Global private investment firm Ardian has acquired a majority stake in Italian self-storage firm Casaforte.
Casaforte operates 24 facilities nationwide, representing approximately 80,000sqm of space. The portfolio is predominantly concentrated in Northern Italy, with a strong presence in key metropolitan areas such as Milan, Turin, Genoa, Bologna, as well as a presence in Rome.
Ardian launched a strategy to create a pan-European self-storage platform in 2023, and this acquisition marks a significant step in the investment firm’s strategy to build a scaled, pan-European self-storage platform by consolidating a highly fragmented sector driven by favourable long-term structural trends.
Since launching the strategy in 2023, Ardian has already invested €300m in self-storage. In addition to Casaforte, it has acquired the Costockage and Atout-Box platforms in France.
Ardian said its mission is to invest at least a further €200m in the coming years, with a primary focus on Spain and Germany.
Rodolfo Petrosino, head of real estate Southern Europe and managing director, Ardian, said: “This transaction confirms Ardian’s commitment to strengthening the European dimension of its self-storage strategy. We are particularly focused on Southern Europe, where Italy and Spain continue to show significantly lower penetration rates compared to more mature markets, despite benefiting from the same structural trends – urbanisation, mobility and shrinking living spaces.
“It is precisely this gap between potential demand and existing supply that represents one of the most compelling value creation opportunities in the sector today. We are currently exploring a number of high-potential opportunities in Spain, where discussions are already well progressed, while also considering potential opportunities in Germany that will enable us to further advance our continental growth strategy”.
Matteo Minardi, head of real estate Italy and managing director, Ardian, said: “We are proud of this transaction, which is strategically significant for us and accelerates the execution of our European growth plan. We are confident that the experience of the management team, combined with our strategic and financial support and international network, will further strengthen Casaforte’s leadership in the Italian market.
“We see strong potential for organic growth and selective acquisitions, while preserving the entrepreneurial culture and deep local market expertise that have underpinned the operator’s success to date”.
Cesare Carcano, founder and chairman, Casaforte, added that Ardian’s investment “marks a key strategic milestone in Casaforte’s growth journey”.
“Partnering with Ardian will enable us to further accelerate the company’s development, strengthen our presence in major urban centers and seize new expansion opportunities, including through targeted acquisitions,” he said.
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