strs2009-10k.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
OR
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
 
to
 
Commission File Number: 0-19989
 
 
Stratus Properties Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
72-1211572
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
98 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 220
 
Austin, Texas
78701
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(512) 478-5788
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
NASDAQ
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
 
NASDAQ

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act         0 Yes R No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.      0 Yes R No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                                                              R Yes 0 No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ÿo Yes ÿo No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   R

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  0 Large accelerated filer 0 Accelerated filer 0 Non-accelerated filer   R Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).                                0 Yes R No

The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $42.5 million on March 15, 2010, and approximately $26.0 million on June 30, 2009.

Common stock issued and outstanding was 7,462,617 shares on March 15, 2010, and 7,435,133 shares on June 30, 2009.
 
 
 

 

STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
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PART I

Items 1. and 2.  Business and Properties

Except as otherwise described herein or the context otherwise requires, all references to “Stratus,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in this Form 10-K refer to Stratus Properties Inc. and all entities owned or controlled by Stratus Properties Inc. All of our periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available, free of charge, through our web site, www.stratusproperties.com, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports. These reports and amendments are available through our web site as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material to the SEC. All subsequent references to “Notes” in this report refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements located in Item 8. of this Form 10-K.

Overview

We are engaged in the acquisition, development, management, operation and sale of commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located primarily in the Austin, Texas area. We primarily generate revenues from sales of developed properties and through rental income from our commercial properties. Developed property sales can include an individual tract of land that has been developed and permitted for residential use or a developed lot with a home already built on it. We may, on occasion, sell properties under development or undeveloped properties, if opportunities arise that we believe will maximize overall asset values.

Our principal real estate holdings are in southwest Austin, Texas. The number of developed lots, developed or under development acreage and undeveloped acreage as of December 31, 2009, that comprise our principal properties are presented in the following table. A developed lot is an individual tract of land that has been developed and permitted for residential use. A developed lot may be sold with a home already built on it. As of December 31, 2009, we own only two lots with homes that have already been built on them (the Calera Court Courtyard homes). Developed acreage or acreage under development includes real estate for which infrastructure work over the entire property has been completed, is currently being completed or is able to be completed and necessary permits have been obtained. The undeveloped acreage shown in the table is presented according to anticipated uses for single-family lots and commercial development based upon our understanding of the properties’ existing entitlements. However, there is no assurance that the undeveloped acreage will be developed because of the nature and cost of the approval and development process and market demand for a particular use. Undeveloped acreage includes real estate that can be sold "as is" (i.e., no infrastructure or development work has begun on such property).

     
Acreage
   
     
Developed or Under Development
 
Undeveloped
   
 
Developed
 
Single
 
Multi-
         
Single
         
Total
 
Lots
 
Family
 
family
 
Commercial
 
Total
 
Family
 
Commercial
 
Total
 
Acreage
Austin
                                 
Barton Creek
122
 
119
 
249
 
368
 
736
 
749
 
28
 
777
 
1,513
Lantana
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
223
 
223
 
223
Circle C
42
 
-
 
-
 
35
 
35
 
148
 
352
 
500
 
535
W Austin Hotel
                                 
& Residences
-
 
-
 
-
 
2
a
2
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
2
San Antonio
                                 
Camino Real
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
2
 
2
 
2
Total
164
 
119
 
249
 
405
 
773
 
897
 
605
 
1,502
 
2,275
                                   
a.  
Represents a city block in downtown Austin planned for a mixture of hotel, residential, retail, office and entertainment uses.

Our other Austin holdings at December 31, 2009, consisted of two 75,000-square-foot office buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard (7500 Rialto) located in our Lantana development, a 22,000-square-foot retail complex representing phase one of Barton Creek Village and two retail buildings totaling 21,000 square feet at the 5700 Slaughter project in the Circle C Ranch (Circle C) community.

 
1


The following table summarizes the estimated development potential of our Austin-area acreage as of December 31, 2009:

   
Single
     
Commercial
   
Family
 
Multi-family
 
Office
 
Retail
   
(lots)
 
(units)
 
(gross square feet)
Barton Creek
 
464
 
1,860
 
1,590,000
 
23,000
Circle C
 
57
 
-
 
760,000
 
200,000
Lantana
 
-
 
-
 
1,365,000
 
400,000
Austin 290 Tract
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
20,000
Total
 
521
 
1,860
 
3,715,000
 
643,000
                 

For 2009, the only commercial leasing property that exceeded ten percent or more of our total assets or represented ten percent or more of our aggregate gross revenue was 7500 Rialto. This property provided 77 percent of our 2009 Commercial Leasing revenues and 32 percent of our 2009 total revenues. We currently have ten tenants at 7500 Rialto who are involved in computer electronics, medical devices, restaurant management and engineering, among other businesses. The two largest tenants, Arthocare Corporation and ST-Ericsson Inc., each generated approximately ten percent of our 2009 total revenues and occupy approximately 25 percent each of leased square footage at 7500 Rialto. The first 75,000-square-foot building at 7500 Rialto became available for lease in 2002 and the second 75,000-square-foot building became available for lease in September 2006. A summary of the average occupancy rates and average rentals per square foot for 7500 Rialto and for our total portfolio of commercial leasing properties for each of the last five years follows:

 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
Average occupancy:
                 
7500 Rialto
87%
 
95%
 
81%
 
82%
 
96%
Total portfolio
79%
 
87%
 
79%
 
82%
 
96%
Average rentals per square foota:
                 
7500 Rialto
$25.90
 
$24.78
 
$22.33
 
$16.94
 
$18.17
Total portfolio
$28.40
 
$27.36
 
$23.77
 
$18.56
 
$18.17
                   
a. Based on revenue for contractual rentals plus expense reimbursements for leased space.

Our scheduled expirations of leased square footage as of December 31, 2009, as a percentage of total leased space follow:

 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2017
 
2018
 
Thereafter
7500 Rialto
29%
 
2%
 
-
 
25%
 
8%
 
11%
 
25%
 
-
 
-
Total portfolio
24%
 
2%
 
1%
 
25%
 
11%
 
10%
 
22%
 
3%
 
2%

Of the 24 percent in total lease expirations scheduled in 2010, leases extending the terms to January 2011 or later, for 87 percent of the expiring square footage have been executed during first-quarter 2010.

For information about our operating segments see “Results of Operations” within Item 7. and Note 10.

Company Strategies and Development Activities

Stratus Properties was formed as a corporation in March 1992 to hold, operate and develop the domestic real estate and oil & gas properties of our former parent company. We sold all our oil & gas holdings during the 1990's and we now focus solely on our real estate operations. Our overall strategy is to enhance the value of our properties by securing and maintaining development entitlements and developing and building real estate projects on these properties for sale or investment. We also continue to investigate and pursue opportunities for new projects that offer the possibility of acceptable returns and risks. As a result of the settlement of certain development-related lawsuits and an increasing level of cooperation with the City of Austin (the City) regarding the development of our properties, we substantially increased our development activities and expenditures during the last five years (see discussion below), which has resulted in our debt increasing to $81.1 million at December 31, 2009. We also had cash, cash equivalents and investments in United States (U.S.) treasury securities of $15.4 million at December 31, 2009. We have funded our development activities primarily through

 
2


sales proceeds, borrowings under our $40.0 million of unsecured term loans and our expanded credit facility (see “Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements” below and Note 6), which was established as a result of the financing relationship we have built with Comerica Bank (Comerica) over the past several years. In 2002, the City granted final approval of a development agreement (Circle C settlement) and permanent zoning for our real estate located within the Circle C community, thereby establishing all essential municipal development regulations applicable to our Circle C properties for 30 years (see “Development and Other Activities” within Item 7. and Note 9). The credit facility and other sources of financing have increased our financial flexibility and, together with the Circle C settlement, have allowed us to focus our efforts on developing our properties, acquiring other properties and increasing shareholder value. In addition, we continue to pursue additional development opportunities, and currently believe we can obtain bank financing necessary for developing our properties, although our ability to obtain bank financing in the future may be impacted by the current U.S. economic conditions. For further discussion of our operations and current real estate market conditions see Item 1A. and “Real Estate Market Conditions” within Item 7.

Our accomplishments over the last several years include the following:

·  
We have successfully permitted and developed significant projects in our Barton Creek and Lantana project areas.

Barton Creek

Calera.  Calera is a residential subdivision with plat approval for 155 lots. During 2004, we began construction of 16 courtyard homes at Calera Court, the 16-acre initial phase of the Calera subdivision. The second phase of Calera, Calera Drive, consisting of 53 single-family lots, many of which adjoin Fazio Canyons Golf Course, received final plat and construction permit approval in 2005. Construction of the final phase, known as Verano Drive, began in 2007 and was completed in July 2008. Verano Drive includes 71 single-family lots, one of which was sold in 2009 and three were sold in 2008.  As of December 31, 2009, two courtyard homes at Calera Court, eight lots at Calera Drive and 67 lots at Verano Drive remained unsold.

Amarra Drive.  Amarra Drive Phase I, which is the initial phase of the Amarra Drive subdivision, was completed in 2007 and includes eight lots, one of which was sold in 2007, with sizes ranging from approximately one to four acres, some of which are course-side lots on the Fazio Canyons Golf Course and others are secluded lots adjacent to the Nature Conservancy of Texas. In January 2008, we commenced development of Amarra Drive Phase II, which consists of 35 lots on 51 acres. Development was substantially completed in October 2008, but no sales have occurred.

Mirador.  The Mirador subdivision consists of 34 estate lots, with each lot averaging approximately 3.5 acres in size. As of December 31, 2009, two Mirador estate lots remained unsold.

Wimberly Lane.  Wimberly Lane included two phases, with phase one consisting of 75 residential lots and phase two consisting of 47 residential lots.  As of December 31, 2009, one Wimberly Lane lot remained unsold.

Barton Creek Village.  The first phase of Barton Creek Village includes a 22,000-square-foot retail complex, which was completed in 2007, and a 3,300-square-foot bank building, which was completed in early 2008 and is located within the retail complex. As of December 31, 2009, the retail complex was 81 percent leased and the bank building is leased through January 2023.

Lantana

Lantana is a partially developed, mixed-use real-estate development project. As of December 31, 2009, we had remaining entitlements for approximately 1.0 million square feet of office and retail use on 223 acres. Regional utility and road infrastructure is in place with capacity to serve Lantana at full build-out permitted under our existing entitlements.

Lantana also includes two 75,000-square-foot office buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard. As of December 31, 2009, occupancy was 97 percent for the first 7500 Rialto office building and 94 percent for the second office building.

 
3



·  
In December 2006, we purchased a city block in downtown Austin, Texas to develop as a multi-use property.

The W Austin Hotel & Residences

In December 2006, we acquired a city block in downtown Austin for $15.1 million to develop a multi-use project. The project, known as the W Austin Hotel & Residences project, is planned for a mixture of hotel, residential, retail, office and entertainment uses on approximately two acres. We have executed agreements with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. for the development of a W Hotel & Residences on the site. Effective May 1, 2008, we entered into a joint venture with Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, L.P., (Canyon-Johnson) for the development of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project (see Note 3). Construction of the $300 million project commenced in the second quarter of 2008 and is currently proceeding as scheduled. However, under the terms of the loan agreement between the joint venture and Beal Bank Nevada (Beal Bank), the joint venture may not obtain additional funding under its $120 million construction loan until each of the joint venture partners contributes an additional $10.0 million in capital and the joint venture obtains an additional $32.0 million in acceptable subordinated debt, preferred equity or common equity financing. At December 31, 2009, the joint venture had drawn an initial advance of $3.4 million under the Beal Bank loan, and had unexpended cash of $0.4 million. Therefore, if either of the joint venture partners is unable to contribute its additional $10.0 million when required, or if the joint venture is unable to obtain acceptable subordinated debt, preferred equity or common equity financing for the additional approximately $32 million, the joint venture would be unable to obtain any additional funding under the Beal Bank loan, and further construction on the project would be delayed until the joint venture could obtain the required additional financing, renegotiate its agreement with Beal Bank, or obtain a facility to replace the Beal Bank loan. There is no assurance that the joint venture would be successful in this regard which could adversely affect the recovery of our investment in this project. See Notes 3 and 6 for additional discussion regarding financing for the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.

·  
We have made significant progress in obtaining the permitting necessary to pursue development of additional Austin-area properties.

Circle C Community

The Circle C settlement, effective August 2002, firmly established all essential municipal development regulations applicable to our Circle C properties for 30 years. In 2004, we amended our Circle C settlement to modify the permits and approvals necessary to develop 1.16 million square feet of commercial space, 504 multi-family units and 830 single-family residential lots. The City also provided us $15 million of cash incentives in connection with our future development of our Circle C and other Austin-area properties. These incentives, which are in the form of Credit Bank capacity, can be used for City fees and for reimbursement of certain infrastructure costs. Annually, we may elect to sell up to $1.5 million of the incentives to other developers for their use in paying City fees related to their projects. As of December 31, 2009, we have permanently used $8.9 million of our City-based incentives including cumulative sales of $4.3 million to other developers, and we also have $2.0 million in Credit Bank capacity in use as temporary fiscal deposits. At December 31, 2009, available Credit Bank capacity was $4.2 million.

We are developing the Circle C community based on the entitlements secured in our Circle C settlement with the City, as amended in 2004. Our 800-lot Meridian project within the Circle C community included our contracts with three national homebuilders to complete the construction and sales of the first 494 lots at Meridian over four phases. Phases one and two consisted of 134 lots each, phase three consisted of 108 lots and phase four consisted of 118 lots. As of December 31, 2009, 13 lots remained unsold under these contracts, all of which were sold in the first quarter of 2010 for $0.9 million.

In 2006, we signed another contract with a national homebuilder for 42 additional lots. Development of those lots commenced in 2007 and substantial completion occurred in April 2008. In June 2009, this contract was terminated by the homebuilder. As of the date the contract was terminated, there were 30 remaining unclosed lots. In connection with the termination, the homebuilder forfeited a deposit of $0.6 million, which we recorded as other income in the second quarter of 2009. We are currently pursuing contracts with other homebuilders for the remaining lots. The final phase of Meridian is expected to consist of 57 one-acre lots.

 
4


In addition, several retail sites at the Circle C community received final City approvals and are being developed. In the third quarter of 2008, we completed the construction of two retail buildings totaling 21,000 square feet at the 5700 Slaughter project. This retail project also includes a 4,000-square-foot building on an existing ground lease. As of December 31, 2009 occupancy was approximately 53 percent for the two retail buildings. We have entered into new leases for the two retail buildings at 5700 Slaughter and we expect occupancy for both buildings to reach 93 percent in early 2010.

The Circle C community also includes Parkside Village, an 80,000-square-foot planned retail project. The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will consist of a 34,000-square-foot building to accommodate a full-service restaurant and theater. The second phase will consist of three tilt-wall retail buildings at 14,775 square feet, 8,075 square feet and 7,600 square feet, and two pads available for ground leases. We are pursuing final permits and entitlements to position the project for commencement of construction when appropriate.

·  
We believe that we have the potential right to receive approximately $8.2 million of future reimbursements associated with previously incurred Barton Creek utility infrastructure development costs.

At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $1.2 million of expected future reimbursements of previously incurred costs recorded as a component of real estate on our balance sheet. The remaining potential future reimbursements are not recorded on our balance sheet because they relate to costs incurred prior to the 1995 formation of the Barton Creek Municipal Utility District (MUD). Since these costs pre-date the formation of the MUDs, there is less certainty in their potential reimbursement. Costs incurred after the 1995 formation of the MUDs were capitalized into property costs and subsequently expensed through cost of sales as properties sold. A significant portion of the substantial additional costs, which we will incur in the future as our development activities at Barton Creek continue, is expected to be eligible for reimbursement. We received total infrastructure reimbursements, comprised of Barton Creek MUD reimbursements, of $7.0 million during 2009 and $7.2 million during 2008. As discussed in “Results of Operations” within Item 7., we account for MUD reimbursements as reductions to cost of sales, reductions in capital expenditures and interest income.

·  
We formed a joint venture in November 2005 to purchase and develop a multi-use property in Austin, Texas.

Crestview Station

In 2005, we formed a joint venture partnership with Trammell Crow Central Texas Development, Inc. (Trammell Crow) to acquire an approximate 74-acre tract at the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas for $7.7 million. The property, known as Crestview Station, is a single-family, multi-family, retail and office development, which is located on the future commuter rail line approved by City voters. With Trammel Crow, we have completed environmental remediation, which the State of Texas certified as complete in 2007, and permitting of the property. The initial phase of utility and roadway infrastructure is complete. Crestview Station sold substantially all of its multi-family and commercial properties in 2007 and one commercial site in the first quarter of 2008. The joint venture retained the single family component of Crestview Station and one commercial site. The joint venture is currently processing permits to develop the residential portion of Crestview Station as a 450-unit transit-oriented neighborhood. At December 31, 2009, our investment in the Crestview Station project totaled $3.4 million and the joint venture partnership had $8.2 million of outstanding debt, of which we guarantee $1.4 million (see Note 5).
 
 
5


Competition

The real estate development business is highly competitive and fragmented. We compete against numerous public and private developers of varying sizes, ranging from local to national in scope. As a result, we may be competing for investment opportunities, financing, and potential buyers with entities that may possess greater financial, marketing, or other resources than we have. Competition for potential buyers has been intensified by an increase in the number of available residential properties resulting from current conditions in the real estate market.  Our prospective customers generally have a variety of choices of new and existing homes and homesites when considering a purchase. We attempt to differentiate our products primarily on the basis of community design, quality, uniqueness, amenities, location and developer reputation.

The real estate investment industry is highly fragmented among individuals, partnerships and public and private entities, with no dominant single entity or person. Although we may compete against large sophisticated owners and operators, owners and operators of any size can provide effective competition for prospective tenants. As a result of the decline in the real estate market, vacancies for commercial properties have increased, which further increases competition for prospective tenants. We compete for tenants primarily on the basis of property location, rent charged, and the design and condition of improvements.

Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements

Acquiring and maintaining adequate financing is an important element of our business. For information about our credit facility and other financing arrangements, see “Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements” within Item 7. and Note 6.

Regulation and Environmental Matters

Our real estate investments are subject to extensive local, city, county and state rules and regulations regarding permitting, zoning, subdivision, utilities and water quality as well as federal rules and regulations regarding air and water quality and protection of endangered species and their habitats. Such regulation has delayed and may continue to delay development of our properties and result in higher developmental and administrative costs.

We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures for the protection of the environment with respect to our real estate development activities. Emphasis on environmental matters will result in additional costs in the future. Based on an analysis of our operations in relation to current and presently anticipated environmental requirements, we currently do not anticipate that these costs will have a material adverse effect on our future operations or financial condition.

Employees

At December 31, 2009, we had a total of 26 employees located at our Austin, Texas headquarters. We do not have any union employees. We believe we have a good relationship with our employees. Since January 1, 1996, numerous services necessary for our business and operations, including certain executive, administrative, accounting, financial, tax and other services, have been performed by FM Services Company (FM Services) pursuant to a services agreement.  FM Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.  Either party may terminate the services agreement at any time upon 60 days notice or earlier upon mutual written agreement.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

This report includes forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about our plans, strategies, expectations, assumptions and prospects. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, or current facts, that address activities, events, outcomes and other matters that we plan, expect, intend, assume, believe, budget, predict, forecast, project, estimate or anticipate (or other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future, such as: statements regarding our financial plans; our indebtedness; share repurchases; strategic plans; future financing plans; development and capital expenditures; obtaining necessary permits for new developments; and other plans and objectives.

 
6


Forward-looking statements are based on our assumptions and analysis made in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed below and in our other filings with the SEC, general economic and business conditions, the business opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by us, changes in laws or regulations and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and the actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected, predicted or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others, the following:

Economic conditions could negatively impact our business.  

Our business is affected by local, national and worldwide economic conditions and the condition and levels of activity in the U.S. real estate industry. A decline in economic conditions could result in a lower level of economic activity, decreased real estate development and increased uncertainty regarding real estate prices and the capital and credit markets. A continuing low level or worsening of real estate development could have a material adverse effect on our business, which may also adversely affect our revenues. If the capital and credit markets experience volatility and funds remain limited, we may incur increased costs associated with any additional financing we may require for future operations.

We are vulnerable to concentration risks because our operations are almost exclusive to the Austin, Texas, market.

Our real estate activities are almost entirely located in Austin, Texas. Because of our geographic concentration and limited number of projects, our operations are more vulnerable to local economic downturns and adverse project-specific risks than those of larger, more diversified companies. The performance of the Austin economy greatly affects our sales and consequently the underlying values of our properties. Our geographic concentration may create increased vulnerability during regional economic downturns, which can significantly affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We currently participate in two joint ventures and may participate in other joint ventures in the future.  We could be adversely impacted if any of our joint venture partners would fail to fulfill their obligations or if we had disagreements with any of our joint venture partners that were not satisfactorily resolved.

We currently have investments in and commitments to two joint ventures with unrelated parties to develop land and we may participate in other joint ventures in the future. Under existing joint venture agreements, we and our joint venture partners could be required to, among other things, provide guarantees of obligations or contribute additional capital until specified capital contribution requirements are met and we may have little or no control over the amount or timing of these obligations.  In some circumstances, decisions of the joint venture are made by unanimous vote of the partners. If there is a further downturn in the U.S. real estate industry and market and economic conditions, our existing joint ventures or the joint venture partners may become unable or unwilling to fulfill their economic or other obligations.  If our joint venture partners are unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations or if we have any unresolved disagreements with our joint venture partners, we may be required to fulfill those obligations alone, expend additional resources to continue development of projects or delay further construction of projects, or we may be required to write down our investments at amounts that could be significant.

We may participate in other joint ventures in the future, which could subject us to certain risks, which may not otherwise be present, including:

·  
the potential that our joint venture partner may not perform;
·  
the joint venture partner may have economic, business or legal interests or goals that are inconsistent with or adverse to our interests or goals or the goals of the joint venture;
·  
the joint venture partner may take actions contrary to our requests or instructions or contrary to our objectives or policies;
·  
the joint venture partner might become bankrupt or fail to fund its share of required capital contributions;
·  
we and the joint venture partner may not be able to agree on matters relating to the property; and
·  
we may become liable for the actions of our third-party joint venture partners.

 
7


Any unresolved disputes that may arise between joint venture partners and us may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent us from focusing our time and effort on the business of the joint ventures or our other business.

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash from operations, we may find it necessary to curtail our development activities.

Significant capital resources will be required to fund our development expenditures. Our performance continues to depend on future cash flows from real estate sales and rental income, and there can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain sufficient funds to meet the expected development plans for our properties.

Volatility and disruption of financial markets could affect access to credit.

The current difficult economic environment has caused a contraction in the availability and an increase in the cost of credit in the marketplace. Because of these factors and the uncertainties that exist in the economy and for real estate developers in general, we cannot be certain that funding will be available if needed and, to the extent required, on acceptable terms. If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our obligations as they come due or be required to post collateral to support our obligations, or we may be unable to implement our development plan, enhance our existing projects, complete projects or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

As of December 31, 2009, the outstanding principal amount of our indebtedness was $81.1 million. Our level of indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

·  
increase our vulnerability to adverse changes in economic and industry conditions;

·  
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations and proceeds from asset sales to pay or provide for our indebtedness, thus reducing the availability of cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments and other general corporate purposes;

·  
limit our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business and the market in which we operate;

·  
place us at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors that have less debt; and

·  
limit our ability to borrow money to fund our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and other financing needs.

In addition, the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness include restrictive covenants and require that certain financial ratios be maintained. We may also need to incur additional indebtedness in the future in the ordinary course of business to fund our development projects and our operations. If new debt is added to current debt levels, the risks described above could intensify. Further, if future debt financing is not available to us when required or is not available on acceptable terms, as mentioned above, we may be unable to grow our business, take advantage of business opportunities, respond to competitive pressures or refinance maturing debt, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition are greatly affected by the performance of the real estate industry.

The U.S. real estate industry is highly cyclical and is affected by changes in national, global and local economic conditions, which significantly deteriorated during late 2008 and early 2009, and events, such as general employment and income levels, availability of financing, interest rates, consumer confidence and overbuilding or decrease in demand for residential and commercial real estate. Our real estate activities are subject to numerous factors beyond our control, including local real estate market conditions (both where our properties are located and in areas where our potential customers reside), substantial existing and potential competition, general national, regional and local economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and mortgage availability, changes in demographic conditions and changes in government regulations or requirements. The occurrence of

 
8


any of the foregoing could result in a reduction or cancellation of sales and/or lower gross margins for sales. Lower than expected sales as a result of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on the level of our profits and the timing and amounts of our cash flows.

Real estate investments often cannot easily be converted into cash and market values may be adversely affected by these economic circumstances, market fundamentals, competition and demographic conditions. Because of the effect these factors have on real estate values, it is difficult to predict the level of future sales or sales prices that will be realized for individual assets.

Mortgage financing issues, including lack of supply of mortgage loans and tightened lending requirements, could reduce demand for our products.

Our real estate operations are dependent upon the availability and cost of mortgage financing for potential customers, to the extent they finance their purchases, and for buyers of the potential customers’ existing residences. Many mortgage lenders and investors in mortgage loans have experienced severe financial difficulties arising from losses incurred on sub-prime and other loans originated before the downturn in the real estate market. These factors have led to a decrease in the availability of financing and an increase in the cost of financing. These issues in the mortgage lending industry could adversely affect potential purchasers of our properties, negatively affecting demand for our properties.

If the market value of our land and developments declines, our results of operations will likely decrease.
 
The market value of our land and our developments depend on market conditions. We acquire land for expansion into new markets and for replacement of land inventory and expansion within our current markets. If real estate demand decreases below what we anticipated when we acquired our properties, we may not be able to recover our investment in such property through sales or leasing, and our profitability may be adversely affected.  If there is a further decline in the real estate market and/or general economic condition, we may have additional write-downs to the carrying values of our properties and/or be required to sell property at a loss.

If we don't generate sufficient taxable income within certain carryforward periods under applicable tax law, we will not be able to realize the carrying amounts of our deferred tax assets.

Although we have reported losses in 2009 and 2008, based on our expectation of future taxable income and that deductible temporary differences will offset existing taxable temporary differences, we have concluded that it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize certain of our deferred tax assets. However, realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period available under tax law. Should actual results differ materially from our estimates, we may be required to record valuation allowances and reduce the carrying amounts of our deferred tax assets, which could materially impact our results of operations.

Unfavorable changes in market and economic conditions could negatively impact occupancy or rental rates, which could negatively affect our profitability.

A further decline in the real estate market and economic conditions could significantly affect rental rates. Occupancy and rental rates in our market, in turn, could significantly affect our profitability and our ability to satisfy our financial obligations. The risks that could affect conditions in our market include the following:

·  
a further deterioration in economic conditions;

·  
local conditions, such as oversupply of office space, a decline in the demand for office space or increased competition from other available office buildings;

·  
the inability or unwillingness of tenants to pay their current rent or rent increases; and

·  
declines in market rental rates.

We cannot predict with certainty whether any of these conditions will occur or whether, and to what extent, they will have an adverse effect on our operations.
 
 
9


Our operations are subject to an intensive regulatory approval process and opposition from environmental groups that could cause delays and increase the costs of our development efforts or preclude such developments entirely.

Before we can develop a property, we must obtain a variety of approvals from local and state governments with respect to such matters as zoning, and other land use issues, subdivision, site planning and environmental issues under applicable regulations. Some of these approvals are discretionary. Because government agencies and special interest groups have in the past expressed concerns about our development plans in or near Austin, our ability to develop these properties and realize future income from our properties could be delayed, reduced, prevented or made more expensive.

Several special interest groups have long opposed our plans in the Austin area and have taken various actions to partially or completely restrict development in some areas, including areas where some of our most valuable properties are located. We have actively opposed these actions and do not believe unfavorable rulings would have a significant long-term adverse effect on the overall value of our property holdings. However, because of the regulatory environment that has existed in the Austin area and the opposition of these special interest groups, there can be no assurance that our expectations will prove correct.

Our operations are subject to governmental environmental regulation, which can change at any time and generally would result in an increase to our costs.

Real estate development is subject to state and federal regulations and to possible interruption or termination because of environmental considerations, including, without limitation, air and water quality and protection of endangered species and their habitats. Certain of the Barton Creek properties include nesting territories for the Golden-cheeked Warbler, a federally listed endangered species. In 1995, we received a permit from the U.S. Wildlife Service pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, which to date has allowed the development of the Barton Creek and Lantana properties free of restrictions under the Endangered Species Act related to the maintenance of habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler.

Additionally, in April 1997, the U.S. Department of Interior listed the Barton Springs Salamander as an endangered species after a federal court overturned a March 1997 decision by the Department of Interior not to list the Barton Springs Salamander based on a conservation agreement between the State of Texas and federal agencies. The listing of the Barton Springs Salamander has not affected, nor do we anticipate it will affect, our Barton Creek and Lantana properties for several reasons, including the results of technical studies and our U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10(a) permit obtained in 1995. The development permitted by our 2002 Circle C settlement with the City has been reviewed and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and, as a result, we do not anticipate that the 1997 listing of the Barton Springs Salamander will impact our Circle C properties.

We are making, and will continue to make, expenditures with respect to our real estate development for the protection of the environment. Emphasis on environmental matters will result in additional costs in the future. New environmental regulations or changes in existing regulations or their enforcement may be enacted and such new regulations or changes may require significant expenditures by us. The recent trend toward stricter standards in environmental legislation and regulations is likely to continue and could have an additional impact on our operating costs.

The real estate business is very competitive and many of our competitors are larger and financially stronger than we are.

The real estate business is highly competitive. We compete with a large number of companies and individuals that have significantly greater financial, sales, marketing and other resources than we have. Our competitors include local developers who are committed primarily to particular markets and also national developers who acquire properties throughout the U.S. The current downturn in the real estate industry could significantly increase competition among developers. Increased competition could cause us to increase our selling incentives and/or reduce our prices. An oversupply of real estate properties available for sale or lease, as well as the potential significant discounting of prices by some of our competitors, may adversely affect the results of our operations.

Our operations are subject to natural risks.

Our performance may be adversely affected by weather conditions that delay development or damage property.

 
10


Our common stock is thinly traded; therefore, our stock price may fluctuate more than the stock market as a whole.

As a result of the thin trading market for our stock, its market price may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole or the stock prices of similar companies. Without a larger float, our common stock will be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership, and as a result, the trading prices for our common stock may be more volatile. Among other things, trading of a relatively small volume of common stock may have a greater impact on the trading price than would be the case if public float were larger.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings
We are from time to time involved in various legal proceedings of a character normally incident to the ordinary course of our business. We believe that potential liability from any of these pending or threatened proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We maintain liability insurance to cover some, but not all, potential liabilities normally incident to the ordinary course of our business as well as other insurance coverage customary in our business, with such coverage limits as management deems prudent.

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock trades on the The Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ) under the symbol STRS. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low sales prices of Stratus’ common stock, as reported by NASDAQ.

   
2009
 
2008
 
   
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
First Quarter
 
$14.57
 
$4.52
 
$33.95
 
$23.98
 
Second Quarter
 
11.18
 
5.33
 
30.49
 
16.86
 
Third Quarter
 
8.60
 
4.50
 
30.75
 
15.72
 
Fourth Quarter
 
11.60
 
7.54
 
27.91
 
10.10
 

As of March 15, 2010, there were 578 holders of record of our common stock. We have not in the past paid, and do not anticipate in the future paying, cash dividends on our common stock. The decision whether or not to pay dividends and in what amounts is within the discretion of our Board of Directors. However, our current ability to pay dividends is also restricted by terms of our credit agreement, as discussed in Item 7. and Note 6.

The following table sets forth shares of our common stock that we repurchased during the three-month period ended December 31, 2009.

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programsa
 
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programsa
October 1 to 31, 2009
 
-
 
$
-
 
-
 
161,145
November 1 to 30, 2009
 
-
   
-
 
-
 
161,145
December 1 to 31, 2009
 
-
   
-
 
-
 
161,145
Total
 
-
   
-
 
-
   
                   
a.  
In February 2001, our Board of Directors approved an open market share purchase program for up to 0.7 million shares of our common stock. The program does not have an expiration date. Our loan agreement with Comerica provides a limit of $6.5 million for our common stock repurchases after September 30, 2005. At December 31, 2009, $0.9 million remained available under the Comerica agreement for purchases of our common stock.

 
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

In management’s discussion and analysis “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Stratus Properties Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and joint venture. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related discussion of “Business and Properties” and “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The results of operations reported and summarized below are not necessarily indicative of our future operating results. All subsequent references to “Notes” refer to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements located in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

We are engaged in the acquisition, development, management, operation and sale of commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located primarily in the Austin, Texas area. We primarily generate revenues from sales of developed properties and through rental income from our commercial properties. Developed property sales can include an individual tract of land that has been developed and permitted for residential use or a developed lot with a home already built on it. We may, on occasion, sell properties under development or undeveloped properties, if opportunities arise that we believe will maximize overall asset values.

Our principal real estate holdings are in southwest Austin, Texas. The number of developed lots, developed or under development acreage and undeveloped acreage as of December 31, 2009, that comprise our principal development projects are presented in the following table.

     
Acreage
   
     
Developed or Under Development
 
Undeveloped
   
 
Developed
 
Single
 
Multi-
         
Single
         
Total
 
Lots
 
Family
 
family
 
Commercial
 
Total
 
Family
 
Commercial
 
Total
 
Acreage
Austin
                                 
Barton Creek
122
 
119
 
249
 
368
 
736
 
749
 
28
 
777
 
1,513
Lantana
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
223
 
223
 
223
Circle C
42
 
-
 
-
 
35
 
35
 
148
 
352
 
500
 
535
W Austin Hotel
                                 
& Residences
-
 
-
 
-
 
2
a
2
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
2
San Antonio
                                 
Camino Real
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
2
 
2
 
2
Total
164
 
119
 
249
 
405
 
773
 
897
 
605
 
1,502
 
2,275
                                   
a.  
Represents a city block in downtown Austin planned for a mixture of hotel, residential, retail, office and entertainment uses.

Our other Austin holdings at December 31, 2009, consisted of two 75,000-square-foot office buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard (7500 Rialto) located in our Lantana development, a 22,000-square-foot retail complex representing phase one of Barton Creek Village and two retail buildings totaling 21,000 square feet at the 5700 Slaughter project in Circle C.

The sharp decline in the real estate market, among other factors, significantly impacted our consolidated financial results. In 2009, we reported $10.8 million of revenues and a net loss of $5.9 million, compared to $18.8 million of revenues and a net loss of $3.8 million in 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2008, we recognized impairment charges of $0.3 million ($0.2 million to net loss or $0.02 per share).

Real Estate Market Conditions
Factors that significantly affect United States (U.S.) real estate market conditions include interest rate levels and the availability of financing, the supply of product (i.e. developed and/or undeveloped land, depending on buyers’ needs) and current and anticipated future economic conditions. These market conditions historically move in periodic cycles, and can be volatile in specific regions. Because of the concentration of our assets primarily in the Austin, Texas area, market conditions in this region significantly affect our business.

In addition to the traditional influence of state and federal government employment levels on the local economy, in recent years the Austin area has experienced significant growth in the technology sector. The Austin-area population increased approximately 37 percent between 1999 and 2009, largely because of an influx of

 
12


technology companies and related businesses. Median family income levels in Austin also increased during the period from 1999 through 2008, rising by 19 percent. The expanding economy resulted in rising demands for residential housing, commercial office space and retail services. Between 1999 and 2008, sales tax receipts in Austin rose by approximately 45 percent, an indication of the dramatic increase in business activity during the period. The increases in population, income levels and sales tax revenues have been less dramatic over the last few years.

The following chart compares Austin’s five-county metro area population and median family income for 1989, 1999 and the most current information available for 2008 and 2009, based on U.S. Census Bureau data and City of Austin data.


 
13


Based on the City of Austin’s fiscal year of October 1st through September 30th, the chart below compares Austin’s sales tax revenues for 1989, 1999 and 2008 (the latest period for which data is available).
Real estate development in southwest Austin historically has been constrained as a result of various restrictions imposed by the City of Austin (the City). Several special interest groups have also traditionally opposed development in that area, where most of our property is located. From 2001 through 2004, a downturn in the technology sector negatively affected the Austin real estate market, especially the high-end residential and commercial leasing markets; however, beginning in 2005 through mid-2007, market conditions improved. Beginning in the third quarter of 2007, market conditions began to weaken. The December 31, 2009 and 2008 vacancy percentages for various types of developed properties in Austin are noted below.

   
December 31,
   
2009
 
2008
Building Type
 
Vacancy Factor
Industrial Buildings
 
22% a
 
16% a
Office Buildings (Class A)
 
25% a
 
19% a
Multi-Family Buildings
 
10% b
 
9% b
Retail Buildings
 
9% b
 
7% b

a.  
CB Richard Ellis:  Austin MarketView
b.  
Texas A&M University Real Estate Center: Texas Market News

Our future operating cash flows and, ultimately, our ability to develop our properties and expand our business will be largely dependent on the level of our real estate sales. In turn, these sales will be significantly affected by future real estate market conditions in Austin, Texas, including development costs, interest rate levels, the availability of credit to finance real estate transactions, demand for residential and commercial real estate, and regulatory factors including our land use and development entitlements.

Recent economic conditions have also resulted in a general decline in leasing activity across the U.S., and have caused vacancy rates to increase in most markets, including Austin, Texas. Investment sales activity in the U.S. declined sharply during 2008 because of, among other factors, limited availability and increased cost of financing, especially the absence of securitized debt, which was the source of recent heightened investment activity, and the resulting gap between buyer and seller expectations of value.

 
14


U.S. credit markets have yet to fully recover, and this continuing issue is impacting the broader U.S. economy. Commercial real estate lenders have substantially tightened underwriting standards or have withdrawn from the lending market, materially impacting liquidity in the real estate debt markets, making financing terms for owners of retail properties less attractive, and in certain cases resulting in the unavailability of certain types of debt financing. Tighter lending standards and higher borrowing costs have exerted downward pressure on the value and liquidity of real estate assets which will impact the values we could obtain from the sale of our properties. These factors may make it more difficult for us to sell properties or may adversely affect the price we receive for properties that we do sell, as prospective buyers may experience increased costs of debt financing or difficulties in obtaining such financing. Our future performance will, in part, be dependent upon the recovery of the credit markets and the underlying strength of the U.S. economy. Given the current business climate in which we are operating and the numerous uncertainties related to our business, including the rate of sales, sales prices, and mortgage constraints, it is difficult to project operating and financial results for 2010 and later years.

We continue to focus on our near-term goal of developing our properties and projects in a difficult economic climate and our long-term goal of maximizing the value of our development communities. We believe that Austin, Texas, continues to be a very desirable market and many of our developments are in locations that are unique and where approvals and entitlements, which we have already obtained, are increasingly difficult to secure. Real estate development in southwest Austin historically has been constrained as a result of various restrictions imposed by the City and several special interest groups have also traditionally opposed development in the area where most of our property is located. We believe that many of our developments have inherent value given their unique nature and location and that this value should be sustainable in the future. Our long-term success will depend on our ability to maximize the value of our real estate through obtaining additional required approvals that permit us to develop and sell our properties in a timely manner at a reasonable cost. In addition, we continue to pursue additional development opportunities, and currently believe we can obtain financing necessary for developing our properties, although our ability to obtain financing in the future, as well as the cost of such financing, may be negatively impacted by current U.S. economic conditions. See “Risk Factors” located in Item 1A.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We base these estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we consider reasonable under the circumstances; however, reported results could differ from those based on the current estimates under different assumptions and/or conditions. The areas requiring the use of management’s estimates are discussed in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements under the heading “Use of Estimates.” We believe that our most critical accounting policies relate to our real estate and commercial leasing assets, our allocation of overhead costs, revenue recognition and deferred tax assets.

Management has reviewed the following discussion of its development and selection of critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

· Real Estate and Commercial Leasing Assets.  Real estate held for sale is stated at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. The cost of real estate sold includes acquisition, development, construction and carrying costs and other related costs through the development stage. Commercial leasing assets, which are held for use, are stated at cost. When events or circumstances indicate that an asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable, an impairment test is performed. For real estate held for sale, if estimated fair value less costs to sell is less than the related carrying amount, then a reduction of the asset’s carrying value to fair value less costs to sell is required. For real estate held for use, which includes commercial leasing assets and properties under development, if the projected undiscounted cash flow from the asset is less than the related carrying amount, then a reduction of the carrying amount of the asset to fair value is required. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. Generally, we determine fair value using valuation techniques such as discounted expected future cash flows.

In developing estimated future cash flows for impairment testing for its real estate assets, we have incorporated our own market assumptions including those regarding real estate prices, sales pace, sales and marketing costs, infrastructure costs and financing costs regarding real estate assets. Our assumptions are based, in part,

 
15


on general economic conditions, the current state of the real estate industry, expectations about the short- and long-term outlook for the real estate market, and competition from other developers in the area in which we develop our properties. These assumptions can significantly affect our estimates of future cash flows. For those properties held for sale and deemed to be impaired, we determine fair value based on appraised values, adjusted for estimated development costs and costs to sell, as we believe this is the value for which the property could be sold. We recorded no impairment losses during 2009, but during 2008 we recorded impairment charges of $0.3 million related to properties in our Barton Creek community (see Note 1).

The estimate of our future revenues is also important because it is the basis of our development plans and also a factor in our ability to obtain the financing necessary to complete our development plans. If our estimates of future cash flows from our properties differ from expectations, then our financial position and liquidity may be impacted, which could result in our default under certain debt instruments or result in our suspending some or all of our development activities.

· Revenue Recognition.  The judgments involved in revenue recognition include understanding the complex terms of agreements and determining the appropriate time to recognize revenue for each transaction based on such terms. Each transaction is evaluated to determine: (i) at what point in time revenue is earned, (ii) whether contingencies exist that impact the timing of recognition of revenue and (iii) how and when such contingencies will be resolved. The timing of revenue recognition could vary if different judgments were made. Our revenues subject to the most judgment are property sales revenues. Revenues from property sales are recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the buyer, when the consideration received can be reasonably determined and when we have completed our obligations to perform certain supplementary development activities, if any exist, at the time of the sale. Consideration is reasonably determined and considered likely of collection when we have signed sales agreements and have determined that the buyer has demonstrated a commitment to pay. The buyer’s commitment to pay is supported by the level of their initial investment, our assessment of the buyer’s credit standing and our assessment of whether the buyer’s stake in the property is sufficient to motivate the buyer to honor their obligation to it. We recognize our rental income based on the terms of our signed leases with tenants on a straight-line basis. We recognize sales commissions and management and development fees when earned, as lots or acreage are sold or when the services are performed.

· Deferred Tax Assets.  The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are required to be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, we assess the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets periodically based on the more-likely-than-not realization threshold criterion. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards not expiring unused, and tax planning alternatives.

Although we have reported losses in 2009 and 2008, based on the expectation of future taxable income and that deductible temporary differences will offset existing taxable temporary differences, we have concluded it is more likely than not we would be able to realize certain of our deferred tax assets. Realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period available under tax law. Should actual results differ materially from our estimates, we may need to record valuation allowances, which could materially impact our results of operations in future periods (see Note 7).

· Allocation of Overhead Costs.  We capitalize a portion of our direct overhead costs and also allocate a portion of these overhead costs to cost of sales based on the activities of our employees that are directly engaged in development activities. In connection with this procedure, we periodically evaluate our “corporate” personnel activities to quantify the amount of time, if any, associated with activities that would normally be capitalized or considered part of cost of sales. After determining the appropriate aggregate allocation rates, we apply these factors to our overhead costs to determine the appropriate allocations. This is a critical accounting policy because it affects our net results of operations for that portion which is capitalized. We capitalize only direct and indirect project costs associated with the acquisition, development and construction of a real estate project. Indirect costs include allocated costs associated with certain pooled resources (such as office supplies, telephone and postage) which are used to support our development projects, as well as general and administrative functions. Allocations of pooled resources are based only on those employees directly responsible for development (i.e., project manager and subordinates). We charge to expense indirect costs that

 
16


do not clearly relate to a real estate project such as salaries and allocated expenses related to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

W Austin Hotel & Residences.  In 2005, the City selected our proposal to develop a mixed-use project in downtown Austin immediately north of the new City Hall complex. The W Austin Hotel & Residences project includes an entire city block and is planned for a mixture of hotel, residential, retail, office and entertainment uses. In December 2006, we acquired the property for $15.1 million. We have executed agreements with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. for the development of a W Hotel & Residences on the site. In May 2007, we announced our proposed partnership with Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, L.P. (Canyon-Johnson) for the development of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project. The grand opening for the onsite sales center was held in conjunction with the groundbreaking ceremony in October 2007. Effective May 1, 2008, we entered into a joint venture with Canyon-Johnson for the development of the project (see Note 3). Construction of the $300 million project commenced in the second quarter of 2008 and is proceeding as scheduled. We anticipate the hotel will open in the fourth quarter of 2010. Condominium residences will be completed on a floor-by-floor basis. We anticipate that completion of the condominium residences will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 and continue through mid-2011. We currently consolidate the joint venture with Canyon-Johnson because the project is considered a variable interest entity (VIE) and we are considered the primary beneficiary. If it is determined that the W Austin Hotel & Residences project is no longer a VIE or that we are no longer the primary beneficiary of the entity, the project will be deconsolidated from our financial statements (see Note 3).

On May 2, 2008, the joint venture entered into an agreement for a $165 million construction loan with Corus Bank, N.A. (Corus) to finance the construction of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project. On February 18, 2009, Corus entered into a written agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and a consent order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, to maintain the financial soundness of Corus. On June 26, 2009, the loan agreement with Corus was assigned to a subsidiary of Stratus, which is jointly managed by Stratus and Canyon-Johnson, in exchange for a pay down of $250,000 of the outstanding principal balance of $2.1 million. As a result, Corus is no longer the lender and in the second quarter of 2009 we recognized a $0.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt, which includes the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs in the amount of $2.1 million.

On October 21, 2009, the subsidiary assigned and transferred the construction loan agreement documents to Beal Bank Nevada (Beal Bank).  In connection with the assignment, the joint venture executed an amended and restated loan agreement, an amended and restated promissory note and related loan documents with Beal Bank (Beal Bank loan agreement).  Pursuant to the Beal Bank loan agreement, the joint venture may borrow up to an aggregate of $120 million to fund the construction, development and marketing costs of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project. An initial advance under the Beal Bank loan agreement of $3.4 million was made at closing.

As of December 31, 2009, capital contributions to the joint venture totaled $128.2 million, of which we contributed $53.0 million and Canyon-Johnson contributed $75.2 million. The next advance under the Beal Bank loan agreement is expected to occur in mid-2010 and thereafter advances are expected to be made monthly until the loan is fully funded.  As a condition to further funding from the Beal Bank loan agreement, the joint venture must invest at least $180 million in the project.  Previously, when Corus was the construction lender, the joint venture was required to invest total equity of $128 million ($53 million from Stratus and $75 million from Canyon-Johnson).  As a result of changing construction lenders, approximately $52 million of additional equity was required.

On December 16, 2009, we and Canyon-Johnson amended the operating agreement for the joint venture to provide that each partner will make an additional $10 million contribution to the joint venture, as needed, to fund construction costs. In connection with the amended agreement, our required capital contributions increased from $53 million to $63 million, and Canyon-Johnson’s increased from $75 million to $85 million, reducing the additional equity required from approximately $52 million to approximately $32 million.

The joint venture is currently pursuing third parties to fund all or a portion of the $32 million.  To the extent acceptable third-party or other financing is not secured, the joint venture may be obligated to fund the additional capital necessary to meet the $180 million pre-funding requirement under the Beal Bank loan agreement. If the joint venture does not secure project financing from a third-party lender or investor, of if Stratus or Canyon-

 
17


Johnson is unable to make required additional future capital contributions to the joint venture, the joint venture may be required to delay further construction of the project until additional financing is available.

Crestview Station.  In 2005, we formed a joint venture with Trammell Crow Central Texas Development, Inc. (Trammell Crow) to acquire an approximate 74-acre tract at the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas, for $7.7 million. The property, known as Crestview Station, is a single-family, multi-family, retail and office development, which is located on the site of a future commuter rail line approved by City voters. With Trammell Crow, we have completed environmental remediation, which the State of Texas certified as complete in September 2007, and permitting of the property. The initial phase of utility and roadway infrastructure is complete. Crestview Station sold substantially all of its multi-family and commercial properties in 2007 and one commercial site in the first quarter of 2008. The joint venture retained the single family component of Crestview Station and one commercial site. The joint venture is currently processing permits to develop Crestview Station as a 450-unit transit-oriented neighborhood. At December 31, 2009, our investment in the Crestview Station project totaled $3.4 million and the joint venture partnership had $8.2 million of outstanding debt, of which we guarantee $1.4 million. To the extent the joint venture does not have funds available, we and Trammell Crow will equally fund monthly interest payments on the outstanding loan balance and scheduled principal payments beginning in 2011 (see Note 5). We account for our 50 percent interest in the Crestview Station joint venture under the equity method.

Residential. As of December 31, 2009, the number of our residential developed lots, lots under development and development potential by area are shown below (excluding lots and units associated with our Canyon-Johnson and Crestview joint ventures):

 
Residential Lots
 
Developed
 
Under Development
 
Potential Development a
 
Total
               
Barton Creek:
             
Calera:
             
Calera Court Courtyard Homes
2
 
-
 
-
 
2
Calera Drive
8
 
-
 
-
 
8
Verano Drive
67
 
-
 
-
 
67
Amarra Drive:
             
Phase I Lots
7
 
-
 
-
 
7
Phase II Lots
35
 
-
 
-
 
35
Townhomes
-
 
-
 
221
 
221
Phase III
-
 
-
 
89
 
89
Mirador Estate
2
 
-
 
-
 
2
Wimberly Lane Phase II
1
 
-
 
-
 
1
Section N Multi-family
-
 
-
 
1,860
 
1,860
Other Barton Creek Sections
-
 
-
 
154
 
154
               
Circle C:
             
Meridian
42
 
-
 
57
 
99
Total Residential Lots
164
 
-
 
2,381
 
2,545
               
a.  
Our development of the properties identified under the heading “Potential Development” is dependent upon the approval of our development plans and permits by governmental agencies, including the City. Those governmental agencies may either not approve one or more development plans and permit applications related to such properties or require us to modify our development plans. Accordingly, our development strategy with respect to those properties may change in the future. While we may be proceeding with approved infrastructure projects on some of these properties, they are not considered to be “under development” for disclosure in this table unless other development activities necessary to fully realize the properties’ intended final use are in progress or scheduled to commence in the near term.

Calera. Calera is a residential subdivision with plat approval for 155 lots. During 2004, we began construction of 16 courtyard homes at Calera Court, the 16-acre initial phase of the Calera subdivision. The second phase of Calera, Calera Drive, consisting of 53 single-family lots, many of which adjoin the Fazio Canyons Golf Course, received final plat and construction permit approval in 2005. Construction of the final phase, known as Verano Drive, was completed in July 2008 and includes 71 single-family lots. As of December 31, 2009, two courtyard homes at Calera Court, eight lots at Calera Drive and 67 lots at Verano Drive remained unsold.
 
 
18


Amarra Drive. Amarra Drive Phase I, which is the initial phase of the Amarra Drive subdivision, was completed in 2007 and includes eight lots with sizes ranging from approximately one to four acres, some of which are course-side lots on the Fazio Canyons Golf Course and others are secluded lots adjacent to the Nature Conservancy of Texas. As of December 31, 2009, seven Amarra Drive Phase I lots remain unsold. In January 2008, we commenced development of Amarra Drive Phase II, which consists of 35 lots on 51 acres. Development was substantially completed in October 2008, but no sales have occurred.

Mirador Estate. The Mirador subdivision consists of 34 estate lots, with each lot averaging approximately 3.5 acres in size. As of December 31, 2009, two Mirador estate lots remained unsold.

Wimberly Lane. Wimberly Lane included two phases, with phase one consisting of 75 residential lots and phase two consisting of 47 residential lots. We entered into a contract with a national homebuilder to sell 41 lots within the Wimberly Lane Phase II subdivision. We sold the last homebuilder lot in January 2008 and have one Wimberly Lane lot remaining for sale.

Circle C. We are developing the Circle C community based on the entitlements secured in our Circle C settlement with the City. Our Circle C settlement, as amended in 2004, permits development of 1.16 million square feet of commercial space, 504 multi-family units and 830 single-family residential lots. Meridian is an 800-lot residential development at the Circle C community. Development of Meridian included our contracts with three national homebuilders to complete the construction and sales of 494 lots. As of December 31, 2009, 13 lots remained unsold under these contracts, all of which were sold in the first quarter of 2010 for $0.9 million.

In 2006, we signed another contract with a national homebuilder for 42 additional lots. Development of those lots commenced in 2007 and substantial completion occurred in April 2008. In June 2009, this contract was terminated by the homebuilder. As of the date the contract was terminated, there were 30 remaining unclosed lots. In connection with the termination, the homebuilder forfeited a deposit of $0.6 million, which we recorded as other income in the second quarter of 2009. We are currently pursuing development contracts with other homebuilders for the remaining lots. One lot was sold in August 2009 for $0.1 million and 29 lots remain unsold as of December 31, 2009. The final phase of Meridian is expected to consist of 57 one-acre lots.
 
 
19


Commercial. As of December 31, 2009, the number of square feet of our commercial property developed, under development and our remaining entitlements are shown below (excluding property associated with our Canyon-Johnson and Crestview joint ventures):

 
Commercial Property
 
Developed
 
Under Development
 
Potential Development a
 
Total
               
Barton Creek:
             
Barton Creek Village Phase I
22,000
 
-
 
-
 
22,000
Barton Creek Village Phase II
-
 
-
 
18,000
 
18,000
Entry Corner
-
 
-
 
5,000
 
5,000
Amarra Retail/Office
-
 
-
 
90,000
 
90,000
Section N
-
 
-
 
1,500,000
 
1,500,000
               
Circle C:
             
Chase Ground Lease
4,000
 
-
 
-
 
4,000
5700 Slaughter
21,000
 
-
 
-
 
21,000
Parkside Village
-
 
80,000
 
-
 
760,000
Tract 110
-
 
-
 
760,000
 
80,000
Tract 101
-
 
-
 
90,000
 
90,000
Tract 102
-
 
-
 
25,000
 
25,000
Tract 114
-
 
-
 
5,000
 
5,000
               
Lantana:
             
7500 Rialto
150,000
 
-
 
-
 
150,000
Advanced Micro Devices Option Tract
-
 
-
 
100,000
 
100,000
Tract GR1
-
 
-
 
325,000
 
325,000
Tract G05
-
 
-
 
260,000
 
260,000
Tract G06
-
 
-
 
400,000
 
400,000
Tract G07
-
 
-
 
210,000
 
210,000
Tract CS5
-
 
-
 
175,000
 
175,000
Tract CS1-CS3
-
 
-
 
150,000
 
150,000
Tract LR1
-
 
-
 
75,000
 
75,000
Tract L04
-
 
-
 
70,000
 
70,000
               
Austin 290 Tract
-
 
-
 
20,000
 
20,000
Total Square Feet
197,000
 
80,000
 
4,278,000
 
4,555,000
               
a.  
Our development of the properties identified under the heading “Potential Development” is dependent upon the approval of our development plans and permits by governmental agencies, including the City. Those governmental agencies may either not approve one or more development plans and permit applications related to such properties or require us to modify our development plans. Accordingly, our development strategy with respect to those properties may change in the future. While we may be proceeding with approved infrastructure projects on some of these properties, they are not considered to be “under development” for disclosure in this table unless other development activities necessary to fully realize the properties’ intended final use are in progress or scheduled to commence in the near term.

Barton Creek. The first phase of Barton Creek Village includes a 22,000-square-foot retail complex and a 3,300-square-foot bank building within this retail complex. As of December 31, 2009, the retail complex was 81 percent leased and the bank building is leased through January 2023.

Circle C. During the third quarter of 2008, we completed the construction of two retail buildings totaling 21,000 square feet at the 5700 Slaughter project. This retail project also includes a 4,000-square-foot bank building on an existing ground lease. As of December 31, 2009, occupancy was approximately 53 percent for the two retail buildings. We have entered into new leases for the two retail buildings at 5700 Slaughter and we expect occupancy for both buildings to reach 93 percent in early 2010.

The Circle C community also includes Parkside Village, an 80,000-square-foot planned retail project. The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will consist of a 34,000-square-foot building to accommodate a full-service restaurant and theater. The second phase will consist of three tilt-wall retail buildings at 14,775 square feet, 8,075 square feet and 7,600 square feet, and two pads available for ground leases. We are pursuing final permits and entitlements to position the project for commencement of construction when appropriate.
 
 
20


Lantana. Lantana is a partially developed, mixed-use real-estate development project. Lantana includes two 75,000-square-foot office buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard. As of December 31, 2009, occupancy was 97 percent for the original office building and 94 percent for the second office building.  As of December 31, 2009, we had remaining entitlements for approximately 1.0 million square feet of office and retail use on 223 acres. Regional utility and road infrastructure is in place with capacity to serve Lantana at full build-out permitted under our existing entitlements. Lantana also includes 100,000 square feet of potential development for commercial property under an option contract with Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE: AMD).

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We are continually evaluating the development potential of our properties and will continue to consider opportunities to enter into transactions involving our properties. As a result, and because of numerous other factors affecting our business activities as described herein, our past operating results are not necessarily indicative of our future results.

Summary operating results follow (in thousands):

 
2009
 
2008
   
Revenues:
             
Real estate operations
$
6,257
 
$
14,310
   
Commercial leasing
 
4,528
   
4,473
   
Total revenues
$
10,785
 
$
18,783
   
               
Operating loss
$
(9,878
)
$
(7,258
)
 
               
Benefit from income taxes
$
3,038
 
$
1,734
   
               
Net loss attributable to Stratus common stock
$
(5,904
)
$
(3,837
)
             

We have two operating segments, “Real Estate Operations” and “Commercial Leasing” (see Note 10). The following is a discussion of our operating results by segment.

Real Estate Operations
Summary real estate operating results follow (in thousands):

 
2009
 
2008
 
Revenues:
           
Developed property sales
$
5,331
 
$
13,231
 
Undeveloped property sales
 
-
   
40
 
Commissions, management fees and other
 
926
   
1,039
 
Total revenues
 
6,257
   
14,310
 
             
Cost of sales, including depreciation
           
and long-lived asset impairments
 
(8,509
)
 
(13,482
)a
General and administrative expenses
 
(4,784
)
 
(6,496
)
             
Operating loss
$
(7,036
)
$
(5,668
)
             
a.  
Includes long-lived asset impairments of $0.3 million (see Note 1).
 
 
21


Developed Property Sales. Property sales for the last two years follow (revenues in thousands):

 
2009
 
2008
 
 
Lots
 
Revenues
 
Lots
 
Revenues
 
Residential Properties:
               
Barton Creek
               
Calera Court Courtyard Homes
2
 
$      1,149
 
2
 
$     1,278
 
Wimberly Lane Phase II
               
Standard Homebuilder
-
 
-
 
1
 
265
a
Verano Drive
1
 
450
 
3
 
1,875
 
                 
Circle C
               
Meridian
56
 
3,732
 
120
 
8,403
 
                 
Deerfield
-
 
-
 
21
 
1,410
 
Total Residential
59
 
$      5,331
 
147
 
$    13,231
 
                 
a.  
Includes $0.1 million for homebuilder contract termination fee.

The decrease in developed property sales revenues to $5.3 million in 2009 from $13.2 million in 2008 resulted from a lower number of lots sold primarily caused by deterioration of demand and available financing in the real estate market as further discussed under “Real Estate Market Conditions.” Although real estate market conditions have resulted in fewer lot sales, we have not made and currently do not intend to make significant changes to our lot prices. The decrease in developed property sales also resulted from a decrease in lot sales at Meridian related in part, to a homebuilder contract termination in the second quarter of 2009, as well as take-downs under existing homebuilder contracts nearing completion. As of January 31, 2010, we had no lots remaining under homebuilder contracts. We are currently pursuing contracts with other homebuilders for the sale of the remaining lots.

In January 2004, we acquired the Deerfield property in Plano, Texas, for $7.0 million. We executed agreements with a national homebuilder, whereby the homebuilder paid us $1.4 million for an option to purchase all 234 lots over 36 monthly take-downs. In October 2005, we executed a revised agreement with the homebuilder, increasing the lot sizes and average purchase price to $67,150 based on a new total of 224 lots. In January 2008, we sold the final 21 lots for $1.4 million.

Commissions, Management Fees and Other.  Commissions, management fees and other revenues totaled $0.9 million in 2009, compared to $1.0 million in 2008, and included sales of our development fee credits to third parties totaling $0.1 million in 2009 and $0.6 million in 2008. We received these development fee credits as part of the Circle C settlement (see Note 9). Commissions, management fees and other revenues decreased from 2008 to 2009 as a result of lower sales of development fee credits, partly offset by an increase in commission income.

Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales includes cost of property sold, project expenses, allocated overhead costs and asset impairments, partly offset by reductions for certain municipal utility district reimbursements (see Note 1). Cost of sales totaled $8.5 million in 2009 and $13.5 million in 2008. Cost of sales for 2009 included reductions totaling less than $0.1 million, compared to $0.1 million in 2008, for Barton Creek Municipal Utility District (MUD) reimbursements. Cost of sales for 2008 also included long-lived asset impairments related to properties in the Barton Creek community of $0.3 million (see Note 1) and $0.4 million of costs incurred for our proposal for the right to develop a new project in downtown Austin, which was awarded to another developer. Cost of sales for 2009 decreased compared to 2008 primarily because of a decrease in developed property sales in 2009. We sold 57 lots (excluding Calera Court Courtyard homes) in 2009 at an average cost of $46,000 per lot, compared to 145 lots (excluding Calera Court Courtyard homes) in 2008 at an average cost of $54,000 per lot. Cost of sales for our real estate operations also include significant, recurring costs (including property taxes, maintenance and marketing), which totaled $4.8 million in 2009 and $4.2 million in 2008 and do not vary significantly with the number of property sales.

We are projecting fewer lot sales in the next several quarters because of the current weakness in the U.S. and Austin real estate markets.

 
22


General and Administrative Expenses. Consolidated general and administrative expenses increased to $7.7 million in 2009 from $7.6 million in 2008, primarily because of higher fees for professional services associated with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. General and administrative expenses allocated to real estate operations decreased to $4.8 million in 2009 from $6.5 million in 2008, primarily as a result of a lower allocation of general and administrative expenses to the real estate operations segment in 2009 because of lower real estate operations revenues. For information about the allocation of general and administrative expense to our operating segments, see Note 10.

Commercial Leasing
Summary commercial leasing operating results follow (in thousands):

 
2009
 
2008
 
Rental income
$
4,528
 
$
4,473
 
Rental property costs
 
(3,078
)
 
(3,554
)
Depreciation
 
(1,402
)
 
(1,451
)
General and administrative expenses
 
(2,890
)
 
(1,058
)
Operating loss
$
(2,842
)
$
(1,590
)
             
Rental Income. Rental income increased in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily because of a $0.2 million increase in rental income at 5700 Slaughter, which includes two retail buildings completed in the third quarter of 2008, and a $0.1 million increase in rental income at Barton Creek Village, partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in rental income at 7500 Rialto related to a decrease in the occupancy rate of the first office building during the first nine months 2009.

Rental Property Costs. Rental property costs decreased to $3.1 million in 2009 compared to $3.6 million in 2008 primarily as a result of a decrease in personnel and operating costs associated with the property management function, which was outsourced to a third party in the fourth quarter of 2008, partly offset by higher costs from 5700 Slaughter, which commenced operations in July 2008. Occupancy at 7500 Rialto, our largest commercial property, averaged 87 percent in 2009 and 95 percent in 2008, and was 95 percent at December 31, 2009.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses allocated to commercial leasing increased to $2.9 million in 2009 from $1.1 million in 2008, primarily as a result of a lower allocation of general and administrative expenses to the real estate operations segment in 2009 because of lower real estate operations revenues.

Non-Operating Results
Interest Income. Interest income totaled $0.7 million in 2009 and $1.4 million in 2008. The decrease in interest income primarily reflects a decrease of $0.5 million related to lower cash balances and a decrease in Barton Creek MUD reimbursements of $0.3 million. Interest income included interest on Barton Creek MUD reimbursements totaling $0.6 million in 2009 and $0.9 million in 2008.

Other Income, Net. We recorded other income of $0.5 million in 2009, which primarily relates to a $0.6 million forfeited deposit in connection with the termination of a homebuilder contract for the Circle C community.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million in 2009, reflecting the assignment of the W Austin Hotel & Residences construction loan to a Stratus subsidiary (see Notes 3 and 6).

Loss on Interest Rate Cap Agreement. We recognized a loss on our interest rate cap agreement totaling less than $0.1 million in 2009 and $0.6 million in 2008, reflecting the impact of changing interest rates on the fair value of this derivative instrument. The interest rate cap agreement relates to the W Austin Hotel & Residences construction loan (see Note 4).

Equity in Unconsolidated Affiliate’s (Loss) Income. We account for our 50 percent interest in our unconsolidated affiliate, Crestview Station, using the equity method. Crestview Station sold substantially all of its multi-family and commercial properties in 2007 and one commercial site in the first quarter of 2008. Our equity in Crestview
Station’s (losses) earnings decreased to $(0.4) million in 2009 from $0.6 million in 2008, primarily reflecting the operating losses recognized by Crestview Station in 2009 because there were no sales.
 
Benefit from Income Taxes. We recorded an income tax benefit of $3.0 million in 2009 and $1.7 million in 2008. The difference between our consolidated effective income tax rates for 2009 and 2008 and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35 percent primarily was attributable to state income tax expense and other permanent items.

Our net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2009, totaled $8.3 million. Realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period available under tax law. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on the expectation of future taxable income and that deductible temporary differences will offset existing taxable temporary differences, management believes it is more likely than not that the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances, are realizable at December 31, 2009 and 2008. The valuation allowances at December 31, 2009, relates to certain net operating loss carryforwards which are not expected to be realized because of limitations imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.

Loss from Discontinued Operations. In June 2008, we revised the amount of Texas margin tax accrued on income earned during 2007, from a shopping center we sold in 2007. The revised accrual resulted in $0.1 million of additional income tax charges related to 2007, which were recognized in 2008.

Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary related to the W Austin Hotel & Residences project totaled $0.3 million in 2009 and $0.4 million in 2008 (see Note 3).

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

As a result of weak economic conditions and the sharp decline in the real estate market, including the markets in which we operate, there is uncertainty about the near-term outlook for sales of our properties. However, we believe that the unique nature and location of our assets will provide positive cash flows when market conditions improve.

At December 31, 2009, we had $15.4 million in cash and cash equivalents (see Note 1). We also had $12.1 million outstanding and approximately $30 million in availability under our revolving credit facility at December 31, 2009. Our revolving credit facility matures in May 2010 and we have reached a tentative agreement for an extension as discussed below under "Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements." In May 2009, we began making additional capital contributions to the W Austin Hotel & Residences project joint venture. Through December 31, 2009, we have funded $53.0 million and Canyon-Johnson has funded $75.2 million. Following a December 2009 amendment to the joint venture operating agreement, we and Canyon-Johnson are each obligated to fund an additional $10.0 million of capital. Without additional financing, the joint venture may be obligated to fund approximately $32 million of additional project costs until funds under the Beal Bank loan agreement are available. The joint venture is currently in negotiations with a lender to secure fiancing to fund the balance of the project costs that will not be funded by the construction loan once we and Canyon-Johnson have funded the required capital commitments (see Note 3).

Comparison of Year-to-Year Cash Flows
Cash used in operating activities totaled $41.6 million in 2009 and $16.8 million in 2008. Uses of operating cash flows for 2009 increased compared to 2008 primarily because of a $14.1 million increase in cash used in development of real estate properties, a $7.9 million decrease in proceeds from developed property sales and $1.3 million less in distributions of income from our unconsolidated affiliate, Crestview Station. As stated previously, the continued weakness in the U.S. real estate market has negatively affected sales of lots, and we expect this trend to continue in the near-term. Expenditures for purchases and development of real estate properties for 2009 and 2008 included development costs for properties held for sale, including the residential portion of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project ($37.2 million in 2009 and $15.7 million in 2008), and the Barton Creek, Lantana and Circle C communities. We received Barton Creek MUD reimbursements totaling $6.4 million in 2009 and $6.2 million in 2008.
 
 
24

Cash used in investing activities totaled $25.3 million in 2009 and $29.2 million in 2008. Commercial leasing development expenditures for 2009 and 2008 included development costs for the commercial portion of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project totaling $38.5 million in 2009 and $14.7 million in 2008. Other expenditures for commercial leasing properties primarily related to Barton Creek Village in 2008. We also contributed capital of $1.5 million to Crestview Station in 2009 and received distributions representing a partial return of our investment in Crestview Station totaling $2.4 million in 2008. Crestview Station generated proceeds from sales in 2008 but had no sales or cash proceeds in 2009. In addition, we purchased U.S. treasury securities for $15.4 million in 2008, for which we received proceeds upon maturity in 2009.

Cash provided by financing activities totaled $65.2 million in 2009 and $22.2 million in 2008. Noncontrolling interest contributions from Canyon-Johnson for the W Austin Hotel & Residences project totaled $49.5 million in 2009 and $25.7 million in 2008. Net borrowings from our revolving credit facility totaled $12.1 million in 2009 and borrowings from the Barton Creek Village term loan and Beal Bank loan totaled $8.1 million in 2009, partly offset by financing costs for the Beal Bank loan of $3.3 million. Debt repayments on project and term loans totaled $0.6 million in 2009, including a $0.3 million payment to terminate the W Austin Hotel & Residences project loan with Corus (see Notes 3 and 6). Financing costs for the W Austin Hotel & Residences project construction loan totaled $2.8 million in 2008, partly offset by $2.1 million in borrowings from the W Austin Hotel & Residences projects construction loan. See “Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements” below for a discussion of our outstanding debt at December 31, 2009. We used $0.4 million in 2009 and $2.5 million in 2008 to repurchase shares of our common stock on the open market (see below).

In 2001, our Board of Directors authorized an open market share purchase program for up to 0.7 million shares of our common stock. During 2009, we purchased 49,000 shares in a private transaction for $0.4 million, an $8.25 per share average. During 2008, we purchased 214,216 shares for $2.5 million, an $11.80 per share average, including 190,000 shares purchased for $10.00 per share in a private transaction on December 24, 2008. As of March 15, 2010, a total of 161,145 shares remain available under this program. Our loan agreement with Comerica provides a limit of $6.5 million for common stock purchases after September 30, 2005, of which $0.9 million was available at March 15, 2010. The timing of future purchases of our common stock is dependent on many factors including the price of our common shares, our cash flows and financial position, and general economic and market conditions.

Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements
At December 31, 2009, we had total debt of $81.1 million, and total cash and cash equivalents of $15.4 million. Our debt outstanding at December 31, 2009, consisted of the following:

·  
$12.1 million of borrowings outstanding and $2.9 million of letters of credit issued under our $45.0 million revolving credit facility with Comerica, resulting in availability of approximately $30 million. We used the proceeds from these borrowings for general corporate purposes, including overhead and development costs. The revolving credit facility matures in May 2010 and is secured by assets at Barton Creek, Lantana and Circle C. We have reached a tentative agreement with Comerica for a two-year extension, which is contingent upon our joint venture with Canyon-Johnson securing financing for the additional equity required for the W Austin Hotel & Residences project of approximately $32 million (see Note 3). If the joint venture with Canyon-Johnson does not secure financing for the additional equity needed, we may be required to renegotiate the terms of this extension or seek alternative fiancing to repay the outstanding balance under this credit facility upon its maturity.

·  
$40.0 million of borrowings outstanding under seven unsecured term loans, which include two $5.0 million loans, two $8.0 million loans, a $7.0 million loan and two $3.5 million loans, all of which will mature in December 2011.

·  
$21.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Lantana promissory note, which matures in January 2018 and is secured by our buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard.

·  
$4.6 million of borrowings outstanding under a term loan, which matures in April 2014 and is secured by Barton Creek Village.

·  
$3.4 million of borrowings outstanding under the Beal Bank loan, which matures in October 2014 and is secured by the assets in the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.
 
 
25

In January 2010, we borrowed $4.5 million under a $5.4 million term loan secured by 5700 Slaughter, which will mature in January 2015. The applicable interest rate is 6.95 percent, and payments of principal and interest are due monthly beginning March 1, 2010. Proceeds from this loan will be used for general corporate purposes.

DEBT MATURITIES AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Debt
$
12,483
 
$
40,403
 
$
428
 
$
455
 
$
3,750
 
$
23,586
 
$
81,105
Scheduled interest
                                       
paymentsa
 
4,797
   
4,545
   
1,868
   
1,868
   
1,588
   
3,769
   
18,435
Construction contracts
 
93,370
   
17,765
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
111,135
Operating lease
 
257
   
260
   
88
   
43
   
-
   
-
   
648
Total
$
110,907
 
$
62,973
 
$
2,384
 
$
2,366
 
$
5,338
 
$
27,355
 
$
211,323
                                         
a.  
Scheduled interest payments were calculated using stated coupon rates for fixed-rate debt and interest rates applicable at January 1, 2010, for variable-rate debt.

We had commitments under noncancelable construction contracts totaling $111.1 million at December 31, 2009. These commitments include the following contracts:

·  
$215.2 million in contracts in connection with architectural, design, engineering, construction and testing for the W Austin Hotel & Residences project with a remaining balance of $109.9 million at December 31, 2009;
·  
Contracts totaling $3.7 million for infrastructure work in connection with new residential subdivisions, MUDs and general development at Barton Creek and Circle C with a remaining balance of $1.2 million at December 31, 2009.

In early 2010, we entered into additional contracts for $0.3 million related to the W Austin Hotel & Residences and $0.1 million related to Barton Creek and Circle C.

At December 31, 2009, we guarantee $1.4 million of the $8.2 million of outstanding debt at Crestview Station.

At December 31, 2009, we also have capital commitments and guarantees related to the W Austin Hotel & Residences project (see Note 3).

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Consolidations. In May 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting guidance to replace the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. It also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009. We currently do not expect adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2010, will impact our consolidated financial statements.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements regarding future lot sales, realization of deferred tax assets, future reimbursements for infrastructure costs, future events related to financing and regulatory matters, the expected results of our business strategy, and other plans and objectives of management for future operations and activities. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include economic and business conditions, business opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by us, changes in laws or regulations and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, and other factors that are described in more detail under “Risk Factors” located in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

 
26


Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Board of Directors
Stratus Properties Inc.
Austin, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Stratus Properties Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for the year then ended.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Stratus Properties Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Stratus Properties Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 31, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for its noncontrolling interest in 2009.



/s/Travis Wolff, LLP
Dallas, Texas
March 31, 2010
 
 
27


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Stratus Properties Inc.:

In our opinion, the consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of operations, of equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Stratus Properties Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.  We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Dallas, Texas
June 23, 2009, except for the change in the manner in which the Company accounts for noncontrolling interests discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is March 31, 2010
 
 
28


MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Stratus Properties Inc.’s (the Company’s) management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

·  
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets;

·  
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

·  
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our management’s assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, our Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the COSO criteria.

/s/ William H. Armstrong III
/s/ Erin D. Pickens
William H. Armstrong III
Erin D. Pickens
Chairman of the Board, President
Senior Vice President
and Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
 
29


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors
Stratus Properties Inc.
Austin, Texas

We have audited Stratus Properties Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-– Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Stratus Properties Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Stratus Properties Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009, of Stratus Properties Inc. and subsidiaries and our report dated March 31, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion.



/s/ Travis Wolff, LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 31, 2010
 
 
30


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Par Value)
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
$
15,398
 
$
17,097
 
Investment in U.S. treasury securities
 
-
   
15,388
 
Real estate held for sale – developed or under development
 
124,801
   
115,966
 
Real estate held for sale – undeveloped
 
57,201
   
27,514
 
Real estate held for use, net
 
101,863
   
56,919
 
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
 
3,391
   
2,283
 
Deferred tax assets
 
8,296
   
7,330
 
Other assets
 
17,640
   
10,049
 
Total assets
$
328,590
 
$
252,546
 
             
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
           
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
16,247
 
$
6,585
 
Accrued interest and property taxes
 
3,401
   
3,203
 
Deposits
 
7,700
   
1,301
 
Debt (Note 6)
 
81,105
   
63,352
 
Other liabilities
 
2,224
   
3,583
 
Total liabilities
 
110,677
   
78,024
 
             
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
           
             
Equity:
           
Stratus stockholders’ equity:
           
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 50,000 shares authorized
           
and unissued
 
-
   
-
 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 150,000 shares authorized,
           
8,315 and 8,282 shares issued, respectively and
           
7,442 and 7,463 shares outstanding, respectively
 
83
   
83
 
Capital in excess of par value of common stock
 
197,333
   
196,692
 
Accumulated deficit
 
(35,999
)
 
(30,095
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
-
   
(3
)
Common stock held in treasury, 873 shares and 819 shares,
           
at cost, respectively
 
(17,941
)
 
(17,441
)
Total Stratus stockholders’ equity
 
143,476
   
149,236
 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
 
74,437
   
25,286
 
Total equity
 
217,913
   
174,522
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
328,590
 
$
252,546
 
             
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
31


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
Revenues:
         
Real estate
$
5,331
 
$
13,271
 
Rental income
 
4,528
   
4,473
 
Commissions, management fees and other
 
926
   
1,039
 
Total revenues
 
10,785
   
18,783
 
Cost of sales:
           
Real estate, net
 
8,277
   
13,031
 
Rental
 
3,078
   
3,554
 
Depreciation
 
1,634
   
1,652
 
Long-lived asset impairments
 
-
   
250
 
Total cost of sales
 
12,989
   
18,487
 
General and administrative expenses
 
7,674
   
7,554
 
Total costs and expenses
 
20,663
   
26,041
 
Operating loss
 
(9,878
)
 
(7,258
)
Interest income
 
679
   
1,448
 
Other income, net
 
504
   
-
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
(182
)
 
-
 
Loss on interest rate cap agreement
 
(38
)
 
(610
)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and
           
equity in unconsolidated affiliate’s (loss) income
 
(8,915
)
 
(6,420
)
Equity in unconsolidated affiliate’s (loss) income
 
(354
)
 
562
 
Benefit from income taxes
 
3,038
   
1,734
 
Loss from continuing operations
 
(6,231
)
 
(4,124
)
Loss from discontinued operations
 
-
   
(105
)
Net loss
 
(6,231
)
 
(4,229
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
 
327
   
392
 
Net loss attributable to Stratus common stock
$
(5,904
)
$
(3,837
)
             
Net loss per share attributable to Stratus common stock:
           
Continuing operations
$
(0.79
)
$
(0.49
)
Discontinued operations
 
-
   
(0.01
)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to
           
Stratus common stock
$
(0.79
)
$
(0.50
)
             
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
           
Basic and diluted
 
7,438
   
7,621
 
             
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
32


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
Cash flow from operating activities:
         
Net loss
$
(6,231
)
$
(4,229
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
           
used in operating activities:
           
Depreciation
 
1,634
   
1,652
 
Cost of real estate sold
 
3,652
   
9,021
 
Loss on interest rate cap agreement
 
38
   
610
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
182
   
-
 
Long-lived asset impairments
 
-
   
250
 
Deferred income taxes
 
(966
)
 
(774
)
Stock-based compensation
 
735
   
1,021
 
Equity in unconsolidated affiliate’s loss (income)
 
354
   
(562
)
Distribution of unconsolidated affiliate’s income
 
-
   
1,266
 
Loss from discontinued operations
 
-
   
105
 
Deposits
 
(924
)
 
(1,950
)
Purchases and development of real estate properties
 
(44,239
)
 
(30,165
)
Municipal utility district reimbursements
 
6,389
   
6,229
 
(Increase) decrease in other assets
 
(209
)
 
1,196
 
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other
 
(2,031
)
 
(461
)
Net cash used in operating activities
 
(41,616
)
 
(16,791
)
             
Cash flow from investing activities:
           
Development of commercial leasing properties and other expenditures
 
(39,267
)
 
(15,545
)
(Investment in) return of investment in unconsolidated affiliate
 
(1,462
)
 
2,374
 
Proceeds from (investment in) U.S. treasury securities
 
15,391
   
(15,391
)
Investment in interest rate cap agreement
 
-
   
(673
)
Other
 
53
   
36
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(25,285
)
 
(29,199
)
             
Cash flow from financing activities:
           
Borrowings from revolving credit facility
 
20,035
   
-
 
Payments on revolving credit facility
 
(7,932
)
 
-
 
Borrowings from project and term loans
 
8,073
   
2,094
 
Payments on project and term loans
 
(579
)
 
(242
)
Noncontrolling interest contributions
 
49,478
   
25,678
 
Net (payments for) proceeds from stock-based awards
 
(121
)
 
58
 
Purchases of Stratus common stock
 
(404
)
 
(2,529
)
Financing costs
 
(3,348
)
 
(2,845
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
65,202
   
22,214
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(1,699
)
 
(23,776
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
17,097
   
40,873
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
15,398
 
$
17,097
 
             
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which include information regarding noncash transactions, are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
33


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(In Thousands)
 
 
Stratus Stockholders’ Equity
         
                                 
             
Accum-
                 
 
Common
         
ulated
 
Common Stock
             
 
Stock
         
Other
 
Held in Treasury
 
Total
         
 
Number
     
Capital in
 
Accum-
 
Compre-
 
Number
     
Stratus
 
Noncontrolling
     
 
of
 
At Par
 
Excess of
 
ulated
 
hensive
 
of
 
At
 
Stockholders’
 
Interest in
 
Total
 
 
Shares
 
Value
 
Par Value
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Shares
 
Cost
 
Equity
 
Subsidiary
 
Equity
 
                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2007
8,128
 
$
81
 
$
195,898
 
$
(26,258
)
$
-
 
586
 
$
(14,279
)
$
155,442
 
$
-
 
$
155,442
 
Exercised and issued stock-based awards and other
154
   
2
   
(227
)
 
-
   
-
 
-
   
-
   
(225
)
 
-
   
(225
)
Stock-based compensation
-
   
-
   
1,021
   
-
   
-
 
-
   
-
   
1,021
   
-
   
1,021
 
Tender of shares for stock-based awards
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
19
   
(633
)
 
(633
)
 
-
   
(633
)
Purchases of Stratus common stock
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
214
   
(2,529
)
 
(2,529
)
 
-
   
(2,529
)
Noncontrolling interest contributions
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
25,678
   
25,678
 
Comprehensive loss:
                                                       
  Net loss
-
   
-
   
-
   
(3,837
)
 
-
 
-
   
-
   
(3,837
)
 
(392
)
 
(4,229
)
  Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes:
                                                       
Unrealized loss on U.S. treasury securities
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(3
)
-
   
-
   
(3
)
 
-
   
(3
)
  Other comprehensive loss
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(3
)
-
   
-
   
(3
)
 
-
   
(3
)
Total comprehensive loss
-
   
-
   
-
   
(3,837
)
 
(3
)
-
   
-
   
(3,840
)
 
(392
)
 
(4,232
)
Balance at December 31, 2008
8,282
   
83
   
196,692
   
(30,095
)
 
(3
)
819
   
(17,441
)
 
149,236
   
25,286
   
174,522
 
Exercised and issued stock-based awards and other
33
   
-
   
(94
)
 
-
   
-
 
-
   
-
   
(94
)
 
-
   
(94
)
Stock-based compensation
-
   
-
   
735
   
-
   
-
 
-
   
-
   
735
   
-
   
735
 
Tender of shares for stock-based awards
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
5
   
(96
)
 
(96
)
 
-
   
(96
)
Purchases of Stratus common stock
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
49
   
(404
)
 
(404
)
 
-
   
(404
)
Noncontrolling interest contributions
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
49,478
   
49,478
 
Comprehensive (loss) income:
                                                       
  Net loss
-
   
-
   
-
   
(5,904
)
 
-
 
-
   
-
   
(5,904
)
 
(327
)
 
(6,231
)
  Other comprehensive income, net of taxes:
                                                       
Unrealized gain on U.S. treasury securities
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
3
 
-
   
-
   
3
   
-
   
3
 
  Other comprehensive income
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
3
 
-
   
-
   
3
   
-
   
3
 
Total comprehensive income (loss)
-
   
-
   
-
   
(5,904
)
 
3
 
-
   
-
   
(5,901
)
 
(327
)
 
(6,228
)
Balance at December 31, 2009
8,315
 
$
83
 
$
197,333
 
$
(35,999
)
$
-
 
873
 
$
(17,941
)
$
143,476
 
$
74,437
 
$
217,913
 
                                                         
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
34


STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business and Principles of Consolidation.  Stratus Properties Inc. (Stratus), a Delaware Corporation, is engaged in the acquisition, development, management, operation and sale of commercial, multi-family and residential real estate properties located primarily in the Austin, Texas area. The real estate development and marketing operations of Stratus are conducted through its wholly owned subsidiaries, a consolidated joint venture and through an unconsolidated joint venture (see “Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate” below and Note 5). Stratus consolidates its wholly owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which Stratus has a controlling interest and variable interest entities in which Stratus is deemed the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Concentration of Risks. Stratus maintains cash equivalents in accounts with financial institutions in excess of the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Stratus monitors the financial stability of these financial institutions regularly.

Stratus primarily conducts its real estate operations in Austin, Texas. Consequently, any significant economic downturn in the Austin market could potentially have an effect on Stratus’ business, results of operations and financial condition.

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S.) of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. The more significant estimates include the (1) estimates of future cash flow from development and sale of real estate properties and sources of financing for the W Austin Hotel & Residences project (including the additional $32 million of required equity discussed in Note 3) used in the assessment of impairments, (2) valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, (3) allocation of certain indirect costs and (4) useful lives for depreciation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents.  Highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents. At December 31, 2009, cash equivalents included certificates of deposit of $3.2 million, which matured in January, February and March 2010.

Investment in U.S. Treasury Securities. Investments in U.S. treasury securities having maturities of more than 90 days but not more than one year at the time of purchase are considered short-term and reported as “Investment in U.S. treasury securities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Stratus had no investments in U.S. treasury securities having maturities of more than 90 days as of December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, Stratus’ entire portfolio of short-term investments was classified as “available for sale” and was stated at fair value as determined by quoted market values. Unrealized holding gains and losses for these investments were reported in other comprehensive loss until realized.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  Stratus periodically evaluates its ability to collect its receivables. Stratus provides an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts if it is determined that such amounts will not be collected. Stratus believes all of its receivables are collectible and no allowances for doubtful accounts are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Real Estate and Commercial Leasing Assets.  Real estate held for sale is stated at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. The cost of real estate held for sale includes acquisition, development, construction and carrying costs, and other related costs through the development stage. Commercial leasing assets, which are held for use, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Stratus capitalizes interest on funds used in developing properties from the date of initiation of development activities through the date the property is substantially complete and ready for sale or lease. Stratus recorded capitalized interest of $5.5 million in 2009 and $4.9 million in 2008. Common costs are allocated based on the relative fair value of individual land parcels. Certain carrying costs are capitalized on properties currently under active development. Stratus capitalizes improvements that increase the value of commercial leasing properties and have useful lives greater than one year. Costs related to repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

 
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Stratus performs an impairment test when events or circumstances indicate that an asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that Stratus considers indicators of impairment include significant decreases in market values, adverse changes in regulatory requirements (including environmental laws) and current period or projected operating cash flow losses from rental properties. Impairment tests for properties to be held and used, including properties under development, involve the use of estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the property and its eventual disposition. If projected undiscounted cash flow from properties to be held and used is less than the related carrying amount, then a reduction of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset to fair value is required. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. Generally, Stratus determines fair value using valuation techniques such as discounted expected future cash flows. Impairment tests for properties held for sale, including undeveloped and developed properties, involve management estimates of fair value based on estimated market values for similar properties in similar locations and management estimates of costs to sell. If estimated fair value less costs to sell is less than the related carrying amount, then a reduction of the carrying amount of the asset to fair value less costs to sell is required.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, Stratus recorded no impairment charges and for the year ended December 31, 2008, Stratus recorded impairment charges of $0.3 million related to properties in Barton Creek and Camino Real. Should market conditions further deteriorate in the future or other events occur that indicate the carrying amount of Stratus’ real estate assets may not be recoverable, Stratus will reevaluate the expected cash flows from each property to determine whether any impairment exists.

Depreciation.  Commercial leasing properties are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated 30 or 40-year life. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over a five-year period. Tenant improvements are depreciated over the related lease terms.

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate.  Stratus has a 50 percent interest in the Crestview Station project (see Note 5), which it accounts for under the equity method. Stratus has determined that consolidation of the Crestview Station project is not required.

Other assets.  Other assets primarily consist of deferred financing and leasing costs, prepaid insurance, tenant and other accounts receivable, and notes and interest receivable.  Deferred financing costs are amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, to interest expense.  Deferred leasing costs are amortized to cost of sales using the straight-line method over the related lease terms.

Accrued Property Taxes.  Stratus estimates its property taxes based on prior year property tax payments and other current events that may impact the amount. Upon receipt of the property tax bill, Stratus adjusts its accrued property tax balance at year-end to the actual amount of taxes due in January. Accrued property taxes totaled $3.0 million at December 31, 2009, and $2.9 million at December 31, 2008.

Derivative Instruments. Stratus accounts for its interest rate cap agreement, a derivative instrument, pursuant to accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Stratus records this interest rate cap agreement, which matures in July 2011, at fair value on a recurring basis on its balance sheet and recognizes changes in fair value in its statement of operations (see Note 4).

Revenue Recognition.  Revenues from property sales are recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the buyer, when the consideration received can be reasonably determined and when Stratus has completed its obligations to perform certain supplementary development activities, if any exist, at the time of the sale. Consideration is reasonably determined and considered likely of collection when Stratus has signed sales agreements and has determined that the buyer has demonstrated a commitment to pay. The buyer’s commitment to pay is supported by the level of their initial investment, Stratus’ assessment of the buyer’s credit standing and Stratus’ assessment of whether the buyer’s stake in the property is sufficient to motivate the buyer to honor their obligation to it.
 
 
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Stratus recognizes its rental income based on the terms of its signed leases with tenants on a straight-line basis. Recoveries from tenants for taxes, insurance and other commercial property operating expenses are recognized as revenues in the period the related costs are incurred. Stratus recognizes sales commissions and management and development fees when earned, as lots or acreage are sold or when the services are performed. A summary of Stratus’ revenues follows (in thousands):
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
Revenues:
           
Developed property sales
$
5,331
 
$
13,231
 
Undeveloped property sales
 
-
   
40
 
Rental income
 
4,528
   
4,473
 
Commissions, management fees and other
 
926
   
1,039
 
Total revenues
$
10,785
 
$
18,783
 
             

Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales includes the cost of real estate sold as well as costs directly attributable to the properties sold such as marketing and depreciation. A summary of Stratus’ cost of sales follows (in thousands):

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
Cost of developed property sales
$
3,735
 
$
9,095
 
Cost of undeveloped property sales
 
111
   
141
 
Rental property costs
 
3,078
   
3,554
 
Project expenses and allocation of overhead costs (see below)
 
4,761
   
4,183
 
Municipal utility district reimbursements (see below)
 
(34
)
 
(108
)
Depreciation
 
1,634
   
1,652
 
Long-lived asset impairments
 
-
   
250
 
Other, net
 
(296
)
 
(280
)
Total cost of sales
$
12,989
 
$
18,487
 
             
Allocation of Overhead Costs.  Stratus has historically allocated a portion of its overhead costs to both capitalized real estate costs and cost of sales based on the percentage of time certain of its employees, comprising its indirect overhead pool, worked in the related areas (i.e. construction and development for capital assets and sales and marketing for cost of sales). Stratus capitalizes only direct and indirect project costs associated with the acquisition, development and construction of a real estate project. Indirect costs include allocated costs associated with certain pooled resources (such as office supplies, telephone and postage) which are used to support Stratus’ development projects, as well as general and administrative functions. Allocations of pooled resources are based only on those employees directly responsible for development (i.e., project manager and subordinates). Stratus charges to expense indirect costs that do not clearly relate to a real estate project, such as salaries and allocated expenses related to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Municipal Utility District Reimbursements.  Stratus receives Barton Creek Municipal Utility District (MUD) reimbursements for certain infrastructure costs incurred. Prior to 1996, Stratus capitalized infrastructure costs to the costs of its properties as those costs were incurred. Subsequently, those costs were expensed through cost of sales as properties sold. In 1996, following the 1995 creation of MUDs, Stratus began capitalizing the infrastructure costs to a separate MUD property category. MUD reimbursements received for infrastructure costs incurred prior to 1996 are reflected as a reduction of cost of sales, while other MUD reimbursements represent a reimbursement of the cost of MUD properties and are recorded as a reduction of the related asset’s carrying amount. Stratus has long-term agreements with seven independent MUDs in Barton Creek to build the MUDs’ utility systems and to be eligible for future reimbursements for the related costs. The amount and timing of MUD reimbursements depends upon the respective MUD having a sufficient tax base within its district to issue bonds and being able to obtain the necessary state approval for the sale of the bonds. Because the timing of the issuance and approval of the bonds is subject to considerable uncertainty, coupled with the fact that interest rates on such bonds cannot be fixed until they are approved, the amounts associated with MUD reimbursements are not known until approximately one month before the MUD reimbursements are received. To

 
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the extent the reimbursements are less than the costs capitalized, Stratus records a loss when that determination is made. MUD reimbursements represent the actual amounts received.

Advertising Costs.  Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included as a component of cost of sales. Advertising costs totaled $0.3 million in 2009 and $0.4 million in 2008.

Income Taxes.  Stratus accounts for deferred income taxes utilizing an asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, as measured by current enacted tax rates (see Note 7). Stratus periodically evaluates the need for a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to estimated recoverable amounts. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates or laws is recognized in income in the period in which such changes are enacted.

Earnings Per Share.  Stratus’ basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock were calculated by dividing the loss from continuing operations, loss from discontinued operations and net loss attributable to Stratus common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Stock options and restricted stock units representing approximately 156,100 shares for 2009 and 131,000 shares for 2008 were excluded from weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating diluted net loss per share because they were anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans.  As of December 31, 2009, Stratus has one stock-based employee compensation plan and one stock-based director compensation plan, which are more fully described in Note 8. Prior to 2007, Stratus defined the market price as the average of the high and low price of Stratus common stock on the date of grant. Effective March 2007, in response to new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure rules, Stratus now defines the market price for future grants as the closing price of Stratus common stock on the date of grant.

Effective January 1, 2006, Stratus adopted the fair value recognition provisions using the modified prospective transition method for its stock-based compensation plans. Under that transition method, compensation costs recognized in the consolidated statements of operations include: (a) compensation costs for all stock option awards granted to employees prior to but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimate and (b) compensation costs for all stock option awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimate. In addition, other stock-based awards charged to expense (i.e., restricted stock units) continue to be charged to expense. Stratus has elected to recognize compensation costs for awards that vest over several years on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Stratus’ stock option awards provide for employees to receive the next year’s vesting after an employee retires. For stock option awards granted after January 1, 2006, to retirement-eligible employees, Stratus records one year of amortization of the awards’ value on the date of grant. Stratus includes estimated forfeitures in its compensation cost and updates the estimated forfeiture rate through the final vesting date of the awards.

New Accounting Standards.
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting guidance which clarifies that noncontrolling interests (minority interests) are to be treated as a separate component of equity and any changes in the ownership interest (in which control is retained) are to be accounted for as capital transactions. However, a change in ownership of a consolidated subsidiary that results in a loss of control is considered a significant event that triggers gain or loss recognition, with the establishment of a new fair value basis in any remaining ownership interests. The guidance also provides additional disclosure requirements for each reporting period. This guidance applies to fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and is required to be adopted prospectively, except for the following provisions, which have been applied retrospectively: (i) the reclassification of noncontrolling interests to equity in the consolidated balance sheets and (ii) the adjustment to consolidated net income or loss to include net income or loss attributable to both the controlling and noncontrolling interests. Stratus adopted this accounting guidance effective January 1, 2009. Stratus adjusted its December 31, 2008 consolidated balance sheet to reflect noncontrolling interest in the amount of $25.3 million as a component of equity and adjusted its consolidated net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 to reflect $0.4 million of its previously reported minority interest in net loss of consolidated subsidiary as net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary.

 
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Subsequent Events. In May 2009, FASB issued accounting guidance which introduces the concept of financial statements being available to be issued. This guidance requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis of that date, that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. For SEC registrants this date will continue to be the date in which financial statements are filed with the SEC. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. Stratus adopted this accounting guidance effective second-quarter 2009.

2. Real Estate, net
Developed acreage or acreage under development includes real estate for which infrastructure for the entire property has been completed or is currently under construction and/or is expected to be completed, and necessary permits have been received. A developed lot is an individual tract of land that has been developed and permitted for residential use. A developed lot may be sold with a home already built on it. As of December 31, 2009, Stratus owns only two lots with homes built on them (the Calera Court Courtyard homes). Undeveloped acreage includes raw real estate that can be sold "as is" (i.e., no infrastructure or development work has begun on such property).

 
December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
Real estate held for sale – developed or under development:
           
Austin, Texas area
$
124,801
a
$
115,966
a
             
Real estate held for sale – undeveloped:
           
Austin, Texas area
 
57,201
   
27,514
 
             
Real estate held for use:
           
Commercial leasing assets, net of accumulated depreciation
           
of $6,014 in 2009 and $4,620 in 2008
 
101,290
b
 
56,156
b
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated
           
depreciation of $462 in 2009 and $498 in 2008
 
573
   
763
 
Total real estate held for use
 
101,863
   
56,919
 
 
$
283,865
 
$
200,399
 
             
a.  
Includes real estate held for sale totaling $70.9 million in 2009 and $29.4 million in 2008 associated with the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.
b.  
Includes real estate held for use totaling $73.3 million in 2009 and $27.5 million in 2008 associated with the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.

At December 31, 2009, Stratus’ investment in real estate includes approximately 2,273 acres of land located in Austin, Texas. The principal holdings consisted of 1,513 acres of residential, multi-family and commercial property and 122 developed residential estate lots within the Barton Creek community at December 31, 2009. The Barton Creek development also includes phase one of Barton Creek Village, a 22,000-square-foot retail complex completed in 2007. Stratus also holds approximately 35 acres of commercial property under development and 352 acres of undeveloped commercial property within the Circle C Ranch (Circle C) community. Stratus’ other properties in the Circle C community include Meridian, which is an 800-lot residential development, and two retail buildings totaling 21,000 square feet at the 5700 Slaughter project. At December 31, 2009, Stratus’ holdings in Meridian consisted of approximately 148 acres and 42 developed residential lots. Stratus also holds 223 acres of commercial property and two 75,000-square-foot office buildings, one of which is 97 percent leased and the other of which is 94 percent leased, at 7500 Rialto Boulevard located within Lantana. Stratus’ remaining Austin holdings at December 31, 2009, consisted of approximately two acres, representing a city block in downtown Austin held in connection with the W Austin Hotel & Residences project (see Note 3).

Stratus also owns two acres of undeveloped commercial property in San Antonio, Texas.

 
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3. Joint Venture with Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, L.P.
Effective May 1, 2008, Stratus entered into a joint venture with Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, L.P. (Canyon-Johnson) for the development of a 36-story mixed-use development in downtown Austin, Texas, anchored by a W Hotel & Residences (the W Austin Hotel & Residences project). Stratus’ initial capital contributions to the joint venture totaled $31.8 million, which consisted of a 1.76 acre tract of land located across the street from Austin City Hall, the related property and development agreements for the land and other project costs incurred by Stratus before May 1, 2008.

Stratus currently accounts for this joint venture as a variable interest entity (VIE) of which Stratus is the primary beneficiary. As a result, the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the joint venture are included in Stratus’ consolidated financial statements.

Stratus is the manager of, and has an approximate 40 percent interest in, the joint venture. Canyon-Johnson has an approximate 60 percent interest in the joint venture. Decisions for the joint venture are made by unanimous vote of the partners. In the aggregate, Canyon-Johnson will contribute approximately 60 percent of the joint venture’s required capital and Stratus will contribute approximately 40 percent. As of December 31, 2009, capital contributions totaled $53.0 million for Stratus and $75.2 million for Canyon-Johnson. The joint venture obtained a construction loan to finance project costs after the required capital contributions are made (see below).

On May 2, 2008, the joint venture entered into a construction loan agreement with Corus Bank, N.A. (Corus) to finance the construction of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project. On February 18, 2009, Corus entered into a written agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and a consent order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, to maintain the financial soundness of Corus. On June 26, 2009, the loan agreement with Corus was assigned to a subsidiary of Stratus, which is jointly managed by Stratus and Canyon-Johnson, in exchange for a pay down of $250,000 of the outstanding principal balance of $2.1 million. As a result, Corus is no longer the lender and in 2009 Stratus recognized a $0.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt, which includes the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs in the amount of $2.1 million.

On October 21, 2009, the subsidiary assigned and transferred the construction loan agreement documents to Beal Bank Nevada (Beal Bank).  In connection with the assignment, the joint venture executed an amended and restated loan agreement, an amended and restated promissory note and related loan documents with Beal Bank (Beal Bank loan agreement).  Pursuant to the Beal Bank loan agreement, the joint venture may borrow up to an aggregate of $120 million to fund the construction, development and marketing costs of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.

An initial advance under the Beal Bank loan agreement of $3.4 million was made at closing.  The next advance is expected to occur in mid-2010 and thereafter advances are expected to be made monthly until the loan is fully funded.  As a condition to further funding from the Beal Bank loan agreement, the joint venture must invest at least $180 million in the project.  Previously, when Corus was the construction lender, the joint venture was required to invest total equity of $128 million ($53 million from Stratus and $75 million from Canyon-Johnson).  As a result of changing construction lenders, approximately $52 million of additional equity was required.

On December 16, 2009, Stratus and Canyon-Johnson amended the operating agreement for the joint venture to provide that each partner will make an additional $10.0 million contribution to the joint venture, as needed, to fund construction costs. In connection with the amended agreement, the joint venture partners’ required capital contributions increased from $53 million to $63 million for Stratus, and from $75 million to $85 million for Canyon-Johnson, reducing the additional equity required from approximately $52 million to approximately $32 million.

The joint venture is currently in negotiations with a lender to secure financing for the additional required equity. To the extent negotiations with this lender are unsuccessful or other acceptable third-party financing is not secured, the joint venture may be obligated to fund the additional capital necessary to meet the $180 million pre-funding requirement under the Beal Bank loan agreement. If the joint venture does not secure financing from a third-party lender or investor, or if Stratus or Canyon-Johnson is unable to make required additional future capital contributions to the joint venture, the joint venture may be required to delay further construction of the project until additional financing is available, which could also result in an impairment charge to the W Austin Hotel & Residences real estate asset. See Note 1 for further discussion of the use of estimates related to the impairment assessment of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project.

 
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On August 1, 2008, the joint venture paid $0.7 million to enter into an agreement to cap the floating London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) on the Corus loan at 4.5 percent (see Note 4). The LIBOR rate cap notional amount varies. The agreement terminates on July 1, 2011.

A Stratus subsidiary has been designated as the developer of the W Austin Hotel & Residences project and will be paid a $6.0 million developer’s fee over the term of construction. Stratus received development fees totaling $1.8 million in 2009 and $1.2 million in 2008, which have been eliminated in consolidation.

Stratus performed an initial evaluation and concluded that the joint venture was a VIE and that Stratus was the primary beneficiary. Stratus reevaluated the VIE status and primary beneficiary of the joint venture as of the date of the Beal Bank loan agreement (October 21, 2009) and as of the date of the amended operating agreement (December 16, 2009), and concluded that the joint venture is still a VIE, and Stratus is still the primary beneficiary as it is the developer of the project and contributed the land and development to the joint venture at formation. Accordingly, the W Austin Hotel & Residences project has been consolidated in Stratus’ financial statements.

At December 31, 2009, Stratus’ consolidated balance sheet includes $156.9 million in total assets and $25.6 million in total liabilities associated with the W Austin Hotel & Residences project. The $156.9 million of total assets included $0.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, $70.9 million of real estate held for sale – developed or under development, $73.3 million of real estate held for use and $12.3 million of other assets. The $25.6 million of total liabilities included $14.7 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, $0.2 million of accrued interest and property taxes, $7.3 million of deposits and $3.4 million of debt. Certain triggering events, including when the VIE has additional equity investment at risk, require a company to reconsider whether or not an entity is still a VIE and also requires reconsideration of the primary beneficiary. Therefore, as future capital contributions are made by Canyon-Johnson and Stratus, Stratus will update its evaluation of whether the project is a VIE and whether Stratus is the primary beneficiary. If it is determined that the W Austin Hotel & Residences project is no longer a VIE or that Stratus is no longer the primary beneficiary of the entity, the project will be deconsolidated from Stratus’ financial statements and will be accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Profits and losses between partners in a real estate venture should be allocated based on how changes in net assets of the venture would affect cash payments to the investors over the life of the venture and on its liquidation. The amount of the ultimate profits earned by the W Austin Hotel & Residences project will affect the ultimate profit sharing ratios because of provisions in the joint venture agreement which would require Stratus to return certain previously received distributions to Canyon-Johnson under certain circumstances. Accordingly, the W Austin Hotel & Residences project’s cumulative profits or losses are allocated based on a hypothetical liquidation of the venture’s net assets as of each balance sheet date because of the uncertainty of the ultimate profits and, therefore, profit-sharing ratios. At December 31, 2009, the cumulative losses for the W Austin Hotel & Residences project were allocated based on 42 percent for Stratus and 58 percent for Canyon-Johnson.

4. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value accounting guidance includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

Level 1 – Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-corroborated inputs which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable.

 
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The following table sets forth Stratus’ financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009, by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

     
Quoted Prices in
         
Significant
 
 
Total Fair Value
 
Active Markets for
   
Significant Other
   
Unobservable
 
 
Measurement
 
Identical Assets
   
Observable Inputs
   
Inputs
 
 
December 31, 2009
 
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Cash equivalents
$
3,247
 
$
3,247
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
Interest rate cap
                       
agreement
 
25
   
-
   
25
   
-
 
 
$
3,272