SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust reported on Wednesday its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
“We are pleased to report a solid start to 2026. Retail demand remains strong resulting in exceptional retention of maturing tenancies which has led to lease extensions with a compelling average rent growth of 11.5% (excluding Anchors). Our focus on value-oriented retail, alongside the ongoing enhancement of tenant quality is further strengthening the positioning of our centres in each market we operate; including increased consumer traffic; enhancing the long-term value of our portfolio,” said the Trust in a news release.
“On the development front, a program of new retail development is gaining momentum at SmartCentres. We are excited to bring, in the near future, new SmartCentres to Kingston, Ontario, Lindsay, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba, to name a few as part of an ambitious growth program fueled by consumer demand for our core large format retailers in the categories of grocery, general merchandise, fair price apparel and others. We expect construction to begin later this year in Kingston and Winnipeg.”
2026 First Quarter Highlights
Retail Operations
- In-place and committed occupancy rate of 97.6% as of March 31, 2026 or 98.0% as of today.
- Strong tenant base and customer traffic continued to drive Same Properties NOI growth for the three months ended March 31, 2026, which increased by 1.4% (3.4% excluding Anchors) compared to the same period in 2025. This represents 3.0% growth over the trailing 12 months (4.8% excluding Anchors), reflecting leasing and renewal activity across the retail portfolio and improved occupancy in self-storage, partially offset by tenant turnover and higher expected credit loss provisions this quarter.
- Extended approximately 80% of leases maturing in 2026, with strong rent growth of 11.5% (excluding Anchors) and 5.8% (including Anchors).
- Leasing momentum remained resilient, with approximately 56,000 square feet of vacant space leased during the quarter. In addition, growing demand for new retail space continues, with approximately 52,000 square feet executed during the quarter.
Development
- Construction of the 200,000 square foot retail building pre-leased to Canadian Tire on Laird Drive in Toronto continues on schedule, with possession expected in Q3 2026.
- Acquired an 18.8-acre land parcel in Kingston, Ontario, for approximately $7.1 million, as part of the retail development growth program.
- Construction of self-storage facilities is progressing well at Montreal (Notre Dame St. W) and Laval E, Quebec, and at Burnaby and Victoria, British Columbia. The Montreal and Laval E facilities are expected to open in Q2 2026. Both projects in British Columbia are expected to open in 2027. The Trust is also in the process of obtaining municipal approval for four additional sites across Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
- Construction of the ArtWalk condo Tower A in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre continues to advance as planned, with approximately 93% of the 340 units pre-sold. The underground parking structure is completed, and the formwork reached the second floor of Tower A during the quarter.
Financial
- Net operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $137.7 million, representing an increase of $0.9 million, or 0.7%, as compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to higher base rent driven by lease-up and renewal activities across the retail portfolio, partially offset by an increase in ECL provision.
- FFO per Unit and FFO with adjustments per Unit for the three months ended March 31, 2026, were $0.54 and $0.52, respectively, compared to $0.56 and $0.54 for the same period in 2025. The decreases were primarily attributable to higher interest and general and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher NOI.
- Net income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased by $139.5 million as compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to a $50.3 million fair value gain on investment properties, representing a $130.4 million increase from the prior year period, reflecting improved valuation parameters and leasing activity, as well as a $10.5 million improvement in the fair value loss on financial instruments to $4.0 million in the current period, primarily due to mark-to-market adjustments on interest rate swaps.
SmartCentres is one of Canada’s largest fully integrated REITs, with a best-in-class and growing mixed-use portfolio featuring 200 strategically located properties in communities across the country. SmartCentres has approximately $12.3 billion in assets and owns 35.5 million square feet of income producing value-oriented retail and first-class office properties with 97.6% in place and committed occupancy, on 3,500 acres of owned land across Canada.
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