A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns and manages income-producing properties—like apartment buildings, shopping centers, offices, or warehouses—and is required to pass most of its rental income to shareholders as dividends. Think of it as a shared property owner: instead of buying a whole building, investors buy a slice of a portfolio that pays regular income and can offer exposure to property values and rental markets without direct management. REITs matter to investors for predictable income, diversification, and liquidity compared with owning physical real estate.
climate-controlledtechnical
A climate-controlled space is an indoor area where temperature and humidity are actively managed to stay within set ranges, like a thermostat on steroids for a room. Investors care because it preserves the value and functionality of goods, equipment, or data—reducing spoilage, service disruptions, insurance costs and regulatory risks—so properties or businesses offering climate control can command higher rents, lower downtime and more predictable operating expenses.
net rentable square feettechnical
Net rentable square feet is the amount of a building’s space a landlord charges rent for — it covers the tenant’s private area plus a share of common areas such as lobbies, halls and restrooms. Investors care because it’s the base used to calculate rental income and rent-per-square-foot comparisons, which directly affect occupancy metrics, cash flow and property valuation, similar to how the number of sellable seats drives a theater’s revenue.
LADERA RANCH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”) (NYSE: SMA), an internally managed real estate investment trust and a premier owner and operator of self-storage facilities in the United States and Canada, announced the acquisition of a 1.78-acre land parcel in Toronto, Ontario, for the planned development of a Class A self-storage facility. SmartStop will undertake the development in partnership with SmartCentres (TSX: SRU.UN).
The site at 1125 Finch Ave is located approximately nine miles north of downtown Toronto and one mile southeast of York University, placing it squarely within one of the most densely populated and supply-constrained trade areas in the city. An estimated 1 million residents live within a five-mile radius, supported by sustained residential density and limited availability of modern self-storage facilities. These fundamentals underpin durable, long-term demand and create a significant barrier to entry for new competitors.
The proposed development will consist of a four-story, state-of-the-art self-storage facility totaling approximately 100,000 net rentable square feet, comprising approximately 1,100 climate-controlled units. The facility is designed to capture unmet demand in a market characterized by strong absorption, constrained land availability, and high replacement costs.
Construction is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a planned soft opening in the fourth quarter of 2027. Upon completion, the facility will serve the established neighborhoods of York University Heights, Downsview, Black Creek, Humbermede, Glen Park, and Emery, further solidifying SmartStop’s position as a dominant self-storage operator in the Greater Toronto Area.
“This acquisition underscores our commitment to disciplined growth in supply-constrained, top-tier urban markets with compelling demographic trends,” said H. Michael Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. “By partnering with SmartCentres, we are advancing a premier self-storage development that expands our Canadian footprint and positions us to capture long-term value in a high-growth market.”
About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop):
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”) (NYSE: SMA) is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of more than 1,000 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop® Self Storage brand. SmartStop, through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs, and through its indirect subsidiary Argus Professional Storage Management, LLC, offers third-party management services in the U.S. and Canada. As of December 23, 2025, SmartStop has an owned or managed portfolio of more than 460 operating properties in 35 states, Washington D.C., and Canada, comprising approximately 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet. SmartStop and its affiliates own or manage 49 operating self-storage properties in Canada, which total approximately 42,200 units and 4.3 million rentable square feet. Additional information regarding SmartStop is available at www.smartstopselfstorage.com.
An email has been sent to your address with instructions for changing your password.
There is no user registered with this email.
You have made too many password recovery requests. Please try again tomorrow.
Sign Up
To create a free account, please fill out the form below.
Thank you for signing up!
A confirmation email has been sent to your email address. Please check your email and follow the instructions in the message to complete the registration process. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.
Welcome to our platform!
Oops!
Something went wrong while trying to create your new account. Please try again and if the problem persist, to receive support.
