2019 Annual Report
438 University Avenue
Toronto, ON
Dream Office REIT locates
high-quality central business
office properties, primarily in
downtown Toronto.
Letter to Unitholders
We are pleased with the significant progress that Dream Office
REIT has made in 2019. We have substantially completed our
asset sales and the strategic plan to transform our business to a
pure-play downtown Toronto office REIT. We can now be focused
on generating higher long term returns while maintaining a safe
balance sheet for our unitholders.
The Toronto office leasing market is currently very supportive
for our company. Office vacancy is about 2% and rents on
new leases and renewals are now the highest they have ever
been in the city, finally surpassing the rents of 1989. Altogether,
downtown Toronto is attracting most of the office jobs in the
Greater Toronto Area, people will be having an easier time living
downtown or commuting on public transportation and the future
looks very positive as long as the supply matches the increase
in demand.
Our industry has also changed dramatically with private
developers, pension funds and REITs all racing to improve the
quality of their portfolios and drive returns by developing new
buildings. There has been a greater focus on purpose-built rentals
and mixed-use developments to realize the highest and best use
of each site. We are watchful of the changes in the marketplace.
Our strategy is to improve our buildings by making them very
desirable to tenants so that we can achieve high rents currently
and high occupancy even if there is an oversupply at times. During
the year, we announced that we intend to invest and transform
our assets on Bay Street and are making good progress. We are
also pursuing selective developments throughout the portfolio
but we will be very cautious regarding the pace of development
and the total risk we take on.
In January, the City of Toronto approved our application to
replace a 122,000 square foot office building with a new 49
storey building consisting of 165,000 square feet of commercial
space and more than 500 apartment units. Over the next 18
months, we will work on achieving site plan approval, working with
our tenants on potential relocation options and pre-leasing our
new development. We are excited as this will be the first mixed-
use project for Dream Office and is very well located to benefit
from close proximity to transit, shops and the health and science
districts.
Our balance sheet is in good shape at 37.6% level of debt with
ample liquidity and a growing unencumbered pool to fund our
projects.
Dream Office also owns $380 million of Dream Industrial units
at market value and our investment returned 45% including
distributions in 2019. Recently, Dream Industrial announced
that they have expanded into Europe where they could acquire
high quality industrial assets at similar or higher cap rates
than Canada, with good growth prospects and significantly
cheaper financing rates of approximately 200 basis points. Our
investment in Dream Industrial has performed very well for us
over the past three years and owning the units provides us with
a safer balance sheet, good returns and flexibility on liquidity.
Industrial remains one of the most desired real estate classes to
invest in and we believe Dream Industrial is very well positioned
to continue to deliver strong results.
We believe the future of Dream Office is very bright but we do not
take for granted that we will need to improve how we manage our
assets to create the best possible tenant experiences and building
quality to achieve market leading rents.
Thank you for your continued support in our business.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Cooper
Chief Executive Officer
February 20, 2020
250 Dundas Street
Toronto, ON
At a Glance
$2.9 B
TOTAL ASSETS
37.6%
NET TOTAL DEBT-TO-NET
TOTAL ASSETS
$26.70
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT
5.5 M
SQUARE FEET
31
PROPERTIES
90.8%
IN-PLACE AND COMMITTED
OCCUPANCY(1)
Adelaide Place
Toronto, ON
(1) Excludes investment in joint ventures, acquired properties and properties under development.
5%
CALGARY
3 PROPERTIES
6%
OTHER(2)
5 PROPERTIES
83%
TORONTO
DOWNTOWN
18 PROPERTIES
GREATER
TORONTO AREA
6%
2 PROPERTIES
Top Ten Tenants with Weighted Average Lease Term of 5.4 Years
TENANT
Government of Ontario
Government of Canada
State Street Trust Company
International Financial Data Services
Medcan Health Management Inc.
U.S. Bank National Association
CIBC
Atmac Holdings
DBRS
Lindt & Sprüngli (Canada), Inc
Total
GROSS RENTAL
REVENUE (%)
11.3
8.3
5.2
3.1
2.6
2.3
1.4
1.1
1.1
1.0
OWNED AREA
(THOUSANDS
OF SQ. FT.)
595
370
219
137
88
185
54
64
41
37
OWNED AREA
(%)
11.4
7.1
4.2
2.6
1.7
3.6
1.0
1.2
0.8
0.7
37.4
1,790
34.3
CREDIT RATING(3)
A+/A-1
AAA/A-1+
AA-/A/A-1+
N/R
N/R
AA-/A-1+
A+/A-1
N/R
N/R
N/R
Comparative Properties NOI by Region(4)
Gross Leasable Area by Region(5)
24%
OTHER
MARKETS
76+
36%
OTHER
MARKETS
DOWNTOWN 64+
76%
TORONTO
36 64%
TORONTO
DOWNTOWN
(1) This chart illustrates the fair value of investment properties by region, excluding investment in joint ventures, acquired properties and properties under development, as at December 31, 2019. (2) Other includes
3% in U.S. and 3% in Saskatchewan based on investment property fair value. (3) Credit ratings are obtained from Standard & Poor’s Credit Rating Services Inc. and may reflect the parent’s or guarantor’s
credit rating. N/R – not rated. (4) For the three months ended December 31, 2019. (5) This chart illustrates the GLA of investment properties by region, excluding investments in joint ventures, acquired properties
and properties under development, as at December 31, 2019.
Geographic Diversification(1)24
Dream
Collection
Welcome to the office space
dreams are made of…
We are an owner of great luxury boutique office buildings in
Toronto, one of the finest office markets in North America.
Taking inspiration from Toronto’s rich history as well as influence
from its incredibly promising future, this historic portfolio of
commercial and office space is unlike anything seen before.
Interconnected, considered and representative of the best of
what was, what is and what’s yet to come.
360 Bay Street - Interior
Toronto, ON
Our Values
Courageous ideas
Meaningful relationships
Fierce diligence
Social responsibility
These values provide the foundation for our
corporate culture – acting as a strong platform
on which to build sustainability into Dream’s
DNA.
About Our Sustainability
Reporting
To align with best practice sustainability
reporting, we have divided the information
across three areas — environment, social
and governance.
Sustainability
Focus on Sustainability
At Dream Office REIT, we have been integrating
best practices into our environmental platform
since 2011. We’ve been working hard to reduce our
environmental footprint by minimizing resource
consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing our energy and water usage as well as
decreasing or diverting our waste benefits the
environment, our tenants and future generations.
Tenants are becoming more aware of the energy
performance, carbon footprint and associated
costs of buildings. Developing and maintaining
high-quality, energy efficient buildings has
become a differentiating factor that allows us to
appeal to a broader range of tenants and sustain
high occupancy rates – an environmentally sound
building is a desirable building.
At Dream Office REIT, we also recognize the
value of green buildings. That is why 100% of all
Canadian properties over 100,000 square feet
in Dream Office REIT are BOMA BEST certified
with operating standards requiring smart
management of energy, water and waste. The
ongoing monitoring of resource consumption and
environmental regulations and continued retro-
commissioning of our buildings help us to better
position our assets for the future.
Improving energy efficiency is an important
part of our operational strategy for our buildings.
It reduces costs and decreases our contribution
to carbon emissions and climate change. Our
initiatives have resulted in a 11.6% reduction
in energy consumption and a 15.9% reduction
in water use in our portfolio from 2014 to 2018.
Further, we have reduced our greenhouse gas
emissions by over 15,000 tonnes over that same
period.
We enable energy efficiency and conservation
through capital investments, process changes
and modifying behaviours. Accordingly, we
have completed energy audits throughout the
portfolio to identify areas for improvement and
incorporate them into our ten year capital plan.
Another example of Dream Office REIT’s commit-
ment to sustainability was demonstrated by our
compliance with the Energy and Water Reporting
and Benchmarking (EWRB) initiative. This requires
buildings in Ontario to disclose utility and water
data.
As a company, we also support the communities
in which we live and work through our charitable
partnerships and commitments. In 2019, we
prepared and donated over 1,300 shoeboxes for
The Shoebox Project for Women’s Shelters and
~450 gifts through our Tree of Dreams.
We continue to implement strategies to improve
sustainability practices throughout our
organization and portfolio and have highlighted
a few examples over the next few pages.
Environmental
Pro-active
implementation
of sustainability
best practices
throughout our
portfolio.
Our environmental initiatives include:
1
2
Developing sustainable and inclusive
properties where people are proud to
live and work.
Monitoring our resource consumption to reduce
the environmental impact of our operations and
our carbon footprint.
Green Building Certifications
According to the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC),
green-certified buildings with lower operating costs and superior
indoor environmental quality are more attractive to a growing
group of customers. High-performing buildings and communities
are becoming a material factor when tenants make leasing
decisions.
Affirming Strong Sustainability
Practices and Responding to Market
Demands
Dream Office REIT is working hard to integrate sustainability into
every aspect of our operations. Green building certifications help
us incorporate a range of sustainability features into our physical
properties and our daily practices.
Sustainability initiatives increase occupancy and rental rates,
ultimately increasing rental income. Studies have shown that
certified buildings produce higher capital and income growth
relative to industry benchmarks.
We are very proud of the fact that 100% of Dream Office REIT
Canadian properties over 100,000 square feet are BOMA BEST
certified.
LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) certification
LEED provides independent, third-party verification that a
building was built using strategies aimed at achieving high
performance in key areas of human and environmental health.
It is administered by the CaGBC.
BOMA BEST
BOMA BEST is a leading certification program for existing
buildings in Canada. Over 3,150 buildings, totalling 594 million
square feet of Canadian commercial real estate, are certified.
LEED Gold Certified
438 University Avenue
Toronto, ON
LEED Gold Certified
WIRED Gold Certified
Sussex Centre
Mississauga, ON
Adelaide Place
Toronto, ON
Resource Management
Real estate properties consume significant amounts of resources.
Resource use directly and/or indirectly impacts profitability,
operating margins, tenant demand and asset values. This section
mainly focuses on Dream Office REIT’s initiatives.
Management of Tenant
Sustainability Impacts
Resource consumption, waste generation and other sustainability
issues (occupant health and safety) are often driven by the activities
of the occupant. However, real estate owners can exert influence
in a manner that may increase tenant demand and satisfaction,
decrease direct operating costs, decrease risks related to building
codes and regulations, and drive asset value appreciation.
Management process, controls and measurement
Virtually all leases in the portfolio are structured in a manner
whereby the tenant pays for their share of resource utilization.
Leases generally contain clauses that allow for the recovery of
certain capital expenditures (amortized over a period), some of
which relate to energy efficiency and HVAC upgrades.
Beyond this, Dream Office REIT engages with its tenants in a variety
of ways to share best practices and raise tenant awareness. On-
site teams are in continual communication with occupants through
a work order management platform to address issues specific to
tenant spaces.
Performance and progress
•
•
•
Dream Office REIT partnered with Tesla Motors to provide
80 electric vehicle chargers at several downtown properties.
The Bay Street repositioning program is expected to have a
positive impact on occupant health and well-being and to
reduce total resource consumption.
The robust tenant engagement program should continue to
have a positive impact.
11.6%
REDUCTION IN ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FROM 2014 TO 2018
Energy
Focus on energy efficiency is yielding results
Performance and progress
Reducing our energy consumption is a key initiative across all
of the Dream entities. It is an important part of our operational
strategy. It reduces costs and decreases our contribution to carbon
emissions and climate change. We enable energy efficiency and
conservation through capital investments, process changes and
modifying behaviours. Proactive energy management provides
Dream Office REIT with the ability to mitigate the adverse impacts
of new regulation, compliance costs and carbon pricing.
Management process, controls and measurement
Energy audits were recently performed across the portfolio to
find opportunities to increase energy efficiency and optimize
the operation and management of our properties. This process
resulted in a series of recommendations, including: (1) LED
retrofits; (2) heating and air conditioning upgrades; and (3) retro-
commissioning; each of these has been incorporated into a ten
year capital plan.
Virtually all of Dream Office REIT’s properties are equipped with a
real-time operating system that enables property managers to view
consumption data in 15-minute intervals to better manage each
building’s environmental impact and stress on the grid.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
41% of GLA is separately metered or sub-metered for energy
consumption sourced from the grid.
Total energy consumed in 2018 was 587,572 GJ.
Reduced total energy consumption by 11.6% on a like-for-like
basis since 2014.
At the end of 2019, 100% of the portfolio was ENERGY STAR
certified, 12% was LEED certified and all Canadian properties
of over 100,000 square feet were BOMA BEST certified.
LED retrofits were completed in 10 buildings in 2019.
A smart building technology strategy is under development,
with a pilot planned for 2020.
Additional LEED certifications are underway; once complete,
portfolio-wide LEED certifications will increase to 25%.
External battery storage solutions at eligible sites along with
bidirectional EVs through our partnership with Peak Power.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Climate change
Leading scientists agree that human activities are contributing to
a warming climate. Governments around the world are enacting
legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, there
are now carbon pricing systems in many Canadian provinces which
provide incentives for businesses that take action.
Dream’s primary source of greenhouse gas emissions stems from
energy consumption at our properties. We are reducing our impact
through technological and operational improvements in energy
efficiency.
15,000
tonnes
REDUCTION IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS,
EQUIVALENT TO REMOVING 3,200 CARS FROM
THE ROAD PER YEAR
15.9%
REDUCTION IN WATER CONSUMPTION
FROM 2014 TO 2018
Water & Waste
Efficient water and waste management
Performance and progress
Real estate properties consume significant amounts of water.
Efficient water and waste management directly and indirectly
impacts profitability, operating margins, tenant demand and asset
values. On the other hand, poor management can lead to flood
damage, increase operating expenses and/or capital expenditures
and negatively impact asset values.
Managing our water use
Dream Office REIT invests in water-efficient technologies and
practices where we have the largest impact. For example, in older
buildings, we have implemented and improved cooling tower
controls to reduce water evaporation and we have invested in
rain sensors, perennial landscaping and mulch to reduce water
consumption due to irrigation in landscaping practices.
All Dream Office REIT BOMA BEST certified properties also need to
comply with our water reduction policy. The policy outlines target
fixture flow rates and requirements for landscaping practices.
Dream has developed a policy for helping us achieve our water
reduction target. An important part of this strategy is our alignment
with the best practices for water management as defined by the
BOMA BEST process.
•
•
•
From 2014 to 2018, Dream Office REIT experienced a 15.9%
reduction in annual water consumption on a per square foot
basis.
12.1% of Dream Office REIT’s portfolio is in regions classified
as High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress as determined
by the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas tool.
Dream Office REIT continues to be proactive in its approach
to reducing water consumption. Leak detection systems have
been implemented at two properties and the potential rollout
to additional sites is being evaluated. Management is also
looking into the installation of smart water meters to enhance
our tracking ability and to manage consumption.
Affecting waste diversion
All Dream Office REIT BOMA BEST certified properties follow our
solid waste management policy, which strives to reduce the amount
of waste sent to landfills. The policy requires proper disposal of
different types of waste. It also stipulates that large properties
must regularly conduct waste audits, which is our primary tool for
measuring and tracking waste output.
Resource Management
Innovative partnership with Peak
Power to reduce energy use in
buildings.
Peak Power
Dream Office REIT takes leading role
with vehicle-to-grid and energy storage
As part of Dream Office REIT’s sustainability goals and our ongoing
effort, tenants at Adelaide Place and State Street Financial Centre
have the opportunity to purchase an electric vehicle at a discounted
lease thanks to an innovative partnership with Peak Power. Peak
Power has installed bi-directional (two-way) charging infrastructure
at these buildings which allows electric vehicles to send electricity
back to the building during key “peak” times. This reduces the
building’s overall energy costs with a portion of the savings going
to the driver participants. The technology is being developed by
Peak Power along with Ontario Power Generation to help make the
transition to electric vehicles more attractive to consumers.
Peak Power uses machine learning (a form of Artificial Intelligence)
to predict these moments of high electricity demand, which can
form over 65% of a typical electricity bill. This technology will also
help Dream Office REIT reduce its environmental footprint. By
charging at night and discharging during peak moments, we reduce
our reliance on natural gas peaker plants in favour of non-emitting
hydro and nuclear sources. Peak Power is currently in the design
phase to expand this technology to a few other eligible Dream Office
REIT properties in downtown Toronto, which would create a virtual
power plant that can respond to grid needs while lowering Dream
Office REIT’s energy costs.
Alate Partners
Using technology to rethink real estate
Dream Unlimited Corp., along with Dream Office REIT, entered into a strategic
partnership with Relay Ventures to create Alate Partners to invest in technology
companies that are rethinking how real estate is designed, built and managed. In
addition to capital, Alate Partners provides entrepreneurs with unique access to
real estate expertise, customers and partners that can help accelerate their growth.
By embracing emerging technologies and new approaches to how we build and
manage real estate, we can reduce our environmental impact and improve the
quality of life in our communities.
Select Alate Investment: Bird Rides
Stage: Growth
Founded: 2017
HQ: Santa Monica
Bird’s mission is to make cities more livable by reducing car usage, traffic and
carbon emissions.
Along with Alate Partners’ investment in Bird Rides, the company partnered with
Relay Ventures and Obelysk to launch Bird Canada, a Canadian-owned and
operated company that holds the exclusive licence to operate Bird’s micro-mobility
platform in Canada. Bird Canada complements public transit options to provide
safe and reliable mobility options between destinations in urban areas.
Select Alate Investment: Branch
Stage: Early
Founded: 2019
HQ: New York
Alate Partners has recently invested in Branch, an office furniture startup based in
New York. Branch delivers inexpensive furniture that can be delivered within 48 hours
compared to traditional wait times of 8–16 weeks. In addition, it offers a trade-in program
allowing office furniture to be reused rather than disposed of. Currently, the vast majority
of office furniture is single-use only and 17 billion pounds of office furniture ends up in
landfill every year.
Social
Building
a thriving,
people-centric
organization.
Our social initiatives encompass three key areas:
1
2
3
Employees: Committed to the development of
employees through continuous learning and
promotion of healthy workplaces and lifestyles.
The Greater Community:
Actively committed to the community and
local charitable organizations.
Tenants: Committed to tenant satisfaction
and engagement.
A Diverse Group of Employees
Demonstrating a Culture of
Sustainability
A future-oriented workforce
Dream’s potential as an organization comes from our strong and
diverse workforce. We have more than 500 employees across
our business who possess expertise in a wide variety of areas
that benefit our business, from real estate management and
development to capital markets, risk and insurance, and many
more.
Our people come from a range of backgrounds and places,
bringing many valuable skills and perspectives to our team. The
people we hire all have one thing in common: they share our
company values and contribute to our company culture.
We are very proud to have a strong female presence in our
workforce – 49% of our employees are women. In addition,
we have many women in senior management roles across our
company.
A gender-diverse company
38%
Female directors & above
Female employees
49%49+
38+
44%44+
Female managers & above
56
51
62
Dream in the Community
Our company values are aligned with
sustainability
As a major Canadian real estate and development company,
we recognize the integral role that Dream plays in building and
strengthening the communities where we work. We are involved
with a range of community organizations across Canada and we
engage community members wherever we are present.
Dream Employees
Making an impact
Our employees are connected to the communities where they work.
Dream creates opportunities for employees to volunteer through
our relationships with charitable organizations. We have Community
Leaders in each city who identify local volunteering opportunities
and organize team volunteering days for their colleagues. We also
encourage our employees to contribute to their local communities
and boost their efforts through an employee donation program.
Dream will contribute $500 per employee annually to a charitable
organization that employees are actively involved with.
Healthy Workplaces and Lifestyle
Employees health and wellness is important to Dream and
there are a large number of initiatives and programs to encourage
employees to lead healthy lifestyles. We provide free fresh fruit in all
our offices, and selected healthy snacks are available for purchase
at an affordable price.
Throughout the year, Dream also supports fundraising events that
encourage employees to be active for a good cause – bike rides,
stair climbing, runs and walks – and sponsors employee teams so
they can play soccer, hockey or volleyball together in corporate
leagues.
Health and safety is a priority
Ensuring the health and safety of our employees, tenants and
others on all our sites is something we never compromise on:
we target zero injuries. We also seek to exceed health and safety
regulatory requirements by implementing programs focused on
accident investigation and prevention and other types of health
and safety training.
Building Better Leaders
We take great pride in our people and know that investing in
them is a smart decision with great payback. We are focused
on developing leaders throughout our company by providing
opportunities for employees to grow personally and professionally.
Goal-setting
Dream employee goal-setting takes place at the beginning of
each year. Employees discuss goals with their managers that are
aligned with corporate or department objectives as well as personal
development goals. All leadership team goals are visible through
our internal employee website for any employee to view across all
of our business lines.
Tenant Collaboration
Strengthening relationships through joint
initiatives with our tenants
As a major landlord, we understand our responsibility to act as
a model citizen, positively influence our communities and work
with our tenants. Our initiatives support our business objective
of being a premier community partner. We aspire to uphold our
positive reputation in the communities where we are present and
actively seek out partnership opportunities with our tenants. This
also helps us to become a builder and landlord of choice.
Partnering with Tenants on the
Tree of Dreams
For the fourth consecutive year, we hosted the Tree of Dreams campaign,
in support of local charities that care for underprivileged seniors. Through this
campaign, Dream and its tenants can send gifts to seniors in our communities
who might otherwise not receive gifts or visits during the holidays. The feedback
from tenants was overwhelmingly positive. With their help, we distributed over
400 gifts to seniors in need, right here in our community.
Select Alate Investment: Lane
Delivering a superior tenant experience
using technology
Lane is a tenant experience platform for commercial office buildings.
Headquartered in Toronto, Lane helps leading property owners and managers
unlock the full value of their assets and deliver a superior experience for everyone
at their properties. By bringing together the entire workplace ecosystem, the
platform allows tenants to access everything they need in one place, including
building information, services, software and amenities. Lane is a scalable solution
designed for buildings of all sizes.
Governance
Strong
governance
practices &
high ethical
standards.
Our governance initiatives include:
Commitment to Good Governance
1
2
Diverse and experienced Board with
majority of independent trustees.
Strong governance. Transparency in
all aspects of our business.
Dream is committed to sound and effective corporate
governance. Our goal is to not only meet the requirements
established by regulators, but also to uphold the spirit of good
corporate governance.
Good governance is a key aspect
of sustainability
Good governance is regarded as an important part of
corporate sustainability. As one of Canada’s leading real estate
organizations, we are committed to maintaining the highest
standards as they relate to board governance and ethical
business conduct.
We have a diverse and experienced Board of trustees, with a high
ratio of independent trustees.
Sound Board composition and
committees that oversee sustainability
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Dream Office REIT’s Board achieves strong marks on board
independence and gender diversity. Dream Office REIT has 71%
independent representation and 43% of Board of trustees are
female, exceeding our 30% target. We are also starting to embed
elements of sustainability in our board mandates.
Driving sustainability progress
Our vision is to integrate sustainability in all our businesses’ strategic
plans, enterprise management systems and, most importantly, in
our culture. Good sustainability governance is important as this is
an emerging area of management and value creation.
Each of the Dream entities has a code of business conduct and
ethics. The code has guidelines for expected behaviours and
practices in day-to-day business activities. While it does not
specifically address corrupt or anti-competitive business situations
that employees may be exposed to, it directs employees to report
conflicts of interest to a manager and it is also supported by a
whistleblower policy.
We anticipate expanding our business ethics guidelines with
explicit guidance about bribery and anti-competitive situations in
the upcoming year. You can find out more information about the
Code of Conduct and the Whistleblower Policy on our website at
www.dream.ca.
Bevi, Reducing Can and Bottle
Consumption at Head Office
Bevi is a water system which replaces canned and bottled
beverages for employees at Dream’s head office. It was chosen
as an alternative to canned and bottled beverages to provide a
fun and engaging way to stay hydrated while doing our part for
the environment. Bevi not only allows us to customize the water
we’re drinking, but it has also allowed us to avoid the waste from
thousands of cans per year.
Sustainability Highlights
Environmental
—
11.6%*
reduction in energy consumption
from 2014 to 2018
—
15,000 tonnes*
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
(equivalent to removing over 3,200 cars
from the road for one year)
—
15.9%*
reduction in water consumption
from 2014 to 2018
—
12%
LEED certified
—
100%
of all Canadian properties over
100,000 square feet are
BOMA BEST certified
—
Tenant Engagement
on energy management through
education and awareness
Social**
—
~1,300+ Shoeboxes
and ~$11,000
were donated to The Shoebox Project for
Women’s Shelters by Dream employees
—
~$700,000
was donated to charities
and communities
—
~$302,000
in tuition and professional
development fees were
reimbursed to employees
—
449 Gifts
were donated to seniors in need
through the Tree of Dreams
with Dream tenants
—
Tenant Focused
We are committed to tenant
satisfaction and are continually
looking for ways to improve their
experience in our buildings
—
Community Engagement
We are actively engaged with the
community through strong
partnerships and support for
local charitable organizations
—
National Sponsor
of The Shoebox Project
for Women’s Shelters
—
Peer Recognition
Ethos Award recognizes employee
contributions and their demonstration
of core values, culture and initiatives
to build better communities
—
Employee Development,
Education and Well-being
Committed to the development of
employees through continuous
learning and promotion of healthy
workplaces and lifestyles
Governance
—
43%
of Dream Office REIT
trustees are women
—
71%
of Dream Office REIT
trustees are independent
—
Strong Governance
policies and transparency in all
aspects of our business
—
Whistleblower
procedures and
reporting guidelines
—
Board Mandated
and supported
sustainability initiatives
* Environmental highlights are based on 2018.
** Social highlights are based on all Dream entities combined.
Since Dream became the
National Sponsor for
The Shoebox Project for
Women in 2014, Dream
employees have donated
over 6,000 shoeboxes
to women in shelters.
357 Bay Street
Toronto , ON
Table of Contents
Section I
Key Performance Indicators
at a Glance
Basis of Presentation
Forward-looking Disclaimer
Our Objectives
Section II
Our Properties
Our Operations
Our Results of Operations
Section III
Investment Properties
Investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Our Financing
Our Equity
Section IV
Non-GAAP Measures
Selected Annual Information
Quarterly Information
Section V
1
2
3
3
4
5
12
18
21
22
25
30
36
36
Disclosure Controls and Procedures 39
Section VI
Risks and Our Strategy to Manage
39
Section VII
Critical Accounting Judgments
Changes in Accounting Policies
Future Accounting Policy Changes
Section VIII
Asset Listing
Consolidated Financial Statements
Management’s Responsibility
for the Consolidated Financial
Statements
Independent Auditor’s Report
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of
Changes in Equity
Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements
44
45
45
46
47
48
51
52
53
54
55
Trustees and Management Team
Corporate Information
IBC
IBC
Management’s discussion and analysis
(All dollar amounts in our tables are presented in thousands of Canadian dollars, except for rental rates and per unit amounts, or unless otherwise stated)
SECTION I
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AT A GLANCE
Performance is measured by these and other key indicators:
Total portfolio(1)
Number of properties
Gross leasable area (“GLA”)(2)
Investment properties value
Comparative portfolio(3)
Occupancy rate – including committed (period-end)
Occupancy rate – in-place (period-end)
Average in-place and committed net rent per square foot (period-end)
Weighted average lease term (“WALT”) (years)
December 31,
2019
September 30,
2019
31
5.5
33
6.1
$
2,420,945 $
2,520,025 $
As at
December 31,
2018
37
7.3
2,778,826
90.8 %
90.1 %
22.53 $
5.5
90.7 %
89.6 %
22.35 $
5.1
91.6 %
87.7 %
21.82
5.1
$
Operating results
Net income (loss)
Funds from operations (“FFO”)(4)
Net rental income
Comparative properties net operating income
(“NOI”)(4)
Distributions
Total distributions(4)
Per unit amounts
FFO (diluted)(4)(5)
Distribution rate
December 31,
2019
September 30,
2019
Three months ended
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2019
Year ended
December 31,
2018
$
$
$
63,193 $
25,188
31,083
(2,340 ) $
26,678
31,962
58,489 $
25,736
31,115
117,320 $
108,887
127,575
157,778
115,796
131,832
31,438
31,024
29,072
124,191
110,679
15,366 $
15,402
$
16,207 $
62,842 $
68,591
0.40 $
0.25
$
0.42
0.25
0.39 $
0.25
1.70 $
1.00
1.66
1.00
Financing
Weighted average face rate of interest on debt (period-end)(6)
Interest coverage ratio (times)(4)(7)
Net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV (years)(4)(7)
Level of debt (net total debt-to-net total assets)(4)
Average term to maturity on debt (years)
Available liquidity(4)
Unencumbered assets(4)(7)
Capital (period-end)
Total number of REIT A Units and LP B Units (in millions)(8)
Net asset value (“NAV”) per unit(4)
December 31,
2019
September 30,
2019
As at
December 31,
2018
3.88 %
2.9
7.5
37.6 %
4.7
413,580 $
281,274 $
3.88 %
2.9
8.0
41.3 %
4.9
433,844 $
156,448 $
61.5
26.70 $
61.5
25.79 $
4.06 %
2.8
9.0
45.0 %
3.8
163,908
163,114
64.6
24.97
$
$
$
(1) Total portfolio excludes properties held for sale and joint ventures that are equity accounted at the end of each period. As at December 31, 2019, there were
no investment properties held for sale and one joint venture property.
(2) In millions of square feet.
(3) Current and comparative periods exclude acquired properties, properties sold, properties under development and joint ventures that are equity accounted as
at December 31, 2019.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 1
(4) FFO, comparative properties NOI, total distributions, diluted FFO per unit, interest coverage ratio, net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV, level of debt (net total
debt-to-net total assets), available liquidity, unencumbered assets and NAV per unit are non-GAAP measures used by management in evaluating operating and
financial performance. Please refer to the section “Non-GAAP Measures” for details of these measures and reconciliations to the nearest comparable GAAP
measure.
(5) A description of the determination of diluted amounts per unit can be found in the section “Our Equity” under the heading “Weighted average number of
units”.
(6) Weighted average face rate of interest on debt is calculated as the weighted average face rate of all interest bearing debt balances excluding debt in joint
ventures that are equity accounted.
(7) Interest coverage ratio, net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV and unencumbered assets have been restated for the comparative periods to conform to current
period presentation. For further details, please refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section under the headings “Interest coverage ratio”, “Net total debt-to-
adjusted EBITDAFV” and “Unencumbered assets”.
(8) Total number of REIT A Units and LP B Units includes 5.2 million LP B Units which are classified as a liability under IFRS.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Our discussion and analysis of the financial position and results of operations of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust
(“Dream Office REIT” or the “Trust”) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Dream
Office REIT for the year ended December 31, 2019. Such consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The Canadian
dollar is the functional and reporting currency for purposes of preparing the consolidated financial statements.
This management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) is dated as at February 20, 2020.
For simplicity, throughout this discussion, we may make reference to the following:
• “REIT A Units”, meaning the REIT Units, Series A of the Trust;
• “REIT B Units”, meaning the REIT Units, Series B of the Trust;
• “REIT Units”, meaning the REIT Units, Series A, and REIT Units, Series B, of the Trust;
• “Units”, meaning REIT Units, Series A, REIT Units, Series B, and Special Trust Units, collectively; and
• “LP B Units” and “subsidiary redeemable units”, meaning the LP Class B, Series 1 limited partnership units of Dream Office
LP (a subsidiary of the Trust).
When we use terms such as “we”, “us” and “our”, we are referring to Dream Office REIT and its subsidiaries.
Prior to January 1, 2019, the Trust’s reportable operating segments of its investment properties and results of operations were
segmented geographically, namely Calgary, Toronto downtown, Mississauga and North York, Ottawa and Montréal, and Other
markets. Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust grouped its remaining four investment properties in Calgary into the Other markets
segment, which better aligns with how the Trust views the operations and capital allocations of that particular market. Effective
June 30, 2019, the results of operations from the Ottawa and Montréal segment were presented separately as income (loss) from
discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, as both investment properties in that segment
were classified as assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. As a result of this change in presentation, the prior
periods’ income measures of net rental income, interest expense on debt and fair value adjustments to investment properties
attributable to this segment have been retroactively reclassified to income (loss) from discontinued operations in accordance with
the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards. Effective December 31, 2019 the Trust has further refined its
reportable operating segments as a result of changes in the investment property portfolio. The Trust’s remaining investment
property in Mississauga, Ontario and the property held for future redevelopment have both been reclassified to the Other markets
segment, which better aligns with how the Trust views the operations and capital allocations of that particular market relative to
the Toronto downtown region.
Certain figures in this document are presented on a comparative portfolio basis. Comparative portfolio figures represent the
results and values of investment properties which the Trust has owned in all periods presented. Acquired properties are excluded
from comparative portfolio figures until the properties have been owned for all periods presented. Except as specifically noted,
the results of investments that are equity accounted are excluded from disclosures in this document.
Market rents disclosed throughout the MD&A are management’s estimates at a point in time and are subject to change based on
future market conditions.
In addition, certain disclosures incorporated by reference into this report include information regarding our largest tenants that
has been obtained from available public information. We have not verified any such information independently.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 2
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
Certain information herein contains or incorporates comments that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation, including but not limited to statements relating to the Trust’s objectives, strategies to achieve
those objectives, the Trust’s beliefs, plans, estimates, projections and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated
future events, future growth, stability of NOI at our properties, results of operations, performance, business prospects and
opportunities, acquisitions or divestitures, tenant base, future maintenance and development plans and costs, capital
investments, financing, the availability of financing sources, income taxes, vacancy, renewal and leasing assumptions, future
leasing costs and lease incentives, litigation and the real estate industry in general (including statements regarding our disposition
targets, the timing of proposed dispositions, use of proceeds from asset sales, redevelopment and intensification plans and
timelines, expected capital requirements and cost to complete development projects, anticipated income and yield from
properties under development, the effect of building improvements on tenant experience, tenant retention, leasing velocity and
property operating costs, the recoverability of capital investments from future tenants, the future composition of our portfolio,
future NAV growth, cash flows, debt levels, liquidity and leverage and our future capital requirements and ability to meet those
requirements), in each case that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as
“outlook”, “objective”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “should”, “could”, “likely”,
“plan”, “project”, “budget” or “continue” or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking
information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond
Dream Office REIT’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those disclosed in or implied by such
forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general and local economic and business
conditions; the financial condition of tenants; our ability to refinance maturing debt; our ability to sell investment properties at a
price which reflects fair value; leasing risks, including those associated with the ability to lease vacant space; our ability to source
and complete accretive acquisitions; and interest rates.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions,
there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
information is disclosed in this MD&A as part of the section “Our Objectives”. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, general
economic conditions; local real estate conditions, including the development of properties in close proximity to the Trust’s
properties; timely leasing of vacant space and re-leasing of occupied space upon expiration; dependence on tenants’ financial
condition; costs to complete development activities; NOI from development properties on completion; the uncertainties of
acquisition activity; the ability to effectively integrate acquisitions; interest rates; availability of equity and debt financing; our
continued compliance with the real estate investment trust (“REIT”) exception under the specified investment flow-through
trust (“SIFT”) legislation; and other risks and factors described from time to time in the documents filed by the Trust with
securities regulators.
All forward-looking information is as of February 20, 2020. Dream Office REIT does not undertake to update any such forward-
looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Additional information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with securities regulators,
including our latest Annual Report and Annual Information Form available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and
Retrieval (“SEDAR”) at www.sedar.com. Certain filings are also available on our website at www.dreamofficereit.ca.
OUR OBJECTIVES
We have been and remain committed to:
• Managing our business and assets to provide both yield and growth over the longer term;
• Driving superior risk-adjusted returns and NAV growth by investing in our assets through upgrades, intensification and
redevelopment, and selectively disposing of assets with lower long-term return potential;
• Building and maintaining a strong, flexible and resilient balance sheet; and
• Maintaining a REIT status that satisfies the REIT exception under the SIFT legislation in order to provide certainty to
unitholders with respect to taxation of distributions.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 3
SECTION II
OUR PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2019, our ownership interests included 5.5 million square feet of gross leasable area (GLA) across 31 properties,
which comprise 29 office properties (5.2 million square feet) and two properties under development (0.3 million square feet). In
addition, we have a 50% interest in a joint venture arrangement that owns 220 King Street West, Toronto (11,000 square feet at
our share). We have excluded this joint venture from all of our metrics throughout the MD&A.
Comparative portfolio owned gross leasable area and fair value by region
The following pie charts illustrate the Trust’s total GLA and the fair value of investment properties by region, excluding investment
properties under development, investment in joint ventures and acquired properties as at December 31, 2019.
Top ten tenants
Our external tenant base includes provincial and federal governments as well as a wide range of high-quality large international
corporations, including Canada’s major banks and small to medium-sized businesses across Canada. With approximately
500 tenants and an average tenant size of approximately 10,000 square feet in our comparative portfolio, excluding properties
under development, investment in joint ventures and acquired properties, our risk exposure to any single large lease or tenant is
mitigated. The following table outlines the contributions to total annualized gross rental revenue of our ten largest external
tenants. Our top ten tenants have a weighted average lease term of 5.4 years.
Tenant
Government of Ontario
Government of Canada
State Street Trust Company
International Financial Data Services
1
2
3
4
5 Medcan Health Management Inc.
U.S. Bank National Association
6
CIBC
7
Atmac Holdings
8
DBRS
9
Lindt & Sprüngli (Canada), Inc.
10
Total
Gross rental
revenue (%)
11.3
8.3
5.2
3.1
2.6
2.3
1.4
1.1
1.1
1.0
37.4
Owned area
(thousands of sq. ft.)
595
370
219
137
88
185
54
64
41
37
1,790
Owned area (%)
11.4
7.1
4.2
2.6
1.7
3.6
1.0
1.2
0.8
0.7
34.3
Credit rating(1)
A+/A-1
AAA/A-1+
AA-/A/A-1+
N/R
N/R
AA-/A-1+
A+/A-1
N/R
N/R
N/R
(1) Credit ratings are obtained from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services Inc. and may reflect the parent’s or guarantor’s credit rating.
N/R – not rated
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 4
OUR OPERATIONS
The following key performance indicators related to our operations influence the cash flows generated from operating activities.
Performance indicators
Comparative portfolio
Occupancy rate – including committed (period-end)
Occupancy rate – in-place (period-end)
Average in-place and committed net rent per square foot (period-end)
WALT (years)
December 31, 2019(1) September 30, 2019(1) December 31, 2018(1)
$
90.8 %
90.1 %
22.53 $
5.5
90.7 %
89.6 %
22.35 $
5.1
91.6 %
87.7 %
21.82
5.1
(1) Current and comparative periods exclude acquired properties, investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under development at the end of
Q4 2019.
Comparative portfolio occupancy
The following table details our comparative portfolio in-place and committed occupancy and in-place occupancy rates, by region
at December 31, 2019, September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Our in-place and committed occupancy rates include lease
commitments for space that is currently being readied for occupancy but for which rent is not yet being recognized.
Comparative portfolio
(percentage)
Occupancy rate
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Total comparative portfolio
December 31,
2019
In-place and committed occupancy rate(1)
December 31,
2018
September 30,
2019
December 31,
2019
In-place occupancy rate(1)
December 31,
2018
September 30,
2019
97.6
78.6
90.8
97.4
78.5
90.7
97.8
80.3
91.6
97.2
77.2
90.1
97.3
75.6
89.6
96.9
70.8
87.7
(1) Current and comparative periods exclude acquired properties, investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under development at the end of
Q4 2019.
Effective Q4 2019, the Trust has reclassified its property at 2200-2206 Eglinton Avenue East and 1020 Birchmount Road in
Scarborough, Ontario from properties held for future redevelopment to Other markets, which better aligns with how the Trust
views the operations and capital allocations of that particular market relative to the Toronto downtown region. This property is
also included in prior period figures for comparative portfolio disclosures.
Comparative portfolio in-place occupancy on a quarter-over-quarter basis increased modestly by 50 basis points (“bps”) to 90.1%,
compared to 89.6% at Q3 2019, primarily due to 8,000 square feet of net positive leasing absorption in Saskatchewan and
13,000 square feet of net positive leasing absorption at 2200-2206 Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough. Toronto downtown in-
place occupancy remained relatively stable on a quarter-over-quarter basis.
Comparative portfolio in-place occupancy increased by 2.4% on a year-over-year basis primarily due to 117,000 square feet of net
positive leasing absorption at 2200-2206 Eglinton Avenue East and 1020 Birchmount Road in Scarborough. Occupancy was broadly
flat for the remainder of the portfolio.
At December 31, 2019, vacant space committed for future occupancy approximated 39,000 square feet, bringing our overall
comparative portfolio in-place and committed occupancy to 90.8%. This future committed occupancy is scheduled to take
occupancy during 2020.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 5
The following table details the change in in-place and committed occupancy for the three months and year ended December 31,
2019:
Three months ended December 31, 2019
As a
Weighted
percentage
average
of total
net rents
GLA(1)
per sq. ft.
Thousands
of sq. ft.(1)
Weighted
average
net rents
per sq. ft.
Year ended December 31, 2019
As a
percentage
of total
GLA(1)
Thousands
of sq. ft.(1)
Occupancy (in-place and committed) at beginning
of period
Vacancy committed for future occupancy
Occupancy (in-place) at beginning of period
Occupancy related to sold properties and other
Reclassification from properties held for future
redevelopment
Occupancy (in-place) at beginning of period –
adjusted
Natural expiries and relocations
Temporary lease expiries
Early terminations and bankruptcies
Temporary leasing
New leases
Renewals and relocations
Occupancy (in-place) at end of period
Vacancy committed for future occupancy
Occupancy (in-place and committed) at end of period
$
(23.84 )
(8.15 )
(27.81 )
—
14.84
20.70
4,929
(29 )
4,900
(472 )
239
4,667
(111 )
(10 )
(8 )
—
61
95
4,694
39
4,733
93.1 %
(0.5 %)
92.6 %
89.6 %
(2.1 %) $
(0.2 %)
(0.2 %)
—
1.2 %
1.8 %
90.1 %
0.7 %
90.8 %
(19.96 )
(13.70 )
(19.18 )
5.02
15.16
24.96
6,153
(96 )
6,057
(1,625 )
93.0 %
(1.5 %)
91.5 %
135
4,567
(700 )
(17 )
(45 )
30
394
465
4,694
39
4,733
87.7 %
(13.5 %)
(0.3 %)
(0.9 %)
0.6 %
7.6 %
8.9 %
90.1 %
0.7 %
90.8 %
(1) Excludes acquired properties, investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under development in the respective periods.
The table below summarizes the retention ratio with a comparison between the renewal and relocation rate and expiring and
relocation rate on retained tenant space for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 excluding acquired properties,
investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under development. As a result of the timing of lease executions, the
renewal rates shown below were based on commitments signed in previous periods and may not be reflective of the renewal
rates on leases executed during the quarter for future occupancy.
Tenant retention ratio
Renewal and relocation rate (per sq. ft.)
Expiring rate on retained tenant space (per sq. ft.)
Renewal and relocation rate to expiring rate spread (per sq. ft.)
Renewal and relocation rate to expiring rate spread (%)
$
Three months ended
Year ended
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2019
66.4 %
24.96
22.20
2.76
12.4 %
85.6 %
20.70 $
22.23
(1.53 )
(6.9 % )
For the three months ended December 31, 2019, the renewal and relocation rate to expiring and relocation rate spread was
negative $1.53 per square foot, or 6.9% lower than expiring rates on retained tenant space. This was mainly driven by negative
spreads on renewals in Calgary and to a lesser extent Saskatchewan within the Other markets region totalling 23,700 square feet.
These negative rent spreads were offset by the positive spreads in Toronto downtown where we had 54,000 square feet of
renewals with a retention rate of 78.1% at rates that were $1.03 or 4.8% higher than expiring rates.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the renewal and relocation rate to expiring and relocation rate spread was $2.76 per
square foot, or 12.4% higher than expiring rates on retained tenant space. This was mainly driven by positive spreads on tenant
renewals totalling approximately 386,000 square feet in the Toronto downtown region, where we had an overall retention ratio
of 86.0% at rates that were $3.86 per square foot or 17.5% higher than expiring rates on retained tenant space.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 6
Comparative portfolio rental rates
Average in-place and committed net rents across our comparative portfolio increased to $22.53 per square foot at December 31,
2019, compared to $22.35 per square foot at September 30, 2019 and $21.82 per square foot at December 31, 2018.
The overall increase in our comparative portfolio average in-place and committed net rents on a quarter-over-quarter basis was
mainly driven by higher rates on new leases and renewals in the Toronto downtown region partially offset by lower rates on new
leases in provinces in Western Canada within the Other markets region.
The overall increase in our comparative portfolio average in-place and committed net rents on a year-over-year basis was primarily
driven by the Toronto downtown region with net rents per square foot increasing by $0.87, or 3.7%, due to rental rate steps and
strong leasing activity in the current year. While net rents in the Other markets region increased by $0.15 relative to prior year,
these increases were tempered by declines in net rents per square foot in the Western Canada provinces within that region due
to the continued challenging leasing environment in those particular markets.
The following table details the average in-place and committed net rental rates in our portfolio as at December 31, 2019,
September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Comparative portfolio
(per sq. ft.)
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Total comparative portfolio
December 31, 2019
24.61 $
17.75
22.53 $
$
$
September 30, 2019
Average in-place and committed net rent(1)
December 31, 2018
23.74
17.60
21.82
24.49 $
17.46
22.35 $
(1) Current and comparative periods exclude acquired properties, investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under development at the end of
Q4 2019.
Market rents represent base rents only and do not include the impact of lease incentives. Market rents reflect management’s best
estimates with reference to recent leasing activity and external market data, which do not take into account allowance for
increases in future years. Market rents are subject to change depending on the market conditions at a particular point in time.
In particular, the market rents in the Other markets region presented in the table below are based on the best available
information as at the current period and may vary significantly from period to period given the changing economic conditions in
that particular region.
As a result of when leases are executed, there is typically a lag between leasing spreads relative to our estimates of the spread
between estimated market rents and average in-place and committed net rental rates.
The following table compares market rents in our comparative portfolio to the average in-place and committed net rent as at
December 31, 2019:
Comparative portfolio
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Total comparative portfolio
Market rent(2)
(per sq. ft.)
Average in-place and
committed net rent
(per sq. ft.)
30.69 $
15.46
26.08 $
24.61
17.75
22.53
$
$
December 31, 2019(1)
Market rent/
average in-place and
committed net rent
(%)
24.7
(12.9 )
15.8
(1) Excludes temporary leases, acquired properties, investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under development at the end of Q4 2019.
(2) Market rents include office and retail space.
Net rental income
Net rental income is defined by the Trust as the total investment property revenue less investment property operating expenses
plus property management and other service fees. Property management and other service fees comprise property management
fees earned from properties owned by Dream Asset Management Corporation (“DAM”) and properties owned by or co-owned
with Dream Hard Asset Alternatives Trust (“DHAAT”), and fees earned from managing tenant construction projects and other
tenant services. Fees earned from tenant services are not necessarily of a recurring nature and the amounts may vary year-over-
year and quarter-over-quarter.
For a detailed discussion about investment properties revenue and expenses for the three months and year ended December 31,
2019, refer to the “Our Results of Operations” section.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 7
Comparative properties NOI (year-over-year comparison)
Comparative properties NOI is a non-GAAP measure used by management in evaluating the performance of properties owned by
the Trust in the current and comparative periods presented. When the Trust compares comparative properties NOI on a year-over-
year basis for the three months and years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Trust excludes investment
properties acquired after January 1, 2018, assets held for sale or properties sold prior to or as at the current period. Comparative
properties NOI also excludes lease termination fees; one-time property adjustments, if any; bad debt expenses; NOI from
properties under development and investment in joint ventures; property management and other service fees; straight-line rent;
and amortization of lease incentives. This measure is not defined by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning and may not be
comparable with similar measures presented by other income trusts.
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Comparative properties NOI
Lease termination fees and other
Acquired property(1)
Properties under development
Straight-line rent(2)
Amortization of lease incentives(3)
Property management and other service fees
Sold properties
Net rental income from continuing operations
Net rental income (loss) from discontinued
$
December 31,
2019
23,974 $
7,464
31,438
629
364
73
(429 )
(3,695 )
593
2,110
31,083 $
December 31,
2018
22,200 $
6,872
29,072
(158 )
—
279
(34 )
(2,635 )
665
3,926
31,115 $
$
Change in
weighted average
occupancy %
3.7
4.8
4.2
Change in
in-place
net rents %
3.4
(3.0 )
1.6
Three months ended
Change
%
8.0
8.6
8.1
Amount
1,774
592
2,366
787
364
(206 )
(395 )
(1,060 )
(72 )
(1,816 )
(32 )
operations(4)
$
(26 )
$
4,577
$
(4,603 )
(1) Comprises the NOI from 6 Adelaide Street East, which was acquired on September 12, 2019.
(2) For the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, straight-line rent included $(39) and $(43), respectively, related to properties under
development and sold properties.
(3) For the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, amortization of lease incentives included $(167) and $(374), respectively, related to
properties under development and sold properties.
(4) Net rental income (loss) from discontinued operations comprises the net rental income from the previously segmented Ottawa and Montréal region.
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Comparative properties NOI
Lease termination fees and other
Acquired property(1)
Properties under development
Straight-line rent(2)
Amortization of lease incentives(3)
Property management and other service fees
Sold properties(4)
Net rental income from continuing operations
Net rental income from discontinued operations(5)
$
December 31,
2019
95,650 $
28,541
124,191
1,288
439
283
(369 )
(12,453 )
2,510
11,686
127,575 $
10,874 $
December 31,
2018
82,276 $
28,403
110,679
498
—
1,550
(383 )
(10,681 )
1,703
28,466
131,832 $
23,133 $
$
$
Change in
weighted average
occupancy %
7.1
1.6
5.1
Change in
in-place
net rents %
2.8
(3.0 )
1.6
Year ended
Change
%
16.3
0.5
12.2
Amount
13,374
138
13,512
790
439
(1,267 )
14
(1,772 )
807
(16,780 )
(4,257 )
(12,259 )
(1) Comprises the NOI from 6 Adelaide Street East, acquired on September 12, 2019.
(2) For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, straight-line rent included $(123) and $(449), respectively, related to properties under
development and sold properties.
(3) For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, amortization of lease incentives included $(982) and $(2,252), respectively, related to
properties under development and sold properties.
(4) For the year ended December 31, 2019, NOI from sold properties included post-closing adjustments totalling $1,349 from properties sold in prior periods.
(5) Net rental income from discontinued operations comprises the net rental income from the previously segmented Ottawa and Montréal region. Net rental
income from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 included $5.1 million in lease termination fees earned in Q1 2018.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 8
Toronto downtown saw an increase in comparative properties NOI of 8.0% and 16.3%, for the three months and year ended
December 31, 2019, respectively, over the prior year comparative periods mainly due to a large government lease commencement
at 438 University Avenue (191,000 square feet) in Q4 2018 and the occupancy expansion and rent step-up of an anchor tenant at
Adelaide Place in Q3 2019 as well as higher net rents across the region.
Comparative properties NOI in Other markets for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 increased by 8.6% and
0.5%, respectively, over the prior year comparative periods, largely due to the positive leasing activity at 2200-2206 Eglinton
Avenue East and 1020 Birchmount Road in Scarborough during the second half of the current year, partially offset by tenant
vacates totalling 34,000 square feet at Princeton Tower in Saskatoon within Other markets in Q3 2019. The change in comparative
properties NOI from Other markets by city for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, respectively, relative to prior
year comparative periods were: 37.72% and 45.34%, respectively, from the Greater Toronto Area, primarily as a result of strong
leasing activity at 2200-2206 Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough; 9.57% and (5.30%), respectively, from Calgary; and (6.90%) and
(15.19%), respectively, from Saskatoon.
Included in properties under development are 357 Bay Street in Toronto downtown and 1900 Sherwood Place in Regina.
Development projects to revitalize these properties commenced in Q3 2018. NOI at these properties under development may
vary year-over-year until they stabilize upon completion of development projects and the commencement of the leases.
Lease termination fees and other are not necessarily of a recurring nature and the amounts may vary year-over-year. For the three
months and year ended December 31, 2019, lease termination fees and other amounted to income of $0.6 million and
$1.3 million, respectively. Lease termination and other income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019,
respectively, comprises compensation income recorded in the current quarter received from the City of Toronto as compensation
for a temporary easement at 425 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario for the construction of an elevator connected to the
Sherbourne subway station amounting to $0.4 million in the current quarter and year; compensation from tenants for terminating
their leases of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the current quarter and year; and property-related adjustments of $0.1 million and
$0.6 million for the current quarter and year.
Comparative properties NOI (quarter-over-quarter comparison)
When the Trust compares comparative properties NOI, as defined above, on a quarter-over-quarter basis for the three months
ended December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, the Trust excludes investment properties acquired after July 1, 2019, assets
held for sale or properties disposed of prior to or as at the current period and the other exclusions outlined above. Because
6 Adelaide Street East was acquired on September 12, 2019, it was excluded from comparative properties NOI below.
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Comparative properties NOI
Lease termination fees and other
Acquired property(1)
Properties under development
Straight-line rent(2)
Amortization of lease incentives(3)
Property management and other service fees
Sold properties
Net rental income from continuing operations
Net rental income (loss) from discontinued
$
December 31,
2019
23,974 $
7,464
31,438
629
364
73
(429 )
(3,695 )
593
2,110
31,083 $
September 30,
2019
24,025 $
6,999
31,024
196
75
94
(8 )
(3,015 )
462
3,134
31,962 $
$
Change in
weighted average
occupancy %
(0.3 )
1.1
0.3
Change in
in-place
net rents %
0.7
(0.1 )
0.4
Three months ended
Change
%
(0.2 )
6.6
1.3
Amount
(51 )
465
414
433
289
(21 )
(421 )
(680 )
131
(1,024 )
(879 )
operations(4)
$
(26 )
$
1,219
$
(1,245 )
(1) Comprises the NOI from 6 Adelaide Street East, acquired on September 12, 2019.
(2) For the three months ended December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, straight-line rent included $(39) and $(28), respectively, related to properties under
development and sold properties.
(3) For the three months ended December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, amortization of lease incentives included $(167) and $(272), respectively, related to
properties under development and sold properties.
(4) Net rental income (loss) from discontinued operations comprises the net rental income from the previously segmented Ottawa and Montréal region.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 9
For the three months ended December 31, 2019, comparative properties NOI increased by 1.3%, or $0.4 million, when compared
with the prior quarter, mainly driven by higher average occupancy in Other markets with Toronto downtown remaining broadly
flat due to slightly lower occupancy from timing differences between lease expiries and commencements of new leases, partially
offset by higher net rents in Toronto downtown.
The increase in comparative properties NOI in Other markets is primarily due to 13,000 square feet of positive leasing activity at
2200-2206 Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough, rent steps and higher occupancy in Calgary and 8,000 square feet of positive
leasing absorption at Saskatoon Square. Partially offsetting the increase in comparative properties NOI in Other markets is the
previously identified vacancy at Princeton Tower in Saskatoon within the Other markets region totalling approximately
34,000 square feet. The change in comparative properties NOI from Other markets by city relative to the prior quarter was: 18.26%
from the Greater Toronto Area, primarily as a result of strong leasing activity at 2200-2206 Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough;
9.43% from Calgary; and (1.24%) from Saskatoon.
Comparative portfolio leasing costs and lease incentives
Initial direct leasing costs include leasing fees and related costs and broker commissions incurred in negotiating and arranging
tenant leases. Lease incentives include costs incurred to make leasehold improvements to tenant spaces, cash allowances and
landlord works. Initial direct leasing costs and lease incentives are dependent upon asset type, lease terminations and expiries,
the mix of new leasing activity compared to renewals, portfolio growth and general market conditions.
Initial direct leasing costs shown in the table below include costs attributable to leases that commenced in the respective periods.
Due to the timing of the signing of lease agreements, certain costs, such as lease commissions, may be incurred in advance of
lease commencement.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, approximately $1.5 million and $20.3 million, respectively, of initial
direct leasing costs and lease incentives were attributable to leases that commenced in our comparative portfolio during the
respective periods. Average initial direct leasing costs and lease incentives on a comparative portfolio basis for the three months
and year ended December 31, 2019 were $1.41 per square foot per year and $3.16 per square foot per year, respectively,
representing a decrease of $2.07 per square foot and $0.25 per square foot, respectively, over the prior year comparative quarter
and year. The decrease in leasing costs relative to the comparative periods was primarily due to incentives provided to a tenant in
Q4 2018 for 0.2 million square feet for a seven-year term. Leasing costs for tenants in Western Canada remain elevated, but we
are seeing lower costs to secure tenants in Toronto downtown due to the tight conditions in that rental market.
Performance indicators
Leases that commenced during the period
Leases that commenced during the period
(in thousands of sq. ft.)
Average lease term (years)
Initial direct leasing costs and lease incentives:
In thousands of dollars
Per square foot
Per square foot per year
Three months ended December 31,
2018(1)
2019(1)
Year ended December 31,
2018(1)
2019(1)
$
156
6.7
1,467 $
9.40
1.41
671
5.6
13,049 $
19.46
3.48
859
7.5
20,320 $
23.66
3.16
1,165
5.8
23,020
19.75
3.41
(1) Current and comparative periods exclude temporary leases, acquired properties, investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under
development at the end of Q4 2019.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 10
Comparative portfolio lease maturity profile, lease commitments and expiring net rental rates
The following table details our in-place lease maturity profile, lease commitments and expiring net rental rates by region and by
year, and excludes acquired properties, investment in joint ventures, properties sold and properties under development as at
December 31, 2019.
(in thousands of square feet)
Toronto downtown
Expiries
Expiring net rents at maturity
Commencements
Commencements as a percentage of expiries
$
Other markets
Expiries
Expiring net rents at maturity
Commencements
Commencements as a percentage of expiries
$
Total comparative portfolio
Expiries
Expiring net rents at maturity
Commencements
Commencements as a percentage of expiries
$
n/a – not applicable
Temporary
leases
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025+
(29 )
9.62 $
n/a
n/a
(44 )
4.19 $
n/a
n/a
(73 )
6.37 $
n/a
n/a
(157 )
23.65 $
73
46 %
(736 )
23.28 $
389
53 %
(697 )
25.69 $
73
10 %
(494 )
25.76 $
194
39 %
(350 )
20.08 $
288
82 %
(187 )
13.49 $
35
19 %
(66 )
21.11 $
32
48 %
(52 )
18.78 $
—
—
(225 )
27.67 $
—
—
(109 )
22.29 $
—
—
(926 )
26.88
15
2 %
(622 )
19.04
—
—
(507 )
21.19 $
361
71 %
(923 )
21.29 $
424
46 %
(763 )
25.30 $
105
14 %
(546 )
25.10 $
194
36 %
(334 )
25.91 $
—
—
(1,548 )
23.74
15
1 %
During Q4 2019, the Trust secured a renewal at our single-tenant U.S. property within the Other markets region totalling
185,000 square feet, for a five-year term with average net rents over the renewal term that are slightly above expiring rates.
Leasing momentum in downtown Toronto remains robust, given low vacancy rates, which remain amongst the lowest in
North America. As of February 20, 2020, we have completed new and renewed leases representing over 50% of our 2020 lease
maturities in the Toronto downtown region. In particular, the net rents for the 2020 lease renewals totalling approximately
52,000 square feet in Toronto downtown are approximately 35% above expiring net rents.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 11
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Investment properties revenue
Investment properties operating expenses
Net rental income
Other income
Share of income from investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Share of net loss from investment in joint ventures
Interest and other income
Other expenses
General and administrative
Interest:
Debt
Subsidiary redeemable units
Amortization and write-off of intangible assets and depreciation on
property and equipment
Fair value adjustments, leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
Fair value adjustments to financial instruments
Leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations
Current and deferred income taxes recovery (expense), net
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income
$
Three months ended December 31,
2018
57,245 $
(26,130 )
31,115
2019
56,990 $
(25,907 )
31,083
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
229,018 $
(101,443 )
127,575
2018
242,429
(110,597 )
131,832
25,419
(126 )
473
25,766
12,717
—
255
12,972
56,078
(641 )
2,056
57,493
43,125
—
1,674
44,799
(2,558 )
(2,973 )
(10,846 )
(12,476 )
(12,235 )
(1,309 )
(13,158 )
(1,309 )
(50,561 )
(5,234 )
(597 )
(16,699 )
(509 )
(17,949 )
(1,891 )
(68,532 )
33,707
(9,548 )
(709 )
23,450
63,600
(149 )
63,451
(258 )
63,193
(1,058 )
62,135 $
24,568
11,172
(1,989 )
33,751
59,889
244
60,133
(1,644 )
58,489
2,991
61,480 $
68,201
(55,162 )
(3,203 )
9,836
126,372
(486 )
125,886
(8,566 )
117,320
(2,705 )
114,615 $
(53,374 )
(5,234 )
(2,199 )
(73,283 )
53,486
(1,371 )
(7,179 )
44,936
148,284
(342 )
147,942
9,836
157,778
4,549
162,327
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 12
Investment properties revenue
Investment properties revenue includes base rent from investment properties, recovery of operating costs and property taxes from
tenants, parking services revenue, the impact of straight-line rent adjustments, lease termination fees and other adjustments as well
as fees earned from property management and other services, including leasing and construction. Leasing, construction and lease
termination fees, and other adjustments are not necessarily of a recurring nature and the amounts may vary year-over-year.
Investment properties revenue for the quarter was $57.0 million, compared to $57.2 million in the prior year comparative quarter.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, investment properties revenue was $229.0 million, compared to $242.4 million in the
prior year. Overall, the decrease in investment properties revenue over the prior year comparative periods was primarily driven
by properties sold during 2019 and 2018, partially offset by higher occupancy and in-place net rents.
Investment properties operating expenses
Investment properties operating expenses comprise operating costs and property taxes as well as certain expenses that are not
recoverable from tenants. Operating expenses fluctuate with changes in occupancy levels, expenses that are seasonal in nature,
and the level of repairs and maintenance incurred in any given period.
Investment properties operating expenses for the quarter were $25.9 million, compared to $26.1 million in the prior year
comparative quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2019, investment properties operating expenses were $101.4 million,
compared to $110.6 million in the prior year. Overall, the decrease in investment properties operating expenses over the prior
year comparative periods was mainly driven by properties sold during 2019 and 2018, partially offset by higher occupancy.
Share of income from investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Share of income from our investment in Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (“Dream Industrial REIT”) for the quarter
was $25.4 million, which comprises our share of net income of $20.6 million, plus a net dilution gain of $4.8 million, compared to
our share of net income of $13.7 million, net of an accretion loss of $1.0 million in the prior year comparative quarter (for the year
ended December 31, 2019 – $56.1 million, which comprises our share of net income of $51.3 million, plus a net dilution gain of
$4.8 million, compared to our share of net income of $45.1 million, net of an accretion loss of $2.0 million in the prior year). The
$6.9 million increase in our share of net income over the prior year comparative quarter was primarily due to higher net income
pick-up from higher net rental income and fair value gains on Dream Industrial REIT’s investment properties, partially offset by the
impact of a reduction in our percentage ownership in Dream Industrial REIT from its equity offerings in the current year relative
to the prior year. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the $6.2 million increase year-over-year in our share of net income from
our investment in Dream Industrial REIT was mainly due to the same reasons noted above.
Share of net loss from investment in joint ventures
Our investment in joint ventures includes the Trust’s 50% interest in a partnership that acquired an investment property in
Q3 2019 and the Trust’s investment in Alate Partners, an investment company focused on the property technology market in which
we have invested jointly with DAM. The Trust and DAM each hold a 25% interest in Alate Partners.
For the three months ended December 31, 2019, share of net loss from investment in joint ventures amounted to a loss of
$0.1 million and mainly comprises fair value adjustments and other expenses, partially offset by net rental income and
other income.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, share of net loss from investment in joint ventures amounted to a loss of $0.6 million
mainly due to fair value adjustments on the underlying investment property within a joint venture of $0.5 million, which was
attributable to the write-off of acquisition costs.
Interest and other income
Interest and other income mainly comprises interest earned on vendor takeback mortgage (“VTB mortgage”) receivables and cash
on hand, miscellaneous income and fair value adjustments on marketable securities. The interest earned on cash on hand,
miscellaneous income and fair value adjustments on marketable securities are not necessarily of a recurring nature and may vary
year-over-year depending on the amount of cash on hand and miscellaneous income at any given period and the fair value of the
marketable securities during the period.
Interest and other income for the quarter was $0.5 million, comprising $0.5 million of interest earned on the VTB mortgage and
interest earned on cash on hand partially offset by a nominal amount of realized foreign exchange losses in the quarter.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, interest and other income was $2.1 million, comprising $2.0 million of interest earned on
the VTB mortgage and interest earned on cash on hand offset by realized foreign exchange losses and other items during the year.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 13
General and administrative expenses
The following table summarizes the nature of expenses included in general and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits
Deferred compensation expense
Professional services fees, public reporting, overhead-related costs
and other
Management Services Agreement with DAM
General and administrative expenses
Three months ended December 31,
2019
(825 ) $
(671 )
(1,062 )
—
(2,558 ) $
2018
(1,046 ) $
(606 )
(1,167 )
(154 )
(2,973 ) $
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
(3,353 ) $
(3,693 )
(2,736 )
(3,415 )
(4,757 )
—
(10,846 ) $
(4,904 )
(464 )
(12,476 )
General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2019 were $2.6 million, a decrease of
$0.4 million over the prior year comparative quarter, mainly due to lower salaries as a result of efficiencies achieved through
process improvement initiatives.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, G&A expenses were $10.8 million, a decrease of $1.6 million over the prior year, mainly
due to the same reason noted above as well as fewer deferred trust units vesting in the current year.
Interest expense – debt
Interest expense on debt for the quarter was $12.2 million, compared to $13.2 million in the prior year comparative quarter. For
the year ended December 31, 2019, interest expense on debt was $50.6 million compared to $53.4 million in the prior year.
Overall, the decrease in interest expense on debt over the prior year comparative periods was mainly due to a reduction in overall
debt levels from disposition of investment properties and financing activities during the current year which resulted in lower
borrowing costs.
Interest expense – subsidiary redeemable units
Interest expense on subsidiary redeemable units for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 was $1.3 million and
$5.2 million, respectively, unchanged when compared to the prior year comparative periods. The interest expense on subsidiary
redeemable units represents distributions paid and payable on subsidiary redeemable units owned by DAM.
Amortization and write-off of intangible assets and depreciation on property and equipment
Amortization and write-off of intangible assets and depreciation on property and equipment expense for the quarter was
$0.6 million, an increase of $0.1 million when compared to the prior year comparative quarter, primarily driven by a write-off of
intangible assets related to a co-owned property disposed of during the current quarter.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, amortization and write-off of intangible assets and depreciation on property and
equipment was $1.9 million, a decrease of $0.3 million when compared to the prior year, primarily due to fewer depreciable
information technology assets.
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
Refer to the section “Investment Properties” under the heading “Fair value adjustments to investment properties” for a discussion
of fair value adjustments to investment properties for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019.
Fair value adjustments to financial instruments
Fair value adjustments to financial instruments include remeasurements of the carrying value of subsidiary redeemable units and
deferred trust units. The fair value adjustments to financial instruments are dependent on the change in the Trust’s REIT A Unit
trading price, and the adjustments may vary significantly year-over-year.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust recorded fair value losses of $9.5 million and $55.2 million,
respectively, due to increases in the REIT A Unit trading price throughout the respective periods.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 14
Leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs
The following table summarizes the nature of expenses included in leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs:
Internal leasing costs
Costs attributable to sale of investment properties(1)
Debt settlement costs, net(2)
Other
Leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs
$
Three months ended December 31,
2018
(512 ) $
455
(1,932 )
—
(1,989 ) $
2019
(500 ) $
(209 )
—
—
(709 ) $
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
(2,188 ) $
(2,683 )
(654 )
(2,347 )
(361 )
(1,932 )
—
(217 )
(3,203 ) $
(7,179 )
(1) Costs attributable to sale of investment properties consist of transaction costs, commissions and other expenses incurred in relation to the disposal of
investment properties. Included in costs attributable to the sale of investment properties for the three months and year ended December 31, 2018 was a one-
time favourable gain of $1.9 million due to write-offs of net working capital payable related to investment properties disposed of in prior years.
(2) Net debt settlement costs comprise charges on early discharge of mortgages and the write-off of associated financing costs.
Leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs for the three months ended December 31, 2019 were $0.7 million, a decrease of
$1.3 million over the prior year comparative quarter mainly due to lower debt settlement costs as a result of fewer dispositions in
the current year.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs were $3.2 million, a decrease of $4.0 million
over the prior year primarily due to the same reason noted above as well as lower costs attributable to the sale of investment
properties as a result of fewer dispositions in the current year and savings in internal leasing costs as a result of change in roles
and responsibilities of certain individuals in the current year.
Current and deferred income taxes recovery (expense), net
Current and deferred income taxes are not necessarily of a recurring nature and the amounts may vary from period to period due
to changes in tax legislation and the performance of our U.S. subsidiary. Net current and deferred income taxes expense for the
three months and year ended December 31, 2019 was $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and relates to the remaining
investment property in the United States.
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations comprises income (loss) from our investment properties previously included in the
Ottawa and Montréal region. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Trust generated a loss from discontinued
operations of $0.3 million. The loss in the current quarter mainly comprises costs attributable to the sale of investment properties.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, loss from discontinued operations amounted to $8.6 million. The loss for the year
consisted of fair value loss to investment properties of $11.3 million, interest expense on debt of $4.0 million and costs attributable
to the sale of investment properties and debt settlement costs totalling $4.2 million, partially offset by net rental income of
$10.9 million.
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) is not necessarily of a recurring nature and the amounts may vary from period to period
primarily due to changes in exchange rates. Other comprehensive income (loss) comprises amortization of an unrealized gain on
an interest rate swap, unrealized foreign currency translation gain (loss) related to the investment property located in the United
States, the Trust’s share of Dream Industrial REIT’s other comprehensive income (loss) and share of comprehensive income (loss)
from an investment in a joint venture. For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, other comprehensive loss
amounted to $1.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
Funds from operations (“FFO”)
Management believes FFO (including diluted FFO per unit) is an important measure of our operating performance. This non-GAAP
measurement is a commonly used measure of performance of real estate operations; however, it does not represent net income
nor cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities, as defined by IFRS, is not necessarily indicative of cash available to
fund Dream Office REIT’s needs and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other income trusts. In
compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, FFO has been
reconciled to net income (loss) in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section under the heading “Funds from operations (“FFO”)”.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 15
The following table summarizes FFO and diluted FFO per unit.
Three months ended
FFO for the period
Diluted weighted average number of units(1)
FFO per unit – diluted
December 31,
2019
25,188 $
62,388
September 30,
2019
26,678 $
62,848
December 31, December 31,
2019
108,887 $
63,878
2018
25,736 $
65,839
$
$
0.40 $
0.42 $
0.39 $
1.70 $
Year ended
December 31,
2018
115,796
69,775
1.66
(1) Diluted weighted average number of units includes the weighted average of all REIT A Units, LP B Units, vested but unissued and unvested deferred trust units
and associated income deferred trust units.
The year-over-year increase in diluted FFO per unit for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 was mainly due to
increases in comparative properties NOI (+$0.04 and +$0.21, respectively), general and administrative expense savings (+$0.01
and +$0.02, respectively) and fees earned from property management and managing tenant construction projects ($nil and
+$0.01, respectively), partially offset by asset sales (net of unit buybacks and debt reduction) (-$0.03 and -$0.13, respectively),
lease termination fees received from a tenant in a Montréal property in Q1 2018 (-$0.07 for the year) and other items (-$0.01 and
$nil, respectively).
Quarter-over-quarter, diluted FFO per unit decreased to $0.40 from $0.42 in Q3 2019, primarily driven by asset sales (net of debt
reduction) (-$0.02) and lower FFO from our investment in Dream Industrial REIT (-$0.01), partially offset by a combined increase
in comparative properties NOI and other income (+$0.01).
Related party transactions
From time to time, Dream Office REIT and its subsidiaries enter into transactions with related parties that are generally conducted
on a cost recovery basis or under normal commercial terms.
On May 15, 2019, the Trust entered into a shared services agreement (the “New Shared Services Agreement”) with DAM, a
subsidiary of Dream Unlimited Corp., which replaces the existing Management Services Agreement, Shared Services and Cost
Sharing Agreement and Administrative Services Agreement (the “Existing Agreements”). As a result of the termination of the
Existing Agreements, any incentive fees that may have been payable to DAM in the future under the Management Services
Agreement are eliminated. Under the New Shared Services Agreement, the Trust will act as the property manager for DAM’s
income properties in Canada and DAM will act as the development manager for the Trust’s future development projects. In order
to take advantage of the economies of scale it currently enjoys, the New Shared Services Agreement maintains certain resource-
sharing arrangements between the Trust and DAM, such as information technology, human resources and insurance, among other
services as requested, on a cost allocation basis.
Under the New Shared Services Agreement, in connection with each future development project, DAM will earn a development
fee equal to 3.75% of the total net revenues of the development or, for rental properties, 3.75% of the fair value upon completion,
without any promote or other incentive fees. In connection with the property management services provided by the Trust to DAM,
the Trust will earn a fee equal to 3.5% of gross revenue of the managed income properties.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 16
The following tables summarize our related party transactions for the three months and years ended December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018.
Related party transactions with DAM
The following is a summary of costs processed by DAM and the Trust for the three months and years ended December 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018:
Property management services fee charged by the Trust
Costs processed by the Trust on behalf of DAM (cost recovery)
Development fees charged by DAM(1)
Costs processed by DAM on behalf of the Trust (cost recovery)
Net fees and reimbursements from DAM
(1) Development fees charged by DAM became effective May 15, 2019.
Three months ended December 31,
2019
59 $
1,900
(589 )
(313 )
1,057 $
2018
— $
1,691
—
(628 )
1,063 $
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
—
221 $
6,391
—
(3,477 )
2,914
7,064
(1,473 )
(1,897 )
3,915 $
Related party transactions with DHAAT
Dream Office Management Corp. (“DOMC”) provides property management services to co-owned investment properties with
DHAAT which are accounted for as joint operations.
DOMC and DHAAT are parties to a Services Agreement, in which the Trust provides certain services to DHAAT on a cost recovery
basis.
The following is a summary of the amounts that were charged to DHAAT for the three months and years ended December 31,
2019 and December 31, 2018:
Property management and construction fees related to co-owned
properties
Costs processed on behalf of DHAAT related to co-owned properties
Amounts charged to DHAAT under the Services Agreement
Total cost recoveries from DHAAT(1)
Three months ended December 31,
2018
2019
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
$
322
1,639
83
2,044 $
138
$
744
103
985 $
$
1,130
2,977
366
4,473 $
1,400
1,739
330
3,469
(1) Includes Services Agreement with DHAAT and Property Management Agreements for various co-owned and managed DHAAT properties.
Related party transactions with Dream Industrial REIT
DOMC and Dream Industrial REIT are parties to a Services Agreement, pursuant to which the Trust provides certain services to
Dream Industrial REIT on a cost recovery basis.
The following is a summary of the cost recoveries from Dream Industrial REIT for the three months and years ended
December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Total cost recoveries from Dream Industrial REIT
Three months ended December 31,
2019
996 $
2018
919 $
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
3,304
4,037 $
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 17
SECTION III
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
Investment properties continuity
Changes in the value of our investment properties by region, excluding an investment property owned through a joint venture
that is equity accounted, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 are summarized in the following tables:
Three months ended
Building
improvements,
initial direct
leasing costs
and lease
incentives(2)
Amortization of
lease incentives,
foreign exchange
and other
adjustments
Fair value
adjustments
Sold
properties
— $
—
—
11,093 $
5,560
16,653
34,964 $
(752 )
34,212
(2,559 ) $
(2,468 )
(5,027 )
December 31,
2019
1,890,308
382,792
2,273,100
$
September 30,
2019(1)
1,846,810 $
380,452
2,227,262
45,500
91,282
155,981
—
—
(156,050 )
5
11,191
643
(17 )
(95 )
(393 )
11
(32 )
(181 )
45,499
102,346
—
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Total comparative portfolio
Add:
Acquired property
Properties under development
Sold properties
Total amounts included in
consolidated financial statements
$
2,520,025
$
(156,050 ) $
28,492
$
33,707
$
(5,229 ) $
2,420,945
(1) Opening balances in the comparative portfolio have been reclassified to exclude properties sold during the period.
(2) Includes $201 of interest capitalized to properties under development.
Acquisitions
and assets held
for sale/sold
properties, net
Building
improvements,
initial direct
leasing costs
and lease
incentives(2)
Amortization of
lease incentives,
foreign exchange
and other
adjustments
Fair value
adjustments
— $
—
—
24,548 $
18,194
42,742
70,763 $
(8,086 )
62,677
(7,978 ) $
(6,283 )
(14,261 )
$
January 1,
2019(1)
1,802,975 $
378,967
2,181,942
Year ended
December 31,
2019
1,890,308
382,792
2,273,100
—
74,585
47,454
—
5
26,721
(1,971 )
1,210
11
(170 )
45,499
102,346
526,798
2,783,325 $
$
(528,837 )
(481,383 ) $
8,526
77,994 $
(4,967 )
56,949 $
(1,520 )
(15,940 ) $
—
2,420,945
—
(1,858 )
947
1,220
(309 )
—
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Total comparative portfolio
Add:
Acquired property
Properties under development
Properties classified as assets held
for sale/sold properties
Total portfolio
Less: Properties classified as assets
held for sale
Total amounts included in
consolidated financial statements
$
2,783,325
$
(479,525 ) $
77,047
$
55,729
$
(15,631 ) $
2,420,945
(1) Opening balances in the comparative portfolio have been restated to include capitalization of right-of-use assets totalling $4,499 within the Toronto downtown
region and reclassified to exclude assets held for sale and/or sold properties during the year.
(2) Includes $488 of interest capitalized to properties under development.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 18
Acquisitions update
On September 12, 2019, the Trust acquired 6 Adelaide Street East, a 53,000 square foot boutique office building in downtown
Toronto, for $45.5 million before transaction costs. The Trust assumed a $10.3 million mortgage that bears interest at 2.58% and
matures on April 1, 2021 and $0.3 million of non-cash working capital, with the balance paid in cash. The property is 96.7%
occupied with in-place rents currently significantly below market rents for the area. With a weighted average lease term for the
building of 2.0 years, the Trust sees opportunities for significant rent steps as leases roll over in the tight Toronto downtown
leasing market.
The Trust holds a 50% interest in a partnership that is accounted for as a joint venture that was formed for the purpose of acquiring
an investment property. On August 22, 2019, this partnership acquired 220 King Street West in Toronto, Ontario for gross proceeds
including transaction costs of $13.0 million (including $0.5 million of transaction costs) at the Trust’s 50% share.
Properties under development
In 2018, we secured two long-term leases at 357 Bay Street in Toronto downtown and 1900 Sherwood Place in Regina. These
properties require major revitalization programs to meet tenant requirements. These two properties have met the IFRS criteria
for presentation as properties under development within the investment properties note of the consolidated financial statements.
At 357 Bay Street in Toronto downtown, we secured a lease for the entire building with WeWork for approximately 65,000 square
feet commencing in Q3 2020 for a term of 15 years, with net rental rates starting at $45 per square foot, with annual rent
escalators. The Trust intends to invest approximately $29 million into the asset over the course of the development project, which
includes a complete reconstruction of the building interior.
At 1900 Sherwood Place in Regina, we secured a lease with The Co-operators for approximately 114,000 square feet, commencing
in Q3 2021 for a term of 18 years. As part of the lease, we will be investing approximately $26 million in leasing and value-add
capital into the property over the course of the development project, which includes a 13,000 square foot expansion to the
building.
The table below summarizes select financial information related to the two properties under development as at December 31,
2019.
Property (in millions of Canadian dollars)
357 Bay Street, Toronto
1900 Sherwood Place, Regina
Carrying value
at time of
reclassification
Capital invested
to date(1)
Estimated capital
remaining
Estimated NOI(2)
$
24.1 $
42.2
17.6 $
15.2
11.4 $
10.4
2.9
5.4
Estimated yield on
cost and original
carrying value
5.5 %
8.0 %
(1) Capital invested to date excludes interest capitalized to properties under development.
(2) Does not include contractual annual rent escalators over the term of the leases.
Valuations of externally appraised properties
The following table summarizes the investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals for the years ended
December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals
Number of investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals
Percentage of the total investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals
December 31,
2019
$
1,073,130 $
10
44 %
December 31,
2018
759,868
11
27 %
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
Fair value adjustments to investment properties are not necessarily of a recurring nature and the amounts may vary from period
to period due to changes in the market and valuation assumptions. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Trust
recorded a fair value gain of $33.7 million, mainly driven by fair value gains of $35.0 million in Toronto downtown, reflecting higher
stabilized NOI to account for higher market rent assumptions. Fair value gains were partially offset by fair value losses of
$0.8 million in Other markets and $0.1 million in properties under development due to recurring leasing costs spent to manage
and maintain our buildings and $0.4 million relating to properties sold during the quarter to reflect final sales prices.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 19
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust recorded a fair value gain of $56.9 million, primarily due to fair value gains of
$70.8 million in Toronto downtown due to the same reasons noted above and $1.2 million in properties under development for
capital expenditures incurred to revitalize these properties. Fair value gains for the year were partially offset by fair value losses
of $8.1 million in Other markets due to the same reasons noted above, $5.0 million to properties sold during the year to reflect
final sales prices and $2.0 million relating to our single acquired property in Q3 2019 to reflect the write-off of transaction costs
and land transfer taxes incurred as part of the acquisition.
Zoning approval at 250 Dundas Street West
On January 29, 2020, the Trust received council zoning approval for its application to amend the zoning of its property at
250 Dundas Street W. in downtown Toronto. The revised zoning permits the Trust to convert the office property to a multi-use
development comprising commercial office, multi-residential rental and retail components totalling over 503,000 square feet of
gross floor area. The project currently contemplates replacing the existing 122,000 square foot old office building with a new
Class A 49-storey residential tower with 522 residential units and an eight-storey commercial podium with 165,000 square feet of
office and retail space. Total GLA including the residential component is currently estimated to be over 456,000 square feet. The
Trust is currently working with its development team and architects to evaluate the design and timing of the project. The approval
is subject to satisfying customary by-law conditions and the expiration of applicable appeal periods.
Assumptions used in the valuation of investment properties
Refer to Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements for details of the assumptions used in the Trust’s investment property
valuations.
Building improvements
Building improvements represent investments made to our investment properties to ensure optimal building performance, to
improve the experience of and attractiveness to our tenants, as well as to reduce operating costs. In order to retain desirable
rentable space and to generate adequate revenue over the long term, we must maintain or, in some cases, improve each property’s
condition to meet market demand.
As part of our broader strategy to invest capital in our buildings to improve the experience of and attractiveness to tenants as well
as to reduce operating costs, we expect overall building improvement costs to remain elevated. By doing so, our tenants will have
a better experience at our buildings, leading to improved tenant retention, quicker leasing of available space and realization of
higher rental rates.
The table below summarizes the building improvements incurred for the three months and years ended December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018.
Building improvements
Recoverable
Value-add
Non-recoverable
Total comparative portfolio(1)
Add:
$
Three months ended December 31,
2018
2,218
1,915
339
4,472
2019
8,386
1,775
1,172
11,333
$
Acquired property
Properties under development
Interest capitalized to properties under development
Properties classified as assets held for sale/sold properties
Total portfolio
Less: Properties classified as assets held for sale
Total amounts included in consolidated financial statements
$
$
5
10,888
201
519
22,946
—
22,946
$
$
—
3,229
24
1,820
9,545
—
9,545
$
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2018
6,865
5,020
760
12,645
2019
12,204
4,999
3,250
20,453
$
5
24,981
488
4,251
50,178
472
49,706
$
$
—
3,787
24
5,218
21,674
60
21,614
(1) Excludes properties sold and acquired properties, properties under development and joint ventures that are equity accounted at the end of Q4 2019.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred $11.3 million and $20.5 million, respectively, in
expenditures related to building improvements in our comparative portfolio, the majority of which are recoverable from tenants
under the terms of current and future leases.
Recoverable building improvements for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 were $8.4 million and $12.2 million,
respectively, and included safety enhancements, heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades, elevator modernization and
recoverable lobby and common area upgrades.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 20
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, value-add additions were $1.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively,
the majority of which were invested in pre-development and value-enhancing capital at certain properties. Certain capital
investments will be recoverable from current and future tenants under the terms of their leases.
The Trust has commenced investing capital towards the transformation of its properties in the Bay Street corridor. For the year
ended December 31, 2019, $2.1 million of the total value-add additions were spent towards enhancing the main lobbies,
washrooms, stairwells and exterior facades and breaking ground in revitalizing an alleyway. We plan to invest up to $50 million
into these properties over the next two years to secure higher net rents from tenants.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, non-recoverable building improvements were $1.2 million and
$3.3 million, respectively, which include costs for structural and building enhancements.
As part of our development program, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, properties under development
incurred $10.9 million and $25.0 million, respectively, in building improvements and included reconstruction costs to building
interiors at 357 Bay Street and costs at 1900 Sherwood Place for a parkade expansion and building upgrades to the exterior and
common areas. As we progress through the development projects at these two properties, we expect to continue to incur building
improvement costs that will serve to enhance the overall experience for our new and existing tenants at the buildings once
complete.
Dispositions update
Property
Centre 70, Calgary
Financial Building, Regina
700 De la Gauchetière Street West, Montréal
150 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa
Date disposed
May 14, 2019
July 2, 2019
July 17, 2019
August 23, 2019
September 30, 2019 Victoria Tower, Regina
December 13, 2019 275 Dundas Street West, London (London City Centre)
December 13, 2019 5001 Yonge Street, North York
Total dispositions for the year ended December 31, 2019
(1) Sales price reflects gross proceeds net of adjustments and before transaction costs.
Ownership
(%)
15.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
40.0 %
100.0 %
Disposed share of GLA
(thousands of sq. ft.)
Sales price(1)
20
66
986
110
144
216
309
1,851 $
528,837
INVESTMENT IN DREAM INDUSTRIAL REIT
Dream Industrial REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol “DIR.UN”.
The table below summarizes the Trust’s participation in Dream Industrial REIT’s Distribution Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) and the
Trust’s ownership:
Units acquired via DRIP
Cost of units acquired via DRIP
Ownership at period-end
December 31,
2019
362,315
4,885
17.8 %
$
$
Three months ended and as at
December 31,
2018
468,373
4,586
23.3 %
September 30,
2019
399,762
4,816
19.4 %
$
$
December 31,
2019
1,591,434
19,114
17.8 %
Year ended and as at
December 31,
2018
1,769,595
17,265
23.3 %
$
The decrease in the Trust’s ownership over the prior quarter and prior year-end was mainly driven by equity offerings by Dream
Industrial REIT as well as Dream Industrial REIT’s deferred unit incentive plan and unit purchase plan, which collectively decreased
our relative ownership, partially offset by our participation in Dream Industrial REIT’s distribution reinvestment plan.
On February 12, 2020, Dream Industrial REIT completed a public offering in which the Trust did not participate and issued
16,859,000 REIT units. Subsequent to this offering, the Trust’s ownership of Dream Industrial REIT was reduced to 16.1%.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 21
OUR FINANCING
Debt summary
The key performance indicators in the management of our debt are as follows:
Financing and liquidity metrics
Weighted average face rate of interest on debt (period-end)(1)
Interest coverage ratio (times)(2)(3)
Net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV (years)(2)(3)
Level of debt (net total debt-to-net total assets)(2)
Average term to maturity on debt (years)
Variable rate debt as percentage of total debt
Available liquidity(2)
Unencumbered assets(2)(3)
December 31,
2019
3.88 %
2.9
7.5
37.6 %
4.7
—
$
$
413,580 $
281,274 $
September 30,
2019
3.88 %
2.9
8.0
41.3 %
4.9
4.5 %
433,844 $
156,448 $
December 31,
2018
4.06 %
2.8
9.0
45.0 %
3.8
26.3 %
163,908
163,114
(1) Weighted average face rate of interest on debt is calculated as the weighted average face rate of all interest bearing debt balances, excluding debt in joint
ventures that are equity accounted.
(2) The calculation of the following non-GAAP measures – interest coverage ratio, net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV, level of debt (net total debt-to-net total
assets), available liquidity and unencumbered assets – is included in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of the MD&A.
(3) Interest coverage ratio, net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV and unencumbered assets have been restated for the comparative periods to conform to current
period presentation. For further details, please refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section under the headings “Interest coverage ratio”, “Net total debt-to-
adjusted EBITDAFV” and “Unencumbered assets”.
The overall net total debt-to-net total assets ratio has decreased 370 bps from 41.3% in Q3 2019 to 37.6% this quarter, mainly
driven by the discharge of debt on dispositions and the repayment of drawings on demand revolving credit facilities in full with
net proceeds from dispositions.
Throughout 2019, the Trust has significantly reduced its variable rate debt exposure from 26.3% since the beginning of 2019 to nil
as of December 31, 2019, by using the net proceeds from sales of investment properties and closing on four fixed interest rate
mortgages totalling $292.9 million to pay off the demand revolving credit facilities in full, as well as fixing rates on, or discharging,
all floating rate mortgages.
Liquidity and capital resources
Dream Office REIT’s primary sources of capital are cash generated from operating activities, net proceeds from investment
property dispositions, demand revolving credit facilities, and mortgage financing and refinancing. Our primary uses of capital
include the payment of distributions, costs of attracting and retaining tenants, recurring property maintenance, development
projects, major property improvements, debt principal repayments and interest payments. We expect to meet all of our ongoing
obligations with current cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flows generated from operations, net proceeds from investment
property dispositions, demand revolving credit facilities and conventional mortgage refinancing.
In our consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2019, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by
$146.8 million. Typically, real estate entities seek to address liquidity needs by having a balanced debt maturity schedule and
undrawn demand revolving credit facilities. We are able to use our demand revolving credit facilities on short notice, which
eliminates the need to hold significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents on hand. Working capital balances can fluctuate
significantly from period to period depending on the timing of receipts and payments. Debt obligations that are due within one
year include debt maturities and scheduled principal repayments of $183.9 million, which includes $150 million of Series C
unsecured debentures which were redeemed on January 21, 2020 using a combination of cash on hand and our demand revolving
credit facilities. We typically refinance maturing debt with our undrawn demand revolving credit facilities and mortgages of terms
between five and ten years. Amounts payable and accrued liabilities balances outstanding at the end of any reporting period
depend primarily on the timing of leasing costs and capital expenditures incurred as well as the impact of transaction costs
incurred on acquisitions and dispositions.
We continue to maintain high levels of liquidity for capital expenditures to improve the quality of our properties.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 22
Financing activities during the quarter and year
The following table details the total mortgages renewed, refinanced, assumed through acquisitions and discharged during the
three months and year ended December 31, 2019. The net proceeds of the new mortgages were used to pay down outstanding
balances on the demand revolving credit facilities.
Three months ended December 31, 2019
Year ended December 31, 2019
Mortgages renewed,
refinanced or assumed
Mortgages renewed,
refinanced or assumed
Financing activities
Amount
New term (years)
Weighted average face interest rate(1)
$
through acquisitions Mortgages discharged
(18,000 )
n/a
4.20 %
— $
—
n/a
$
through acquisitions Mortgages discharged
(246,674 )
n/a
4.24 %
8.4
3.57 %
303,206 $
(1) Weighted average face rate of interest on debt is calculated as the weighted average face rate of all interest bearing debt balances, excluding debt in joint
ventures that are equity accounted.
As a result of the disposition of Victoria Tower in Regina during Q3 2019, we took the opportunity to renegotiate with the lender
and transferred the $21 million mortgage to an investment property previously pledged against our $300 million demand revolving
credit facility. By removing the underlying Regina property as collateral from the mortgage, this facilitated the sale of the property
and eliminated the need to pay a prepayment penalty had we discharged the mortgage early.
Demand revolving credit facilities
On March 21, 2019, the Trust reduced its existing demand revolving credit facility from $500 million to $435 million and extended
the maturity date from March 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022. On December 19, 2019, the Trust further reduced its demand revolving
credit facility from $435 million to $300 million. The interest rate remained in the form of rolling one-month bankers’ acceptances
(“BA”) bearing interest at the BA rate plus 170 bps or at the bank’s prime rate plus 70 bps. Furthermore, the minimum number of
investment properties pledged as security was reduced from five to four and the number of Dream Industrial LP Class B limited
partnership units pledged as security was reduced from 18,551,855 to 9,551,160.
As at December 31, 2019, the amended $300 million demand revolving credit facility is secured by first-ranking charges on four
investment properties and 9,551,160 Dream Industrial LP Class B limited partnership units.
As at December 31, 2019, the amount available under the $300 million demand revolving credit facility was $300 million less
$1.8 million in the form of letters of credit. As at December 31, 2019, the amount available under the $20 million demand revolving
credit facility was $20 million.
Continuity of debt
Refer to Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements for details of the changes in our debt balances for the year ended
December 31, 2019.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 23
Debt maturity profile
Our current debt profile is balanced with staggered maturities over the next nine years. The following table summarizes our debt
maturity profile, excluding debt in joint ventures that are equity accounted, as at December 31, 2019:
Mortgages
Demand revolving
credit facilities
Outstanding Weighted Outstanding Weighted
average
interest
rate
balance
due at
maturity
14,523
104,317
59,880
139,951
17,205
579,258
915,134
average
interest
rate
4.32 % $
4.88 %
3.49 %
4.25 %
4.16 %
3.59 %
3.86 % $
balance
due at
maturity
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Debentures
Total
Outstanding Weighted Outstanding Weighted
average
interest
rate
4.10 %
4.88 %
3.49 %
4.25 %
4.16 %
3.59 %
3.89 %
balance
due at
maturity
164,523
104,317
59,880
139,951
17,205
579,258
4.07 % $ 1,065,134
balance
due at
maturity
150,000
—
—
—
—
—
150,000
average
interest
rate
4.07 % $
—
—
—
—
—
— $
—
—
—
—
—
— $
$
Debt maturities
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025–2029
Subtotal before undernoted items
$
Scheduled principal repayments on
non-matured debt
Subtotal before undernoted items
Unamortized financing costs
Unamortized fair value adjustments
Debt per consolidated financial
statements
—
3.85 % $
91,735
$ 1,006,869
(4,230 )
442
—
—
(2,709 )
—
—
— $
—
150,000
—
91,735
4.07 % $ 1,156,869
—
3.88 %
—
—
(6,939 )
442
$ 1,003,081
3.89 % $
(2,709 )
—
$
150,000
4.25 % $ 1,150,372
3.94 %
Commitments and contingencies
Dream Office REIT and its operating subsidiaries are contingently liable under guarantees that are issued in the normal course of
business, on certain debt assumed by purchasers of investment properties, and with respect to litigation and claims that arise
from time to time. In the opinion of management, any liability that may arise from such contingencies would not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Trust as at December 31, 2019.
In 2015, a subsidiary of the Trust received notices of reassessment from both the Canada Revenue Agency and the Alberta Minister
of Finance with respect to its 2007, 2008 and 2010 taxation years. These reassessments relate to the deductibility of certain tax
losses claimed by the subsidiary prior to its acquisition by the Trust. These federal and provincial reassessments if upheld could
increase total current taxes payable, including interest and penalties, by $12.6 million. No cash payment is expected to be made
unless it is ultimately established that the Trust has an obligation to make one. Management is of the view that there is a strong
case to support the position as filed and has contested both the federal and provincial reassessments. Since management believes
that it is more likely than not that its position will be sustained, no amounts related to these reassessments have been recorded
in the consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
At December 31, 2019, Dream Office REIT’s future minimum commitments are as follows:
Operating lease payments for low-value assets
Operating commitments
Fixed price contracts
Total
Within 1 year
$
156 $
2,069
222
2,447 $
$
1–5 years
322 $
2,662
888
3,872 $
> 5 years
Minimum payments due
Total
478
4,731
3,244
8,453
— $
—
2,134
2,134 $
In 2018, the Trust originally committed US$7.25 million to fund investments in real estate technologies of which US$3.5 million
was funded as at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018 – US$1.2 million).
The Trust is contingently liable under guarantees that are issued on certain debt assumed by purchasers of investment properties
totalling $114.3 million (December 31, 2018 – $148.7 million) with a weighted average term to maturity of 3.7 years (December 31,
2018 – 4.0 years).
In the event that a contemplated development project proceeds, the Trust has committed to contribute one of its investment
properties with a fair value of $40.5 million to the development project.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 24
As part of the sale of F1RST Tower in 2018, the Trust committed to a construction loan facility of up to $12.5 million. The
construction loan facility bears interest at 4.5%, matures on April 10, 2022 with an option to extend to April 10, 2023 and is secured
by the property. At December 31, 2019, the Trust had not funded any amounts under the construction loan facility.
OUR EQUITY
Total equity
Our discussion of equity includes LP B Units (or subsidiary redeemable units), which are economically equivalent to REIT Units.
Pursuant to IFRS, the LP B Units are classified as a liability in our consolidated financial statements.
Unitholders’ equity
Deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Equity per consolidated financial statements
Add: LP B Units
Total equity (including LP B Units)(1)
Net asset value (“NAV”) per unit(2)
Number of Units
December 31, 2019
Amount
2,049,272
(574,801 )
3,790
1,478,261
162,929
1,641,190
26.70
56,234,546 $
—
—
56,234,546
5,233,823
61,468,369 $
$
Unitholders’ equity
December 31, 2018
Number of Units
59,369,278 $
—
—
59,369,278
5,233,823
64,603,101 $
$
Amount
2,124,760
(634,513 )
6,495
1,496,742
116,662
1,613,404
24.97
(1) Total equity (a non-GAAP measure) is defined in the section “Non-GAAP Measures” under the heading “Total equity (including LP B Units or subsidiary
redeemable units)”.
(2) NAV per unit (a non-GAAP measure) is defined in this section under the heading “NAV per unit” and in the section “Non-GAAP Measures” under the heading
“NAV per unit”.
The amended and restated Declaration of Trust of Dream Office REIT dated May 8, 2014, as amended or amended and restated
from time to time (the “Declaration of Trust”), authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of the following classes of units:
REIT Units, issuable in one or more series, Transition Fund Units and Special Trust Units. The Special Trust Units may only be issued
to holders of LP B Units, are not transferable separately from these units, and are used to provide voting rights with respect to
Dream Office REIT to persons holding LP B Units. The LP B Units are held by DAM, a related party to Dream Office REIT, and DAM
holds an equivalent number of Special Trust Units. Both the REIT Units and Special Trust Units entitle the holder to one vote for
each unit at all meetings of the unitholders. The LP B Units are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for REIT B Units at the option
of the holder, which can then be converted into REIT A Units. The LP B Units and corresponding Special Trust Units together have
economic and voting rights equivalent in all material respects to REIT A Units. The REIT A Units and REIT B Units have economic
and voting rights equivalent in all material respects to each other.
At December 31, 2019, DAM held 11,490,702 REIT A Units and 5,233,823 LP B Units for a total ownership interest of approximately
27.2%.
NAV per unit
NAV per unit is calculated as the total equity (including LP B Units) divided by the total number of REIT A Units and LP B Units. This
non-GAAP measurement is an important measure used by the Trust, as it reflects management’s view of the intrinsic value of the
Trust. However, it is not defined by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures
presented by other income trusts.
As at December 31, 2019, our NAV per unit was $26.70, compared to $25.79 at September 30, 2019 and $24.97 at December 31,
2018, up $0.91 or 3.5% and $1.73 or 6.9%, respectively.
The quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year increases in NAV per unit of $0.91 and $1.73, respectively, were primarily due to cash
flow retention from operations (diluted FFO net of distributions), fair value uplifts in our Toronto downtown investment properties
and our share of fair value gains in Dream Industrial REIT’s investment properties.
As at December 31, 2019, the carrying value of our investment in Dream Industrial REIT, which is accounted for under the equity
method, is $320.3 million compared to a market value of $359.3 million based on the closing price on December 31, 2019,
representing a difference of $39.0 million, or $0.63 per unit of the Trust.
NAV per unit is considered one of the Trust’s key metrics and has increased consistently over the past 11 quarters as we improve
the quality of our assets.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 25
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the table
below reconciles the major components of NAV per unit to total equity (as per the consolidated financial statements).
Investment properties
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Total comparative portfolio investment properties
Mortgages
Total comparative portfolio investment properties,
net of mortgages
Acquired properties, net of mortgages
Properties under development, net of mortgages
Investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Investments in joint ventures
Cash and cash equivalents
Unsecured debentures
Other items
Net asset value
Less: LP B Units
Total equity per consolidated financial statements
$
$
$
1,890,308 $
382,792
2,273,100
(924,903 )
1,348,197
35,283
34,384
320,295
13,935
95,410
(150,000 )
(56,314 )
1,641,190 $
162,929
1,478,261
Outstanding equity
The following table summarizes the changes in our outstanding equity:
For the three months ended December 31, 2019
Total units issued and outstanding at October 1, 2019
REIT A Units issued pursuant to Deferred Unit Incentive Plan (“DUIP”)
Total units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019
Percentage of all units
For the year ended December 31, 2019
Total units issued and outstanding at January 1, 2019
REIT A Units issued pursuant to DUIP
Cancellation of REIT A Units under NCIB
Total units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019
Percentage of all units
WALT
(years)
5.1
6.4
5.5
Total
Per unit
GLA
(in millions
of sq. ft.)
Occupancy –
in-place and
committed (%)
3.4
1.8
5.2
97.6 %
78.6 %
90.8 %
30.75
6.23
36.98
(15.05 )
21.93
0.57
0.56
5.21
0.23
1.55
(2.44 )
(0.91 )
26.70
REIT A Units
56,229,342
5,204
56,234,546
91.5 %
REIT A Units
59,369,278
96,234
(3,230,966 )
56,234,546
91.5 %
LP B Units
5,233,823
—
5,233,823
8.5 %
LP B Units
5,233,823
—
—
5,233,823
8.5 %
Total
61,463,165
5,204
61,468,369
100.0 %
Total
64,603,101
96,234
(3,230,966 )
61,468,369
100.0 %
As at December 31, 2019, there were 927,621 deferred trust units and income deferred trust units outstanding (December 31,
2018 – 903,571) under the Trust’s DUIP.
Normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”)
On August 16, 2019, the NCIB covering the period from August 15, 2018 to August 16, 2019 expired. On August 12, 2019, the TSX
accepted a notice filed by the Trust to renew its prior normal course issuer bid for a one-year period. Under the bid, the Trust will
have the ability to purchase for cancellation up to a maximum of 4,544,730 of its REIT A Units (representing 10% of the Trust’s
public float of 45,447,304 REIT A Units) through the facilities of the TSX. The renewed bid commenced on August 19, 2019 and
will remain in effect until the earlier of August 18, 2020 or the date on which the Trust has purchased the maximum number of
REIT A Units permitted under the bid. Daily purchases are limited to 30,145 REIT A Units, which equals 25% of the average daily
trading volume during the prior six calendar months (being 120,580 REIT A Units per day), other than purchases pursuant to
applicable block purchase exceptions.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 26
In connection with the NCIB renewal, the Trust entered into an automatic securities repurchase plan (the “Repurchase Plan”) with
its designated broker in order to facilitate purchases of its REIT A Units under the NCIB. The Repurchase Plan allows for purchases
by Dream Office REIT of REIT A Units at any time including, without limitation, when the Trust would ordinarily not be permitted
to make purchases due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed blackout periods. Purchases will be made by the Trust’s broker
based upon the parameters prescribed by the TSX and the terms of the parties’ written agreement. Outside of such restricted or
blackout periods, the REIT A Units may also be purchased in accordance with management’s discretion. The Repurchase Plan will
terminate on August 18, 2020.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust purchased for cancellation no REIT A Units and
3,230,966 REIT A Units, respectively, under the NCIB, at a cost of $nil and $77.8 million (or $24.09 per unit), respectively
(December 31, 2018 – 4,475,664 REIT A Units cancelled for $100.7 million or $22.50 per unit).
Weighted average number of units
The basic weighted average number of units includes the weighted average of all REIT Units, LP B Units, and vested but unissued
deferred trust units and income deferred trust units.
The diluted weighted average number of units includes the basic weighted average number of Units, unvested deferred trust units
and associated income deferred trust units. As at December 31, 2019, there were 239,661 unvested deferred trust units and
associated income deferred trust units (December 31, 2018 – 282,528).
Weighted average number of units (in thousands)
Basic
Diluted
Three months ended December 31,
2018
65,557
65,839
2019
62,149
62,388
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
69,484
63,622
69,775
63,878
Distribution policy
Our Declaration of Trust, as amended and restated, provides our trustees with the discretion to determine the percentage payout
of income that would be in the best interest of the Trust. For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust
declared distributions totalling $0.25 per unit and $1.00 per unit, respectively.
The following table summarizes our total distributions for the three months and years ended December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018:
Total distributions(1) for the period
Three months ended December 31,
2018
16,207
2019
15,366 $
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
68,591
62,842 $
(1) Total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) is defined in the section “Non-GAAP Measures” under the heading “Total distributions paid and payable”.
The decrease in total distributions on a year-over-year basis for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily
due to the cancellation of REIT A Units under the NCIB and substantial issuer bid in the current and prior year.
The following table summarizes our monthly distributions paid and payable subsequent to year-end:
Date distribution announced
December 19, 2019
January 22, 2020
February 20, 2020
Month of distribution
December 2019
January 2020
February 2020
TBD – to be determined as at February 28, 2020.
Date distribution was
paid or is payable
January 15, 2020
February 17, 2020
March 13, 2020
Distribution per
REIT A Unit
0.08333
0.08333
0.08333
$
$
$
Total distribution
paid or payable
4,686
$
4,689
$
TBD
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 27
Cash flows from operating activities and distributions declared
The Trust anticipates that future cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities may be less than total distributions (a
non-GAAP measure). With a conservative balance sheet and significant liquidity the Trust does not anticipate cash distributions
will be suspended.
To the extent that there are shortfalls in cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities when compared to total
distributions (a non-GAAP measure), the Trust will fund the shortfalls with cash and cash equivalents on hand and with our existing
demand revolving credit facilities. The use of the demand revolving credit facilities may involve risks compared with using cash
and cash equivalents on hand as a source of funding, such as the risk that interest rates may rise in the future, which may make it
more expensive for the Trust to borrow under the demand revolving credit facilities, and the risk associated with increasing the
overall indebtedness of the Trust. In the event that shortfalls exist, the Trust does not anticipate cash distributions will be
suspended in the foreseeable future but does expect that there could be timing differences as a result of our intensification and
redevelopment plans on certain assets within our portfolio. Accordingly, to the extent there are shortfalls, distributions may be
considered an economic return of capital. The Trust determines the distribution rate by, among other considerations, its
assessment of cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities. Management reviews the estimated annual distributable
cash flows with the Board of Trustees periodically to assist the Board in determining the targeted distribution rate.
In any given period, the Trust anticipates that net income will continue to vary from total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) as
net income includes non-cash items such as fair value adjustments to investment properties and financial instruments and costs
related to our disposition program such as debt settlement costs and costs attributable to sale of investment properties.
Accordingly, the Trust does not use net income as a proxy for determining distributions.
In any given period, actual cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities may differ from total distributions (a non-
GAAP measure), primarily due to fluctuations in non-cash working capital and the impact of leasing costs, which fluctuate with
lease maturities, renewal terms, the type of asset being leased, and when tenants fulfill the terms of their respective lease
agreements. These seasonal fluctuations or the unpredictability of when leasing costs are incurred are funded with our cash and
cash equivalents on hand and, if necessary, with our existing demand revolving credit facilities.
The following table summarizes net income, cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities and total distributions
(a non-GAAP measure) for the three months and years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Net income for the period
Cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities
Total distributions(1) for the period
$
Three months ended December 31,
2019
63,193 $
19,680
15,366
2018
58,489 $
1,048
16,207
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
157,778
117,320 $
46,529
69,359
68,591
62,842
(1) Total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) is defined in the section “Non-GAAP Measures” under the heading “Total distributions paid and payable”.
As required by National Policy 41-201, “Income Trusts and Other Indirect Offerings”, the following table outlines the difference
between net income and total distributions (a non-GAAP measure), as well as the difference between cash flows generated from
(utilized in) operating activities and total distributions (a non-GAAP measure), in accordance with the guidelines.
Excess of net income over total distributions(1)
Excess (shortfall) of cash flows generated from (utilized in)
operating activities over total distributions(1)
Three months ended December 31,
2018
42,282 $
2019
47,827 $
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
54,478 $
2018
89,187
4,314
(15,159 )
6,517
(22,062 )
(1) Total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) is defined in the section “Non-GAAP Measures” under the heading “Total distributions paid and payable”.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, net income exceeded total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) by
$47.8 million and $54.5 million, respectively, primarily due to the impact of non-cash items such as fair value adjustments to our
investment properties and our share of income from our investment in Dream Industrial REIT, partially offset by fair value
adjustments to financial instruments. For the three months and year ended December 31, 2018, net income exceeded total
distributions (a non-GAAP measure) by $42.3 million and $89.2 million, respectively, due to the same reasons noted above.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 28
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities exceeded
total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) by $4.3 million and $6.5 million, respectively. For the three months and year ended
December 31, 2018, total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) exceeded cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities
by $15.2 million and $22.1 million, respectively, primarily due to fluctuations in non-cash working capital and the impact of leasing
costs. For the three months and year ended December 31, 2018, the Trust received monthly distributions from its investment in
Dream Industrial REIT totalling $4.6 million and $17.9 million, respectively, which the Trust elected to reinvest through Dream
Industrial REIT’s distribution reinvestment plan. Had the Trust not reinvested the distributions received from Dream Industrial
REIT, management is of the view such distributions could be used to mitigate any shortfalls of cash flows generated from (utilized
in) operating activities over total distributions (a non-GAAP measure), even though distributions received from Dream Industrial
REIT would be included as part of cash flows generated from (utilized in) investing activities in the consolidated financial
statements. Additionally, the Trust has included distributions received from Dream Industrial REIT as part of its calculation of
EBITDAFV (a non-GAAP measure), consistent with management’s view of the characterization of such cash flows as operating in
nature as opposed to investing activities.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 29
SECTION IV
NON-GAAP MEASURES
Included in this section are reconciliations of non-GAAP measures presented throughout this MD&A to the nearest comparable
consolidated financial statements line item, in compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised),
“Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. These non-GAAP measures are not defined by IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning and
may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other income trusts.
Available liquidity
Available liquidity is defined as the sum of cash and cash equivalents and undrawn demand revolving credit facilities at period-
end, excluding cash held in joint ventures, which are equity accounted. Management believes that available liquidity, a non-GAAP
measure, is an important measure in determining our resources available to meet all of our ongoing obligations. This non-GAAP
measure does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other
income trusts.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, available
liquidity has been reconciled to cash and cash equivalents in the table below:
Cash and cash equivalents
Undrawn demand revolving credit facilities
Available liquidity
December 31,
2019
95,410 $
318,170
413,580 $
September 30,
2019
20,217 $
413,627
433,844 $
$
$
As at
December 31,
2018
8,769
155,139
163,908
Total equity (including LP B Units or subsidiary redeemable units)
One of the components used to determine the Trust’s net asset value per unit is total equity (including LP B Units). Total equity
(including LP B Units) is calculated as the sum of the equity amount per consolidated financial statements and the subsidiary
redeemable units amount. Management believes it is important to include the subsidiary redeemable (LP B) units amount for the
purpose of determining the Trust’s capital management. Management does not consider the subsidiary redeemable units to be
debt or borrowings of the Trust, but rather a component of the Trust’s equity. However, total equity (including LP B Units) is not
defined by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other
income trusts.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the table
within the section “Our Equity” under the heading “Total equity” reconciles total equity (including LP B Units) to equity (as per
consolidated financial statements).
Total distributions paid and payable
Total distributions paid and payable is calculated as the sum of the distributions paid and payable on REIT A Units and subsidiary
redeemable units (LP B Units) interest expense per consolidated financial statements. Because management considers the
subsidiary redeemable units to be a component of the Trust’s equity, management considers the interest paid on the subsidiary
redeemable units to be a component of total distributions paid to unitholders. However, total distributions paid and payable is
not defined by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other
income trusts.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, total
distributions paid and payable has been reconciled to total distributions paid and payable on REIT A Units (included in consolidated
financial statements) in the table below:
Total distributions paid and payable on REIT A Units
Add: Interest on subsidiary redeemable units
Total distributions paid and payable
$
$
December 31,
2019
14,057 $
1,309
15,366 $
September 30,
2019
14,094 $
1,308
15,402 $
Three months ended
December 31,
2018
14,898 $
1,309
16,207 $
December 31,
2019
57,608 $
5,234
62,842 $
Year ended
December 31,
2018
63,357
5,234
68,591
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 30
NAV per unit
NAV per unit is calculated as the total equity (including LP B Units) divided by the total number of REIT A Units and LP B Units. This
non-GAAP measurement is an important measure used by the Trust, as it reflects management’s view of the intrinsic value of the
Trust. However, it is not defined by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures
presented by other income trusts.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the table
within the section “Our Equity” under the heading “NAV per unit” reconciles NAV per unit to equity (as per consolidated financial
statements) as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The table below reconciles NAV per unit to equity (as per
consolidated financial statements) as at September 30, 2019.
Unitholders’ equity
Deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Equity included in consolidated financial statements
Add: LP B Units
Total equity (including LP B Units)(1)
Net asset value (“NAV”) per unit
Unitholders’ equity
September 30, 2019
Number of Units
56,229,342 $
—
—
56,229,342 $
5,233,823
61,463,165 $
$
Amount
2,049,116
(623,937 )
4,848
1,430,027
154,974
1,585,001
25.79
(1) Total equity (a non-GAAP measure) is defined in this section under the heading “Total equity (including LP B Units or subsidiary redeemable units)”.
Unencumbered assets
Unencumbered assets is the value of investment properties, excluding properties held for sale or investment properties in joint
ventures which are equity accounted, which have not been pledged as collateral for the Trust’s demand revolving credit facilities
or mortgages plus the fair value of unpledged Dream Industrial REIT Units. This non-GAAP measurement is used by management
in assessing the borrowing capacity available to the Trust. However, it is not defined by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning
and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other income trusts.
Effective September 30, 2019, the Trust revised its calculation of unencumbered assets to include the fair value of unpledged
Dream Industrial REIT units as management considers these units an asset that may be pledged to support future borrowings.
Accordingly, unencumbered assets for comparative periods has been restated to conform to current period presentation.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the table
below presents the components of unencumbered assets:
Investment properties not pledged as security for debt
Fair value of unpledged Dream Industrial REIT units(1)
Unencumbered assets
December 31,
2019
110,555 $
170,719
281,274 $
September 30,
2019
108,433 $
48,015
156,448 $
December 31,
2018
140,265
22,849
163,114
$
$
(1) Fair value of unpledged Dream Industrial REIT units is determined as the closing price of the Dream Industrial REIT units at the end of each period multiplied
by the number of units not pledged as security for demand revolving credit facilities.
Funds from operations (“FFO”)
Management believes FFO (including diluted FFO per unit) is an important measure of our operating performance. This non-GAAP
measurement is a commonly used measure of performance of real estate operations; however, it does not represent net income
or cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities, as defined by IFRS, and is not necessarily indicative of cash available
to fund Dream Office REIT’s needs and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other income trusts.
In February 2019, REALPAC issued a white paper on Funds from Operations and Adjusted Funds from Operations for IFRS. The
Trust has reviewed the REALPAC FFO white paper guidelines and its determination of FFO is substantially aligned with the REALPAC
FFO white paper guidelines with the exception of the treatment of debt settlement costs due to disposals of investment properties.
These debt settlement costs are primarily funded from net proceeds from dispositions and not from cash flows from operating
activities. Thus, the Trust is of the view that debt settlement costs due to disposals of investment properties should not be included
in the determination of FFO.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 31
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, FFO has
been reconciled to net income (loss) in the table below:
Net income (loss) for the period
Add (deduct):
Share of income from investment in
Dream Industrial REIT
Share of FFO from investment in
Dream Industrial REIT
$
Depreciation, amortization and write-off of
intangible assets
Costs attributable to sale of investment properties(1)
Interest expense on subsidiary redeemable units
Fair value adjustments to investment properties(1)
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
held in joint ventures
Fair value adjustments to financial instruments
and DUIP included in G&A expenses
Internal leasing costs
Principal repayments on finance lease liabilities(1)
Deferred income taxes expense (recovery)
Taxes attributable to dispositions
Debt settlement costs due to disposals of
investment properties, net(1)
Other
FFO for the period
Diluted weighted average number of units(2)
FFO per unit – diluted
$
$
December 31,
2019
63,193 $
September 30,
2019
(2,340 ) $
Three months ended
December 31,
2018
58,489 $
December 31,
2019
117,320 $
Year ended
December 31,
2018
157,778
(25,419 )
(4,348 )
(12,717 )
(56,078 )
(43,125 )
4,878
5,139
5,572
20,934
21,467
4,134
441
1,309
(33,707 )
3,426
2,967
1,308
(18,807 )
3,477
(455 )
1,309
(20,160 )
14,571
3,536
5,234
(56,949 )
—
518
—
518
9,721
500
(11 )
149
—
36,595
506
(8 )
102
—
(11,066 )
512
—
(288 )
—
55,551
2,188
(44 )
486
—
13,966
2,347
5,234
(47,533 )
—
1,656
2,683
—
(452 )
625
—
—
25,188 $
62,388
0.40 $
1,620
—
26,678 $
62,848
0.42 $
1,070
(7 )
25,736 $
65,839
0.39 $
1,620
—
108,887 $
63,878
1.70 $
1,070
80
115,796
69,775
1.66
(1) Includes both continuing and discontinued operations.
(2) Diluted weighted average number of units includes the weighted average of all REIT A Units, LP B Units, vested but unissued and unvested deferred trust
units and associated income deferred trust units.
Comparative properties NOI
Comparative properties NOI is a non-GAAP measure used by management in evaluating the performance of properties owned by
the Trust in the current and comparative periods presented. When the Trust compares comparative properties NOI on a year-over-
year basis and quarter-over-quarter basis, the Trust excludes investment properties acquired after January 1, 2018 and July 1,
2019, respectively, and assets held for sale or disposed of prior to or as at the current period. Comparative properties NOI also
excludes lease termination fees; one-time property adjustments, if any; bad debt expenses; NOI from properties under
development and investment in joint ventures; property management and other service fees; straight-line rent; and amortization
of lease incentives. This measure is not defined by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with
similar measures presented by other income trusts.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”,
comparative properties NOI for the respective periods have been reconciled to net rental income within the section “Our
Operations” under the heading “Comparative properties NOI (year-over-year comparison)” and “Comparative properties NOI
(quarter-over-quarter comparison)”.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and fair value adjustments (“EBITDAFV”)
EBITDAFV is defined by the Trust as net income (loss) for the period adjusted for: lease termination fees and other, non-cash items
included in investment properties revenue, fair value adjustments to investment properties and financial instruments, share of
income from investment in Dream Industrial REIT, distributions received from Dream Industrial REIT, interest expense on debt and
subsidiary redeemable units, amortization and write-off of intangible assets and depreciation on property and equipment, leasing,
transaction and debt settlement costs and other activities, and net current and deferred income taxes. This non-GAAP
measurement is an important measure used by the Trust in evaluating property operating performance; however, it is not defined
by IFRS, does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other income
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 32
trusts. Effective December 31, 2019, the Trust refined its calculation of EBITDAFV to exclude net loss from joint ventures to improve
consistency between the calculation of debt and adjusted EBITDAFV in its net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV calculation.
Consequently, EBITDAFV and net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV have been restated in prior periods to be consistent with current
period presentation.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, EBITDAFV
has been reconciled to net income in the table below:
Net income (loss) for the period
Add (deduct):
$
Lease termination fees and other(1)
Non-cash items included in investment properties
revenue(1)(2)
Fair value adjustments to investment properties(1)
Fair value adjustments to financial instruments
Share of income from investment in Dream
Industrial REIT
Share of net loss from investment in joint ventures
Distributions received from Dream Industrial REIT
Interest – debt(1)
Interest – subsidiary redeemable units
Amortization and write-off of intangible assets
and depreciation on property and equipment
Leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs(1)
Current and deferred income taxes expense
December 31,
2019
63,193 $
September 30,
2019
(2,340 ) $
Three months ended
December 31,
December 31,
2019
117,320 $
Year ended
December 31,
2018
157,778
2018
58,489 $
(629 )
(190 )
(45 )
(1,288 )
(5,870 )
4,124
(33,707 )
9,548
(25,419 )
126
4,906
12,235
1,309
597
941
3,091
(18,807 )
36,515
(4,348 )
497
4,839
12,765
1,308
389
5,093
2,718
(20,160 )
(11,172 )
(12,717 )
—
4,613
14,971
1,309
13,144
(56,949 )
55,162
(56,078 )
641
19,222
54,608
5,234
509
1,989
1,891
7,344
11,229
(47,533 )
1,371
(43,125 )
—
17,914
60,718
5,234
2,199
7,179
(recovery), net
EBITDAFV for the period
149
37,373 $
102
38,914 $
$
(244 )
40,260 $
486
160,737 $
342
167,436
(1) Includes both continuing and discontinued operations.
(2) Includes adjustments for straight-line rent and amortization of lease incentives.
Trailing 12-month EBITDAFV and trailing 12-month interest expense on debt
Management believes that the trailing 12-month EBITDAFV and trailing 12-month interest expense on debt, both of which are
non-GAAP measures, are important measures in identifying longer-term trends in property operating performance and the cost
of the Trust’s debt. These non-GAAP measurements do not have standardized meanings and may not be comparable with similar
measures presented by other income trusts.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the
following tables calculate EBITDAFV and interest expense on debt for the trailing 12-month periods ended September 30, 2019.
EBITDAFV for the nine months ended September 30, 2019(1)
Add: EBITDAFV for the year ended December 31, 2018(2)
Less: EBITDAFV for the nine months ended September 30, 2018
Trailing 12-month EBITDAFV
$
Trailing 12-month period
ended September 30, 2019
123,364
167,436
(127,176 )
163,624
$
(1) EBITDAFV for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 has been adjusted by $0.5 million related to net loss from investment in joint ventures to conform
to current period presentation. Refer to the discussion under the “Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and fair value adjustments
(“EBITDAFV”)” heading within this section for further details.
(2) EBITDAFV (a non-GAAP measure) for the respective periods have been reconciled to net income under the heading “Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization and fair value adjustments (“EBITDAFV”)” within this section.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 33
Interest expense on debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2019(1)
Add: Interest expense on debt for the year ended December 31, 2018(1)
Less: Interest expense on debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2018(1)
Trailing 12-month interest expense on debt
(1) Includes interest expense on debt from continuing and discontinued operations.
$
Trailing 12-month period
ended September 30, 2019
42,373
60,718
(45,747 )
57,344
$
Interest coverage ratio
Management believes that interest coverage ratio, a non-GAAP measurement, is an important measure in determining our ability
to cover interest expense based on our operating performance. This non-GAAP measurement does not have a standardized
meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other income trusts.
Prior to December 31, 2018, interest coverage ratio was calculated as year-to-date EBITDAFV divided by year-to-date interest
expense on debt.
Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust has chosen to revise its calculation of interest coverage ratio to be calculated as trailing
12-month EBITDAFV divided by the trailing 12-month interest expense on debt, as management is of the view that this revised
calculation will more accurately reflect the ability of the Trust to meet its trailing 12-month interest expense on debt obligations.
Accordingly, the interest coverage ratios for comparative periods have been restated to conform to current period presentation.
Because the calculation of EBITDAFV has been adjusted effective December 31, 2019 as discussed under the “Earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and fair value adjustments (“EBITDAFV”)” heading above, the Trust has restated its prior
period calculation of interest coverage ratio (times) to be consistent with current period presentation.
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the
following table calculates the interest coverage ratio for the trailing 12-month periods ended December 31, 2019, September 30,
2019 and December 31, 2018:
Trailing 12-month EBITDAFV(1)
Trailing 12-month interest expense on debt(1)
Interest coverage ratio (times)
$
$
December 31,
2019
160,737 $
54,608 $
2.9
For the trailing 12-month period ended
December 31,
2018
167,436
60,718
2.8
September 30,
2019
163,624 $
57,344 $
2.9
(1) Trailing 12-month EBITDAFV and trailing 12-month interest expense on debt (non-GAAP measures) for the period ending September 30, 2019 has been
reconciled under the heading “Trailing 12-month EBITDAFV and trailing 12-month interest expense on debt” within this section.
Net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV
Management believes that net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV, a non-GAAP measurement, is an important measure in
determining the time it takes the Trust, on a go-forward basis, based on its normalized operating performance, to repay our debt.
This non-GAAP measurement does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures presented
by other income trusts.
Net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV as shown below is calculated as total debt (net of cash on hand), which includes debt related
to assets held for sale, divided by adjusted EBITDAFV – annualized. Adjusted EBITDAFV – annualized is calculated as annualized
quarterly EBITDAFV less NOI of disposed properties for the quarter plus the normalized NOI of properties acquired in the quarter.
Because the calculation of EBITDAFV has been adjusted effective December 31, 2019 as discussed in under the “Earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and fair value adjustments (“EBITDAFV”)” heading above, the Trust has restated its prior
period calculation of net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV to be consistent with current period presentation.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 34
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the
following table calculates the annualized net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV:
Non-current debt
Current debt
Total debt
Less: Cash on hand(1)
Net total debt
EBITDAFV(2) – quarterly
Add: Normalized NOI of property acquired in the quarter(3)
Less: NOI of disposed properties for the quarter(4)
Adjusted EBITDAFV – quarterly
Adjusted EBITDAFV – annualized
Net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV (years)
$
$
$
$
September 30,
2019
Amounts included in consolidated financial statements
December 31,
2018
1,314,646
91,567
1,406,213
(2,263 )
1,403,950
40,260
—
(1,392 )
38,868
155,472
9.0
December 31,
2019
967,861 $
182,511
1,150,372
(89,816 )
1,060,556 $
37,373
—
(2,084 )
35,289 $
141,156 $
7.5
1,030,580 $
180,827
1,211,407
(13,687 )
1,197,720 $
38,914
308
(1,661 )
37,561 $
150,244 $
8.0
(1) Cash on hand represents cash on hand at period-end, excluding cash held in co-owned properties and joint ventures that are equity accounted.
(2) EBITDAFV (a non-GAAP measure) has been reconciled to net income under the heading “Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and fair
value adjustments (“EBITDAFV”)” within this section. For the period ended September 30, 2019, EBITDAFV has been restated to exclude share of net loss from
investments in joint ventures.
(3) Represents the incremental NOI had the acquisitions in the respective periods occurred for the full quarter, determined using the average daily NOI times the
number of days the Trust did not own the property. This adjustment excludes NOI from properties acquired by joint ventures that are equity accounted.
(4) NOI of disposed properties for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019 includes NOI from properties classified as discontinued
operations that were sold during Q3 2019.
Level of debt (net total debt-to-net total assets)
Management believes that level of debt (net total debt-to-net total assets) is an important non-GAAP measure in the management
of our debt levels. This non-GAAP measure does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar
measures presented by other income trusts. Net total debt-to-net total assets as shown below is determined as total debt less
cash on hand, which includes debt related to assets held for sale, all divided by net total assets (being determined as total assets,
less cash on hand).
In compliance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the
following table calculates the level of debt (net total debt-to-net total assets):
Non-current debt
Current debt
Total debt
Less: Cash on hand(1)
Net total debt
Total assets
Less: Cash on hand(1)
Net total assets
Net total debt-to-net total assets
$
$
$
Amounts included in consolidated financial statements
December 31,
September 30,
2018
2019
1,314,646
91,567
1,406,213
(2,263 )
1,403,950
3,122,931
(2,263 )
3,120,668
45.0 %
December 31,
2019
967,861 $
182,511
1,150,372
(89,816 )
1,060,556 $
2,911,682
(89,816 )
2,821,866 $
37.6 %
1,030,580 $
180,827
1,211,407
(13,687 )
1,197,720 $
2,910,715
(13,687 )
2,897,028 $
41.3 %
(1) Cash on hand represents cash on hand at period-end, excluding cash held in co-owned properties and joint ventures that are equity accounted.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 35
SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION
The following table provides selected financial information for the past three years:
2017
429,652
134,786
3,321,983
1,160,689
1,367,650
122,422
1.25(2)
2019
229,018 $
117,320
2,911,682
967,861
1,150,372
62,842
2018
242,429 $
157,778
3,122,931
1,314,646
1,406,213
68,591
$
Investment properties revenue
Net income
Total assets
Non-current debt
Total debt
Total distributions(1)
Distribution rate (per unit)
Units outstanding:
REIT Units, Series A
LP Class B Units, Series 1
(1) Total distributions (a non-GAAP measure) is defined in the section “Non-GAAP Measures” under the heading “Total distributions paid and payable”.
(2) The Trust announced on June 22, 2017 a reduction to its monthly cash distribution from $0.125 per unit to $0.08333 per unit, or $1.00 per unit on an annualized
59,369,278
5,233,823
56,234,546
5,233,823
73,705,285
5,233,823
1.00 $
1.00 $
$
basis, commencing with the month of July 2017 distribution.
Since January 1, 2017, the Trust has disposed of investment properties, along with related mortgage debt, and used the balance
of the net proceeds to pay down the balance on the demand revolving credit facilities and buy back units through the NCIB
program. The reduced net income from a smaller portfolio was offset by fair value gains primarily in our Toronto downtown region
and higher comparative properties NOI due to higher occupancy and higher rents.
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
The following tables show quarterly information since January 1, 2018.
Key portfolio, leasing, financing and other capital information
Portfolio(1)
Number of properties
GLA (millions of sq. ft.)
Leasing – comparative portfolio(2)
Occupancy rate – including committed (period-end)
Occupancy rate – in-place (period-end)
Tenant retention ratio
Average in-place and committed net rent per square foot
Q4
Q3
Q2
2019
Q1
Q4
Q3
Q2
31
5.5
33
6.1
33
6.2
37
7.3
37
7.3
37
7.3
41
8.1
2018
Q1
42
8.3
90.8 %
90.1 %
85.6 %
93.1 %
92.6 %
69.7 %
94.3 % 93.2 %
92.9 % 91.8 %
88.0 % 70.9 %
93.0 %
91.5 %
71.6 %
94.2 % 91.8 %
88.3 % 86.4 %
88.8 % 53.0 %
91.3 %
86.3 %
54.3 %
(period-end)
$ 22.53
$ 22.79
$ 22.20
$ 21.06
$ 20.97
$ 20.87
$ 21.03
$ 21.13
Financing
Weighted average face rate of interest on debt
(period-end)(3)
Interest coverage ratio (times)(4)(5)
Net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV (years)(4)(5)
Level of debt (net total debt-to-net total assets)(4)
Capital
Total number of REIT A Units and LP B Units (in millions)(6)
NAV per unit(4)
3.88 %
2.9
7.5
37.6 %
3.88 %
2.9
8.0
41.3 %
3.94 % 3.99 %
2.7
8.6
45.4 % 45.1 %
2.8
8.5
4.06 %
2.8
9.0
45.0 %
3.94 % 3.85 %
2.9
9.3
46.2 % 48.1 %
2.8
9.1
3.92 %
3.1
7.6
40.7 %
61.5
75.4
$ 26.70 $ 25.79 $ 25.49 $ 25.10 $ 24.97 $ 24.40 $ 23.95 $ 23.81
63.6
64.3
65.3
65.4
61.5
64.6
(1) Excludes properties held for sale and properties in joint ventures that are equity accounted at the end of each period.
(2) Excludes acquired properties, properties held for sale, properties under development and properties in joint ventures that are equity accounted at the end of
each period.
(3) Weighted average face rate of interest on debt is calculated as the weighted average face rate of all interest bearing debt balances, excluding debt in joint
ventures that are equity accounted.
(4) The calculation of the following non-GAAP measures – interest coverage ratio, net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV, level of debt (net total debt-to-net total
assets) and NAV per unit – are included in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section of the MD&A.
(5) Interest coverage ratio and net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV have been restated for the comparative periods to conform to current period presentation.
For further details, please refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section under the headings “Interest coverage ratio” and “Net total debt-to-adjusted EBITDAFV”.
(6) Total number of REIT A Units and LP B Units includes 5.2 million LP B Units, which are classified as a liability under IFRS.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 36
Results of operations
Effective June 30, 2019, the results of operations from the Ottawa and Montréal segment were presented separately as income
(loss) from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), as both investment properties
in that segment have been sold. As a result of this change in presentation, the prior periods’ income measures of investment
properties revenue and operating expenses, interest expense on debt (included in “Other expenses”) and fair value adjustments
to investment properties (included in “Fair value adjustments, leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs”) attributable to this
segment have been retroactively reclassified to income (loss) from discontinued operations in the table below, in accordance with
IFRS requirements.
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Investment properties revenue
Investment properties operating
expenses
Net rental income
Other income
Other expenses
Fair value adjustments, leasing,
transaction and debt
settlement costs
Income (loss) before income taxes
and discontinued operations
Current and deferred income
taxes recovery (expense), net
Income (loss) from continuing
operations, net of taxes
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations
Net income (loss) for the period
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) for
Q4
56,990 $
Q3
57,432 $
Q2
57,031 $
$
2019
Q1
57,565 $
Q4
57,245 $
Q3
60,955 $
Q2
58,732 $
2018
Q1
65,497
(25,907 )
31,083
25,766
(16,699 )
(25,470 )
31,962
4,460
(16,609 )
(24,683 )
32,348
19,454
(17,852 )
(25,383 )
32,182
7,813
(17,372 )
(26,130 )
31,115
12,972
(17,949 )
(27,856 )
33,099
6,362
(19,032 )
(25,736 )
32,996
9,555
(18,975 )
(30,875 )
34,622
15,910
(17,327 )
23,450
(20,112 )
18,016
(11,518 )
33,751
19,860
(7 )
(8,668 )
63,600
(299 )
51,966
11,105
59,889
40,289
23,569
24,537
(149 )
(102 )
(118 )
(117 )
244
(349 )
(114 )
(123 )
63,451
(401 )
51,848
10,988
60,133
39,940
23,455
24,414
(258 )
63,193
(1,058 )
(1,939 )
(2,340 )
1,172
(5,315 )
46,533
(2,074 )
(1,054 )
9,934
(745 )
(1,644 )
58,489
2,991
1,442
41,382
(771 )
1,931
25,386
1,135
8,107
32,521
1,194
the period
$
62,135
$
(1,168 ) $
44,459
$
9,189
$
61,480
$
40,611
$
26,521
$
33,715
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 37
Reconciliation between net income (loss) and funds from operations
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except for unit and per unit amounts)
Q4
63,193 $
Q3
(2,340 ) $
Q2
46,533 $
$
2019
Q1
9,934 $
Q4
58,489 $
Q3
41,382 $
Q2
25,386 $
2018
Q1
32,521
Net income (loss) for the period
Add (deduct):
Share of income from investment
in Dream Industrial REIT
(25,419 )
(4,348 )
(18,833 )
(7,478 )
(12,717 )
(5,599 )
(8,932 )
(15,877 )
Share of FFO from investment in
Dream Industrial REIT(1)
Depreciation, amortization and
write-off of intangible assets
Costs attributable to sale of
investment properties(2)
Interest expense on subsidiary
redeemable units
Fair value adjustments to
investment properties(2)
Fair value adjustments to
investment properties held in
joint ventures
Fair value adjustments to
financial instruments and DUIP
included in G&A expenses
Debt settlement costs due to
disposals of investment
properties, net(2)
Internal leasing costs
Principal repayments on finance
lease liabilities(2)
Deferred income taxes expense
(recovery)
Taxes attributable to dispositions
Other
FFO for the period(3)
FFO per unit – diluted(4)
Weighted average units
outstanding(5)
Diluted (in thousands)
4,878
4,134
5,139
5,417
5,500
5,572
4,217
6,204
5,474
3,426
3,653
3,358
3,477
3,717
3,502
3,270
441
2,967
76
52
(455 )
919
415
1,468
1,309
1,308
1,309
1,308
1,309
1,308
1,309
1,308
(33,707 )
(18,807 )
(3,832 )
(603 )
(20,160 )
(24,823 )
(1,777 )
(773 )
—
518
—
—
—
—
—
—
9,721
36,595
(6,219 )
15,454
(11,066 )
4,493
853
7,376
—
500
1,620
506
—
511
—
671
1,070
512
—
630
—
924
(11 )
(8 )
(12 )
(13 )
—
—
—
—
617
—
149
—
—
25,188 $
0.40 $
102
—
—
26,678 $
0.42 $
118
—
—
28,721 $
0.44 $
117
—
—
28,300 $
0.43 $
(288 )
—
(7 )
25,736 $
0.39 $
(276 )
625
95
26,688 $
0.40 $
21
—
7
27,912 $
0.40 $
91
—
(15 )
35,460
0.46
$
$
62,388
62,848
65,144
65,185
65,839
66,286
70,228
76,881
(1) Included in the Q3 2018 FFO was a $(1.0) million one-time true-up adjustment to our share of FFO from investment in Dream Industrial REIT. Excluding the
adjustment, our share of FFO from investment in Dream Industrial REIT for that quarter was $5.2 million.
(2) Includes both continuing and discontinued operations.
(3) FFO (a non-GAAP measure) – Refer to the section “Non-GAAP Measures” under the heading “Funds from operations (“FFO”)” for further details.
(4) The LP B Units are included in the calculation of diluted FFO per unit.
(5) A description of the determination of diluted amounts per unit can be found in the section “Our Equity” under the heading “Weighted average number of
units”.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 38
SECTION V
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (the “Certifying Officers”),
together with other members of management, have evaluated the design and operational effectiveness of Dream Office REIT’s
disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and
Interim Filings (“NI 52-109”). The Certifying Officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and
effective in order to provide reasonable assurance that material information has been accumulated and communicated to
management, to allow timely decisions of required disclosures by Dream Office REIT and its consolidated subsidiary entities, within
the required time periods.
Dream Office REIT’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in NI 52-109) is designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with IFRS. Using the framework established in “2013 Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Internal Control
Framework”, published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, the Certifying Officers,
together with other members of management, have evaluated the design and operation of Dream Office REIT’s internal control
over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, the Certifying Officers have concluded that Dream Office REIT’s internal control
over financial reporting was effective for the year ended December 31, 2019.
There were no changes in Dream Office REIT’s internal control over financial reporting during the financial year ended
December 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Dream Office REIT’s internal control
over financial reporting.
SECTION VI – RISKS AND OUR STRATEGY TO MANAGE
In addition to the specific risks discussed in this MD&A, we are exposed to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond our control and could have an impact on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. Unitholders
should consider these risks and uncertainties when assessing our outlook in terms of investment potential. For a further discussion
of the risks and uncertainties identified by Dream Office REIT, please refer to our latest Annual Report and Annual Information
Form filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP
Real estate ownership is generally subject to numerous factors and risks, including changes in general economic conditions
(including market interest rates and the availability of mortgage financings and other types of credit), local economic conditions
(such as an oversupply of office and other commercial properties or a reduction in demand for real estate in the area), the
attractiveness of properties to potential tenants or purchasers, competition with other landlords with similar available space, and
the ability of the owner to provide adequate maintenance at competitive costs.
An investment in real estate is relatively illiquid. Such illiquidity will tend to limit our ability to vary our portfolio promptly in
response to changing economic or investment conditions. In recessionary times, it may be difficult to dispose of certain types of
real estate. The costs of holding real estate are considerable, and during an economic recession, we may be faced with ongoing
expenditures with a declining prospect of incoming receipts. In such circumstances, it may be necessary for us to dispose of
properties at lower prices in order to generate sufficient cash from operations and make distributions and interest payments.
Certain significant expenditures (e.g., property taxes, maintenance costs, mortgage payments, insurance costs and related
charges) must be made throughout the period of ownership of real property, regardless of whether the property is producing
sufficient income to pay such expenses. In order to retain desirable rentable space and to generate adequate revenue over the
long term, we must maintain or, in some cases, improve each property’s condition to meet market demand. Maintaining a rental
property in accordance with market standards can entail significant costs that we may not be able to pass on to our tenants.
Numerous factors, including the age of the relevant building structure, the material and substances used at the time of
construction, or currently unknown building code violations, could result in substantial unbudgeted costs for refurbishment or
modernization. In the course of acquiring a property, undisclosed defects in design or construction or other risks might not have
been recognized or correctly evaluated during the pre-acquisition due diligence process. These circumstances could lead to
additional costs and could have an adverse effect on our proceeds from sales and rental income of the relevant properties.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 39
DEVELOPMENT RISK
The Trust’s current, prospective and future development projects are subject to development risks. These risks include delays and
cost overruns arising from permitting delays, changing engineering and design requirements, the performance of contractors,
labour disruptions, adverse weather conditions and the availability of financing and other factors. Other development risks include
the failure of prospective tenants to occupy their space upon project completion and inability to achieve forecasted rates of return.
ROLLOVER OF LEASES
Upon the expiry of any lease, there can be no assurance that the lease will be renewed or the tenant replaced. Furthermore, the
terms of any subsequent lease may be less favourable than those of the existing lease. Our cash flows and financial position would
be adversely affected if our tenants were to become unable to meet their obligations under their leases or if a significant amount
of available space in our properties could not be leased on economically favourable lease terms. In the event of default by a tenant,
we may experience delays or limitations in enforcing our rights as lessor and incur substantial costs in protecting our investment.
Furthermore, at any time, a tenant may seek the protection of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws which could result in the
rejection and termination of the lease of the tenant and thereby cause a reduction in the cash flows available to us.
CONCENTRATION OF PROPERTIES AND TENANTS
Currently, principally all of our properties are located in Canada, with a concentration in Toronto, Ontario and, as a result, are
impacted by economic and other factors specifically affecting the real estate markets in Toronto, Ontario and the rest of Canada.
These factors may differ from those affecting the real estate markets in other regions. Due to the concentrated nature of our
properties, a number of our properties could experience any of the same conditions at the same time. If real estate conditions in
Toronto, Ontario and the rest of Canada decline relative to real estate conditions in other regions, our cash flows and financial
condition may be more adversely affected than those of companies that have more geographically diversified portfolios
of properties.
FINANCING
We require access to capital to maintain our properties as well as to fund our growth strategy and significant capital expenditures.
There is no assurance that capital will be available when needed or on favourable terms. Our access to third-party financing will
be subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions; the market’s perception of our growth potential; our
current and expected future earnings; our cash flow and cash distributions, and cash interest payments; and the market price of
our REIT A Units.
A significant portion of our financing is debt. Accordingly, we are subject to the risks associated with debt financing, including the
risk that our cash flows will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, and that, on maturities of such
debt, we may not be able to refinance the outstanding principal under such debt or that the terms of such refinancing will be
more onerous than those of the existing debt. If we are unable to refinance debt at maturity on terms acceptable to us or at all,
we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties on disadvantageous terms, which may result in losses and could
alter our debt-to-equity ratio or be dilutive to unitholders. Such losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial position
or cash flows.
The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences to our operations. A high level of debt will reduce the
amount of funds available for the payment of distributions to unitholders; limit our flexibility in planning for and reacting to
changes in the economy and in the industry, and increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
limit our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets, encumber our assets and make potential investments; place us at a
competitive disadvantage compared to other owners of similar real estate assets that are less leveraged and, therefore, may be
able to take advantage of opportunities that our indebtedness would prevent us from pursuing; make it more likely that a
reduction in our borrowing base following a periodic valuation (or redetermination) could require us to repay a portion of then
outstanding borrowings; and impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions, general trust or other purposes.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 40
CHANGES IN LAW
We are subject to applicable federal, provincial, municipal, local and common laws and regulations governing the ownership and
leasing of real property, employment standards, environmental matters, taxes and other matters. It is possible that future changes
in such laws or regulations, or changes in their application, enforcement or regulatory interpretation, could result in changes in
the legal requirements affecting us (including with retroactive effect). In addition, the political conditions in the jurisdictions in
which we operate are also subject to change. Any changes in investment policies or shifts in political attitudes may adversely affect
our investments. Any changes in the laws to which we are subject in the jurisdictions in which we operate could materially affect
our rights and title in and to the properties and the revenues we are able to generate from our investments.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
We intend to continue to qualify as a “unit trust” and a “mutual fund trust” for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). There
can be no assurance that Canadian federal income tax laws and the administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada
Revenue Agency respecting the treatment of mutual fund trusts will not be changed in a manner that adversely affects the
unitholders. If we cease to qualify as a “mutual fund trust” under the Income Tax Act (Canada), the income tax considerations
applicable to us would be materially and adversely different in certain respects, including that the REIT A Units may cease to be
qualified investments for registered plans under the Income Tax Act (Canada).
INTEREST RATES
When entering into financing agreements or extending such agreements, we depend on our ability to agree on terms for interest
payments that will not impair our desired profit, and on amortization schedules that do not restrict our ability to pay distributions
on our REIT A Units. In addition to existing variable rate portions of our financing agreements, we may enter into future financing
agreements with variable interest rates. An increase in interest rates could result in a significant increase in the amount we pay to
service debt, which could limit our ability to pay distributions to unitholders and could impact the market price of the REIT A Units.
However, to the extent that we fail to adequately manage these risks, our financial results, our ability to pay distributions to
unitholders and cash interest payments under our financing arrangements and future financings may be negatively affected.
Increases in interest rates generally cause a decrease in demand for properties. Higher interest rates and more stringent borrowing
requirements, whether mandated by law or required by banks, could have a significant negative effect on our ability to sell any of
our properties.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE RISK
As an owner of real property, we are subject to various federal, provincial and municipal laws relating to environmental matters.
Such laws provide a range of potential liability, including potentially significant penalties, and potential liability for the costs of
removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances. The presence of such substances, if any, could adversely affect our ability
to sell or redevelop such real estate or to borrow using such real estate as collateral and, potentially, could also result in civil claims
against us. We have insurance and other policies and procedures in place to review and monitor environmental exposure, which
we believe mitigates these risks to an acceptable level. In order to obtain financing for the purchase of a new property through
traditional channels, we may be requested to arrange for an environmental audit to be conducted. Although such an audit provides
us and our lenders with some assurance, we may become subject to liability for undetected pollution or other environmental
hazards on our properties against which we cannot insure, or against which we may elect not to insure where premium costs are
disproportionate to our perception of relative risk.
We have formal policies and procedures to review and monitor environmental exposure. These policies include the requirement
to obtain a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, conducted by an independent and qualified environmental consultant, before
acquiring any real property or any interest therein.
Climate change continues to attract the focus of governments and the general public as an important threat, given the emission
of greenhouse gases and other activities continue to negatively impact the planet. We face the risk that our properties will be
subject to government initiatives aimed at countering climate change, such as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which could
impose constraints on our operational flexibility or cause us to incur financial costs to comply with various reforms. Any failure to
adhere and adapt to climate change reform could result in fines or adversely affect our reputation, operations or financial
performance. Furthermore, our properties may be exposed to the impact of events caused by climate change, such as natural
disasters and increasingly frequent and severe weather conditions. Such events could interrupt our operations and activities,
damage our properties and may potentially decrease our property values or require us to incur additional expenses including an
increase in insurance costs to insure our properties against natural disasters and severe weather.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 41
JOINT ARRANGEMENTS
We may be, from time to time, a participant in jointly controlled entities and co-ownerships (combined “joint arrangements”) with
third parties. A joint arrangement involves certain additional risks, including:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
the possibility that such third parties may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that will be
inconsistent with ours, or take actions contrary to our instructions or requests or to our policies or objectives with respect
to our real estate investments;
the risk that such third parties could experience financial difficulties or seek the protection of bankruptcy, insolvency or
other laws, which could result in additional financial demands on us to maintain and operate such properties or repay
the third parties’ share of property debt guaranteed by us or for which we will be liable, and/or result in our suffering or
incurring delays, expenses and other problems associated with obtaining court approval of the joint arrangement;
the risk that such third parties may, through their activities on behalf of or in the name of the joint arrangements, expose
or subject us to liability; and
the need to obtain third parties’ consent with respect to certain major decisions, including the decision to distribute cash
generated from such properties or to refinance or sell a property. In addition, the sale or transfer of interests in certain
of the joint arrangements may be subject to rights of first refusal or first offer, and certain of the joint venture and
partnership agreements may provide for buy-sell or similar arrangements. Such rights may be triggered at a time when
we may not desire to sell but may be forced to do so because we do not have the cash to purchase the other party’s
interests. Such rights may also inhibit our ability to sell an interest in a property or a joint arrangement within the time
frame or otherwise on the basis we desire.
Our investment in properties through joint arrangements is subject to the investment guidelines set out in our Declaration
of Trust.
COMPETITION
The real estate market in Canada is highly competitive and fragmented, and we compete for real property acquisitions with
individuals, corporations, institutions and other entities that may seek real property investments similar to those we desire. An
increase in the availability of investment funds or an increase in interest in real property investments may increase competition
for real property investments, thereby increasing purchase prices and reducing the yield on them. If competing properties of a
similar type are built in the area where one of our properties is located or if similar properties located in the vicinity of one of our
properties are substantially refurbished, the net rental income derived from and the value of such property could be reduced.
Numerous other developers, managers and owners of properties will compete with us in seeking tenants. To the extent that our
competitors own properties that are in better locations, of better quality or less leveraged than the properties owned by us, they
may be in a better position to attract tenants who might otherwise lease space in our properties. To the extent that our
competitors are better capitalized or financially stronger, they would be in a better position to withstand an economic downturn.
The existence of competition for tenants could have an adverse effect on our ability to lease space in our properties and on the
rents charged or concessions granted, and could materially and adversely affect our cash flows, operating results and financial
condition.
INSURANCE
We carry general liability, umbrella liability and excess liability insurance with limits that are typically obtained for similar real
estate portfolios in Canada and otherwise acceptable to our trustees. For the property risks, we carry “All Risks” property insurance
including, but not limited to, flood, earthquake and loss of rental income insurance (with at least a 24-month indemnity period).
We also carry boiler and machinery insurance covering all boilers, pressure vessels, HVAC systems and equipment breakdown.
However, certain types of risks (generally of a catastrophic nature such as from war or nuclear accident) are uninsurable under
any insurance policy. Furthermore, there are other risks that are not economically viable to insure at this time. We have insurance
for earthquake risks, subject to certain policy limits, deductibles and self-insurance arrangements. Should an uninsured or
underinsured loss occur, we could lose our investment in, and anticipated profits and cash flows from, one or more of our
properties, but we would continue to be obligated to repay any recourse mortgage indebtedness on such properties. We do not
carry title insurance on our properties. If a loss occurs resulting from a title defect with respect to a property where there is no
title insurance or the loss is in excess of insured limits, we could lose all or part of our investment in, and anticipated profits and
cash flows from, such property.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 42
RELIANCE ON DAM FOR CERTAIN MANAGEMENT SERVICES
We rely on DAM for certain management services, as requested. DAM has the right, upon 180 days’ notice, to terminate our New
Shared Services Agreement for any reason at any time. Our New Shared Services Agreement may also be terminated in other
circumstances, such as in the event of default or insolvency of DAM within the meaning of such agreement. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance that DAM will continue to provide management services. If DAM should cease for whatever reason to provide
such services, this may adversely impact our ability to meet our objectives and execute our strategy.
CYBER SECURITY RISKS
As we continue to increase our dependence on information technologies to conduct our operations, the risks associated with
cyber security also increase. We rely on management information systems and computer control systems. Business disruptions,
utility outages and information technology system and network disruptions due to cyber-attacks could seriously harm our
operations and materially adversely affect our operating results. Cyber security risks include attacks on information technology
and infrastructure by hackers, damage or loss of information due to viruses, the unintended disclosure of confidential information,
the misuse or loss of control over computer control systems, and breaches due to employee error. Our exposure to cyber security
risks includes exposure through third parties on whose systems we place significant reliance for the conduct of our business. We
have implemented security procedures and measures in order to protect our systems and information from being vulnerable to
cyber-attacks. However, we may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate, prevent, or recover from rapidly
evolving types of cyber-attacks. Compromises to our information and control systems could have severe financial and other
business implications.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 43
SECTION VII
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS
Preparing the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect
the amounts reported. Management bases its judgments and estimates on historical experience and other factors it believes to
be reasonable under the circumstances, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable, the result of which forms the basis
of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in
outcomes that could require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the affected asset or liability in the future.
The following are the critical accounting judgments used in applying the Trust’s accounting policies that have the most significant
effect on the amounts in the consolidated financial statements:
Investment properties
Critical judgments are made in respect of the fair values of investment properties. The fair values of these investments are
reviewed at least quarterly by management with reference to independent property appraisals and market conditions existing at
the reporting date, using generally accepted market practices. The independent appraisers are experienced, nationally recognized
and qualified in the professional valuation of investment properties in their respective geographic areas. Judgment is also applied
in determining the extent and frequency of obtaining independent appraisals. At each reporting period, a select number of
properties, determined on a rotational basis, are valued by independent appraisers. For properties not subject to independent
appraisals, valuations are prepared internally during each reporting period.
Critical assumptions used in estimating the fair values of investment properties include cap rates, discount rates that reflect
current market uncertainties, terminal cap rates and market rents. Other key assumptions relating to the estimates of fair values
of investment properties include components of stabilized NOI, leasing costs and vacancy rates. The Trust examines the critical
and key assumptions at the end of each reporting period and updates these assumptions based on recent leasing activity and
external market data available at that time. If there is any change in these assumptions or regional, national or international
economic conditions, the fair value of investment properties may change materially.
The Trust makes judgments with respect to whether lease incentives provided in connection with a lease enhance the value of
the leased space, which determines whether or not such amounts are treated as tenant improvements and added to investment
properties. Lease incentives, such as cash, rent-free periods and lessee or lessor owned improvements, may be provided to lessees
to enter into an operating lease. Lease incentives that do not provide benefits beyond the initial lease term are included in the
carrying amount of investment properties and are amortized as a reduction of rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term
of the lease.
Judgment is also applied in determining whether certain costs are additions to the carrying amount of the investment property.
For properties under development, the Trust exercises judgment in determining when development activities have commenced,
when and how much borrowing costs are to be capitalized to the development project, and the point of practical completion.
Impairment
The Trust assesses the possibility and amount of any impairment loss or write-down as it relates to the investment in
Dream Industrial REIT and other equity accounted investments, amounts receivable, property and equipment and intangible
assets.
IFRS 9, “Financial Instruments” (“IFRS 9”) requires management to use judgment in determining if the Trust’s financial assets are
impaired. In making this judgment, the Trust evaluates, among other factors, the credit risk of the counterparty, whether there
are indicators that credit risk on a financial instrument has changed significantly since initial recognition or the last reassessment
of credit risk. Where the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition, the Trust records a loss
allowance equal to the lifetime expected credit losses arising from that financial asset.
IAS 36, “Impairment of Assets” (“IAS 36”), requires management to use judgment in determining the recoverable amount of assets
and equity accounted investments that are tested for impairment, including the investment in Dream Industrial REIT and other
equity accounted investments. Judgment is also involved in estimating the value-in-use of the investment in Dream Industrial REIT
and other equity accounted investments, including estimates of future cash flows, discount rates and terminal rates. The values
assigned to these key assumptions reflect past experience and are consistent with external sources of information.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 44
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust has adopted IFRS 16, “Leases” (“IFRS 16”). IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition,
measurement and disclosure of leases. While accounting for leases where the Trust is acting as the lessor is substantially
unchanged, there have been significant changes to the accounting for leases previously classified as operating leases where the
Trust is acting as the lessee.
Prior to January 1, 2019, where the Trust was a lessee, operating leases were expensed over the term of the lease; however,
IFRS 16 requires that the Trust recognize a Right of Use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability at the inception of a lease contract.
Subsequently, ROU assets for investment properties are accounted for under the fair value model while ROU assets for property
and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the useful life of the asset and the term of the lease.
Lease liabilities are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the lease. Leases for a term of less than
12 months, or for low value assets (determined by the Trust to be less than $10), are expensed evenly over the term of the lease.
The Trust has applied IFRS 16 on a modified retrospective basis. On adoption of IFRS 16, the Trust recognized investment property
ROU assets and related lease liabilities totalling $4,499 in the consolidated balance sheet based on an estimated weighted average
incremental borrowing rate of 5.12% for borrowings secured by similar assets and for similar terms as the leases.
The Trust is not required to make any adjustments on transition to IFRS 16 for leases in which it acts as a lessor. The
Trust accounts for its leases in accordance with IFRS 16 from the date of initial application.
FUTURE ACCOUNTING POLICY CHANGES
Business combinations
The IASB published an amendment to the requirements of IFRS 3, “Business Combinations”, in relation to whether a transaction
meets the definition of a business combination. The amendment clarifies the definition of a business and provides additional
illustrative examples, including those relevant to the real estate industry. A significant change in the amendment is the option for
an entity to assess whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset or group
of similar assets. If such a concentration exists, the transaction is not viewed as an acquisition of a business and no further
assessment of the business combination guidance is required. This will be relevant where the value of the acquired entity is
concentrated in one property, or a group of similar properties. The amendment is effective for periods beginning on or after
January 1, 2020 with earlier application permitted. There will be no impact on transition since the amendments are effective for
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the transition date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to Dream Office REIT, including the latest Annual Information Form of Dream Office REIT, is
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 45
SECTION VIII
ASSET LISTING
The following table includes supplementary information on our portfolio as at December 31, 2019.
Property
Ownership
Adelaide Place, Toronto
State Street Financial Centre, Toronto
438 University Avenue, Toronto
655 Bay Street, Toronto
74 Victoria Street/137 Yonge Street, Toronto
720 Bay Street, Toronto
36 Toronto Street, Toronto
330 Bay Street, Toronto
20 Toronto Street/33 Victoria Street, Toronto
250 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Victory Building, Toronto
425 Bloor Street East, Toronto(1)
212 King Street West, Toronto
360 Bay Street, Toronto
67 & 69 Richmond Street West, Toronto
350 Bay Street, Toronto
366 Bay Street, Toronto
56 Temperance Street, Toronto
Toronto downtown
2200-2206 Eglinton Avenue East & 1020 Birchmount Road,
Scarborough
50 & 90 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga
(Sussex Centre)(2)
444 – 7th Building, Calgary
Saskatoon Square, Saskatoon
12800 Foster Street, Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.
Princeton Tower, Saskatoon
606 – 4th Building & Barclay Parkade, Calgary
Kensington House, Calgary
Preston Centre, Saskatoon
234 – 1st Avenue South, Saskatoon
Other markets
Total – comparative portfolio
6 Adelaide Street East, Toronto
Total acquired properties
Total comparative portfolio and acquired properties
1900 Sherwood Place, Regina
357 Bay Street, Toronto
Total properties under development
Total portfolio
220 King Street West, Toronto(3)
Owned share of
total GLA (in
thousands of
square feet)
658
414
323
301
266
248
214
165
158
122
101
83
73
58
54
53
36
32
3,359
Number of
tenants
(in-place and
committed)
70
7
18
22
5
1
39
41
20
16
39
8
9
16
5
11
7
8
342
Average tenant
size (in
thousands of
square feet)
9
59
18
13
53
248
5
4
8
8
2
10
8
4
10
5
3
4
10
Average
remaining
lease term
(in years)
5.5
4.8
6.0
6.1
4.2
6.0
3.8
3.0
6.7
4.9
2.7
9.5
2.7
2.8
4.2
3.5
1.8
5.7
5.1
In-place and
committed
occupancy
98.4 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
98.4 %
98.9 %
100.0 %
99.2 %
90.5 %
99.5 %
98.9 %
79.7 %
100.0 %
98.6 %
100.0 %
93.3 %
97.4 %
54.3 %
100.0 %
97.6 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
442
49.9 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
50.0 %
326
261
228
185
134
126
78
62
10
1,852
5,211
53
53
5,264
210
65
275
5,539
11
11
62
10
13
1
13
12
20
13
3
158
500
20
20
520
6
1
7
527
3
24
9
22
13
185
5
9
4
5
2
11
10
3
3
10
35
64
39
10
6
8.2
60.4 %
6.1
6.5
5.7
5.9
7.3
5.8
6.2
3.1
4.0
6.4
5.5
2.0
2.0
5.5
11.0
15.0
11.9
5.8
6.3
90.0 %
85.7 %
74.2 %
100.0 %
49.8 %
85.5 %
95.7 %
100.0 %
66.8 %
78.6 %
90.8 %
96.7 %
96.7 %
90.9 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
91.4 %
83.4 %
(1) Property subject to a ground lease.
(2) Co-owned property.
(3) Joint venture that is equity accounted. This property was acquired on August 22, 2019.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 46
Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
The accompanying consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto and other financial information contained in this Annual
Report have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the management of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust. These
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, using
management’s best estimates and judgments when appropriate.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibility for financial reporting and internal
controls. The Audit Committee, which comprises appointed trustees, meets with management as well as the external auditor to
satisfy itself that management is properly discharging its financial responsibilities and to review its consolidated financial
statements and the report of the auditor. The Audit Committee reports its findings to the Board of Trustees, which approves the
consolidated financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent auditor, has audited the consolidated financial statements in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. The auditor has full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee, with or
without management present.
“Michael J. Cooper”
“Jay Jiang”
Michael J. Cooper
Chief Executive Officer
Jay Jiang
Chief Financial Officer
Toronto, Ontario, February 20, 2020
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 47
Independent auditor’s report
To the Unitholders of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust
Our opinion
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust and its subsidiaries (together, the
Trust) as at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years
then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (IFRS).
What we have audited
The Trust’s consolidated financial statements comprise:
the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2019 and 2018;
the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years then ended;
the consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years then ended;
the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years then ended; and
the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant
accounting policies.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit
of the consolidated financial statements section of our report.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our
opinion.
Independence
We are independent of the Trust in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit
of the consolidated financial statements in Canada. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in
accordance with these requirements.
Other information
Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Management’s
Discussion and Analysis and the information, other than the consolidated financial statements and our
auditor’s report thereon, included in the annual report.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PwC Tower, 18 York Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 0B2
T: +1 416 863 1133, F: +1 416 365 8215
“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership.
48
Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the
other information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially
inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or
otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other
information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the
consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial
statements in accordance with IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary
to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Trust’s
ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using
the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Trust or to cease
operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Trust’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as
a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s
report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee
that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards will always
detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise
professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements,
whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk
of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from
error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the
override of internal control.
49
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting
estimates and related disclosures made by management.
Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and,
based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or
conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we
conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report
to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Trust to cease
to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements,
including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the
underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or
business activities within the Trust to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements.
We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain
solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal
control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant
ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other
matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related
safeguards.
The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Alaina Tennison.
(Signed) “PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP”
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Ontario
February 20, 2020
50
Consolidated balance sheets
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Assets
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investment properties
Investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Investments in joint ventures
Other non-current assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Amounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Liabilities
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Debt
Subsidiary redeemable units
Deferred Unit Incentive Plan
Deferred tax liabilities, net
Other non-current liabilities
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Debt
Amounts payable and accrued liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity
Unitholders’ equity
Deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
Note
December 31,
2019
December 31,
2018
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
11
16
17
17
17, 18
$
$
$
$
2,420,945
320,295
13,935
42,337
2,797,512
13,834
4,926
95,410
114,170
2,911,682
967,861
162,929
27,064
2,342
12,236
1,172,432
182,511
78,478
260,989
1,433,421
2,049,272
(574,801 )
3,790
1,478,261
2,911,682
$
$
$
$
2,778,826
266,583
1,531
40,969
3,087,909
20,005
6,248
8,769
35,022
3,122,931
1,314,646
116,662
18,180
1,957
8,694
1,460,139
91,567
74,483
166,050
1,626,189
2,124,760
(634,513 )
6,495
1,496,742
3,122,931
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust:
“Karine MacIndoe”
KARINE MACINDOE
Trustee
“Michael J. Cooper”
MICHAEL J. COOPER
Trustee
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 51
Note
19
$
7
8
20
21
21
6, 24
22
23
14
24
18
18
7, 18
8, 18
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
242,429
229,018 $
(101,443 )
(110,597 )
131,832
127,575
56,078
(641 )
2,056
57,493
43,125
—
1,674
44,799
(10,846 )
(12,476 )
(50,561 )
(5,234 )
(1,891 )
(68,532 )
68,201
(55,162 )
(3,203 )
9,836
126,372
(486 )
125,886
(8,566 )
117,320
(53,374 )
(5,234 )
(2,199 )
(73,283 )
53,486
(1,371 )
(7,179 )
44,936
148,284
(342 )
147,942
9,836
157,778
48
(720 )
(2,258 )
46
1,192
3,311
225
(2,705 )
114,615 $
—
4,549
162,327
$
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Investment properties revenue
Investment properties operating expenses
Net rental income
Other income
Share of income from investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Share of net loss from investment in joint ventures
Interest and other income
Other expenses
General and administrative
Interest:
Debt
Subsidiary redeemable units
Amortization and write-off of intangible assets and depreciation on property and equipment
Fair value adjustments, leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
Fair value adjustments to financial instruments
Leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations
Current and deferred income taxes expense, net
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
Net income for the year
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Items that will be reclassified subsequently to net income:
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps and other, net of taxes
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of taxes
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) from investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to net income:
Share of other comprehensive income from investment in joint ventures
Comprehensive income for the year
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 52
Consolidated statements of changes in equity
(all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Attributable to unitholders of the Trust
Year ended December 31, 2019
Balance at January 1, 2019
Net income for the year
Distributions paid and payable
Deferred trust units exchanged for REIT A Units
Cancellation of REIT A Units under NCIB
Issue and cancellation costs
Other comprehensive loss
Balance at December 31, 2019
Note
25
13
17
18
Number of
REIT A Units
59,369,278 $
—
—
96,234
(3,230,966 )
—
—
56,234,546 $
Unitholders’
equity
2,124,760 $
—
—
2,397
(77,818 )
(67 )
—
2,049,272 $
Deficit
(634,513 ) $
117,320
(57,608 )
—
—
—
—
(574,801 ) $
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
6,495 $
—
—
—
—
—
(2,705 )
3,790 $
Total equity
1,496,742
117,320
(57,608 )
2,397
(77,818 )
(67 )
(2,705 )
1,478,261
Year ended December 31, 2018
Balance at January 1, 2018
Net income for the year
Distributions paid and payable
Deferred trust units exchanged for REIT A Units
Cancellation of REIT A Units under NCIB
Cancellation of REIT A Units under SIB
Issue and cancellation costs
Other comprehensive income
Balance at December 31, 2018
Note
25
13
17
17
18
Number of
REIT A Units
73,705,285 $
—
—
139,657
(4,475,664 )
(10,000,000 )
—
—
59,369,278 $
Unitholders’
equity
2,462,611 $
—
—
3,205
(100,716 )
(240,000 )
(340 )
—
2,124,760 $
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Attributable to unitholders of the Trust
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
1,946 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,549
6,495 $
Deficit
(728,934 ) $
157,778
(63,357 )
—
—
—
—
—
(634,513 ) $
Total equity
1,735,623
157,778
(63,357 )
3,205
(100,716 )
(240,000 )
(340 )
4,549
1,496,742
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 53
Consolidated statements of cash flows
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Generated from (utilized in) operating activities
Net income for the year
Non-cash items:
Share of income from investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Share of net loss from investments in joint ventures
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
Fair value adjustments to financial instruments
Amortization and depreciation
Other adjustments
Change in non-cash working capital
Investment in lease incentives and initial direct leasing costs
Interest expense on subsidiary redeemable units
Generated from (utilized in) investing activities
Investment in building improvements
Investment in properties under development
Investment in property acquisition and transaction costs paid
Investment in property and equipment
Contributions to joint ventures
Net proceeds from disposal of investment properties
Change in restricted cash
Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities
Distributions from investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Generated from (utilized in) financing activities
Principal repayments
Borrowings
Lump sum repayments
Lump sum repayments on property dispositions
Financing cost additions
Distributions paid on REIT A Units
Interest paid on subsidiary redeemable units
Cancellation of REIT A Units under NCIB
Cancellation of REIT A Units under SIB
Debt settlement and REIT A Units issue and cancellation costs
Principal repayments on finance lease liabilities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in foreign currency
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Note
7
8
6, 24
22
26
26
26
21
5
11, 24
11
11
11, 24
11
25
21
17
17
15
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
117,320 $
157,778
(56,078 )
641
(56,949 )
55,162
16,932
8,284
9,727
(30,914 )
5,234
69,359
(23,220 )
(22,936 )
(36,833 )
(11 )
(12,820 )
377,690
(3,517 )
—
—
278,353
(15,650 )
410,900
(469,352 )
(41,937 )
(2,575 )
(57,869 )
(5,234 )
(77,818 )
—
(1,407 )
(44 )
(260,986 )
86,726
(85 )
8,769
95,410 $
(43,125 )
—
(47,533 )
1,371
16,588
5,870
(8,148 )
(41,506 )
5,234
46,529
(17,627 )
(3,471 )
—
(406 )
(1,532 )
261,330
(165 )
5,157
378
243,664
(19,472 )
580,702
(435,980 )
(90,697 )
(1,391 )
(64,552 )
(5,234 )
(100,716 )
(240,000 )
(1,166 )
—
(378,506 )
(88,313 )
122
96,960
8,769
$
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 54
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(all dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except for per unit or per square foot amounts)
Note 1
ORGANIZATION
Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust (“Dream Office REIT” or the “Trust”) is an open-ended investment trust created
pursuant to a Declaration of Trust, as amended and restated, under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The consolidated financial
statements of Dream Office REIT include the accounts of Dream Office REIT and its subsidiaries. Dream Office REIT primarily owns
central business district office properties in major urban centres across Canada, with a focus on downtown Toronto. A subsidiary
of Dream Office REIT performs the property management function.
The principal office and centre of administration of the Trust is 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 301, State Street Financial Centre,
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3H1. The Trust is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “D.UN”. Dream Office
REIT’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 were authorized for issuance by the Board of
Trustees on February 20, 2020, after which they may only be amended with the Board of Trustees’ approval.
For simplicity, throughout the Notes, reference is made to the units of the Trust as follows:
• “REIT A Units”, meaning the REIT Units, Series A;
• “REIT B Units”, meaning the REIT Units, Series B;
• “REIT Units”, meaning the REIT Units, Series A, and REIT Units, Series B, collectively;
• “Units”, meaning REIT Units, Series A, REIT Units, Series B, and Special Trust Units, collectively; and
• “subsidiary redeemable units”, meaning the LP Class B Units, Series 1, limited partnership units of Dream Office LP, a subsidiary
of Dream Office REIT.
Note 2
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are described below:
Basis of presentation and statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”).
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Dream Office REIT and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries
are fully consolidated from the date of acquisition, the date on which the Trust obtains control, and continue to be consolidated
until the date such control ceases. Control exists when the Trust is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its
involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. All intercompany balances,
income and expenses, and unrealized gains and losses resulting from intercompany transactions are eliminated in full.
Equity accounted investments
Equity accounted investments are investments over which the Trust has significant influence, but not control. Generally, the Trust
is considered to exert significant influence when it holds more than a 20% interest in an entity or partnership. However,
determining significant influence is a matter of judgment and specific circumstances and, from time to time, the Trust may hold
an interest of more than 20% in an entity or partnership without exerting significant influence. Conversely, the Trust may hold an
interest of less than 20% and exert significant influence through representation on the Board of Trustees, direction of management
or contractual agreements.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 55
The financial results of the Trust’s equity accounted investments are included in the Trust’s consolidated financial statements using
the equity method, whereby the investment is carried on the consolidated balance sheets at cost, adjusted for the Trust’s
proportionate share of post-acquisition profits and losses and for post-acquisition changes in excess of the Trust’s carrying amount
of its investment over the net assets of the equity accounted investments, less any identified impairment loss. The Trust’s share
of profits and losses is recognized in the share of income from equity accounted investments in the consolidated statements of
comprehensive income. Dilution gains and accretion losses arising from changes in the Trust’s interest in equity accounted
investments are recognized in earnings. If the Trust’s investment is reduced to zero, additional losses are not provided for, and a
liability is not recognized, unless the Trust has incurred legal or constructive obligations, or made payments on behalf of the equity
accounted investment.
At each reporting date, the Trust evaluates whether there is objective evidence that its interest in an equity accounted investment
is impaired. The entire carrying amount of the equity accounted investment is compared to the recoverable amount, which is the
higher of the value-in-use or fair value less costs to sell. The recoverable amount of each investment is considered separately.
Where the Trust transacts with its equity accounted investments, unrealized profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the
Trust’s interest in the investment. Balances outstanding between the Trust and equity accounted investments in which it has an
interest are not eliminated in the consolidated balance sheets.
Joint arrangements
The Trust enters into joint arrangements via joint operations and joint ventures. A joint arrangement is a contractual arrangement
pursuant to which the Trust and other parties undertake an economic activity that is subject to joint control, whereby the strategic
financial and operating policy decisions relating to the activities of the joint arrangement require the unanimous consent of the
parties sharing control, and that is referred to as joint operations. Joint arrangements that involve the establishment of a separate
entity or partnership in which each party to the venture has rights to the net assets of the arrangements are referred to as joint
ventures. In a co-ownership arrangement, the Trust owns jointly one or more investment properties with another party and has
direct rights to the investment property and obligations for the liabilities relating to the co-ownership.
The Trust reports its interests in joint ventures using the equity method of accounting as previously described under “Equity
accounted investments”. The Trust reports its interests in co-ownerships as joint operations by accounting for its share of the
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Under this method, the Trust’s consolidated financial statements reflect only the Trust’s
proportionate share of the assets, its share of any liabilities incurred jointly with the other ventures as well as any liabilities
incurred directly, its share of any revenues earned or expenses incurred by the joint operation and any expenses incurred directly.
One of the joint ventures in which the Trust participates holds investments that are classified as financial assets. These assets have
been designated as fair value through other comprehensive income with changes in the fair values of these investments flowing
through the Trust’s statement of comprehensive income as share of other comprehensive income from investment in
joint ventures.
Investment properties
Investment properties are initially recorded at cost, including related transaction costs in connection with asset acquisitions, and
include investment properties held to earn rental income and/or for capital appreciation and properties that are being constructed
or developed for future use as investment properties. Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties are accounted for
at fair value. At the end of each reporting period, the Trust determines the fair value of investment properties by:
1) considering current contracted sales prices for properties that are available for sale;
2) obtaining appraisals from qualified external professionals on a rotational basis for select properties; and
3) using internally prepared valuations applying the income approach.
The income approach is derived from two methods: the capitalization rate (“cap rate”) method and the discounted cash flow
method. In applying the cap rate method, the stabilized net operating income (“stabilized NOI”) of each property is divided by an
appropriate cap rate with adjustments for items such as average lease up costs, vacancy rates, non-recoverable capital
expenditures, management fees, straight-line rents and other non-recurring items. On a quarterly basis, the Trust generally uses
the cap rate method to value investment properties that are more stable and uses the discounted cash flow method on an annual
basis to validate the cap rate value on such properties. Properties under development and properties with redevelopment
potential are measured using the discounted cash flow method, net of costs to complete, as of the consolidated balance
sheet dates.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 56
Building improvements are added to the carrying amount of investment properties only when it is probable that future economic
benefits associated with the expenditure will flow to the Trust and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. Repairs and
maintenance costs are recorded in investment properties operating expenses when incurred.
Initial direct leasing costs incurred in negotiating and arranging tenant leases are added to the carrying amount of investment
properties. Lease incentives, which include committed costs on commenced leases, costs incurred prior to lease commencement
to make leasehold improvements to tenants’ space and cash allowances provided to tenants, are added to the carrying amount
of investment properties and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease as a reduction to investment
properties revenue. Internal leasing costs are expensed in the period that they are incurred.
Borrowing costs associated with direct expenditures on properties under development are capitalized during the period of active
development. The amount of capitalized borrowing costs is determined first by reference to project-specific borrowings, where
applicable, and otherwise by applying a weighted average cost of borrowings to eligible expenditures after adjusting for
borrowings associated with other specific developments. Where borrowings are associated with specific developments, the
amount capitalized is the gross cost incurred on those borrowings less any investment income arising on their temporary
investment. Borrowing costs are capitalized from the commencement of active construction until the date of practical completion
when the property is substantially ready for its intended use. The capitalization of borrowing costs is suspended if there are
prolonged periods when development activity is interrupted. Practical completion is when the property is capable of operating in
the manner intended by management. Generally, this occurs on completion of construction and receipt of all necessary occupancy
and other material permits. If the Trust has pre-leased space at or prior to the start of the development, and the lease requires
tenant improvements that enhance the value of the property, practical completion is considered to occur when such
improvements are completed.
Investment properties, including investment properties held for sale, are derecognized on disposal or when no future economic
benefits are expected from their use or disposal. Any transaction costs arising on derecognition of an investment property are
included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income during the reporting period the asset is derecognized.
Straight-line rent receivables are added to the carrying amount of investment properties.
Assets held for sale
Assets and associated liabilities (or disposal groups) are classified as held for sale when their carrying amount is to be recovered
principally through a sale transaction and a sale is considered highly probable. Investment properties continue to be measured at
fair value. Debt related to assets held for sale is carried at amortized cost until disposal.
Other non-current assets
Other non-current assets include a vendor takeback mortgage receivable, property and equipment, restricted cash, intangible
assets and deposits. The vendor takeback mortgage receivable was originally recorded at the fair value of the consideration
received at inception and is subsequently measured under the expected credit loss (“ECL”) model. Property and equipment are
stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation of property and equipment is
calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost, net of their residual values, over their expected useful lives. All
other repairs and maintenance are charged to consolidated statements of comprehensive income during the reporting period in
which they are incurred. Restricted cash is accounted for at cost. Intangible assets were initially recorded at the fair value of
property management contracts for co-owned properties and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the
agreements. The unamortized portion of intangible assets are written off when the co-owned property is sold. Deposits are
recorded at amortized cost.
Other non-current assets are derecognized on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from their use or
disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of an asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and
the carrying amount of the asset) is included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income during the reporting period
the asset is derecognized.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less, and exclude cash
subject to restrictions that prevent its use for current purposes. Excluded from cash and cash equivalents are amounts held for
repayment of tenant security deposits, as required by various lending agreements. Restricted cash is included in other non-current
assets (see Note 9).
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 57
Financial instruments
Classification and measurement of financial instruments
The following summarizes the Trust’s classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities in accordance with
IFRS 9, “Financial Instruments” (“IFRS 9”):
Financial assets
Vendor takeback mortgage receivable(1)
Restricted cash and deposits(1)
Amounts receivable
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liabilities
Mortgages(2)
Demand revolving credit facilities(2)
Debentures(2)
Subsidiary redeemable units
Deferred Unit Incentive Plan
Tenant security deposits(3)
Finance lease liabilities(3)
Amounts payable and accrued liabilities
Classification and measurement
Financial asset at amortized cost
Financial asset at amortized cost
Financial asset at amortized cost
Financial asset at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
Financial liability at amortized cost
(1) Included within other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(2) Included within current and non-current debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Included within other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Financial assets
Classification
The Trust classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:
•
those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income, or through profit or loss);
and
•
those to be measured at amortized cost.
The classification depends on the Trust’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash
flows.
Measurement
At initial recognition, the Trust initially measures a financial asset at its fair value, less any related transaction costs. Subsequent
measurement depends on the Trust’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash
flows. There are three measurement categories in which the Trust classifies its financial assets:
• amortized cost: assets that are held for the collection of contractual cash flows and those cash flows represent solely
payments of principal and interest;
•
•
fair value through other comprehensive income: assets that are held for the collection of contractual cash flows and for selling
the financial assets, and those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest; and
fair value through profit or loss: assets that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost or fair value through other
comprehensive income.
Impairment
The Trust recognizes an allowance for expected credit losses for all financial assets not held at fair value through profit or loss. For
amounts receivable, the Trust applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be
recognized upon initial recognition of the receivables. To measure the expected credit losses, the Trust has established a provision
matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience based on days past due, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to
the tenant and the economic environment. The Trust considers a financial asset in default when contractual payment is over 90
days past due. However, in certain cases, the Trust may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external
information indicates that it is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 58
Derecognition
Financial assets are derecognized only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or the Trust
transfers substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.
Financial liabilities
Classification
The Trust classifies its financial liabilities in the following measurement categories:
•
•
those to be measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss; and
those to be measured at amortized cost.
Measurement
At initial measurement, financial liabilities are recognized at fair value, less any related transaction costs.
For financial liabilities measured subsequently at fair value, the liability is remeasured at fair value each reporting period, with
changes in fair value recognized in comprehensive income.
For financial liabilities measured subsequently at amortized cost, the liability is amortized using the effective interest method.
Under the effective interest method, any transaction fees, costs, discounts and premiums directly related to the financial liabilities
are recognized in comprehensive income over the expected life of the obligation.
Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expired.
Equity
The Trust presents REIT Units as equity, notwithstanding the fact that the Trust’s REIT Units meet the definition of a financial
liability. Under IAS 32 “Financial instruments: presentation” (“IAS 32”), the REIT Units are considered a puttable financial
instrument because of the holder’s option to redeem REIT Units, generally at any time, subject to certain restrictions, at a
redemption price per unit equal to the lesser of 90% of a 20-day weighted average closing price prior to the redemption date or
100% of the closing market price on the redemption date. The total amount payable by Dream Office REIT in any calendar month
will not exceed $50 unless waived by Dream Office REIT’s Board of Trustees at their sole discretion. The Trust has determined the
REIT Units can be presented as equity and not financial liabilities because the REIT Units have all of the following features, as
defined in IAS 32 (hereinafter referred to as the “puttable exemption”):
• REIT Units entitle the holder to a pro rata share of the Trust’s net assets in the event of its liquidation. Net assets are those
assets that remain after deducting all other claims on the assets;
• REIT Units are the class of instruments that are subordinate to all other classes of instruments as they have no priority over
other claims to the assets of the Trust on liquidation, and do not need to be converted into another instrument before they
are in the class of instruments that is subordinate to all other classes of instruments;
• All instruments in the class of instruments that is subordinate to all other classes of instruments have identical features;
• Apart from the contractual obligation for the Trust to redeem the REIT Units for cash or another financial asset, the REIT Units
do not include any contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity, or to exchange financial
assets or financial liabilities with another entity under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the Trust, and it is not
a contract that will or may be settled in the Trust’s own instruments;
• The total expected cash flows attributable to the REIT Units over their lives are based substantially on the profit or loss, and
the change in the recognized net assets and unrecognized net assets of the Trust over the life of the REIT Units; and
• REIT Units are initially recognized at the fair value of the consideration received by the Trust. Any transaction costs arising on
the issuance of REIT Units are recognized directly in unitholders’ equity as a reduction of the proceeds received.
Distributions
Distributions to unitholders are recognized in the period in which the distributions are declared and are recorded as an addition
to deficit.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 59
Unit-based compensation plan
As described in Note 13, the Trust has a Deferred Unit Incentive Plan (“DUIP”) that provides for the granting of deferred trust units
and income deferred trust units to trustees, officers, employees and employees of affiliates.
Over the vesting period, deferred units are recorded as a liability, and compensation expense is recognized at amortized cost based
on the fair value of the units. Once vested, the liability is remeasured at each reporting date at amortized cost, based on the fair
value of the corresponding REIT A Units, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive
income as a fair value adjustment to financial instruments. Deferred trust units and income deferred units are generally settled in
REIT A Units.
Revenue recognition
Rental income
Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust has adopted IFRS 16, “Leases” (“IFRS 16”) on a modified retrospective basis with no
restatement of comparatives (see Note 3). IFRS 16 applies to base rental income and property tax recoveries earned from leases
(“rental income”). The prior comparative period was reported under IAS 17, “Leases” (“IAS 17”). The adoption had no impact on
the timing or amount of revenue recognized.
The Trust accounts for tenant leases as operating leases given that it has retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of
ownership of its investment properties. Lease revenue from investment properties includes base rents, recoveries of property
taxes, percentage participation rents and lease termination fees. Revenue recognition under a lease commences when the tenant
has a right to use the leased asset. The total amount of contractual rent to be received from operating leases is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the term of the lease; a straight-line rent receivable, which is included in investment properties, is recorded
for the difference between the rental revenue recognized and the contractual amount received. Property tax recoveries are
recognized as revenues in the period in which the corresponding obligation arises and collectability is reasonably assured.
Percentage participation rents are recognized on an accrual basis once tenant sales revenues exceed contractual thresholds. Lease
termination fees are recorded as earned.
Revenue from contracts with customers
Effective January 1, 2018, the Trust adopted IFRS 15, “Revenue from contracts with customers” (“IFRS 15”) on a modified
retrospective basis with no restatement of comparatives. The Trust has obligations to provide ongoing services related to its leases.
These services include common area maintenance services, utilities and other services at its properties (collectively “CAM
services”). The Trust’s performance obligations on CAM services are satisfied over time as services are provided during the period
which tenants occupy the premises. When providing CAM services, the Trust is entitled to recoveries from tenants to the extent
of costs incurred to provide such services. The Trust recognizes revenue as the CAM services are provided over time, at the best
estimate of the amounts earned for those services, which reflects actual costs incurred. Tenants are billed monthly based on
estimates. To the extent that costs exceed billings, a receivable is recognized; if the billings exceed costs, a payable is recognized.
These current assets or liabilities are settled with tenants annually.
The Trust provides parking services to its properties’ tenants and visitors. Tenant parking revenue is recognized evenly over the
terms of the related contract. Transient parking revenue is recognized as the parking service is used.
The consideration received from tenants under the lease arrangements is allocated between the leased premises, CAM services
and parking services, if applicable, based on relative stand-alone selling prices.
Pursuant to certain agreements, the Trust has an obligation to provide property management services to third parties, Dream
Asset Management Corporation (“DAM”) and Dream Hard Asset Alternatives Trust (“DHAAT”). The Trust recognizes revenue over
time as it provides property management services calculated as a percentage of the related property revenues for that period.
Pursuant to the Shared Services Agreement with DAM and the Services Agreements with Dream Industrial REIT and DHAAT, the
Trust arranges for administrative and support services to be provided to related parties on a cost-recovery basis. The Trust has
determined that it is acting as an agent for these services and the fees are netted against the related expenses with the exception
of fees related to the occupation of office space. In providing office space to related parties, the Trust is acting as the principal in
the arrangement and the revenues and related expenses are presented separately in the consolidated statements of
comprehensive income. The Trust recognizes revenues monthly in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
For all revenue streams from contracts with customers, revenue is measured at the best estimate of the amount the Trust expects
to receive for performing the services. Revenue is recognized only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant amount
of the cumulative revenue recognized for a contract will not be reversed. The Trust is obligated to continue to provide CAM services
over the remaining term of each lease contract. The Trust will recognize revenue on these remaining performance obligations
based on the actual cost incurred to fulfill the CAM services in the period.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 60
Any receivables arising from revenue contracts with customers are tested for impairment using the same model as for amounts
receivable as described above.
Significant judgments in applying IFRS 15
The application of IFRS 15 requires the Trust to make the following significant judgments:
Estimation of transaction prices
The Trust exercises judgment in estimating the transaction price for revenues from contracts with customers. The Trust exercises
judgment with regards to the amount and timing of the revenue recognized for CAM service contracts, which are satisfied over
time. The amount of revenue recognized for CAM services with variable consideration is constrained by the actual costs incurred
and any restrictions in lease agreements. The revenues related to these obligations are recorded over time as the obligation of
the Trust is to provide the CAM services on an as needed basis throughout the contract period. The Trust considers this to be a
faithful depiction of the transfer of services.
Scoping of revenues
The Trust exercises judgment in determining which of its revenue streams that arise from lease agreements are in scope of
IFRS 15 and which are not. Specifically, the Trust considers whether a revenue stream related to a lease agreement is for the lease
of an asset or is for the provision of a distinct service. Revenues of the latter type are determined to be in scope of IFRS 15, while
the former are in scope of IFRS 16 (for the year ended December 31, 2019) or IAS 17, “Leases” (for the year ended December 31,
2018).
Principal versus agent determination
The Trust exercises judgment in determining whether it is acting as a principal or an agent in providing services under the
Administrative Services Agreement with DAM and the Services Agreements with Dream Industrial REIT and DHAAT. In making this
determination, the Trust considers which party controls the service and the nature of the obligation that the Trust has to DAM,
Dream Industrial REIT and DHAAT. In making this determination, the Trust considers whether it is primarily responsible for fulfilling
the promise to provide the service; whether it bears inventory risk; and whether it has discretion to set the price for the service.
Interest on debt
Interest on debt includes coupon interest, amortization of ancillary costs incurred in connection with the arrangement of
borrowings and amortization of fair value adjustments on assumed debt. Financing costs are amortized to interest expense.
Income taxes
Dream Office REIT is taxed as a mutual fund trust for Canadian income tax purposes. The Trust expects to distribute all of its taxable
income to its unitholders, which enables the Trust to deduct such distributions for income tax purposes. As the income tax
obligations relating to the distributions are those of the individual unitholder, no provision for income taxes is required on such
amounts. The Trust expects to continue to distribute its taxable income and to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”)
for the foreseeable future.
For U.S. subsidiaries of the Trust, income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred
income taxes are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying value of
balance sheet items and their corresponding tax values. Deferred income taxes are computed using substantively enacted income
tax rates or laws for the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse or settle. Deferred tax assets are
recognized only to the extent that they are realizable.
Provisions
Provisions for legal claims are recognized when the Trust has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events;
it is probable an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount has been reliably estimated.
Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses.
Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in a settlement is determined by
considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognized even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any
one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.
Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a rate that
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the
provision due to passage of time is recognized as interest expense.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 61
Impairment
The Trust assesses the possibility and amount of any impairment loss or write-down as it relates to the investment in
Dream Industrial REIT and other equity accounted investments, property and equipment and intangible assets.
IAS 28, “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures” (“IAS 28”), requires management to use judgment in determining the
recoverable amount of equity accounted investments that are tested for impairment, including the investment in Dream Industrial
REIT. Judgment is also involved in estimating the value-in-use of the investment in Dream Industrial REIT, including estimates of
future cash flows, discount rates and terminal rates. The values assigned to these key assumptions reflect past experience and are
consistent with external sources of information.
Leases where the Trust is a lessee
Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust has adopted IFRS 16, “Leases” (“IFRS 16”) on a modified retrospective basis with no
restatement of comparative figures (see Note 3). IFRS 16 applies to all leases where the Trust is a lessee. The prior comparative
period was reported under IAS 17, “Leases” (“IAS 17”).
At the inception of a lease contract where the Trust is a lessee, the Trust recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability
based on the present value of the lease payments under the lease discounted using the rate implicit in the lease or, where this
rate is not determinable, based on an estimated incremental borrowing rate for borrowings secured by a similar asset for a similar
term. Subsequently, ROU assets for investment properties are accounted for under the fair value model while ROU assets for
property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the useful life of the asset and the term of the
lease. Lease liabilities are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the lease. Leases for a term of less
than 12 months, or for low-value assets (determined by the Trust to be less than $10), are expensed evenly over the term of
the lease.
Segment reporting
A reportable operating segment is a distinguishable component of the Trust that is engaged either in providing related products
or services (business segment) or in providing products or services within a particular economic environment (geographic
segment), which is subject to risks and rewards that are different from those of other reportable segments. The Trust’s primary
format for segment reporting is based on geographic segments. Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the
internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker, determined to be the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the
Trust. The operating segments derive their revenue primarily from rental income from lessees. All of the Trust’s business activities
and operating segments are reported within the geographic segments.
Foreign currencies
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the functional currency of the Trust and the
presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements.
Assets and liabilities related to properties held in a foreign entity with a functional currency other than the Canadian dollar are
translated at the rate of exchange at the consolidated balance sheet dates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates
for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during the period, in which case the exchange rates at the dates of the
transactions are used. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are recognized in other comprehensive income.
Critical accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions
Preparing the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect
the amounts reported. Management bases its judgments, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and other factors
it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable, the result of which
forms the basis of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. However, uncertainty about these judgments, estimates and
assumptions could result in outcomes that could require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the affected asset or
liability in the future.
Critical accounting judgments
The following are the critical accounting judgments used in applying the Trust’s accounting policies that have the most significant
effect on the amounts in the consolidated financial statements:
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 62
Investment properties
Critical judgments are made in respect of the fair values of investment properties. The fair values of these investments are
reviewed at least quarterly by management with reference to independent property appraisals and market conditions existing at
the reporting date, using generally accepted market practices. The independent appraisers are experienced, nationally recognized
and qualified in the professional valuation of investment properties in their respective geographic areas. Judgment is also applied
in determining the extent and frequency of obtaining independent appraisals. At each reporting period, a select number of
properties, determined on a rotational basis, are valued by independent appraisers. For properties not subject to independent
appraisals, valuations are prepared internally during each reporting period.
Critical assumptions used in estimating the fair values of investment properties include cap rates, discount rates that reflect
current market uncertainties, terminal cap rates and market rents. Other key assumptions relating to the estimates of fair values
of investment properties include components of stabilized NOI, leasing costs and vacancy rates. The Trust examines the critical
and key assumptions at the end of each reporting period and updates these assumptions based on recent leasing activity and
external market data available at that time. If there is any change in these assumptions or regional, national or international
economic conditions, the fair value of investment properties may change materially.
The Trust makes judgments with respect to whether lease incentives provided in connection with a lease enhance the value of
the leased space, which determines whether or not such amounts are treated as tenant improvements and added to investment
properties. Lease incentives, such as cash, rent-free periods and lessee or lessor owned improvements, may be provided to lessees
to enter into an operating lease. Lease incentives that do not provide benefits beyond the initial lease term are included in the
carrying amount of investment properties and are amortized as a reduction of rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term
of the lease.
Judgment is also applied in determining whether certain costs are additions to the carrying amount of the investment property.
For properties under development, the Trust exercises judgment in determining when development activities have commenced,
when and how much borrowing costs are to be capitalized to the development project, and the point of practical completion.
Impairment
The Trust assesses the possibility and amount of any impairment loss or write-down as it relates to the investment in
Dream Industrial REIT and other equity accounted investments, amounts receivable, property and equipment and intangible
assets.
IFRS 9 requires management to use judgment in determining if the Trust’s financial assets are impaired. In making this judgment,
the Trust evaluates, among other factors, the credit risk of the counterparty, whether there are indicators that credit risk on a
financial instrument has changed significantly since initial recognition or the last reassessment of credit risk. Where the credit risk
of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition, the Trust records a loss allowance equal to the lifetime
expected credit losses arising from that financial asset.
IAS 36, “Impairment of Assets” (“IAS 36”), requires management to use judgment in determining the recoverable amount of assets
and equity accounted investments that are tested for impairment, including the investment in Dream Industrial REIT and other
equity accounted investments. Judgment is also involved in estimating the value-in-use of the investment in Dream Industrial REIT
and other equity accounted investments, including estimates of future cash flows, discount rates and terminal rates. The values
assigned to these key assumptions reflect past experience and are consistent with external sources of information.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 63
Note 3
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES
The Trust has adopted the following new and revised standards, along with any consequential amendments, effective January 1,
2019. These changes were made in accordance with the applicable transitional provisions as described below.
Changes in accounting policies
Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust has adopted IFRS 16. IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement and
disclosure of leases. While accounting for leases where the Trust is acting as the lessor is substantially unchanged, there have been
significant changes to the accounting for leases previously classified as operating leases where the Trust is acting as the lessee.
Prior to January 1, 2019, where the Trust was a lessee, operating leases were expensed over the term of the lease; however,
IFRS 16 requires that the Trust recognize a ROU asset and a lease liability at the inception of a lease contract. Subsequently, ROU
assets for investment properties are accounted for under the fair value model while ROU assets for property and equipment are
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the useful life of the asset and the term of the lease. Lease liabilities are
amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the lease. Leases for a term of less than 12 months, or for low-
value assets (determined by the Trust to be less than $10), are expensed evenly over the term of the lease.
The Trust has applied IFRS 16 on a modified retrospective basis. On adoption of IFRS 16, the Trust recognized investment property
ROU assets and related lease liabilities totalling $4,499 in the consolidated balance sheet based on an estimated weighted average
incremental borrowing rate of 5.12% for borrowings secured by similar assets and for similar terms as the leases.
The following table reconciles the undiscounted operating lease obligation under IAS 17, and the IFRS 16 finance lease liability
included in other non-current liabilities on January 1, 2019:
Undiscounted operating lease payments under IAS 17 as at December 31, 2018
Less: Undiscounted lease payments for low-value assets
Undiscounted lease payments under IFRS 16
Less: Effect of discounting at a rate of 5.12%
Discounted lease payment liability as at January 1, 2019
$
$
11,263
(469 )
10,794
(6,295 )
4,499
The Trust is not required to make any adjustments on transition to IFRS 16 for leases in which it acts as a lessor. The
Trust accounts for its leases in accordance with IFRS 16 from the date of initial application.
Income taxes
On January 1, 2019, the Trust adopted IFRIC 23, “Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments” (“IFRIC 23”), which has clarified the
application of the recognition and measurement requirements in IAS 12, “Income Taxes” (“IAS 12”), for situations where there is
uncertainty over income tax treatments. IFRIC 23 specifically addresses whether an entity considers income tax treatments
separately; assumptions that an entity makes regarding the examination of tax treatments by taxation authorities; how an entity
determines taxable income or loss, tax bases, unused tax losses or credits and tax rates; and how an entity considers changes in
facts and circumstances. IFRIC 23 does not apply to taxes or levies outside the scope of IAS 12. IFRIC 23 did not have an impact on
the Trust’s consolidated financial statements.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 64
Note 4
FUTURE ACCOUNTING POLICY CHANGES
Business combinations
The International Accounting Standards Board published an amendment to the requirements of IFRS 3, “Business Combinations”
(“IFRS 3”), in relation to whether a transaction meets the definition of a business combination. The amendment clarifies the definition
of a business and provides additional illustrative examples, including those relevant to the real estate industry. A significant change
in the amendment is the option for an entity to assess whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is
concentrated in a single asset or group of similar assets. If such a concentration exists, the transaction is not viewed as an acquisition
of a business and no further assessment of the business combination guidance is required. This will be relevant where the value of
the acquired entity is concentrated in one property or a group of similar properties. The amendment is effective for periods beginning
on or after January 1, 2020, with earlier application permitted. There will be no impact on transition since the amendments are
effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the transition date.
Note 5
INVESTMENT PROPERTY ACQUISITION
On September 12, 2019, the Trust acquired an investment property in Toronto, Ontario for gross proceeds before transaction costs
of $45,500.
Detailed below is the consideration paid for the acquired investment property:
Cash paid
Assumed mortgage
Assumed non-cash working capital and capital expenditure obligations
Total consideration paid before transaction costs
Transaction costs and land transfer taxes
Total consideration paid for investment property
Note
6
$
$
$
34,929
10,306
265
45,500
1,954
47,454
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 65
Note 6
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
Balance, beginning of year
Right-of-use assets recognized on
adoption of IFRS 16
Adjusted balance, beginning of year
Additions:
Investment property acquisition
Building improvements
Lease incentives and initial direct
leasing costs
Capitalized interest
Total additions to investment properties
Transfers, dispositions, assets held for sale
and other:
Active properties transferred to
properties under development
Investment properties disposed of
during the year
Investment properties classified as
held for sale during the year
Other
Total transferred, disposed, classified as
held for sale and other
Changes included in net income:
Fair value adjustments to investment
properties
Change in straight-line rent
Amortization and write-off of lease
incentives
Total changes included in net income
Change included in other comprehensive
income:
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
Total change included in other
comprehensive income
Balance, end of year
Change in unrealized income included in
net income for the year
Change in fair value of investment
properties
Year ended December 31, 2019
Year ended December 31, 2018
Note
Active
properties
$ 2,704,241 $
Properties
under
development
Investment
properties
Active
properties
74,585 $ 2,778,826 $ 2,919,438 $
Properties
under
development
Investment
properties
— $ 2,919,438
3
4,499
—
4,499
—
2,708,740
74,585 2,783,325
2,919,438
—
—
— 2,919,438
5
47,454
24,237
—
24,981
47,454
49,218
26,089
—
97,780
1,252
488
26,721
27,341
488
124,501
—
18,143
53,219
—
71,362
—
3,447
3,152
24
6,623
—
21,590
56,371
24
77,985
—
(172,033 )
(354,946 )
(363 )
24
24
—
—
—
(66,348 )
66,348
—
(172,033 )
(97,418 )
—
(97,418 )
—
—
(354,946 )
(363 )
(152,578 )
(8,393 )
—
—
(152,578 )
(8,393 )
(527,342 )
—
(527,342 )
(324,737 )
66,348
(258,389 )
54,519
91
1,210
(14 )
55,729
77
45,266
546
1,693
(11 )
46,959
535
(12,998 )
41,612
(156 )
1,040
(13,154 )
42,652
(11,422 )
34,390
(68 )
1,614
(11,490 )
36,004
(2,191 )
(2,191 )
—
—
$ 2,318,599 $ 102,346 $ 2,420,945 $ 2,704,241 $
(2,191 )
3,788
—
3,788
74,585 $ 2,778,826
(2,191 )
3,788
—
3,788
$
60,831
$
1,210
$
62,041
$
48,264
$
1,693
$
49,957
Investment properties includes $12,801 (December 31, 2018 – $18,893) related to straight-line rent receivables.
The following table summarizes the investment properties pledged as security for debt of the Trust:
Investment properties pledged as security for mortgages
Investment properties pledged as security for demand revolving credit facilities
Investment properties not pledged as security for debt
Total investment properties
December 31,
2019
$
$
1,950,085 $
360,305
110,555
2,420,945 $
December 31,
2018
2,030,937
607,624
140,265
2,778,826
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 66
Valuations of externally appraised properties
The following table summarizes the investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals for the years ended
December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals
Number of investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals
Percentage of the total investment properties valued by qualified external valuation professionals
December 31,
2019
$
1,073,130 $
10
44 %
December 31,
2018
759,868
11
27 %
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
During 2018, a previous land transfer tax accrual of $8,393 that had been included in property transaction costs was reversed as
payment was no longer probable. As a result of this adjustment to transaction costs, the fair value adjustment to investment
properties recorded in that year was correspondingly increased in continuing operations.
The fair value of the investment properties as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 represents the Trust’s best estimate
based on the internally and externally available information as at the end of each reporting period. If there are any changes in the
critical and key assumptions used in valuing the investment properties, or regional, national or international economic conditions,
the fair value of investment properties may change materially.
Zoning approval
On January 29, 2020, the Trust received approval of its application to amend the zoning of its property at 250 Dundas Street West
in downtown Toronto. The revised zoning permits the Trust to convert the office property to a multi-use development comprising
commercial office, multi-residential rental and retail components. As at December 31, 2019, this property was valued under the
cap rate method consistent with the highest and best use of the property on that date.
Assumptions used in the valuation of investment properties using the cap rate method
As at December 31, 2019, the Trust’s investment properties, excluding properties under development, a property with
redevelopment potential and certain properties where bids were received by the Trust during the period, were valued using the
cap rate method.
As at December 31, 2018, the Trust’s investment properties, excluding investment properties in Alberta, properties under
development, a property with redevelopment potential and certain properties where bids were received during that quarter, were
valued using the cap rate method. Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust changed its valuations methodology for its investment
properties in Alberta from the discounted cash flow method to the cap rate method as the operations in those remaining
investment properties have stabilized.
The critical valuation metrics by segment as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are set out below:
Toronto downtown
Mississauga and North York
Other markets (including Alberta)(1)
Other markets (excluding Alberta)(2)
Total portfolio
December 31, 2019
Weighted
average (%)
4.81
Range (%)
4.50–6.00
6.00–8.00
4.50–8.00
6.95
5.08
December 31, 2018
Weighted
average (%)
4.82
5.97
Range (%)
4.50–6.00
5.75–6.25
6.00–8.00
4.50–8.00
7.65
5.19
(1) Excludes a property with redevelopment potential and certain properties where bids were received by the Trust at December 31, 2019.
(2) Excludes investment properties in Alberta, a property with redevelopment potential and certain properties where bids were received by the Trust at
December 31, 2018.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 67
Sensitivities on assumptions
Generally, an increase in stabilized net operating income (“NOI”) will result in an increase to the fair value of an investment
property. An increase in the cap rate will result in a decrease to the fair value of an investment property. The cap rate magnifies
the effect of a change in stabilized NOI, with a lower rate resulting in a greater impact to the fair value of an investment property
than a higher rate.
The following sensitivity table outlines the potential impact on the fair value of investment properties (excluding investment
properties under development, a property with redevelopment potential and certain properties where bids were received by the
Trust), assuming a change in the weighted average cap rate by 25 basis points (“bps”) as at December 31, 2019.
Increase (decrease) in value
Impact of change to
weighted average cap rates
+25 bps
(103,570 )
$
$
–25 bps
114,550
Assumptions used in the valuation of investment properties using the discounted cash flow method
As at December 31, 2019, the Trust’s investment properties under development and a property with redevelopment potential
were valued using the discounted cash flow method. As at December 31, 2018, the Trust’s investment properties located in
Alberta, properties under development and a property with redevelopment potential were valued using the discounted cash flow
method.
The critical valuation metrics as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are set out below:
Discount rates (%)(1)
Terminal cap rates (%)(1)
Market rents (in dollars per square foot)(1)(2)
Discount rates for properties in Alberta (%)(3)
Terminal cap rates for properties in Alberta (%)(3)
Market rents for properties in Alberta (in dollars per
square foot)(2)(3)
December 31, 2019
Weighted
average
7.09
6.69
24.67 $
Range
5.25–8.25
5.00–7.50
10.00–45.00 $
$
December 31, 2018
Weighted
average
7.48
6.99
22.38
8.05
7.13
Range
6.00–8.25
5.50–7.50
10.00–45.00 $
8.00–8.75
7.00–8.25
$
12.00–16.50 $
15.33
(1) Includes investment properties under development and a property with redevelopment potential.
(2) Market rents represent year one rates in the discounted cash flow model. Market rents include office space only and exclude retail space.
(3) Includes investment properties in Alberta, and excludes certain properties where bids were received by the Trust at December 31, 2018.
In addition to the assumptions noted above, leasing cost assumptions for new and renewed leasing were within the range of $5.00
and $40.00 per square foot for the year ended December 31, 2019.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, leasing cost assumptions for new and renewed leasing were within the range of $5.00
and $60.00 per square foot.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Trust’s investment properties in Alberta were valued using the discounted cash flow
method and as at December 31, 2019 have been valued using the capitalization rate method.
Sensitivities on assumptions
The following sensitivity table outlines the potential impact on the fair value of investment properties under development and a
property with redevelopment potential, assuming a change in the weighted average discount rates and terminal cap rates by a
respective 25 bps as at December 31, 2019.
Increase (decrease) in value
$
Impact of change to
weighted average discount rates
–25 bps
2,712
+25 bps
(2,643 )
$
Impact of change to
weighted average terminal cap rates
+25 bps
(3,137 ) $
–25 bps
3,419
$
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 68
The following sensitivity table outlines the potential impact on the fair value of investment properties under development and a
property with redevelopment potential, assuming the market rental rates were to change by $1.00 per square foot and if the
leasing costs per square foot were to change by $5.00 per square foot as at December 31, 2019.
Increase (decrease) in value
Impact of change to market rental rates
–$1.00
(1,412 )
+$1.00
1,404
$
$
Impact of change to
leasing costs per square foot
+$5.00
–$5.00
539
$
(539 ) $
Generally, a decrease in vacancy rate assumptions will result in an increase to the fair value of investment properties under
development and a property with redevelopment potential, while an increase in vacancy rate assumptions will result in a decrease
to the fair value of investment properties under development and a property with redevelopment potential.
Note 7
INVESTMENT IN DREAM INDUSTRIAL REIT
Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (“Dream Industrial REIT”) is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment
trust listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DIR.UN”.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust purchased Dream Industrial REIT units through its distribution reinvestment plan
totalling 1,591,434 Dream Industrial REIT units for a total cost of $19,114 (for the year ended December 31, 2018 – 1,769,595
Dream Industrial REIT units for a total cost of $17,265).
Balance, beginning of year
Dream Industrial REIT units purchased through distribution reinvestment plan
Distributions earned
Share of net income
Net dilution gain (accretion loss)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, end of year
Dream Industrial REIT units held, end of year(1)
Dream Industrial LP Class B limited partnership units held, end of year(2)
Total units held, end of year
Ownership as a percentage of units outstanding, end of year
Year ended December 31,
$
$
2019
266,583 $
19,114
(19,222 )
51,304
4,774
(2,258 )
320,295 $
8,792,170
18,551,855
27,344,025
17.8 %
2018
220,796
17,265
(17,914 )
45,091
(1,966 )
3,311
266,583
7,200,736
18,551,855
25,752,591
23.3 %
(1) 4,800,587 Dream Industrial REIT units are pledged as security for the $20,000 demand revolving credit facility.
(2) 9,551,160 Dream Industrial LP Class B limited partnership units are pledged as security for the $300,000 demand revolving credit facility.
The fair value of the Trust’s interest in Dream Industrial REIT of $359,300 (December 31, 2018 – $245,165) was determined using
the Dream Industrial REIT closing unit price of $13.14 per unit at period-end multiplied by the number of units held by the Trust
as at December 31, 2019.
On February 12, 2020, Dream Industrial REIT completed a public offering in which the Trust did not participate and issued
16,859,000 REIT units. Subsequent to this offering, the Trust’s ownership of Dream Industrial REIT was reduced to 16.1%.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 69
The following amounts represent the Trust’s ownership interest in the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of Dream Industrial
REIT:
Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Add-back:
Subsidiary redeemable units
Investment in Dream Industrial REIT
At 100%
At % ownership interest
2019
2,441,445 $
451,446
2,892,891
1,230,916
102,403
1,333,319
1,559,572 $
December 31,
2018
2,141,907
18,668
2,160,575
1,059,289
111,961
1,171,250
989,325
$
$
2019
433,629 $
80,182
513,811
419,100
18,187
437,287
76,524 $
December 31,
2018
489,730
4,268
493,998
378,430
25,598
404,028
89,970
243,771
320,295 $
176,613
266,583
$
$
$
Net rental income
Other revenue and expenses, fair value adjustments and
$
other items
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of taxes
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
Net income (loss) for the period
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) before the undernoted adjustments $
Add-back:
Interest on subsidiary redeemable units
Fair value adjustments to subsidiary redeemable units
Share of comprehensive income from investment in
Dream Industrial REIT
Add (deduct):
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) from
investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Share of net income from investment in
Dream Industrial REIT
Add (deduct):
Net dilution gain (accretion loss)
Share of income from investment in Dream Industrial REIT
At 100%
At % ownership interest
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
114,235 $
139,026 $
Year ended December 31,
2019
27,429 $
2018
27,954
37,747
176,773
2,659
179,432
(11,382 )
168,050 $
28,360
142,595
14,933
157,528
12,082
169,610 $
(57,184 )
(29,755 )
525
(29,230 )
(2,258 )
(31,488 ) $
13,376
67,158
(13,250 )
14,704
3,654
18,358
3,311
21,669
13,376
13,357
$
49,046
$
48,402
2,258
(3,311 )
$
51,304
$
45,091
4,774
56,078 $
(1,966 )
43,125
$
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 70
Note 8
JOINT ARRANGEMENTS
Joint ventures
The Trust holds a 50% interest in a partnership that is accounted for as a joint venture that was formed for the purpose of acquiring
an investment property. On August 22, 2019, this partnership acquired 220 King Street West in Toronto, Ontario, for gross proceeds
of $26,036, including $1,036 of transaction costs ($13,018, including $518 of transaction costs, at the Trust’s 50% share). The
partnership’s acquisition was funded by the assumption of a mortgage of $8,292 ($4,146 at the Trust’s share) and working capital
of $124 ($62 at the Trust’s share) with the balance paid in cash.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Trust, along with Dream Asset Management Corporation (“DAM”), a subsidiary of
Dream Unlimited Corp., entered into a joint investment in Alate Partners, an investment company focused on the property
technology market. The Trust and DAM each hold a 25% interest in the equity accounted investment. At December 31, 2019, the
Trust had funded $4,591 into the joint investment (December 31, 2018 – $1,531).
The following amounts represent the Trust’s ownership interest in the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses of its investment in
joint ventures:
Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
$
Net assets at % ownership interest
December 31, December 31,
2018
1,159
375
1,534
—
3
3
1,531
2019
17,129 $
1,287
18,416
4,220
261
4,481
13,935 $
$
Net rental income
Other income and expenses, fair value adjustments, net losses on transactions and other activities
Share of net loss from joint ventures
Other comprehensive income from joint ventures
Share of comprehensive loss from joint ventures
Share of comprehensive income
(loss) at % ownership interest
for the year ended December 31,
2018
—
—
—
—
—
2019
47 $
(688)
(641 )
225
(416 ) $
$
$
Co-owned investment properties
The Trust’s interest in co-owned investment properties is accounted for based on the Trust’s share of interest in the assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses of the investment properties.
Property
50 & 90 Burnhamthorpe Road West (Sussex Centre)(1)
700 De la Gauchetière Street West – retail(2)
275 Dundas Street West (London City Centre)(1)(2)
Centre 70(2)
Location
Mississauga, Ontario
Montréal, Québec
London, Ontario
Calgary, Alberta
(1) The Trust co-owns this investment property with DHAAT, a related party of the Trust (see Note 28).
(2) Investment property was sold during 2019 (see Note 24).
Ownership interest (%)
December 31,
2019
49.9
—
—
—
December 31,
2018
49.9
79.2
40.0
15.0
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 71
The following amounts represent the Trust’s ownership interest in the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the co-owned
properties in which the Trust participated during the respective years.
Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
$
Net assets at % ownership interest
December 31, December 31,
2018(1)
143,939
2,859
146,798
78,170
3,654
81,824
64,974
2019
99,260 $
2,959
102,219
60,486
3,825
64,311
37,908 $
$
(1) On April 10, 2018, the Trust completed the sale of its 50% interest in F1RST Tower in Calgary.
Net rental income
Other income and expenses, fair value adjustments, net losses on transactions and other activities
Share of net income from co-owned properties
(1) On April 10, 2018, the Trust completed the sale of its 50% interest in F1RST Tower in Calgary.
Share of net income at
% ownership interest
for the year ended December 31,
2018(1)
8,558
(4,079)
4,479
2019
7,242 $
(5,539)
1,703 $
$
$
Note 9
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Vendor takeback mortgage receivable
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $13,418
(December 31, 2018 – $12,136)
Note
December 31,
2019
34,100
$
$
December 31,
2018
34,100
2,385
4,764
840
248
42,337 $
3,767
1,247
1,416
439
40,969
Restricted cash
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,819 (December 31, 2018 – $3,454)
Deposits
Total
28
$
On April 10, 2018, the Trust completed the sale of its 50% interest in F1RST Tower in Calgary. As partial consideration for the sale,
the Trust received a vendor takeback mortgage (“VTB mortgage”) receivable of $34,100. This interest-only VTB mortgage
receivable bears interest at 4.5%, matures on April 10, 2022 with an option to extend to April 10, 2023, may be repaid at any time
and is secured by a first-ranking charge on the property. The expected credit loss for the VTB mortgage is nominal as a result of
the value of the secured property.
Property and equipment primarily includes leasehold improvements, information and technology hardware, and furniture and
fixtures. Restricted cash primarily represents tenant rent deposits and cash held as security for certain mortgages. Intangible assets
represent the value attributed to the remaining co-ownership management contracts at the time of the Whiterock Real Estate
Investment Trust business combination in 2012, net of accumulated amortization. Deposits comprises refundable utility deposits.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust derecognized intangible assets related to a co-owned property which was
sold during the year with a carrying value of $133, net of $1,211 of accumulated amortization.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 72
Note 10
AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE
As at December 31, 2019, amounts receivable are net of credit adjustments aggregating to $2,341 (December 31, 2018 – $3,044).
Trade receivables
Less: Provision for impairment of trade receivables
Trade receivables, net
Other amounts receivable
Total
December 31,
2019
4,950 $
(855 )
4,095
9,739
13,834 $
December 31,
2018
8,590
(923 )
7,667
12,338
20,005
$
$
The carrying value of amounts receivable approximates fair value due to their current nature. Amounts receivable are written off
when it is ultimately determined that the probability of collection is remote based on lease terms, the tenant’s financial condition
and other factors.
The Trust leases office properties to tenants under operating leases. Minimum rental commitments, including joint operations, on
non-cancellable tenant operating leases over their remaining terms are as follows:
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025+
Note 11
DEBT
Mortgages(1)(2)
Demand revolving credit facilities(2)(3)(4)
Debentures(5)
Total
Less: Current portion
Non-current debt
$
December 31, 2019
105,575
94,998
85,741
67,944
59,339
199,559
613,156
$
December 31,
2019
1,003,081 $
(2,709 )
150,000
1,150,372
(182,511 )
967,861 $
December 31,
2018
964,758
291,686
149,769
1,406,213
(91,567 )
1,314,646
$
$
(1) Net of financing costs of $4,230 (December 31, 2018 – $3,463).
(2) Secured by charges on specific investment properties (see Note 6).
(3) Secured by certain Dream Industrial REIT units and Dream Industrial LP Class B limited partnership units (see Note 7).
(4) Net of financing costs of $2,709 (December 31, 2018 – $3,016). As at December 31, 2019, there were no amounts drawn on the demand revolving credit
facilities.
(5) Net of financing costs of $nil (December 31, 2018 – $231).
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 73
Continuity of debt
The following tables provide a continuity of debt for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Balance as at January 1, 2019
Cash items:
Principal repayments
Borrowings
Lump sum repayments
Financing costs additions
Lump sum repayment on property disposition
Non-cash items:
Debt assumed on acquisition of investment property
Debt classified as liabilities related to assets held for sale
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Other adjustments(1)
5
24
Balance as at December 31, 2019
$ 1,003,081 $
(1) Other adjustments includes amortization and write-offs of financing costs and fair value adjustments.
Note
Mortgages
$
964,758 $
Year ended December 31, 2019
Demand
revolving
credit
facilities
291,686 $
—
118,000
(412,702 )
(670 )
—
Debentures
Total
149,769 $ 1,406,213
—
—
—
—
—
(15,067 )
410,900
(469,352 )
(2,575 )
(18,000 )
—
—
—
977
(2,709 ) $
—
—
—
231
10,306
(172,316 )
(1,468 )
1,731
150,000 $ 1,150,372
(15,067 )
292,900
(56,650 )
(1,905 )
(18,000 )
10,306
(172,316 )
(1,468 )
523
Balance at January 1, 2018
Cash items:
Principal repayments
Borrowings
Lump sum repayments
Financing costs additions
Non-cash items:
Year ended December 31, 2018
Demand
revolving
credit
facilities
(3,192 ) $
Debentures
Total
290,140 $ 1,367,650
Note
Mortgages
$ 1,080,702 $
(19,472 )
—
(9,225 )
—
—
580,702
(286,000 )
(1,391 )
—
—
(140,755 )
—
(19,472 )
580,702
(435,980 )
(1,391 )
Debt classified as liabilities related to assets held for sale
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Other adjustments(1)
Balance as at December 31, 2018
24
(90,697 )
2,523
927
964,758 $
—
—
1,567
291,686 $
—
—
384
(90,697 )
2,523
2,878
149,769 $ 1,406,213
$
(1) Other adjustments includes amortization and write-offs of financing costs and fair value adjustments.
Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust changed its accounting policy for the presentation of overdraft balances in debt. Prior to
January 1, 2019, the Trust presented drawings and repayments on its overdraft facility on a gross basis. Effective January 1, 2019,
the Trust has elected to change the presentation of overdraft activity to show the net activity for the period in order to provide
more meaningful information to users. As a result of this policy change, the Trust reduced gross drawings and repayments for the
demand revolving credit facilities by $256,777 for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Demand revolving credit facilities
On March 21, 2019, the Trust reduced its existing demand revolving credit facility from $500,000 to $435,000 and extended the
maturity date from March 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022. On December 19, 2019, the Trust further reduced its demand revolving credit
facility from $435,000 to $300,000. The interest rate remained in the form of rolling one-month bankers’ acceptances (“BA”)
bearing interest at the BA rate plus 170 bps or at the bank’s prime rate plus 70 bps. Furthermore, the minimum number of
investment properties pledged as security was reduced from five to four and the number of Dream Industrial LP Class B limited
partnership units pledged as security was reduced from 18,551,855 to 9,551,160.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 74
The amounts available and drawn under the demand revolving credit facilities as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
are summarized in tables below:
Formula-based maximum not to
exceed $300,000(1)
Formula-based maximum not to
exceed $20,000(2)
Maturity date
March 1, 2022
March 31, 2021
Interest rates
on drawings
BA + 1.70% or
Prime + 0.70%
BA + 2.00% or
Prime + 0.85%
Face
interest
rate
Borrowing
capacity
Drawings
Letters of
credit
Amount
available
December 31, 2019
n/a $ 300,000
$
—
$
(1,830 ) $ 298,170
n/a
20,000
$ 320,000 $
—
— $
—
20,000
(1,830 ) $ 318,170
(1) The $300,000 demand revolving credit facility is secured by four investment properties and 9,551,160 Dream Industrial LP Class B limited partnership units.
(2) The $20,000 demand revolving credit facility is secured by 4,800,587 Dream Industrial REIT units.
Formula-based maximum not to
exceed $500,000(1)
Formula-based maximum not to
exceed $20,000(2)
Maturity date
March 1, 2021
March 31, 2021
Interest rates
on drawings
BA + 1.70% or
Prime + 0.70%
BA + 2.00% or
Prime + 0.85%
Face
interest
rate
Borrowing
capacity
Drawings
Letters of
credit
Amount
available
December 31, 2018
3.97 % $ 432,348
$
(287,500 ) $
(2,507 ) $ 142,341
4.80 %
3.99 % $ 452,348 $
20,000
(7,202 )
(294,702 ) $
—
12,798
(2,507 ) $ 155,139
(1) The $500,000 demand revolving credit facility is secured by seven investment properties and 18,551,855 Dream Industrial LP Class B limited partnership units.
(2) The $20,000 demand revolving credit facility is secured by 4,800,587 Dream Industrial REIT units.
Debentures
Series A Debentures
On June 13, 2013, the Trust completed the issuance of $175,000 aggregate principal amount of Series A senior unsecured
debentures (“Series A Debentures”). The Series A Debentures bear interest at a coupon rate of 3.424% per annum with a maturity
date of June 13, 2018. Interest on the Series A Debentures is payable semi-annually on June 13 and December 13, with the first
payment commencing on December 13, 2013. Costs related to the issuance of the Series A Debentures totalled $1,590.
On June 13, 2018, the Trust repaid Series A Debentures with an aggregate principal amount of $140,755.
Series C Debentures
On January 21, 2014, the Trust completed the issuance of $150,000 aggregate principal amount of Series C senior unsecured
debentures (“Series C Debentures”). The Series C Debentures bear interest at a rate of 4.074% with a maturity date of January 21,
2020. Interest on the Series C Debentures is payable semi-annually on January 21 and July 21, with the first payment commencing
on July 21, 2014. Costs related to the issuance of the Series C Debentures totalled $1,400.
On January 21, 2020, the Trust repaid the Series C Debentures with an aggregate principal amount of $150,000 with a combination
of cash on hand and drawings on its demand revolving credit facilities.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 75
Debt weighted average effective interest rates and maturities
Fixed rate
Mortgages
Debentures
Total fixed rate debt
Variable rate
Mortgages
Demand revolving credit facilities
Total variable rate debt
Total debt
Weighted average
effective interest rates(1)
December 31, December 31,
2018
2019
3.89 %
4.25 %
3.94 %
—
—
—
3.94 %
4.14 %
4.25 %
4.16 %
4.23 %
4.41 %
4.37 %
4.21 %
Maturity
dates(2)
December 31,
2019
Debt amount
December 31,
2018
2020–2029 $
2020
1,003,081 $
150,000
1,153,081
887,234
149,769
1,037,003
n/a
2021–2022
$
—
(2,709 )
(2,709 )
1,150,372 $
77,524
291,686
369,210
1,406,213
(1) The effective interest rate method includes the impact of financing costs and fair value adjustments on assumed debt.
(2) As at December 31, 2019.
n/a – not applicable
The following table summarizes the aggregate of the scheduled principal repayments and debt maturities:
Mortgage
balances due at
Scheduled
principal
repayments on
Total contractual
payments for
Demand revolving
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025–2029
maturity
14,523 $
104,317
59,880
139,951
17,205
579,258
915,134 $
$
$
Financing costs
Fair value adjustments
mortgages
mortgages
credit facilities
Debentures
19,377 $
17,123
15,370
15,006
12,266
12,593
91,735 $
$
33,900 $
121,440
75,250
154,957
29,471
591,851
1,006,869 $
(4,230 )
442
1,003,081 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
— $
(2,709 )
—
(2,709 ) $
150,000 $
—
—
—
—
—
150,000 $
—
—
150,000 $
Total
183,900
121,440
75,250
154,957
29,471
591,851
1,156,869
(6,939 )
442
1,150,372
Note 12
SUBSIDIARY REDEEMABLE UNITS
The Trust has the following subsidiary redeemable units outstanding:
Balance, beginning of year
Remeasurement of carrying value of
subsidiary redeemable units
Balance, end of year
Year ended December 31, 2019
Year ended December 31, 2018
Note
22
Number of units
issued and outstanding
5,233,823 $
—
5,233,823 $
Amount
116,662
46,267
162,929
Number of units
issued and outstanding
5,233,823 $
Amount
115,981
—
5,233,823 $
681
116,662
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust incurred $5,234 (December 31, 2018 – $5,234) in distributions on the
subsidiary redeemable units, which is included as interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (see
Note 21).
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 76
Dream Office LP, a subsidiary of Dream Office REIT, is authorized to issue an unlimited number of LP Class B limited partnership
units. These units have been issued in two series: LP Class B Units, Series 1 (subsidiary redeemable units) and LP Class B Units,
Series 2. The subsidiary redeemable units, together with the accompanying Special Trust Units, have economic and voting rights
equivalent in all material respects to REIT A Units. Generally, each subsidiary redeemable unit entitles the holder to a distribution
equal to distributions declared on REIT Units, Series B, or if no such distribution is declared, on REIT Units, Series A. Subsidiary
redeemable units may be surrendered or indirectly exchanged on a one-for-one basis at the option of the holder, generally at any
time subject to certain restrictions, for REIT Units, Series B.
Holders of the LP Class B Units, Series 2 are entitled to vote at meetings of the limited partners of Dream Office LP and each Unit
entitles the holder to a distribution equal to distributions on the subsidiary redeemable units. As at December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018, all issued and outstanding LP Class B Units, Series 2 are owned indirectly by the Trust and have been
eliminated in the consolidated balance sheets.
Special Trust Units are issued in connection with subsidiary redeemable units. The Special Trust Units are not transferable
separately from the subsidiary redeemable units to which they relate and will be automatically redeemed for a nominal amount
and cancelled on surrender or exchange of such subsidiary redeemable units. Each Special Trust Unit entitles the holder to the
number of votes at any meeting of unitholders that is equal to the number of REIT B Units that may be obtained on the surrender
or exchange of the subsidiary redeemable units to which they relate.
As at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 5,233,823 Special Trust Units were issued and outstanding.
Note 13
DEFERRED UNIT INCENTIVE PLAN
The Deferred Unit Incentive Plan (“DUIP”) provides for the grant of deferred trust units to trustees, officers and employees as well
as employees of affiliates. Deferred trust units are granted at the discretion of the trustees and earn income deferred trust units
based on the payment of distributions. Once granted, each deferred trust unit and the related distribution of income deferred
trust units vest immediately for Board of Trustees, evenly over a five-year period and three-year period on the anniversary date
of the grant for officers and the remaining participants, respectively. Subject to an election option available for certain participants
to postpone receipt of REIT A Units, such units will be issued immediately on vesting. As at December 31, 2019 and December 31,
2018, up to a maximum of 2.55 million deferred trust units are issuable under the DUIP.
The movement in the DUIP balance was as follows:
Balance, beginning of year
Compensation expense
REIT A Units issued for vested deferred trust units
Remeasurements of carrying value of deferred trust units
Cash settlement of deferred trust units
Balance, end of year
Outstanding and payable at beginning of year
Granted
Income deferred trust units
REIT A Units issued
REIT A Units settled in cash
Cancelled
Outstanding and payable at end of year(1)
Note
20
22
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
18,180
2,736
(2,397 )
8,895
(350 )
27,064
$
$
2018
17,280
3,415
(3,205 )
690
—
18,180
Year ended December 31,
2019
903,571
111,141
36,478
(96,234 )
(14,466 )
(12,869 )
927,621
2018
889,301
120,618
37,950
(139,657 )
(64 )
(4,577 )
903,571
(1) Includes 687,960 of vested but not issued deferred trust units as at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018 – 621,043).
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 77
For the year ended December 31, 2019, 111,141 deferred trust units were granted to trustees, officers and employees as well as
employees of affiliates with the grant price ranging from $23.68 to $31.14 per unit. Of the units granted, 64,341 units relate to
key management personnel. For the year ended December 31, 2018, 120,618 deferred trust units were granted to trustees,
officers and employees as well as employees of affiliates with the grant price ranging from $21.11 to $24.66 per unit. Of the units
granted, 48,318 units related to key management personnel.
Note 14
INCOME TAXES
The Trust is subject to taxation in the United States (“U.S.”) on the taxable income earned by its investment properties located in
the U.S. at a combined state and federal tax rate of approximately 27% as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Deferred
tax assets arise from timing differences in the U.S. subsidiaries, and are recognized only to the extent that they are realizable.
Deferred tax liabilities arise from the temporary differences between the carrying value and the tax basis of the net assets of the
U.S. subsidiaries.
The tax effects of the temporary differences that give rise to the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented
below:
Deferred tax assets
Deferred financing costs
Financial instruments
Other
Deferred tax liabilities
Investment property
Deferred tax liabilities, net
December 31,
2019
December 31,
2018
$
$
52 $
117
377
546
96
211
460
767
(2,888 )
(2,342 ) $
(2,724 )
(1,957 )
A reconciliation between the expected income taxes based upon the 2019 and 2018 statutory rates and the income tax expense
recognized during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is as follows:
Income taxes computed at the statutory rate of 0% that is applicable to the Trust
Current income taxes expense on a U.S. property
Deferred income taxes (expense) recovery on a U.S. property
December 31,
2019
$
$
— $
—
(486 )
(486 ) $
December 31,
2018
—
(794 )
452
(342 )
As part of the deferred tax balance, $103 is a result of a foreign exchange difference for the investment property in the U.S. (for
the year ended December 31, 2018 – $141). This amount is included as part of accumulated other comprehensive income under
unrealized foreign currency translation gain (loss).
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 78
Note 15
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Tenant security deposits
Finance lease liabilities(1)
Total
December 31,
2019
8,033 $
4,203
12,236 $
December 31,
2018
8,694
—
8,694
$
$
(1) On January 1, 2019 the trust adopted IFRS 16 and recognized finance lease liabilities totalling $4,499 for lease obligations previously accounted for as operating
leases under IAS 17 (see Note 3).
Leases
As at December 31, 2019, subsidiaries of the Trust have long-term agreements in place at two of its investment properties, which
meet the definition of a lease under IFRS 16. One of these leases is a ground lease and the other is for an outdoor area at an
investment property. These lease agreements have terms expiring in 2046 and 2079, respectively. The ground lease has a 33-year
extension option.
The Trust also has certain leases for low value office equipment. The Trust considers assets with a fair value of less than $10 at the
inception of the lease to be of low value.
The following table summarizes the movements in the Trust’s lease liability for the year ended December 31, 2019:
Balance, beginning of year
Recognition of lease liability on adoption of IFRS 16
Adjusted balance, beginning of year
Lease liabilities paid in cash
Derecognition of lease liability on property disposition
Balance, end of year
$
Year ended December 31, 2019
—
4,499
4,499
(44 )
(252 )
4,203
$
During the year ended December 31, 2019 the Trust incurred $220 of interest expense on lease liabilities and $156 of lease
payments for low-value office equipment.
The following table summarizes the undiscounted maturity of the Trust’s lease liabilities included in other non-current liabilities
as at December 31, 2019:
Due within one year
Due within one to five years
Due after five years
Total undiscounted lease liability payments
Less: Effect of discounting lease liability payments
Finance lease liabilities
Note 16
AMOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Trade payables
Building improvement and leasing cost accruals
Investment properties operating expense accruals
Non-operating expense and other accruals
Accrued interest
Rent received in advance
Distributions payable
Total
$
$
258
1,030
8,845
10,133
(5,930 )
4,203
Note
25
December 31,
2019
9,169 $
25,306
17,299
11,601
6,453
3,964
4,686
78,478 $
$
$
December 31,
2018
4,042
25,581
20,749
7,906
6,904
4,354
4,947
74,483
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 79
Note 17
EQUITY
Unitholders’ equity
Deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Total
Note
18
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Number of
REIT A Units
56,234,546 $
—
—
56,234,546 $
Amount
2,049,272
(574,801 )
3,790
1,478,261
Number of
REIT A Units
59,369,278 $
—
—
59,369,278 $
Amount
2,124,760
(634,513 )
6,495
1,496,742
Dream Office REIT Units
Dream Office REIT is authorized to issue an unlimited number of REIT Units and an unlimited number of Special Trust Units. The
REIT Units are divided into and issuable in two series: REIT A Units and REIT B Units. The Special Trust Units may only be issued to
holders of subsidiary redeemable units.
REIT A Units and REIT B Units represent an undivided beneficial interest in Dream Office REIT and in distributions made by Dream
Office REIT. No REIT A Unit or REIT B Unit has preference or priority over any other. Each REIT A Unit and REIT B Unit entitles the
holder to one vote at all meetings of unitholders.
Normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”)
On August 16, 2019, the NCIB covering the period from August 15, 2018 to August 16, 2019 expired. On August 12, 2019, the TSX
accepted a notice filed by the Trust to renew its prior NCIB for a one-year period. Under the bid, the Trust will have the ability to
purchase for cancellation up to a maximum of 4,544,730 of its REIT A Units (representing 10% of the Trust’s public float of
45,447,304 REIT A Units) through the facilities of the TSX. The renewed bid commenced on August 19, 2019 and will remain in
effect until the earlier of August 18, 2020 or the date on which the Trust has purchased the maximum number of REIT A Units
permitted under the bid. Daily purchases are limited to 30,145 REIT A Units, which equals 25% of the average daily trading volume
during the prior six calendar months (being 120,580 REIT A Units per day), other than purchases pursuant to applicable block
purchase exceptions.
In connection with the NCIB renewal, the Trust entered into an automatic securities repurchase plan (the “Repurchase Plan”) with
its designated broker in order to facilitate purchases of its REIT A Units under the NCIB. The Repurchase Plan allows for purchases
by Dream Office REIT of REIT A Units at any time including, without limitation, when the Trust would ordinarily not be permitted
to make purchases due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed blackout periods. Purchases will be made by the Trust’s broker
based upon the parameters prescribed by the TSX and the terms of the parties’ written agreement. Outside of such restricted or
blackout periods, the REIT A Units may also be purchased in accordance with management’s discretion. The Repurchase Plan will
terminate on August 18, 2020.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Trust purchased for cancellation 3,230,966 REIT A Units under the NCIB at a cost of
$77,818 (for the year ended December 31, 2018 – 4,475,664 REIT A Units cancelled for $100,716).
Substantial issuer bid (“SIB”)
On May 7, 2018, the Trust took up and paid for 10,000,000 REIT A Units at a price of $24.00 per REIT A Unit for an aggregate cost
of $240,000, excluding fees and expenses relating to the SIB. The REIT A Units purchased for cancellation under the SIB represented
approximately 14% of the issued and outstanding REIT A Units immediately prior to the expiry of the SIB.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 80
Note 18
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Opening
balance
January 1
Net change
during the
year
2019
Closing
balance
December 31
Opening
balance
January 1
Year ended December 31,
2018
Closing
balance
December 31
Net change
during the
year
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, net
of taxes
$
(237) $
48
$
(189) $
(283) $
46
$
(237)
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on foreign
currency translation, net of taxes
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) from
investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Share of other comprehensive income from
investment in joint ventures
Accumulated other comprehensive income
$
3,681
3,051
(720 )
2,961
2,489
1,192
(2,258 )
793
(260 )
3,311
—
6,495 $
225
(2,705 ) $
225
3,790 $
—
1,946 $
—
4,549 $
3,681
3,051
—
6,495
Note 19
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES REVENUE
Rental revenue
CAM and parking services revenue
Property management and other service fees
Total
Note 20
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
Deferred compensation expense
Professional service fees, public reporting, overhead-related costs and other
Management Services Agreement with DAM
Total
Note
13
28
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
148,594
139,091 $
92,132
87,417
1,703
2,510
242,429
229,018 $
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
(3,353 ) $
(3,693 )
(2,736 )
(3,415 )
(4,757 )
(4,904 )
—
(464 )
(12,476 )
(10,846 ) $
$
$
$
$
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 81
Note 21
INTEREST
Interest on debt
Interest on debt incurred and charged to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income is recorded as follows:
Interest expense incurred, at contractual rate of debt
Amortization of financing costs
Amortization of fair value adjustments on assumed debt
Capitalized interest
Interest expense on debt
Add (deduct):
Amortization of financing costs
Amortization of fair value adjustments on assumed debt
Change in accrued interest
Cash interest paid for discontinued operations
Cash interest paid
Note
$
6
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
50,927
49,342
2,779
2,030
(323 )
(308 )
(488 )
(24 )
53,374
50,561
(2,030 )
323
(567 )
4,585
52,872
$
(2,779 )
308
734
7,271
58,908
$
For the year ended December 31, 2019, interest was capitalized to properties under development at a weighted average effective
interest rate of 4.01% (for the year ended December 31, 2018 – 4.15%).
Certain debts assumed in connection with acquisitions have been adjusted to fair value using the estimated market interest rate
at the time of the acquisition (“fair value adjustments”). The fair value adjustments are amortized to interest expense over the
expected life of the debt using the effective interest rate method. Non-cash adjustments to interest expense are recorded as part
of depreciation and amortization under cash generated to (from) operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Interest on subsidiary redeemable units
Interest payments charged to comprehensive income are recorded as follows:
Paid in cash
Less: Interest payable at December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017)
Plus: Interest payable at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018)
Interest expense on subsidiary redeemable units
Note 22
FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Remeasurement of carrying value of subsidiary redeemable units
Remeasurement of carrying value of deferred trust units
Total
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
5,234
5,234 $
(436 )
(436 )
436
436
5,234
5,234 $
$
$
Note
12
13
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
(46,267 ) $
(681 )
(8,895 )
(690 )
(55,162 ) $
(1,371 )
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 82
Note 23
LEASING, TRANSACTION AND DEBT SETTLEMENT COSTS
Internal leasing costs
Costs attributable to sale of investment properties(1)
Debt settlement costs, net(2)
Other
Total
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
(2,188 ) $
(2,683 )
(654 )
(2,347 )
(361 )
(1,932 )
—
(217 )
(3,203 ) $
(7,179 )
$
$
(1) Costs attributable to sale of investment properties consist of transaction costs, commissions and other expenses incurred in relation to the disposal of
investment properties.
(2) Net debt settlement costs comprise charges on early discharge of mortgages and the write-off of associated financing costs.
Note 24
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
Assets held for sale
As at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no investment properties classified as assets held for sale.
The tables below summarize the activity of investment properties classified as assets held for sale and the associated debt for the
years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Investment properties held for sale
Balance, beginning of year
Add (deduct):
Building improvements
Lease incentives and initial direct leasing costs
Investment properties classified as held for sale during the year
Investment properties disposed of during the year
Fair value adjustment to investment properties
Amortization of lease incentives and other
Derecognition of right-of-use asset
Balance, end of year
Debt related to investment properties held for sale
Balance, beginning of year
Cash items:
Principal repayments
Lump sum repayment on property dispositions
Non-cash items:
Debt classified as liabilities related to assets held for sale(1)
Debt assumed by purchaser on disposal of investment properties
Amortization and write-off of financing costs
Balance, end of year
Note
$
6
$
$
$
Note
11
Year ended December 31,
2018
51,530
2019
— $
472
475
354,946
(356,804 )
1,220
(65 )
(244 )
— $
60
431
152,578
(204,776 )
574
(397 )
—
—
Year ended December 31,
2018
—
2019
— $
(583 )
(23,937 )
172,316
(148,087 )
291
— $
—
(90,697 )
90,697
—
—
—
(1) As at December 31, 2019, includes $nil (December 31, 2018 – $264) of unamortized deferred financing costs.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 83
Discontinued operations – Ottawa and Montréal segment
On July 17, 2019 and August 23, 2019, respectively, the Trust completed the sale of 700 De la Gauchetière Street West, Montréal
and 150 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa.
The Trust presented separately the results of operations and cash flows from the Ottawa and Montréal segment for the years
ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 as follows:
Investment properties revenue
Investment properties operating expenses
Net rental income
Other expenses, fair value adjustments, transaction and debt settlement costs
Interest on debt
Fair value adjustments to investment properties
Costs attributable to sale of investment properties
Debt settlement costs, net(1)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
42,778
21,231 $
(10,357 )
(19,645 )
23,133
10,874
(4,047 )
(11,252 )
(2,882 )
(1,259 )
(19,440 )
(8,566 ) $
(7,344 )
(5,953 )
—
—
(13,297 )
9,836
$
$
(1) Net debt settlement costs comprise prepayment penalties of $(995) and write-off of associated unamortized financing costs of $(264).
Cash flow generated from (utilized in):
Operating activities
Investing activities(1)
Financing activities(2)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
$
$
(4,662 ) $
201,295
(21,416 )
175,217 $
8,296
(2,140 )
(5,796 )
360
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2019, investing activities includes $204,612 of net proceeds on disposition.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2019, financing activities includes $(995) of prepayment penalties and $(16,870) of lump sum repayments on disposed
properties.
Dispositions
Date disposed
May 14, 2019
July 2, 2019
July 17, 2019
August 23, 2019
September 30, 2019
December 13, 2019
December 13, 2019
Total dispositions for the year ended December 31, 2019
Property
Centre 70, Calgary
Financial Building, Regina
700 De la Gauchetière Street West, Montréal
150 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa
Victoria Tower, Regina
275 Dundas Street West, London (London City Centre)
5001 Yonge Street, North York
(1) Sales price reflects gross proceeds net of adjustments and before transaction costs.
Ownership Disposed share of GLA
(%)
15.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
40.0 %
100.0 %
(thousands of sq. ft.)
Sales price(1)
20
66
986
110
144
216
309
1,851 $
528,837
On October 15, 2019, a parcel of land at 425 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario was expropriated by the City of Toronto to
construct an elevator that provides direct access to a Toronto Transit Commission station, for total gross proceeds of $363. The
gross proceeds represented fair market value for the parcel of land. In addition to the gross proceeds, the Trust recorded a one-
time compensation income of $384 in investment properties revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019, representing the
lost rental revenue for temporary easements over the construction period.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Trust completed the sale of nine investment properties located in Alberta and
Saskatchewan for gross proceeds net of adjustments and before transaction costs of $302,194.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 84
Note 25
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dream Office REIT’s Declaration of Trust, as amended and restated, provides the Board of Trustees with the discretion to determine
the percentage payout of income that would be in the best interest of the Trust. The Trust determines the distribution rate by,
among other considerations, its assessment of cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities. Cash flows from
operating activities may differ from distributions declared, primarily due to: fluctuations in non-cash working capital; the impact
of leasing costs, which fluctuate with lease maturities, renewal terms, the type of asset being leased, and when tenants fulfill the
terms of their respective lease agreements; and the impact of investments in building improvements, which fluctuates with timing
and extent of the capital projects, as well as age, type and condition of asset. These seasonal fluctuations or the unpredictability
of when leasing costs are incurred are funded with our cash and cash equivalents on hand and, if necessary, with our existing
demand revolving credit facilities. Monthly distribution payments to unitholders are payable on or about the 15th day of the
following month.
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Trust declared distributions totalling $1.00 per unit.
The following table summarizes distribution payments for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Paid in cash
Less: Payable at December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017)
Plus: Payable at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018)
Total distributions paid and payable
Note
16
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
57,869 $
64,552
(4,947 )
(6,142 )
4,686
4,947
63,357
57,608 $
The following table summarizes our monthly distributions paid and payable subsequent to year-end:
Date distribution announced
December 19, 2019
January 22, 2020
February 20, 2020
Month of distribution
December 2019
January 2020
February 2020
TBD – to be determined as at February 28, 2020.
Date distribution was
paid or is payable
January 15, 2020
February 17, 2020
March 13, 2020
Distribution per
REIT A Unit
0.08333
0.08333
0.08333
$
$
$
Total distribution
paid or payable
4,686
$
4,689
$
TBD
Note 26
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The components of amortization and depreciation under operating activities include:
Amortization and write-off of lease incentives
Amortization and write-off of intangible assets
Amortization of financing costs
Amortization of fair value adjustments on assumed debt
Depreciation on property and equipment
Total amortization and depreciation
Note
6, 24
9
21
21
$
$
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
11,825
13,277 $
446
576
2,872
2,087
(323 )
(308 )
1,753
1,315
16,588
16,932 $
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 85
The components of changes in other adjustments under operating activities include:
Deferred unit compensation expense
Straight-line rent adjustment
Deferred income taxes expense (recovery)
Costs attributable to sale of investment properties
Debt settlement costs, net
Total other adjustments
Note
13
14
23, 24
23, 24
The components of the changes in non-cash working capital under operating activities include:
Decrease (increase) in amounts receivable
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets
Decrease in other non-current assets
Increase (decrease) in amounts payable and accrued liabilities
Increase (decrease) in other non-current liabilities
Change in non-cash working capital
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
3,415
2,736 $
(94 )
(538 )
486
(452 )
2,347
3,536
1,098
1,620
5,870
8,284 $
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
6,618 $
(4,901 )
1,514
(2,498 )
57
795
5,502
(4,692 )
48
(864 )
9,727 $
(8,148 )
$
$
$
$
Note 27
SEGMENTED INFORMATION
Prior to January 1, 2019, the Trust’s reportable operating segments of its investment properties and results of operations were
segmented geographically, namely Calgary, Toronto downtown, Mississauga and North York, Ottawa and Montréal and Other
markets. Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust has grouped its remaining four investment properties in Calgary into the Other
markets segment, which better aligns with how the Trust views the operations and capital allocations of that particular market.
Effective June 30, 2019, the results of operations from the Ottawa and Montréal segment were presented separately as
discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, as both investment properties in that segment
were classified as assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets.
Effective December 31, 2019, the Trust has further refined its reportable operating segments as a result of changes to the
composition of the Trust’s investment property portfolio. The Trust’s remaining investment property in Mississauga, Ontario and
the property previously classified as held for future redevelopment have both been reclassified to Other markets segment, which
better aligns with how the Trust views the operations and capital allocations of that particular market relative to the Toronto
downtown region.
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Trust’s reportable operating segments of its investment
properties and results of operations were segmented geographically, namely Toronto downtown and Other markets. The chief
operating decision-maker measures and evaluates the performance of the Trust based on net operating income as presented by
geographical location below. The performance of assets held for sale, properties under development, acquired properties and
sold properties are considered separately by the chief operating decision-maker from properties in the regional segments.
Accordingly, revenue, expenses and fair value adjustments related to these properties have been reclassified to “Not segmented”
for segment disclosure along with property management and other service fees, lease termination fees, bad debt expense,
straight-line rent and amortization of lease incentives at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The Trust did not allocate
interest expense to these segments since leverage is viewed as a corporate function. The decision as to where to incur the debt is
largely based on minimizing the cost of debt and is not specifically related to the segments. Similarly, other income, other
expenses, fair value adjustments to financial instruments, leasing, transaction and debt settlement costs, and income taxes were
not allocated to the segments.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 86
Year ended December 31, 2019
Operations
Investment properties revenue
Investment properties operating expenses
Net rental income (segment income)
Fair value adjustments to investment
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Segment total
Not
segmented(1)
$
$
161,057 $
(65,407 )
95,650 $
51,214 $
(22,673 )
28,541 $
212,271 $
(88,080 )
124,191 $
16,747 $
(13,363 )
3,384 $
Total
229,018
(101,443 )
127,575
properties
68,201
(1) Includes revenue, expenses and fair value adjustments related to properties under development, acquired and sold properties during the year, property
(8,086 ) $
70,763
62,677
5,524
$
$
$
$
management and other service fees, lease termination fees, bad debt expense, straight-line rent and amortization of lease incentives during the year.
Year ended December 31, 2019
Capital expenditures(3)
Investment properties
Toronto downtown
$
$
24,548 $
1,890,308 $
Other markets
Segment total
Not
segmented(1)
18,194 $
382,792 $
42,742 $
2,273,100 $
35,252 $
147,845 $
Reconciliation(2)
(947 ) $
— $
Total
77,047
2,420,945
(1) Includes activity of properties under development, acquired and sold (as applicable) during the year.
(2) Includes activity of assets held for sale during the year.
(3) Includes building improvements, initial direct leasing costs and lease incentives, and interest capitalized to properties under development during the year.
Year ended December 31, 2018
Operations
Investment properties revenue
Investment properties operating expenses
Net rental income (segment income)
Fair value adjustments to investment
properties
$
$
$
Toronto downtown
Other markets
Segment total
Not
segmented(1)
144,945 $
(62,669 )
82,276 $
50,149 $
(21,746 )
28,403 $
195,094 $
(84,415 )
110,679 $
47,335 $
(26,182 )
21,153 $
Total
242,429
(110,597 )
131,832
93,752
$
(33,666 ) $
60,086
$
(6,600 ) $
53,486
(1) Includes revenue, expenses and fair value adjustments related to properties under development, acquired and sold during the year, property management
and other service fees, lease termination fees, bad debt expense, straight-line rent and amortization of lease incentives during the year.
Year ended December 31, 2018
Capital expenditures(3)
Investment properties
Toronto downtown
$
$
35,670 $
1,798,728 $
Other markets
Segment total
Not
segmented(1)
Reconciliation(2)
17,294 $
378,965 $
52,964 $
2,177,693 $
25,512 $
601,133 $
(491 ) $
— $
Total
77,985
2,778,826
(1) Includes activity of properties under development, acquired and sold (as applicable) during the year.
(2) Includes activity of assets held for sale during the year.
(3) Includes building improvements, initial direct leasing costs and lease incentives, and interest capitalized to properties under development during the year.
Note 28
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS
From time to time, Dream Office REIT and its subsidiaries enter into transactions with related parties that are generally conducted
on a cost recovery basis or under normal commercial terms.
Related party transactions with DAM
On May 15, 2019, the Trust entered into a shared services agreement (the “New Shared Services Agreement”) with DAM, which
replaces the existing Management Services Agreement, Shared Services and Cost Sharing Agreement and Administrative Services
Agreement (the “Existing Agreements”). As a result of the termination of the Existing Agreements, any incentive fees that may
have been payable to DAM in the future under the Management Services Agreement are eliminated. Under the New Shared
Services Agreement, the Trust will act as the property manager for DAM’s income properties in Canada and DAM will act as the
development manager for the Trust’s future development projects. In order to take advantage of the economies of scale it
currently enjoys, the New Shared Services Agreement maintains certain resource-sharing arrangements between the Trust
and DAM, such as information technology, human resources and insurance, among other services as requested, on a cost
allocation basis.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 87
Under the New Shared Services Agreement, in connection with each future development project, DAM will earn a development
fee equal to 3.75% of the total net revenues of the development or, for rental properties, 3.75% of the fair value upon completion,
without any promote or other incentive fees. In connection with the property management services provided by the Trust to DAM,
the Trust will earn a fee equal to 3.5% of gross revenue of the managed income properties.
The following is a summary of costs processed by DAM and the Trust for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31,
2018:
Property management services fee charged by the Trust
Costs processed by the Trust on behalf of DAM (cost recovery)
Development fees charged by DAM(1)
Costs processed by DAM on behalf of the Trust (cost recovery)
Net fees and reimbursements from DAM
(1) Development fees charged by DAM became effective May 15, 2019.
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
—
221 $
6,391
—
(3,477 )
2,914
7,064
(1,473 )
(1,897 )
3,915 $
$
$
The following is a summary of the amounts due from (to) DAM as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
Amounts due from DAM
Amounts due to DAM
Net amounts due from (to) DAM
December 31,
2019
658 $
(921 )
(263 ) $
December 31,
2018
988
(531 )
457
$
$
Related party transactions with DHAAT
Dream Office Management Corp. (“DOMC”) provides property management services to co-owned investment properties with
DHAAT, which are accounted for as joint operations (see Note 8).
DOMC and DHAAT are parties to a Services Agreement, in which the Trust provides certain services to DHAAT on a cost recovery
basis.
The following is a summary of the amounts that were charged to DHAAT for the years ended December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018:
Property management and construction fees related to co-owned properties
Costs processed on behalf of DHAAT related to co-owned properties
Amounts charged to DHAAT under the Services Agreement
Total cost recoveries from DHAAT(1)
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
1,400
1,130 $
1,739
2,977
366
330
3,469
4,473 $
$
$
(1) Includes Services Agreement with DHAAT and Property Management Agreement for various co-owned and managed DHAAT properties.
Amounts due from DHAAT as of December 31, 2019 were $102 (December 31, 2018 – $363).
Related party transactions with Dream Industrial REIT
DOMC and Dream Industrial REIT are parties to a Services Agreement, pursuant to which the Trust provides certain services to
Dream Industrial REIT on a cost recovery basis.
The following is a summary of the cost recoveries from Dream Industrial REIT for the years ended December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018:
Total cost recoveries from Dream Industrial REIT
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
3,304
4,037 $
$
Amounts due from Dream Industrial REIT relating to the Services Agreement as of December 31, 2019 were $302 (December 31,
2018 – $387).
Amounts due to Dream Industrial REIT as of December 31, 2019 were $2,275 (December 31, 2018 – $855).
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 88
Distribution and interest receivable (payable) with related parties
Distributions receivable from Dream Industrial REIT(1)
Distributions payable to DAM(2)
Subsidiary redeemable interest payable to DAM(3)
$
December 31,
2019
1,643 $
(958 )
(436 )
December 31,
2018
1,535
(774 )
(436 )
(1) Distributions receivable is in relation to the 8,792,170 Dream Industrial REIT units and 18,551,855 Dream Industrial LP Class B limited partnership units held
by the Trust as at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018 – 7,200,736 Dream Industrial REIT units and 18,551,855 Dream Industrial LP Class B limited
partnership units). Included in distributions receivable are the bonus distributions pursuant to Dream Industrial REIT’s distribution reinvestment plan.
(2) Distributions payable is in relation to the 11,490,702 REIT A Units held by DAM as at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018 – 9,284,938 REIT A Units).
(3) Subsidiary redeemable interest payable is in relation to the 5,233,823 subsidiary redeemable units held by DAM as at December 31, 2019 and December 31,
2018.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, total distributions earned and receivable from Dream Industrial REIT were $19,222
(December 31, 2018 – $17,914) and total distributions paid and payable to DAM for the year were $14,814 (December 31,
2018 – $13,347).
Compensation of key management personnel and trustees
Compensation of key management personnel and trustees for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is as
follows:
Compensation and benefits
Unit-based awards(1)
Total
Year ended December 31,
2019
2018
1,640
1,746 $
1,121
1,574
2,761
3,320 $
$
$
(1) Deferred trust units granted to officers and trustees vest over a five-year period with one-fifth of the deferred trust units vesting each year. Amounts are
determined based on the grant date fair value of deferred trust units multiplied by the number of deferred trust units granted in the year.
Note 29
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Dream Office REIT and its operating subsidiaries are contingently liable under guarantees that are issued in the normal course of
business, on certain debt assumed by purchasers of disposed investment properties, and with respect to litigation and claims that
arise from time to time. In the opinion of management, any liability that may arise from such contingencies would not have a
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
In 2015, a subsidiary of the Trust received notices of reassessment from both the Canada Revenue Agency and the Alberta Minister
of Finance with respect to its 2007, 2008 and 2010 taxation years. These reassessments relate to the deductibility of certain tax
losses claimed by the subsidiary prior to its acquisition by the Trust. These federal and provincial reassessments if upheld could
increase total current taxes payable, including interest and penalties, by $12,589. No cash payment is expected to be made unless
it is ultimately established that the Trust has an obligation to make one. Management is of the view that there is a strong case to
support the position as filed and has contested both the federal and provincial reassessments. Since management believes that it
is more likely than not that its position will be sustained, no amounts related to these reassessments have been recorded in the
consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
At December 31, 2019, Dream Office REIT’s future minimum commitments are as follows:
Operating lease payments for low-value assets
Operating commitments
Fixed price contracts
Total
Within 1 year
$
156 $
2,069
222
2,447 $
$
1–5 years
322 $
2,662
888
3,872 $
> 5 years
Minimum payments due
Total
478
4,731
3,244
8,453
— $
—
2,134
2,134 $
In 2018, the Trust originally committed US$7,250 to fund investments in real estate technologies of which US$3,483 was funded
as at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018 – US$1,175).
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 89
The Trust is contingently liable under guarantees that are issued on certain debt assumed by purchasers of investment properties
totalling $114,291 (December 31, 2018 – $148,733) with a weighted average term to maturity of 3.7 years (December 31, 2018 –
4.0 years).
In the event that a contemplated development project proceeds, the Trust has committed to contribute one of its investment
properties with a fair value of $40,480 to the development project.
As part of the sale of F1RST Tower in 2018, the Trust committed to a construction loan facility of up to $12,500. The construction
loan facility bears interest at 4.5%, matures on April 10, 2022 with an option to extend to April 10, 2023 and is secured by the
property. At December 31, 2019, the Trust had not funded any amounts under the construction loan facility.
Note 30
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The Trust’s capital consists of debt, including mortgages, demand revolving credit facilities, debentures, subsidiary redeemable
units and unitholders’ equity. The Trust’s primary objectives in managing capital are to ensure adequate operating funds are
available to maintain consistent and sustainable unitholder distributions and to fund leasing costs and capital expenditure
requirements. The Trust’s maximum credit exposure is equal to the trade receivables and the outstanding balance on the VTB
mortgage receivable as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Various debt ratios and cash flow metrics are used to ensure capital adequacy and to monitor capital requirements. The primary
ratios used for assessing capital management are the interest coverage ratio and net debt-to-gross carrying value. Other significant
indicators include unpledged assets, weighted average interest rate, average term to maturity of debt and variable rate debt as a
portion of total debt. These indicators assist the Trust in assessing whether the debt level maintained is sufficient to provide
adequate cash flows for leasing costs and capital expenditures, and for evaluating the need to raise funds for further expansion.
Various mortgages have debt covenant requirements that are monitored by the Trust to ensure there are no defaults. These
covenants include loan-to-value ratios, cash flow coverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. These
covenants are measured at the subsidiary limited partnership level, and all have been complied with as at December 31, 2019 and
December 31, 2018. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no events of default on any of
the Trust’s obligations under its demand revolving credit facilities, debentures or mortgage loans.
The Trust’s equity consists of REIT Units, in which the carrying value is impacted by earnings and unitholder distributions. Amounts
retained in excess of the distributions are used to fund leasing costs, capital expenditures and working capital requirements.
Management monitors distributions to ensure adequate resources are available by comparing total distributions to, among other
considerations, its assessment of cash flows generated from (utilized in) operating activities.
Note 31
RISK MANAGEMENT
IFRS 7, “Financial Instruments: Disclosures” (“IFRS 7”), places emphasis on disclosures about the nature and extent of risks arising
from financial instruments and how the Trust manages those risks, including market, credit and liquidity risks.
Market risk is the risk the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market
prices. Market risk consists of interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and other market price risk. The Trust has exposure to interest
rate risk primarily as a result of its variable rate debt. In addition, there is interest rate risk associated with the Trust’s fixed rate
debt due to the expected requirement to refinance such debts in the year of maturity. The Trust is exposed to the variability in
market interest rates and credit spreads on maturing debt to be renewed. Variable rate debt at December 31, 2019 was nil% of
the Trust’s total debt (December 31, 2018 – 26.3%). In order to manage exposure to interest rate risk, the Trust endeavours to
maintain an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt, manage maturities of fixed rate debt and match the nature of the
debt with the cash flow characteristics of the underlying asset.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 90
The following interest rate sensitivity table outlines the potential impact of a 1% change in the interest rate on variable rate
financial assets and liabilities for the prospective 12-month period.
Amounts as at
December 31, 2019
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
Financial liabilities
Fixed rate debt due to mature in 2020
$
$
95,410
164,523
$
$
Income
(954 )
1,645
−1 %
Equity
(954 )
1,645
$
$
Income
$
$
954
(1,645 )
Interest rate risk
+1%
Equity
$
$
954
(1,645 )
(1) Cash and cash equivalents are short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less, and exclude cash subject to restrictions that prevent
s prime rate less 1.85% to 2.00%. Cash and cash equivalents
s use for current purposes. These balances generally receive interest income at the bank
the Trust
as at December 31, 2019 are short-term in nature and may not be representative of the balance during the year.
ʼ
ʼ
The Trust is not exposed to significant foreign currency risk.
The Trust’s assets mainly consist of investment properties. Credit risk arises from the possibility that tenants in investment
properties may not fulfill their lease or contractual obligations. The Trust mitigates its credit risks by attracting tenants of sound
financial standing and by diversifying its mix of tenants. As at December 31, 2019, the Government of Ontario represented 11.3%
of the Trust’s annual gross rental revenue. No other tenant accounts for more than 10% of the Trust’s annual gross rental revenue.
The Trust also monitors tenant payment patterns and discusses potential tenant issues with property managers on a regular basis.
The Trust manages its credit risk on VTB mortgage receivables by lending to reputable purchasers of properties, retaining security
interests in the sold investment properties, monitoring compliance with repayment schedules and evaluating the progress and
estimated rates of returns of financed projects. Cash and cash equivalents, deposits and restricted cash carry minimal credit risk
as all funds are maintained with highly reputable financial institutions. The Trust manages its credit risk on debt assumed by
purchasers of investment properties by monitoring the ongoing repayment of assumed debt by the purchasers and evaluating
market conditions that would affect the purchasers’ ability to repay assumed debt.
Liquidity risk is the risk the Trust will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with the maturity of financial
obligations. As at December 31, 2019, current liabilities exceeded current assets by $146,819 (December 31, 2018 – current
liabilities exceeded current assets by $131,028). The Trust’s main sources of liquidity are its cash and cash equivalents on hand,
revolving credit facilities and unencumbered assets. The Trust is able to use its revolving credit facilities on short notice, which
eliminates the need to hold a significant amount of cash and cash equivalents on hand. Working capital balances fluctuate
significantly from period to period depending on the timing of receipts and payments. The Trust manages maturities of the fixed
rate debts, monitors the repayment dates and maintains adequate cash and cash equivalents on hand and availability on the
demand revolving credit facilities to ensure sufficient capital will be available to cover obligations as they become due.
The Trust is exposed to changes in the residual value of properties at the end of current lease agreements. The residual value risk
borne by the Trust is mitigated by active management of its property portfolio with the objective of optimizing tenant mix in order
to: achieve the longest weighted average lease term possible; minimize vacancy rates across all properties; and minimize the
turnover of tenants with high-quality credit ratings.
Note 32
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Quoted market prices represent a Level 1 valuation. When quoted market prices are not available, the Trust maximizes the use of
observable inputs. When all significant inputs are observable, the valuation is classified as Level 2. Valuations that require the
significant use of unobservable inputs are considered Level 3. The Trust’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of fair
value hierarchy levels as of the date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers
between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
The following section summarizes the fair value measurements recognized in the consolidated financial statements by class of
asset or liability and categorized by level according to the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 91
Investment properties
The Trust’s accounting policy as indicated in Note 2 is applied in determining the fair value of investment properties by using the
income approach, which is derived from one of two methods: the overall cap rate method and the discounted cash flow method.
As a result, these measurements are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as summarized in tables below.
Investment properties
Investment properties
Note
6
Note
6
Carrying value as at
December 31, 2019
2,420,945 $
Carrying value as at
December 31, 2018
2,778,826 $
$
$
Level 1
— $
Fair value as at December 31, 2019
Level 3
— $ 2,420,945
Level 2
Level 1
— $
Fair value as at December 31, 2018
Level 3
— $ 2,778,826
Level 2
Valuations of investment properties are most sensitive to changes in discount rates and cap rates. In applying the overall cap rate
method the stabilized NOI of each property is divided by any appropriate cap rate.
The critical and key assumptions in the valuation of investment properties are as follows:
Cap rate method
• Cap rates – based on actual location, size and quality of the properties and taking into account any available market data at
the valuation date.
• Stabilized NOI – normalized property operating revenues less property operating expenses.
Discounted cash flow method
• Discount and terminal rates – reflecting current market assessments of the return expectations.
• Market rents – reflecting management’s best estimates with reference to recent leasing activity and external market data.
• Leasing costs – reflecting management’s best estimates with reference to recent leasing activity and external market data.
• Vacancy rates – reflecting management’s best estimates with reference to recent leasing activity and external market data.
• Capital expenditures – reflecting management’s best estimates of costs to complete development projects.
As at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no investment properties classified as assets held for sale.
Investment properties are valued on a highest-and-best-use basis. For all of the Trust’s investment properties the current use is
considered the highest and best use.
Investment properties valuation process
The Trust is responsible for determining the fair value measurements included in the consolidated financial statements. At the end
of each reporting period, the Trust determines the fair value of investment properties by:
1) considering current contracted sales prices for properties that are available for sale;
2) obtaining appraisals from qualified external professionals on a rotational basis for select properties; and
3) using internally prepared valuations applying the income approach.
The fair values of these investment properties are reviewed at least quarterly by management with reference to independent
property appraisals and market conditions existing at the reporting date, using generally accepted market practices. The
independent appraisers are experienced, nationally recognized and qualified in the professional valuation of office buildings in
their respective geographic areas. Judgment is also applied in determining the extent and frequency of obtaining independent
appraisals. At each reporting period, a select number of properties, determined on a rotational basis, are valued by independent
appraisers. For properties not subject to independent appraisals, valuations are prepared internally during each reporting period.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 92
Financial instruments
Financial instruments carried at amortized cost or accounted for as investments in associates where the carrying value does not
approximate fair value are noted below:
Investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Non-current VTB mortgage receivable
Mortgages
Demand revolving credit facilities
Debentures
Investment in Dream Industrial REIT
Non-current VTB mortgage receivable
Mortgages
Demand revolving credit facilities
Debentures
Note
7
9, 29
11
11
11
Note
7
9, 29
11
11
11
$
$
Carrying value as at
December 31, 2019
320,295 $
34,100
1,003,081
(2,709 )
150,000
Carrying value as at
December 31, 2018
266,583 $
34,100
964,758
291,686
149,769
Level 1
115,529 $
—
—
—
150,000
Fair value as at December 31, 2019
Level 3
—
33,084
1,016,143
—
—
Level 2
243,771 $
—
—
—
—
Fair value as at December 31, 2018
Level 1
68,551 $
—
—
—
150,923
Level 2
176,614 $
—
—
294,702
—
Level 3
—
33,214
971,424
—
—
Restricted cash and deposits, amounts receivable, cash and cash equivalents, short-term VTB mortgage receivable, tenant security
deposits, and amounts payable and accrued liabilities are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to their
short-term nature. Subsidiary redeemable units and the Deferred Unit Incentive Plan are carried at amortized cost, which
approximates fair value as they are readily redeemable financial instruments.
The Trust uses the following techniques in determining the fair value disclosed for the following financial instruments classified as
Level 1, 2 and 3:
Investment in Dream Industrial REIT
The Trust’s investment in Dream Industrial REIT is accounted for as an investment in associate using the equity method. The Trust’s
ownership of Dream Industrial REIT is composed of its holdings of Dream Industrial REIT units and Dream Industrial LP Class B
units. The Trust determines the fair value of the Dream Industrial REIT units using the units’ trading price on or about December 31,
2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Dream Industrial LP Class B units are economically equivalent to the Dream
Industrial REIT units, but are not publicly traded. The Trust determines the fair value of the LP B units by reference to the trading
price of Dream Industrial REIT units. Consequently, the fair values of the Dream Industrial REIT units and LP Class B units are
Level 1 and Level 2 measurements in the fair value hierarchy, respectively.
Non-current VTB mortgage receivable
The fair value of the non-current VTB mortgage receivable as at December 31, 2019 is determined by discounting the expected
cash flows of the VTB mortgage receivable using market discount rates. The discount rates are determined using the Government
of Canada benchmark bond yield for instruments of similar maturity adjusted for the counterparty’s specific credit risk. In
determining the adjustment for credit risk, the Trust considers market conditions and indicators of the counterparty’s
creditworthiness. As a result, these measurements are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Mortgages
The fair value of mortgages as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are determined by discounting the expected cash
flows of each mortgage using market discount rates. The discount rates are determined using the Government of Canada
benchmark bond yield for instruments of similar maturity adjusted for the Trust’s specific credit risk. In determining the
adjustment for credit risk, the Trust considers market conditions, the fair value of the investment properties that the mortgages
are secured by and other indicators of the Trust’s creditworthiness. As a result, these measurements are classified as Level 3 in
the fair value hierarchy.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 93
Demand revolving credit facilities
Demand revolving credit facilities are variable rate debt priced at prevailing market interest rates plus a Trust-specific credit spread.
Because the interest rate on the demand revolving credit facilities fluctuates with changes in market rates, the fair value of the
demand revolving credit facilities is equivalent to amounts drawn on the facilities. Because the applicable interest rate is a
combination of market rates plus a contractual spread, these are Level 2 measurements in the fair value hierarchy.
Debentures
The fair value of debentures that are traded as at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are based on the debentures’
trading price on or about December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As a result, these measurements are classified
as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
Dream Office REIT 2019 Annual Report | 94
Trustees
Detlef BierbaumInd.,1
Köln, Germany
Corporate Director
Donald K. CharterInd.,1,2,3,5
Toronto, Ontario
Corporate Director
Michael J. Cooper4
Toronto, Ontario
President & Chief Responsible Officer
Dream Unlimited Corp.
Jane Gavan
Toronto, Ontario
President, Asset Management
Dream Unlimited Corp.
Management Team
Michael J. Cooper
Chief Executive Officer
Jay Jiang
Chief Financial Officer
Gord Wadley
Chief Operating Officer
Robert GoodallInd.,2,3
Toronto, Ontario
President
Canadian Mortgage Capital Corp.
Dr. Kellie LeitchInd.,2
Madison, Mississippi
Associate Professor;
Chief, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
The University of Mississippi
Karine MacIndoeInd.,1,3
Toronto, Ontario
Corporate Director
Legend:
Ind. Independent
1. Member of the Audit Committee
2. Member of the Governance and
Nominating Committee
3. Member of the Compensation,
Health and Environmental Committee
4. Chair of the Board of Trustees
5.
Independent Lead Trustee
Corporate Information
HEAD OFFICE
TRANSFER AGENT
CORPORATE COUNSEL
Dream Office
Real Estate Investment Trust
State Street Financial Centre
30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3H1
Phone: (416) 365-3535
Fax: (416) 365-6565
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Phone: (416) 365-3535
Toll free: 1 877 365-3535
Email: officeinfo@dream.ca
Website: www.dreamofficereit.ca
(for change of address, registration
or other unitholder enquiries)
Computershare Trust
Company of Canada
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
Phone: (514) 982-7555 or 1 800 564-6253
Fax: (416) 263-9394 or 1 888 453-0330
Website: www.computershare.com
Email: service@computershare.com
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Box 50, 1 First Canadian Place, Suite 6200
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1B8
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
The Toronto Stock Exchange
Listing Symbol: REIT Units, Series A: D.UN
For more information, please visit
dreamofficereit.ca
AUDITOR
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PwC Tower, 18 York Street, Suite 2600
Toronto, Ontario M5J 0B2
Corporate Office
State Street Financial Centre
30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3H1
Phone: 416.365.3535
Fax: 416.365.6565
Website: www.dreamofficereit.ca
Email: officeinfo@dream.ca