W.P. Carey (NYSE:WPC) (NYSE: WPC) is a global net-lease real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in long-term commercial property leases. The company’s core business revolves around sale-leaseback transactions, build-to-suit development projects and direct investments in single-tenant properties. By structuring leases that transfer operational responsibilities to tenants, W.P. Carey secures predictable rental income while tenants retain the flexibility to focus on their core operations.
Founded in 1973 by industry pioneer William Polk Carey, the firm has grown through a combination of strategic acquisitions and disciplined capital deployment. In 2012, W.P. Carey merged with Corporate Property Associates 15 Inc., significantly expanding its asset base and establishing one of the largest publicly traded net-lease REITs. Over the decades, the company has cultivated longstanding relationships with corporate tenants across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, distribution, technology and retail.
With a geographically diversified portfolio spanning North America, Europe and Asia, W.P. Carey’s properties encompass industrial warehouses, office buildings, retail centers, self-storage facilities and specialty assets such as cold storage and data centers. This diversification strategy helps mitigate market-specific risks and provides exposure to multiple end markets, allowing W.P. Carey to pursue opportunities in both mature and emerging economies.
Headquartered in New York City, W.P. Carey operates under a leadership team led by President and CEO David A. Chiacchia, supported by a seasoned management group overseeing portfolio management, acquisitions and property operations. The company’s disciplined underwriting process, risk-adjusted investment approach and emphasis on creditworthy tenants drive its long-term strategy to generate stable, inflation-hedged income streams for shareholders.
