Stratus Properties Inc. Reports Second-Quarter and Six-Month 2018 Results, Announces New Development Project in Kingwood, Texas

Stratus Properties Inc. Reports Second-Quarter and Six-Month 2018 Results, Announces New Development Project in Kingwood, Texas

Stratus Properties Inc. (NASDAQ: STRS), a diversified real estate company with multi-family and single-family residential real estate development, real estate leasing, hotel and entertainment businesses in the Austin, Texas area and other select Texas markets, today reported second-quarter 2018 results and a new development project in Kingwood, Texas.

Highlights:

• In August, completed a series of financing transactions used to purchase a 54-acre tract of land in Kingwood, Texas, for Kingwood Place, a new H-E-B, L.P. (HEB)-anchored, mixed-use project.
• Obtained project financing and commenced construction of The Saint Mary, a 240-unit luxury garden-style apartment project in the Circle C Community in Austin, Texas.
• Increased the revolving credit facility with Comerica Bank by 33 percent to $60.0 million and extended the maturity date to June 29, 2020.
• Sold six developed properties for a total of $6.9 million, including two Amarra Villas townhomes, one condominium at the W Austin Hotel & Residences and three Amarra Drive Phase III lots. Since the end of second-quarter 2018, Stratus closed on the sale of one Amarra Drive Phase III lot for $0.7 million. Two Amarra Villa townhomes and three Amarra Drive Phase III lots are currently under contract.
• Anchor tenant Moviehouse & Eatery opened in May 2018 at Lantana Place, a mixed-use development in southwest Austin consisting of approximately 320,000 square feet of retail, hotel and office space. Construction of phase one is nearing completion and Stratus has signed leases for a Marriott A/C hotel and approximately 25 percent of the in-line retail space.
• Leasing reached 80 percent for the retail component of Jones Crossing, an HEB-anchored, mixed-use development in College Station, Texas, and construction of the retail component is nearing completion. The HEB grocery store is currently scheduled to open in September 2018.
• Robust leasing activity continues at West Killeen Market, a retail development project anchored by a 90,000-square-foot HEB grocery store. As of June 30, 2018, Stratus has executed leases for approximately 70 percent of the 44,000 square feet of tenant leasing space. Stratus intends to explore opportunities to sell West Killeen Market later this year depending on leasing progress and market conditions.
• Construction of Santal Phase II, a 212-unit garden style, multi-family project located directly adjacent to Santal Phase I in the upscale, highly populated Barton Creek community is advancing on schedule and on budget. Stratus expects the first Phase II units to be available for occupancy in August 2018 and to substantially complete construction by year-end 2018.

William H. Armstrong III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Stratus has reached a new peak of development activity. Today we announced our new Kingwood Place project, our sixth mixed-use development project anchored by HEB. This 54-acre project located in Kingwood, Texas, a thriving master-planned community 20 miles northeast of Houston, will include, in addition to an HEB grocery, upscale shopping, dining, entertainment, and multi-family residences. Kingwood is the second largest master-planned community within the 10-county greater Houston metropolitan area. Adding Kingwood Place to our portfolio of multi-use development projects further expands our geographic footprint in vibrant and growing Texas communities. We look forward to completing these projects and creating value for shareholders.”

New Development Project in Kingwood, Texas

Stratus announced today that it completed a series of financing transactions used to purchase a 54-acre tract of land in Kingwood, Texas, for Kingwood Place, an HEB-anchored mixed-use project. The financing transactions included (1) a private placement of limited partnership interests in Stratus Kingwood Place, L.P., a Texas limited partnership and a subsidiary of Stratus, to a limited number of investors for $10.7 million, representing approximately 70 percent of the projected total required equity, on August 3, 2018 and (2) a $6.8 million land loan with Comerica Bank with a 12-month term and interest of LIBOR plus 4 percent closed on August 6, 2018, in connection with the land purchase. Kingwood Place will include a 103,000-square-foot HEB grocery store, 41,000 square feet of retail space, six retail pads, and an 11-acre parcel planned for approximately 300 multi-family units. Construction financing and building permits are being arranged, and Stratus currently plans to break ground in November 2018 to meet HEB's current projected store opening.

Second-Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Stratus reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $0.9 million, $0.11 per share, in both the second quarters of 2018 and 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) totaled $2.8 million in second-quarter 2018, compared with $2.1 million in second-quarter 2017. For a reconciliation of net loss attributable to common stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA, see the supplemental schedule on page V, "Adjusted EBITDA," which is available on Stratus' website.

The significant increases in revenue and operating income from the Real Estate Operations segment in second-quarter 2018, compared to second-quarter 2017, primarily reflect higher developed property sales.

During second-quarter 2018, Stratus sold three Amarra Drive Phase III lots, two Amarra Villas townhomes and one of the two remaining condominium units at the W Austin Hotel & Residences for a total of $6.9 million.

The increases in revenue from the Leasing Operations segment in second-quarter 2018, compared to second-quarter 2017, primarily reflect leasing activity at West Killeen Market and Santal Phase I.

The slight decreases in revenue and operating income from the Hotel segment in second-quarter 2018, compared to second-quarter 2017, primarily reflect lower room revenues resulting from competition from several newly completed hotels in the downtown Austin area. Revenue per available room (RevPAR), which is calculated by dividing total room revenue by the average number of total rooms available, was $254 in second-quarter 2018, compared with $263 for second-quarter 2017. An increase in competition resulting from the anticipated opening of additional hotel rooms in downtown Austin during the second-half of 2018 is expected to continue to impact Stratus' hotel revenues. Stratus remains positive on the long-term outlook of the W Austin Hotel based on continued population growth and increased tourism in the Austin market.

The decreases in revenue and operating income from the Entertainment segment in second-quarter 2018, compared to second-quarter 2017, primarily reflect a decrease in the number of events hosted and the number of tickets sold at ACL Live. ACL Live hosted 45 events and sold approximately 29 thousand tickets in second-quarter 2018, compared with 60 events and the sale of approximately 51 thousand tickets in second-quarter 2017. Additionally, 3TEN ACL Live, hosted 57 events in second-quarter 2018, compared with 60 events in second-quarter 2017.

Debt and Liquidity

On June 29, 2018, Stratus increased its revolving credit facility by 33 percent to $60.0 million, of which $12.0 million was available as of June 30, 2018. The new maturity date is June 29, 2020.

At June 30, 2018, consolidated debt totaled $265.9 million and consolidated cash totaled $12.7 million, compared with consolidated debt of $221.5 million and consolidated cash of $14.6 million at December 31, 2017.

Purchases and development of real estate properties (included in operating cash flows) and capital expenditures (included in investing cash flows) totaled $50.7 million for the first six months of 2018, primarily for the development of Barton Creek properties, Santal Phase II, Lantana Place and Jones Crossing. This compares with $13.1 million for the first six months of 2017, primarily for the development of Barton Creek properties, Lantana Place and West Killeen Market.

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Conference Call Information

Stratus will conduct an investor conference call to discuss its unaudited second-quarter 2018 financial results today, August 9, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. ET. The public is invited to listen to the conference call by dialing (877) 418-4843 for domestic access and (412) 902-6766 for international access. A replay of the conference call will be available at the conclusion of the call for five days by dialing (877) 344-7529 domestically and (412) 317-0088 internationally. Please use replay ID: 10121895. The replay will be available on Stratus' website at stratusproperties.com until August 14, 2018.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND REGULATION G DISCLOSURE. This press release contains forward-looking statements in which Stratus discusses factors it believes may affect its future performance. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, such as statements regarding the implementation and potential results of Stratus' active development plan, projections or expectations related to operational and financial performance or liquidity, reimbursements for infrastructure costs, financing and regulatory matters, development plans and sales of properties, including, but not limited to, Amarra Drive lots and townhomes and exploring opportunities to sell West Killeen Market, leasing activities, timeframes for development, construction and completion of Stratus' projects, capital expenditures, possible joint venture or other arrangements, Stratus’ projections with respect to its obligations under the master lease agreements entered into in connection with the sale of The Oaks at Lakeway, and other plans and objectives of management for future operations and activities and future dividend payments. The words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “plans,” “believes,” “potential,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “to be” and any similar expressions and/or statements that are not historical fact are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Under Stratus’ loan agreement with Comerica Bank, Stratus is not permitted to pay dividends on common stock without Comerica’s prior written consent, which was obtained in connection with the special dividend paid in April 2017. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Stratus’ Board of Directors (Board), subject to restrictions under Stratus’ loan agreement with Comerica Bank, and will depend on Stratus’ financial results, cash requirements, projected compliance with covenants in its debt agreements, outlook and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

Stratus cautions readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and its actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that can cause Stratus' actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Stratus’ ability to refinance and service its debt and the availability of financing for development projects and other corporate purposes, Stratus' ability to sell properties at prices its Board considers acceptable, a decrease in the demand for real estate in the Austin, Texas area and other select Texas markets where Stratus operates, changes in economic and business conditions, reductions in discretionary spending by consumers and corporations, competition from other real estate developers, hotel operators and/or entertainment venue operators and promoters, the termination of sales contracts or letters of intent due to, among other factors, the failure of one or more closing conditions or market changes, Stratus’ ability to secure qualifying tenants for the space subject to the master lease agreements entered into in connection with the sale of The Oaks at Lakeway and to assign such leases to the purchaser and remove the corresponding property from the master leases, the failure to attract customers for its developments or such customers’ failure to satisfy their purchase commitments, increases in interest rates, declines in the market value of Stratus' assets, increases in operating costs, including real estate taxes and the cost of construction materials, changes in external perception of the W Austin Hotel, changes in consumer preferences, changes in laws, regulations or the regulatory environment affecting the development of real estate, opposition from special interest groups with respect to development projects, weather-related risks and other factors described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in Stratus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC.

This press release also includes Adjusted EBITDA, which is not recognized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Stratus believes this measure can be helpful to investors in evaluating its business. Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure frequently used by securities analysts, lenders and others to evaluate Stratus' recurring operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is intended to be a performance measure that should not be regarded as more meaningful than a GAAP measure. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently. As required by SEC Regulation G, a reconciliation of Stratus' net loss attributable to common stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA is included in the supplemental schedules of this press release.

Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions upon which Stratus' forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after the forward-looking statements are made. Further, Stratus may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. Stratus cautions investors that it does not intend to update its forward-looking statements more frequently than quarterly notwithstanding any changes in its assumptions, business plans, actual experience, or other changes, and Stratus undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

A copy of this release is available on Stratus' website, stratusproperties.com.

STRATUS PROPERTIES INC.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Stratus currently has four operating segments: Real Estate Operations, Leasing Operations, Hotel and Entertainment.

The Real Estate Operations segment is comprised of Stratus’ real estate assets (developed, under development and available for development), which consists of its properties in Austin, Texas (the Barton Creek community, including Santal Phase II; the Circle C community, including The Saint Mary; the Lantana community, including Lantana Place; and the condominium units at the W Austin Hotel & Residences); in Lakeway, Texas located in the greater Austin area (Lakeway); in College Station, Texas (Jones Crossing); and in Magnolia, Texas, located in the greater Houston area (Magnolia).

The Leasing Operations segment includes the office and retail space at the W Austin Hotel & Residences, a retail building in Barton Creek Village, Santal Phase I and the West Killeen Market in Killeen, Texas, and portions of the Lantana Place and Jones Crossing projects.

The Hotel segment includes the W Austin Hotel located at the W Austin Hotel & Residences in downtown Austin, Texas.

The Entertainment segment includes ACL Live, a live music and entertainment venue and production studio at the W Austin Hotel & Residences. In addition to hosting concerts and private events, this venue is the home of Austin City Limits, a television program showcasing popular music legends. The Entertainment segment also includes revenues and costs associated with events hosted at other venues, including 3TEN ACL Live, which opened in March 2016 on the site of the W Austin Hotel & Residences.

Stratus uses operating income or loss to measure the performance of each segment. General and administrative expenses, which primarily consist of employee salaries, wages and other costs, are managed on a consolidated basis and are not allocated to Stratus' operating segments. The following segment information reflects management determinations that may not be indicative of what the actual financial performance of each segment would be if it were an independent entity.

Segment information presented below was prepared on the same basis as Stratus’ consolidated financial statements (in thousands).

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURE
ADJUSTED EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is a non-GAAP (U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) financial measure that is frequently used by securities analysts, investors, lenders and others to evaluate companies' recurring operating performance, including, among other things, profitability before the effect of financing and similar decisions. Because securities analysts, investors, lenders and others use Adjusted EBITDA, management believes that Stratus' presentation of Adjusted EBITDA affords them greater transparency in assessing its financial performance. This information differs from net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, as different companies may calculate such measures differently. Management strongly encourages investors to review Stratus' consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety. A reconciliation of Stratus' net loss attributable to common stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA follows (in thousands).

Stratus Properties Inc.
Financial and Media Contact:
William H. Armstrong III, 512-478-5788

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