UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
Commission File No.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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 twelve 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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
As of October 30, 2023, there were
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Safehold Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets(1)
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
As of | ||||||
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
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ASSETS |
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Net investment in sales-type leases ($ | $ | | $ | | ||
Ground Lease receivables, net ($ |
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Real estate |
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Real estate, at cost | | | ||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
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Real estate, net |
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Real estate-related intangible assets, net |
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Real estate available and held for sale | | — | ||||
Total real estate, net and real estate-related intangible assets, net and real estate available and held for sale |
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Loans receivable, net - ($ | | — | ||||
Equity investments |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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Restricted cash |
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Deferred tax asset, net | | — | ||||
Deferred operating lease income receivable |
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Deferred expenses and other assets, net(2) |
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Total assets | $ | | $ | | ||
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY |
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Liabilities: |
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Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities(3) | $ | | $ | | ||
Real estate-related intangible liabilities, net |
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Debt obligations, net |
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Total liabilities |
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Commitments and contingencies (refer to Note 9) |
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Redeemable noncontrolling interests (refer to Note 3) | | | ||||
Equity: |
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Safehold Inc. shareholders' equity: |
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Common stock, $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Retained earnings |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income |
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Total Safehold Inc. shareholders' equity |
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Noncontrolling interests |
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Total equity |
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Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity | $ | | $ | |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
1
Safehold Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
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Revenues: |
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Interest income from sales-type leases(1) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Operating lease income | | | | | |||||||||
Interest income - related party(2) | | — | | — | |||||||||
Other income(3) |
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Total revenues |
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Costs and expenses: |
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Interest expense |
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Real estate expense |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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General and administrative(4) |
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Impairment of goodwill | | — | | — | |||||||||
Provision for credit losses | | — | | — | |||||||||
Other expense |
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Total costs and expenses |
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Gain on sale of net investment in lease | — | | — | | |||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before other items |
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Earnings from equity method investments |
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Net income (loss) before income taxes |
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Income tax expense | ( | — | ( | — | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | ( | | ( | | |||||||||
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
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Net income (loss) attributable to Safehold Inc. common shareholders | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Per common share data: |
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Net income (loss) |
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Basic | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Diluted | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Weighted average number of common shares: |
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Basic |
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Diluted |
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(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
2
Safehold Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
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Net income (loss) | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | ||||
Other comprehensive income: |
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Reclassification of (gains) losses on derivatives into earnings |
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Unrealized gain on derivatives |
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Other comprehensive income: |
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Comprehensive income (loss) |
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Comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
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Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Safehold Inc. | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
Retained | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable | Common | Additional | Earnings | Other | ||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling | Stock at | Paid-In | (Accumulated | Comprehensive | Noncontrolling | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Interests(1) | Par |
| Capital |
| Deficit) |
| Income (Loss) |
| Interests |
| Equity | ||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Net income (loss) |
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Issuance of common stock, net / amortization |
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Dividends declared ($ |
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Change in accumulated other comprehensive income |
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Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
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Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Net income |
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Issuance of common stock, net / amortization |
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Dividends declared ($ |
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Change in accumulated other comprehensive income |
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Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
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Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Impact from adoption of new accounting standard (refer to Note 3) | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | — |
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Issuance of common stock, net / amortization | — |
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Dividends declared ($ | — |
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Change in accumulated other comprehensive income | — |
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Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net | — | — | ( | — | — | | | |||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | — |
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Merger consideration (refer to Note 1 and Note 3) | — | | | — | — | — | | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | — | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Net income | |
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Issuance of common stock, net / amortization | — |
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Dividends declared ($ | — |
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Change in accumulated other comprehensive income | — |
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Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net | | — | — | — | — | | | |||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | — |
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Additional paid in capital attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
(1) | Refer to Note 3. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
Safehold Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, | |||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income (loss) | $ | ( | $ | | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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Deferred operating lease income |
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Non-cash interest income from sales-type leases |
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Non-cash interest expense |
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Amortization of real estate-related intangibles, net |
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Impairment of goodwill | | — | |||||
Provision for credit losses | | — | |||||
Earnings from equity method investments |
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Distributions from operations of equity method investments |
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Gain on sale of net investment in lease | — | ( | |||||
Amortization of premium, discount and deferred financing costs on debt obligations, net |
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Non-cash management fees |
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Other operating activities |
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Changes in assets and liabilities: |
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Changes in deferred expenses and other assets, net |
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Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities |
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Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Acquisitions of real estate |
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Origination/acquisition of net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables |
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Origination of loans receivable, net | ( | — | |||||
Payment for merger consideration | ( | — | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents acquired upon merger | | — | |||||
Contributions to equity method investments | ( | ( | |||||
Funding reserves received from Ground Lease tenant net of disbursements | ( | | |||||
Net proceeds from sale of net investment in lease | — | | |||||
Net proceeds received from sale of real estate available and held for sale | | — | |||||
Deposits on Ground Lease investments |
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Other investing activities |
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Cash flows used in investing activities |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
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Proceeds from debt obligations |
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Repayments of debt obligations |
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Payments for deferred financing costs |
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Dividends paid to common shareholders |
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Payment of offering costs |
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Payments for withholding taxes upon vesting for stock-based compensation | — | ( | |||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
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Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
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Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests | — | | |||||
Other financing activities |
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Cash flows provided by financing activities |
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Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | | $ | |
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | ||
Restricted cash | | | ||||
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | | $ | | ||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activity: |
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Debt obligations assumed (refer to Note 3) | $ | | $ | — | ||
Issuance of common stock for acquisition of assets (refer to Note 3) | | — | ||||
Dividends declared to common shareholders | | | ||||
Non-cash interest accrued to debt balances |
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Accrued offering costs |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
Note 1—Business and Organization
Business—On March 31, 2023, Safehold Inc. (“Old SAFE”) merged with and into iStar (see Merger Transaction below), at which time Old SAFE ceased to exist and iStar continued as the surviving corporation and changed its name to “Safehold Inc.” (the “Merger”). References to iStar refer to iStar prior to the Merger. For accounting purposes, the Merger is treated as a “reverse acquisition” in which iStar is considered the legal acquirer and Old SAFE is considered the accounting acquirer. Unless context otherwise requires, references to the “Company” refer to the business and operations of Old SAFE and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the Merger and to Safehold Inc. (formerly known as iStar) and its consolidated subsidiaries following the consummation of the Merger.
The Company operates its business through
The Company intends to target investments in long-term Ground Leases in which: (i) the initial cost of its Ground Lease represents
Prior to the Merger, Old SAFE was managed by SFTY Manager, LLC (the “Former Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of iStar, pursuant to a management agreement. Old SAFE had
Organization—The Company is a Maryland corporation and its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SAFE.” The Company (then known as iStar) elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the tax year ended December 31, 1998.
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As part of a restructuring in connection with the Merger (the “Caret Restructuring”), Safehold Operating Partnership LP converted into a Delaware limited liability company and renamed itself “Safehold GL Holdings LLC” (“Portfolio Holdings”), with the Company as its managing member. The Company conducts all of its business and owns all of its properties through Portfolio Holdings. In addition, holders of Caret units in Old SAFE’s subsidiary, Caret Ventures LLC (“Caret Ventures”), contributed their interests in Caret Ventures to Portfolio Holdings in return for Caret units issued by Portfolio Holdings. Following the restructuring,
Merger Transaction—On August 10, 2022, Old SAFE entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with iStar, and on March 31, 2023, the Merger was completed in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. For accounting purposes, the Merger was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”) and treated as a “reverse acquisition” in which iStar is considered the legal acquirer and Old SAFE is considered the accounting acquirer. The Company considered the following relevant facts for this determination:
● | At the time of the Merger closing, Old SAFE shareholders, excluding the Old SAFE shares held directly by iStar, members of iStar management and Star Holdings, control a majority of the voting interests in the Company and the combined company operates under the name “Safehold Inc.;” |
● | The composition of the combined company’s board of directors, which includes |
● | Old SAFE was the larger entity by size when comparing the key metrics of total assets, total revenue and net income (loss) from continuing operations and allocable to common shareholders; and |
● | Substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Company consist of the historical assets and liabilities of Old SAFE, and the go-forward business plan of the Company is to conduct the Ground Lease business conducted by Old SAFE prior to the Merger. |
As a result, the historical financial statements of Old SAFE become the historical financial statements of the Company.
Immediately before the closing of the Merger, iStar separated its remaining legacy non-ground lease assets and businesses, approximately $
Other Merger related transactions
On August 10, 2022, iStar entered into an agreement (the “MSD Stock Purchase Agreement”) with MSD Partners, L.P. (“MSD Partners”) pursuant to which MSD Partners agreed to purchase
On August 10, 2022, MSD Partners also agreed to purchase
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against their purchase price for Caret units equal to the amount they would have received had they held Caret units at the time of a December 2022 distribution to other Caret unit holders, which was equal to $
Star Holdings was capitalized in part with an
In connection with the Spin-Off, Safehold Management Services Inc. (“SpinCo Manager”), a Delaware corporation and a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a management agreement with Star Holdings effective as of March 31, 2023, pursuant to which SpinCo Manager will continue to operate and pursue the orderly monetization of Star Holding’s assets. Star Holdings will pay SpinCo Manager an annual management fee of $
Note 2—Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Old SAFE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Annual Report”).
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such operating results may not be indicative of the expected results for any other interim periods or the entire year.
Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Consolidated VIEs—The Company consolidates VIEs for which it is considered the primary beneficiary. As of September 30, 2023, the total assets of these consolidated VIEs were $
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non-recourse to the Company and can only be satisfied from each VIE’s respective assets. The Company has provided no financial support to VIEs that it was not previously contractually required to provide and did not have any unfunded commitments related to consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2023.
Note 3—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies
Allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables—Effective January 1, 2023, upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company implemented procedures to estimate its allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables, including unfunded commitments, using a quantitative analysis to estimate expected loss rates for its portfolio of net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables. ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology in prior GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses over the life of the investment and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The Company analyzes historical data provided by Trepp (“Trepp”) for single asset borrower loans and considers comparable loan to value ratios, loss rates, timing of losses, vintage, property type and other statistics. The Company updates its analysis for current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of unemployment rates to develop an estimate of credit losses. The Company analyzes its portfolio of Ground Leases in two categories, based on whether the underlying property is a stabilized property or a development project (projects with unfunded commitments that are under development or in transition). The Company’s development properties are assigned a higher loss rate due to the higher inherent risk of deals under construction.
Interest receivable is not included in the Company’s allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables as the Company performs timely write-offs, if any, of aged interest receivables. The Company has also made a policy election to write off aged interest receivables through interest income from sales-type leases as opposed to through the provision for credit losses.
Real estate available and held for sale—The Company reports real estate assets to be sold at the lower of their carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell and classifies them as “Real estate available and held for sale” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. If the estimated fair value less costs to sell is less than the carrying value, the difference will be recorded as an impairment charge. Impairment for real estate assets disposed of or classified as held for sale are included in "Impairment of assets" in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Once a real estate asset is classified as held for sale, depreciation expense is no longer recorded.
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The Company classifies its real estate assets as held for sale in the period in which all of the following conditions are met: (i) the Company commits to a plan and has the authority to sell the asset; (ii) the asset is available for sale in its current condition; (iii) the Company has initiated an active marketing plan to locate a buyer for the asset; (iv) the sale of the asset is both probable and expected to qualify for full sales recognition within a period of 12 months; (v) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reflective of its current fair value; and (vi) the Company does not anticipate changes to its plan to sell the asset.
If circumstances arise that were previously considered unlikely and, as a result the Company decides not to sell a property previously classified as held for sale, the property is reclassified as held and used and included in "Real estate, net" on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company measures and records a property that is reclassified as held and used at the lower of: (i) its carrying amount before the property was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation expense that would have been recognized had the property been continuously classified as held and used; or (ii) the estimated fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.
Fair Values—The Company is required to disclose fair value information with regard to its financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, for which it is practical to estimate fair value. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to be used in valuation techniques to measure fair value: Level 1: unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; Level 2: quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and Level 3: prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). The Company determines the estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities based on a hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company and the Company’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions.
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The following table presents the carrying value and fair value for the Company’s financial instruments ($ in millions):
As of September 30, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Carrying | Fair | Carrying | Fair | |||||||||
| Value |
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Assets | ||||||||||||
Net investment in sales-type leases(1) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Ground Lease receivables(1) |
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Loans receivable, net - related party(1) | | | — | — | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents(2) |
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Restricted cash(2) |
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| |
| |
| | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Debt obligations, net(1) |
| |||||||||||
Level 1 | | | | | ||||||||
Level 3 | | | | | ||||||||
Total debt obligations, net | |
| |
| |
| |
(1) | The fair value of the Company’s net investment in sales-type leases, Ground Lease receivables and loans receivable, net – related party are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Company’s debt obligations traded in secondary markets are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy and the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations not traded in secondary markets are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. |
(2) | The Company determined the carrying values of its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximated their fair values and are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. |
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests—In February 2022, the Company sold
The Company classifies these redeemable Caret units in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480: Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. ASC 480-10-S99-3A requires that equity securities redeemable at the option of the holder be classified outside of permanent stockholders’ equity. The Company classifies redeemable Caret units as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” in its consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of changes in equity. The redeemable noncontrolling interest’s carrying amount is equal to the higher of (i) the initial carrying amount, increased or decreased for the redeemable noncontrolling interest’s share of net income or loss and dividends; or (ii) the redemption value.
11
Income taxes— The Company (then known as iStar) elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856 through 859 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 1998. The Company operates its business in a manner consistent with its election to be taxed as a REIT. As such, the consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared consistent with the Company’s qualification as a REIT for the periods presented. The Company will be subject to federal and state income taxation at corporate rates on its net taxable income; the Company, however, may claim a deduction for the amount of dividends paid to its shareholders. Amounts distributed as dividends by the Company will be subject to taxation at the stockholder level only. While the Company must distribute at least 90% of its net taxable income to qualify as a REIT, the Company intends to distribute all of its net taxable income, if any, and eliminate federal and state taxes on undistributed net taxable income. Certain states may impose minimum franchise taxes. In addition, the Company is allowed certain other non-cash deductions or adjustments, such as depreciation expense, when computing its net taxable income and distribution requirement. These deductions permit the Company to reduce its dividend payout requirement under federal tax laws. The Company’s tax years from 2019 through 2021 remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions The Company has
12
Loans receivable, net – related party—Loans receivable, net – related party includes the
The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its loan receivable that incorporates management’s current judgments about credit quality based on all known and relevant internal and external factors that may affect collectability. The Company considers, among other things, payment status, lien position, borrower financial resources and investment collateral, collateral type, project economics and other economic factors. The Company estimates its Expected Loss on its loans receivable based on relevant information including current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of its investments. The estimate of the Company’s Expected Loss requires significant judgment. The Company calculated its Expected Loss through the use of third-party market data that provided current and future economic conditions that may impact the performance of the commercial real estate assets securing its investments.
The Company will consider a loan to be non-performing and place it on non-accrual status at such time as: (1) interest payments become 90 days delinquent; (2) it has a maturity default; or (3) management determines it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Non-accrual loans will be returned to accrual status when they have become contractually current and management believes all amounts contractually owed will be received.
The Company made the accounting policy election to record accrued interest on its loan asset separate from its loans receivable and to exclude accrued interest from its amortized cost basis disclosures. Any accrued interest receivable is recorded in “Deferred expenses and other assets, net” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $
Interest Income – related party—Interest income - related party (refer to Note 4) is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method and is recorded in “Interest income – related party” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Equity Investments—Equity investments are accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting if the Company can significantly influence the operating and financial policies of the investee. The Company has noncontrolling equity interests in multiple ventures (refer to Note 6) and determined the entities to be voting interest entities. As such, its equity interests in these ventures are accounted for pursuant to the equity method of accounting. The Company’s periodic share of earnings and losses in equity method investees are included in "Earnings from equity method investments" in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Equity investments are included in "Equity investments" on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company acquired
Management fees—The Company earns management fees through SpinCo Manager’s management agreement with Star Holdings pursuant to which SpinCo Manager operates and pursues the orderly monetization of Star Holding’s assets (refer to Note 1). Effective March 31, 2023, Star Holdings will pay SpinCo Manager an annual management fee of $
13
with ASC 606: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Upon the Company’s initial evaluation of the management contract, the Company evaluated the payment terms and termination clauses and it determined the estimated term of the contract to be
Acquisitions—The Company evaluates each acquisition transaction to determine whether the acquired asset meets the definition of a business. Under ASC 805, an acquisition does not qualify as a business when (i) substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets; (ii) the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce; or (iii) there is an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay. Acquisitions of a business are accounted for as business combinations and other acquisition transactions are accounted for as asset acquisitions. Transaction costs related to asset acquisitions are capitalized as part of the cost basis of the acquired assets, while transaction costs related to business combinations are expensed as incurred.
The Company’s acquisition of iStar was accounted for as a business combination. For business combinations, the Company recognizes and measures identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. In a business combination, the difference, if any, between the purchase consideration and the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired is either recorded as goodwill or as a bargain purchase gain.
Fair values are based on available information including discounted cash flow analysis or similar fair value models. Fair value estimates are also made using significant assumptions such as capitalization rates, discount rates, fair market lease rates and other market data. The fair value of the Company’s interests in equity investments acquired is calculated using the fair value of the investments held by the venture, which are valued using methods as described above, and considers the Company’s economics in the venture.
The fair value of financial instruments, which could include loans receivable or net investment in sales-type leases, is based on current market conditions and loan or lease agreements in place. The fair value of tangible assets, which could include land, buildings, building improvements and tenant improvements is determined as if these assets are vacant. Intangible assets may include the value of right of use lease assets, above-market leases and in-place leases. As lessee, right of use lease assets and lease liabilities are measured at the present value of lease payments not yet paid, discounted at the implied rate charged by the lessor if that rate is readily determinable, or if that rate is not readily determinable, the Company's incremental borrowing rate, as of the date of the acquisition. As lessee, operating lease right of use assets are included in “Deferred expenses and other assets, net” and operating lease liabilities are recorded in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As lessee, above-market operating lease intangibles, in-place operating lease intangibles and below-market lease assets are each recorded at their fair values and included in “Deferred expenses and other assets, net” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
14
The table below shows the Company’s purchase consideration for the acquisition of iStar ($ in thousands):
Total Company shares as purchase price(1) | | ||
Stock price of the Company’s common stock(2) | $ | | |
Fair value of the Company's stock transferred | | ||
Cash consideration paid by the Company to iStar | | ||
Purchase consideration | $ | |
(1) | The total post-Merger shares of the Company to be held by iStar shareholders includes |
(2) | Based on the closing price of Old SAFE’s common stock as of March 30, 2023, representing the final closing price prior to the effective time of the Merger. |
The Merger was accounted for as a business combination pursuant to ASC 805 and all Merger related costs were expensed as incurred. The Company recorded $
15
The following table sets forth the preliminary allocation as of March 31, 2023 of the purchase consideration to the fair values of identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, recognized as a result of the acquisition described in Note 1 above, measurement period adjustments and a revised allocation of the purchase consideration ($ in thousands):
Preliminary | Measurement | Revised | |||||||
Purchase Price | Period | Purchase Price | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | — | $ | | |||
Real estate | | — | | ||||||
Equity investments(1) | | — | | ||||||
Deferred tax asset(2) | — | | | ||||||
Deferred expenses and other assets(2)(3) | | | | ||||||
Total assets acquired | | | | ||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities(2)(4) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Debt obligations(5) | ( | — | ( | ||||||
Total liabilities assumed | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Net identifiable (liabilities assumed) assets acquired | ( | | ( | ||||||
Purchase consideration | $ | | $ | — | $ | | |||
Add: net identifiable liabilities assumed | | ( | | ||||||
Goodwill(6) | | ( | |
(1) | Equity investments were valued using between |
(2) | During the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset in the amount of $ |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | — | |
Goodwill recognized at Merger | | ||
Reduction to goodwill resulting from measurement period adjustments | ( | ||
Impairment | ( | ||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | — |
(3) | Deferred expenses and other assets includes $ |
(4) | Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities primarily includes a $ |
(5) | Debt obligations were valued using a of |
(6) | Goodwill is calculated as the excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and primarily relates to the acquisition of iStar’s workforce and future synergies expected to be realized after the completion of the Merger. |
16
The following table summarizes the Company's pro forma revenues and net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 as if the Merger described in Note 1 was completed on January 1, 2022 ($ in thousands):(1)
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||
2023 |
| 2022 | 2023 |
| 2022 | |||||||
Pro forma revenues | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Pro forma net income (loss) | ( | | ( | ( |
(1) | The pro forma revenues and net income (loss) are presented for informational purposes only and may not be indicative of what the actual results of operations of the Company would have been assuming the transaction occurred on January 1, 2022, nor do they purport to represent the Company’s results of operations for future periods. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, pro forma net loss includes $ |
Goodwill—Goodwill is calculated as the excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired (or liabilities assumed) and primarily relates to the acquisition of iStar’s workforce and future synergies expected to be realized from the Merger. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is tested annually for impairment or more frequently should potential triggering events be identified that may indicate potential impairment, such as when a company’s fair value, or the estimated fair value of a reporting unit of a company, is below its book value.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company experienced a precipitous and sustained decline in the price per share of its common stock, which it identified as an indicator of goodwill impairment. As a result, the Company performed an interim goodwill evaluation. The Company determined that its current operations are carried out through a single reporting unit with a carrying value of approximately $
17
New accounting pronouncements—The following paragraph describes the impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements from the adoption of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") on January 1, 2023.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"), as amended, on January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective approach method. Under the modified retrospective approach, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings by recording an initial allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables. Periods presented that are prior to the adoption date of January 1, 2023 will not be adjusted. ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects a current expected credit loss ("Expected Loss"). ASU 2016-13 impacted all of the Company’s investments held at amortized cost, which included its net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, the Company recorded an initial allowance for credit losses on net investments in sales-type leases of $
The Company also adopted ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures (“ASU 2022-02”). ASU 2022-02 eliminated troubled debt restructuring recognition and measurement guidance and requires disclosure of gross write-offs by vintage for public business entities. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Note 4—Net Investment in Sales-type Leases, Ground Lease Receivables and Loans Receivable, net – Related Party
The Company classifies certain of its Ground Leases as sales-type leases and records the leases within “Net investment in sales-type leases” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and records interest income in “Interest income from sales-type leases” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company may enter into transactions whereby it acquires land and enters into Ground Leases directly with the seller. These Ground Leases qualify as sales-type leases and, as such, do not qualify for sale leaseback accounting and are accounted for as financing receivables in accordance with ASC 310 - Receivables and are included in “Ground Lease receivables” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company records interest income from Ground Lease receivables in “Interest income from sales-type leases” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
In July 2022, the Company, pursuant to an agreement with iStar and upon certain construction related conditions being met, acquired an existing Ground Lease from iStar for $
In September 2022, the Company sold a Ground Lease to a third-party for $
In May 2023, the Company entered into a joint venture with a sovereign wealth fund, which is also an existing shareholder, focused on new acquisitions for certain Ground Lease investments. The Company committed approximately $
18
approximately $
The Company’s net investment in sales-type leases were comprised of the following ($ in thousands):
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Total undiscounted cash flows(1) | $ | | $ | | ||
Unguaranteed estimated residual value(1) |
| |
| | ||
Present value discount |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Allowance for credit losses | ( | — | ||||
Net investment in sales-type leases(2) | $ | | $ | |
(1) | As of September 30, 2023, total discounted cash flows were approximately $ |
(2) | As of September 30, 2023, $ |
19
The following table presents a rollforward of the Company’s net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
Net Investment in | Ground Lease | ||||||||
| Sales-type Leases |
| Receivables |
| Total | ||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Impact from adoption of new accounting standard (refer to Note 3) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Origination/acquisition/fundings(1) |
| |
| |
| | |||
Accretion |
| |
| |
| | |||
Provision for credit losses | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Ending balance(2) | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Net Investment in | Ground Lease | ||||||||
| Sales-type Leases |
| Receivables |
| Total | ||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Sales | ( |
| — | ( | |||||
Origination/acquisition/fundings(1) |
| |
| |
| | |||
Accretion |
| |
| |
| | |||
Ending balance | $ | | $ | | $ | |
(1) | The net investment in sales-type leases is initially measured at the present value of the fixed and determinable lease payments, including any guaranteed or unguaranteed estimated residual value of the asset at the end of the lease, discounted at the rate implicit in the lease. For newly originated or acquired Ground Leases, the Company’s estimate of residual value equals the fair value of the land at lease commencement. |
(2) | As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, all of the Company’s net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables were current in their payment status. As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s weighted average accrual rate for its net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables was |
20
Allowance for Credit Losses—Changes in the Company’s allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were as follows ($ in thousands):
| Net investment in sales-type leases | |||||||||||
Stabilized | Development | Unfunded | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | Properties | Properties | Commitments | Total | ||||||||
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Provision for credit losses(1) | |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Allowance for credit losses at end of period(2) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
| Ground Lease receivables | |||||||||||
Stabilized | Development | Unfunded | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | Properties | Properties | Commitments | Total | ||||||||
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses(1) | |
| |
| ( |
| | |||||
Allowance for credit losses at end of period(2) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
| Net investment in sales-type leases | |||||||||||
Stabilized | Development | Unfunded | ||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | Properties | Properties | Commitments | Total | ||||||||
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Impact from adoption of new accounting standard (refer to Note 3)(3) | | | | | ||||||||
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses(1) | |
| |
| ( |
| | |||||
Allowance for credit losses at end of period(2) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
| Ground Lease receivables | |||||||||||
Stabilized | Development | Unfunded | ||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | Properties | Properties | Commitments | Total | ||||||||
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Impact from adoption of new accounting standard (refer to Note 3)(3) | | | | | ||||||||
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses(1) | |
| |
| ( |
| | |||||
Allowance for credit losses at end of period(2) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
(1) | During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables of $ |
(2) | Allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments is recorded in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. |
(3) | On January 1, 2023, the Company recorded an allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases of $ |
21
The Company’s amortized cost basis in Ground Lease receivables, presented by year of origination and by stabilized or development status, was as follows as of September 30, 2023 ($ in thousands):
| Year of Origination |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| Prior to 2019 |
| Total | ||||||||
Ground Lease receivables | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stabilized properties | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | |||||||
Development properties |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | |
Future Minimum Lease Payments under Sales-type Leases—Future minimum lease payments to be collected under sales-type leases accounted for under ASC 842 - Leases, excluding lease payments that are not fixed and determinable, in effect as of September 30, 2023, are as follows by year ($ in thousands):
|
| Fixed Bumps |
| |||||||||
Fixed Bumps | with | |||||||||||
with Inflation | Fixed | Percentage | ||||||||||
| Adjustments |
| Bumps |
| Rent |
| Total | |||||
2023 (remaining three months) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
2024 |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||
2025 |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||
2026 |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||
2027 | | | | | ||||||||
Thereafter |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||
Total undiscounted cash flows | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized interest income from sales-type leases in its consolidated statements of operations as follows ($ in thousands):
Net Investment | Ground | ||||||||
in Sales-type | Lease | ||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
| Leases |
| Receivables |
| Total | |||
Cash | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Non-cash |
| |
| |
| | |||
Total interest income from sales-type leases | $ | | $ | | $ | |
| Net Investment |
| Ground |
| |||||
in Sales-type | Lease | ||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 | Leases | Receivables | Total | ||||||
Cash | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Non-cash |
| |
| |
| | |||
Total interest income from sales-type leases | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Net Investment | Ground | ||||||||
in Sales-type | Lease | ||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
| Leases |
| Receivables |
| Total | |||
Cash | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Non-cash |
| |
| |
| | |||
Total interest income from sales-type leases | $ | | $ | | $ | |
22
| Net Investment |
| Ground |
| |||||
in Sales-type | Lease | ||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 | Leases | Receivables | Total | ||||||
Cash | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Non-cash |
| |
| |
| | |||
Total interest income from sales-type leases | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Loans receivable, net – related party—On March 31, 2023, the Company, as lender and as administrative agent, and Star Holdings, as borrower, entered into a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $
The Star Holdings Term Loan Facility is a secured credit facility. Borrowings under the Star Holdings Term Loan Facility bear interest at a fixed rate of
The Star Holdings Term Loan Facility contains certain customary covenants, including affirmative covenants on reporting, maintenance of property, continued ownership of interests in the Company as well as negative covenants relating to investments, indebtedness and liens, fundamental changes, asset dispositions, repayments, distributions and affiliate transactions. Furthermore, the Star Holdings Term Loan Facility contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, failure to perform covenants, cross-default and cross acceleration to other indebtedness, including the margin loan facility, impairment of security interests and change of control.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $
23
Note 5—Real Estate, Real Estate-Related Intangibles and Real Estate Available and Held for Sale
The Company’s real estate assets consist of the following ($ in thousands):
As of | ||||||
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Land and land improvements, at cost | $ | | $ | | ||
Buildings and improvements, at cost |
| |
| | ||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Total real estate, net | $ | | $ | | ||
Real estate-related intangible assets, net |
| |
| | ||
Real estate available and held for sale(1) | | — | ||||
Total real estate, net and real estate-related intangible assets, net and real estate available and held for sale | $ | | $ | |
(1) | During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company acquired $ |
Real estate-related intangible assets, net consist of the following items ($ in thousands):
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
Gross | Accumulated | Carrying | |||||||
Intangible | Amortization | Value | |||||||
Above-market lease assets, net(1) | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||
In-place lease assets, net(2) |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Other intangible assets, net |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Total | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Gross | Accumulated | Carrying | |||||||
| Intangible |
| Amortization |
| Value | ||||
Above-market lease assets, net(1) | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||
In-place lease assets, net(2) |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Other intangible assets, net |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Total | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
(1) | Above-market lease assets are recognized during asset acquisitions when the present value of market rate rental cash flows over the term of a lease is less than the present value of the contractual in-place rental cash flows. Above-market lease assets are amortized over the non-cancelable term of the leases. |
(2) | In-place lease assets are recognized during asset acquisitions and are estimated based on the value associated with the costs avoided in originating leases comparable to the acquired in-place leases as well as the value associated with lost rental revenue during the assumed lease-up period. In-place lease assets are amortized over the non-cancelable term of the leases. |
24
The amortization of real estate-related intangible assets had the following impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
Income Statement | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
Intangible asset |
| Location |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
Above-market lease assets (decrease to income) |
| Operating lease income | $ | | $ | | ||
In-place lease assets (decrease to income) |
| Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | ||
Other intangible assets (decrease to income) |
| Operating lease income |
| |
| |
Income Statement | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
Intangible asset |
| Location |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
Above-market lease assets (decrease to income) |
| Operating lease income | $ | | $ | | ||
In-place lease assets (decrease to income) |
| Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | ||
Other intangible assets (decrease to income) |
| Operating lease income |
| |
| |
The estimated amortization of real estate-related intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows ($ in thousands):(1)
Year |
| Amount | |
2023 (remaining three months) | $ | | |
2024 | | ||
2025 |
| | |
2026 |
| | |
2027 |
| |
(1) | As of September 30, 2023, the weighted average amortization period for the Company’s real estate-related intangible assets was approximately |
Real estate-related intangible liabilities, net consist of the following items ($ in thousands):
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
Gross | Accumulated | Carrying | |||||||
Intangible | Amortization | Value | |||||||
Below-market lease liabilities(1) | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Gross | Accumulated | Carrying | |||||||
Intangible | Amortization | Value | |||||||
Below-market lease liabilities(1) | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
(1) | Below-market lease liabilities are recognized during asset acquisitions when the present value of market rate rental cash flows over the term of a lease exceeds the present value of the contractual in-place rental cash flows. Below-market lease liabilities are amortized over the non-cancelable term of the leases. |
25
The amortization of real estate-related intangible liabilities had the following impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
Income Statement |
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
Intangible liability |
| Location |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
Below-market lease liabilities (increase to income) |
| Operating lease income | $ | | $ | |
Income Statement |
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
Intangible liability |
| Location |
|
| ||||
Below-market lease liabilities (increase to income) |
| Operating lease income | $ | | $ | |
Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments—Future minimum lease payments to be collected under non-cancelable operating leases, excluding lease payments that are not fixed and determinable, in effect as of September 30, 2023, are as follows by year ($ in thousands):
| Fixed Bumps |
|
|
| Fixed |
| ||||||||||||
with | Bumps with | |||||||||||||||||
Inflation- | Inflation | Fixed | Percentage | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
Year |
| Linked |
| Adjustments |
| Bumps |
| Rent |
| Rent |
| Total | ||||||
2023 (remaining three months) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
2024 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
2025 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
2026 |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | ||||||||
2027 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Thereafter |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
(1) | During the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $ |
26
Note 6—Equity Investments
The Company’s equity investments and its proportionate share of earnings (losses) from equity investments were as follows ($ in thousands):
Earnings from | Earnings from | |||||||||||||||||
Carrying Value | Equity Method Investments | Equity Method Investments(1) | ||||||||||||||||
as of | For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||||||
Equity investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
425 Park Avenue | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
32 Old Slip |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
Ground Lease Plus Fund(1) | | — | | — | | — | ||||||||||||
Leasehold Loan Fund(2) | | — | | — | | — | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
(1) | As of September 30, 2023, the Company has a basis difference of $ |
(2) | As of September 30, 2023, the Company has a basis difference of $ |
425 Park Avenue—In August 2019, the Company formed a venture with a sovereign wealth fund that is an existing shareholder of the Company to acquire the existing Ground Lease at 425 Park Avenue in New York City. The venture acquired the Ground Lease in November 2019. The Company has a
32 Old Slip—In June 2021, the Company acquired a
Ground Lease Plus Fund—In connection with Merger, the Company acquired from iStar an investment fund that iStar managed that targets the origination and acquisition of Ground Leases for commercial real estate projects that are in a pre-development phase (the “Ground Lease Plus Fund”). The Company owns a
In November 2021, iStar acquired land for $
In June 2021, the Company entered into
27
In January 2022, iStar sold the
Leasehold Loan Fund—In connection with the Merger, the Company acquired from iStar an investment fund that iStar managed that targets customers that may require a mortgage leasehold loan as well as a Ground Lease (the “Leasehold Loan Fund”). The Company owns a
In February 2022, the Leasehold Loan Fund committed to provide a $
In June 2022, the Leasehold Loan Fund committed to provide a $
Note 7—Deferred Expenses and Other Assets, Net and Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Deferred expenses and other assets, net, consist of the following items ($ in thousands):
As of | ||||||
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
$ | | $ | | |||
Interest rate hedge assets |
| |
| | ||
Deferred finance costs, net(2) |
| |
| | ||
Other assets(3) |
| |
| | ||
Purchase deposits |
| |
| | ||
Leasing costs, net |
| |
| | ||
Corporate furniture, fixtures and equipment, net | | — | ||||
Deferred expenses and other assets, net | $ | | $ | |
(1) | Operating lease right-of-use asset relates primarily to a property that is majority-owned by a third party and is ground leased to the Company. The Company is obligated to pay the owner of the property $ |
(2) | Accumulated amortization of deferred finance costs was $ |
(3) | As of September 30, 2023, includes $ |
28
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following items ($ in thousands):
| As of | |||||
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Interest payable | $ | | $ | | ||
Other liabilities(1) |
| |
| | ||
Dividends declared and payable |
| |
| | ||
| |
| | |||
Management fee payable |
| — |
| | ||
Accrued expenses(3) |
| |
| | ||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | $ | | $ | |
(1) | As of December 31, 2022, include $ |
(2) | Refer to Note 9. |
(3) | As of September 30, 2023, accrued expenses includes accrued compensation, legal, audit and property expenses. As of December 31, 2022, accrued expenses includes accrued legal, audit and property expenses. |
29
Note 8—Debt Obligations, net
The Company’s outstanding debt obligations consist of the following ($ in thousands):
As of |
| Interest |
| Scheduled | ||||||
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 |
| Rate(1) |
| Maturity Date(2) | |||
Secured credit financing: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Mortgages | $ | | $ | |
| | % | April 2027 to November 2069 | ||
Total secured credit financing(3) |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| ||
Unsecured financing: | ||||||||||
| | | % | June 2031 | ||||||
| | | % | January 2032 | ||||||
| | | % | February 2052 | ||||||
| | | % | May 2052 | ||||||
2021 Unsecured Revolver | | | Adjusted SOFR | % | March 2026 | |||||
2023 Unsecured Revolver | — | — | Adjusted SOFR | % | July 2025 | |||||
Trust preferred securities | | — | Adjusted SOFR | % | October 2035 | |||||
Total unsecured financing | | | ||||||||
Total debt obligations |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| ||
Debt premium, discount and deferred financing costs, net |
| ( |
| ( |
|
|
|
| ||
Total debt obligations, net | $ | | $ | |
|
|
|
|
(1) | For mortgages, represents the weighted average stated interest rate over the term of the debt from funding through maturity based on the contractual payments owed excluding the effect of debt premium, discount and deferred financing costs. As of September 30, 2023, the weighted average cash interest rate for the Company’s consolidated mortgage debt, based on interest rates in effect at that date, was |
(2) | Represents the extended maturity date for all debt obligations. |
(3) | As of September 30, 2023, $ |
Mortgages—Mortgages consist of asset specific non-recourse borrowings that are secured by the Company’s real estate and Ground Leases. As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s mortgages are full term interest only, bear interest at a weighted average interest rate of
Unsecured Notes—In May 2021, Portfolio Holdings, then known as Safehold Operating Partnership LP, (as issuer) and the Company (as guarantor), issued $
30
redemption price will be equal to
In November 2021, Portfolio Holdings, then known as Safehold Operating Partnership LP, (as issuer) and the Company (as guarantor), issued $
In January 2022, Portfolio Holdings, then known as Safehold Operating Partnership LP, (as issuer) and the Company (as guarantor), issued $
In May 2022, Portfolio Holdings, then known as Safehold Operating Partnership LP, (as issuer) and the Company (as guarantor), issued $
2021 Unsecured Revolver—In March 2021, Portfolio Holdings, then known as Safehold Operating Partnership LP, (as borrower) and the Company (as guarantor), entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility with an initial maximum aggregate principal amount of up to $
31
2023 Unsecured Revolver—In January 2023, Portfolio Holdings, then known as Safehold Operating Partnership LP (as borrower) and the Company (as guarantor) closed on a new $
Trust Preferred Securities—The Company assumed trust preferred securities from iStar in connection with Merger. The trust preferred securities bear interest at three-month Adjusted Term SOFR plus
Debt Covenants—The Company is subject to financial covenants under the 2021 Unsecured Revolver and the 2023 Unsecured Revolver, including maintaining: (i) a ratio of total unencumbered assets to total unsecured debt of at least
Future Scheduled Maturities—As of September 30, 2023, future scheduled maturities of outstanding debt obligations, assuming all extensions that can be exercised at the Company’s option, are as follows ($ in thousands):
Secured(1) | Unsecured | Total | |||||||
2023 (remaining three months) |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
2024 | | |
| | |||||
2025 |
| |
| |
| | |||
2026 |
| |
| |
| | |||
2027 |
| |
| |
| | |||
Thereafter |
| |
| |
| | |||
Total principal maturities |
| |
| |
| | |||
Debt premium, discount and deferred financing costs, net |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Total debt obligations, net | $ | | $ | | $ | |
(1) | As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s weighted average maturity for its secured mortgages was |
32
Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies
Lease Commitments—Future minimum lease obligations under non-cancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2023 are as follows ($ in thousands):(1)
2023 (remaining three months) | $ | | |
2024 |
| | |
2025 |
| | |
2026 |
| — | |
2027 |
| — | |
Thereafter |
| — | |
Total undiscounted cash flows |
| | |
Present value discount(1) |
| ( | |
Other adjustments(2) |
| | |
Lease liabilities | $ | |
(1) | The lease liability equals the present value of the minimum rental payments due under the lease discounted at the rate implicit in the lease or the Company’s incremental secured borrowing rate for similar collateral. For operating leases, lease liabilities were discounted at the Company’s weighted average incremental secured borrowing rate for similar collateral estimated to be |
(2) | Other adjustments relates to a property that is majority-owned by a third party and is ground leased to the Company. The Company is obligated to pay the owner of the property $ |
Unfunded Commitments—The Company has unfunded commitments to certain of its Ground Lease tenants related to leasehold improvement allowances that it expects to fund upon the completion of certain conditions. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $
The Company also has unfunded forward commitments related to agreements that it entered into for the acquisition of new Ground Leases or additions to existing Ground Leases if certain conditions are met (refer to Note 13). These commitments may also include leasehold improvement allowances that will be funded to the Ground Lease tenants when certain conditions are met. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had an aggregate $
Other Commitments—Through the Leasehold Loan Fund, the Company will generally fund construction and development loans and build-outs of space in real estate assets over a period of time if and when the borrowers and tenants meet established milestones and other performance criteria. We refer to these arrangements as performance-based commitments. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $
Legal Proceedings—The Company evaluates developments in legal proceedings that could require a liability to be accrued and/or disclosed. Based on its current knowledge, and after consultation with legal counsel, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
33
Note 10—Risk Management and Derivatives
In the normal course of its ongoing business operations, the Company encounters credit risk. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s leases that result from a tenant’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments.
Risk concentrations—Concentrations of credit risks arise when the Company has multiple leases with a particular tenant or credit party, or a number of the Company’s tenants are engaged in similar business activities, or activities in the same geographic region, or have similar economic features, such that their ability to meet contractual obligations, including those to the Company, could be similarly affected by changes in economic conditions.
Although the Company’s Ground Leases are geographically diverse and the tenants operate in a variety of industries and property types, to the extent the Company has a significant concentration of interest income from sales-type leases or operating lease income from any tenant, the inability of that tenant to make its payment could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company did not have a significant concentration of interest income from sales-type leases or operating lease income from any tenant for the periods presented.
Derivative instruments and hedging activity—The Company’s use of derivative financial instruments has been associated with debt issuances and primarily limited to the utilization of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps to manage interest rate risk exposure. The Company does not enter into derivatives for trading purposes.
The Company recognizes derivatives, if any, as either assets or liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Interest rate hedge assets are recorded in “Deferred expenses and other assets, net” and interest rate hedge liabilities are recorded in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability, a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability.
For the Company’s derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s debt. If a derivative includes an other-than-insignificant financing element at inception, when the Company is deemed to be the lender all cash inflows and outflows of the derivative are considered cash flows from investing activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows and when the Company is deemed to be the borrower all cash inflows and outflows of the derivative are considered cash flows from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
For the Company’s derivatives not designated as hedges, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reported in “Interest expense” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements.
34
The table below presents the Company’s derivatives as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 ($ in thousands):(1)
September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 |
| |||||
Fair | Fair | Balance Sheet | ||||||
Derivative Type |
| Value(2) | Value(2) |
| Location | |||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Interest rate swaps | $ | | $ | |
| Deferred expenses and other assets, net | ||
Total | $ | | $ | |
(1) | Over the next 12 months, the Company expects that $ |
(2) | The fair value of the Company’s derivatives is estimated using valuation techniques utilized by a third-party specialist using observable inputs such as interest rates and contractual cash flow and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. |
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features—The Company reports derivative instruments, if any, on a gross basis in its consolidated financial statements. The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision whereby if the Company either defaults or is capable of being declared in default on any of its indebtedness, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.
The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
Amount of Gain | ||||||||
Amount of Gain | (Loss) Reclassified | |||||||
(Loss) Recognized | from Accumulated | |||||||
in Accumulated | Other | |||||||
Location of Gain (Loss) | Other | Comprehensive | ||||||
When Recognized in | Comprehensive | Income into | ||||||
Derivatives Designated in Hedging Relationships | Income |
| Income |
| Earnings | |||
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Interest rate swaps |
| Interest expense | $ | | $ | | ||
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
| |||
Interest rate swaps |
| Interest expense | $ | | $ | ( | ||
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
| |||
Interest rate swaps |
| Interest expense | $ | |
| $ | | |
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
| |||
Interest rate swaps |
| Interest expense | $ | | $ | ( |
Note 11—Equity
Common Stock—At the effective time of the Merger on March 31, 2023, each share of Old SAFE common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than any shares owned directly by iStar or any of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of iStar and in each case not held on behalf of third parties) was converted into the right to receive one share of newly issued common stock of the Company. As of September 30, 2023, the Company has
In April 2023, the Company filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR. In addition, the Company and Portfolio Holdings entered into an ATM Equity Offering Sales Agreement (the “Primary Sales Agreement”) with the sales agents named therein pursuant to which
35
the Company may sell, from time to time, shares of its common stock, $
In August 2023, the Company sold
Equity Plans—Old SAFE adopted an equity incentive plan to provide equity incentive opportunities to members of the Former Manager’s management team and employees who performed services for Old SAFE, Old SAFE’s non-management directors, advisers, consultants and other personnel (the “2017 Equity Incentive Plan”). The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan provided for grants of stock options, shares of restricted common stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards, including long-term incentive plan units. Grants under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan were recognized as compensation costs ratably over the applicable vesting period and recorded in “General and administrative” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the effective time of the Merger, Old SAFE awarded all shares of Old SAFE common stock remaining available for issuance under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to members of its Former Manager’s management team and employees who performed services for Old SAFE. As of September 30, 2023, there were
iStar’s amended and restated 2009 Long-Term Incentive Program (the “LTIP”) was approved by stockholders in 2021 and remained in effect after the closing of the Merger. The LTIP is designed to provide incentive compensation for officers, key employees, directors and advisors of the Company. The LTIP provides for awards of stock options, shares of restricted stock, phantom shares, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights and other share-based performance awards. All awards under the LTIP are made at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Grants under the LTIP are recognized as compensation costs ratably over the applicable vesting period and recorded in “General and administrative” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In June 2023, the Company issued an aggregate
During the third quarter of 2018, Old SAFE adopted, and in the second quarter of 2019, its stockholders approved, the Caret Performance Incentive Plan (the “Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan”). Under the Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan,
36
executives agreed to subject
In connection with the consummation of the Merger and the Caret Restructuring, Old SAFE, Caret Ventures and CARET Management Holdings LLC assigned each Award Agreement (as defined in the Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan) relating to outstanding Caret unit awards to Portfolio Holdings pursuant to the Omnibus Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2023 (the “Caret Assignment Agreement”).
Following the effectiveness of the Caret Assignment Agreement, Old SAFE amended and restated the Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan (the “Amended Caret Performance Incentive Plan”).
Prior to the Merger, the Old SAFE compensation committee, and following the Merger, the Company’s compensation committee, approved the award of
As of September 30, 2023, and after giving effect to the Caret Restructuring and the post-Merger Caret unit awards, Amended Caret Performance Incentive Plan participants held
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $
Noncontrolling Interests—Noncontrolling interests includes unrelated third-party equity interests in ventures that are consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and Caret units that have been sold to third-parties (refer to Note 1) or have been granted to employees of the Company’s Former Manager. See also “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests” in Note 3.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of net unrealized gains (losses) on the Company’s derivative transactions.
Dividends—The Company (then known as iStar) elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 1998. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must annually distribute, at a minimum, an amount equal to 90% of its taxable income, excluding net capital gains, and must distribute 100% of its taxable income (including net capital gains) to eliminate corporate federal income taxes payable by the REIT. Because taxable income differs from cash flow from operations due to non-cash revenues and expenses (such as depreciation and other items), in certain circumstances, the Company may generate operating cash flow in excess of its dividends, or alternatively, may need to make dividend payments in excess of operating cash flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company declared cash dividends on its common stock of $
37
Note 12—Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. The following tables present a reconciliation of net income used in the basic and diluted EPS calculations ($ and shares in thousands, except for per share data):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Net income (loss) | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Safehold Inc. common shareholders for basic and diluted earnings per common share | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Earnings attributable to common shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Safehold Inc. common shareholders - basic | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Safehold Inc. common shareholders - diluted | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share:(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per common share |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Basic and diluted earnings per common share:(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Safehold Inc. common shareholders - basic | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Safehold Inc. common shareholders - diluted | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
(1) | For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the effect of certain of the Company’s restricted stock awards were antidilutive due to the Company having a net loss for the period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, weighted average shares outstanding and earnings per share have been recast in accordance with ASC 805 to reflect the exchange ratio used in the reverse acquisition. |
Note 13—Related Party Transactions
Prior to the Merger, the Company was externally managed by an affiliate of iStar. iStar was an active real estate investor for over
38
Management Agreement
A summary of the terms of the management agreement with iStar prior to the Merger is below:
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded $
Expense Reimbursements
The Company paid, or reimbursed iStar for, certain of the Company’s operating expenses as well as the costs of personnel performing certain legal, accounting, finance, due diligence tasks and other services, in each case except those specifically required to be borne or elected not to be charged by the iStar under the management agreement.
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company was allocated $
Acquisitions and Commitments
Prior to the Merger, iStar participated in certain of the Company’s investment transactions, as the Company’s tenant or either as a seller of land or by providing financing to the Company’s Ground Lease tenants. The following is a list of transactions in which the Company and iStar or other persons deemed to be related parties have participated for the periods presented. These transactions were approved by the Company’s independent directors in accordance with the Company’s policy with respect to related party transactions.
39
In July 2022, the Company, pursuant to an agreement with iStar and upon certain construction related conditions being met, acquired an existing Ground Lease from iStar for $
In June 2022, the Company acquired land and simultaneously structured and entered into a Ground Lease as part of the Ground Lease tenant’s recapitalization of a mixed-use property. The Company also committed to provide an additional $
In April 2022, the Company acquired an existing Ground Lease from iStar for $
In March 2022, the Company acquired land for a purchase price of $
In March 2022, the Company paid iStar $
In March 2022, the Company acquired
In February 2022, the Company acquired land and simultaneously structured and entered into a Ground Lease as part of the Ground Lease tenant’s recapitalization of a life science development property. The Leasehold Loan Fund, in which an affiliate of an existing shareholder (which is affiliated with
In November 2021, the Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which it agreed to acquire land and a related Ground Lease originated by iStar when certain construction related conditions are met by a specified time period. The purchase price to be paid is $
In June 2021, the Company acquired from iStar a purchase option agreement for $
40
right to acquire for $
In June 2021, the Company entered into
Caret units
In February 2022, Old SAFE sold an aggregate of
On March 31, 2023, shortly before the closing of the Merger, iStar sold and affiliates of MSD Partners bought
Star Holdings
On March 31, 2023, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, the Company (then known as iStar Inc.) completed the Spin-Off, resulting in the spin-off of its remaining legacy assets and certain other assets pursuant to a separation and distribution agreement (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”), dated as of March 31, 2023, by and between the Company and Star Holdings. The Separation and Distribution Agreement sets forth, among other things, Star Holdings’ agreements with the Company regarding the principal transactions necessary to separate Star Holdings from the Company. It also sets forth other agreements that govern certain aspects of Star Holdings’ relationship with the Company after the Spin-Off relating to the transfer of assets and assumption of liabilities, cash assets, release of claims, insurance, non-solicitation, segregation of accounts and other matters. The Separation and Distribution Agreement also includes a mutual release by Star Holdings, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, of the other party from certain specified liabilities, as well as mutual indemnification covenants pursuant to which Star Holdings and the Company have agreed to indemnify each other from certain specified liabilities.
41
SpinCo Manager has entered into a management agreement with Star Holdings, pursuant to which it will operate and pursue the orderly monetization of Star Holding’s assets. Pursuant to the management agreement, Star Holdings pays to SpinCo Manager an annual management fee of $
In the event of a termination without cause by Star Holdings prior to the fourth anniversary of the Spin-Off, Star Holdings will pay SpinCo Manager a termination fee of $
In the event of a termination by the Company based on a reduction in the amount of Star Holdings’ consolidated assets below designated thresholds, Star Holdings will pay SpinCo Manager a termination fee of $
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $
The Company and Star Holdings also entered into a governance agreement that places certain restrictions on the transfer and voting of the shares of the Company owned by Star Holdings, and a registration rights agreement under which the Company agreed to register such shares for resale in accordance with applicable securities laws. As of September 30, 2023, Star Holdings owned approximately
In April 2023, the Company, Portfolio Holdings and Star Investment Holdings SPV LLC (“Star Investment Holdings”), a subsidiary of Star Holdings, entered into an ATM Equity Offering Sales Agreement (the “Selling Stockholder Sales Agreement”) with the sales agents named therein pursuant to which Star Investment Holdings may sell, from time to time, subject to receiving the Company’s consent, up to
42
Note 14—Subsequent Events
On October 4, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the Star Holdings Term Loan Facility (refer to Note 4) with Star Holdings. The amendment provides that: (i) Star Holdings may access the existing $
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are included with respect to, among other things, Safehold Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) current business plan, business strategy, portfolio management, prospects and liquidity. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In assessing all forward-looking statements, readers are urged to read carefully all cautionary statements contained in this Form 10-Q and the uncertainties and risks described in “Risk Factors” filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023, all of which could affect our future results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
The discussion below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our 2022 Annual Report and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023. These historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance.
Merger Transaction
On August 10, 2022, Safehold Inc. (“Old SAFE”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with iStar Inc. (“iStar”), and on March 31, 2023, in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, Old SAFE merged with and into iStar, at which time Old SAFE ceased to exist, and iStar continued as the surviving corporation and changed its name to “Safehold Inc.” For accounting purposes, the Merger is treated as a “reverse acquisition” in which iStar is considered the legal acquirer and Old SAFE is considered the accounting acquirer. As a result, the historical financial statements of Old SAFE became the historical financial statements of Safehold Inc. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “iStar” refer to iStar prior to the Merger, and references to “we,” “our” and “the Company” refer to the business and operations of Old SAFE and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the Merger and to Safehold Inc. (formerly known as iStar Inc.) and its consolidated subsidiaries following the consummation of the Merger. Periods presented prior to the Merger date of March 31, 2023 reflect the operations of Old SAFE and periods presented as of September 30, 2023 represent the financial statements of the Company.
Additionally, in connection with the Merger, Safehold Operating Partnership LP converted from a Delaware limited partnership into a Delaware limited liability company and changed its name to “Safehold GL Holdings LLC” (“Portfolio Holdings”), with the Company as its managing member. In addition, holders of Caret units in Old SAFE’s subsidiary, Caret Ventures, contributed their interests in Caret Ventures to Portfolio Holdings in return for Caret units issued by Portfolio Holdings. Following the restructuring, 100% of the equity interests in Caret Ventures is held by Portfolio Holdings, and Portfolio Holdings is owned by the Company, management, of the Company, employees and former employees of the Company, affiliates of MSD Partners, and other outside investors.
We believe that the Merger will accelerate our market leadership in the Ground Lease industry and make us the only internally-managed, pure-play Ground Lease company in the public markets.
Business Overview
We acquire, manage and capitalize Ground Leases and report our business as a single reportable segment. We believe owning a portfolio of Ground Leases affords our investors the opportunity for safe, growing income. Safety is derived from a Ground Lease’s senior position in the commercial real estate capital structure. Growth is realized through long-term leases with contractual periodic increases in rent. Capital appreciation is realized though appreciation in the value of the land over time and through our typical rights as landlord to acquire the commercial buildings on our land at
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the end of a Ground Lease, which may yield substantial value to us. As of September 30, 2023, the percentage breakdown of the gross book value of our portfolio was 43% office, 37% multi-family, 12% hotels, 5% life science and 3% mixed use and other. The diversification by geographic location, property type and sponsor in our portfolio further reduces risk and enhances potential upside.
Many of our Ground Leases have CPI lookbacks, generally starting between years 11 and 21 of the lease term, to mitigate the effects of inflation that are typically capped between 3.0% - 3.5%; however, in the event cumulative inflation growth for the lookback period exceeds the cap, these rent adjustments may not keep up fully with changes in inflation. In 2022, the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) rose to its highest rate in over 40 years. Since then the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates multiple times and it has stated that it is likely it will raise rates again. Any increase in interest rates may result in a reduction in the availability or an increase in costs of leasehold financing, which is critical to the growth of a robust Ground Lease market. An increase in interest rates could also increase the leasehold financing costs of our Ground Lease tenants and their ability to obtain leasehold financing.
The COVID-19 pandemic is not currently materially impacting our new investment activity, but we continue to monitor its potential impact, which could slow new investment activity because of reduced levels of real estate transactions and constrained conditions for equity and debt financing for real estate transactions, including leasehold loans. In addition, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. office sector has been adversely affected by office vacancies, the rise in interest rates and a decline in market liquidity, all of which could negatively impact our tenants, Ground Rent Coverages and estimated Combined Property Values. See “Risk Factors” filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023 for additional discussion of certain potential risks to our business arising from the COVID 19 pandemic. Moreover, the rise in interest rates and increased investment spreads to treasury bonds in the Ground Lease market may attract new competitors, which may result in higher costs for properties, lower returns and impact our ability to grow. See “Risk Factors” filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023 for additional discussion of certain potential risks to our business related to competition.
We have chosen to focus on Ground Leases because we believe they meet an important need in the real estate capital markets for our customers. We also believe Ground Leases offer a unique combination of safety, income growth and the potential for capital appreciation for investors for the following reasons:
High Quality Long-Term Cash Flow: We believe that a Ground Lease represents a safe position in a property’s capital structure. The combined value of the land and buildings and improvements thereon subject to a Ground Lease (the “Combined Property Value”) typically significantly exceeds the Ground Lease landlord’s investment in the Ground Lease; therefore, even if the landlord takes over the property following a tenant default or upon expiration of the Ground Lease, the landlord is reasonably likely to recover substantially all of its Ground Lease investment, and possibly amounts in excess of its investment, depending upon prevailing market conditions. Additionally, the typical structure of a Ground Lease provides the landlord with a residual right to regain possession of its land and take ownership of the buildings and improvements thereon upon a tenant default. The landlord’s residual right provides a strong incentive for a Ground Lease tenant or its leasehold lender to make the required Ground Lease rent payments.
Income Growth: Ground Leases typically provide growing income streams through contractual base rent escalators that may compound over the duration of the lease. These rent escalators may be based on fixed increases, a CPI or a combination thereof, and may also include a participation in the gross revenues of the property. We believe that this growth in the lease rate over time can mitigate the effects of inflation and capture anticipated increases in land values over time, as well as serving as a basis for growing our dividend.
Opportunity for Capital Appreciation: The opportunity for capital appreciation comes in two forms. First, as the ground rent grows over time, the value of the Ground Lease should grow under market conditions in which capitalization rates remain flat. Second, our residual right to regain possession of the land underlying the Ground Lease and take title to the buildings and other improvements thereon at lease expiration or earlier termination of the lease for no additional consideration creates additional potential value to our shareholders.
We generally target Ground Lease investments in which the initial cost of the Ground Lease represents 30% to 45% of the Combined Property Value as if the Ground Lease did not exist. If the initial cost of a Ground Lease is equal to
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35% of the Combined Property Value, the remaining 65% of the Combined Property Value represents potential excess value over the amount of our investment that would be turned over to us upon the reversion of the property, assuming no intervening change in the Combined Property Value. In our view, there is a strong correlation between inflation and commercial real estate values over time, which supports our belief that the value of our owned residual portfolio should increase over time as inflation increases, although our ability to recognize value in certain cases may be limited by the rights of our tenants under some of our Ground Leases, including tenant rights to purchase our land in certain circumstances and the right of one tenant to demolish improvements prior to the expiration of the lease. See “Risk Factors” filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023 for additional discussion for a discussion of these tenant rights.
Owned Residual Portfolio: We believe that the residual right is a unique feature distinguishing Ground Leases from other fixed income investments and property types. We refer to the value of the land and improvements subject to a Ground Lease in excess of our investment basis as unrealized capital appreciation (“UCA”). We track the UCA in our owned residual portfolio over our basis because we believe it provides relevant information with regard to the three key investment characteristics of our Ground Leases: (1) the safety of our position in a tenant’s capital structure; (2) the quality of the long-term cash flows generated by our portfolio rent that increases over time; and (3) increases and decreases in the Combined Property Value of the portfolio that reverts to us pursuant to such residual rights.
We believe that, similar to a loan to value metric, tracking changes in the value of our owned residual portfolio is useful as an indicator of the quality of our cash flows and the safety of our position in a tenant’s capital structure, which, in turn, supports our objective to pay and grow dividends over time. Observing changes in our owned residual portfolio value also helps us monitor changes in the value of the real estate portfolio that reverts to us under the terms of the leases, either at the expiration or earlier termination of the lease. The value may be realized by us at the relevant time by entering into a new lease reflecting then current market terms and values, selling the building, selling the building with the land, or operating the building directly and leasing the spaces to tenants at prevailing market rates.
We have engaged an independent valuation firm to prepare: (a) initial reports of the Combined Property Value associated with our Ground Lease portfolio; and (b) periodic updates of such reports, which we use, in part, to determine the current estimated value of our owned residual portfolio. We calculate this estimated value by subtracting our original aggregate cost basis in the Ground Leases from our estimated aggregate Combined Property Value, based on estimates by the valuation firm and by management.
The table below shows the current estimated UCA in our owned residual portfolio as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 ($ in millions):(1)
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Combined Property Value(2) | $ | 16,154 | $ | 16,529 | ||
Ground Lease Cost(2) |
| 6,138 |
| 6,008 | ||
Unrealized Capital Appreciation in Our Owned Residual Portfolio |
| 10,016 |
| 10,521 |
(1) | Please review our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 31, 2023 for a discussion of the valuation methodology used and important limitations and qualifications of the calculation of UCA. See “Risk Factors-Certain tenant rights under our Ground Leases may limit the value and the UCA we are able to realize upon lease expiration, sale of our land and Ground Leases or other events” included in Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023 for a discussion of certain tenant rights and other terms of the leases that may limit our ability to realize value from the UCA. |
(2) | Combined Property Value includes one investment in our Ground Lease Plus Fund which has moved out of the pre-development stage and which, as a result, we are obligated to purchase when all conditions are satisfied (such conditions may or may not be satisfied), our applicable percentage interests in our unconsolidated Ground Lease ventures and $1,647.3 million and $1,653.2 million related to transactions with remaining unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Combined Property Value excludes the term loan to Star Holdings, the assets in the Leasehold Loan Fund, the remainder of the Ground Lease Plus Fund assets and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests. Ground Lease Cost includes one investment in our Ground Lease Plus Fund which has moved out of the pre-development stage and which, as a result, we are obligated to purchase when all conditions are satisfied (such conditions may or may not be satisfied), our applicable percentage interests in our unconsolidated Ground Lease ventures and $211.7 million (including amounts to be paid to the Ground Lease Plus Fund that we may be obligated to pay in order to purchase a certain investment) and $308.2 million of unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Ground Lease Cost excludes the term loan to Star Holdings, the assets in the Leasehold Loan Fund, the remainder of the ground lease plus fund assets and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests. As of September 30, 2023, our gross book value as a percentage of combined property value was 42%. |
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In 2018, Old SAFE established the Caret program (as defined below). The Caret program is designed to recognize the two distinct components of value in our Ground Lease portfolio by separating them into:
● | the “bond component,” which consists of the bond-like income stream we receive from contractual rent payments under our Ground Leases, plus the return of our investment basis in each asset; and |
● | the “Caret component,” which consists of the UCA above our investment basis in our Ground Leases due to our ownership of the land and improvements at the end of the term of the applicable Ground Lease. |
Portfolio Holdings’ two classes of limited liability company interests are designed to track these two components: “GL units” are intended to track the bond component and “Caret units” are designed to track the Caret component (the “Caret program”). We currently hold all of the issued and outstanding GL units of Portfolio Holdings.
In general, all of our Ground Leases are subject to the Caret program, except for non-commercial Ground Leases and pre-development Ground Leases. Holders of Caret units are generally entitled to amounts equal to the net proceeds from the disposition of a Ground Lease asset in excess of the cost borne by us to acquire such asset (including amounts paid to the tenant in connection with the initial development of improvements at the properties). However, we are entitled to deduct (i) unrecovered acquisition costs borne by Portfolio Holdings following the termination of an applicable Ground Lease by reason of defaults of tenants; (ii) accrued unpaid rent under the applicable Ground Lease; and (iii) unrecovered costs relating to the issuance, maintenance and management of Caret units as a separate security, among other costs, from the amount payable to the holders of Caret units on account of such net proceeds. See “SAFE Proposal 2: The SAFE Caret Amendment Proposal” in our Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed with the SEC on December 16, 2022, for more information on the Caret program.
During the third quarter of 2018, Old SAFE adopted, and in the second quarter of 2019, its stockholders approved, the Caret Performance Incentive Plan (the “Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan”). Under the Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan, 1,500,000 Caret units were reserved for grants of performance-based awards to Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan participants, including certain executives of the Company, or its affiliates, directors of Old SAFE and service providers of Old SAFE. Initial grants under the Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan were subject to graduated vesting based on time-based service conditions and hurdles of our common stock price, all of which were satisfied as of December 31, 2022, except with respect to approximately 850 Caret units scheduled to vest on December 31, 2023. In connection with the Merger, certain of Old SAFE’s executive officers entered into re-vesting agreements pursuant to which the executives agreed to subject 25% of their previously vested Caret units to additional vesting conditions which will be satisfied on the second anniversary of the Merger, subject to the applicable executive’s continued employment through such date. In connection with the Merger, each Award Agreement (as defined in the Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan) related to outstanding Caret unit awards was assigned to Portfolio Holdings, and Old SAFE amended and restated amended and restated the Original Caret Performance Incentive Plan (the “Caret Performance Incentive Plan”). Following the merger, 76,801 Caret units were awarded to executive officers and other employees under such plan that are subject to cliff vesting on the fourth anniversary of their grant date if our common stock has traded at an average price of $60.00 or more for at least 30 consecutive trading days during that four-year period. As a result, as of September 30, 2023, vested and unvested Caret units beneficially owned by our officers and other employees represent approximately 15.41% of the outstanding Caret units and 12.50% of the authorized Caret units.
In addition to the Caret units awarded or reserved for issuance under our Caret Performance Incentive Plan, as of September 30, 2023, Old SAFE sold or contracted to sell an aggregate of 259,642 Caret units to third-party investors, including affiliates of MSD Partners and an entity affiliated with one of our independent directors. As of September 30, 2023, the Company owns 82.2% of the outstanding Caret units. In connection with the sale of 137,142 Caret units in February 2022 (28,571 of which were committed to be purchased at the time, but have not yet closed), Old SAFE agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide public market liquidity for such Caret units by seeking to provide a listing of the Caret units (or securities into which they may be exchanged) on a public exchange within two years of the sale. In the event market liquidity of the Caret units is not achieved within such two year period at a valuation not less than the purchase price for the Caret units purchased in February 2022, reduced by an amount equal to the amount of subsequent cash distributions made to investors on account of such Caret units, then the investors in the February 2022 transaction
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have the right to cause their Caret units purchased in February 2022 to be redeemed by Portfolio Holdings at such purchase price as so reduced.
On March 31, 2023, Old SAFE sold 100,000 Caret units to affiliates of MSD Partners for an aggregate purchase price of $20.0 million (refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements) pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into on August 10, 2022 and sold an aggregate of 22,500 Caret units to third-party investors for an aggregate $4.5 million.
In September 2022, Old SAFE sold a Ground Lease in the Washington, D.C. market for $136.0 million to a third-party purchaser. The transaction generated a net book gain for us of approximately $46.4 million. After paying closing costs, establishing reserves for Caret-related expenses and deducting the original $76.7 million cost basis to us, the remaining proceeds have been distributed approximately 84% to Old SAFE and approximately 16% to the minority holders of Caret units. In addition, the affiliates of MSD Partners received a credit against their purchase price for Caret units equal to the amount they would have received had they held Caret units at the time of the distribution.
Market Opportunity: We believe that there is a significant market opportunity for a dedicated provider of Ground Lease capital like us. We believe that the market for existing Ground Leases is fragmented with ownership comprised primarily of high net worth individuals, pension funds, life insurance companies, estates and endowments. However, while we intend to pursue acquisitions of existing Ground Leases, our investment thesis is predicated, in part, on what we believe is an untapped market opportunity to expand the use of Ground Leases to a broader component of the approximately $7.0 trillion institutional commercial property market in the U.S. We intend to capture this market opportunity by utilizing multiple sourcing and origination channels, including manufacturing new Ground Leases with third-party owners and developers of commercial real estate and originating Ground Leases to provide capital for development and redevelopment. We further believe that Ground Leases generally represent an attractive source of capital for our tenants and may allow them to generate superior returns on their invested equity as compared to utilizing alternative sources of capital. Prior to the Merger, we relied on the extensive investment origination and sourcing platform of iStar, the parent company of our Former Manager, to actively promote the benefits of the Ground Lease structure to prospective Ground Lease tenants. Subsequent to the Merger and the acquisition of iStar and its employees, we are internally managed.
Additionally, we have created additional channels and products that allows us to build a larger, captive pipeline. In connection with the Merger, Old SAFE acquired iStar’s 53% interest in iStar’s two Ground Lease ecosystem funds, Ground Lease Plus Fund and Leasehold Loan Fund (refer to Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements). The Ground Lease Plus Fund includes 3 assets and targets high quality projects in pre-construction development phase with institutional developers. The Leasehold Loan Fund currently includes 4 assets and allows for customers to receive their full capital structure needs in one place. Customers are able to receive a mortgage leasehold loan as well as a Ground Lease through us. We also created “SAFExSWAP,” which is a program that allows real estate investors with existing ground leases to swap into one of our Ground Leases. Additionally, our product “SAFExSELL” provides clients with an opportunity to enter into a Ground Lease at the time of the sale of a real estate asset, generating greater proceeds than would normally be expected in connection with a fee simple sale.
Our Portfolio
Our portfolio of properties is diversified by property type and region. Our portfolio is comprised of Ground Leases and a master lease (relating to five hotel assets that we refer to as our “Park Hotels Portfolio”) that has many of the characteristics of a Ground Lease. As of September 30, 2023, our estimated portfolio Ground Rent Coverage was 3.7x (see the “Risk Factors -Our estimated UCA, Combined Property Value and Ground Rent Coverage, may not reflect the full potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and may decline materially in future periods, -We rely on Property NOI as reported to us by our tenants, -Our estimates of Ground Rent Coverage for properties in development or transition, or for which we do not receive current tenant financial information, may prove to be incorrect” filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023 for a discussion of our estimated Ground Rent Coverage).
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Below is an overview of the top 10 assets in our portfolio as of September 30, 2023 (based on gross book value and excluding unfunded commitments):(1)
Lease |
| ||||||||||
Property | Expiration / | Rent Escalation | % of Gross | ||||||||
Property Name |
| Type |
| Location |
| As Extended |
| Structure |
| Book Value | |
425 Park Avenue(2) |
| Office |
| New York, NY |
| 2090 / 2090 |
| Fixed with Inflation Adjustments |
| 5.8 | % |
135 West 50th Street |
| Office |
| New York, NY |
| 2123 / 2123 |
| Fixed with Inflation Adjustments |
| 5.1 | % |
195 Broadway |
| Office |
| New York, NY |
| 2118 / 2118 |
| Fixed with Inflation Adjustments |
| 4.8 | % |
Park Hotels Portfolio(3) |
| Hotel |
| Various |
| 2025 / 2035 |
| % Rent |
| 3.6 | % |
20 Cambridgeside | Life Science | Cambridge, MA | 2121 / 2121 | Fixed with Inflation Adjustments | 3.8 | % | |||||
Alohilani |
| Hotel |
| Honolulu, HI |
| 2118 / 2118 |
| Fixed with Inflation Adjustments |
| 3.5 | % |
685 Third Avenue |
| Office |
| New York, NY |
| 2123 / 2123 |
| Fixed with Inflation Adjustments |
| 3.2 | % |
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue |
| Office |
| Washington, DC |
| 2117 / 2117 |
| Fixed with Inflation Adjustments |
| 2.5 | % |
100 Cambridgeside | Mixed Use and Other | Cambridge, MA | 2121 / 2121 | Fixed with Inflation Adjustments | 2.3 | % | |||||
Columbia Center | Office | Washington, DC | 2120 / 2120 | Fixed with Inflation Adjustments | 2.3 | % |
(1) | Gross book value represents the historical purchase price plus accrued interest on sales-type leases. |
(2) | Gross book value for this property represents our pro rata share of the gross book value of our unconsolidated venture (refer to Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements). |
(3) | The Park Hotels Portfolio consists of five properties and is subject to a single master lease. A majority of the land underlying one of these properties is owned by a third party and is ground leased to us through 2044 subject to changes in the CPI; however, our tenant at the property pays this cost directly to the third party. |
The following tables show our portfolio by top 10 markets and property type as of September 30, 2023, excluding unfunded commitments:
% of Gross |
| ||
Market |
| Book Value | |
Manhattan(1) |
| 23 | % |
Washington, DC |
| 11 | |
Boston |
| 7 | |
Los Angeles |
| 7 | |
San Francisco |
| 4 | |
Denver | 4 | ||
Honolulu | 4 | ||
Nashville | 4 | ||
Miami | 3 | ||
Atlanta |
| 3 |
(1) | Total New York MSA including areas outside of Manhattan makes up 29% of gross book value. |
% of Gross |
| ||
Property Type |
| Book Value | |
Office |
| 43 | % |
Multifamily |
| 37 | |
Hotel |
| 12 | |
Life Science | 5 | ||
Mixed Use and Other |
| 3 |
Unfunded Commitments
We have unfunded commitments to certain of our Ground Lease tenants related to leasehold improvement allowances that we expect to fund upon the completion of certain conditions. As of September 30, 2023, we had $190.6 million of such commitments, excluding commitments to be funded by noncontrolling interests.
We also have unfunded forward commitments related to agreements that we entered into for the acquisition of new Ground Leases or additions to existing Ground Leases if certain conditions are met (refer to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements). These commitments may also include leasehold improvement allowances that will be funded to the Ground Lease tenants upon the completion of certain conditions. As of September 30, 2023, we had an
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aggregate $283.6 million of such commitments. There can be no assurance that the conditions to closing for these transactions will be satisfied and that we will acquire the Ground Leases or fund the leasehold improvement allowances.
Through the Leasehold Loan Fund, we also fund construction and development loans and build-outs of space in real estate assets over a period of time if and when the borrowers and tenants meet established milestones and other performance criteria. We refer to these arrangements as performance-based commitments. As of September 30, 2023, we had $118.9 million of such commitments.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
| For the Three Months Ended |
|
| |||||||
September 30, | ||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | $ Change | ||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
Interest income from sales-type leases | $ | 59,130 | $ | 54,736 | $ | 4,394 | ||||
Operating lease income | 16,715 | 16,507 | 208 | |||||||
Interest income - related party | 2,381 | — | 2,381 | |||||||
Other income |
| 7,335 |
| 453 |
| 6,882 | ||||
Total revenues |
| 85,561 |
| 71,696 |
| 13,865 | ||||
Interest expense |
| 46,553 |
| 35,463 |
| 11,090 | ||||
Real estate expense |
| 1,001 |
| 866 |
| 135 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 2,519 |
| 2,407 |
| 112 | ||||
General and administrative |
| 17,860 |
| 9,551 |
| 8,309 | ||||
Impairment of goodwill | 145,365 | — | 145,365 | |||||||
Provision for credit losses | 336 | — | 336 | |||||||
Other expense |
| 2,169 |
| 6,073 |
| (3,904) | ||||
Total costs and expenses |
| 215,803 |
| 54,360 |
| 161,443 | ||||
Gain on sale of net investment in lease | — |
| 55,811 |
| (55,811) | |||||
Earnings from equity method investments |
| 7,451 |
| 2,244 |
| 5,207 | ||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes | (122,791) |
| 75,391 |
| (198,182) | |||||
Income tax expense | (55) | — | (55) | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (122,846) | $ | 75,391 | $ | (198,237) |
Interest income from sales-type leases increased to $59.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 from $54.7 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was due primarily to the origination of new Ground Leases subsequent to September 30, 2022 and additional fundings on existing Ground Leases classified as sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables.
Operating lease income increased to $16.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 from $16.5 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was due primarily to an increase in recovery income at certain properties.
Interest income – related party was $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and relates to the Star Holdings Term Loan Facility.
Other income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 includes $6.0 million of management fees from Star Holdings. In addition, other income for both the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 includes $0.1 million of other income relating to a Ground Lease in which we are the lessee but our tenant at the property pays this expense directly under the terms of a master lease. Other income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 also includes $1.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of other ancillary income from our investments. The increase in other ancillary income in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to sublease income, interest income on our cash balances, fees earned on amendments to our Ground Leases and management and other fees earned from the funds that we manage.
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During the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we incurred interest expense from our debt obligations of $46.6 million and $35.5 million, respectively. The increase in 2023 was primarily the result of additional borrowings on our 2021 Unsecured Revolver which also accrued interest at higher rates in 2023 due to an increase in base interest rates.
Real estate expense was $1.0 million and $0.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which consisted primarily of the amortization of an operating lease right-of-use asset, legal fees, property taxes and insurance expense. In addition, during both the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we also recorded $0.1 million of real estate expense relating to a Ground Lease in which we are the lessee but our tenant at the property pays this expense directly under the terms of a master lease. The increase in 2023 was primarily the result of an increase in recoverable property taxes.
Depreciation and amortization was $2.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2022. Depreciation and amortization primarily relates to our ownership of the Park Hotels Portfolio and a multi-family property, the amortization of in-place lease assets, and beginning in the second quarter of 2023, depreciation on corporate fixed assets acquired in the Merger.
Subsequent to the Merger closing on March 31, 2023, general and administrative expenses primarily includes public company costs such as compensation (including equity-based compensation), occupancy and other costs. Prior to the Merger closing, general and administrative expenses included management fees, an allocation of expenses to us from our Former Manager, costs of operating as a public company and stock-based compensation (primarily to our non-management directors). The following table presents our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, | |||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||
Public company and other costs(1) | $ | 10,403 | $ | 1,088 | |||
Stock-based compensation |
| 7,457 |
| 53 | |||
Management fees(2) | — | 5,285 | |||||
Expense reimbursements to the Former Manager(2) |
| — |
| 3,125 | |||
Total general and administrative expenses | $ | 17,860 | $ | 9,551 |
(1) | For the three months ended September 30, 2023, public company and other costs primarily includes compensation, legal, insurance and occupancy costs. |
(2) | Refer to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. |
During the three months ended September, 30, 2023, we recorded a full impairment of the goodwill that was recognized as a result of the Merger (refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a provision for credit losses of $0.3 million. The provision was primarily the result of a declining macroeconomic forecast on commercial real estate markets since June 30, 2023.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, other expense consists primarily of $1.9 million from the derecognition of previously-capitalized deal structuring costs and also includes legal and consulting costs. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, other expense consists primarily of legal costs associated with our Merger with iStar (refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements), fees related to our Caret units program, fees related to our derivative transactions and state margin taxes.
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, we sold a Ground Lease to a third-party for $136.0 million and recognized a gain on sale of net investment in lease of $55.8 million.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, earnings from equity method investments resulted from our $0.9 million share of income from our 425 Park Avenue venture, our $1.4 million share of income from our 32 Old Slip venture, our $1.8 million share of income from the Ground Lease Plus Fund and our $3.3 million share of income from
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the Leasehold Loan Fund. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, earnings from equity method investments resulted from our $0.9 million share of income from our 425 Park Avenue venture and our $1.4 million share of income from our 32 Old Slip venture.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $0.1 million. Our TRS recorded aggregate current federal and state income tax expense of $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2023, our TRS recorded a deferred tax benefit in the amount of $0.9 million. The net deferred tax benefit relates primarily to equity-based compensation expense and net operating loss carryovers to which our TRS is a successor and which were finalized upon filing tax returns for periods prior to the Merger.
Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
| For the Nine Months Ended |
|
| ||||||
September 30, | |||||||||
2023 | 2022 | $ Change | |||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Interest income from sales-type leases | $ | 174,350 | $ | 146,014 | $ | 28,336 | |||
Operating lease income |
| 54,366 |
| 49,925 |
| 4,441 | |||
Interest income - related party | 4,762 | — | 4,762 | ||||||
Other income |
| 16,073 |
| 1,004 |
| 15,069 | |||
Total revenues |
| 249,551 |
| 196,943 |
| 52,608 | |||
Interest expense |
| 133,482 |
| 91,050 |
| 42,432 | |||
Real estate expense |
| 3,219 |
| 2,272 |
| 947 | |||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 7,444 |
| 7,215 |
| 229 | |||
General and administrative |
| 51,843 |
| 29,203 |
| 22,640 | |||
Impairment of goodwill | 145,365 | — | 145,365 | ||||||
Provision for credit losses | 2,625 | — | 2,625 | ||||||
Other expense |
| 17,532 |
| 6,777 |
| 10,755 | |||
Total costs and expenses |
| 361,510 |
| 136,517 |
| 224,993 | |||
Gain on sale of net investment in lease |
| — |
| 55,811 |
| (55,811) | |||
Earnings from equity method investments |
| 16,520 |
| 6,772 |
| 9,748 | |||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
| (95,439) |
| 123,009 |
| (218,448) | |||
Income tax expense | (580) | — | (580) | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (96,019) | $ | 123,009 | $ | (219,028) |
Interest income from sales-type leases increased to $174.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $146.0 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was due primarily to the origination of new Ground Leases in 2022 and additional fundings on existing Ground Leases classified as sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables.
Operating lease income increased to $54.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $49.9 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was due primarily to a $3.1 million increase in percentage rent, which was primarily attributable to our Park Hotels Portfolio for which we recognized no percentage rent in 2022 and an increase in recovery income in 2023.
Interest income – related party was $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and relates to the Star Holdings Term Loan Facility.
Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily includes $13.2 million of management fees from Star Holdings. In addition, other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 includes $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of other income relating to a Ground Lease in which we are the lessee but our tenant at the property pays this expense directly under the terms of a master lease. Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 also includes $2.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of other ancillary income from our
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investments. The increase in other ancillary income in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to sublease income, interest income on our cash balances, fees earned on amendments to our Ground Leases and management and other fees earned from the funds that we manage.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we incurred interest expense from our debt obligations of $133.5 million and $91.1 million, respectively. The increase in 2023 was primarily the result of issuances of unsecured notes to fund our growing portfolio of Ground Leases and additional borrowings on our 2021 Unsecured Revolver which also accrued interest at higher rates in 2023 due to an increase in base interest rates.
Real estate expense was $3.2 million and $2.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which consisted primarily of the amortization of an operating lease right-of-use asset, legal fees, property taxes and insurance expense. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we also recorded $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of real estate expense relating to a Ground Lease in which we are the lessee but our tenant at the property pays this expense directly under the terms of a master lease. The increase in 2023 was primarily the result of an increase in recoverable property taxes and other recoverable expenses.
Depreciation and amortization was $7.4 million and $7.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and primarily relates to our ownership of the Park Hotels Portfolio and a multi-family property, the amortization of in-place lease assets, and beginning in the second quarter of 2023, depreciation on corporate fixed assets acquired in the Merger.
Subsequent to the Merger closing on March 31, 2023, general and administrative expenses primarily includes public company costs such as compensation (including equity-based compensation), occupancy and other costs. Prior to the Merger closing, general and administrative expenses included management fees, an allocation of expenses to us from our Former Manager, costs of operating as a public company and stock-based compensation (primarily to our non-management directors). The following table presents our general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Public company and other costs(1) | $ | 23,392 | $ | 3,360 | ||
Stock-based compensation(2) |
| 20,127 |
| 1,518 | ||
Management fees(3) | 5,199 | 14,950 | ||||
Expense reimbursements to the Manager(3) |
| 3,125 |
| 9,375 | ||
Total general and administrative expenses | $ | 51,843 | $ | 29,203 |
(1) | For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, public company and other costs primarily includes compensation, legal, insurance and occupancy costs. |
(2) | For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $4.7 million relates to the accelerated vesting of iStar’s equity-based compensation plans in connection with the Merger. |
(3) | Refer to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. |
During the nine months ended September, 30, 2023, we recorded a full impairment of the goodwill that was recognized as a result of the Merger (refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.6 million. The provision was primarily the result of the adoption of a new accounting standard (refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements) in 2023, which resulted in a $2.4 million provision on our loan receivable, net – related party.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, other expense consists primarily of legal and consulting costs, transfer taxes associated with the Merger (refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements) and $1.9 million from the derecognition of previously-capitalized deal structuring costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, other expense consists primarily of legal costs associated with our Merger with iStar (refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements), fees related to our Caret units program, unsuccessful pursuit costs and fees related to our derivative
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transactions. The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily due to legal and consulting costs and transfer taxes incurred in connection with the Merger.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we sold a Ground Lease to a third-party for $136.0 million and recognized a gain on sale of net investment in lease of $55.8 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, earnings from equity method investments resulted from our $2.6 million share of income from our 425 Park Avenue venture, our $4.3 million share of income from our 32 Old Slip venture, our $3.5 million share of income from the Ground Lease Plus Fund and our $6.1 million share of income from the Leasehold Loan Fund. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, earnings from equity method investments resulted from our $2.5 million share of income from our 425 Park Avenue venture and our $4.2 million share of income from our 32 Old Slip venture.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $0.6 million. The income tax expense was primarily the result of current federal and state income tax expense in the amount of $1.4 million, which was partially offset by a deferred tax benefit in the amount of $0.9 million with respect to our TRS. In addition, the Company recorded other state and local income taxes in the amount of $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including to pay interest and repay borrowings, fund and maintain our assets and operations, complete acquisitions and originations of investments, make distributions to our shareholders and meet other general business needs. In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to distribute to our shareholders, on an annual basis, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains. We expect to make quarterly cash distributions to our shareholders sufficient to meet REIT qualification requirements.
In the first quarter 2021, we received investment-grade credit ratings from Moody's Investors Services of Baa1 and Fitch Ratings of BBB+. In October 2023, Moody’s Investors Services upgraded our credit ratings to A3 which reduced the interest rate on our unsecured revolvers (see below). We believe the strong credit profile we have established utilizing our modern Ground Leases and our current investment-grade credit ratings from Moody's Investors Services of A3 and Fitch Ratings of BBB+ will accelerate our ability to bring commercial real estate owners, developers and sponsors more efficiently priced capital and allows us significant operational and financial flexibility and supports our ability to scale our Ground Lease platform.
In the first quarter 2021, we entered into an unsecured revolver (refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements) with a total capacity of $1.35 billion (the “2021 Unsecured Revolver”). In the second quarter 2021, the fourth quarter 2021, the first quarter 2022 and the second quarter 2022, we issued four tranches of unsecured notes with varying fixed-rates and maturities ranging from June 2031 to May 2052 (collectively the “Notes”). Our most recent issuance in May 2022 features a stairstep coupon structure (refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements) that is unique in the unsecured and investment-grade market and will benefit key cash flow metrics. In January 2023, we closed on a new $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2023 Unsecured Revolver”). The 2023 Unsecured Revolver has a current borrowing rate of Adjusted SOFR, as defined in the applicable agreement, plus 100 basis points, with a maturity of July 31, 2025. We also amended our 2021 Unsecured Revolver (refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements) primarily to transition from LIBOR to Adjusted SOFR, as defined in the applicable agreement.
In August 2023, we sold 6,500,000 shares of our common stock in a public offering for gross proceeds of $139.1 million. Concurrently with the public offering, we sold $12.8 million in shares, or 599,983 shares, of our common stock to affiliates of MSD Partners in a private placement.
As of September 30, 2023, we had $11 million of unrestricted cash and an aggregate $847 million of undrawn capacity on our 2021 Unsecured Revolver and 2023 Unsecured Revolver. We refer to this unrestricted cash and additional borrowing capacity on our 2021 Unsecured Revolver and 2023 Unsecured Revolver as our “equity” liquidity which can
54
be used for general corporate purposes or leveraged to acquire or originate new Ground Lease assets. Our primary sources of cash to date have been proceeds from equity offerings and private placements, proceeds from our initial capitalization by iStar and two institutional investors and borrowings from our debt facilities, unsecured notes and mortgages. Our primary uses of cash to date have been the acquisition/origination of Ground Leases, repayments on our debt facilities and distributions to our shareholders.
In April 2023, we entered into an at-the-market equity offering (the “ATM”) pursuant to which we may sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate purchase price of $300.0 million. We may sell such shares in amounts and at times to be determined by us from time to time, but we have no obligation to sell any of the shares. Actual sales, if any, will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including, among other things, market conditions, the trading price of our common stock, capital needs, and our determinations of the appropriate sources of funding.
We expect our short-term liquidity requirements to include debt service on our debt obligations (refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements), distributions to our shareholders, working capital, new acquisitions and originations of Ground Lease investments. We expect our long-term liquidity requirements to include debt service on our debt obligations (refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements), distributions to our shareholders, working capital, new acquisitions and originations of Ground Lease investments (including in respect of unfunded commitments – refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements) and debt maturities. Our primary sources of liquidity going forward will generally consist of cash on hand and cash flows from operations, new financings, funds from our joint venture partners, unused borrowing capacity under our 2021 Unsecured Revolver (subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable loan agreement), our 2023 Unsecured Revolver (subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable loan agreement) and common and/or preferred equity issuances. We expect that we will be able to meet our liquidity requirements over the next 12 months and beyond.
The following table outlines our cash flows provided by operating activities, cash flows used in investing activities and cash flows provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 ($ in thousands):
For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, | |||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities | $ | (7,671) | $ | 52,147 | |||
Cash flows used in investing activities |
| (449,950) |
| (1,047,610) | |||
Cash flows provided by financing activities |
| 448,692 |
| 1,050,522 |
The decrease in cash flows used in operating activities during 2023 was primarily due to costs incurred in connection with the Merger, increased costs on our debt obligations in 2023 due to an increase in borrowings and interest rates and us receiving cash in connection with the termination of derivative transactions in 2022, which were partially offset by an increase in percentage rent and rents collected in 2023 from new originations and acquisitions of Ground Leases throughout 2022 and 2023. The decrease in cash flows used in investing activities during 2023 was due primarily to a decrease in new originations and acquisitions of Ground Leases, which was partially offset by the origination of the Star Holdings Term Loan Facility, consideration paid in connection with the Merger and an increase in contributions to equity method investments. The decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities during 2023 was due primarily to the issuance of common stock in 2022 and the issuance of unsecured debt to fund our growing Ground Lease portfolio in 2022, which was partially offset by the issuance of common stock in 2023 and contributions from noncontrolling interests in 2023.
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Supplemental Guarantor Disclosure
In March 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X and created Rule 13-01 to simplify disclosure requirements related to certain registered securities. The amendments became effective on January 4, 2021. We and Portfolio Holdings have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC registering, among other securities, debt securities of Portfolio Holdings, which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us. As of September 30, 2023, Portfolio Holdings had issued and outstanding the Notes, which were registered on a Form S-3 filed by Old SAFE and Portfolio Holdings (then known as Safehold Operating Partnership LP). The obligations of Portfolio Holdings to pay principal, premiums, if any, and interest on the Notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by us. The guarantee is full and unconditional, and Portfolio Holdings is a consolidated subsidiary of ours.
As a result of the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, subsidiary issuers of obligations guaranteed by the parent are not required to provide separate financial statements, provided that the subsidiary obligor is consolidated into the parent company’s consolidated financial statements, the parent guarantee is “full and unconditional” and, subject to certain exceptions as set forth below, the alternative disclosure required by Rule 13-01 is provided, which includes narrative disclosure and summarized financial information. Accordingly, separate consolidated financial statements of Portfolio Holdings have not been presented. Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X, we have excluded the summarized financial information for Portfolio Holdings because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of Portfolio Holdings are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in our consolidated financial statements, and management believes such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported as assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We have established detailed policies and control procedures intended to ensure that valuation methods, including any judgments made as part of such methods, are well controlled, reviewed and applied consistently from period to period. We base our estimates on historical corporate and industry experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be appropriate under the circumstances. For all of these estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and, therefore, routinely require adjustment.
Allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables—Effective January 1, 2023, upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, we implemented procedures to estimate our allowance for credit losses on net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables, including unfunded commitments, using a quantitative analysis to estimate expected loss rates for our portfolio of net investment in sales-type leases and Ground Lease receivables. ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology in prior GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses over the life of the investment and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. We analyze historical data provided by Trepp (“Trepp”) for single asset borrower loans and considers comparable loan to value ratios, loss rates, timing of losses, vintage, property type and other statistics. We update our analysis for current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of unemployment rates to develop an estimate of credit losses. We analyze our portfolio of Ground Leases in two categories, based on whether the underlying property is a stabilized property or a development project. Our development properties are assigned a higher loss rate due to the higher inherent risk of deals under construction.
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We perform a quarterly analysis of our loan receivable that incorporates management’s current judgments about credit quality based on all known and relevant internal and external factors that may affect collectability. We consider, among other things, payment status, lien position, borrower financial resources and investment collateral, collateral type, project economics and geographical location as well as national and regional economic factors. We estimate our Expected Loss on our loans receivable based on relevant information including current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of its investments. The estimate of our Expected Loss requires significant judgment. We calculated our Expected Loss through the use of third-party market data that provided current and future economic conditions that may impact the performance of the commercial real estate assets securing our investments.
Acquisitions—We evaluate each acquisition transaction to determine whether the acquired asset meets the definition of a business. Under ASC 805, an acquisition does not qualify as a business when (i) substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets; (ii) the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce; or (iii) there is an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort or delay. Acquisitions of a business are accounted for as business combinations and other acquisition transactions are accounted for as asset acquisitions. Transaction costs related to asset acquisitions are capitalized as part of the cost basis of the acquired assets, while transaction costs related to business combinations are expensed as incurred.
Our acquisition of iStar was accounted for as a business combination. For business combinations, we recognize and measure identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on our consolidated balance sheets. In a business combination, the difference, if any, between the purchase consideration and the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired is either recorded as goodwill or as a bargain purchase gain.
Fair values are based on available information including discounted cash flow analysis or similar fair value models. Fair value estimates are also made using significant assumptions such as capitalization rates, discount rates, fair market lease rates and other market data. The fair value of our interests in equity investments acquired is calculated using the fair value of the investments held by the venture, which are valued using methods as described above, and considers our economics in the venture.
The fair value of financial instruments, which could include loans receivable or net investment in sales-type leases, is based on current market conditions and loan or lease agreements in place. The fair value of tangible assets, which could include land, buildings, building improvements and tenant improvements is determined as if these assets are vacant. Intangible assets may include the value of right of use lease assets, above-market leases and in-place leases. Right of use lease assets and lease liabilities are measured at the present value of lease payments not yet paid, discounted at the implied rate charged by the lessor if that rate is readily determinable, or if that rate is not readily determinable, our incremental borrowing rate, as of the date of the acquisition. Right of use assets are included in “Deferred expenses and other assets, net” and lease liabilities are recorded in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets. Above-market leases and in-place leases are each recorded at their fair values and included in “Deferred expenses and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets. Intangible liabilities may also include below-market leases, which are recorded at their fair values and included in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.
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Goodwill—Goodwill is calculated as the excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and primarily relates to the acquisition of iStar’s workforce and future synergies expected to be realized from the Merger. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is tested annually for impairment or more frequently should potential triggering events be identified that may indicate potential impairment, such as when a company’s market capitalization is below its book value.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we experienced a precipitous and sustained decline in the price per share of our common stock, which we identified as an indicator of goodwill impairment. As a result, we performed an interim goodwill evaluation. We determined that our current operations are carried out through a single reporting unit with a carrying value of approximately $2.4 billion. Our estimated fair value was determined to be our market capitalization adjusted for a control premium estimated by us representing an amount a market participant would pay to obtain a controlling interest in us. We determined that our carrying value exceeded our estimated fair value and therefore recorded an impairment of goodwill. We recorded a $145.4 million full impairment of the goodwill recognized as a result of the Merger, which is recorded as a non-cash charge in “Impairment of goodwill” in our consolidated statements of operations. We do not expect goodwill to have any tax impact on our financial statements.
For a discussion of other critical accounting policies, refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements and our 2022 Annual Report and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023.
New Accounting Pronouncements—For a discussion of the impact of new accounting pronouncements on our financial condition or results of operations, refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market Risks
Our future income, cash flows and fair values relevant to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market prices and interest rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. One of the principal market risks facing us is interest rate risk on our floating rate indebtedness.
Subject to qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may mitigate the risk of interest rate volatility through the use of hedging instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements. Our primary objectives when undertaking hedging transactions will be to reduce our floating rate exposure and to fix a portion of the interest rate for anticipated financing and refinancing transactions. However, we can provide no assurances that our efforts to manage interest rate volatility will successfully mitigate the risks of such volatility on our portfolio. Our current portfolio is not subject to foreign currency risk.
Our objectives with respect to interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on operations and cash flows, and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we may borrow at fixed rates and may enter into hedging instruments such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements in order to mitigate our interest rate risk on a related floating rate financial instrument. We do not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes.
As of September 30, 2023, we had $2.9 billion principal amount of fixed-rate debt outstanding and $1.1 billion principal amount of floating-rate debt outstanding. The following table quantifies the potential changes in annual net income should interest rates decrease or increase by 10, 50 and 100 basis points, assuming no change in our interest earning assets, interest bearing liabilities, derivative contracts or the shape of the yield curve (i.e., relative interest rates). The base interest rate scenario assumes a 1-month SOFR rate of 5.32% and a 3-month SOFR rate of 5.40% as of September 30, 2023. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the table.
Estimated Change In Net Income
($ in thousands)(1)
Change in Interest Rates |
| Net Income (Loss) | |
-100 Basis Points | $ | 5,457 | |
-50 Basis Points | 2,728 | ||
-10 Basis Points | 546 | ||
Base Interest Rate |
| — | |
+10 Basis Points |
| (546) | |
+ 50 Basis Points |
| (2,728) | |
+100 Basis Points |
| (5,457) |
(1) | The table above includes the effect of interest rate swaps and our share of the impact of floating-rate loans in our Leasehold Loan Fund. |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company has formed a disclosure committee that is responsible for considering the materiality of information and determining the disclosure obligations of the Company on a timely basis. The disclosure committee reports directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
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As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the disclosure committee and other members of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) or Rule 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this quarterly report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are not currently party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition. However, we may be subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business from time to time.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Exhibit 99.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2023.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds and Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
On August 10, 2023, concurrent with the completion of our underwritten public offering and pursuant to a private placement agreement dated August 7, 2023, we sold 599,983 shares of common stock to certain affiliates of MSD Partners, L.P. at a purchase price of $21.40 per share, equal to the public offering price per share, for an aggregate $12.8 million. The shares were sold in reliance on the exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis that it did not involve a public offering.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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Item 6. Exhibits
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
| Document Description |
2.1 | ||
3.1 | ||
3.2 | ||
10.1 | ||
22.1 | ||
31.0 | Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. | |
32.0 | Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. | |
101* | The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 is formatted in iXBRL (“eXtensible Business Reporting Language”): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022; and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* | In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the iXBRL related information in Exhibit 101 is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Safehold Inc. | ||
Registrant | ||
Date: | November 1, 2023 | /s/ JAY SUGARMAN |
Jay Sugarman | ||
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief | ||
Executive Officer (principal executive officer) | ||
Safehold Inc. | ||
Registrant | ||
Date: | November 1, 2023 | /s/ BRETT ASNAS |
Brett Asnas | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(principal financial officer) | ||
Safehold Inc. | ||
Registrant | ||
Date: | November 1, 2023 | /s/ GARETT ROSENBLUM |
Garett Rosenblum | ||
Chief Accounting Officer | ||
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