Whitestone REIT (NYSE:WSR) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on owning, operating and acquiring open-air, necessity-based retail properties. The company’s portfolio emphasizes single-tenant and small-shop centers anchored by essential service providers such as grocery stores, pharmacies and discount retailers. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Whitestone REIT targets densely populated, high-growth markets where daily-use retail concepts can thrive.
Whitestone REIT’s core activities include property acquisition, development, leasing and ongoing asset management. The firm employs an in-house team of leasing professionals and property managers who oversee day-to-day operations, tenant relations and facility enhancements. Through selective redevelopment and strategic expansion, the company seeks to maximize occupancy rates and rental income across its retail footprint.
Originally formed in 1992 under the name Hunter Real Estate Investment Trust, the company rebranded to Whitestone REIT in 2015 to reflect its evolving business strategy and commitment to community-oriented retail offerings. Its portfolio is concentrated in key Texas regions—most notably Greater Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin—where population growth and consumer spending trends support the demand for neighborhood-scale shopping destinations.
Under the leadership of founder and CEO Diane W. Ullmann, Whitestone REIT has cultivated a multidisciplinary management team with extensive experience in retail real estate, capital markets and property operations. The trust is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WSR and adheres to a disciplined acquisition approach aimed at long-term value creation for its shareholders.