EX-99.1 2 tm256999d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS

 

– Net Income Per Fully Diluted Share of $0.07 in 4Q and $0.28 in 2024 –

 

– Core FFO Per Fully Diluted Share of $0.24 in 4Q and $0.95 in 2024 –

 

– Signed 1.325M Rentable Square Feet of Leases in 2024 and 379K in 4Q –

 

– $0.9B of Liquidity, No Floating Rate Debt Exposure –

 

– Provides 2025 Outlook –

 

New York, New York, February 19, 2025 – Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory that was declared the #1 Attraction in the World – and the #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year– in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is the recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Today the Company reported its operational and financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year. All per share amounts are on a fully diluted basis, where applicable.

 

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Recent Highlights

 

·Net Income of $0.07 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $0.28 per share for the full year.

 

·Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”) of $0.24 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $0.95 per share for the full year, compared to $0.25 per share and $0.93 per share for the same respective periods in 2023.

 

·Same-Store Property Cash Net Operating Income (“NOI”), which excludes lease termination fees, decreased 2.9% for the fourth quarter and increased 5.2% for the full year as compared to the same periods in 2023. The fourth quarter change was primarily attributed to a decrease in positive non-recurring items by approximately $1.9 million relative to the prior period and increases in operating expenses. Adjusted for non-recurring items, fourth quarter Same-Store Property Cash NOI was flat.

 

·Manhattan office leased rate increased by 160bps year-over-year to 94.2%. The total commercial portfolio is 93.5% leased as of December 31, 2024. This is the 12th consecutive quarter of positive commercial leased rate absorption.

 

·Manhattan office occupancy increased by 130bps year-over-year to 89.0%. The total commercial portfolio is 88.6% occupied as of December 31, 2024.

 

·Signed approximately 379 thousand rentable square feet of office leases in the fourth quarter and 1.325 million rentable square feet of office and retail leases in the full year. In our Manhattan office portfolio, blended leasing spreads were +10.8%, the 14th consecutive quarter of positive leasing spreads.

 

·Empire State Building Observatory generated year-over-year NOI growth of 6.0% to $28.5 million in the fourth quarter and 5.8% NOI growth to $99.5 million for the full year.

 

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Property Operations

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s property portfolio contained 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 732 residential units, which were occupied and leased as shown below.

 

   December 31, 20241   September 30, 20241   December 31, 20231 
Percent occupied:               
Total commercial portfolio   88.6%   89.1%   86.6%
Total office   88.4%   88.9%   86.3%
Manhattan office   89.0%   89.6%   87.7%
Total retail   90.4%   91.1%   90.4%
                
Percent leased (includes signed leases not commenced):
Total commercial portfolio   93.5%   93.4%   91.0%
Total office   93.5%   93.3%   90.9%
Manhattan office   94.2%   94.1%   92.6%
Total retail   94.1%   94.0%   92.1%
Total multifamily portfolio   98.5%   96.8%   98.1%

 

1 All occupancy and leased percentages exclude broadcasting and storage space. September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024 exclude First Stamford Place.

 

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Leasing

 

The tables that follow summarize leasing activity for the fourth quarter of 2024. During this period, the Company signed 20 leases that totaled 378,913 square feet with an average lease duration of 8.0 years. Average lease duration excluding early renewals and extensions was 12.3 years.

 

Total Portfolio

 

Total Portfolio  Leases
executed
   Square
footage
executed
   Average cash
rent psf – leases
executed
   Previously
escalated cash
rents psf
   % of new cash
rent over / under
previously
escalated rents
 
Office   20    378,913    78.40    71.03    10.4%
Retail   0    0    0.00    0.00    %
Total Overall   20    378,913    78.40    71.03    10.4%

 

Manhattan Office Portfolio

 

Manhattan Office Portfolio  Leases
executed
   Square
footage
executed
   Average cash
rent psf – leases
executed
   Previously
escalated cash
rents psf
   % of new cash
rent over / under
previously
escalated rents
 
New Office   11    184,258    71.07    59.54    19.4%
Renewal Office   7    182,464    86.98    83.14    4.6%
Total Office   18    366,722    78.99    71.28    10.8%

 

Leasing Activity Highlights

 

·A 16-year 78,704 square foot expansion lease and a 141,224 square foot early 2-year lease extension at One Grand Central Place with an investment management tenant.

 

·A 16-year 38,550 square foot expansion lease with NYSERDA at 1333 Broadway.

 

·An 11-year 37,186 square foot expansion lease and a 27,377 square foot early 7-year lease extension with Booking Holdings at the Empire State Building.

 

Balance Sheet

 

The Company had $0.9 billion of total liquidity as of December 31, 2024, which was comprised of $385 million of cash, plus $500 million available under its revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2024, the Company had total debt outstanding of approximately $2.3 billion, no floating rate debt exposure, and a weighted average interest rate of 4.27%. At December 31, 2024, the Company’s ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA was 5.3x.

 

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Dividend

 

On December 31, 2024, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.035 per share or unit, as applicable, for the fourth quarter of 2024 to holders of the Company’s Class A common stock (NYSE: ESRT) and Class B common stock and to holders of the Series ES, Series 250 and Series 60 partnership units (NYSE Arca: ESBA, FISK and OGCP, respectively) and Series PR partnership units of Empire State Realty OP, L.P., the Company’s operating partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).

 

On December 31, 2024, the Company paid quarterly preferred dividends of $0.15 and $0.175 per unit for the fourth quarter to holders of the Operating Partnership’s Series 2014 and 2019 private perpetual preferred units, respectively.

 

2025 Earnings Outlook

 

The Company provides 2025 guidance and key assumptions, as summarized in the table below. The Company’s guidance does not include the impact of any significant future lease termination fee income or any unannounced acquisition, disposition or other capital markets activity.

 

Key Assumptions 2025
Guidance
2024
Actual
Results
Comments
Earnings      
Core FFO Per Fully Diluted Share $0.86 to $0.89 $0.95
($0.91 ex non-recurring items)

· 2024 FFO included approximately $0.04 of one-time items and lease termination income

· 2025 FFO includes a net $0.04 y/y decline from changes in interest income, G&A, interest expense, transaction income, and non cash adjustments

· 2025 includes ~$0.05 from multifamily assets

Commercial Property Drivers      
Commercial Occupancy at year-end 89% to 91% 88.6%  
SS Property Cash NOI
(excluding lease termination fees)
-2.0% to +1.5% 5.2%

· Assumes positive revenue y/y growth

· Assumes a ~2.0 to 4.0% y/y increase in operating expenses and real estate taxes
· 2025 SS NOI y/y growth is expected to range from ~0.5 to 4.0% relative to 2024 excluding one-time items

Observatory Drivers      
Observatory NOI $97M to $102M $99.5M · Reflects average quarterly expenses of ~$9 to 10M

 

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   Low   High 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders and the Operating Partnership  $0.21   $0.24 
Add:          
Impairment Charge   0.00    0.00 
Real Estate Depreciation & Amortization   0.64    0.64 
Less:          
Private Perpetual Distributions   0.02    0.02 
Gain on Disposal of Real Estate, net   0.00    0.00 
FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders and the Operating Partnership  $0.83   $0.86 
Add:          
Amortization of Below Market Ground Lease   0.03    0.03 
Core FFO Attributable to Common Stockholders and the Operating Partnership  $0.86   $0.89 

 

The estimates set forth above may be subject to fluctuations as a result of several factors, including continued impacts of changes in the use of office space and remote work on our business and our market, our ability to complete planned capital improvements in line with budget, costs of integration of completed acquisitions, costs associated with future acquisitions or other transactions, straight-line rent adjustments and the amortization of above and below-market leases. There can be no assurance that the Company’s actual results will not differ materially from the estimates set forth above.

 

Investor Presentation Update

 

The Company has posted on the “Investors” section of ESRT’s website the latest investor presentation, which contains additional information on its businesses, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Webcast and Conference Call Details

 

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. will host a webcast and conference call, open to the general public, on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm Eastern time.

 

The webcast will be accessible on the “Investors” section of ESRT’s website. To listen to the live webcast, go to the site at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register and download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call can also be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-3982 for domestic callers or 1-201-493-6780 for international callers.

 

Starting shortly after the call until February 27, 2025, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website, and a dial-in replay will be available by dialing 1-844-512-2921 for domestic callers or 1-412-317-6671 for international callers. The passcode for this dial-in replay is 13741464.

 

The Supplemental Report and Investor Presentation are additional components of the quarterly earnings announcement and are now available on the “Investors” section of ESRT’s website.

 

The Company uses, and intends to continue to use, the “Investors” page of its website, which can be found at www.esrtreit.com, as a means to disclose material nonpublic information and to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD, including, without limitation, through the posting of investor presentations that may include material nonpublic information. Accordingly, investors should monitor the “Investors” page, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

 

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About Empire State Realty Trust

 

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory that was declared the #1 Attraction in the World – and the #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year – in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is the recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of December 31, 2024, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 732 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on FacebookInstagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “aims," "anticipates," "approximately," "believes," "contemplates," "continues," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "hope," "intends," "may," "plans," "seeks," "should," "thinks," "will," "would" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. For the avoidance of doubt, any projection, guidance, or similar estimation about the future or future results, performance or achievements is a forward-looking statement.

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control, and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all).

 

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Many important factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, and future events to differ materially from those set forth, implied, anticipated, expected, projected, assumed or contemplated in our forward-looking statements, including, among other things: (i) economic, market, political and social impact of, and uncertainty relating to, any catastrophic events, including pandemics, epidemics or other outbreaks of disease, climate-related risks such as natural disasters and extreme weather events, terrorism and other armed hostilities, as well as cybersecurity threats and technology disruptions; (ii) a failure of conditions or performance regarding any event or transaction described herein; (iii) resolution of legal proceedings involving the Company; (iv) reduced demand for office, multifamily or retail space, including as a result of the changes in the use of office space and remote work; (v) changes in our business strategy; (vi) a decline in Observatory visitors due to changes in domestic or international tourism, including due to health crises, geopolitical events, currency exchange rates, and/or competition from other observatories; (vii) defaults on, early terminations of, or non-renewal of, leases by tenants; (viii) increases in the Company’s borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors; (ix) declining real estate valuations and impairment charges; (x) termination of our ground leases; (xi) limitations on our ability to pay down, refinance, restructure or extend our indebtedness or borrow additional funds; (xii) decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; (xiii) difficulties in executing capital projects or development projects successfully or on the anticipated timeline or budget; (xiv) difficulties in identifying and completing acquisitions; (xv) impact of changes in governmental regulations, tax laws and rates and similar matters; (xvi) our failure to qualify as a REIT; (xvii) incurrence of taxable capital gain on disposition of an asset due to failure of compliance with a 1031 exchange program; (xviii) our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, including any material weakness; and (xix) failure to achieve sustainability metrics and goals, including as a result of tenant collaboration, and impact of governmental regulation on our sustainability efforts. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact the company's future results, performance, or transactions, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and any additional factors that may be contained in any filing we make with the SEC.

 

While forward-looking statements reflect the Company's good faith beliefs, they do not guarantee future performance. Any forward-looking statement contained in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events, or other changes after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law. Prospective investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to the Company (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements).

 

Contact: Investors and Media 

Empire State Realty Trust Investor Relations 

(212) 850-2678 

[email protected]

 

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Empire Start Realty Trust, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2024   2023 
Revenues        
Rental revenue  $155,127   $151,167 
Observatory revenue   38,275    36,217 
Lease termination fees        
Third-party management and other fees   258    275 
Other revenue and fees   3,942    5,223 
Total revenues   197,602    192,882 
Operating expenses          
Property operating expenses   46,645    42,944 
Ground rent expenses   2,332    2,332 
General and administrative expenses   17,870    16,144 
Observatory expenses   9,730    9,282 
Real estate taxes   32,720    31,809 
Depreciation and amortization   45,365    49,599 
Total operating expenses   154,662    152,110 
Total operating income   42,940    40,772 
Other income (expense):          
Interest income   5,068    4,740 
Interest expense   (27,380)   (25,393)
Interest expense associated with property in receivership   (1,921)    
Gain (loss) on disposition of properties   1,237    (2,497)
Income before income taxes   19,944    17,622 
Income tax expense   (1,151)   (1,792)
Net income   18,793    15,830 
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests:          
Non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership   (6,575)   (5,670)
Non-controlling interests in other partnerships       1 
Preferred unit distributions   (1,050)   (1,050)
Net income attributable to common stockholders  $11,168   $9,111 
Total weighted average shares          
Basic   166,671    161,974 
Diluted   270,251    267,003 
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders          
Basic and Diluted  $0.07   $0.06 

 

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Empire Start Realty Trust, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

   Year ended December 31, 
   2024   2023 
Revenues        
Rental revenue  $614,596   $597,319 
Observatory revenue   136,377    129,366 
Lease termination fees   4,771     
Third-party management and other fees   1,170    1,351 
Other revenue and fees   11,009    11,536 
Total revenues   767,923    739,572 
Operating expenses          
Property operating expenses   179,175    167,324 
Ground rent expenses   9,326    9,326 
General and administrative expenses   70,234    63,939 
Observatory expenses   36,834    35,265 
Real estate taxes   128,826    127,101 
Depreciation and amortization   184,818    189,911 
Total operating expenses   609,213    592,866 
Total operating income   158,710    146,706 
Other income (expense):          
Interest income   21,298    15,136 
Interest expense   (105,239)   (101,484)
Interest expense associated with property in receivership   (4,471)    
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   (553)    
Gain on disposition of properties   13,302    26,764 
Income before income taxes   83,047    87,122 
Income tax expense   (2,688)   (2,715)
Net income   80,359    84,407 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests:          
Non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership   (28,713)   (31,094)
Non-controlling interests in other partnerships   (4)   (68)
Preferred unit distributions   (4,201)   (4,201)
Net income attributable to common stockholders  $47,441   $49,044 
Total weighted average shares          
Basic   164,902    161,122 
Diluted   269,019    265,633 
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders          
Basic  $0.29   $0.30 
Diluted  $0.28   $0.30 

 

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Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations (“FFO”),

Modified Funds From Operations (“Modified FFO”) and Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”)

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended December 31, 
   2024   2023 
Net income  $18,793   $15,830 
Non-controlling interests in other partnerships       1 
Preferred unit distributions   (1,050)   (1,050)
Real estate depreciation and amortization   44,386    48,548 
(Gain) loss on disposition of properties   (1,237)   2,497 
FFO attributable to common stockholders and Operating Partnership units   60,892    65,826 
           
Amortization of below-market ground leases   1,958    1,958 
Modified FFO attributable to common stockholders and Operating Partnership units   62,850    67,784 
           
Interest expense associated with property in receivership   1,921     
Core FFO attributable to common stockholders and Operating Partnership units  $64,771   $67,784 
           
Total weighted average shares and Operating Partnership units          
Basic   264,798    262,775 
Diluted   270,251    267,003 
           
FFO per share          
Basic  $0.23   $0.25 
Diluted  $0.23   $0.25 
           
Modified FFO per share          
Basic  $0.24   $0.26 
Diluted  $0.23   $0.25 
           
Core FFO per share          
Basic  $0.24   $0.26 
Diluted  $0.24   $0.25 

 

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Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations (“FFO”),

Modified Funds From Operations (“Modified FFO”) and Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”)

(unaudited and amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

   Year ended December 31, 
   2024   2023 
Net income  $80,359   $84,407 
Non-controlling interests in other partnerships   (4)   (68)
Preferred unit distributions   (4,201)   (4,201)
Real estate depreciation and amortization   180,513    184,633 
Gain on disposition of properties   (13,302)   (26,764)
FFO attributable to common stockholders and Operating Partnership units   243,365    238,007 
           
Amortization of below-market ground leases   7,831    7,831 
Modified FFO attributable to common stockholders and Operating Partnership units   251,196    245,838 
           
Interest expense associated with property in receivership   4,471     
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   553     
Core FFO attributable to common stockholders and Operating Partnership units  $256,220   $245,838 
           
Total weighted average shares and Operating Partnership units          
Basic   264,706    263,226 
Diluted   269,019    265,633 
           
FFO per share          
Basic  $0.92   $0.90 
Diluted  $0.90   $0.90 
           
Modified FFO per share          
Basic  $0.95   $0.93 
Diluted  $0.93   $0.93 
           
Core FFO per share          
Basic  $0.97   $0.93 
Diluted  $0.95   $0.93 

 

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Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited and amounts in thousands)

 

   December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023 
Assets          
Commercial real estate properties, at cost  $3,786,653   $3,655,192 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (1,274,193)   (1,250,062)
Commercial real estate properties, net   2,512,460    2,405,130 
Contract asset2   170,419     
Cash and cash equivalents   385,465    346,620 
Restricted cash   43,837    60,336 
Tenant and other receivables   31,427    39,836 
Deferred rent receivables   247,754    255,628 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   101,852    98,167 
Deferred costs, net   183,987    172,457 
Acquired below market ground leases, net   313,410    321,241 
Right of use assets   28,197    28,439 
Goodwill   491,479    491,479 
Total assets  $4,510,287   $4,219,333 
           
Liabilities and equity          
Mortgage notes payable, net  $692,176   $877,388 
Senior unsecured notes, net   1,197,061    973,872 
Unsecured term loan facility, net   268,731    389,286 
Unsecured revolving credit facility   120,000     
Debt associated with property in receivership   177,667     
Accrued interest associated with property in receivership   5,433     
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   132,016    99,756 
Acquired below market leases, net   19,497    13,750 
Ground lease liabilities   28,197    28,439 
Deferred revenue and other liabilities   62,639    70,298 
Tenants’ security deposits   24,908    35,499 
Total liabilities   2,728,325    2,488,288 
Total equity   1,781,962    1,731,045 
Total liabilities and equity  $4,510,287   $4,219,333 

 

2 This contract asset represents the amount of obligation we expect to be released upon the final resolution of the foreclosure process on First Stamford Place.

 

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