This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152016 of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and Tanger Properties Limited Partnership. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "Company", refers to Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and subsidiaries and the term "Operating Partnership" refers to Tanger Properties Limited Partnership and subsidiaries. The terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to the Company or the Company and the Operating Partnership together, as the text requires.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and subsidiaries is one of the largest owners and operators of outlet centers in the United States and Canada. The Company is a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, ("REIT"), which, through its controlling interest in the Operating Partnership, focuses exclusively on developing, acquiring, owning, operating and managing outlet shopping centers. The outlet centers and other assets are held by, and all of the operations are conducted by, the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries.Partnership. Accordingly, the descriptions of the business, employees and properties of the Company are also descriptions of the business, employees and properties of the Operating Partnership. As the Operating Partnership is the issuer of our registered debt securities, we are required to present a separate set of financial statements for this entity.

The Company owns the majority of the units of partnership interest issued by the Operating Partnership through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tanger GP Trust and Tanger LP Trust. Tanger GP Trust controls the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner. Tanger LP Trust holds a limited partnership interest. As of December 31, 2015,2016, the Company, through its ownership of Tanger GP Trust and Tanger LP Trust, owned 95,880,82596,095,891 units of the Operating Partnership and other limited partners (the "Non-Company LPs") collectively owned 5,052,7435,027,781 Class A common limited partnership units. Each Class A common limited partnership unit held by the Non-Company LPs is exchangeable for one of the Company's common shares, subject to certain limitations to preserve the Company's status as a REIT. Class B common limited partnership units, which are held by Tanger LP Trust, are not exchangeable for common shares of the Company.

Management operates the Company and the Operating Partnership as one enterprise. The management of the Company consists of the same members as the management of the Operating Partnership. These individuals are officers of the Company and employees of the Operating Partnership. The individuals that comprise the Company's Board of Directors are also the same individuals that make up Tanger GP Trust's Board of Trustees.

There are only a few differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, which are reflected in the disclosure in this report. We believe it is important, however to understand these differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership in the context of how the Company and the Operating Partnership operate as an interrelated consolidated company.

As stated above, the Company is a REIT, whose only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of the Operating Partnership through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Tanger GP Trust and Tanger LP Trust. As a result, the Company does not conduct business itself, other than issuing public equity from time to time and incurring expenses required to operate as a public company. However, all operating expenses incurred by the Company are reimbursed by the Operating Partnership, thus the only material item on the Company's income statement is its equity in the earnings of the Operating Partnership. Therefore, the assets and liabilities and the revenues and expenses of the Company and the Operating Partnership are the same on their respective financial statements, except for immaterial differences related to cash, other assets and accrued liabilities that arise from public company expenses paid by the Company. The Company itself does not hold any indebtedness but does guarantee certain debt of the Operating Partnership, as disclosed in this report.

The Operating Partnership holds all of the outlet centers and other assets, including the ownership interests in consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by the Company, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for partnership units, the Operating Partnership generates the capital required through its operations, its incurrence of indebtedness or through the issuance of partnership units.

Noncontrolling interests, shareholder's equity and partners' capital are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of the Company and those of the Operating Partnership. The limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership held by the Non-Company LPs are accounted for as partners' capital in the Operating Partnership's financial statements and as noncontrolling interests in the Company's financial statements.

To help investors understand the significant differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report presents the following separate sections for each of the Company and the Operating Partnership:

This report also includes separate Item 9A. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibit 31 and 32 certifications for each of the Company and the Operating Partnership in order to establish that the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of each entity have made the requisite certifications and that the Company and Operating Partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. §1350.

The separate sections in this report for the Company and the Operating Partnership specifically refer to the Company and the Operating Partnership. In the sections that combine disclosure of the Company and the Operating Partnership, this report refers to actions or holdings as being actions or holdings of the Company. Although the Operating Partnership is generally the entity that enters into contracts and joint ventures and holds assets and debt, reference to the Company is appropriate because the business is one enterprise and the Company operates the business through the Operating Partnership.

The Company currently consolidates the 100% owner of Tanger GP Trust,Operating Partnership because it has (1) the general partner with controlpower to direct the activities of the Operating Partnership that most significantly impact the Company consolidatesOperating Partnership’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive the residual returns of the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes.that could be potentially significant. The separate discussions of the Company and the Operating Partnership in this report should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the results of the Company on a consolidated basis and how management operates the Company.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. and subsidiaries, which we refer to as the Company, is one of the largest owners and operators of outlet centers in the United States and Canada. We are a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed REIT, which focuses exclusively on developing, acquiring, owning, operating and managing outlet shopping centers. As of December 31, 2015,2016, our consolidated portfolio consisted of 3436 outlet centers, with a total gross leasable area of approximately 11.712.7 million square feet, which were 97%98% occupied and contained over 2,4002,600 stores representing approximately 400 store brands. We also had partial ownership interests in 9 unconsolildated8 unconsolidated outlet centers totaling approximately 2.72.3 million square feet, including 4 outlet centers in Canada.

Our outlet centers and other assets are held by, and all of our operations are conducted by, Tanger Properties Limited Partnership and subsidiaries.subsidiaries, which we refer to as the Operating Partnership. The Company owns the majority of the units of partnership interest issued by the Operating Partnership, through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tanger GP Trust and Tanger LP Trust. Tanger GP Trust controls the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner. Tanger LP Trust holds a limited partnership interest.

As of December 31, 2015,2016, the Company, through its ownership of the Tanger GP and Tanger LP Trusts, owned 95,880,82596,095,891 units of the Operating Partnership and the Non-Company LPs collectively owned 5,052,7435,027,781 Class A common limited partnership units. Each Class A common limited partnership unit held by the Non-Company LPs is exchangeable for one of the Company's common shares, subject to certain limitations to preserve the Company's status as a REIT. Class B common limited partnership units, which are held by Tanger LP Trust, are not exchangeable for common shares of the Company.

Ownership of the Company's common shares is restricted to preserve the Company's status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Subject to certain exceptions, a person may not actually or constructively own more than 4% of our common shares. We also operate in a manner intended to enable us to preserve our status as a REIT, including, among other things, making distributions with respect to our then outstanding common shares and preferred shares, if applicable, equal to at least 90% of our taxable income each year.

In January 2016, we sold our outlet center in Fort Myers, Florida located near Sanibel Island for net proceeds of approximately $25.8 million. We estimate themillion for a gain to be recognized in the first quarter of 2016 to be approximately $4.9 million. The proceeds from the sale of this unencumbered asset were used to pay down balances outstanding under our unsecured lines of credit.

In connection with the acquisition of the Deer Park propertyJanuary 2016, we repaid our $150.0 million floating rate mortgage loan, which had an original maturity date in 2013, weAugust 2018 and the noncontrolling interest entered into an agreement whereby they may require uswas related to acquire their ownership interest in the property on the second anniversary of the acquisition date for a price of $28.4 million, and we had the option to acquire their ownership interest on the fourth anniversary of the acquisition date at the same price. On September 30, 2015, the noncontrolling interest in our 749,000 square foot Deer Park outlet center exercised its rightcenter.

In April 2016, we amended our unsecured term loan to require usincrease the size of the loan from $250.0 million to acquire its ownership interest. As$325.0 million, extend the maturity date from February 23, 2019 to April 13, 2021, reduce the interest rate spread over LIBOR from 1.05% to 0.95%, and increase the incremental loan availability through an accordion feature from $150.0 million to $175.0 million.

In April 2016, we entered into four separate interest rate swap agreements, effective April 13, 2016 that fix the base LIBOR rate at an average of December 31, 2015,1.03% on notional amounts totaling $175.0 million through January 1, 2021.

Outlets areOutlet centers generally consist of stores operated by manufacturers and brand name retailers that sell primarily first quality, branded products, some of which are made specifically for the outlet distribution channel, to consumers at significant discounts from regular retail prices charged by department stores and specialty stores. Outlet centers offer advantages to manufacturers and brand name retailers as they are often able to charge customers lower prices for brand name and designer products by eliminating the third party retailer. Outlet centers also typically have lower operating costs than other retailing formats, enhancing their profit potential. Outlet centers enable themretailers to optimize the size of production runs while continuing to maintain control of their distribution channels. Outlet centers also enable manufacturers and brand name retailers to establish a direct relationship with their customers.

We believe that outlet centers will continue to present an attractive opportunitiesopportunity for capital investment in the long-term. We further believe, based upon our contacts with present and prospective tenants thatas many companies will continue to utilizeretailers view the outlet concept as a profitable distribution vehicle.channel. However, due to present economic conditions, the availability of multiple retail channels, and the potential for increased competition from other developers announcing plans to develop outlet centers,center developers, new developments or expansions may not provide an initial return on investment as high as has been historically achieved.

Each of our outlet centers, except one joint venture property, carries the Tanger brand name. We believe that our tenants and consumers recognize the Tanger brand as one that provides outlet shopping centers where consumers can trust the brand, quality and price of the merchandise they purchase directly from the manufacturers and brand name retailers.

As one of the original participants in this industry, we have established long-standing relationships with many of our tenants that we believe is critical in developing and operating successful outlet centers.

Our consolidated outlet centers range in size from 82,161 to 749,074 square feet and are typically located at least 10 miles from major department stores and manufacturer-owned, full-price retail stores. Historically, manufacturers prefer these locations so that they do not compete directly with their major customers and their own stores. Many of our outlet centers are located near tourist destinations to attract tourists who consider shopping to be a recreational activity. Additionally, our centers are often situated in close proximity to interstate highways that provide accessibility and visibility to potential customers.

We have a diverse tenant base throughout our consolidated portfolio, comprised of approximately 400 different well-known, upscale, national designer or brand name concepts, such as Ann Taylor, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic Factory Store, Barneys New York, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss Factory Store, J. Crew, Kate Spade New York, Lululemon Athletica, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, North Face, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th,  Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, Victoria’s  Secret, Vineyard Vines and others.

No single tenant, including all of its store concepts, accounted for 10% or more of our combined base and percentage rental revenues during 2016, 2015 2014 or 2013.2014. As of December 31, 2015,2016, no single tenant accounted for more than 7.5%7.6% of our leasable square feet or 6.0%6.2% of our combined base and percentage rental revenues. Because many of our tenants are large, multinational manufacturers or retailers, we generally dohave not experienceexperienced material losses with respect to rent collections or lease defaults.

Only small portions of our revenues are dependent on contingent revenue sources. Revenues from fixed rents and operating expense reimbursements accounted for approximately 91% of our total revenues in 2015.2016. Revenues from contingent sources, such as percentage rents, vending income and miscellaneous income, accounted for approximately 9% of our total revenues in 2015.2016.

Stanley K. Tanger, the Company's founder, entered the outlet center business in 1981. Prior to founding our company, Stanley K. Tanger and his son, Steven B. Tanger, our President and Chief Executive Officer, built and managed a successful family owned apparel manufacturing business, Tanger/Creighton, Inc., which included the operation of five outlet stores. Based on their knowledge of the apparel and retail industries, as well as their experience operating Tanger/Creighton, Inc.'s outlet stores, they recognized that there would be a demand for outlet centers where a number of manufacturers could operate in a single location and attract a large number of shoppers.

Steven B. Tanger joined the Company in 1986, and by June 1993, the Tangers had developed 17 outlet centers totaling approximately 1.5 million square feet. In June 1993, we completed our initial public offering, making Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. the first publicly traded outlet center company. Since our initial public offering, we have grown our portfolio through the strategic development, expansion and acquisition of outlet centers and are now one of the largest owner operators of outlet centers in the United States and Canada.

Our company has been built on a firm foundation of strong and enduring business relationships coupled with conservative business practices. We partner with many of the world's best known and most respected retailers and manufacturers. By fostering and maintaining strong tenant relationships with these successful, high volume companies, we have been able to solidify our position as a leader in the outlet industry for well over a quarter century. The confidence and trust that we have developed with our retail partners from the very beginning has allowed us to forge the impressive retail alliances that we enjoy today with our brand name retailers and manufacturers.

We have had a solid track record of success in the outlet industry for the past 3536 years. In 1993, Tanger led the way by becoming the industry's first outlet center company to be publicly traded. Our seasoned team of real estate professionals utilize the knowledge and experience that we have gained to give us a competitive advantage in the outlet business.

As of December 31, 2015,2016, our consolidated outlet centers were 97%98% occupied with average tenant sales of $395$394 per square foot. Our portfolio of properties has had an average occupancy rate of 95% or greater on December 31st of each year since 1981. We believe our ability to achieve this level of performance is a testament to our long-standing tenant relationships, industry experience and our expertise in the development, leasing and operation of outlet centers.

Our goal is to build shareholder value through a comprehensive, conservative plan for sustained, long-term growth. We focus our efforts on increasing rents in our existing outlet centers, renovating and expanding selected outlet centers and reaching new markets through ground-up developments or acquisitions of existing outlet centers. We expect new development to continue to be important to the growth of our portfolio in the long-term. Future outlet centers may be wholly-owned by us or developed through joint venture arrangements.

Our leasing team focuses on the marketing of available space to maintain our standard for high occupancy levels. Leases are negotiated to provide for inflation-based contractual rent increases or periodic fixed contractual rent increases and percentage rents. Due to the overall high performance of our outlet shopping centers, we have historically been able to renew leases at higher base rents per square-foot and attract stronger, more popular brands to replace underperforming tenants.

We believe that there continue to be opportunities to introduce the Tanger brand in untapped or under-served markets across the United States and Canada in the long-term. We believe our 3536 years of outlet industry experience, extensive development expertise and strong retail relationships give us a distinct competitive advantage.

In order to identify new markets across North America, we follow a general set of guidelines when evaluating opportunities for the development of new outlet centers. This typically includes seeking locations within markets that have at least 1 million people residing within a 30 to 40 mile radius with an average household income of at least $65,000 per year, frontage on a major interstate or roadway that has excellent visibility and a traffic count of at least 55,000 cars per day. Leading tourist, vacation and resort markets that receive at least 5 million visitors annually are also closely evaluated. Although our current goal is to target sites that are large enough to support outlet centers with approximately 80 to 90 stores totaling at least 325,000 to 350,000 square feet, we maintain the flexibility to vary our minimum requirements based on the unique characteristics of a site, tenant demand and our prospects for future growth and success.

In order to help ensure the viability of proceeding with a project, we gauge the interest of our retail partners first. We typically prefer to have signed leases or leases out for negotiation with tenants for at least 50%60% of the space in each outlet center prior to acquiring the site and beginning construction; however, we may choose to proceed with construction with less than 50%60% of the space pre-leased under certain circumstances. Construction of a new outlet center has typically taken us nine to twelve months from groundbreaking to grand opening of the outlet center.

Keeping our outlet shopping centers vibrant and growing is a key part of our formula for success. In order to maintain our reputation as the premiere outlet shopping destination in the markets that we serve, we have an ongoing program of renovations and expansions taking place at our outlet centers. Construction for expansion and renovation to existing properties typically takes less time, usually between six to nine months depending on the scope of the project.

As a means of creating a presence in key markets and to create shareholder value, we may selectively choose to acquire individual properties or portfolios of properties that meet our strategic investment criteria. We believe that our extensive experience in the outlet center business, access to capital markets, familiarity with real estate markets and our management experience will allow us to evaluate and execute our acquisition strategy successfully over time. Through our tenant relationships, our leasing professionals have the ability to implement a re-merchandising strategy when needed to increase occupancy rates and value. We believe that our managerial skills, marketing expertise and overall outlet industry experience will also allow us to add long-term value and viability to these outlet centers.

Increasing cash flow to enhance the value of our properties and operations remains a primary business objective. Through targeted marketing and operational efficiencies, we strive to improve sales and profitability of our tenants and our outlet centers as a whole. Achieving higher base and percentage rents and generating additional income from temporary leasing, vending and other sources also remains an important focus and goal.

Our long-standing retailer relationships and our focus on identifying emerging retailers allow us the ability to provide our shoppers with a collection of the world's most popular outlet stores. Tanger customers shop and save on their favorite brand name merchandise including men's, women's and children's ready-to-wear, lifestyle apparel, footwear, jewelry and accessories, tableware, housewares, luggage and domestichome goods. In order for our outlet centers to perform at a high level, our leasing professionals continually monitor and evaluate tenant mix, store size, store location and sales performance. They also work to assist our tenants through re-sizing and re-location of retail space within each of our outlet centers for maximum sales of each retail unit across our portfolio.

 

Our marketing plans deliver compelling, well-crafted messages and enticing promotions and events to targeted audiences for tangible, meaningful and measurable results. Our plans are based on a basic measure of success - increase sales and traffic for our retail partners and we will create successful outlet centers. Utilizing a strategic mix of print, radio, television, direct mail, our consumer website, Internet advertising, social networks, mobile applications and public relations, we consistently reinforce the Tanger brand. Our marketing efforts are also designed to build loyalty with current Tanger shoppers and create awareness with potential customers. The majority of consumer-marketing expenses incurred by us are reimbursable by our tenants.

We intend to retain the ability to raise additional capital, including public debt or equity, to pursue attractive investment opportunities that may arise and to otherwise act in a manner that we believe to be in the best interests of our shareholders and unit holders.unitholders. The Company is a well-known seasoned issuer with a shelf registration that allows us to register unspecified amounts of different classes of securities on Form S-3. To generate capital to reinvest into other attractive investment opportunities, we may also consider the use of additional operational and developmental joint ventures, the sale or lease of outparcels on our existing properties and the sale of certain properties that do not meet our long-term investment criteria. Based on cash provided by operations, existing lines of credit, ongoing relationships with certain financial institutions and our ability to sell debt or issue equity subject to market conditions, we believe that we have access to the necessary financing to fund our planned capital expenditures during 2016.2017.

 

We anticipate that adequate cash will be available to fund our operating and administrative expenses, regular debt service obligations, and the payment of dividends in accordance with REIT requirements in both the short and long-term. Although we receive most of our rental payments on a monthly basis, distributions to shareholders and unitholders are made quarterly and interest payments on the senior, unsecured notes are made semi-annually. Amounts accumulated for such payments will be used in the interim to reduce the outstanding borrowings under our existing lines of credit or invested in short-term money market or other suitable instruments adhering to our investment policies.

We believe our current balance sheet position is financially sound; however, due to the uncertainty and unpredictability of the capital and credit markets, we can give no assurance that affordable access to capital will exist between now and 2019 when our next significant debt maturity, occurs.our unsecured line of credit facilities, occurs in 2019. As a result, our current primary focus is to continually strengthen our capital and liquidity position by controlling and reducing construction and overhead costs, generating positive cash flows from operations to cover our distributions and reducing outstanding debt.

We carefully consider the degree of existing and planned competition in a proposed area before deciding to develop, acquire or expand a new outlet center. Our outlet centers compete for customers primarily with outlet centers built and operated by different developers, traditional shopping malls, full-and off-price retailers and to a certain extent e-commerce retailers. However, we believe that the majority of our customers visit outlet centers because they are intent on buying name-brand products at discounted prices. Traditional full-and off-price retailers and e-commerce retailers are often unable to provide such a variety of and depth of name-brand products at attractive prices.

Tenants of outlet centers typically avoid direct competition with major retailers and their own specialty stores, and, therefore, generally insist that the outlet centers not be within a close proximity of a major department storestores or the tenants' own specialty stores. For this reason, our outlet centers generally compete only to a limited extent with traditional malls in or near metropolitan areas.

We compete with institutional pension funds, private equity investors, other REITs, smallindividual owners of outlet centers, specialty stores and others who are engaged in the acquisition, development or ownership of outlet centers and stores. In addition, the number of entities competing to acquire or develop outlet centers has increased and may continue to increase in the future, which could increase demand for these outlet centers and the prices we must pay to acquire or develop them. Nevertheless, we believe the high barriers to entry in the outlet industry, including the need for extensive marketing programs to drive traffic to the centers and relationships with premier manufacturers and brand name retailers, will continue to minimizelimit the number of new outlet centers developed each year.

As of December 31, 2015, and 2014, we hadWe have one reportable operating segment. For financial information regarding our segment, see our Consolidated Financial Statements.consolidated financial statements.

We rent space in an office building in Greensboro, North Carolina where our corporate headquarters is located as well as a regional office in Miami, Florida.

As of February 1, 2016,2017, we maintain offices and employ on-site managers at 3738 consolidated and unconsolidated outlet centers. The managers closely monitor the operation, marketing and local relationships at each of their outlet centers.

We believe that as a whole our properties are covered by adequate comprehensive liability, fire, flood, earthquake and extended loss insurance provided by reputable companies with commercially reasonable and customary deductibles and limits. Northline Indemnity, LLC, ("Northline"), a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, is responsible for losses up to certain levels for property damage (including wind damage from hurricanes) prior to third-party insurance coverage. Specified types and amounts of insurance are required to be carried by each tenant under their lease. There are however, types of losses, like those resulting from wars or nuclear radiation, which may either be uninsurable or not economically insurable in some or all of our locations. An uninsured loss could result in a loss to us of both our capital investment and anticipated profits from the affected property.

As of February 1, 2016,2017, we had 291297 full-time employees, located at our corporate headquarters in North Carolina, our regional office in Miami and 3740 business offices. At that date, we also employed 334362 part-time employees at various locations.

We continue to develop new outlet centers and expand existing outlet centers as opportunities arise. However, there are significant risks associated with our development activities in addition to those generally associated with the ownership and operation of established retail properties. While we have policies in place designed to limit the risks associated with development, these policies do not mitigate all development risks associated with a project. These risks include the following:

Real property investments are subject to varying degrees of risk. The economic performance and values of real estate may be affected by many factors, including changes in the national, regional and local economic climate, inflation, changes in government policies and regulations, unemployment rates, consumer confidence, local conditions such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for real estate in the area, the attractiveness of the properties to tenants, competition from other available space, our ability to provide adequate maintenance and insurance and increased operating costs.

Our outlet centers represent a substantial portion of our total consolidated assets. These assets are relatively illiquid. As a result, our ability to sell one or more of our outlet centers in response to any changes in economic or other conditions is limited. If we want to sell an outlet center, there can be no assurance that we will be able to dispose of it in the desired time period or that the sales price will exceed the cost of our investment.

We periodically evaluate long-lived assets to determine if there has been any impairment in their carrying values and record impairment losses if the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts or if there are other indicators of impairment.  If it is determined that an impairment has occurred, we would be required to record an impairment charge equal to the excess of the asset's carrying value over its estimated fair value, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results in the accounting period in which the adjustment is made.  Our estimates of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by each property are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to economic and market uncertainties including, but not limited to, estimated hold period, terminal capitalization rates, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates and costs to operate each property. As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter our assumptions, the future cash flows estimated in our impairment analysis may not be achieved.

From time to time, we may strategically dispose of assets with the goal of improving the overall performance of our core portfolio. However, we may not achieve the results we originally anticipated at the time of disposition. If we are not successful at achieving the anticipated results, there is a potential for a significant adverse impact on our returns and our overall profitability.

We intend to grow our business in part through acquisitions and new developments. We compete with institutional pension funds, private equity investors, other REITs, small owners of outlet centers, specialty stores and others who are engaged in the acquisition, development or ownership of outlet centers and stores. These competitors may succeed in acquiring or developing outlet centers themselves. Also, our potential acquisition targets may find our competitors to be more attractive acquirers because they may have greater marketing and financial resources, may be willing to pay more, or may have a more compatible operating philosophy. In addition, the number of entities competing to acquire or develop outlet centers has increased and may continue to increase in the future, which could increase demand for these outlet centers and the prices we must pay to acquire or develop them. If we pay higher prices for outlet centers, our profitability may be reduced. Also, once we have identified potential acquisitions, such acquisitions are subject to the successful completion of due diligence, the negotiation of definitive agreements and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to reach acceptable terms with the sellers or that these conditions will be satisfied.

Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, we may be considered an owner or operator of real property and may be responsible for paying for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances released on or in our property or disposed of by us, as well as certain other potential costs which could relate to hazardous or toxic substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property). This liability may be imposed whether or not we knew about, or were responsible for, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances.

Terrorist attacks and threats of terrorist attacks, whether in the United States, Canada or elsewhere, or other acts or threats of violence may result in declining economic activity, which could harm the demand for goods and services offered by our tenants and the value of our properties and might adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities. Such a resulting decrease in retail demand could make it difficult for us to renew or re-lease our properties.

Terrorist activities or violence also could directly affect the value of our properties through damage, destruction or loss. In addition, these acts and threats might erode business and consumer confidence and spending, and might result in increased volatility in national and international financial markets and economies. Any one of these events might decrease demand for real estate, decrease or delay the occupancy of our properties, impair the ability of tenants to meet their obligations under their existing leases, and limit our access to capital or increase our cost of raising capital.

Substantially all of our income is derived from rental income from real property. Our income and funds for distribution would be adversely affected if rental rates at our centers decrease, if a significant number of our tenants were unable to meet their obligations to us or if we were unable to lease a significant amount of space in our outlet centers on economically favorable lease terms. In addition, the terms of outlet store tenant leases traditionally have been significantly shorter than in other retail segments. There can be no assurance that any tenant whose lease expires in the future will renew such lease or that we will be able to re-lease space on economically favorable terms.

Our operations are subject to the results of operations of our retail tenants. A portion of our rental revenues are derived from percentage rents that directly depend on the sales volume of certain tenants. Accordingly, declines in these tenants' results of operations would reduce the income produced by our properties. If the sales or profitability of our retail tenants decline sufficiently, whether due to a change in consumer preferences, legislative changes that increase the cost of their operations or otherwise, such tenants may be unable to pay their existing rents as such rents would represent a higher percentage of their sales. Any resulting leasing delays, failures to make payments or tenant bankruptcies could result in the termination of such tenants' leases.

A number of companies in the retail industry, including some of our tenants, have declared bankruptcy or have voluntarily closed certain of their stores in recent years. The bankruptcy of a major tenant or number of tenants may result in the closing of certain affected stores, and we may not be able to re-lease the resulting vacant space for some time or for equal or greater rent. Such bankruptcy, or the voluntary closings of a significant amount of stores, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and could result in a lower level of funds for distribution.

We own partial interests in outlet centers with various joint venture partners. The approval or consent of the other members of these joint ventures is required before we may sell, finance, expand or make other significant changes in the operations of these properties. We also may not have control over certain major decisions, including approval of the annual operating budgets, selection or termination of the property management company, leasing and the timing and amount of distributions, which could result in decisions that do not fully reflect our interests. To the extent such approvals or consents are required, we may experience difficulty in, or may be prevented from, implementing our plans and strategies with respect to expansion, development, property management, on-going operations, financing (for example, decisions as to whether to refinance or obtain financing, when and whether to pay down principal of any loan and whether and how to cure any defaults under loan documents) or other similar transactions with respect to such properties.

Some of the risks to which our outlet centers are subject, including risks of terrorist attacks, war, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, are not insurable or may not be insurable in the future. Should a loss occur that is uninsured or in an amount exceeding the combined aggregate limits for the insurance policies noted above or in the event of a loss that is subject to a substantial deductible under an insurance policy, we could lose all or part of our capital invested in and anticipated revenue from one or more of our outlet centers, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, as well as our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

Under the terms and conditions of our leases, tenants generally are required to indemnify and hold us harmless from liabilities resulting from injury to persons and contamination of air, water, land or property, on or off the premises, due to activities conducted in the leased space, except for claims arising from negligence or intentional misconduct by us or our agents. Additionally, tenants generally are required, at the tenant's expense, to obtain and keep in full force during the term of the lease, liability and property damage insurance policies issued by companies acceptable to us. These policies include liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy or maintenance of the leased space. All of these policies may involve substantial deductibles and certain exclusions. Therefore, an uninsured loss or loss that exceeds the insurance policies of our tenants could also subject us to lost capital and revenue.

Shoppers may choose to spend a greater percentage of their disposable income to purchase goods through e-commerce or other retail channels, which could reduce the number of trips to our outlet centers and the average amount spent per visit. Such a change in consumer spending habits could adversely affect the results of operations of our retail tenants and adversely impact our percentage rents and ability to renew and release space at favorable rental rates.

As of December 31, 2015,2016, through a co-ownership arrangement with a Canadian REIT, we have an ownership interest in four properties in Canada.  Our operating results and the value of our Canadian operations may be impacted by any unhedged movements in the Canadian dollar. Canadian ownership activities carry risks that are different from those we face with our domestic properties. These risks include:

We are subject to the risks associated with debt financing, including the risk that the cash provided by our operating activities will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets may adversely affect our operations, including the ability to fund the planned capital expenditures and potential new developments or acquisitions. Further, there is the risk that we will not be able to repay or refinance existing indebtedness or that the terms of any refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness. If we are unable to access capital markets to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms, we might be forced to dispose of properties on disadvantageous terms, which might result in losses.

Joint venture debt is the liability of the joint venture and is typically secured by a mortgage on the joint venture property, which is non-recourse to us. A default by a joint venture under its debt obligations may expose us to liability under a guaranty. We may elect to fund cash needs of a joint venture through equity contributions (generally on a basis proportionate to our ownership interests), advances or partner loans, although such fundings are not typically required contractually or otherwise.

We believe that we have operated and intend to operate in a manner that permits the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. However, we cannot assure you that the Company has qualified or will remain qualified as a REIT. If in any taxable year the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT and certain statutory relief provisions were not applicable, the Company would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to shareholders in computing taxable income and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. The Company's failure to qualify for taxation as a REIT would have a material adverse effect on the market price and marketability of our securities.

To obtain the favorable tax treatment associated with the Company's qualification as a REIT, generally, the Company is required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net taxable income (excluding capital gains) each year. The Company depends upon distributions or other payments from the Operating Partnership to make distributions to the Company's common shareholders. A recent IRS revenue procedure allows the Company to satisfy the REIT income distribution requirement by distributing up to 90% of the dividends on its common shares in the form of additional common shares in lieu of paying dividends entirely in cash. Although we reserve the right to utilize this procedure in the future, we currently have no intent to do so. In the event that the Company pays a portion of a dividend in shares, certain U.S. shareholders would be required to pay income tax on the entire amount of the dividend, including the portion paid in shares, in which case such shareholders might have to pay the income tax using cash from other sources. If a U.S. shareholder sells the shares it receives as a dividend in order to pay this income tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our shares at the time of the sale.

The Company's operations are conducted by the Operating Partnership, and the Company's only significant asset is its interest in the Operating Partnership. As a result, the Company depends upon distributions or other payments from the Operating Partnership in order to meet its financial obligations, including its obligations under any guarantees or to pay dividends or liquidation payments to its common shareholders. As a result, these obligations are effectively subordinated to existing and future liabilities of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership is a party to loan agreements with various bank lenders that require the Operating Partnership to comply with various financial and other covenants before it may make distributions to the Company. Although the Operating Partnership presently is in compliance with these covenants, there is no assurance that the Operating Partnership will continue to be in compliance and that it will be able to make distributions to the Company.

Our business operations and information technology systems may be attacked by individuals or organizations intending to disrupt our business operations and information technology systems, whether through cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions over the Internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to e-mails, persons inside our organization, or persons with access to systems inside our organization. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments, and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. We use information technology systems to manage our outlet centers and other business processes. Disruption of those systems could adversely impact our ability to operate our business to provide timely service to our customers and maintain our relationships with our tenants. Accordingly, if such an attack or act of terrorism were to occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected. In addition, we use our information technology systems to protect confidential or sensitive customer, employee and Company information developed and maintained in the normal course of our business. Any attack on such systems that would result in the unauthorized release or loss of customer, employee or other confidential or sensitive data could have a material adverse effect on our business reputation, increase our costs and expose us to additional material legal claims and liability. As a result, if such an attack or act of terrorism were to occur, our operations and financial results and our share price could be adversely affected.

As of February 1, 2016,2017, our consolidated portfolio consisted of 3336 outlet centers totaling 11.512.7 million square feet located in 2022 states. We own interests in nineeight other outlet centers totaling approximately 2.72.3 million square feet through unconsolidated joint ventures, including four outlet centers in Canada. Our consolidated outlet centers range in size from 82,161 to 749,074 square feet. The outlet centers are generally located near tourist destinations or along major interstate highways to provide visibility and accessibility to potential customers.

We believe that the outlet centers are well diversified geographically and by tenant and that we are not dependent upon any single property or tenant. The outlet center in Deer Park, New York is the only property that comprises 10% or more of our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2015.2016. No property comprises more than 10% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016. See "Properties - Significant Property" for further details.

We have an ongoing strategy of acquiring outlet centers, developing new outlet centers and expanding existing outlet centers. See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a discussion of the cost of such programs and the sources of financing thereof.

As of February 1, 2016,2017, of the 3336 outlet centers in our consolidated portfolio, we own the land underlying 2629 and have ground leases on seven. The following table sets forth information about the land leases on which all or a portion of the outlet centers are located:

Generally, our leases with our outlet center tenants typically have an initial term that ranges from 5 to 10 years and provide for the payment of fixed monthly rent in advance. There are often contractual base rent increases during the initial term of the lease. In addition, the rental payments are customarily subject to upward adjustments based upon tenant sales volume. Most leases provide for payment by the tenant of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, advertising and promotion expenses incurred by the applicable outlet center. As a result, the majority of our operating expenses for the outlet centers are borne by the tenants.

The following table summarizes certain information with respect to our existing outlet centers in which we have an ownership interest as of February 1, 2016.2017. Except as noted, all properties are fee owned:

The following table sets forth, as of February 1, 2016,2017, scheduled lease expirations for our consolidated outlet centers, assuming none of the tenants exercise renewal options:

Based on current market base rental rates, we believe we will achieve overall positive increases in our average base rental income for leases expiring in 2016.2017. However, changes in base rental income associated with individual signed leases on comparable spaces may be positive or negative, and we can provide no assurance that the base rents on new leases will continue to increase from current levels, if at all.

The following table sets forth our year end occupancy and average annual base rent per square foot during each of the last five calendar years for our consolidated properties:

The following table sets forth information regarding the expiring leases for our consolidated outlet centers during each of the last five calendar years:

The following table sets forth the weighted average base rental rate increases per square foot on a straight-line basis (includes periodic, contractual fixed rent increases) for our consolidated outlet centers upon re-leasing stores that were turned over or renewed during each of the last five calendar years:

We believe that our ratio of average tenant occupancy cost (which includes base rent, common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance, advertising and promotions) to average sales per square foot is low relative to other forms of retail distribution. The following table sets forth for tenants that report sales, for each of the last five calendar years, tenant occupancy costs per square foot as a percentage of reported tenant sales per square foot for our consolidated outlet centers:

The Deer Park, New York outlet center is the only property that comprises 10% or more of our consolidated total assets. No property comprises more than 10% of our consolidated revenues. In August 2013, we acquired an additional one-third ownership interest in the property, bringing our total ownership to a two-thirds interest, and then restructured certain aspects of the remaining one-third ownership of the property, the effects of which gave us a controlling ownership interest. With the acquisition of a controlling ownership interest, we have consolidated Deer Park in our balance sheet and statements of operations since the acquisition date. Previously, Deer Park was reported within our unconsolidated portfolio of properties.

Tenants at the Deer Park outlet center principally conduct retail sales operations. The following table shows occupancy and certain base rental information related to this property as of December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013:2014:

Depreciation on the outlet centers is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We generally use estimated lives ranging from 33 years for buildings, 15 years for land improvements and 7 years for equipment. Expenditures for ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred while significant renovations and improvements, including tenant finishing allowances, which improve and/or extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life. Real estate taxes assessed on this outlet center during 20152016 amounted to $4.4$4.6 million. Real estate taxes for 20162017 are estimated to be approximately $4.9$4.8 million.

The following table sets forth, as of February 1, 2016,2017, scheduled lease expirations for the Deer Park outlet center assuming that none of the tenants exercise renewal options:

Not applicable.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Company's executive officers. The Operating Partnership does not have executive officers:

The following is a biographical summary of the experience of our executive officers:

 

The common shares commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 28, 1993. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape, during the periods indicated: