1. SmartStop is developing a new facility in Toronto. 2. The site has high demand and limited competition. 3. Construction starts in 2026, aiming for 2027 opening. 4. Facility will enhance SmartStop's presence in Canada. 5. CEO emphasizes disciplined growth and market positioning.
FAQ
Why Bullish?
The new facility in Toronto addresses unmet demand, enhancing earnings potential, similar to past successful expansions by other REITs. Historical examples include Public Storage's strategic site acquisitions leading to sustained revenue growth.
How important is it?
The acquisition signifies growth potential and strategically positions SmartStop in a high-demand market, likely affecting investor confidence positively.
Why Long Term?
The long construction timeline indicates gradual revenue growth expected post-2027. Successful projects often take years to mature, as evidenced by other REIT expansions benefiting over a longer horizon.
Related Companies
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).
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.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251223614739/en/
David Corak
Senior VP of Corporate Finance and Strategy
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.
IR@smartstop.com