| Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies) | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 31, 2020 |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Consolidation | Consolidation On an ongoing basis, as circumstances indicate the need for reconsideration, we evaluate each legal entity that is not wholly owned by us in accordance with the consolidation guidance. Our evaluation considers all of our variable interests, including equity ownership, as well as fees paid to us for our involvement in the management of each partially owned entity. To fall within the scope of the consolidation guidance, an entity must meet both of the following criteria: • The entity has a legal structure that has been established to conduct business activities and to hold assets; such entity can be in the form of a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, among others; and • We have a variable interest in the legal entity – i.e., variable interests that are contractual, such as equity ownership, or other financial interests that change with changes in the fair value of the entity’s net assets. If an entity does not meet both criteria above, we apply other accounting literature, such as the cost or equity method of accounting. If an entity does meet both criteria above, we evaluate such entity for consolidation under either the variable interest model if the legal entity meets any of the following characteristics to qualify as a VIE, or under the voting model for all other legal entities that are not VIEs. A legal entity is determined to be a VIE if it has any of the following three characteristics: 1) The entity does not have sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; 2) The entity is established with non-substantive voting rights (i.e., the entity deprives the majority economic interest holder(s) of voting rights); or 3) The equity holders, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. Equity holders meet this criterion if they lack any of the following: • The power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly influence the entity’s economic performance, as evidenced by: • Substantive participating rights in day-to-day management of the entity’s activities; or • Substantive kick-out rights over the party responsible for significant decisions; • The obligation to absorb the entity’s expected losses; or • The right to receive the entity’s expected residual returns. Our real estate joint ventures consist of limited partnerships or limited liability companies. For an entity structured as a limited partnership or a limited liability company, our evaluation of whether the equity holders (equity partners other than the general partner or the managing member of a joint venture) lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest includes the evaluation of whether the limited partners or non-managing members (the noncontrolling equity holders) lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, defined as follows: • Participating rights provide the noncontrolling equity holders the ability to direct significant financial and operating decisions made in the ordinary course of business that most significantly influence the entity’s economic performance. • Kick-out rights allow the noncontrolling equity holders to remove the general partner or managing member without cause. If we conclude that any of the three characteristics of a VIE are met, including that the equity holders lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest because they lack both substantive participating rights and substantive kick-out rights, we conclude that the entity is a VIE and evaluate it for consolidation under the variable interest model. Variable interest model If an entity is determined to be a VIE, we evaluate whether we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary analysis is a qualitative analysis based on power and benefits. We consolidate a VIE if we have both power and benefits — that is, (i) we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly influence the VIE’s economic performance (power), and (ii) we have the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE (benefits). We consolidate VIEs whenever we determine that we are the primary beneficiary. Refer to Note 4 – “Consolidated and Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures” to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for information on specific joint ventures that qualify as VIEs. If we have a variable interest in a VIE but are not the primary beneficiary, we account for our investment using the equity method of accounting. Voting model If a legal entity fails to meet any of the three characteristics of a VIE (i.e., insufficiency of equity, existence of non-substantive voting rights, or lack of a controlling financial interest), we then evaluate such entity under the voting model. Under the voting model, we consolidate the entity if we determine that we, directly or indirectly, have greater than 50% of the voting shares and that other equity holders do not have substantive participating rights. Refer to Note 4 – “Consolidated and Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures” to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for further information on our unconsolidated real estate joint ventures that qualify for evaluation under the voting model. |
| Use of estimates | Use of estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and equity; the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements; and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. |
| Investments in real estate and properties classified as held for sale | Investments in real estate Evaluation of business combination or asset acquisition We evaluate each acquisition of real estate or in-substance real estate (including equity interests in entities that predominantly hold real estate assets) to determine whether the integrated set of assets and activities acquired meets the definition of a business and needs to be accounted for as a business combination. An acquisition of an integrated set of assets and activities that does not meet the definition of a business is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If either of the following criteria is met, the integrated set of assets and activities acquired would not qualify as a business: • Substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in either a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; or • The integrated set of assets and activities is lacking, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs (i.e., revenue generated before and after the transaction). An acquired process is considered substantive if: • The process includes an organized workforce (or includes an acquired contract that provides access to an organized workforce) that is skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced in performing the process; • The process cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort, or delay; or • The process is considered unique or scarce. Generally, our acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate do not meet the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings, and related intangible assets) or because the acquisition does not include a substantive process in the form of an acquired workforce or an acquired contract that cannot be replaced without significant cost, effort, or delay. When evaluating acquired service or management contracts, we consider the nature of the services performed, the terms of the contract relative to similar arm’s-length contracts, and the availability of comparable vendors in evaluating whether the acquired contract constitutes a substantive process. Recognition of real estate acquired We evaluate each acquisition of real estate or in-substance real estate (including equity interests in entities that predominantly hold real estate assets) to determine whether the integrated set of assets and activities acquired meets the definition of a business and needs to be accounted for as a business combination. An acquisition of an integrated set of assets and activities that does not meet the definition of a business is accounted for as an asset acquisition. For acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate that are accounted for as business combinations, we allocate the acquisition consideration (excluding acquisition costs) to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interests, and previously existing ownership interests at fair value as of the acquisition date. Assets include intangible assets such as tenant relationships, acquired in-place leases, and favorable intangibles associated with in-place leases in which we are the lessor. Liabilities include unfavorable intangibles associated with in-place leases in which we are the lessor. In addition, for acquired in-place finance or operating leases in which we are the lessee, acquisition consideration is allocated to lease liabilities and related right-of-use assets, adjusted to reflect favorable or unfavorable terms of the lease when compared with market terms. Any excess (deficit) of the consideration transferred relative to the fair value of the net assets acquired is accounted for as goodwill (bargain purchase gain). Acquisition costs related to business combinations are expensed as incurred. Generally, we expect that acquisitions of real estate or in-substance real estate will not meet the definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings, and related intangible assets). The accounting model for asset acquisitions is similar to the accounting model for business combinations, except that the acquisition consideration (including acquisition costs) is allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis. Any excess (deficit) of the consideration transferred relative to the sum of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to the individual assets and liabilities based on their relative fair values. As a result, asset acquisitions do not result in the recognition of goodwill or a bargain purchase gain. Incremental and external direct acquisition costs (such as legal and other third-party services) are capitalized. We exercise judgment to determine the key assumptions used to allocate the purchase price of real estate acquired among its components. The allocation of the consideration to the various components of properties acquired during the year can have an effect on our net income due to the useful depreciable and amortizable lives applicable to each component and the recognition of the related depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of operations. We apply judgment in utilizing available comparable market information to assess relative fair value. We assess the relative fair values of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on available comparable market information, including estimated replacement costs, rental rates, and recent market transactions. In addition, we may use estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including the historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property. The value of tangible assets acquired is based upon our estimation of fair value on an “as if vacant” basis. The value of acquired in-place leases includes the estimated costs during the hypothetical lease-up period and other costs that would have been incurred in the execution of similar leases under the market conditions at the acquisition date of the acquired in-place lease. If there is a bargain fixed-rate renewal option for the period beyond the non-cancelable lease term of an in-place lease, we evaluate intangible factors such as the business conditions in the industry in which the lessee operates, the economic conditions in the area in which the property is located, and the ability of the lessee to sublease the property during the renewal term, in order to determine the likelihood that the lessee will renew. When we determine there is reasonable assurance that such bargain purchase option will be exercised, we consider the option in determining the intangible value of such lease and its related amortization period. We also recognize the relative fair values of assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in acquisitions of less than a 100% interest when the acquisition constitutes a change in control of the acquired entity. The values allocated to buildings and building improvements, land improvements, tenant improvements, and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis using the shorter of the respective ground lease term, estimated useful life, or up to 40 years , for buildings and building improvements; estimated life, or up to 20 years , for land improvements; the respective lease term or estimated useful life for tenant improvements; and the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life for equipment. The values of acquired in-place leases and associated favorable intangibles (i.e., acquired above-market leases) are classified in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the remaining terms of the related leases, as a reduction of income from rentals in our consolidated statements of operations. The values of unfavorable intangibles (i.e., acquired below-market leases) associated with acquired in-place leases are classified in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the remaining terms of the related leases, as an increase in income from rentals in our consolidated statements of operations. Capitalized project costs We capitalize project costs, including pre-construction costs, interest, property taxes, insurance, and other costs directly related and essential to the development, redevelopment, pre-construction, or construction of a project. Capitalization of development, redevelopment, pre-construction, and construction costs is required while activities are ongoing to prepare an asset for its intended use. Fluctuations in our development, redevelopment, pre-construction, and construction activities could result in significant changes to total expenses and net income. Costs incurred after a project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use are expensed as incurred. Should development, redevelopment, pre-construction, or construction activity cease, interest, property taxes, insurance, and certain other costs would no longer be eligible for capitalization and would be expensed as incurred. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Real estate sales A property is classified as held for sale when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (i) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the property; (ii) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary; (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell have been initiated; (iv) the sale of the property is probable and is expected to be completed within one year ; (v) the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (vi) actions necessary to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Depreciation of assets ceases upon designation of a property as held for sale. If the disposal of a property represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations or financial results, such as (i) a major line of business, (ii) a major geographic area, (iii) a major equity method investment, or (iv) other major parts of an entity, then the operations of the property, including any interest expense directly attributable to it, are classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations, and amounts for all prior periods presented are reclassified from continuing operations to discontinued operations. The disposal of an individual property generally will not represent a strategic shift and therefore will typically not meet the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation. We recognize gains/losses on real estate sales in accordance with the accounting standard on the derecognition of nonfinancial assets arising from contracts with noncustomers. Our ordinary output activities consist of the leasing of space to our tenants in our operating properties, not the sales of real estate. Therefore, sales of real estate (in which we are the seller) qualify as contracts with noncustomers. In our transactions with noncustomers, we apply certain recognition and measurement principles consistent with our method of recognizing revenue arising from contracts with customers. Derecognition of the asset is based on the transfer of control. If a real estate sales contract includes our ongoing involvement with the property, then we evaluate each promised good or service under the contract to determine whether it represents a separate performance obligation, constitutes a guarantee, or prevents the transfer of control. If a good or service is considered a separate performance obligation, an allocated portion of the transaction price is recognized as revenue as we transfer the related good or service to the buyer. The recognition of gain or loss on the sale of a partial interest also depends on whether we retain a controlling or noncontrolling interest. If we retain a controlling interest upon completion of the sale, we continue to reflect the asset at its book value, record a noncontrolling interest for the book value of the partial interest sold, and recognize additional paid-in capital for the difference between the consideration received and the partial interest at book value. Conversely, if we retain a noncontrolling interest upon completion of the partial sale of real estate, we would recognize a gain or loss as if 100% of the real estate were sold. |
| Impairment of long-lived assets | Impairment of long-lived assets Prior to and subsequent to the end of each quarter, we review current activities and changes in the business conditions of all of our long-lived assets to determine the existence of any triggering events or impairment indicators requiring an impairment analysis. If triggering events or impairment indicators are identified, we review an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration. Long-lived assets to be held and used, including our rental properties, CIP, land held for development, right-of-use assets related to operating leases in which we are the lessee, and intangibles, are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset to be held and used is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Triggering events or impairment indicators for long-lived assets to be held and used are assessed by project and include significant fluctuations in estimated net operating income, occupancy changes, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, construction costs, estimated completion dates, rental rates, and other market factors. We assess the expected undiscounted cash flows based upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, construction costs, available market information, current and historical operating results, known trends, current market/economic conditions that may affect the asset, and our assumptions about the use of the asset, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration. Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value. If an impairment charge is not required to be recognized, the recognition of depreciation or amortization is adjusted prospectively, as necessary, to reduce the carrying amount of the real estate to its estimated disposition value over the remaining period that the asset is expected to be held and used. We may adjust depreciation of properties that are expected to be disposed of or redeveloped prior to the end of their useful lives. We use the held for sale impairment model for our properties classified as held for sale. The held for sale impairment model is different from the held and used impairment model. Under the held for sale impairment model, an impairment charge is recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset classified as held for sale exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. Because of these two different models, it is possible for a long-lived asset previously classified as held and used to require the recognition of an impairment charge upon classification as held for sale. |
| International operations | International operations In addition to operating properties in the U.S., we have three operating properties in Canada and one operating property in China. The functional currency for our subsidiaries operating in the U.S. is the U.S. dollar. The functional currencies for our foreign subsidiaries are the local currencies in each respective country. The assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect as of the financial statement date. Revenue and expense accounts of our foreign subsidiaries are translated using the weighted-average exchange rate for the periods presented. Gains or losses resulting from the translation are classified in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of total equity and are excluded from net income. Whenever a foreign investment meets the criteria for classification as held for sale, we evaluate the recoverability of the investment under the held for sale impairment model. We may recognize an impairment charge if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. In determining an investment’s carrying amount, we consider its net book value and any cumulative unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment related to the investment. The appropriate amounts of foreign exchange rate gains or losses classified in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to net income when realized upon the sale of our investment or upon the complete or substantially complete liquidation of our investment. |
| Investments | Investments We hold investments in publicly traded companies and privately held entities primarily involved in the life science, technology, and agtech industries. As a REIT, we generally limit our ownership of each individual entity’s voting stock to less than 10% . Our equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method and those that result in consolidation of the investee) are measured as follows: • Investments in publicly traded companies are classified as investments with readily determinable fair values and are presented at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The fair values for our investments in publicly traded companies are determined based on sales prices or quotes available on securities exchanges. • Investments in privately held entities without readily determinable fair values fall into two categories: • Investments in privately held entities that report NAV per share, such as our privately held investments in limited partnerships, are presented at fair value using NAV as a practical expedient, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. We use NAV per share reported by limited partnerships generally without adjustment, unless we are aware of information indicating that the NAV reported by a limited partnership does not accurately reflect the fair value of the investment at our reporting date. We disclose the timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and the date when redemption restrictions will lapse (or indicate if this timing is unknown) if the investee has communicated this information to us or has announced it publicly. • Investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share are accounted for using a measurement alternative under which these investments are measured at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments, with changes recognized in net income. For investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share, an observable price arises from an orderly transaction for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer, which is observed by an investor without expending undue cost and effort. Observable price changes result from, among other things, equity transactions of the same issuer executed during the reporting period, including subsequent equity offerings or other reported equity transactions related to the same issuer. To determine whether these transactions are indicative of an observable price change, we evaluate, among other factors, whether these transactions have similar rights and obligations, including voting rights, distribution preferences, and conversion rights to the investments we hold. We monitor investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share throughout the year for new developments, including operating results, prospects and results of clinical trials, new product initiatives, new collaborative agreements, capital-raising events, and merger and acquisition activities. These investments are evaluated on the basis of a qualitative assessment for indicators of impairment by monitoring the presence of the following triggering events or impairment indicators: (i) a significant deterioration in the earnings performance, asset quality, or business prospects of the investee; (ii) a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the investee, (iii) a significant adverse change in the general market condition, including the research and development of technology and products that the investee is bringing or attempting to bring to the market, or (iv) significant concerns about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern. If such indicators are present, we are required to estimate the investment’s fair value and immediately recognize an impairment charge in an amount equal to the investment’s carrying value in excess of its estimated fair value. Investments in privately held entities are accounted for under the equity method, unless our interest in the entity is deemed to be so minor that we have virtually no influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies. Under the equity method of accounting, we initially recognize our investment at cost and adjust the carrying amount of the investment to recognize our share of the earnings or losses of the investee subsequent to the date of our investment. We had no investments accounted for under the equity method as of March 31, 2020 . We recognize both realized and unrealized gains and losses in our consolidated statements of operations, classified within investment income. Unrealized gains and losses represent changes in fair value for investments in publicly traded companies, changes in NAV, as a practical expedient to estimate fair value, for investments in privately held entities that report NAV per share, and observable price changes on our investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share. Impairments are realized losses, which result in an adjusted cost, and represent charges to reduce the carrying values of investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share to their estimated fair value. Realized gains and losses represent the difference between proceeds received upon disposition of investments and their historical or adjusted cost. In April 2019, the FASB issued an accounting standard that amends the financial instruments standard by clarifying that all private investments that do not report NAV and are adjusted under the measurement alternative (for observable price changes and impairments) described above represent nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments and therefore require applicable fair value disclosures, including disclosures about the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurements are categorized. The accounting standard became effective for us and was adopted on January 1, 2020. Beginning in 2020, pursuant to the requirements of this new standard, we provide incremental fair value disclosures related to our investments in privately held entities that do not report NAV per share in Note 9 – “Fair Value Measurements” to these unaudited consolidated financial statements. |
| Revenues | Revenues The table below provides detail of our consolidated total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 Income from rentals: Revenues subject to the lease accounting standard: Operating leases $ 428,742 $ 343,339 Direct financing lease 613 601 Revenues subject to the lease accounting standard 429,355 343,940 Revenues subject to the revenue recognition accounting standard 8,250 10,809 Income from rentals 437,605 354,749 Other income 2,314 4,093 Total revenues $ 439,919 $ 358,842 During the three months ended March 31, 2020 , revenues that were subject to the lease accounting standard aggregated $429.4 million and represented 97.6% of our total revenues. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 , our total revenues also included $10.6 million , or 2.4% , subject to other accounting guidance. For a detailed discussion related to our revenue streams, refer to the “Lease Accounting” and “Recognition of Revenue Arising From Contracts With Customers” sections within this Note 2 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements. |
| Leases Summary | Lease accounting Transition On January 1, 2019, we adopted a new lease accounting standard that sets principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both parties to a lease agreement (i.e., lessees and lessors). The new lease accounting standard required the use of the modified retrospective transition method. Upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard, we elected the following practical expedients and accounting policies provided by this lease standard: • Package of practical expedients – required us not to reevaluate our existing or expired leases as of January 1, 2019, under the new lease accounting standard. • Optional transition method practical expedient – required us to apply the new lease accounting standard prospectively from the adoption date of January 1, 2019. • Single component accounting policy – required us to account for lease and nonlease components within a lease under the new lease accounting standard if certain criteria are met. • Land easements practical expedient – required us to continue to account for land easements existing as of January 1, 2019, under the accounting standards applied to them prior to January 1, 2019. • Short-term lease accounting policy – required us not to record the related lease liabilities and right-of-use assets for operating leases in which we are the lessee with a term of 12 months or less. Upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard, we elected the package of practical expedients and the optional transition method, which permitted January 1, 2019, to be our initial application date. Our election of the package of practical expedients and the optional transition method allowed us not to reassess: • Whether any contracts effective prior to January 1, 2019, were leases or contained leases. This practical expedient was primarily applicable to entities that had contracts containing embedded leases. As of December 31, 2018, we had no such contracts; therefore, this practical expedient had no effect on us. • The lease classification for any leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019. Our election of the package of practical expedients required us not to revisit the classification of our leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019. For example, all of our leases that were classified as operating leases in accordance with the lease accounting standards in effect prior to January 1, 2019, continued to be classified as operating leases after adoption of the new lease standard. • Previously capitalized initial direct costs for any leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019. Our election of the package of practical expedients and the optional transition method required us not to reassess whether initial direct leasing costs capitalized prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard in connection with the leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019, qualified for capitalization under the new lease accounting standard. We applied the package of practical expedients consistently to all leases (i.e., in which we were the lessee or the lessor) that commenced before January 1, 2019. The election of this package permitted us to “run off” our leases that commenced before January 1, 2019, for the remainder of their lease terms and to apply the new lease accounting standard to leases commencing or modified after January 1, 2019. For our leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019, under the package of practical expedients and optional transition method, we were not required to reassess whether initial direct leasing costs capitalized prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard in connection with such leases qualified for capitalization under the new lease accounting standard. Therefore, we continue to amortize these initial direct leasing costs over their respective lease terms. On January 1, 2019, as required by the new lease accounting standard, we recognized a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings aggregating $3.5 million to write off initial direct leasing costs that were capitalized in connection with leases that were executed but had not commenced before January 1, 2019. These costs were capitalized in accordance with the lease accounting standards existing prior to January 1, 2019, and would not qualify for capitalization under the new lease accounting standard. Under the package of practical expedients, all of our operating leases existing as of January 1, 2019, in which we were the lessee, continued to be classified as operating leases subsequent to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard. In accordance with the lease accounting standard adopted on January 1, 2019, we classified the present value of the remaining future rental payments associated with these operating leases in our consolidated balance sheets. Consequently, on January 1, 2019, we recognized a lease liability aggregating $218.7 million , which represented the present value of the remaining future rental payments aggregating $590.3 million related to our ground and office leases, in which we were the lessee, existing as of January 1, 2019. This liability was classified within accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, and included approximately $27.0 million reclassified out of the deferred rent liabilities balance in accordance with the new lease standard. We have also recognized a corresponding right-of-use asset, which was classified within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The present value of the remaining lease payments was calculated for each operating lease existing as of January 1, 2019, in which we were the lessee by using each respective remaining lease term and a corresponding estimated incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is the interest rate that we estimated we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term for an amount equal to the lease payments. Subsequent application of the new lease accounting standard Definition of a lease When we enter into a contract or amend an existing contract, we evaluate whether the contract meets the definition of a lease. To meet the definition of a lease, the contract must meet all three criteria: (i) One party (lessor) must hold an identified asset; (ii) The counterparty (lessee) must have the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset throughout the period of the contract; and (iii) The counterparty (lessee) must have the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of the contract. Lease classification The criteria to determine whether a lease should be accounted for as a finance lease for lessees or a sales-type lease for lessors include any of the following: (i) Ownership is transferred from lessor to lessee by the end of the lease term; (ii) An option to purchase is reasonably certain to be exercised; (iii) The lease term is for the major part of the underlying asset’s remaining economic life; (iv) The present value of lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset; or (v) The underlying asset is specialized and is expected to have no alternative use at the end of the lease term. If any of these criteria is met, a lease is classified as a finance lease by the lessee and as a sales-type lease by the lessor. If none of the criteria are met, a lease is classified as an operating lease by the lessee but may still qualify as a direct financing lease or an operating lease for the lessor. The existence of a residual value guarantee from an unrelated third party other than the lessee may qualify the lease as a direct financing lease by the lessor. Otherwise, the lease is classified as an operating lease by the lessor. Therefore, lessees apply a dual approach by classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which corresponds to a similar evaluation performed by lessors. |
| Leases, lessor accounting | Lessor accounting Costs to execute leases We capitalize initial direct costs, which represent only incremental costs of a lease that would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained. Costs that we incur to negotiate or arrange a lease, regardless of its outcome, such as for fixed employee compensation, tax, or legal advice to negotiate lease terms, and other costs, are expensed as incurred. Operating leases We account for the revenue from our lease contracts by utilizing the single component accounting policy. This policy requires us to account for, by class of underlying asset, the lease component and nonlease component(s) associated with each lease as a single component if two criteria are met: (i) The timing and pattern of transfer of the lease component and the nonlease component(s) are the same; and (ii) The lease component would be classified as an operating lease if it were accounted for separately. Lease components consist primarily of fixed rental payments, which represent scheduled rental amounts due under our leases, and contingent rental payments. Nonlease components consist primarily of tenant recoveries representing reimbursements of rental operating expenses under our triple net lease structure, including recoveries for utilities, repairs and maintenance, and common area expenses. If the lease component is the predominant component, we account for all revenues under such lease as a single component in accordance with the lease accounting standard. Conversely, if the nonlease component is the predominant component, all revenues under such lease are accounted for in accordance with the revenue recognition accounting standard. Our operating leases qualify for the single component accounting, and the lease component in each of our leases is predominant. Therefore, we account for all revenues from our operating leases under the lease accounting standard and classify these revenues as income from rentals in our consolidated statements of operations. We commence recognition of income from rentals related to the operating leases at the date the tenant takes possession or controls the physical use of the leased asset. Income from rentals related to fixed rental payments under operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective operating lease terms. We classify amounts expected to be received in later periods as deferred rent in our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received currently but recognized as revenue in future periods are classified in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Income from rentals related to variable payments includes tenant recoveries and contingent rental payments. Tenant recoveries, including reimbursements of utilities, repairs and maintenance, common area expenses, real estate taxes and insurance, and other operating expenses, are recognized as revenue in the period during which the applicable expenses are incurred and the tenant’s obligation to reimburse us arises. Income from rentals related to other variable payments is recognized when associated contingencies are removed. We assess collectibility from our tenants of future lease payments for each of our operating leases. If we determine that collectibility is probable, we recognize income from rentals based on the methodology described above. If we determine that collectibility is not probable, we recognize an adjustment to lower our income from rentals. Furthermore, we may recognize a general allowance at a portfolio level (not the individual level), if we do not expect to collect future lease payments in full. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 , due to the uncertainties posed to the business and operations of our tenants by the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognized an adjustment aggregating $1.6 million to lower our income from rentals and deferred rent related to certain leases where we determined that the collection of future lease payments was not probable. For these leases, we ceased the recognition of income from rentals on a straight-line basis and began the recognition of income from rentals on a cash basis when lease payments are collected. We will not resume straight-line recognition of income from rentals for these leases until we determine that collectibility of future payments related to these leases is probable. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2020 , we recorded a general allowance aggregating $3.4 million for a pool of deferred rent balances, which at the portfolio level (not the individual level) are not expected to be collected in full through its lease term. We recorded the general allowance as a reduction of our income from rentals and deferred rent balance within our consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets, respectively. Direct financing and sales-type leases As of March 31, 2020 , we had one direct financing lease and no sales-type leases. Income from rentals related to our direct financing lease is recognized over the lease term using the effective interest rate method. At lease commencement, we record an asset within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets, which represents our net investment in the direct financing lease. This initial net investment is determined by aggregating the total future lease payments attributable to the direct financing lease and the estimated residual value of the property less unearned income. Over the lease term, the investment in the direct financing lease is reduced and rental income is recognized as income from rentals in our consolidated statements of operations, producing a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the direct financing lease. We evaluate our net investment in the direct financing lease for impairment under the new current expected credit loss standard that we adopted on January 1, 2020. For more information, refer to the “Allowance for Credit Losses” section within this Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements. |
| Leases, lessee accounting | Lessee accounting We have operating lease agreements in which we are the lessee consisting of ground and office leases. At the lease commencement date (or at the acquisition date if the lease is acquired as part of a real estate acquisition), we are required to recognize a liability to account for our future obligations under these operating leases, and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The lease liability is measured based on the present value of the future lease payments, including payments during the term under our extension options that we are reasonably certain to exercise. The present value of the future lease payments is calculated for each operating lease using each respective remaining lease term and a corresponding estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is the interest rate that we estimate we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term for an amount equal to the lease payments. Subsequently, the lease liability is accreted by applying a discount rate established at the lease commencement date to the lease liability balance as of the beginning of the period and is reduced by the payments made during the period. We classify the operating lease liability in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. The right-of-use asset is measured based on the corresponding lease liability, adjusted for initial direct leasing costs and any other consideration exchanged with the landlord prior to the commencement of the lease, as well as adjustments to reflect favorable or unfavorable terms of an acquired lease when compared with market terms at the time of acquisition. Subsequently, the right-of-use asset is amortized on a straight-line basis during the lease term. We classify the right-of-use asset in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. |
| Recognition of revenue arising from contracts with customers | Recognition of revenue arising from contracts with customers We recognize revenues associated with transactions arising from contracts with customers, excluding revenues subject to the lease accounting standard discussed in the “Lease Accounting” section above, in accordance with the revenue recognition accounting standard. A customer is distinguished from a noncustomer by the nature of the goods or services that are transferred. Customers are provided with goods or services that are generated by a company’s ordinary output activities, whereas noncustomers are provided with nonfinancial assets that are outside of a company’s ordinary output activities. We generally recognize revenue representing the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in the exchange. In order to determine the recognition of revenue from customer contracts, we use a five-step model to (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant future reversal will not occur, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy the performance obligation. We identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time, based on when control of goods and services transfers to a customer. We consider whether we control the goods or services prior to the transfer to the customer in order to determine whether we should account for the arrangement as a principal or agent. If we determine that we control the goods or services provided to the customer, then we are the principal to the transaction, and we recognize the gross amount of consideration expected in the exchange. If we simply arrange but do not control the goods or services being transferred to the customer, then we are considered to be an agent to the transaction, and we recognize the net amount of consideration we are entitled to retain in the exchange. Total revenues subject to the revenue recognition accounting standard and classified within income from rentals in our consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , included $8.3 million and $10.8 million , respectively, primarily related to short-term parking revenues associated with long-term lease agreements. Short-term parking revenues do not qualify for the single lease component practical expedient, discussed in the “Lessor Accounting” subsection of the “Lease Accounting” section within this Note 2, due to the difference in the timing and pattern of transfer of our parking service obligations and associated lease components within the same lease agreement. We recognize short-term parking revenues in accordance with the revenue recognition accounting standard when the service is provided and the performance obligation is satisfied, which normally occurs at a point in time. |
| Monitoring tenant credit quality | Monitoring of tenant credit quality During the term of each lease, we monitor the credit quality and any related material changes of our tenants by (i) monitoring the credit rating of tenants that are rated by a nationally recognized credit rating agency, (ii) reviewing financial statements of the tenants that are publicly available or that are required to be delivered to us pursuant to the applicable lease, (iii) monitoring news reports regarding our tenants and their respective businesses, and (iv) monitoring the timeliness of lease payments. |
| Allowance for credit losses | Allowance for credit losses On January 1, 2020, we adopted an accounting standard (further clarified in subsequently issued updates) that requires companies to estimate and recognize lifetime expected losses, rather than incurred losses, which results in the earlier recognition of credit losses even if the expected risk of credit loss is remote. The accounting standard applies to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases arising from sales-type and direct financing leases, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures (e.g., loan commitments). The standard does not apply to the receivables arising from operating leases. An assessment of the collectibility of operating lease payments and the recognition of an adjustment to lease income based on this assessment is governed by the lease accounting standard discussed in the “Lease Accounting” section earlier within this Note 2 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements. Upon adoption of the accounting standard, we had one lease subject to this standard classified as a direct financing lease with a net investment balance aggregating $39.9 million prior to the credit loss adjustment. In this direct financing lease, the payment obligation of the lessee is collateralized by real estate property. Historically, we have had no collection issues related to this direct financing lease; therefore, we assessed the probability of default on this lease based on the lessee’s financial condition, credit rating, business prospects, remaining lease term, and expected value of the underlying collateral upon its repossession. Based on the aforementioned considerations, we estimated a credit loss adjustment related to this direct financing lease aggregating $2.2 million , which was recognized as a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings and as a reduction of the investment in the direct financing lease balance from $39.9 million to $37.7 million in our consolidated balance sheets on January 1, 2020. In addition to our direct financing lease, the accounting standard on credit losses applies to our receivables that result from revenue transactions within the scope of the revenue recognition standard discussed in the “Recognition of Revenue Arising From Contracts With Customers” section earlier within this Note 2. Upon adoption of the standard on January 1, 2020, our receivables resulting from revenue transactions within the scope of revenue recognition standard aggregated $16.1 million . Among other factors, we considered the short-term nature of these receivables, our positive assessment of the financial condition and business prospects of the payors, and minimal historical collectibility issues. Based on the aforementioned considerations, we estimated the credit loss related to our trade receivables to approximate $259 thousand , which was recognized as a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings and as a reduction of the tenant receivables balance in our consolidated balance sheets on January 1, 2020. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 , we updated our assessment of the probability of default of our lessee in the direct financing lease described above. Based on the updated assessment, we recognized an additional credit loss adjustment of $614 thousand classified within rental operations in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 |
| Income taxes | Income taxes We are organized and operate as a REIT pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Under the Code, a REIT that distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders annually (excluding net capital gains) and meets certain other conditions is not subject to federal income tax on its distributed taxable income, but could be subject to certain federal, foreign, state, and local taxes. We distribute 100% of our taxable income annually; therefore, a provision for federal income taxes is not required. In addition to our REIT returns, we file federal, foreign, state, and local tax returns for our subsidiaries. We file with jurisdictions located in the U.S., Canada, India, China, and other international locations. Our tax returns are subject to routine examination in various jurisdictions for the 2014 through 2019 calendar years. |
| Employee share-based payments | Employee and non-employee share-based payments We have implemented an entity-wide accounting policy to account for forfeitures of share-based awards granted to employees and non-employees when they occur. As a result of this policy, we recognize expense on share-based awards with time-based vesting conditions without reductions for an estimate of forfeitures. This accounting policy only applies to service condition awards. For performance condition awards, we continue to assess the probability that such conditions will be achieved. Expenses related to forfeited awards are reversed as forfeitures occur. In addition, all nonforfeitable dividends paid on share-based payment awards are initially classified in retained earnings and reclassified to compensation cost only if forfeitures of the underlying awards occur. Our employee and non-employee share-based awards are measured on the grant date and recognized over the required service period of the recipient. |
| Forward equity sales agreements | Forward equity sales agreements We account for our forward equity sales agreements in accordance with the accounting guidance governing financial instruments and derivatives. As of March 31, 2020 , none of our forward equity sales agreements were deemed to be liabilities as they did not embody obligations to repurchase our shares, nor did they embody obligations to issue a variable number of shares for which the monetary value was predominantly fixed, varied with something other than the fair value of our shares, or varied inversely in relation to our shares. We also evaluated whether the agreements met the derivatives and hedging guidance scope exception to be accounted for as equity instruments and concluded that the agreements can be classified as equity contracts based on the following assessment: (i) none of the agreements’ exercise contingencies were based on observable markets or indices besides those related to the market for our own stock price and operations; and (ii) none of the settlement provisions precluded the agreements from being indexed to our own stock. |
| Issuer and guarantor subsidiaries of guaranteed securities [Policy Text Block] | Issuer and guarantor subsidiaries of guaranteed securities In March 2020, the SEC issued an amendment to reduce and simplify financial disclosure requirements for issuers and guarantors of registered debt offerings. The guidance is effective for filings on or after January 4, 2021, with early adoption permitted. Upon evaluation of the guidance, we elected to early adopt the amendment as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 . Generally, a parent entity must provide separate subsidiary issuer or guarantor financial statements, unless it qualifies for disclosure exceptions provided in the amendment. Currently, a parent entity must fully own the subsidiary issuer or guarantor and guarantee its registered security fully and unconditionally to qualify for disclosure exceptions under the existing guidance. Pursuant to the amendment, a parent entity may be eligible for disclosure exceptions if it meets the following criteria: • The subsidiary issuer or guarantor is a consolidated subsidiary of the parent company, and • The subsidiary issues a registered security that is: • Issued jointly and severally with the parent company, or • Fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the parent company. A parent entity that meets the above criteria may instead present summarized financial information (“alternative disclosures”). We evaluated the criteria and determined that we are eligible for the exceptions, which allow us to provide alternative disclosures. The amendment also allows for further simplification of disclosure requirements for entities that qualify for the alternative disclosures. A parent entity was required to provide disclosures within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. However, the amendment allows for such disclosures to be provided outside of the financial statements, including within the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section in Item 2. As such, our disclosures are no longer presented in our financial statements and have been relocated to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section in Item 2. |
| Joint venture distribution | Joint venture distributions We use the “nature of the distribution” approach to determine the classification within our statement of cash flows of cash distributions received from equity method investments, including our unconsolidated joint ventures. Under this approach, distributions are classified based on the nature of the underlying activity that generated the cash distributions. If we lack the information necessary to apply this approach in the future, we will be required to apply the “cumulative earnings” approach as an accounting change on a retrospective basis. Under the cumulative earnings approach, distributions up to the amount of cumulative equity in earnings recognized are classified as cash inflows from operating activities, and those in excess of that amount are classified as cash inflows from investing activities. |
| Restricted cash | Restricted cash |
