Back to GetFilings.com

FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

[x] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

OR

For the transition period from ____________ to ___________

Commission file number 0-827

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ASSOCIATES L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

A New York Limited Liability Company 13-6084254

(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

60 East 42nd Street, New York, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

10165

(Zip Code)

(212) 687-8700

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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. Yes [ X ]. No [ ].

An Exhibit Index is located on Page 14 of this Report.

Number of pages (including exhibits) in this filing: 14

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months

Ended March 31,

2005 2004

Income:

Expenses:

Net Income $ 239,270 $ 191,256

At March 31, 2005 and 2004, there were $33,000,000 of participation units outstanding.

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(CONTINUED)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

January 1, 2005 January 1, 2004

through through

March 31, 2005 March 31, 2004

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Note A Organization and Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Registrant as of March 31, 2005, its results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 and its changes in Members' equity for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Information included in the condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 has been derived from the audited balance sheet included in Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (the "10-K") previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Pursuant to rules and regulations of the SEC, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted from these consolidated financial state ments unless significant changes have taken place since the end of the most recent fiscal year. Accordingly, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the other information contained in the 10-K. The consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Registrant was originally organized as a general partnership on July 11, 1961. On October 1, 2001, Registrant converted from a general partnership to a limited liability company under New York law and is now known as Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. The conversion does not change any aspect of the assets and operations of Registrant other than to protect its participants from liability to a third party.

Registrant's members are Peter L. Malkin, Anthony E. Malkin and Thomas N. Keltner, Jr. (collectively, the "Agents"), each of whom also acts as an agent for holders of participations in his respective member interest in Registrant (the "Participants").

Through April 16, 2002, Registrant owned the tenant's interest in a master operating leasehold (the "Master Lease") of the Empire State Building (the "Building"), located at 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York. On April 17, 2002, Registrant acquired, through a wholly-owned limited liability company (Empire State Land Associates L.L.C.), the fee title to the Building, and the land thereunder (the "Land") (together, the "Real Estate"), at a price of $57,500,000, and obtained a $60,500,000 first mortgage with North Fork Bank (the "Mortgage") to finance the acquisition and certain related costs.

The Real Estate was originally carried in the financial statements at a total cost of $60,484,389, consisting of $57,500,000 for the purchase price paid to the seller, $752,022 for acquisition costs, and $2,232,367 representing the unamortized balance of the cost of the Master Lease on the date the Real Estate was acquired. The cost of the Land is estimated to be 35.63% of the total cost of the Real Estate, and the Building, 64.37%. Under the terms of the contract of sale, the deed contains language to avoid the merger of the fee estate and the leasehold, although on a consolidated financial statement basis the Registrant incurred no leasehold rent expense after acquiring the Real Estate.

The Mortgage matures on May 1, 2012. Monthly payments under the mortgage are interest only at a fixed annual rate of 6.5% through maturity. Payments commenced on June 1, 2002, except that short-term interest from the closing until April 30, 2002 was due on May 1, 2002. The mortgage may be prepaid at any time after 24 months with the payment of a premium equal to the greater of (a) 1% of the amount prepaid and (b) an amount calculated pursuant to a prepayment formula designed to preserve the bank's yield to maturity. The Mortgage loan is secured by a lien on the Real Estate and Registrant's leasehold estate under the Master Lease of the Real Estate.

The Building is being depreciated on a straight-line basis using an estimated life of 39 years from April 17, 2002. Mortgage financing costs, totaling $1,796,287, are being amortized ratably over the life of the Mortgage.

Note C Interim Period Reporting

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. and, effective April 17, 2002, its wholly-owned limited liability company, Empire State Land Associates L.L.C. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The initial term of the Master Lease expired on January 5, 1992. On January 30, 1989, Registrant exercised its first of four 21-year renewal options contained in the Master Lease and extended the Master Lease through January 5, 2013. The annual rent payable under the Master Lease was $1,970,000 through January 5, 2013 and $1,723,750 annually during the term of each renewal period thereafter.

Prior to the acquisition of the Real Estate in April 2002, the value of the Master Lease was stated at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over its lease term. Since the unamortized cost of the Master Lease is included as part of the cost of the Real Estate as of April 17, 2002, no amortization has been taken since that date.

Cash at March 31, 2005 includes a money market account held at North Fork Bank pursuant to the terms of the Mortgage, to be used monthly to satisfy a portion ($166,167) of Registrant's mortgage interest obligation. On March 28, 2005, Registrant deposited an additional $2,000,000 into this restricted account under the same conditions and will continue to do so annually thereafter.

Registrant does not operate the Building. It subleases the Building to Empire State Building Company L.L.C. ("Sublessee") pursuant to a net operating sublease (the "Sublease") with a term and renewal options essentially coextensive with those contained in the Master Lease. On January 30, 1989, Sublessee elected to renew the Sublease for a term commencing January 4, 1992 to January 4, 2013.

Sublessee is required to pay annual basic rent ("Basic Rent") of $6,018,750 from January 1, 1992 through January 4, 2013 and $5,895,625 from January 5, 2013 through the expiration of all renewal terms. Sublessee is also required to pay Registrant overage rent of 50% of Sublessee's net operating profit, as defined in the sublease, in excess of $1,000,000 for each lease year ending December 31 ("Overage Rent").

Overage Rent and other accumulated interest and dividend income are distributed annually after payment of any additional payments for supervisory services to Supervisor (as described in Note D below) and reserves for other expenses management judges to be suitable under the circumstances. For 2004, Sublessee reported net operating profit of $19,939,086; therefore, there was Overage Rent earned of $9,469,543 for the year ended December 31, 2004. Registrant incurred $450,652 as an additional payment for supervisory services. (See Note D).

Sublessee is a New York limited liability company in which Peter L. Malkin is a member, and entities for Peter L. Malkin's family members are among the beneficial owners.

Note D Supervisory Services

Registrant pays Supervisor for supervisory services and disbursements. The supervisory fees are $159,417 per annum (the "Basic Payment") plus an additional payment of 6% of all distributions to Participants in any year in excess of the amount representing a return of 9% per annum on their remaining original cash investment in any year ("Additional Payment"). At March 31, 2005, such remaining cash investment was $33,000,000, representing the original cash investment of the Participants in Registrant.

The supervisory services provided to Registrant by Supervisor include, but are not limited to, providing or coordinating counsel services to Registrant, maintaining all of its entity and Participant records, performing physical inspections of the Building, reviewing insurance coverage, conducting annual supervisory review meetings, receipt of monthly rent from Sublessee, payment of monthly and additional distributions to the Participants, payment of all other disbursements, confirmation of the payment of real estate taxes, and active review of financial statements submitted to Registrant by Sublessee and financial statements audited by and tax information prepared by Registrant's independent certified public accountant, and distribution of such materials to the Participants. Supervisor also prepares quarterly, annual and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable state authorities.

Registrant pays Supervisor for other services at hourly rates.

Pursuant to the fee arrangements described herein, Registrant paid Supervisor $39,854 of the Basic Payment for supervisory services for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005. No remuneration was paid during the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 by Registrant to any of the Members as such.

Reference is made to Note C of this Item 1 ("Note C") for a description of the terms of the Sublease between Registrant and Sublessee. The respective interests of the Members in Registrant and in Sublessee arise solely from ownership of their respective Participations in Registrant and, in the case of Peter L. Malkin, his family entities' ownership of member interests in Sublessee. The Members receive no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis with all other Participants in Registrant or members in Sublessee. However, all of the Members hold senior positions at Supervisor (which supervises Registrant and Sublessee) and, by reason of their position at Supervisor, may receive income attributable to supervisory or other remuneration paid to Supervisor for services rendered to Registrant and Sublessee.

As of March 31, 2005, the Members owned of record and beneficially an aggregate of $28,333 of participations in Registrant, representing less than 1% of the currently outstanding participations therein totaling $33,000,000.

In addition, as of March 31, 2005 certain of the Members held additional Participations as follows:

Forward Looking Statements

Readers of this discussion are advised that the discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements of Registrant (including related notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Certain statements in this discussion may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect Registrant's current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of Registrant, and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Registrant has tried, wherever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" or words of similar meaning.

Although Registrant believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, affect demand for rental space, the availability of prospective tenants, lease rents and the availability of financing; adverse changes in Registrant's real estate market, including, among other things, competition with other real estate owners, risks of real estate development and acquisitions; governmental actions and initiatives; and environmental/safety requirements.

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

At the time of its organization, Registrant acquired the Master Lease of the Property subject to the Sublease. Basic Rent received by Registrant was used to pay annual rent due under the Master Lease and the Basic Payment and a portion of the Additional Payment for supervisory services; the balance of such Basic Rent was distributed to the Participants. Currently, Basic Rent received by Registrant is used to pay the Basic Payment, a portion of the Additional Payment for supervisory services, and a portion of debt service on the new mortgage; the balance of such Basic Rent is distributed to the Participants. Overage Rent and any interest and dividends accumulated thereon are distributed to the Participants after the Additional Payment is made to Supervisor. See Note C of Item 1 above. Pursuant to the Sublease, Sublessee has assumed responsibility for the condition, operation, repair, maintenance and management of the Property. Registrant is not required to maintain liquid assets to de fray any operating expenses of the Property.

Registrant does not pay dividends. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 Registrant made regular monthly distributions of $98.21 for each $10,000 participation ($1,178.52 per annum for each $10,000 participation). There are no restrictions on Registrant's present or future ability to make distributions; however, the amount of such distributions, particularly distributions of Overage Rent, depends on the ability of Sublessee to make payments of Basic Rent and Overage Rent to Registrant in accordance with the terms of the Sublease. Registrant expects to make distributions in the future so long as it receives the payments provided for under the Sublease. See Note C.

Registrant's results of operations are affected primarily by the amount of rent payable to it under the Sublease. The amount of Overage Rent payable to Registrant is affected by the New York City economy and real estate market.

Total income increased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 as compared with the three-month period ended March 31, 2004. The increase was the result of an increase in dividend and interest income during the current period as compared with the three- month period ended March 31, 2004.

Total expenses decreased for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005, as compared with the three-month period ended March 31, 2004. Such decrease is the net result of a decrease in interest on the mortgage, a decrease in fees and an increase in miscellaneous expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2005, as compared with the three-month period ended March 31, 2004.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Registrant's liquidity has not significantly changed for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005, as compared with the three-month period ended March 31, 2004. Registrant may from time to time establish a reserve for contingent or unforeseen liabilities.

No amortization payments are due under the Mortgage to reduce the outstanding principal balance prior to maturity. Furthermore, Registrant does not maintain any reserve to cover the principal payment of such Mortgage indebtedness at maturity. Therefore, repayment of the Mortgage will depend on Registrant's ability to arrange a refinancing. Assuming that the Building continues to generate an annual net profit in future years comparable to that in past years, Registrant anticipates that the value of the Real Estate would be well in excess of the amount of the Mortgage balance at maturity.

Registrant anticipates that funds for working capital will be generated by operations of the Building by Sublessee, which entity in turn is required to make payments of Basic Rent and Overage Rent under the Sublease and, to the extent necessary, from additional capital investment by the members of the Sublessee and/or external financing.

Sublessee is to maintain the Building as a high-class office building as required by the terms of the Sublease.

Based on Sublessee's review of the need for upgrades and improvements to the property, it is projected by Sublessee that improvement costs of approximately $16,362,000 will be incurred in 2005.

The Sublessee anticipates that the costs of improvements to be incurred will reduce Overage Rent during the year 2005 but should have no effect on the payment of Basic Rent.

Inflation

Registrant believes that there has been no material change in the impact of inflation on its operations since the filing of its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

1. Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The person(s) who functions in the capacity of Registrant's chief executive officer and Registrant's chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of Registrant's "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period have concluded that Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and designed to ensure that material information relating to Registrant would be made known to them by others within those entities on a timely basis.
2. Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in Registrant's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, the Registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Property of Registrant is the subject of the following pending litigation:

Wien & Malkin LLP and Peter L. Malkin, a member of Sublessee, have been engaged in a proceeding with Helmsley-Spear, Inc. commenced in 1997, concerning the management, leasing and supervision of Sublessee's property in which Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin have sought an order removing Helmsley-Spear. In this connection, certain costs for legal and professional fees and other expenses have been paid and incurred by Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin, and additional costs are expected to be incurred. Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin have represented that such costs will be recovered only to the extent that (a) a competent tribunal authorizes payment by Associates or (b) an investor voluntarily agrees that his or her proportionate share be paid. Accordingly, Associates' allocable share of such costs is as yet undetermined, and Associates has not provided for the expense and related liability with respect to such costs in its financial statements.

The original action was commenced in June 1997 and was referred to arbitration. The March 30, 2001 decision of the Arbitrators, which was confirmed by the court, (i) reaffirms the right of the investors in Sublessee to vote to terminate Helmsley-Spear without cause, (ii) dismisses Helmsley-Spear's claims against Wien & Malkin and Peter L. Malkin, and (iii) rejects the termination of Helmsley-Spear for cause. The parts of the decision under appeal were initially affirmed by the Appellate Division, and the New York Court of Appeals declined to review such ruling. On October 6, 2003, the United States Supreme Court granted Wien & Malkin's petition, vacated the judgment of the Appellate Division, and remanded the case to the New York court for further consideration of the issues raised by Wien & Malkin's appeal. On October 14, 2004, the Appellate Division issued a unanimous decision reversing the Arbitrators. The Appellate Division decided (i) that there was a covert assignment without Sublessee's knowledge or consent and (ii) that the corporation controlled by Irving Schneider and now named "Helmsley-Spear," which has represented itself to be Sublessee's managing agent since September 1997, in fact never received a valid assignment to become Sublessee's managing agent. Sublessee's previously authorized managing agent, the original corporation named "Helmsley-Spear," was owned by Harry B. Helmsley and is no longer active. On May 10, 2005, Helmsley-Spear was granted leave to appeal the Appellate Division's decision, and such decision is stayed pending appeal.

In January 1998, Irving Schneider, who is one of the controlling principals of Helmsley-Spear and has no record or beneficial interest in Sublessee, brought litigation against Sublessee's supervisor, Wien & Malkin, and member, Peter L. Malkin, claiming misconduct and seeking damages and disqualification from performing services for Sublessee. In March 2002, the court dismissed Mr. Schneider's claims. Mr. Schneider has appealed this dismissal. Wien & Malkin and Mr. Malkin are defending against these claims.

In April 2002, Leona M. Helmsley, who is a 63.75% member in Sublessee, brought litigation against Sublessee's supervisor, Wien & Malkin LLP, and member, Peter L. Malkin, claiming misconduct and seeking damages and disqualification from performing services for Sublessee. In December 2002, this litigation was dismissed.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

1. See exhibit index.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

The individual signing this report on behalf of Registrant is Attorney-in-Fact for Registrant and each of the Members in Registrant, pursuant to Powers of Attorney, dated October 13, 2003 (collectively, the "Power").

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ASSOCIATES L.L.C.

(Registrant)

Mark Labell, Attorney-in-Fact*

Date: May 31, 2005

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the undersigned as Attorney-in-Fact for each of the Members in Registrant, pursuant to the Power, on behalf of Registrant on the date indicated.

Mark Labell, Attorney-in-Fact*

Date: May 31, 2005

* Mr. Labell supervises accounting functions for Registrant.

I, Mark Labell, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Empire State Building Associates L.L.C.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and we have:

1. designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,

to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

2. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
3. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

1. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

1. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
2. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: May 31, 2005

By /s/ Mark Labell