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EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - JMB 245 PARK AVENUE ASSOCIATES LTDFinancial_Report.xls
EX-32 - CERTIFICATIONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - JMB 245 PARK AVENUE ASSOCIATES LTDexh-32.htm
EX-21 - LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES - JMB 245 PARK AVENUE ASSOCIATES LTDexh-21.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - JMB 245 PARK AVENUE ASSOCIATES LTDexh-312.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - JMB 245 PARK AVENUE ASSOCIATES LTDexh-311.htm
EX-99 - ARTICLE 14 OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - JMB 245 PARK AVENUE ASSOCIATES LTDexh-99.htm

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 Commission file #0-13545

 

 

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Illinois

(State of organization)

36-3265541

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

   

900 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois

(Address of principal executive office)

60611

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code 312-915-1987

 

 

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

 

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on

which registered

None None

 

 

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

 

Limited Partnership Interests

(Title of Class)

 

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 (the "Act") 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 S  No £

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of 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 S

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer £   Accelerated filer £  
  Non-accelerated filer S   Smaller reporting company S  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes  £   No  S

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  £   No  S

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether 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 during the proceeding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  S   No  £

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Not applicable.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference: None.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Page  
Part I        
         
Item 1.   Business 1  
         
Item 1A.   Risk Factors 4  
         
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments 4  
         
Item 2.   Properties 4  
         
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings 4  
         
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures 4  
         
Part II        
         
Item 5.   Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 5  
         
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data 6  
         
Item 7.  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

7  
         
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 9  
         
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 10  
         
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 22  
         
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures 22  
         
Part III        
         
Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 23  
         
Item 11.   Executive Compensation 25  
         
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Security Holder Matters 25  
         
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 26  
         
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services 27  
         
Part IV        
         
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 28  
       
Signatures 30  

 

i

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1.  Business

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "Notes" are to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. contained in this report. Capitalized terms used herein, but not defined, have the same meanings as used in the Notes.

 

The registrant, JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. (the "Partnership"), is a limited partnership formed in 1983 and currently governed by the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Illinois for the original purpose of acquiring and owning an approximate 48.25% interest in 245 Park Avenue Company, a New York general partnership, ("245 Park" or the "Joint Venture") which owned and operated an office building located at 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York (the "245 Park Avenue Building"). The Partnership was admitted to the Joint Venture through the purchase of one of the existing unaffiliated joint venture partner's interests. The unaffiliated venture partners (the "O&Y partners") were affiliates of Olympia & York Developments, Ltd. ("O&Y"). On May 7, 1984, the Partnership commenced a private offering of $124,300,000 in Limited Partnership Interests (the "Interests") pursuant to a Private Placement Memorandum (the "Private Placement Memorandum") in accordance with Rules 501-503 and 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933. The offering closed on June 28, 1984. The holders of Interests (herein after "Holders" or "Holders of Interests" or “Limited Partners”) in the Partnership share in their portion of the benefits of ownership of the Partnership's real property investment according to the number of Interests held.

 

As a result of the financial difficulties of the O&Y partners, in October 1995 each of the O&Y partners and certain other O&Y affiliates (but not the Joint Venture) filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. As a result of the plan of restructuring (the "Plan"), which became effective on November 21, 1996 ("Effective Date"), the Partnership received through JMB 245 Park Avenue Holding Company, LLC ("245 Park Holding") an approximate 5.4% general partner interest in Brookfield Financial Properties, L.P. ("BFP, LP"), formerly known as World Financial Properties, L.P. On December 31, 2002 (the "Redemption Date"), 245 Park Holding entered into a redemption agreement (the "Partial Redemption") by and among 245 Park Holding, BFP Property GP Corp. ("BFP, GP") and BFP, LP pursuant to which 245 Park Holding transferred and BFP, LP thereby redeemed approximately 90% of its approximate 5.4% interest (the "Redeemed Interest") in BFP, LP. 245 Park Holding's remaining interest in BFP, LP is approximately 0.5% thereof, represented by 567.375 Class A Units (the "Retained Interest"). The Partnership continued to hold the Retained Interest at December 31, 2012. The managing general partner of BFP, LP is not affiliated with the Partnership and, subject to the partnership agreement of BFP, LP and the JMB Transaction Agreement (discussed below), has full authority to manage its affairs. 245 Park Holding is a limited liability company in which the Partnership is a 99% member and BFP, GP, which is an affiliate of the managing general partner of BFP, LP, is a 1% member.

 

In connection with the Partial Redemption, the limited partnership agreement of BFP, LP was amended (the "Amendment") to, among other things, provide for the right of the Partnership to consent to the nomination of an independent director to the board of directors of Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (“BOP”), formerly Brookfield Properties Corporation. The Amendment also generally provides that in the event either (i) a sale or other disposition of the 245 Park Avenue Building by BFP, LP results in the recognition by the Partnership of gain for Federal income tax purposes, or (ii) as a result of a merger or consolidation of BFP, LP, the Partnership thereafter holds less than one-half of its Retained Interest in a form which does not give rise to a material amount of gain for Federal income tax purposes, the Partnership may elect to sell to BFP, LP, or BFP, LP may elect to redeem from the Partnership, the Retained Interest at its fair market value (as defined in the BFP, LP partnership agreement) per Class A Unit, but in no event less than 80% ($8,790 per Class A Unit), and no greater than 120% ($13,186 per Class A Unit), of the amount distributed to the Partnership per Class A Unit in the Partial Redemption.

1

 

BFP, LP has the right to sell the BFP 245 Interest and any of its other assets without the consent of the Partnership. Under certain circumstances, the Partnership may have obligations for Federal or state withholding or estimated tax payments on behalf of certain Holders of Interests. Notwithstanding any such obligations, the Partnership believes that the Holders of Interests have the ultimate responsibility for the timely filing of state and Federal tax returns and the payment of all related taxes, including the reimbursement to the Partnership of all withholding tax payments or estimated tax payments made on their behalf.

 

BFP, LP has a substantial amount of indebtedness outstanding. Any proceeds from the sale of the buildings in which BFP, LP has an interest would likely be first applied to repayment of the mortgage and other indebtedness of BFP, LP and also likely to be retained for future investment. In any event, any net proceeds obtained by the Partnership could then be available to satisfy the Demand Note described below (the balance of which exceeds the maximum potential amount to be received on redemption). Only after such applications would any remaining proceeds be available to be distributed to the Holders of Interests. Similarly, in the event of a sale or other disposition of the Retained Interest (including a redemption pursuant to an election discussed above), the Partnership's share of the proceeds of such sale or disposition would first be applied to satisfy the Demand Note. Only after such application would remaining proceeds, if any, be available to be distributed to the Holders of Interests. As noted above, the amount of such proceeds on a sale or other disposition is limited by the terms of the Amendment to between approximately $4.99 million and $7.48 million.

 

BFP, LP's principal assets are majority and controlling interests in office buildings, certain of which are owned subject to ground leases of the underlying land. At December 31, 2012, these assets included a 51% interest in the 245 Park Avenue Building (the "BFP 245 Interest").

 

Persons who are interested in obtaining information concerning BFP, LP should be aware that Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (“BOP”), formerly Brookfield Properties Corporation, files periodic reports and other information, which includes information about BFP, LP and its assets and operations, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. BOP’s filings with the SEC are available to the public through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system accessible through the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Interested persons also may read and copy any report, statement or other information that BOP has filed with the SEC at its Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, or may call the SEC for more information on obtaining information from the SEC's public reference rooms. This description is provided for informational purposes only. The Partnership does not prepare, and is not responsible for the preparation of, any of BOP’s reports or other information it files with the SEC including, but not limited to, those concerning the business and financial results of BFP, LP. Those reports and other information are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this report on Form 10-K, and the Partnership has no responsibility for the accuracy of any information included in BOP’s reports or other information.

 

The Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP was pledged as collateral for certain notes payable to JMB Realty Corporation ("JMB"), of which one long-term note ("Replacement Note 1") and one demand note (the "Demand Note") remained unpaid as of January 1, 2006. The security agreements for such notes required mandatory payment of principal and interest out of any net proceeds received upon the redemption, refinancing or other disposition of, or any distribution made with respect to, the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP.

 

Replacement Note 1, which was scheduled to mature in January 2006, was consolidated into the Demand Note, effective January 2, 2006. Replacement Note 1 accrued interest at 2% per annum, with interest compounded annually and included in principal, and had a balance of $3,962,194, including $479,910 of accrued interest, as of January 2, 2006.

2

 

 

The operations of the Partnership since 2005 have been funded entirely by cash advances from JMB, which totaled $1,682,000 as of December 31, 2012 ($180,000 of which was funded in 2012) and which, together with the amount owed and rolled over from Replacement Note 1, are evidenced by the Demand Note. Additional cash advances totaling $10,000 were made by JMB under the Demand Note through March 12, 2013, the date this report was filed. The Demand Note, which had an outstanding balance of unpaid principal and accrued interest at December 31, 2012 of $8,099,502, accrues interest at prime plus 1 percent, with interest compounded quarterly and included in principal, and is secured by the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP. JMB is under no obligation to make further advances and has the right to require repayment of the Demand Note together with accrued and unpaid interest at any time.

 

The outstanding balance of the Demand Note at December 31, 2012 is approximately $8,100,000 and continues to accrue interest and be increased in principal amount by additional advances from JMB. As such amount exceeds the maximum proceeds payable to the Partnership under the amended limited partnership agreement of BFP, LP at December 31, 2012, it is unlikely that the Holders of Interests ever will receive any further distributions from the Partnership. However, it is expected that Holders of Interests will be allocated a substantial amount of gain for Federal and state income tax purposes as a result of transactions which may occur over the remaining term of the Partnership. These transactions include (i) a sale or other disposition of the 245 Park Avenue property or other properties in which BFP, LP owns an interest; (ii) a sale or other disposition of the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP (including a redemption of the Retained Interest); or (iii) a significant reduction in the indebtedness of the 245 Park Avenue property or other indebtedness of the Partnership for Federal and state income tax purposes. Moreover, none of these transactions is expected to result in Holders of Interests receiving any cash distributions. The amount of gain for Federal and state income tax purposes to be allocated to a Holder of Interests over the remaining term of the Partnership is expected to be, at a minimum, equal to all or most of the amount of such Holder's deficit capital account for tax purposes. Such gain may be offset by suspended losses from prior years (if any) that have been allocated to the Holder of Interests. The actual tax liability of each Holder of Interests will depend on such Holder's own tax situation.

 

The Partnership has no employees.

 

The terms of transactions between the Partnership and the General Partners and their affiliates are set forth in Items 11 and 13 below and in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements, to which reference is hereby made for a description of such transactions.

3

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

The Partnership is subject to significant risks, including factors related to its minority position in BFP, LP, its dependency on JMB for continued advances to fund operations, and its past history of operating losses. The Partnership is obligated under a Demand Note which significantly exceeds its assets and there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Reference is made to Item 1. Business and Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None

 

 

Item 2.  Properties

 

The Partnership owns an indirect, non controlling interest in properties referred to under Item 1 above to which reference is hereby made. The Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP is pledged as collateral for the Demand Note payable to JMB.

 

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

 

The Partnership is not subject to any material pending legal proceedings.

 

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

4

PART II

 

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

 

As of January 1, 2013, there were 840 record holders of the remaining 922.84 Interests outstanding in the Partnership. To date, holders of 77.16 interests have abandoned such interests. There is no public market for Interests and it is not anticipated that a public market for Interests will develop. Consequently, a Holder may not be able to sell or otherwise liquidate his or her Interests. In addition, the Interests have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (with certain exceptions) under state securities laws. Transfers of the Interests must be made in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and are subject to the restrictions on transfers set forth in Article 14 (pages 15-17) of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99 to this annual report. A sale or other transfer of an Interest may result in material adverse Federal income tax consequences.

 

The Partnership has not made any distributions since 1989. The Partnership's interest in BFP, LP is pledged as collateral for the Demand Note payable to JMB, which note requires mandatory payment of principal and interest out of (i) any distributions received from BFP, LP, and (ii) any net proceeds received upon the sale, refinancing or other disposition of the Partnership's interest in BFP, LP. Reference is made to the section entitled "Investment in Unconsolidated Venture" in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements and Item 7 for a discussion of the restrictions on the distributions (if any) to the Partnership from BFP, LP.

5

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

 

 

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(A Limited Partnership)

and Consolidated Venture

 

December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(Not Covered by Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm)

 

  2012   2011  

2010

  2009   2008
                     
Total income $ --    --    --    --    34,209 
                     
Net loss $ (498,295)   (451,220)   (493,499)   (501,190)   (540,368)
                     

Net loss per limited partnership interest(b)

$ (506)   (456)   (495)   (503)   (539)
                     
Total assets $ 5,770    4,566    24,551    12,281    13,419 
                     
Demand note payable $ 8,099,502    7,587,217    7,160,255    6,638,670    6,137,987 

 

(a)   The above financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership and the related Notes to the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report.
     
(b)   The net loss per limited partnership interest is based upon the number of limited partnership interests outstanding at the end of the period before giving affect for any interests abandoned during the year.

 

6

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

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Item 7 have the same meanings as used in Item 1. Business or in the Notes.

 

The Partnership's future liquidity and ability to continue as a going concern are dependent upon additional advances from JMB and there is no assurance that such advances will continue to be made. This uncertainty and the fact that the Partnership has a net capital deficiency raise substantial doubt about the Partnership's ability to continue as a going concern. Replacement Note 1, which was due in January 2006, and which was secured by the Partnership's interest in BFP, LP, was rolled into the Demand Note effective January 2, 2006. The unpaid principal and accrued interest balance of Replacement Note 1 at January 2, 2006 was $3,962,194. The operations of the Partnership since 2004 have been funded entirely by cash advances from JMB which totaled $1,682,000 as of December 31, 2012 ($180,000 of which was funded in 2012) and which, together with the amount owed and rolled over from Replacement Note 1, are evidenced by the Demand Note. Additional cash advances totaling $10,000 were made by JMB under the Demand Note through March 12, 2013, the date this report was filed. The Demand Note, which had an outstanding balance of unpaid principal and accrued interest at December 31, 2012 of $8,099,052, accrues interest at prime plus 1 percent, with interest compounded quarterly and included in principal, and is secured by the Partnership's interest in BFP, LP. JMB is under no obligation to make further advances and has the right to require repayment of the Demand Note together with accrued and unpaid interest at any time.

 

BFP, LP has the right to sell the BFP 245 Interest and any of its other assets without the consent of the Partnership. Under certain circumstances, the Partnership may have obligations for Federal or state withholding or estimated tax payments on behalf of certain Holders of Interests. Notwithstanding any such obligations, the Partnership believes that the Holders of Interests have the ultimate responsibility for the timely filing of state and Federal tax returns and the payment of all related taxes, including the reimbursement to the Partnership of all withholding tax payments or estimated tax payments made on their behalf.

 

The Partnership holds, through 245 Park Holding, an approximate .5% interest in BFP, LP. Persons who are interested in obtaining information concerning BFP, LP should be aware that Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (“BOP”), formerly Brookfield Properties Corporation, files periodic reports and other information, which includes information about BFP, LP and its assets and operations, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. BOP’s filings with the SEC are available to the public through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system accessible through the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Interested persons also may read and copy any report, statement or other information that BOP has filed with the SEC at its Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, or may call the SEC for more information on obtaining information from the SEC's public reference rooms. This description is provided for informational purposes only. The Partnership does not prepare, and is not responsible for the preparation of, any of BOP’s reports or other information it files with the SEC including, but not limited to, those concerning the business and financial results of BFP, LP. Those reports and other information are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this report on Form 10-K, and the Partnership has no responsibility for the accuracy of any information included in BOP’s reports or other information.

7

 

BFP, LP has a substantial amount of indebtedness outstanding. Any proceeds from the sale of the buildings in which BFP, LP has an interest would likely be first applied to repayment of the mortgage and other indebtedness of BFP, LP and also likely to be retained for future investment. In any event, any net proceeds obtained by the Partnership could then be available to satisfy the Demand Note (the balance of which exceeds the maximum potential amount to be received on redemption). Only after such applications would any remaining proceeds be available to be distributed to the Holders of Interests. Similarly, in the event of a sale or other disposition of the Retained Interest (including a redemption pursuant to an election discussed above), the Partnership's share of the proceeds of such sale or disposition would first be applied to satisfy the Demand Note. Only after such application would remaining proceeds, if any, be available to be distributed to the Holders of Interests.

 

It is unlikely that the Holders of Interests will ever receive any portion of their original investment. However, it is expected that Holders of Interests will be allocated a substantial amount of gain for Federal and state income tax purposes as a result of transactions which may occur over the remaining term of the Partnership. These transactions include (i) a sale or other disposition of the 245 Park Avenue property or other properties in which BFP, LP owns an interest; (ii) a sale or other disposition of the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP (including a redemption of the Retained Interest); or (iii) a significant reduction in the indebtedness of the 245 Park Avenue property or other indebtedness of the Partnership for Federal and state income tax purposes. Moreover, none of these transactions is expected to result in Holders of Interests receiving any significant cash distributions. The amount of gain for Federal and state income tax purposes to be allocated to a Holder of Interests over the remaining term of the Partnership is expected to be, at a minimum, equal to all or most of the amount of such Holder's deficit capital account for tax purposes. Such gain may be offset by suspended losses from prior years (if any) that have been allocated to the Holder of Interests. The actual tax liability of each Holder of Interests will depend on such Holder's own tax situation.

 

Results of Operations

 

The operations of the Partnership since 2005 have been funded entirely by cash advances from JMB which totaled $1,682,000 as of December 31, 2012 ($180,000 of which was funded in 2012) and which, together with the amount owed and rolled over from Replacement Note 1, are evidenced by the Demand Note at December 31, 2012.

 

Advances totaling $180,000 were made by JMB in 2012. A significant portion of such advances was disbursed for fees for professional services and for general and administrative expenses, a portion of which were payable at December 31, 2012.

 

The increase in demand note payable to an affiliate at December 31, 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011 is due primarily to fundings totaling $180,000 and accrued interest of approximately $332,000.

 

The increase in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is due to fundings totaling $180,000 and $115,000, and previously accrued and unpaid interest, added to the principal in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

The increase in fees for professional services for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 is due primarily to an increase in tax services. The decrease in fees for professional services for the years ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 is due primarily to a decrease in legal and consulting services.

 

8

 

The increase in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 is due primarily to an increase in salary-related expenses as well as an increase in SEC report processing. The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 is due primarily to reduced costs for accounting services.

 

Inflation

 

Due to the low levels of inflation in recent years and the limited business activity of the Partnership, inflation generally has not had a material effect on the Partnership.

 

Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Critical accounting policies are those that are both significant to the overall presentation of the Partnership's financial condition and results of operations and require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments. The Partnership made no significant estimates or assumptions for the year ended December 31, 2012 and thus has concluded that there are no critical accounting policies.

 

 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

9

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(A Limited Partnership)

and Consolidated Venture

 

 

 

Index

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations, years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital Accounts (Deficits), years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Schedules not filed:

 

All schedules have been omitted as the required information is inapplicable, or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Partners

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd., a limited partnership (the Partnership), and consolidated venture as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations, partners’ capital accounts (deficits) and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the General Partner of the Partnership. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. and consolidated venture as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. will continue as a going concern. As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Partnership is dependent upon additional advances from JMB Realty Corporation under the demand note. This uncertainty and the fact that the Partnership has a net capital deficiency raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The General Partners' plans in regard to these matters are also described in the notes to the financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

 

Chicago, Illinois

March 12, 2013

11

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(A Limited Partnership)

and Consolidated Venture

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31, 2012 and 2011

 

 

 

Assets

  2012   2011
           
Current assets:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,770      4,566 
           
          Total assets $ 5,770      4,566 
           
 
Liabilities and Partners’ Capital Accounts (Deficits)
           
Current liabilities:          
    Accounts payable $ 2,697      15,483 

    Demand note payable to an affiliate, including accrued

      interest of $2,935,218 in 2012 and $2,602,933 in 2011

  8,099,502      7,587,217 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
          Total liabilities   8,102,199      7,602,700 
           
Partners’ capital accounts (deficits):          
    General partners:          
        Capital contributions   26,664,247      26,664,247 
        Cumulative cash distributions   (480,000)     (480,000)
        Cumulative net losses   (11,054,309)     (11,024,411)
    15,129,938      15,159,836 

    Limited partners (923 and 926 and interests at

      December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively):

         
        Capital contributions, net of offering costs   113,057,394      113,057,394 
        Cumulative cash distributions   (7,520,000)     (7,520,000)
        Cumulative net losses   (128,763,761)     (128,295,364)
    (23,226,367)     (22,757,970)
           
          Total partners’ capital accounts (deficits)   (8,096,429)     (7,598,134)
           
          Total liabilities and partners’ capital accounts (deficits) $ 5,770      4,566 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

12

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(A Limited Partnership)

and Consolidated Venture

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

  2012   2011   2010
                 
Income:                
    Interest and other income $ --      --      -- 
                 
Expenses:                
    Interest   332,285      311,962      291,585 
    Professional services   90,761      84,970      117,988 
    General and administrative   75,249      54,288      83,926 
    498,295      451,220      493,499 
                 
          Net loss $ (498,295)     (451,220)     (493,499)
                 
          Net loss per limited partnership interest $ (506)     (456)     (495)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

13

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(A Limited Partnership)

and Consolidated Venture

 

Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital Accounts (Deficits)

 

Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

  General Partners   Limited Partners
 

Contri-

butions

 

Net

Loss

 

Cash

Distributions

  Total  

Contributions

Net of

Offering Costs

  Net Loss  

Cash

Distributions

  Total
                                 

Balance

 (deficits)

  December 31,

  2009

$ 26,664,247    (10,967,728)   (480,000)   15,216,519    113,057,394    (127,407,328)   (7,520,000)   (21,869,934)
                                 
Net loss   --    (29,610)   --    (29,610)   --    (463,889)   --    (463,889)
                                 

Balance

 (deficits)

  December 31,

  2010

  26,664,247   (10,997,338)   (480,000)   15,186,909    113,057,394    (127,871,217)   (7,520,000)   (22,333,823)
                                 
Net loss   --    (27,073)   --    (27,073)   --    (424,147)   --    (424,147)
                                 

Balance

 (deficits)

  December 31,

  2011

  26,664,247   (11,024,411)   (480,000)   15,159,836    113,057,394    (128,295,364)   (7,520,000)   (22,757,970)
                                 
Net loss   --    (29,898)   --    (29,898)   --    (468,397)   --    (468,397)
                                 

Balance

  (deficits)

  December 31,

  2012

$ 26,664,247    (11,054,309)   (480,000)   15,129,938    113,057,394    (128,763,761)   (7,520,000)   (23,226,367)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

14

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(A Limited Partnership)

and Consolidated Venture

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

  2012   2011   2010
                 
Cash flows from operating activities                
    Net loss $ (498,295)     (451,220)     (493,499)
                 
    Changes in:                
        Accounts payable   (12,786)     4,273      (15,816)
        Interest payable to an affiliate   332,285      311,962      291,585 
                 
            Net cash used in operating activities   (178,796)     (134,985)     (217,730)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                
    Fundings of demand note payable   180,000      115,000      230,000 
                 
            Net cash provided by financing activities   180,000      115,000      230,000 
                 
            Net increase (decrease) in cash   1,204      (19,985)     12,270 
            Cash, beginning of year   4,566      24,551      12,281 
                 
            Cash, end of year $ 5,770      4,566      24,551 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

15

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

(A Limited Partnership)

and Consolidated Venture

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

 

 

Operations and Basis of Accounting

 

General

 

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. (the "Partnership"), through JMB 245 Park Avenue Holding Company, LLC ("245 Park Holding"), owns an approximate .5% general partner interest in Brookfield Financial Properties, L.P. ("BFP, LP"), formerly known as World Financial Properties, L.P. The ownership is represented by 567.375 Class A Units. BFP, LP is a limited partnership that holds equity investments in commercial office buildings, certain of which are owned subject to ground leases of the underlying land. Business activities consist primarily of rentals to a variety of commercial companies and the ultimate sale or disposition of such real estate. 245 Park Holding is a limited liability company in which the Partnership is a 99% member and BFP Property GP Corp. ("BFP, GP"), which is an affiliate of the managing general partner of BFP, LP, is a 1% member. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and its majority-owned limited liability company, 245 Park Holding. The effect of all transactions between the Partnership and its consolidated venture has been eliminated.

 

Because the Partnership has no future funding obligations to BFP, LP, has not received distributions from BFP, LP and has no indication from BFP, LP that it intends to make distributions in the future, has no influence or control over the day-to-day affairs of BFP, LP, and its investment in BFP, LP has been reduced to less than 1%, the Partnership discontinued the application of the equity method of accounting, recorded its investment at zero and no longer recognizes its share of earnings or losses from BFP, LP.

 

The Partnership's records are maintained on the accrual basis of accounting as adjusted for Federal income tax reporting purposes. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared from such records after making appropriate adjustments to reflect the Partnership's accounts in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and to consolidate the accounts of 245 Park Holding as described above. Such GAAP and consolidation adjustments are not recorded on the records of the Partnership.

 

The net loss per limited partnership interest is based upon the number of limited partnership interests outstanding at the end of the period before giving affect for any interests abandoned during the year. Deficit capital accounts will remain through the duration of the Partnership. Upon termination of the Partnership, a net gain will be attributed to the General Partners and Limited Partners, with deficit capital positions, for financial reporting and Federal and state income tax purposes.

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the Partnership to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported or disclosed amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

No provision for Federal or state income taxes has been made as the liability for such taxes is that of the partners rather than the Partnership.

16

 

The Partnership's future liquidity and ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon additional cash advances from JMB Realty Corporation ("JMB") and there is no assurance that such advances will be made. JMB's advances, as well as consolidated balances from prior notes, are evidenced by a demand note (the "Demand Note"), dated December 1, 2004, which Demand Note is secured by the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP. JMB is under no obligation to make further advances and has the right to require repayment of the Demand Note together with accrued and unpaid interest at any time. This uncertainty and the fact that the Partnership has a net capital deficiency raise substantial doubt about the Partnership's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Investment in Unconsolidated Venture

 

In December 1983, the Partnership acquired an approximate 48.25% interest in 245 Park Avenue Company, a New York general partnership ("245 Park" or the "Joint Venture), which owned and operated a 46-story office building located at 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York. The Partnership was admitted to the Joint Venture through the purchase of one of the existing unaffiliated joint venture partner's interests for approximately $63,927,000. The unaffiliated venture partners (the "O&Y partners") were affiliates of Olympia & York Developments, Ltd. ("O&Y").

 

As a result of the financial difficulties of the O&Y partners, in October 1995 each of the O&Y partners and certain other O&Y affiliates (but not the Joint Venture) filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. As a result of the plan of restructuring (the "Plan"), which became effective on November 21, 1996 ("Effective Date"), the Partnership received through JMB 245 Park Avenue Holding Company, LLC ("245 Park Holding") an approximate 5.4% general partner interest in Brookfield Financial Properties, L.P. ("BFP, LP"), formerly known as World Financial Properties, L.P. On December 31, 2002 (the "Redemption Date"), 245 Park Holding entered into a redemption agreement (the "Partial Redemption") by and among 245 Park Holding, BFP Property GP Corp. ("BFP, GP") and BFP, LP pursuant to which 245 Park Holding transferred and BFP, LP thereby redeemed approximately 90% of its approximate 5.4% interest (the "Redeemed Interest") in BFP, LP. 245 Park Holding's remaining interest in BFP, LP is approximately 0.5% thereof, represented by 567.375 Class A Units (the "Retained Interest"). The Partnership continued to hold the Retained Interest at December 31, 2012. The managing general partner of BFP, LP is not affiliated with the Partnership and, subject to the partnership agreement of BFP, LP and the JMB Transaction Agreement, has full authority to manage its affairs.

 

In connection with the Partial Redemption, the limited partnership agreement of BFP, LP was amended (the "Amendment") to, among other things, provide for the right of the Partnership to consent to the nomination of an independent director to the board of directors of BOP. The Amendment also generally provides that in the event either (i) a sale or other disposition of the 245 Park Avenue Building by BFP, LP results in the recognition by the Partnership of gain for Federal income tax purposes, or (ii) as a result of a merger or consolidation of BFP, LP, the Partnership thereafter holds less than one-half of its Retained Interest in a form which does not give rise to a material amount of gain for Federal income tax purposes, the Partnership may elect to sell to BFP, LP, or BFP, LP may elect to redeem from the Partnership, the Retained Interest at its fair market value (as defined in the BFP, LP partnership agreement) per Class A Unit, but in no event less than 80% ($8,790 per Class A Unit), and no greater than 120% ($13,186 per Class A Unit), of the amount distributed to the Partnership per Class A Unit in the Partial Redemption.

17

 

BFP, LP has the right to sell any of its assets without the consent of the Partnership. Under certain circumstances, the Partnership may have obligations for Federal or state withholding or estimated tax payments on behalf of certain Holders of Interests. Notwithstanding any such obligations, the Partnership believes that the Holders of Interests have the ultimate responsibility for the timely filing of state and Federal tax returns and the payment of all related taxes, including the reimbursement to the Partnership of all withholding tax payments or estimated tax payments made on their behalf.

 

BFP, LP has a substantial amount of indebtedness outstanding. Any proceeds from the sale of the buildings in which BFP, LP has an interest would likely be first applied to repayment of the mortgage and other indebtedness of BFP, LP and also likely to be retained for future investment. In any event, any net proceeds obtained by the Partnership could then be available to satisfy the Demand Note described below (the balance of which exceeds the maximum potential amount to be received on redemption). Only after such applications would any remaining proceeds be available to be distributed to the Holders of Interests. Similarly, in the event of a sale or other disposition of the Retained Interest (including a redemption pursuant to an election discussed above), the Partnership's share of the proceeds of such sale or disposition would first be applied to satisfy the Demand Note. Only after such application would remaining proceeds, if any, be available to be distributed to the Holders of Interests. As noted above, the amount of such proceeds on a sale or other disposition is limited by the terms of the Amendment to between approximately $4.99 million and $7.48 million, which is less than the outstanding balance of the Demand Note of $8.10 million at December 31, 2012.

 

BFP, LP's principal assets are majority and controlling interests in office buildings, certain of which are owned subject to ground leases of the underlying land. At December 31, 2012, these assets included a 51% interest in the 245 Park Avenue Building (the "BFP 245 Interest").

 

Persons who are interested in obtaining information concerning BFP, LP should be aware that Brookfield Office Properties, Inc. (“BOP”), formerly Brookfield Properties Corporation, files periodic reports and other information, which includes information about BFP, LP and its assets and operations, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. BOP’s filings with the SEC are available to the public through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system accessible through the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Interested persons also may read and copy any report, statement or other information that BOP has filed with the SEC at its Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, or may call the SEC for more information on obtaining information from the SEC's public reference rooms. This description is provided for informational purposes only. The Partnership does not prepare, and is not responsible for the preparation of, any of BOP’s reports or other information it files with the SEC including, but not limited to, those concerning the business and financial results of BFP, LP. Those reports and other information are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this report on Form 10-K, and the Partnership has no responsibility for the accuracy of any information included in BOP’s reports or other information.

18

 

The Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP was pledged as collateral for certain notes payable to JMB, of which one long-term note ("Replacement Note 1") and one demand note (the "Demand Note") remained unpaid as of January 1, 2006. Reference is made to Notes Payable to an Affiliate below. The security agreements for such notes required mandatory payment of principal and interest out of any net proceeds received upon the redemption, refinancing or other disposition of, or any distribution made with respect to, the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP.

 

The outstanding balance of the Demand Note at December 31, 2012 is $8,099,502 and continues to accrue interest and be increased in principal amount by additional advances from JMB. As such amount exceeds the maximum proceeds payable to the Partnership under the amended limited partnership agreement of BFP, LP, at December 31, 2012, it is unlikely that the Holders of Interests ever will receive any further distributions from the Partnership. However, it is expected that Holders of Interests will be allocated a substantial amount of additional gain for Federal and state income tax purposes as a result of transactions which may occur over the remaining term of the Partnership. These transactions include (i) a sale or other disposition of the 245 Park Avenue property or other properties in which BFP, LP owns an interest; (ii) a sale or other disposition of the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP (including a redemption of the Retained Interest); or (iii) a significant reduction in the indebtedness of the 245 Park Avenue property or other indebtedness of the Partnership for Federal and state income tax purposes. Moreover, none of these transactions is expected to result in Holders of Interests receiving any cash distributions. The amount of gain for Federal and state income tax purposes to be allocated to a Holder of Interests over the remaining term of the Partnership is expected to be, at a minimum, equal to all or most of the amount of such Holder's deficit capital account for tax purposes. Such gain may be offset by suspended losses from prior years (if any) that have been allocated to the Holder of Interests. The actual tax liability of each Holder of Interests will depend on such Holder's own tax situation.

 

Notes Payable to an Affiliate

 

Replacement Note 1, which was secured by the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP and was scheduled to mature in January 2006, was consolidated into the Demand Note, effective January 2, 2006. Replacement Note 1 accrued interest at 2% per annum, with interest compounded annually and included in principal, and had a balance of $3,962,194, including $479,910 of accrued interest, as of January 2, 2006.

 

The operations of the Partnership since 2005 have been funded entirely by cash advances from JMB which totaled $1,682,000 as of December 31, 2012 ($180,000 of which was funded in 2012) and which, together with the amount owed and rolled over from Replacement Note 1, are evidenced by the Demand Note. Additional cash advances totaling $10,000 were made by JMB under the Demand Note through March 12, 2013, the date this report was filed. The Demand Note, which had an outstanding balance of unpaid principal and accrued interest at December 31, 2012 of $8,099,502, accrues interest at prime plus 1 percent, with interest compounded quarterly and included in principal, and is secured by the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP. JMB is under no obligation to make further advances and has the right to require repayment of the Demand Note together with accrued and unpaid interest at any time.

 

Accrued and unpaid interest due to an affiliate was $2,935,218 (of which $332,285 was accrued for 2012) and $2,602,933 (of which $311,962 was accrued for 2011) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

19

 

Partnership Agreement

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement, net profits and losses of the Partnership from operations are generally allocated 94% to the Holders and 6% to the General Partners. Profits from the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP or of all or substantially all of the 245 Park Avenue office building or other real property owned by BFP, LP will be allocated to the General Partners in an amount equal to the greater of 1% of such profits or any cash from the proceeds of such sale or other disposition distributed to the General Partners, plus an additional amount of such profits to eliminate deficits, if any, in the General Partners' capital accounts. The remainder of such profits will be allocated to the Holders of Interest. All losses from the sale of all or substantially all of the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP or of all or substantially all of the BFP 245 Interest or other interests in real property owned by BFP, LP will be allocated 99% to the Holders and 1% to the General Partners. All such profits or losses will be allocated among the Holders in proportion to the number of Interests held. For Federal income tax purposes, all interest expense recognized on the Demand Note is allocated to a General Partner.

 

The General Partners are not required to make any additional capital contributions except under certain limited circumstances upon dissolution and termination of the Partnership. Distributions of "Distributable Cash" (as defined) of the Partnership generally will be made 94% to the Holders of Interest and 6% to the General Partners. Distributions of "Sale Proceeds" or "Financing Proceeds" (as defined) will be made first to the Holders in an amount equal to their contributed capital, next to the General Partners in an amount equal to their capital contributions, and the balance 70% to the Holders and 30% to the General Partners. Distributions would be made to the General Partners and Holders of Interests generally only after the satisfaction of all Partnership liabilities, including, but not limited to, the Demand Note.

 

Transactions with Affiliates

 

The Partnership, pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, is permitted to engage in various transactions involving JMB Park Avenue, Inc., the Corporate General Partner, and its affiliates including the reimbursement for salaries and salary-related expenses of its employees, certain of its officers, and other direct expenses relating to the administration of the Partnership and the operation of the Partnership's real property investments. Fees, commissions and other expenses required to be paid by the Partnership to the General Partners and their affiliates as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

  2012   2011   2010  

Unpaid at

December 31,

2012

Reimbursement (at cost) for financial reporting services

$ 28,305   15,371   26,729   2,419

Reimbursement (at cost) for legal services

  3,038   913   2,951   263

Reimbursement (at cost) for portfolio management services

  0   1,555   8,710   0
  $ 31,343   17,839   38,390   2,682

 

Any reimbursable amounts currently payable to the General Partners and its affiliates do not bear interest.

 

Reference is made to the Notes, "Investment in Unconsolidated Venture" and "Notes Payable to an Affiliate" above for a discussion of certain loans and notes payable by the Partnership to JMB and related collateral held by JMB.

 

20

Supplementary Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

 

  2012
  At 3/31   At 6/30   At 9/30   At 12/31
Total income $ --    --    --    -- 
                 
Net loss $ (162,862)   (110,078)   (111,952)   (113,403)
                 

Net loss per limited partnership interest

$ (165)   (112)   (114)   (115)

 

  2011
  At 3/31   At 6/30   At 9/30   At 12/31
Total income $ --    --    --    -- 
                 
Net loss $ (140,454)   (107,644)   (101,000)   (102,122)
                 

Net loss per limited partnership interest

$ (142)   (109)   (102)   (103)

 

 

21

Item 9.  Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

There were no changes in, or disagreements with, accountants during 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Partnership have evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act") as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer have concluded that the Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The Partnership's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of management including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can only provide reasonable assurances with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

Based on the Partnership's evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no significant changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the three months ended December 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

22

Part III

 

 

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

The Corporate General Partner of the Partnership, JMB Park Avenue, Inc., an Illinois corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JMB Investment Holdings - I, Inc., a Delaware corporation. All of the outstanding shares of stock of JMB Investment Holdings - I, Inc. are owned, indirectly, by JMB Realty Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("JMB") in the business of real estate investment. Substantially all of the shares of JMB are owned, directly or indirectly, by certain of its current and former officers and directors, members of their families and their affiliates. The Corporate General Partner has responsibility for all aspects of the Partnership's operations, subject to the requirement that the sale of all or substantially all of the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP, unless required by the terms of the BFP, LP venture agreement, must be approved by the Associate General Partner of the Partnership, Park Associates, L.P., an Illinois limited partnership with JMB Park Avenue, Inc. as the sole general partner. The limited partners of the Associate General Partner are generally JMB, current or former officers and directors of JMB, their affiliates and current or former officers of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

 

The Partnership is subject to certain conflicts of interest arising out of its relationships with the General Partners and their affiliates as well as the fact that affiliates of the General Partners are engaged in a range of real estate activities. Certain services have been and may in the future be provided to the Partnership by affiliates of the General Partners, including administrative services. In general, such services are to be provided on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than could be obtained from independent third parties and are otherwise subject to conditions and restrictions contained in the Partnership Agreement. The Partnership Agreement permits the General Partners and their affiliates to provide services to, and otherwise deal and do business with, persons who may be engaged in transactions with the Partnership, and permits the Partnership to borrow from, purchase goods and services from, and otherwise to do business with, persons doing business with the General Partners or their affiliates. The General Partners and their affiliates may be in competition with the Partnership or its investment properties under certain circumstances, including for tenants for properties and/or for the sale of properties. Because the timing and amount of cash distributions and profits and losses of the Partnership may be affected by various determinations by the General Partners under the Partnership Agreement, including the establishment and maintenance of reasonable reserves, the timing of expenditures and the allocation of certain tax items under the Partnership Agreement, the General Partners may have a conflict of interest with respect to such determinations. The General Partners and their affiliates may also have a conflict of interest with respect to matters relating to the remaining JMB Demand Note, including, among other things, the enforcement of repayment of that note and the remedies available to JMB in the event of a default under that note, as well as with respect to matters concerning whether to continue to advance funds to the Partnership to permit it to pay its expenses. Reference is made to the discussions under "Investment in Unconsolidated Venture" and "Notes Payable to an Affiliate" in the Notes for further information concerning the term loan and demand note.

23

The names, current positions and length of service therein of the director and executive officers of the Corporate General Partner of the Partnership are as follows:

 

Name Office

Served in

Office Since

     
Gary Nickele Vice President 12/18/90
Patrick J. Meara President and Director 12/22/00
H. Rigel Barber Vice President 03/26/84
Gailen J. Hull Vice President 03/26/84

 

There is no family relationship among any of the foregoing director or officers. The foregoing director has been elected to serve a term until the annual meeting of the Corporate General Partner to be held on August 13, 2013. All of the foregoing officers have been elected to serve terms until the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after the annual meeting of the Corporate General Partner held on August 14, 2012. There are no arrangements or understandings between or among any of said director or officers and any other person pursuant to which any director or officer was elected as such.

 

The foregoing director and officers are also officers and/or directors of JMB and various companies affiliated with JMB.

 

The business experience during the past five years of each such director and officer of the Corporate General Partner of the Partnership includes the following:

 

Gary Nickele (age 60) is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of JMB and an officer and/or director of various JMB affiliates. Mr. Nickele has been associated with JMB since February 1984. He holds a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School and is a member of the Bar of the State of Illinois.

 

Patrick J. Meara (age 50) has been a Senior Vice President of JMB since January 1997. Prior to becoming President and Director of the Corporate General Partner, Mr. Meara was a Vice President of the Corporate General Partner from August 8, 2000 to December 22, 2000. He is also an officer and/or director of various other JMB affiliates. He has been associated with JMB, JMB Institutional Realty Corporation or their affiliates since 1987. Mr. Meara is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

H. Rigel Barber (age 64) is Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of JMB and an officer of various JMB affiliates. Mr. Barber has been associated with JMB since March, 1982. He holds a J.D. degree from the Northwestern Law School and is a member of the Bar of the State of Illinois.

 

Gailen J. Hull (age 64), in addition to being a Vice President of JMB Park Avenue, Inc., has acted as the Chief Financial Officer of the Partnership since August 2002. He also is Senior Vice President and, since August 2002, Chief Financial Officer of JMB and an officer of various JMB affiliates. Mr. Hull has been associated with JMB since March, 1982. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

The Partnership is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Illinois, and the rights of its partners and Holders of Interests are governed by its Partnership Agreement. Moreover, the Interests are not publicly traded. In view of these facts, as well as the limited business activity of the Partnership, the Corporate General Partner has determined that it is not necessary for the Partnership to have either an "audit committee financial expert" or a "code of ethics" as those terms are defined in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

24

 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

 

The officers and the director of the Corporate General Partner receive no direct remuneration in such capacities from the Partnership. The General Partners are entitled to receive a share of cash distributions, when and as cash distributions are made to the Holders of Interests, and a share of profits or losses as described under the section entitled "Partnership Agreement" in the Notes. No such cash distributions were paid to the General Partners in 2012. The General Partners are expected to be allocated losses for tax purposes in 2012.

 

 

 

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Security Holder Matters

 

(a) No person or group is known by the Partnership to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Interests of the Partnership.

 

(b) The Corporate General Partner, its executive officers and director and the Associate General Partner beneficially own the following Interests of the Partnership.

 

Title of Class

Name of

Beneficial Owner

Amount and

Nature of

Beneficial

Ownership

Percent

of Class

       
Limited Partnership Interests Corporate General Partner, its executive officers and director and the Associate General Partner as a group 0.5 Interests (1) less than 1%

 

(1) Includes 0.5 Interest owned by an executive officer for which he has sole investment and voting power.

  

No executive officer or director of the Corporate General Partner of the Partnership possesses a right to acquire beneficial ownership of Interests of the Partnership.

 

Reference is made to Item 10 for information concerning ownership of the Corporate General Partner.

 

(c) There exists no arrangement, known to the Partnership, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Partnership.

 

(d) The Partnership has no compensation plans or individual compensation arrangements under which equity securities of the Partnership are authorized for issuance to any person.

 

 

 

 

25

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership is permitted to engage in various transactions involving affiliates of the Corporate General Partner of the Partnership. Such transactions may involve conflicts of interest for the General Partners or their affiliates, including, among others, those discussed in Item 10 above. Various relationships of the Partnership to the Corporate General Partner (and its director and executive officers) and its affiliates are also set forth above in Item 10.

 

The General Partners of the Partnership or their affiliates may be reimbursed for their direct expenses and out-of-pocket expenses relating to the administration of the Partnership and operation of the Partnership's real property investments. There were no such reimbursable expenses in 2012.

 

The General Partners and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursements of salary and salary related expenses for legal, accounting and certain other services. Such reimbursements will not exceed the lesser of the actual cost of such services or the amount which the Partnership would be required to pay independent parties for comparable services. Affiliates of the General Partners were entitled to reimbursements for such expenses in the amount of $31,343 and $17,839 in 2012 and 2011, respectively, of which $2,682 was payable at December 31, 2012.

 

Replacement Note 1, which was secured by the Partnership's indirect interest in BFP, LP and was scheduled to mature in January 2006, was consolidated into the Demand Note, effective January 2, 2006. Replacement Note 1 accrued interest at 2% per annum, with interest compounded annually and included in principal, and had a balance of $3,962,194, including $479,910 of accrued interest, as of January 2, 2006.

 

The operations of the Partnership since 2005 have been funded entirely by cash advances from JMB which totaled $1,682,000 as of December 31, 2012 ($180,000 of which was funded in 2012) and which, together with the amount owed and rolled over from Replacement Note 1, are evidenced by the Demand Note. Additional cash advances totaling $10,000 were made by JMB under the Demand Note through March 12, 2013, the date this report was filed. The Demand Note, which had an outstanding balance of unpaid principal and accrued interest at December 31, 2012 of $8,099,052, accrues interest at prime plus 1 percent, with interest compounded quarterly and included in principal, and is secured by the Partnership's interest in BFP, LP. JMB is under no obligation to make further advances and has the right to require repayment of the Demand Note together with accrued and unpaid interest at any time.

 

 

26

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The Partnership has not adopted any pre-approval policies and procedures. All audit and permitted non-audit services are approved by the sole director of the Corporate General Partner of the Partnership before the service is undertaken.

 

The aggregate fees billed for professional services by KPMG LLP for 2012 and 2011 for these various services were:

 

Type of Fees 2012   2011
         
Audit Fees $ 45,750   44,250
Tax Fees   37,860   30,900
  $ 83,610   75,150

 

In the above table, in accordance with the SEC's definitions and rules, "audit fees" are fees the Partnership paid KPMG LLP for professional services for the audit of the Partnership's consolidated financial statements included in Form 10-K and review of consolidated financial statements included in Form 10-Qs, and for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements; "tax fees" are fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

27

PART IV

 

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report.

 

  (1) Financial Statements (See Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary Data filed with this report).
  (2) Exhibits.
    3-A. Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-A to the Partnership's Report for June 30, 2002 on Form 10-Q (File No. 0-13545) dated August 21, 2002.
       
    3-B. Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. by and between JMB Park Avenue, Inc. and Park Associates, L.P. dated January 1, 1994 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-B to the Partnership's Form 10-Q Report for March 31, 1995 (File No. 0-13545) filed May 11, 1995.
       
    4-A. Security Agreement, dated May 7, 2001, by JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. in favor of JMB Realty Corporation is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Partnership's Report for September 30, 2004 on Form 10-Q (File No. 0-13545) dated November 10, 2004.
       
    4-B. Note Split Agreement, dated October 8, 2004, by and between JMB Realty Corporation and JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Partnership's Report for September 30, 2004 on Form 10-Q (File No. 0-13545) dated November 10, 2004.
       
    4-C. Replacement Note #1 to Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated October 8, 2004, in the original principal amount of $3,482,283.71 is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Partnership's Report for September 30, 2004 on Form 10-Q (File No. 0-13545) dated November 10, 2004.
       
    4-D. Promissory Note, payable on demand, dated December 1, 2004, in the original amount of $172,000, is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the Partnership's Report for December 1, 2004 on Form 8-K (File No. 0-13545), dated December 7, 2004.
       
    10-A. Limited Liability Company Agreement of JMB 245 Park Avenue Holding Company, LLC dated as of November 12, 1996 is hereby incorporated by reference to the Partnership's Report for November 21, 1996 on Form 8-K (File No. 0-13545) filed on December 6, 1996.
       
    10-B. Redemption Agreement between JMB 245 Park Avenue Holding Company, LLC, WFP Property G.P. Corp. and Brookfield Financial Properties, L.P., dated December 31, 2002 is hereby incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Partnership's Report for December 31, 2002 on Form 8-K (File No. 0-13545) filed on January 15, 2003.
28

 

       
    10-C. Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Brookfield Financial Properties, L.P. dated as of December 31, 2002 is hereby incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Partnership's Report for December 31, 2002 on Form 8-K (File No. 0-13545) filed on January 15, 2003.
       
    21. List of Subsidiaries of the Partnership.
       
    31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
       
    31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
       
    32. Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1850, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
    99. Article 14 (pages 15-17) of the Partnership's Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership is filed herewith.
  (b) No report on Form 8-K was filed since the beginning of the last quarter of the period covered by this report.

 

No annual report or proxy material for the fiscal year 2012 has been sent to the Partners of the Partnership. An annual report will be sent to the Partners subsequent to this filing.

29

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.
     
  By:

JMB Park Avenue, Inc.

Corporate General Partner

     
    GAILEN J. HULL
  By: Gailen J. Hull, Vice President
  Date: March 12, 2013

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

  By: JMB Park Avenue, Inc.
    Corporate General Partner
     
    PATRICK J. MEARA
  By:

Patrick J. Meara, President and Director

Chief Executive Officer

  Date: March 12, 2013
     
     
     
    GAILEN J. HULL
  By:

Gailen J. Hull, Chief Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting Officer

  Date: March 12, 2013

 

 

 

30

JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd.

 

Exhibit Index

 

    Document Incorporated by Reference
     
3-A. Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership. Yes
     
3-B. Amendment to the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Partnership of JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. Yes
     
4-A. Security Agreement, dated May 7, 2001, by JMB/245  Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. in favor of JMB Realty Corporation Yes
     
4-B. Note Split Agreement, dated October 8, 2004, by and between JMB Realty Corporation and JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates, Ltd. Yes
     
4-C. Replacement Note #1 to Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated October 8, 2004, in the original principal amount of $3,482,283.71 Yes
     
4-D. Promissory Note, dated December 1, 2004, by and between JMB/245 Park Avenue Associates and JMB Realty Corporation Yes
     
10-A. Limited Liability Company Agreement of JMB 245 Park Avenue Holding Company, LLC dated as of November 12, 1996. Yes
     
10-B. Redemption Agreement between JMB 245 Park Avenue Holding Company, LLC, WFP Property G.P. Corp. and Brookfield Financial Properties, L.P. Yes
     
10-C. Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Brookfield Financial Properties, L.P. Yes
     
21. List of Subsidiaries of the Partnership. No
     
31.1. Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. No
     
31.2.

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities

15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

No
     
32. Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1850, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. No
     
99. Article 14 (pages 15-17) of the Partnership's Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership No