Ottawa – The self-storage business in Canada’s capital is experiencing unprecedented growth, a trend closely linked to the increasing prevalence of smaller condominium units. Industry employees in Ottawa report a ‘huge demand’ for self-storage units, with shrinking living spaces cited as a primary driver.
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) reveals a significant expansion in the storage sector, with Ontario adding 4.2 million square feet of storage space over the past three years, a jump of 11 percent. Ottawa ranks second in Ontario for self-storage space, boasting over 3 million square feet of units. In comparison, Toronto leads with 43.3 percent of Ontario’s total 19 million square feet of self-storage space, followed by Ottawa’s 15.9 percent and Mississauga’s 10.9 percent.
Cael Gédéron, an employee at U-Haul’s Coventry Road location, notes the diverse uses of storage units. “Our clients range from those downsizing or moving to contractors needing space for equipment,” he says. Gédéron also mentions the low storage vacancies since February at his location, prompting U-Haul to offer alternatives like trucks, trailers, and containers. On average, people rent storage units for two to three months.
Matthew Midgley of Self Stor Storage attributes the rise in self-storage demand to decreasing condo sizes, alongside other factors like renovations, travel, retirement, and student storage needs. MPAC data supports this, showing the average size of condos built in 2017 in Ontario’s major urban centers, including Ottawa, decreased significantly compared to those built in the 1990s.
As condo spaces contract, residents increasingly turn to self-storage solutions. Nationally, one in 10 Canadians now uses storage units. Self-storage consultant Ryan Mantha of Dymon Storage in Ottawa notes the high demand for storage units, citing yearly rent increases and inflation as contributing factors. Mantha, who personally uses a storage unit, observes that local businesses, particularly those downsizing due to home office adaptations during the pandemic, are key drivers of this demand.
The Canadian storage industry has seen impressive financial growth, generating $7.3 billion in gross revenue this year, a substantial increase since 2012. Local businesses, according to Mantha, are a significant part of this demand, using storage units for inventory and office space.
Allan Mertick, a home renovator, highlights the practicality and challenges of using self-storage. Having rented a unit for over 12 years, Mertick finds it indispensable for storing tools and supplies, but acknowledges the tendency for items to remain in storage long-term, incurring ongoing costs.
This surge in Ottawa’s self-storage industry underscores a broader trend of evolving urban living spaces and the adaptive strategies of businesses and residents to manage their spatial needs effectively.
