RioCan REIT reports ‘strong year’ for 2025 with 5 million square feet of leasing activity

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RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust announced Wednesday its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2025.

Key highlights:

  • New leasing spreads of 37.3% for the year drove blended leasing spreads to 21.1%, reflecting strong supply/demand fundamentals
  • Commercial Same Property NOI growth of 4.5% for the Fourth Quarter supported full year growth of 3.6%
  • $741.7 million of Total Capital Repatriation drove Adjusted Spot Debt to Adjusted EBITDA down to 8.6x
  • $178.6 million in Unit repurchases completed in 2025 and year-to-date 2026

“RioCan delivered another strong year, highlighted by exceptional operating results and disciplined execution of our capital recycling strategy. Our results underscore the strength of our core retail platform, which serves as the foundation for the strategic plan we announced at our Investor Day,” said Jonathan Gitlin, President and CEO of RioCan

“We enter 2026 with momentum fueled by intensifying demand from leading retailers amid a broader market shortage of well-located retail space. This dynamic positions RioCan to generate sustainable, long-term value for our Unitholders.”

Jonathan Gitlin
Jonathan Gitlin

As at December 31, 2025, its portfolio comprised 168 properties with an aggregate net leasable area of approximately 31 million square feet (at RioCan’s interest).

RioCan said committed retail and portfolio occupancy is 98.5% and 97.8%, respectively, with 5 million square feet of leasing activity in 2025, including 4 million square feet of renewals.

Full year blended leasing spread increased to 21.1%. This record performance was driven by new and renewal leasing spreads of 37.3% and 17.8%, respectively. The average blended leasing spread of 24.7% on new leases and market renewals (comprising 65% of expiring leases) highlights RioCan’s ability to extract the mark-to-market opportunity embedded within its portfolio,” said RioCan.

A high retention ratio of 93.1%. Best-in-class tenants retained with minimal capital outlay; high renewal leasing spreads validate sustained demand.”

During 2025, development projects totaling approximately 366,000 square feet were completed and transitioned into income producing properties. This includes 264,000 square feet of mixed-use projects comprised of residential rental and retail units and 102,000 square feet of commercial retail projects. No large-scale construction projects were initiated in 2025, and none are planned for 2026.

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Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi, based in Calgary, has more than 40 years experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, faith, city and breaking news, and business. He is the Co-Editor-in-Chief with Retail Insider in addition to working as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Mario was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024.

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