5,010

 
$
5,010

 
Level 2
 
$
8,235

 
$
8,235

Level 2
Debt
$
1,823,175

 
$
1,836,413

 
Level 2
 
$
1,416,525

 
$
1,470,002

Level 2

(1) 
For the periods presented, the carrying value of these financial instruments approximates estimated fair value due to their short-term maturity.

Piedmont's debt was carried at book value as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; however, Piedmont's estimate of its fair value is disclosed in the table above. Piedmont uses widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis based on the contractual terms of the debt facilities, including the period to maturity of each instrument, and uses observable market-based inputs for similar debt facilities which have transacted recently in the market. Therefore, the fair values determined are considered to be based on significant other observable inputs (Level 2). Scaling adjustments are made to these inputs to make them applicable to the remaining life of Piedmont's outstanding debt. Piedmont has not changed its valuation technique for estimating the fair value of its debt.

Piedmont’s interest rate swap and forward starting interest rate swap agreements presented above, and further discussed in Note 5, are classified as “Interest rate swap” assets and liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and were carried at fair value as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The valuation of these derivative instruments was determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis based on the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity of each instrument, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. Therefore, the fair values determined are considered to be based on significant other observable inputs (Level 2). In addition, Piedmont considered both its own and the respective counterparties’ risk of nonperformance in determining the fair value of its derivative financial instruments by estimating the current and potential future exposure under the derivative financial instruments that both Piedmont and the counterparties were at risk for as of the valuation date. The credit risk of Piedmont and its counterparties was factored into the calculation of the estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps; however, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, this credit valuation adjustment did not comprise a material portion of the estimated fair value. Therefore, Piedmont believes that any unobservable inputs used to determine the fair values of its derivative financial instruments are not significant to the fair value measurements in their entirety, and does not consider any of its derivative financial instruments to be Level 3 assets or liabilities.


8.Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments Under Existing Agreements

Certain lease agreements include provisions that, at the option of the tenant, may obligate Piedmont to provide funding for capital improvements. Under its existing lease agreements, Piedmont may be required to fund significant tenant improvements, leasing commissions, and building improvements. In addition, certain agreements contain provisions that require Piedmont to issue corporate or property guarantees to provide funding for capital improvements or other financial obligations. Further, Piedmont classifies such tenant and building improvements into two classes: (i) improvements which incrementally enhance the building's

17

Table of Contents

asset value by expanding its revenue generating capacity (“incremental capital expenditures”) and (ii) improvements which maintain the building's existing asset value and its revenue generating capacity (“non-incremental capital expenditures”). As of September 30, 2013, Piedmont anticipates funding potential non-incremental capital expenditures for tenant improvements of approximately $93.7 million related to its existing lease portfolio over the respective lease terms, the majority of which Piedmont estimates may be required to be funded over the next several years. For most of Piedmont’s leases, the timing of the actual funding of these tenant improvements is largely dependent upon tenant requests for reimbursement. In some cases, these obligations may expire with the leases without further recourse to Piedmont.

Additionally, as of September 30, 2013, commitments for incremental capital expenditures for tenant improvements associated with new leases, primarily at value-add properties, totaled approximately $23.6 million.

Contingencies Related to Tenant Audits/Disputes

Certain lease agreements include provisions that grant tenants the right to engage independent auditors to audit their annual operating expense reconciliations. Such audits may result in the re-interpretation of language in the lease agreements which could result in the refund of previously recognized tenant reimbursement revenues, resulting in financial loss to Piedmont. Piedmont recorded additional expense related to such tenant audits/disputes of approximately $0.5 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, and approximately $0.6 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

Letters of Credit

As of September 30, 2013, Piedmont was subject to the following letters of credit, which reduce the total outstanding capacity under its $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit:

Amount

 
Expiration of Letter of Credit (1)
$
7,696,548

 
July 2014
$
9,033,164

 
July 2014
$
382,556

 
July 2014

(1) 
These letter of credit agreements automatically renew for consecutive, one-year periods each anniversary, subject to the satisfaction of the credit obligation and certain other limitations.
9.Discontinued Operations

Piedmont has classified the results of operations related to the following properties as discontinued operations (in thousands):

Building(s) Sold
 
Location
 
Date of Sale
 
Gain/(Loss) on Sale
 
Net Sales Proceeds
Portland Portfolio(1)
 
Beaverton, Oregon
 
March 19, 2012
 
$
17,823

 
$
43,832

26200 Enterprise Way
 
Lake Forest, California
 
May 31, 2012
 
$
10,013

 
$
24,412

110 & 112 Hidden Lake Circle Buildings
 
Duncan, South Carolina
 
September 21, 2012
 
$
(259
)
 
$
25,595

1111 Durham Avenue
 
South Plainfield, New Jersey
 
March 28, 2013
 
$
(9
)
 
$
3,752

1200 Enclave Parkway
 
Houston, Texas
 
May 1, 2013
 
$
16,267

 
$
45,574

350 Spectrum Loop(2)
 
Colorado Springs, Colorado
 
Held for Sale(2)
 
N/A

 
N/A


(1) 
The Portland Portfolio consisted of four office properties known as the Deschutes building, the Rhein building, the Rogue building, and the Willamette building, as well as 18.19 acres of adjoining, undeveloped land.
(2) 
On September 30, 2013, Piedmont entered into a binding agreement to sell the 350 Spectrum Loop building with an expected close in November 2013, and in accordance with GAAP, Piedmont reclassified the building from real estate assets held-for-use to real estate assets held-for-sale on its consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013. As such, Piedmont reclassified the operational results of the property as income from discontinued operations for prior periods to conform with current period presentation.


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Table of Contents

Sale of 1111 Durham Avenue building

In accordance with GAAP during the quarter ended March 31, 2013, Piedmont re-classified the 1111 Durham Avenue building from real estate assets held-for-use (at cost) to real estate assets held for sale (at estimated fair value) and recorded an impairment charge of $6.4 million, which represents the difference in carrying value of the asset at the time the asset met the held for sale criteria. The fair value measurement used in the evaluation of this non-financial asset is considered to be a Level 1 valuation within the fair value hierarchy as defined by GAAP, as there are direct observations and transactions involving the asset. After assessing the age of the building (constructed in 1975) and leasing prospects, Piedmont determined that the sales price should appropriately represent the land value of the asset. As a result, Piedmont disposed of the 1111 Durham Avenue building for a gross sale price of approximately $4.0 million, exclusive of closing costs. The transaction closed on March 28, 2013.

Assets Held for Sale

The details comprising assets held for sale, consisting solely of the 350 Spectrum Loop building, are presented below (in thousands):

 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Real estate assets held for sale, net:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
2,185

 
$
2,186

Building and improvements, less accumulated depreciation of $6,737 and $6,313 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
 
16,332

 
16,755

Construction in progress
 
1,217

 

Total real estate assets held for sale, net
 
$
19,734

 
$
18,941

 
 
 
 
 
Other assets held for sale:
 
 
 
 
Straight-line rent
 
$
1,018

 
$
793

Deferred lease costs, less accumulated amortization of $78 and $0 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
 
942

 

Total other assets held for sale, net
 
$
1,960

 
$
793



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Table of Contents

Income from Discontinued Operations

The details comprising income from discontinued operations are presented below (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
516

 
$
2,388

 
$
2,693

 
$
8,403

Tenant reimbursements
91

 
410

 
650

 
1,298

 
607

 
2,798

 
3,343

 
9,701

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
316

 
1,262

 
1,448

 
3,834

Depreciation
141

 
732

 
687

 
2,379

Amortization
21

 
159

 
138

 
527

General and administrative

 
38

 
2

 
47

 
478

 
2,191

 
2,275

 
6,787

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income/(expense)
(1
)
 

 
24

 

Net recoveries of casualty loss

 

 
17

 

 
(1
)
 

 
41

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income, excluding gain/(loss) on sale
128

 
607

 
1,109

 
2,914

Impairment loss

 

 
(6,402
)
 

Gain/(loss) on sale of real estate assets

 
(254
)
 
16,258

 
27,583

Income from discontinued operations
$
128

 
$
353

 
$
10,965

 
$
30,497


10.Stock Based Compensation
Deferred Stock Awards

Piedmont has granted deferred stock awards in the form of restricted stock to its employees. The awards are determined by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of Piedmont on an annual basis and typically vest over a three-year period beginning on the grant date. In addition, Piedmont has adopted a multi-year performance share program for certain of its employees. Restricted shares are earned based on the relative performance of Piedmont's total stockholder return as compared with a predetermined peer group's total stockholder return over a three-year period. Shares are not awarded until after the end of the third year in the performance period and vest immediately upon award.

A rollforward of Piedmont's deferred stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:

 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested Deferred Stock Awards as of December 31, 2012
318,893

 
$
18.41

Deferred Stock Awards Granted During Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
161,257

 
$
19.47

Deferred Stock Awards Vested During Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(204,295
)
 
$
18.93

Deferred Stock Awards Forfeited During Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(2,862
)
 
$
18.55

Unvested Deferred Stock Awards as of September 30, 2013
272,993

 
$
18.64



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The following table provides additional information regarding stock award activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands except for per share data):

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value of Shares Granted During the Period
$

 
$
17.10

 
$
19.47

 
$
17.48

Total Grant Date Fair Value of Shares Vested During the Period
$
28

 
$
28

 
$
3,867

 
$
5,241

Share-based Liability Awards Paid During the Period(1)
$

 
$

 
$
103

 
$
798


(1) 
Amounts reflect the issuance of performance share awards during the period.

A detail of Piedmont’s outstanding employee deferred stock awards as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:

Date of grant
 
Type of Award
 
Net Shares
Granted (1)
 
Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Vesting Schedule
 
Unvested Shares as of
September 30, 2013
 
April 5, 2011
 
Annual Deferred Stock Award
 
116,116

 
$
19.40

 
Of the shares granted, 25% vested on the date of grant, and 25% vested or will vest on April 5, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively.
 
37,196

 
April 5, 2011
 
Fiscal Year 2011-2013 Performance Share Program
 

 
$
18.27

 
Shares awarded, if any, will vest immediately upon determination of award in 2014.
 

(2) 
April 4, 2012
 
Annual Deferred Stock Award
 
191,786

 
$
17.53

 
Of the shares granted, 25% vested on the date of grant, and 25% will vest on April 4, 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively.
 
116,289

 
April 4, 2012
 
Fiscal Year 2012-2014 Performance Share Program
 

 
$
17.42

 
Shares awarded, if any, will vest immediately upon determination of award in 2015.
 

(2) 
April 2, 2013
 
Annual Deferred Stock Award
 
146,679

 
$
19.47

 
Of the shares granted, 25% vested on the date of grant, and 25% will vest on April 2, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively.
 
119,508

 
April 2, 2013
 
Fiscal Year 2013-2015 Performance Share Program
 

 
$
18.91

 
Shares awarded, if any, will vest immediately upon determination of award in 2016.
 

(2) 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
272,993

 

(1) 
Amounts reflect the total grant, net of shares surrendered upon vesting to satisfy required minimum tax withholding obligations through September 30, 2013.
(2) 
Estimated based on Piedmont's cumulative total stockholder return ("TSR") for the respective performance period through September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, Piedmont's TSR for each of these respective plans was below threshold. Such estimates are subject to change in future periods based on both Piedmont's and its peers' stock performance and dividends paid.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, Piedmont recognized approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million of compensation expense related to stock awards, all of which related to the amortization of nonvested shares. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, Piedmont recognized approximately $3.0 million and $3.1 million of compensation expense related to stock awards, of which approximately $1.8 million and $1.8 million relates to the amortization of nonvested shares, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a total of 147,515 shares were issued to employees, directors, and officers. As of September 30, 2013, approximately $2.5 million of unrecognized compensation

21

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cost related to nonvested, annual deferred stock awards remained, which Piedmont will record in its consolidated statements of income over a weighted-average vesting period of approximately one year.

11.Earnings Per Share

There are no adjustments to “Net income attributable to Piedmont” or “Income from continuing operations” for the diluted earnings per share computations.

Net income per share-basic is calculated as net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income per share-diluted is calculated as net income available to common stockholders divided by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including nonvested restricted stock. Diluted weighted average number of common shares is calculated to reflect the potential dilution under the treasury stock method that would occur as if the remaining unvested restricted stock awards has vested and resulted in additional common shares outstanding.

The following table reconciles the denominator for the basic and diluted earnings per share computations shown on the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
Weighted-average common shares – basic
164,683
 
168,806
 
166,598
 
171,162
Plus incremental weighted-average shares from time-vested conversions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock awards
113
 
123
 
136
 
133
Weighted-average common shares – diluted
164,796
 
168,929
 
166,734
 
171,295


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12.Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

The following condensed consolidating financial information for Piedmont Operating Partnership, LP (the "Issuer"), Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Guarantor"), and the other directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries of the Guarantor (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries") is provided pursuant to the requirements of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X regarding financial statements of guarantors and issuers of guaranteed registered securities. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions, including transactions with the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. Additionally, certain reclassifications have been made to the statements presented below to reflect investments in subsidiaries, which had previously been presented on a net basis, on a gross basis. As all investments in subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation, none of these reclassifications affect the total financial position or net income attributable to Piedmont as presented in previous periods.


23

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate assets, at cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land
$
88,054

 
$

 
$
587,227

 
$

 
$
675,281

Buildings and improvements, less accumulated depreciation
492,098

 

 
2,558,107

 
(300
)
 
3,049,905

Intangible lease assets, less accumulated amortization
2,547

 

 
64,323

 

 
66,870

Construction in progress
2,546

 

 
58,616

 

 
61,162

Real estate assets held for sale, net
19,734

 

 

 

 
19,734

Total real estate assets
604,979

 

 
3,268,273

 
(300
)
 
3,872,952

Investments in and amounts due from unconsolidated joint ventures
18,668

 

 

 

 
18,668

Cash and cash equivalents
12,096

 
146

 
3,730

 

 
15,972

Tenant and straight-line rent receivables, net
35,914

 

 
130,579

 

 
166,493

Advances to affiliates
5,110,420

 
1,293,461

 
(1,086,177
)
 
(5,317,704
)
 

Investment in subsidiary

 
4,035,964

 
199

 
(4,036,163
)
 

Notes receivable
160,000

 
2,000

 
23,890

 
(185,890
)
 

Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, escrows, and other assets
5,671

 
47

 
13,218

 
(941
)
 
17,995

Goodwill
180,097

 

 

 

 
180,097

Interest rate swaps
19,192

 

 

 

 
19,192

Deferred financing costs, net
6,703

 

 
1,287

 

 
7,990

Deferred lease costs, net
36,293

 

 
238,941

 

 
275,234

Other assets held for sale, net
1,960

 

 

 

 
1,960

Total assets
$
6,191,993

 
$
5,331,618

 
$
2,593,940

 
$
(9,540,998
)
 
$
4,576,553

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured and unsecured debt
$
859,540

 
$

 
$
1,149,525

 
$
(185,890
)
 
$
1,823,175

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued capital expenditures
20,937

 
1,360

 
138,319

 
(941
)
 
159,675

Advances from affiliates
306,636

 
4,807,113

 
244,499

 
(5,358,248
)
 

Deferred income
8,533

 

 
18,042

 

 
26,575

Intangible lease liabilities, net
6

 

 
41,429

 

 
41,435

Interest rate swaps
5,010

 

 

 

 
5,010

Total liabilities
1,200,662

 
4,808,473

 
1,591,814

 
(5,545,079
)
 
2,055,870

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock

 
1,613

 

 

 
1,613

Additional paid-in capital
4,035,964

 
3,668,424

 
199

 
(4,036,163
)
 
3,668,424

Retained/(cumulative distributions in excess of) earnings
940,540

 
(3,146,892
)
 
1,000,314

 
40,244

 
(1,165,794
)
Other comprehensive loss
14,827

 

 

 

 
14,827

Piedmont stockholders’ equity
4,991,331

 
523,145

 
1,000,513

 
(3,995,919
)
 
2,519,070

Noncontrolling interest

 

 
1,613

 

 
1,613

Total stockholders’ equity
4,991,331

 
523,145

 
1,002,126

 
(3,995,919
)
 
2,520,683

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
6,191,993

 
$
5,331,618

 
$
2,593,940

 
$
(9,540,998
)
 
$
4,576,553


24

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate assets, at cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land
$
91,782

 
$

 
$
535,569

 
$

 
$
627,351

Buildings and improvements, less accumulated depreciation
511,793

 

 
2,379,530

 

 
2,891,323

Intangible lease assets, less accumulated amortization
3,265

 

 
51,479

 

 
54,744

Construction in progress
1,056

 

 
19,317

 

 
20,373

Real estate assets held for sale, net
18,941

 

 

 

 
18,941

Total real estate assets
626,837

 

 
2,985,895

 

 
3,612,732

Investments in and amounts due from unconsolidated joint ventures
37,689

 

 

 

 
37,689

Cash and cash equivalents
62,371

 
238

 
(49,652
)
 

 
12,957

Tenant receivables, net
33,495

 

 
113,049

 

 
146,544

Advances to affiliates
4,623,173

 
1,300,158

 
(908,506
)
 
(5,014,825
)
 

Investment in subsidiary

 
4,068,844

 
200

 
(4,069,044
)


Notes receivable
160,000

 
2,500

 
23,890

 
(186,390
)
 

Prepaid expenses, restricted cash, escrows, and other assets
4,218

 
15

 
10,071

 
(948
)
 
13,356

Goodwill
180,097

 

 

 

 
180,097

Interest rate swaps
1,075

 

 

 

 
1,075

Deferred financing costs, net
4,292

 

 
2,162

 

 
6,454

Deferred lease costs, net
31,357

 

 
211,821

 

 
243,178

Other assets held for sale, net
793

 

 

 

 
793

Total assets
$
5,765,397

 
$
5,371,755

 
$
2,388,930

 
$
(9,271,207
)
 
$
4,254,875

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured and unsecured debt
$
452,890

 
$

 
$
1,150,025

 
$
(186,390
)
 
$
1,416,525

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued capital expenditures
20,443

 
645

 
107,123

 
(948
)
 
127,263

Advances from affiliates
274,159

 
4,636,936

 
135,940

 
(5,047,035
)
 

Deferred income
5,991

 

 
15,561

 

 
21,552

Intangible lease liabilities, net
24

 

 
40,781

 

 
40,805

Interest rate swaps
8,235

 

 

 

 
8,235

Total liabilities
761,742

 
4,637,581

 
1,449,430

 
(5,234,373
)
 
1,614,380

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock

 
1,676

 

 

 
1,676

Additional paid-in capital
4,068,844

 
3,667,051

 
200

 
(4,069,044
)
 
3,667,051

Retained/(cumulative distributions in excess of) earnings
941,971

 
(2,934,553
)
 
937,691

 
32,210

 
(1,022,681
)
Other comprehensive loss
(7,160
)
 

 

 

 
(7,160
)
Piedmont stockholders’ equity
5,003,655

 
734,174

 
937,891

 
(4,036,834
)
 
2,638,886

Noncontrolling interest

 

 
1,609

 

 
1,609

Total stockholders’ equity
5,003,655

 
734,174

 
939,500

 
(4,036,834
)
 
2,640,495

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
5,765,397

 
$
5,371,755

 
$
2,388,930

 
$
(9,271,207
)
 
$
4,254,875


25

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
For the three months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
20,700

 
$

 
$
97,492

 
$
(1,382
)
 
$
116,810

Tenant reimbursements
4,035

 

 
23,452

 
(69
)
 
27,418

Property management fee revenue

 

 
4,003

 
(3,113
)
 
890

 
24,735

 

 
124,947

 
(4,564
)
 
145,118

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
10,939

 

 
52,597

 
(4,769
)
 
58,767

Depreciation
6,068

 

 
24,717

 

 
30,785

Amortization
1,353

 

 
12,525

 

 
13,878

General and administrative
5,624

 
64

 
6,469

 
(6,316
)
 
5,841

 
23,984

 
64

 
96,308

 
(11,085
)
 
109,271

Real estate operating income/(loss)
751

 
(64
)
 
28,639

 
6,521

 
35,847

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(6,444
)
 

 
(16,028
)
 
3,141

 
(19,331
)
Interest and other income/(expense)
2,262

 
42

 
226

 
(3,141
)
 
(611
)
Net casualty (loss)/recoveries
(85
)
 

 
4,004

 

 
3,919

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
46

 

 

 

 
46

Loss on consolidation
(898
)
 

 

 

 
(898
)
 
(5,119
)
 
42

 
(11,798
)
 

 
(16,875
)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations
(4,368
)
 
(22
)
 
16,841

 
6,521

 
18,972

Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income/(loss)
131

 

 
(3
)
 

 
128

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations
131

 

 
(3
)
 

 
128

Net income/(loss)
(4,237
)
 
(22
)
 
16,838

 
6,521

 
19,100

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Piedmont
$
(4,237
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
16,834

 
$
6,521

 
$
19,096


26

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
For the three months ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
18,889

 
$

 
$
87,448

 
$
(1,389
)
 
$
104,948

Tenant reimbursements
4,655

 

 
22,547

 
(70
)
 
27,132

Property management fee revenue

 

 
3,634

 
(3,114
)
 
520

 
23,544

 

 
113,629

 
(4,573
)
 
132,600

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
11,279

 

 
44,006

 
(4,802
)
 
50,483

Depreciation
6,200

 

 
21,721

 

 
27,921

Amortization
1,378

 

 
13,787

 

 
15,165

General and administrative
4,895

 
84

 
6,503

 
(5,974
)
 
5,508

 
23,752

 
84

 
86,017

 
(10,776
)
 
99,077

Real estate operating income/(loss)
(208
)
 
(84
)
 
27,612

 
6,203

 
33,523

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(3,360
)
 

 
(16,041
)
 
3,154

 
(16,247
)
Interest and other income/(expense)
3,245

 

 
292

 
(3,154
)
 
383

Litigation settlement expense
(7,500
)
 

 

 

 
(7,500
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
323

 

 

 

 
323

 
(7,292
)
 

 
(15,749
)
 

 
(23,041
)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations
(7,500
)
 
(84
)
 
11,863

 
6,203

 
10,482

Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
509

 

 
98

 

 
607

Loss on sale of real estate assets
(254
)
 

 

 

 
(254
)
Income from discontinued operations
255

 

 
98

 

 
353

Net income/(loss)
(7,245
)
 
(84
)
 
11,961

 
6,203

 
10,835

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Piedmont
$
(7,245
)
 
$
(84
)
 
$
11,957

 
$
6,203

 
$
10,831



27

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
57,754

 
$

 
$
279,931

 
$
(3,830
)
 
$
333,855

Tenant reimbursements
12,018

 

 
65,357

 
(207
)
 
77,168

Property management fee revenue

 

 
11,392

 
(9,358
)
 
2,034

 
69,772

 

 
356,680

 
(13,395
)
 
413,057

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
31,107

 

 
147,014

 
(13,701
)
 
164,420

Depreciation
18,074

 

 
72,614

 

 
90,688

Amortization
3,926

 

 
30,318

 

 
34,244

General and administrative
16,024

 
249

 
18,896

 
(18,491
)
 
16,678

 
69,131

 
249

 
268,842

 
(32,192
)
 
306,030

Real estate operating income/(loss)
641

 
(249
)
 
87,838

 
18,797

 
107,027

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(15,478
)
 

 
(47,879
)
 
9,425

 
(53,932
)
Interest and other income/(expense)
7,834

 
128

 
(497
)
 
(9,425
)
 
(1,960
)
Litigation settlement recovery
1,250

 

 

 

 
1,250

Net casualty (loss)/recoveries
(239
)
 

 
6,300

 

 
6,061

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
604

 

 

 

 
604

Loss on consolidation
(898
)
 

 

 

 
(898
)
 
(6,927
)
 
128

 
(42,076
)
 

 
(48,875
)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations
(6,286
)
 
(121
)
 
45,762

 
18,797

 
58,152

Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income, excluding impairment loss
503

 

 
606

 

 
1,109

Impairment loss
(6,402
)
 

 

 

 
(6,402
)
Gain/(loss) on sale of real estate assets
(9
)
 

 
16,267

 

 
16,258

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations
(5,908
)
 

 
16,873

 

 
10,965

Net income/(loss)
(12,194
)
 
(121
)
 
62,635

 
18,797

 
69,117

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Piedmont
$
(12,194
)
 
$
(121
)
 
$
62,623

 
$
18,797

 
$
69,105



28

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
55,272

 
$

 
$
260,287

 
$
(3,552
)
 
$
312,007

Tenant reimbursements
12,774

 

 
67,727

 
(211
)
 
80,290

Property management fee revenue

 

 
10,705

 
(8,985
)
 
1,720

 
68,046

 

 
338,719

 
(12,748
)
 
394,017

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
31,416

 

 
136,444

 
(13,292
)
 
154,568

Depreciation
17,439

 

 
64,282

 

 
81,721

Amortization
3,981

 

 
35,114

 

 
39,095

General and administrative
14,930

 
224

 
18,057

 
(17,582
)
 
15,629

 
67,766

 
224

 
253,897

 
(30,874
)
 
291,013

Real estate operating income/(loss)
280

 
(224
)
 
84,822

 
18,126

 
103,004

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(9,120
)
 

 
(48,965
)
 
9,358

 
(48,727
)
Interest and other income/(expense)
9,268

 

 
855

 
(9,358
)
 
765

Litigation settlement expense
(7,500
)
 

 

 

 
(7,500
)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
739

 

 

 

 
739

 
(6,613
)
 

 
(48,110
)
 

 
(54,723
)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations
(6,333
)
 
(224
)
 
36,712

 
18,126

 
48,281

Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
2,795

 

 
119

 

 
2,914

Gain on sale of real estate assets
27,582

 

 
1

 

 
27,583

Income from discontinued operations
30,377

 

 
120

 

 
30,497

Net income/(loss)
24,044

 
(224
)
 
36,832

 
18,126

 
78,778

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Piedmont
$
24,044

 
$
(224
)
 
$
36,820

 
$
18,126

 
$
78,766



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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
18,325

 
$
1,363

 
$
129,863

 
$
18,797

 
$
168,348

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate assets and real estate related intangibles, net of accruals
(5,858
)
 

 
(357,055
)
 
300

 
(362,613
)
Intercompany note receivable

 
500

 

 
(500
)
 

Assets assumed upon acquisition of joint ventures
18,045

 

 
(32,287
)
 

 
(14,242
)
Net sales proceeds from wholly-owned properties
3,752

 

 
45,574

 

 
49,326

Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
(793
)
 

 

 

 
(793
)
Deferred lease costs paid
(10,015
)
 

 
(18,334
)
 

 
(28,349
)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
5,131

 
500

 
(362,102
)
 
(200
)
 
(356,671
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred financing costs paid
(3,447
)
 

 

 

 
(3,447
)
Proceeds from debt
832,603

 

 

 

 
832,603

Repayments of debt
(426,000
)
 

 

 

 
(426,000
)
Intercompany note payable

 

 
(500
)
 
500

 

Costs of issuance of common stock

 
(91
)
 

 

 
(91
)
Repurchases of common stock as part of announced plan

 
(111,625
)
 

 

 
(111,625
)
Distributions to/repayments from affiliates
(476,887
)
 
209,855

 
286,129

 
(19,097
)
 

Dividends paid and discount on dividend reinvestments

 
(100,094
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(100,102
)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
(73,731
)
 
(1,955
)
 
285,621

 
(18,597
)
 
191,338

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(50,275
)
 
(92
)
 
53,382

 

 
3,015

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
62,371

 
238

 
(49,652
)
 

 
12,957

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
12,096

 
$
146

 
$
3,730

 
$

 
$
15,972



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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
Issuer
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
748

 
$
1,527

 
$
122,202

 
$
18,126

 
$
142,603

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in real estate assets and real estate related intangibles, net of accruals
(16,558
)
 

 
(57,878
)
 

 
(74,436
)
Intercompany note receivable
(3,100
)
 

 

 
3,100

 

Net sales proceeds from wholly-owned properties
74,845

 

 

 

 
74,845

Deferred lease costs paid
(2,837
)
 

 
(36,482
)
 

 
(39,319
)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
52,350

 

 
(94,360
)
 
3,100

 
(38,910
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred financing costs paid
(2,991
)
 

 

 

 
(2,991
)
Proceeds from debt
365,000

 

 

 

 
365,000

Repayments of debt
(216,500
)
 

 
(185,000
)
 

 
(401,500
)
Intercompany note payable

 

 
3,100

 
(3,100
)
 

Costs of issuance of common stock

 
(229
)
 

 

 
(229
)
Repurchases of common stock as part of announced plan

 
(80,130
)
 

 

 
(80,130
)
Distributions to/repayments from affiliates
(305,743
)
 
181,605

 
142,264

 
(18,126
)
 

Dividends paid and discount on dividend reinvestments

 
(102,762
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(102,770
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(160,234
)
 
(1,516
)
 
(39,644
)
 
(21,226
)
 
(222,620
)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
(107,136
)
 
11

 
(11,802
)
 

 
(118,927
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
166,920

 
139

 
(27,369
)
 

 
139,690

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
59,784

 
$
150

 
$
(39,171
)
 
$

 
$
20,763



31

Table of Contents

13.Other Subsequent Events

Fourth Quarter Dividend Declaration

On October 30, 2013, the board of directors of Piedmont declared dividends for the fourth quarter of 2013 in the amount of $0.20 per common share outstanding to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 29, 2013. Such dividends are to be paid on December 20, 2013.

Amendment and Restatement of Stock Repurchase Plan

Our current stock repurchase plan expires in November of 2013. On October 30, 2013, our board of directors amended and restated the plan to authorize $150 million in stock repurchases over the next two years. Piedmont may repurchase the shares from time to time, in accordance with applicable securities laws, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases will depend upon market conditions and other factors, and repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time in Piedmont's discretion, without prior notice.



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Table of Contents

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (“Piedmont”). See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Part I, as well as the notes to our consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as well as the Current Report on Form 8-K containing Exhibit 99.1 filed on June 4, 2013, for the purpose of recasting certain sections of Piedmont's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for dispositions subsequent to December 31, 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
We intend to use cash flows generated from the operation of our properties, proceeds from our $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit, and proceeds from selective property dispositions, as our primary sources of immediate liquidity. As of the time of this filing, we had approximately $272.1 million in capacity under the line of credit facility available for future borrowing (approximately $13.9 million of capacity is reserved as security for outstanding letters of credit required by various third parties). Depending on the timing and volume of property acquisition and disposition activities and debt maturities, we may also issue additional equity or debt securities from time to time. In addition, we may also seek additional borrowings from third-party lenders as additional sources of capital. The availability and attractiveness of terms for these additional sources of capital is highly dependent on market conditions.

We estimate that our most consistent use of capital will be to fund capital expenditures for our existing portfolio of properties. These expenditures include two types of specifically identified building improvement projects: (i) general repair and maintenance projects that we as the owner may choose to perform at our discretion at any of our various properties and (ii) tenant improvement allowances and leasing commissions that we have committed to as part of executed leases with our tenants. Due to the high lease rollover that we have experienced over the last several years, the majority of our expected capital expenditures relate to leasing commissions and tenant improvement allowances as we complete tenant build-outs in preparation for the commencement of executed leases. During the year ended December 31, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we incurred obligations averaging approximately $5.39 and $3.47 per square foot per year of lease term, respectively, for such capital expenditures. As of September 30, 2013, unrecorded contractual obligations for non-incremental tenant improvements related to our existing lease portfolio totaled $93.7 million. The timing of the funding of these commitments is largely dependent upon tenant requests for reimbursement; however, we anticipate that the majority of this amount may be requested over the next 12 - 24 months as certain significant leases commence. In some instances, these obligations may expire with the respective lease, without further recourse to us. Additionally, commitments for incremental capital expenditures for tenant improvements associated with new leases, primarily at value-add properties, total approximately $23.6 million.

We also anticipate incurring market-based concession packages, typically consisting of the tenant allowances described above and/or rent abatement periods, and paying broker commissions in conjunction with the commencement of recently executed, or soon to be executed, leases. Further, we anticipate continuing to grant such concession packages as we negotiate future leases. Given our average lease size of between 30,000 and 35,000 square feet, some of the concession packages that we grant can result in significant capital outlays. In particular, there are currently five blocks of space in excess of 200,000 square feet in our Washington, D.C. and Chicago portfolio that are subject to re-leasing efforts, and we may grant significant concession packages to secure new, or renew existing, tenants for those spaces. Both the timing and magnitude of any such concessions have yet to be determined and are highly dependent on competitive market conditions at the time of lease negotiations.

Subject to the identification and availability of attractive investment opportunities and our ability to consummate additional acquisitions on satisfactory terms, acquiring new assets compatible with our investment strategy could also be a significant use of capital. In March 2013, we acquired two properties, Arlington Gateway in the Washington, D.C. market and 5 & 15 Wayside Road in the Boston, Massachusetts market. These purchases were initially funded using our $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit and subsequently refinanced with long-term debt through our Senior Notes issuance in May 2013. Additionally, we purchased the remaining partnership interests in three properties previously held through joint ventures, using available capacity under our $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit, in order to maximize stockholder value by gaining sole control of the leasing and exit strategy for these assets.

Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we have used $111.6 million to repurchase shares of our common stock on the open market pursuant to our publicly announced stock repurchase plan. We have used the plan to repurchase our common stock when we believe that shares are trading at a meaningful discount to our estimate of the fair value of our assets. The current plan was set to expire in November of 2013. On October 30, 2013, our board of directors amended and restated the plan

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Table of Contents

to authorize $150 million in stock repurchases over the next two years. Consequently, dependent upon our prevailing stock price, we anticipate that stock repurchases may continue to be a use of capital over the next few years.

Finally, we expect to use capital to repay debt when obligations become due. We currently have no debt maturities scheduled for the remainder of 2013; however, we have $575 million of secured debt maturing in the first six months of 2014. Subject to our assessment of market conditions, we currently anticipate refinancing these amounts with unsecured debt. In anticipation of incurring replacement debt and considering the historically low interest rate environment, we have entered into several forward starting interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $280 million to partially protect us against rising interest rates by locking a portion of the interest rate on future unsecured debt with a 10-year maturity. Again, subject to our assessment of market conditions, we may enter into additional similar swaps in the future.

The amount and form of payment (cash or stock issuance) of future dividends to be paid to our stockholders will continue to be
largely dependent upon (i) the amount of cash generated from our operating activities; (ii) our expectations of future cash flows; (iii) our determination of near-term cash needs for debt repayments and selective acquisitions of new properties; (iv) the timing of significant expenditures for tenant improvements and general property capital improvements; (v) long-term payout ratios for comparable companies; (vi) our ability to continue to access additional sources of capital, including potential sales of our properties; and (vii) the amount required to be distributed to maintain our status as a REIT. Given the fluctuating nature of cash flows and expenditures, we may periodically borrow funds on a short-term basis to cover timing differences in cash receipts and cash disbursements.

Results of Operations

Overview

Our income from continuing operations increased from $0.06 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $0.12 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The current quarter includes $3.9 million, or approximately $0.02 per diluted share, in insurance reimbursements related to casualty losses incurred in prior periods, whereas the third quarter of the prior year included $7.5 million, or approximately $0.05 per diluted share, of litigation settlement expense. In addition, the current quarter reflects increased interest expense associated with higher outstanding debt balances during the current quarter primarily as a result of property acquisitions made by the Company earlier this year.



34

Table of Contents

Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2013 versus the three months ended September 30, 2012

The following table sets forth selected data from our consolidated statements of income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as well as each balance as a percentage of total revenues for the same periods presented (dollars in millions):

 
September 30,
2013
 
%
 
September 30,
2012
 
%
 
$
Increase
(Decrease)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
116.8

 
 
 
$
105.0

 
 
 
$
11.8

Tenant reimbursements
27.4

 
 
 
27.1

 
 
 
0.3

Property management fee revenue
0.9

 
 
 
0.5

 
 
 
0.4

Total revenues
145.1

 
100
 %
 
132.6

 
100
 %
 
12.5

Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
58.8

 
40
 %
 
50.5

 
38
 %
 
8.3

Depreciation
30.8

 
21
 %
 
27.9

 
21
 %
 
2.9

Amortization
13.9

 
10
 %
 
15.2

 
12
 %
 
(1.3
)
General and administrative
5.8

 
4
 %
 
5.5

 
4
 %
 
0.3

Real estate operating income
35.8

 
25
 %
 
33.5

 
25
 %
 
2.3

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(19.3
)
 
(13
)%
 
(16.2
)
 
(12
)%
 
(3.1
)
Interest and other income (expense)
(0.6
)
 
(1
)%
 
0.4

 
 %
 
(1.0
)
Litigation settlement expense

 
 %
 
(7.5
)
 
(5
)%
 
7.5

Net recoveries of casualty loss
3.9

 
3
 %
 

 
 %
 
3.9

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
0.1

 
 %
 
0.3

 
 %
 
(0.2
)
Loss on consolidation
(0.9
)
 
(1
)%
 

 
 %
 
(0.9
)
Income from continuing operations
$
19.0

 
13
 %
 
$
10.5

 
8
 %
 
$
8.5

Income from discontinued operations
$
0.1

 
 
 
$
0.4

 
 
 
$
(0.3
)

Continuing Operations

Revenue

Rental income increased from approximately $105.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to approximately $116.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to approximately $8.5 million of additional revenue attributable to properties acquired during the current year as well as the commencement of several significant leases over the last twelve months, partially offset by the expiration of a 330,000 square foot lease at our One Independence Square building in Washington, D. C. during March 2013.

Tenant reimbursements increased from approximately $27.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to approximately $27.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Although we recognized a $1.1 million reduction in tenant reimbursements as a result of operating expense and tax abatements granted on a large lease renewal at the 500 W. Monroe building in Chicago, Illinois, this reduction was offset by higher property tax expense recoveries and utility expense reimbursements at certain of our properties as well as approximately $0.5 million of additional tenant reimbursements associated with properties acquired during the current year.

Property management fee revenue increased approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the buyer retaining our property management services subsequent to the sale of our 1200 Enclave Parkway building in Houston, Texas in May 2013.

Expense

Property operating costs increased approximately $8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in recoverable property tax expense of approximately $4.4 million, as well as

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Table of Contents

additional expense attributable to properties acquired and increased occupancy at several buildings, during the current period.

Depreciation expense increased approximately $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The variance is largely attributable to depreciation on additional tenant and building improvements placed in service subsequent to the prior period which contributed approximately $1.9 million of the increase. The remainder of the increase is due to additional depreciation recognized on new properties acquired during the current year.

Amortization expense decreased approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The variance is primarily attributable to the acceleration of amortization expense on certain lease intangible assets related to a lease termination due to a tenant bankruptcy at our 500 W. Monroe building in the prior period of approximately $3.8 million. This variance was largely offset by the acceleration of amortization related to lease modifications/terminations in the current period of approximately $2.4 million, primarily at our 5 & 15 Wayside Road building.

General and administrative expenses increased approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in expenses is primarily attributable to lower insurance reimbursements of legal expenses in the current period related to litigation settled in October 2012.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense increased approximately $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase is attributable to higher outstanding, long-term debt balances during the current quarter primarily as a result of property acquisitions during the first quarter of 2013.

Interest and other income/(expense) decreased approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. Of the variance, $0.4 million is attributable to the decrease in interest income associated with the repayment of a note receivable in October 2012. The remaining variance is attributable to higher costs related to unconsummated capital markets transactions in the current period.

During the prior period, we incurred $7.5 million of litigation settlement expense related to settlement agreements of two class action lawsuits.

The approximate $3.9 million net casualty gain recognized during the current period is attributable to insurance recoveries related to damages incurred during the fourth quarter of 2012 at certain of our assets in the New York/New Jersey markets as a result of Hurricane Sandy. We anticipate receiving additional insurance recoveries related to these damages in future periods.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we purchased all of the remaining interests in three office properties previously held through two unconsolidated joint ventures for $14.7 million in cash. The estimated fair value of the respective properties were derived by reference to a credible, unrelated third-party offer and verified using discounted cash flow analysis. Under the terms of the respective joint venture agreements, Piedmont exercised its dissenter's right to buy out each of its co-venturers' interests based upon the terms of the third-party offer. The $0.9 million difference between the fair value of the properties acquired and the sum of Piedmont's previously recorded book value in investment in unconsolidated joint ventures plus cash consideration paid for the interests was recorded as a loss on consolidation in Piedmont's consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The acquisition also resulted in a decrease in equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures as compared to the prior period, as the results of operations of these properties are now consolidated on the same basis as Piedmont's other wholly-owned properties.

Discontinued Operations

The operations of the Deschutes building, the Rhein building, the Rogue building, and the Willamette building, and 18.19 acres of adjoining, undeveloped land in Beaverton, Oregon (collectively the "Portland Portfolio"), the 26200 Enterprise Way building in Lake Forest, California, the 110 and 112 Hidden Lake Circle buildings in Duncan, South Carolina, the 1111 Durham Avenue building in South Plainfield, New Jersey, the 1200 Enclave Parkway building and the 350 Spectrum Loop building (currently held for sale) in Colorado Springs, Colorado are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Income from discontinued operations decreased approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. We do not expect that income from discontinued operations will be comparable to future periods, as such income is subject to the occurrence and timing of future property dispositions.


36

Table of Contents

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2012

The following table sets forth selected data from our consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as well as each balance as a percentage of total revenues for the same periods presented (dollars in millions):

 
September 30,
2013
 
%
 
September 30,
2012
 
%
 
$
Increase
(Decrease)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental income
$
333.9

 
 
 
$
312.0

 
 
 
$
21.9

Tenant reimbursements
77.2

 
 
 
80.3

 
 
 
(3.1
)
Property management fee revenue
2.0

 
 
 
1.7

 
 
 
0.3

Total revenues
413.1

 
100
 %
 
394.0

 
100
 %
 
19.1

Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property operating costs
164.4

 
40
 %
 
154.6

 
39
 %
 
9.8

Depreciation
90.7

 
22
 %
 
81.7

 
21
 %
 
9.0

Amortization
34.3

 
8
 %
 
39.1

 
10
 %
 
(4.8
)
General and administrative
16.7

 
4
 %
 
15.6

 
4
 %
 
1.1

Real estate operating income
107.0

 
26
 %
 
103.0

 
26
 %
 
4.0

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(53.9
)
 
(13
)%
 
(48.7
)
 
(12
)%
 
(5.2
)
Interest and other income/(expense)
(2.0
)
 
 %
 
0.8

 
 %
 
(2.8
)
Litigation settlement recovery/(expense)
1.3

 
 %
 
(7.5
)
 
(2
)%
 
8.8

Net recoveries of casualty loss
6.1

 
1
 %
 

 
 %
 
6.1

Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
0.6

 
 %
 
0.7

 
 %
 
(0.1
)
Loss on consolidation
(0.9
)
 
 %
 

 
 %
 
(0.9
)
Income from continuing operations
$
58.2

 
14
 %
 
$
48.3

 
12
 %
 
$
9.9

Income from discontinued operations
$
11.0

 
 
 
$
30.5

 
 
 
$
(19.5
)

Continuing Operations

Revenue

Rental income increased from approximately $312.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to approximately $333.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to approximately $15.4 million of additional revenue attributable to properties acquired during the current year, as well as the commencement of several significant leases over the last twelve months, offset by the expiration of a 330,000 square foot lease at our One Independence Square building during March 2013.

Tenant reimbursements decreased from approximately $80.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to approximately $77.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The variance is mainly attributable to an approximate $4.2 million reduction in tenant reimbursements as a result of operating expense and tax abatements granted on a large lease renewal at the 500 W. Monroe building and an approximate $1.7 million reduction in tenant reimbursements at the One Independence Square building due to the lease expiration discussed above. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in tenant reimbursements at our 60 Broad Street building and our US Bancorp Center building in Minneapolis, Minnesota primarily driven by higher recoverable property tax expense in the current period.

Property management fee revenue increased approximately $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the buyer retaining our property management services subsequent to the sale of our 1200 Enclave Parkway building in May 2013.


37

Table of Contents

Expense

Property operating costs increased approximately $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. Properties acquired during the current period contributed approximately $4.7 million of additional operating costs and higher recoverable property tax expense at our existing properties contributed an additional $4.7 of operating costs.

Depreciation expense increased approximately $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The variance is largely attributable to depreciation on additional tenant and building improvements placed in service subsequent to January 1, 2012 which contributed approximately $6.5 million of the increase. The remainder of the increase is due to new properties acquired during the current period.

Amortization expense decreased approximately $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The variance is primarily attributable to reduced amortization expense as a result of lease intangible assets becoming fully amortized at certain of our existing properties subsequent to January 1, 2012, as well as higher accelerated amortization expense as a result of lease terminations during the prior period. However, these decreases were partially offset by approximately $7.0 million of additional amortization expense related to property acquisitions during the current year.

General and administrative expenses increased approximately $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower insurance reimbursements of legal expenses in the current period related to litigation settled in October 2012, as well as higher personnel and benefits costs in the current period.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense increased approximately $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase is attributable to higher outstanding debt balances during the current period primarily as a result of property acquisitions during the first quarter of 2013.

Interest and other income/(expense) decreased approximately $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease reflects approximately $1.3 million of costs associated with the acquisitions of the Arlington Gateway building and the 5 & 15 Wayside Road building during the current period, as well as a decrease in interest income associated with the repayment of a note receivable in October 2012. The remaining variance is attributable to higher costs related to unconsummated capital markets transactions in the current period.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized approximately $1.3 million in insurance recoveries associated with the $7.5 million of litigation settlement expense we recorded in the prior period related to settlement agreements of two class action lawsuits. We expect to receive additional insurance recoveries related to the settlements in future periods.

The approximate $6.1 million net casualty gain we recognized during the current period is due to insurance recoveries received related to damages incurred at certain of our assets in the New York/New Jersey markets during the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of Hurricane Sandy. We anticipate receiving additional insurance recoveries related to these damages in future periods.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we purchased all of the remaining interests in three office properties previously held through two unconsolidated joint ventures for $14.7 million in cash. The estimated fair value of the respective properties were derived by reference to a credible, unrelated third-party offer and verified using discounted cash flow analysis. Under the terms of the respective joint venture agreements, Piedmont exercised its dissenter's right to buy out each of its co-venturers' interests based upon the terms of the third-party offer.The $0.9 million difference between the fair value of the properties acquired and the sum of Piedmont's previously recorded book value in investment in unconsolidated joint ventures plus cash consideration paid for the interests was recorded as a loss on consolidation in Piedmont's consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The acquisition also resulted in a decrease in equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures as compared to the prior period, as the results of operations of these properties are now consolidated on the same basis as Piedmont's other wholly-owned properties.

Discontinued Operations

The operations of the Portland Portfolio, the 26200 Enterprise Way building, the 110 and 112 Hidden Lake Circle buildings, the 1111 Durham Avenue building, the1200 Enclave Parkway building, and the 350 Spectrum Loop building are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Income from discontinued operations decreased approximately $19.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to the gain realized on the sale of the Portland Portfolio and the 26200 Enterprise Way building in the prior period of approximately $17.8 million and $10.0

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million, respectively. Although we recorded a $16.3 million gain on the sale of the 1200 Enclave Parkway building in the current period, we also recorded an impairment charge of approximately $6.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to reflect the difference in carrying value of the 1111 Durham Avenue building at the time the asset met the held for sale criteria and its estimated fair value. We do not expect that income from discontinued operations will be comparable to future periods, as such income is subject to the timing and existence of future property dispositions.

Funds From Operations (“FFO”), Core FFO, and Adjusted Funds from Operations (“AFFO”)

Net income calculated in accordance with GAAP is the starting point for calculating FFO, Core FFO, and AFFO. FFO, Core FFO, and AFFO are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be viewed as an alternative measurement of our operating performance to net income. Management believes that accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered the presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. As a result, we believe that the use of FFO, Core FFO, and AFFO, together with the required GAAP presentation, provides a more complete understanding of our performance relative to our competitors and a more informed and appropriate basis on which to make decisions involving operating, financing, and investing activities.

We calculate FFO in accordance with the current NAREIT definition as follows: Net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains or losses from sales of property and impairment charges (including our proportionate share of any impairment charges and/or gains or losses from sales of property related to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures), plus depreciation and amortization on real estate assets (including our proportionate share of depreciation and amortization related to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures), excluding gains or losses on consolidation. Other REITs may not define FFO in accordance with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") definition, or may interpret the current NAREIT definition differently than we do; therefore, our computation of FFO may not be comparable to such other REITs.

We calculate Core FFO as FFO (calculated as set forth above) exclusive of the net effects of acquisition costs and significant, non-recurring items.

We calculate AFFO as Core FFO (calculated as set forth above) exclusive of the net effects of: (i) amortization associated with deferred financing costs; (ii) depreciation of non real estate assets; (iii) straight-line lease revenue/expense; (iv) amortization of above and below-market lease intangibles; (v) stock-based and other non-cash compensation expense; (vi) amortization of discount on Senior Notes and interest rate swap settlements; (vii) acquisition costs, and (viii) non-incremental capital expenditures (as defined below). Our proportionate share of such adjustments related to investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are also included when calculating AFFO.

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Reconciliations of net income to FFO, Core FFO, and AFFO are presented below (in thousands except per share amounts):

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2013
 
Per
Share (1)
 
September 30, 2012
 
Per
Share(1)
 
September 30, 2013
 
Per
Share(1)
 
September 30,
2012
 
Per
Share(1)
Net income attributable to Piedmont
$
19,096

 
$
0.12

 
$
10,831

 
$
0.06

 
$
69,105

 
$
0.41

 
$
78,766

 
$
0.46

Depreciation of real estate assets(2)
31,050

 
0.19

 
28,763

 
0.18

 
91,905

 
0.55

 
84,605

 
0.50

Amortization of lease-related costs(2)
13,939

 
0.08

 
15,366

 
0.09

 
34,509

 
0.21

 
39,744

 
0.23

Impairment loss

 

 

 

 
6,402

 
0.04

 

 

Loss/(gain) on sale - wholly-owned properties

 

 
254

 

 
(16,258
)
 
(0.10
)
 
(27,583
)
 
(0.16
)
Loss on consolidation
898

 

 

 

 
898

 
0.01

 

 

Funds From Operations
$
64,983

 
$
0.39

 
$
55,214

 
$
0.33

 
$
186,561

 
$
1.12

 
$
175,532

 
$
1.03

Adjustment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition costs
60

 

 
7

 

 
1,374

 
0.01

 
88

 

Litigation settlement expense/(recovery)

 

 
7,500

 
0.04

 
(1,250
)
 
(0.01
)
 
7,500

 
0.04

Net recoveries of casualty loss
(3,919
)
 
(0.02
)
 

 

 
(6,078
)
 
(0.04
)
 

 

Core Funds From Operations
$
61,124

 
$
0.37

 
$
62,721

 
$
0.37

 
$
180,607

 
$
1.08

 
$
183,120

 
$
1.07

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred financing cost amortization
674

 

 
663

 

 
1,911

 
0.01

 
2,056

 
0.01

Amortization of discount on Senior Notes and swap settlements
13

 

 

 

 
20

 

 

 

Depreciation of non real estate assets
97

 

 
196

 

 
300

 

 
397

 

Straight-line effects of lease
revenue (2)
(5,076
)
 
(0.03
)
 
(4,193
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(14,655
)
 
(0.08
)
 
(11,236
)
 
(0.06
)
Stock-based and other non-cash compensation
719

 
0.01

 
869

 
0.01

 
1,489

 
0.01

 
1,492

 
0.01

Net effect of amortization of below-market in-place lease intangibles (2)
(1,757
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(1,315
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(4,067
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(4,631
)
 
(0.03
)
Acquisition costs
(60
)
 

 
(7
)
 

 
(1,374
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(88
)
 

Non-incremental capital expenditures (3)
(21,705
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(38,583
)
 
(0.23
)
 
(59,992
)
 
(0.36
)
 
(64,430
)
 
(0.38
)
Adjusted Funds From Operations
$
34,029

 
$
0.21

 
$
20,351

 
$
0.12

 
$
104,239

 
$
0.63

 
$
106,680

 
$
0.62

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted
164,796

 
 
 
168,929

 
 
 
166,734

 
 
 
171,295

 
 

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(1) 
Based on weighted average shares outstanding – diluted.
(2) 
Includes amounts for wholly-owned properties, as well as such amounts for our proportionate ownership in unconsolidated joint ventures.
(3) 
Piedmont defines non-incremental capital expenditures as capital expenditures of a recurring nature related to tenant improvements, leasing commissions, and building capital that do not incrementally enhance the underlying assets' income generating capacity. Tenant improvements, leasing commissions, building capital and deferred lease incentives incurred to lease space that was vacant at acquisition, leasing costs for spaces vacant for greater than one year, leasing costs for spaces at newly acquired properties for which in-place leases expire shortly after acquisition, improvements associated with the expansion of a building, and renovations that either change the underlying classification from a Class B to a Class A property or enhance the marketability of a building are excluded from this measure.

Property and Same Store Net Operating Income (Cash Basis)

Property Net Operating Income on a cash basis ("Property NOI") is a non-GAAP measure which we use to assess our property-level operating results. It is calculated as real estate operating income with the add-back of corporate general and administrative expense, depreciation and amortization, impairment losses, and the deduction of income associated with property management performed by Piedmont for other organizations. We present this measure on a cash basis, which eliminates the effects of straight lined rents and fair value lease revenue. We use this measure as a proxy for the cash generated by our real estate properties. Same Store Net Operating Income on a cash basis ("SSNOI") is another non-GAAP measure very similar to Property NOI, however, SSNOI only reflects Property NOI attributable to the properties owned or placed in service during the entire span of the current and prior year reporting periods. SSNOI excludes amounts attributable to unconsolidated joint venture assets. We believe SSNOI is an important measure because it allows us to compare the cash flows generated by our same real estate properties from one period to another. Other REITs may calculate SSNOI differently and our calculation should not be compared to that of other REITs.


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The following table sets forth our Property NOI and SSNOI with a reconciliation to net income attributable to Piedmont (GAAP basis) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Piedmont (GAAP basis)
$
19,096

 
$
10,831

 
$
69,105

 
$
78,766

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
4

 
4

 
12

 
12

Interest expense
19,331

 
16,247

 
53,932

 
48,727

Depreciation (1)
31,147

 
28,959

 
92,204

 
85,002

Amortization (1)
13,939

 
15,366

 
34,509

 
39,744

Acquisition costs
60

 
7

 
1,374

 
88

Impairment loss (1)

 

 
6,402

 

Litigation settlement expense/(recovery)

 
7,500

 
(1,250
)
 
7,500

Net recoveries of casualty loss(1)
(3,919
)
 

 
(6,078
)
 

Loss/(gain) on sale of properties (1)

 
254

 
(16,258
)
 
(27,583
)
Loss on consolidation
898

 

 
898

 

General & administrative expenses(1)
5,921

 
5,576

 
16,940

 
15,761

Management fee revenue
(890
)
 
(520
)
 
(2,034
)
 
(1,720
)
Interest and other expense/(income)(1)
550

 
(390
)
 
561

 
(873
)
Straight line rent adjustment(1)
(5,076
)
 
(4,193
)
 
(14,655
)
 
(11,236
)
Net effect of amortization of below-market in-place lease intangibles(1)
(1,757
)
 
(1,315
)
 
(4,067
)
 
(4,631
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property NOI (cash basis)
$
79,304

 
$
78,326

 
$
231,595

 
$
229,557

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating loss/(income) from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions(2)
(6,155
)
 
7

 
(10,672
)
 
7

Dispositions(3)
2

 
(319
)
 
(49
)
 
(2,487
)
Unconsolidated joint ventures
(376
)
 
(735
)
 
(1,717
)
 
(1,923
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same Store NOI (cash basis)
$
72,775

 
$
77,279

 
$
219,157

 
$
225,154

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change period over period in Same Store NOI (cash basis)
(5.8
)%
 
N/A

 
(2.7
)%
 
N/A


(1) 
Includes amounts attributable to consolidated properties, including discontinued operations, and our proportionate share of amounts attributable to unconsolidated joint ventures.
(2) 
Acquisitions consist of the Gavitello Land in Atlanta, Georgia, purchased on June 28, 2012; Glenridge Highlands III Land in Atlanta, Georgia purchased on October 15, 2012; Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Virginia, purchased on March 4, 2013; 5 & 15 Wayside Road in Burlington, Massachusetts, purchased on March 22, 2013, 2020 W. 89th Street in Leawood, Kansas, purchased on August 12, 2013, 5301 Maryland Way in Brentwood, Tennessee, purchased on August 12, 2013, and 4685 Investment Drive in Troy, Michigan, purchased on August 12, 2013.
(3) 
Dispositions consist of the Deschutes, Rhein, Rogue, and Willamette buildings and Portland Land Parcels in Beaverton, Oregon, sold on March 19, 2012; 26200 Enterprise Way in Lake Forest, California, sold on May 31, 2012; 110 and 112 Hidden Lake Circle in Duncan, South Carolina, sold on September 21, 2012; 1111 Durham Avenue in South Plainfield, New Jersey, sold on March 28, 2013; 1200 Enclave Parkway in Houston, Texas, sold on May 1, 2013.

Overview

Our portfolio is a national portfolio located in approximately 18 different geographic markets, and we typically lease to large corporate or governmental tenants. As a result, rent roll ups and roll downs which we experience as a result of re-leasing can fluctuate widely between markets and between tenants within a given market. Over the last three years of slow economic growth we have been working through a period of high lease expirations, and although we have signed new or renewal leases totaling over 50% of our

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total portfolio square footage during that time period, we have experienced some lease terminations and contractions, and have granted market concessions such as free rent periods. Additionally, in some instances we have had to accept lower market driven rental rates in conjunction with securing these new or renewal leases. All of these items have negatively impacted our occupancy and SSNOI.

Occupancy

Currently, we have leasing exposure in the Washington D.C. and downtown Chicago markets which will negatively impact our leased percentage until we are able to re-lease these spaces. However, scheduled expirations over the next five years are limited to less than 10% of our ALR on an annual basis. In addition, many leases executed during our period of high lease rollover have recently commenced or will commence over the next twelve months. As a result, our leased percentage for the portfolio as a whole has been slowly improving over the last eighteen months; however, the loss of a large 330,000 square foot governmental tenant at our One Independence Square building in Washington, D.C during first quarter of 2013 negated this improvement such that our leased percentage decreased from 87.0% leased as of September 30, 2012 to 86.7% leased as of September 30, 2013.

SSNOI

Although most of the space associated with the leases that have expired over the last several years has been re-leased, some of these replacement leases have not yet commenced as refurbishment of the space is not complete. Commencement of new leases typically occurs 6-24 months from the execution date. In addition, office leases typically contain upfront rental abatement periods which delay the cash flow benefits of the lease even once it has commenced. As of September 30, 2013, approximately 1.5 million square feet of commenced leases were in some form of abatement, and approximately 0.5 million square feet of executed leases for currently vacant space were yet to commence.
Further, in some cases over the last two years, we have entered into leases at lower market rental rates than the previous tenant's rental rate that will negatively impact SSNOI comparisons once they commence. However, for leases that were executed during the current quarter for space that was previously occupied within the past year, initial cash rents will increase approximately 2.9% once the leases commence and any abatement periods expire.
As a result of all of the factors mentioned above, coupled with the loss of a 330,000 square foot governmental tenant at our One Independence Square building in Washington, D.C during first quarter of 2013, we anticipate that SSNOI will decrease for the year ending December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012 by approximately 1% to 2%. As a result of serving large, credit worthy tenants, our average lease size tends to be larger than our peers. The expiration and commencement of these larger leases, and their related abatements, create volatility in our SSNOI. As such, absent any near-term leasing success in the Washington, D.C or downtown Chicago markets, SSNOI will likely decline in 2014. However, we expect to realize positive growth in our SSNOI moving into 2015 and beyond, as rent abatements burn off and new leases commence.

Election as a REIT

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code and have operated as such beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1998. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our adjusted REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains attributable to our stockholders, as defined by the Code. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we may be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income for that year and for the four years following the year during which qualification is lost and/or penalties, unless the IRS grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to our stockholders. However, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT and intend to continue to operate in the foreseeable future in such a manner that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. We have elected to treat Piedmont Office Holdings, Inc. (“POH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Piedmont, as a taxable REIT subsidiary. We perform non-customary services for tenants of buildings that we own, including solar power generation, real estate and non-real estate related-services; however, any earnings related to such services performed by our taxable REIT subsidiary are subject to federal and state income taxes. In addition, for us to continue to qualify as a REIT, our investments in taxable REIT subsidiaries cannot exceed 25% of the value of our total assets.

Inflation

We are exposed to inflation risk, as income from long-term leases is the primary source of our cash flows from operations. There are provisions in the majority of our tenant leases that are intended to protect us from, and mitigate the risk of, the impact of inflation. These provisions include rent steps, reimbursement billings for operating expense pass-through charges, real estate tax, and insurance

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reimbursements on a per square-foot basis, or in some cases, annual reimbursement of operating expenses above certain per square-foot allowance. However, due to the long-term nature of the leases, the leases may not readjust their reimbursement rates frequently enough to fully cover inflation.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not dependent on off-balance sheet financing arrangements for liquidity. Our off-balance sheet arrangements consist of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and operating lease obligations related to ground leases at certain of our properties. The unconsolidated joint ventures in which we currently invest are prohibited by their governing documents from incurring debt. For further information regarding our commitments under operating lease obligations, see the Contractual Obligations table below.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting policies have been established to conform with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied, thus, resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact comparability of our results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses. The critical accounting policies outlined below have been discussed with members of the Audit Committee of the board of directors.

Investment in Real Estate Assets

We are required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of our depreciable assets. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. These assessments have a direct impact on net income attributable to Piedmont. The estimated useful lives of our assets by class are as follows:
 
Buildings
40 years
Building improvements
5-25 years
Land improvements
20-25 years
Tenant improvements
Shorter of economic life or lease term
Intangible lease assets
Lease term

Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets

Upon the acquisition of real properties, it is our policy to allocate the purchase price of properties to acquired tangible assets, consisting of land and building, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, other value of in-place leases, and value of tenant relationships, based in each case on their estimated fair values.

The fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land and buildings) are determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land and building based on our determination of the fair value of these assets. We determine the as-if-vacant fair value of a property using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers. Factors considered by us in performing these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, we include real estate taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. We also estimate the cost to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, legal, and other related costs.

The fair values of above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) our estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining noncancelable term of the lease. The above-market and below-market lease values are capitalized as intangible lease assets and liabilities and amortized as an adjustment of rental income over the remaining terms of the respective leases.


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The fair values of in-place leases include direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant, opportunity costs associated with lost rentals that are avoided by acquiring an in-place lease, and tenant relationships. Direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant include commissions, tenant improvements, and other direct costs and are estimated based on management’s consideration of current market costs to execute a similar lease. These direct costs are included in deferred lease costs in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The value of opportunity costs is calculated using the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases over a market absorption period for a similar lease. Customer relationships are valued based on expected renewal of a lease or the likelihood of obtaining a particular tenant for other locations. These lease intangibles are included in intangible lease assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases.

Estimates of the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets require us to estimate market lease rates, property operating expenses, carrying costs during lease-up periods, discount rates, market absorption periods, and the number of years the property is held for investment. The use of inappropriate estimates would result in an incorrect assessment of our purchase price allocations, which could impact the amount of our reported net income attributable to us.

Valuation of Real Estate Assets and Investments in Joint Ventures Which Hold Real Estate Assets

We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of the real estate and related intangible assets, both operating properties and properties under construction, in which we have an ownership interest, either directly or through investments in joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present which indicate that the carrying amounts of real estate and related intangible assets may not be recoverable, we assess the recoverability of these assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, we adjust the real estate and related intangible assets to the fair value and recognize an impairment loss.

Projections of expected future cash flows require that we estimate future market rental income amounts subsequent to the expiration of current lease agreements, property operating expenses, the number of months it takes to re-lease the property, and the number of years the property is held for investment, among other factors. The subjectivity of assumptions used in the future cash flow analysis, including capitalization and discount rates, could result in an incorrect assessment of the property’s fair value and, therefore, could result in the misstatement of the carrying value of our real estate and related intangible assets and our net income attributable to us. We have determined that other than the impairment charge recognized upon reclassifying the 1111 Durham Avenue building for subsequent disposition of approximately $6.4 million, there has been no impairment in the carrying value of real estate assets owned by us or any of our unconsolidated joint ventures as of September 30, 2013. See Note 9 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for more detail on the 1111 Durham Avenue building.


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Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts specifically assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in purchase accounting for business combinations, as well as costs incurred as part of the acquisition. We test the carrying value of our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Such interim circumstances may include, but are not limited to, significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the general business climate, adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, the loss of key personnel, or persistent declines in an entity’s stock price below carrying value of the entity. We have the option, should we choose to use it, to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we conclude that the estimated fair value is greater than the carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if we chose to forgo the availability of the qualitative analysis, the test prescribed by authoritative accounting guidance is a two-step test. The first step involves comparing the estimated fair value of the entity to its carrying value, including goodwill. Fair value is determined by adjusting the trading price of the stock for various factors including, but not limited to: (i) liquidity or transferability considerations, (ii) control premiums, and/or (iii) fully distributed premiums, if necessary, multiplied by the common shares outstanding. If such calculated fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further procedures or analysis is required. However, if the carrying value exceeds the calculated fair value, goodwill is potentially impaired and step two of the analysis would be required. Step two of the test involves calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the entity from the entity’s fair value calculated in step one of the test. If the implied value of the goodwill (the remainder left after deducting the fair values of the entity from its calculated overall fair value in step one of the test) is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized. We have determined that there have been no events or circumstances that would indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired as of September 30, 2013.

Investment in Variable Interest Entities

VIEs are defined by GAAP as entities in which equity investors do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. If an entity is determined to be a VIE, it must be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the enterprise that has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, absorbs the majority of the entity’s expected losses, or receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns. Generally, expected losses and expected residual returns are the anticipated negative and positive variability, respectively, in the fair value of the VIE’s net assets. When we make an investment, we assess whether the investment represents a variable interest in a VIE and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Incorrect assumptions or assessments may result in an inaccurate determination of the primary beneficiary. The result could be the consolidation of an entity acquired or formed in the future that would otherwise not have been consolidated or the non-consolidation of such an entity that would otherwise have been consolidated.

We evaluate each investment to determine whether it represents variable interests in a VIE. Further, we evaluate the sufficiency of the entities’ equity investment at risk to absorb expected losses, and whether as a group, the equity has the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. See Note 6 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for more detail on our VIEs as of September 30, 2013.

Interest Rate Derivatives

We periodically enter into interest rate derivative agreements to hedge our exposure to changing interest rates on variable rate debt instruments. As required by GAAP, we record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. We reassess the effectiveness of our derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on a regular basis to determine if they continue to be highly effective and also to determine if the forecasted transactions remain highly probable. Currently, we do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

The changes in fair value of interest rate swap agreements designated as effective cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transactions occur. Changes in the fair values of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, if any, would be recorded as gain/(loss) on interest rate swap in the consolidated statements of income. The fair value of the interest rate derivative agreement is recorded as interest rate derivative asset or as interest rate derivative liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received or paid under interest rate derivative agreements are recorded as interest expense in the consolidated income statements as incurred. All of our interest rate derivative agreements as of September 30, 2013 are designated as cash flow hedges. See Note 5 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for more detail on our derivative agreements as of September 30, 2013.

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Stock-based Compensation

We have issued stock-based compensation in the form of restricted stock to our employees and directors. For employees, such compensation has been issued pursuant to our Long-term Incentive Compensation ("LTIC") program. The LTIC program is comprised of an annual restricted stock grant component and a multi-year performance share component. Awards granted pursuant to the annual restricted stock component are considered equity awards and expensed straight-line over the vesting period, with issuances recorded as a reduction to additional paid in capital. Awards granted pursuant to the performance share component are considered liability awards and are expensed over the service period, with issuances recorded as a reduction to accrued expense. The compensation expense recognized related to both of these award types is recorded as property operating costs for those employees whose job is related to property operation and as general and administrative expense for all other employees and directors in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

 
Payments Due by Period
 
Contractual Obligations
Total
 
Less than
1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than
5 years
 
Long-term debt(1)
$
1,823,175

 
$
575,000

 
$
417,000

 
$
482,525

(2) 
$
348,650

(4) 
Operating lease obligations(3)
77,414

 
753

 
1,506

 
1,506

 
73,649

 
Total
$
1,900,589

 
$
575,753

 
$
418,506

 
$
484,031

 
$
422,299

 

(1) 
Amounts include principal payments only and balances outstanding as of September 30, 2013. We made interest payments, including payments under our interest rate swaps, of approximately $47.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and expect to pay interest in future periods on outstanding debt obligations based on the rates and terms disclosed herein and in Note 4 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(2) 
Includes the $300 Million Unsecured Term Loan which has a stated variable rate; however, we entered into interest rate swap agreements which effectively fix, exclusive of changes to our credit rating, the rate on this facility to 2.69% through maturity. As such, we estimate incurring, exclusive of changes to our credit rating, approximately $8.1 million per annum in total interest (comprised of combination of variable contractual rate and settlements under interest rate swap agreements) through maturity in November 2016.
(3) 
Three properties (the River Corporate Center building in Tempe, Arizona; the 8700 South Price Road building in Tempe, Arizona; and the 2001 NW 64th Street building in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) are subject to ground leases with expiration dates ranging between 2048 and 2101. The aggregate remaining payments required under the terms of these operating leases as of September 30, 2013 are presented above.
(4) 
Amount includes the Senior Notes which have a contractual amount due at maturity (June 1, 2023) of $350 million, but were issued in May 2013 at a discount to par. Such discount is amortized quarterly over the life of the notes, and the net amount of the Senior Notes is reflected as of September 30, 2013.

Commitments and Contingencies
We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies with regard to certain transactions. Refer to Note 8 of our consolidated financial statements for further explanation. Examples of such commitments and contingencies include:
Commitments Under Existing Lease Agreements;
Contingencies Related to Tenant Audits/Disputes; and
Letters of Credit.
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our future income, cash flows, and fair values of our financial instruments depend in part upon prevailing market interest rates. Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency, exchange rates, commodity prices, and equity prices. As a result, the primary market risk to which we believe we are exposed is interest rate risk. Many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, and other factors that are beyond our control contribute to interest rate risk. Our interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flow primarily through a low-to-moderate level of overall borrowings, as well as managing the variability in rate fluctuations on our outstanding debt. As such, a significant portion of our debt is based on fixed interest rates, including our most recent issuance of Senior Notes, to hedge against instability in the credit markets. Our exposure to market risk includes interest rate fluctuations in connection with any borrowings under our $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit and our $300 Million Unsecured Term Loan, although we have effectively fixed the interest rate on our $300 Million

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Unsecured Term Loan through interest rate swap agreements, provided that we maintain our corporate credit rating. We do not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.

All of our debt was entered into for other than trading purposes, and the estimated fair value of our debt as of September 30, 2013 was approximately $1.8 billion. Our interest rate swap agreements in place as of September 30, 2013 carried notional amounts totaling $580 million. Of these interest rate swap agreements, the agreements which hedge the cash flows under our $300 Million Unsecured Term Loan have fixed interest rates of 2.69%, exclusive of changes to our credit rating. See Notes 4, 5 and 7 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further detail.

As of September 30, 2013, all of our outstanding debt, except for amounts outstanding under our $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit, is subject to fixed, or effectively fixed, interest rates. Our total outstanding debt subject to fixed or effectively fixed interest rates has an average effective interest rate of approximately 4.35% per annum with expirations ranging from 2014 to 2023. A change in the market interest rate impacts the net financial instrument position of our fixed-rate debt portfolio but has a minimal impact on interest incurred or cash flows.

As of September 30, 2013, we had $187.0 million outstanding on our $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit, which is the only debt facility subject to variable interest rates. Our $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit currently has a stated rate of LIBOR plus 1.175% per annum or the prime rate, at the our discretion. Draws outstanding as of September 30, 2013 were subject to a blended rate of 1.36% as of September 30, 2013. To the extent that we borrow additional funds in the future under the $500 Million Unsecured Line of Credit or potential future variable-rate lines of credit, we would have exposure to increases in interest rates, which would potentially increase our cost of debt. Additionally, a 1.0% increase in variable interest rates on borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2013 would increase interest expense approximately $1.9 million on a per annum basis.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s Conclusions Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report in providing a reasonable level of assurance that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in applicable SEC rules and forms, including providing a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are from time to time a party to other legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently involved in any litigation the outcome of which would, in management’s judgment based on information currently available, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition, nor is management aware of any such litigation threatened against us during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 requiring disclosure under Item 103 of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
There have been no known material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a)
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the third quarter 2013.
(b)
Not applicable.
(c)
During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, Piedmont repurchased shares of its common stock in the open market, in order to reissue such shares under its dividend reinvestment plan (the "DRP"), as well as repurchasing and retiring shares as part of our previously announced stock repurchase plan.
Of the 5,553,176 shares repurchased during the third quarter 2013, 5,411,760 shares related to repurchases of our common stock pursuant to our previously announced stock repurchase plan, and 141,416 shares related to shares purchased by our transfer agent on the open market and conveyed to participants in the DRP. The aggregate stock repurchases for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
(in 000’s)
 
Average Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plan
(in 000’s) (1)
 
Maximum Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
Available That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plan
(in 000’s)(1)
 
July 1, 2013 to July 31, 2013
299

 
$
18.15

 
299

 
$
184,751

 
August 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013
2,617

 
$
17.40

 
2,617

 
$
139,149

 
September 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013
2,637

 
$
17.41

 
2,496

 
$
95,668

(1) 
Total
5,553

 
$
17.45

 
5,412

 
 
 

(1) 
Under our amended and restated DRP announced in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 24, 2011, we have the option to either issue shares that we purchase in the open market or issue shares directly from Piedmont from authorized but unissued shares. Such election will take place at the settlement of each quarterly dividend in which there are participants in our DRP, and may change from quarter to quarter based on our judgment of the best use of proceeds for Piedmont. Therefore, the "Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares Available That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan" relates only to the stock repurchase plan. The stock repurchase plan was previously announced in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 3, 2011. On October 30, 2013, our board of directors amended and restated the plan to authorize $150 million in stock repurchases over the next two years. The stock repurchase plan is separate from shares purchased for DRP issuance.

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.


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ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
The Exhibits required to be filed with this report are set forth on the Exhibit Index to Third Quarter 2013 Form 10-Q of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. attached hereto.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Dated:
October 31, 2013
By:
/s/ Robert E. Bowers
 
 
 
Robert E. Bowers
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX
TO
THIRD QUARTER 2013
FORM 10-Q
OF
PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST, INC.
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Document
3.1

 
Third Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 filed on March 16, 2010)
 
 
 
3.2

 
Articles of Amendment of the Company effective June 30, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2011)
 
 
 
3.3

 
Articles Supplementary of the Company effective June 30, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2011)
 
 
 
3.4

 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2010)
 
 
 
31.1

 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Donald A. Miller, CFA, Principal Executive Officer of the Company
 
 
 
31.2

 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Robert E. Bowers, Principal Financial Officer of the Company
 
 
 
32.1

 
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, executed by Donald A. Miller, CFA, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company
 
 
 
32.2

 
Certification required by Rule 13a-14(b)/15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, executed by Robert E. Bowers, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President of the Company
 
 
 
101.INS

 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
101.CAL

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
 
101.DEF

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
 
101.LAB

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
101.PRE

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 


52