Self-Storage Investment Firm Spartan Hires Strategic Adviser

Spartan Investment Group, a privately held real estate investment firm that specializes in self-storage and operates the FreeUp Storage brand, has hired R. Christian Sonne as a strategic adviser. Sonne will assist in the company’s mitigation and strategic-planning processes and be responsible for promoting and expanding its network of investors and professional contacts, according to a press release.

“At Spartan, we believe our values show in our dedication to bringing sound, solid opportunities to investors, and Chris shares this belief with us,” said Ryan Gibson, co-founder and chief investment officer. “We look forward to welcoming him to the team and know that his unmatched wealth of knowledge and experience in the self-storage industry will greatly benefit our team and our investors.”

Sonne most recently served as executive vice president and national practice co-leader for the self-storage segment of the Valuation & Advisory Division of Newmark Group Inc. He began his valuation career in 1984 and has worked with clients in a variety of property sectors through stints with Bank of America, Deloitte and his own firm, The Sonne Group. He also previously served as managing director of Cushman & Wakefield’s Self-Storage Valuation Group.

Sonne is a member of the national Self Storage Association and holds several industry affiliations, including CRE and MAI designations from the Counselors of Real Estate and the Appraisal Institute, respectively. He’s a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a certified general real estate appraiser in California, Hawaii and New York.

Founded in 2014 and based in Golden, Colorado, Spartan operates more 65 self-storage facilities nationwide.