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CAPREIT
View on WikipediaCanadian Apartment Properties REIT (CAPREIT) is a Canadian real estate investment trust headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. CAPREIT is the largest publicly traded apartment landlord in Canada, with over $17.7 billion in assets, as of December 2021.[1] As of 2022, CAPREIT owns or has interests in approximately 67,000 residential apartments, townhomes and manufactured housing units across Canada, the Netherlands and Ireland.[1]
Key Information
CAPREIT financialized the trailer park concept beginning with an acquisition in 2007 which grew to 6,456 “manufactured home community” (MHC) suites by 2017. [2][3] Paid $500 million in 2004 to acquire smaller rival [4] Residential Equities Real Estate Investment Trust. At the time of the merger the company had 24,238 rental apartments and townhouse units across the country.[5]
It became associated with Montreal Olympic Village in 2012.[6] In 2019 the company spun-off 2000 rental units in the Netherlands, into a separate European-focused REIT (Canada's first).[1] CAPREIT was added to the TSX 60 index on June 22, 2020.
History
[edit]In 1996, Thomas Schwartz partnered with Michael Stein to establish Canadian Apartment Properties REIT, which became one of Canada's largest residential landlords.[7] CAPREIT went public with an initial public offering in 1997.
In 2004, CAPREIT acquired rival Residential Equities REIT for $500 million.[8] At the time of the merger, the company had 24,238 rental apartments and townhouse units across the country.[9]
In 2007, CAPREIT made its first acquisition in manufactured home communities.[2][10]
In 2012, CAPREIT purchased Montreal's Olympic Village for $176.5 million.[11]
In 2019, the company spun-off its European holdings into a separate company, European Residential REIT. CAPREIT retains a stake in the company, which owns over 5,865 rental apartment units in the Netherlands.[12] In March 2021, CAPREIT extended a €165 million agreement with European Residential REIT until 2023.[13]
CAPREIT was added to the TSX 60 index on June 22, 2020.[14]
Notable properties
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "CAPREIT Annual Report 2021" (PDF). CAPREIT. 2022-02-23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
- ^ a b "The financialization of Canadian multi-family rental housing: From trailer to tower" (PDF). Journal of Urban Affairs. February 28, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "CAPREIT acquires major manufactured home communities portfolio" (Press release). June 1, 2012. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ Church, Elizabeth (March 31, 2004). "REIT merger may signal new era of consolidation". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ "reits in 1 billion dollar merger". 2004. Archived from the original on 2023-11-09. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Tshuva's Elad sells Montreal's Olympic Village". 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-11-09. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
- ^ "Real Estate Mogul's Death Loss to Jewish Community". cjnews.com. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "REIT merger may signal new era of consolidation". The Globe and Mail. March 31, 2004. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "REITs in 1 Billion Dollar Merger". cbc.ca. 2004. Archived from the original on 2023-11-09. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "CAPREIT acquires major manufactured home communities portfolio". www.globenewswire.com (Press release). June 1, 2012. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "Tshuva's Elad sells Montreal's Olympic Village". globes.co.il. 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-11-09. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
- ^ "European Residential REIT Announces Year End 2019 Results". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release) (in French). ERES Limited Partnership. 2020-02-25. Archived from the original on 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ "European Residential, CAPREIT Extend €165m Pipeline Agreement". spglobal. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
- ^ "CAPREIT to be Included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). 2020-06-15. Archived from the original on 2021-04-04. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
CAPREIT
View on GrokipediaCompany Overview
Founding and Structure
Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAPREIT) was founded in 1996 by Thomas Schwartz and Michael Stein as a private entity focused on residential rental housing in Ontario.[3] The company began operations in 1997 with an initial portfolio of 2,900 residential suites located in the province, emphasizing quality multi-unit apartment properties.[1] CAPREIT was formally incorporated as an unincorporated open-ended real estate investment trust on May 21, 1997, coinciding with its initial public offering (IPO) on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAR.UN.[4] This structure allows CAPREIT to operate without corporate-level taxation in Canada, provided it meets specific regulatory requirements for income distribution and asset composition, enabling flow-through tax treatment for unitholders.[5] As an open-ended REIT, CAPREIT issues publicly traded units that provide investors with access to a diversified portfolio of residential properties while benefiting from the tax efficiencies inherent in Canadian REIT legislation. Over time, it has evolved from a modest private housing provider into Canada's largest publicly traded residential REIT by suite count and market capitalization. A key milestone in this growth was its inclusion in the S&P/TSX 60 Composite Index, effective June 22, 2020, reflecting its status among the country's leading large-cap companies.[6]Portfolio and Operations
As of September 30, 2025, CAPREIT owns 45,028 residential apartment suites and townhomes, primarily focused on multi-family properties ranging from mid-tier to premium segments.[7] These assets are located across Canada and the Netherlands, with an operational emphasis on delivering quality rental housing through comprehensive resident services, including maintenance, leasing support, and community-building programs such as the CAP CARES initiative.[1][8] The portfolio breakdown reflects a strong Canadian concentration, with 43,995 suites in the country and 1,033 in the Netherlands.[7] In Canada, the majority are situated in Ontario (21,977 suites, including key areas like the Greater Toronto Area), Quebec (9,699 suites, concentrated in the Greater Montréal Region and Québec City), and British Columbia (5,851 suites, mainly in the Greater Vancouver Area and Victoria).[7] This geographic focus supports CAPREIT's strategy of targeting high-demand urban and suburban markets. The company has divested its Irish holdings, including the complete sale of its equity interest in Irish Residential Properties REIT in 2024.[9] In 2019, it restructured its Dutch operations through a transaction with European Residential REIT.[10] CAPREIT employs 1,076 direct staff members, supplemented by contractors, to manage its properties and resident relations, with the corporate headquarters located in Toronto, Ontario.[11][7] Operations prioritize resident satisfaction through proactive services like on-site maintenance and community engagement, while incorporating sustainability practices such as energy-efficient upgrades and water conservation measures in property investments.[1][7]History
Early Development (1996–2004)
Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAPREIT) was founded in 1996 by Thomas Schwartz and Michael Stein as a private entity focused on multi-unit residential properties. The company quickly assembled an initial portfolio of apartment buildings in Ontario, emphasizing stable rental income in key urban markets. By early 1997, CAPREIT had acquired its foundational assets, setting the stage for public market entry.[3][12] In May 1997, CAPREIT completed its initial public offering (IPO) on the Toronto Stock Exchange, marking it as one of Canada's early residential-focused REITs. The IPO enabled the trust to go public with ownership interests in approximately 2,900 residential suites, all located in Ontario. This capital raise supported immediate portfolio stabilization and laid the groundwork for subsequent expansion, with the trust achieving an average occupancy rate exceeding 97% in its early years. By the end of 1997, the portfolio had grown modestly to 3,336 suites through minor additions.[1][4] From 1998 to 2003, CAPREIT pursued organic growth via targeted smaller-scale acquisitions, primarily in Ontario and expanding into Quebec. Notable early moves included entering the Montreal market and acquiring properties in Hamilton and Saskatoon, which diversified geographic exposure while maintaining a focus on high-quality, multi-family assets. The portfolio expanded steadily, reaching about 5,637 suites by the end of 1998 and continuing to build through co-ownership deals and property purchases, such as a 50% interest in 612 Ottawa suites in 1999. By December 2003, CAPREIT held interests in approximately 10,890 suites, solidifying its position as a leading Canadian residential landlord with operations concentrated in eastern provinces.[4][13] A pivotal milestone occurred in 2004 when CAPREIT acquired Residential Equities Real Estate Investment Trust (ResREIT) in a transaction valued at approximately Can$1.044 billion. Completed on June 1, this merger significantly scaled the portfolio to over 24,000 suites nationwide, incorporating ResREIT's assets across multiple provinces including Alberta, Saskatchewan, and additional Ontario holdings. The deal established CAPREIT's national footprint, enhancing its market positioning and enabling broader operational synergies in residential property management.[14][15][16]Expansion and Diversification (2005–2018)
During the mid-2000s, CAPREIT began diversifying beyond its core Canadian multi-residential portfolio by entering the manufactured home communities (MHC) sector. In 2007, the company made its initial foray into MHCs through targeted acquisitions, marking a strategic shift toward stable, land-lease-based revenue streams that complemented its apartment operations.[17] This segment grew steadily, with CAPREIT adding communities across urban and suburban areas in Canada. By 2017, the MHC portfolio had expanded to 31 communities encompassing 6,456 land lease sites, representing about 13% of the overall holdings and contributing reliable occupancy rates often exceeding 99%.[18] A notable milestone in Canadian intensification came in 2012 with the acquisition of the iconic Olympic Village property in Montreal. This landmark urban redevelopment project, consisting of two 21-storey pyramid-shaped towers built for the 1976 Olympics, added 980 luxury suites to CAPREIT's portfolio for a purchase price of $176.5 million, funded partly by assuming an existing $82 million mortgage at 4.39% interest.[19] The property, located in the vibrant Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood, offered modern amenities and high occupancy, underscoring CAPREIT's focus on premium urban assets with redevelopment potential. This deal exemplified the company's strategy to consolidate high-value properties in major markets like Montreal, enhancing portfolio quality amid broader domestic growth. International diversification accelerated in the early 2010s, beginning with the 2010–2013 acquisition of Credit Suisse's low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) asset management business in the United States, which included 248 affordable multifamily properties totaling over 20,000 units. This move launched CAPREIT's multifamily operations in the U.S., emphasizing stable, government-subsidized housing, though the focus later scaled back as the company prioritized higher-return opportunities elsewhere. Concurrently, European expansion commenced in 2013 with the purchase of a 338-suite portfolio in Dublin, Ireland, for approximately €42.7 million (about $59 million CAD), marking CAPREIT's entry into continental markets and leading to the 2014 spin-off of its Irish holdings into IRES REIT, in which CAPREIT retained an 18% stake.[20] Growth continued in the Netherlands from 2016 onward, with key acquisitions including 568 suites in 2016 and 1,520 suites across multiple deals in 2017, followed by 1,257 suites in 2018, building a focused portfolio of modern rental properties in urban centers.[21] Through these initiatives, CAPREIT's overall portfolio intensified in Canada while branching internationally, reaching approximately 50,000 suites and sites by 2017 and growing to 51,528 by the end of 2018, with European holdings totaling around 3,348 units primarily in the Netherlands.[18][21] This period solidified CAPREIT's position as a diversified residential REIT, balancing domestic intensification with selective global ventures to mitigate market risks and capture growth in stable rental sectors.Modern Era and Restructuring (2019–Present)
In 2019, CAPREIT executed a strategic spin-off of its European residential holdings by selling a portfolio of approximately 2,000 suites in the Netherlands to the newly formed European Residential REIT (ERES), creating Canada's first Europe-focused multi-residential REIT while retaining management oversight and a significant ownership stake of around 46% in ERES.[22] This move allowed CAPREIT to streamline its operations and focus more intently on its core North American markets, with ERES handling day-to-day European asset management under CAPREIT's guidance.[23] The year 2020 marked further milestones amid global challenges, as CAPREIT was added to the S&P/TSX 60 Index effective June 22, reflecting its growing market prominence as one of Canada's largest residential REITs.[6] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company adapted swiftly by implementing a temporary moratorium on rent increases starting April 1, 2020, accelerating the rollout of an online resident portal for payments and support, and offering rent deferrals and relief programs to affected tenants to maintain occupancy and community stability.[24][25] By 2022, CAPREIT deepened its European presence through re-acquisition of portfolio elements via its majority-owned subsidiary ERES, which completed €65 million in acquisitions of residential suites and ancillary units in the Netherlands, effectively expanding CAPREIT's controlled assets in the region given its approximately 65% effective interest in ERES.[26] Concurrently, the company divested its Irish assets by terminating the investment management agreement with IRES REIT on January 31, 2022, ending CAPREIT's significant influence over Irish operations and refocusing resources on higher-growth opportunities.[27] In 2025, as of September, CAPREIT pursued $297 million in strategic repositioning initiatives since Q2 2025, which encompassed the sale of non-core Canadian manufactured home community assets for $740 million to TPG Real Estate Partners in July 2024 and targeted acquisitions of high-quality rental properties in key Canadian markets including Vancouver, Montreal, and Regina to enhance portfolio quality and geographic concentration.[28] These efforts involved divesting lower-performing assets while investing in newer, amenity-rich developments, aligning with a broader strategy to optimize returns and reduce exposure to underperforming segments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, CAPREIT acquired eight properties with 922 suites in Canada for a total gross purchase price of $309.9 million and disposed of 4,594 suites and sites for a total gross sale price of $740.3 million (including the MHC sale).[29] Through the first three quarters of 2025, these activities contributed to ongoing portfolio enhancements that brought the total to approximately 46,900 suites by the end of 2024.[30][31] These restructurings have bolstered CAPREIT's financial liquidity, providing capital for debt reduction and future growth.[29]Business Model and Strategy
Property Acquisition and Management
CAPREIT's property acquisition strategy emphasizes high-quality, well-located multi-family residential assets in urban and suburban markets characterized by strong rental demand and long-term growth potential, primarily in Canada. The trust targets on-strategy properties, including new-build rental apartments and value-add opportunities, subjecting all candidates to rigorous due diligence to ensure alignment with its investment criteria. For instance, in the first nine months of 2025, CAPREIT acquired eight such properties totaling 922 suites for $309.9 million, focusing on assets that enhance portfolio quality and operational performance.[5][29][1] The trust's management practices are handled by an in-house team of professionals who oversee leasing, maintenance, and resident services across its portfolio, enabling a proactive approach to operations and resident satisfaction. This internalized structure supports consistent application of best practices, such as energy conservation guidelines and community-focused initiatives, to optimize property performance. CAPREIT incorporates technology, including online resident portals for applications and maintenance requests, to streamline service delivery and improve efficiency in daily operations.[1][32][33] CAPREIT pursues a selective development pipeline centered on repositioning initiatives, such as property upgrades and infill developments, to capitalize on market opportunities while recycling capital from non-core dispositions. In 2025, these efforts have included strategic acquisitions and renovations that have driven rent increases of 3.5% on lease renewals for the six months ended June 30 and 3.6% in the third quarter, reflecting targeted enhancements to suite amenities and building infrastructure. The trust's approach prioritizes accretive investments that support sustainable portfolio growth without overextending into high-risk greenfield projects.[34][35][36] Risk management in CAPREIT's operations focuses on sustaining elevated occupancy levels and reducing tenant turnover through resident-centric policies and market-responsive leasing. As of September 30, 2025, the Canadian residential portfolio achieved 97.8% occupancy, supported by strategies to mitigate vacancies and foster long-term tenancies in high-demand areas. This emphasis on operational stability helps buffer against market fluctuations while maintaining predictable cash flows.[29][1]Geographic Focus and Market Positioning
CAPREIT maintains a strong geographic focus on Canada, where over 97% of its approximately 45,000 residential suites are located as of September 30, 2025, emphasizing supply-constrained urban markets in key provinces. The portfolio is heavily concentrated in Ontario, with 21,977 suites including a significant presence in the Greater Toronto Area (16,248 suites), followed by Quebec (9,699 suites, primarily in the Greater Montréal Region at 7,454 suites), British Columbia (5,851 suites across the Greater Vancouver Area and other areas), and Alberta (2,318 suites in Calgary and Edmonton). This strategic emphasis on high-demand regions like the Toronto/GTA and Montréal aligns with persistent housing shortages, where new supply lags behind population growth and urbanization pressures.[7][37] Internationally, CAPREIT operates a smaller portfolio in the Netherlands, comprising about 1,033 residential suites as of September 30, 2025, centered in stable rental markets such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam. These operations stem from post-2022 expansions through its subsidiary European Residential REIT (ERES), which added suites in urban growth areas to capitalize on Europe's regulated rental environment and low vacancy rates. However, recent dispositions have reduced the scale, reflecting a refined focus on high-quality, accretive assets amid market adjustments.[7][26] In terms of market positioning, CAPREIT establishes itself as a premium affordable housing provider, offering well-maintained multi-residential properties that compete effectively with private landlords in competitive urban rental landscapes. This approach supports resident affordability while delivering stable returns, particularly as Canada grapples with a housing supply deficit estimated to require millions of additional units by 2030. In 2025, the company has adapted to emerging trends, including rising optimism in the multifamily sector driven by anticipated interest rate stabilization and renewed investment activity.[38][39] CAPREIT's competitive advantages include its substantial scale, which facilitates economies of scope in procurement, maintenance, and technology integration across its portfolio. Robust resident retention programs, such as flexible leasing options and community-focused amenities, have sustained high occupancy at 97.8% for the Canadian portfolio in Q3 2025, outperforming national averages. Furthermore, the REIT's alignment with ongoing housing shortages positions it to benefit from policy incentives for rental development and demographic shifts toward urban renting.[7][40]Financial Performance
Historical Financial Trends
Following its initial public offering in May 1997, CAPREIT recorded operating revenues of approximately Can$19 million for the post-IPO period, with a portfolio of 3,336 residential suites at year-end 1997, growing to approximately 5,600 suites by 1998 primarily in Ontario and Quebec. Over the subsequent seven years, revenue grew to roughly Can$200 million by 2004, fueled by strategic acquisitions that expanded the portfolio to over 24,000 suites. A pivotal driver was the June 2004 merger with Residential Equities Real Estate Investment Trust, valued at approximately Can$1.9 billion, which nearly doubled CAPREIT's unit count and enhanced its presence in key Canadian markets like Toronto and Montreal. This acquisition not only boosted scale but also improved operational efficiencies, contributing to a compound annual revenue growth rate exceeding 20% during the period.[15][4][16] From 2005 to 2018, CAPREIT's assets under management expanded significantly to Can$10.8 billion by year-end 2018, supported by ongoing property acquisitions and internal growth initiatives. Funds from operations (FFO) per unit achieved an average annual growth of 5-7% over this span, driven by same-property net operating income improvements and accretive investments, with FFO per unit rising from Can$0.48 in 2005 to Can$1.995 in 2018. Key to this performance was consistent dividend policy, with monthly distributions maintained without interruption since 1997 and cumulative growth of over 100% by 2018. CAPREIT also managed leverage prudently, keeping the debt-to-assets ratio stable between 40% and 50% throughout, which supported financial flexibility amid portfolio expansion.[41][21][42] Pre-2020 financial highlights included a net income peak of approximately Can$1.22 billion in 2018, largely attributable to fair value gains from European market entry through acquisitions in the Netherlands. This marked a high point in profitability before the 2019 sale of a significant portion of its European operations to create European Commercial REIT (ECREIT), a separate entity in which CAPREIT held units representing a substantial interest, which briefly referenced in historical context but did not alter the underlying Canadian-focused growth trajectory up to that point. Overall, these trends underscored CAPREIT's evolution from a regional player to Canada's preeminent residential REIT, with emphasis on sustainable income generation and capital discipline.[41][43]Recent Results and Metrics (2020–2025)
During the period from 2020 to 2022, CAPREIT demonstrated resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with total revenue reaching $933.1 million in 2021, up from $882.6 million in 2020, driven by stable rental income from its residential portfolio.[44] Net income surged to $1.39 billion in 2021 from $926.0 million in 2020, largely due to fair value gains on investment properties.[44] In 2022, revenue grew to $1.01 billion, though net income fell to $13.6 million, reflecting higher operating costs and fair value adjustments.[45] Liquidity was further strengthened by CAPREIT's inclusion in the S&P/TSX 60 Index effective June 22, 2020, enhancing access to capital markets.[6] From 2023 to 2024, CAPREIT's total assets stood at approximately $15.6 billion by year-end 2024, following strategic dispositions of non-core properties that reduced the portfolio size.[31] Funds from operations (FFO) per unit averaged around $2.50, with $2.40 in 2023 and $2.53 in 2024, supporting consistent distributions.[46][31] The Q4 2024 report highlighted a portfolio of approximately 46,900 residential suites and sites, with revenue reaching $1.11 billion for the year.[31] In the first three quarters of 2025, CAPREIT experienced a revenue decline, with Q3 operating revenues at $252.3 million, down from prior-year levels primarily due to dispositions including the sale of manufactured home communities and European assets totaling over $560 million earlier in the year. These included sales by CAPREIT's majority-owned subsidiary European Residential REIT (ERES) of over Can$1 billion in Dutch properties year-to-date, resulting in a special distribution to ERES unitholders and supporting CAPREIT's capital recycling strategy.[35] Year-to-date net income through Q3 reached $108.6 million, reflecting ongoing portfolio optimization.[35] Liquidity remained robust at $280.5 million as of September 30, 2025, comprising $83.8 million in cash and $196.7 million in available credit capacity.[35] Average monthly rent (AMR) growth on renewals was 3.6% for Q3, contributing to same-property occupied AMR increases of 4.4% year-over-year in the Canadian residential portfolio.[35] The monthly distribution was maintained at $0.12917 per unit, equating to an annualized $1.55.[47] Key performance metrics as of Q3 2025 underscored operational strength, with overall portfolio occupancy at 97.6% and a debt ratio of 37.7% (total debt to gross book value).[35] The distribution yield stood at approximately 4.0%, providing attractive returns for unitholders amid market repositioning efforts.[48]| Year/Period | Revenue (CAD millions) | Net Income (CAD millions) | FFO per Unit (CAD) | Total Assets (CAD billions) | Suites/Sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 933.1 | 1,393 | N/A | 17.7 | ~66,000 |
| 2022 | 1,007.3 | 13.6 | N/A | 17.7 | ~67,000 |
| 2023 | 1,065.3 | (411.6) | 2.40 | 17.0 | 64,300 |
| 2024 | 1,112.7 | 292.7 | 2.53 | 15.6 | 46,900 |
| 2025 (Q1-Q3 YTD) | 760.1 | 108.6 | N/A | N/A | 45,000 |
