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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000

Commission File Number: 0-24071

Sovran Acquisition Limited Partnership
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

6467 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14221
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

(716) 633-1850
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

None

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   [ X ]   No [   ]

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    [ X ]

     As of March 15, 2001, 12,860,926 Units of Limited Partnership Interest were outstanding.

Exhibit Index is on Pages 53 - 54

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on May 17, 2001 (Part III).

     Sovran Acquisition Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership") is the entity through which Sovran Self Storage, Inc. (the "Company"), a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT"), conducts substantially all of the Company's business and owns substantially all of the Company's assets. The Operating Partnership is one of the largest owners and operators of self-storage properties in the Eastern United States and Texas. In 1995, the Company was formed under Maryland law and the Operating Partnership was organized as a Delaware limited partnership to continue and to expand the self-storage operations of the Company's privately owned predecessor organizations. The term "Company" as used herein means Sovran Self Storage, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (including the Operating Partnership) or, where the context so requires, Sovran Self Storage, Inc. only. The term "Operating Partnership" as used herein means Sovran Acquisition Limited Partnership and, as the context may require, the Company Predecessors.

     The Company is currently a 93.38% economic owner of the Operating Partnership and controls it through Sovran Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated in Delaware and the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. This structure is commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT or "UPREIT". The Board of Directors of Holdings, the members of which are the same as the members of the Board of Directors of the Company, manages the affairs of the Operating Partnership by directing the affairs of Holdings. The Company's limited partner and indirect general partner interests in the Operating Partnership entitle it to share in cash distributions from, and in the profits and losses of, the Operating Partnership in proportion to its ownership interest therein and entitle the Company to vote on all matters requiring a vote of the limited partners.

     The other limited partners of the Operating Partnership are persons who contributed their direct or indirect interests in certain self-storage properties to the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership is obligated to redeem each unit of limited partnership ("Unit") at the request of the holder thereof for cash equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Shares"), at the time of such redemption, provided that the Company at its option may elect to acquire any such Unit presented for redemption for one Common Share or cash. With each such redemption or acquisition by the Company, the Company's percentage ownership interest in the Operating Partnership will increase. In addition, whenever the Company issues Common Shares, the Company is obligated to contribute any net proceeds therefrom to the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership is obligated to issue an equivalent number of Units to the Company.

     The Operating Partnership may issue additional Units to acquire additional self-storage properties in transactions that in certain circumstances defer some or all of the sellers' tax consequences. The Operating Partnership believes that many potential sellers of self-storage properties have a low tax basis in their properties and would be more willing to sell the properties in transactions that defer Federal income taxes. Offering Units instead of cash for properties may provide potential sellers partial Federal income tax deferral.

     As of March 15, 2001 the Operating Partnership owned and operated 222 self-storage properties (individually, a "Property" and collectively, the "Properties") consisting of approximately 12.4 million net rentable square feet, situated in 21 states. The Operating Partnership also manages 8 properties under an agreement with a joint venture consisting of .5 million square feet. As of December 31, 2000, the Properties had a weighted average occupancy of 86% and a weighted average annual rent per occupied square foot of $8.11. The Operating Partnership believes that it is the 5th largest operator of self-storage properties in the United States based on facilities owned and managed.

     The Operating Partnership seeks to increase cash flow and enhance investor value through aggressive management of the Properties and selective acquisitions of new self-storage properties. Aggressive property management entails increasing rents, increasing occupancy levels, strictly controlling costs, maximizing collections, strategically expanding and improving the Properties and, should economic conditions warrant, developing new properties. The Operating Partnership believes that there continues to be significant opportunities for growth through acquisitions, and constantly seeks to acquire self-storage properties located primarily in the Eastern United States that are susceptible to realization of increased economies of scale and enhanced performance through application of the Operating Partnership's management expertise.

     The Operating Partnership's principal executive offices are located at 6467 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14221, and its telephone number is (716) 633-1850.

     The Operating Partnership believes that self-storage facilities offer inexpensive storage space to residential and commercial users. In addition to fully enclosed and secure storage space, some operators, including the Operating Partnership, also offer outside storage for automobiles, recreational vehicles and boats. The storage sites are usually fenced and well lighted with gates that are either manually operated or automated. All facilities have a full-time manager/leasing agent. Customers have access to their storage area during business hours and in certain circumstances are provided with 24-hour access. Individual storage units are secured by the customer's lock, which may be purchased from the Operating Partnership, and the customer has control of access to the unit.

     The Operating Partnership believes that the self-storage industry is characterized by a trend toward consolidation, continuing increase in demand, relatively slow growth in supply and a targeted market of primarily residential customers.

     According to published data, of the approximately 32,000 facilities in the United States, less than 13% are managed by the ten largest operators. The remainder of the industry is characterized by numerous small, local operators. The shortage of skilled operators, the scarcity of financing available to small operators for acquisitions and expansions and the potential for savings through economies of scale are factors which are leading to a consolidation in the industry. The Operating Partnership believes that as a result of this trend, significant growth opportunities exist for operators with proven management systems and sufficient capital resources.

     Demand for self-storage service has increased as indicated by an increase in industry-wide average rents and in industry average occupancy. It is expected to remain strong because it is slow to react to changing conditions and because of various other factors, including population growth, increased mobility, expansion of condominium, townhouse and apartment living, and increasing consumer awareness, particularly by commercial users. Commercial customers tend to rent larger areas for longer terms, are more reliable payers and are less sensitive to price increases. The Operating Partnership estimates that commercial users account for approximately 30% of its total occupancy, which is substantially higher than the reported industry average of 19%.

     The Operating Partnership believes that it has developed substantial expertise in managing self-storage facilities. Key elements of the Operating Partnership's management system include:

     Property Managers attend a thorough orientation program and undergo continuous training which emphasizes telephone skills, closing techniques, identification of selected marketing opportunities, networking with possible referral sources, and familiarization with the Operating Partnership's customized management information system. In addition to frequent contact with Area and Regional Managers and other Operating Partnership personnel, Property Managers receive periodic newsletters regarding a variety of operational issues, and from time to time attend "roundtable" seminars with other Property Managers.

     The Operating Partnership annually develops a written marketing plan for each of its Properties the content of which is highly dependent upon local conditions. The focus of each marketing plan is, in part, determined by occupancy rates. If all storage units of the same size at a Property are at or near 90% occupancy, then the plan will generally include increases in rental rates. If a Property has excess capacity, then the marketing plan will target selected markets such as local military bases, colleges, apartment and condominium complexes, industrial parks, medical centers, retail shopping malls and office suites. The Operating Partnership primarily uses telephone directories to advertise its services, including a map and when possible, listing Properties in the same marketplace in a single advertisement. The Operating Partnership also conducts quarterly surveys of its competitors' practices, which include "shopping" competing facilities.

     The Operating Partnership's customized computer system performs billing, collections and reservation functions for each Property, and also tracks information used in developing marketing plans based on occupancy levels, and tenant demographics and histories. The system generates daily, weekly and monthly financial reports for each Property that are immediately transmitted to the Operating Partnership's principal office each night. The system also requires a Property Manager to input a descriptive explanation for all debit and credit transactions, paid-to-date changes, and all other discretionary activities, which allows the accounting staff at the Operating Partnership's principal office to promptly review all such transactions. Late charges are automatically imposed. More sensitive activities such as rental rate changes and unit size or number changes are completed only by Area and Regional Managers. The Operating Partnership's customized management information system permits it to add new facilities to its portfolio with minimal additional overhead expense.

     Responding to the increased customer demand for services, the Operating Partnership has initiated several programs expected to increase occupancy and profitability. These programs include:

     The Operating Partnership is subject to federal, state, and local environmental regulations that apply generally to the ownership of real property and the operation of self-storage facilities. The Operating Partnership has not received notice from any governmental authority or private party of any material environmental noncompliance, claim, or liability in connection with any of the Properties, and is not aware of any environmental condition with respect to any of the Properties that could have a material adverse effect on the Operating Partnership's financial condition or results of operations.

     The Properties are also generally subject to the same types of local regulations governing other real property, including zoning ordinances. The Operating Partnership believes that the Properties are in substantial compliance with all such regulations.

     Each of the Properties is covered by fire, flood and property insurance, including comprehensive liability, all-risk property insurance, provided by reputable companies and with commercially reasonable terms. In addition, the Operating Partnership maintains a policy insuring against environmental liabilities resulting from tenant storage on terms customary for the industry, and title insurance insuring fee title to the Operating Partnership owned Properties in an aggregate amount believed to be adequate.

     The primary factors upon which competition in the self-storage industry is based are location, rental rates, suitability of a property's design to prospective tenants' needs, and the manner in which the property is operated and marketed. The Operating Partnership believes it competes successfully on these bases. The extent of competition depends in significant part on local market conditions. The Operating Partnership seeks to locate its facilities so as not to cause its own Properties to compete with one another for customers, but the number of self-storage facilities in a particular area could have a material adverse effect on the performance of any of the Properties.

     Several of the Operating Partnership's competitors, including Public Storage Management, Inc., Shurgard Incorporated, U-Haul International, and Storage USA, Inc., are larger and have substantially greater financial resources than the Operating Partnership. These larger operators may, among other possible advantages, be capable of greater leverage and the payment of higher prices for acquisitions.

     While the Operating Partnership emphasizes equity real estate investments, it may, in its discretion, invest in mortgages and other real estate interests related to self-storage properties consistent with the Company's qualification as a REIT. The Operating Partnership may also retain a purchase money mortgage for a portion of the sale price in connection with the disposition of properties from time to time. Should investment opportunities become available, the Operating Partnership may look to acquire self-storage properties via a joint-venture partnership or similar entity. The Operating Partnership may or may not have a significant investment in such a venture, but would use such an opportunity to expand its portfolio of branded and managed properties.

     Subject to the percentage of ownership limitations and gross income tests necessary for the Company's REIT qualification, the Operating Partnership also may invest in securities of entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities.

     Management periodically reviews the assets comprising the Operating Partnership's portfolio. Any disposition decision will be based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the (i) potential to continue to increase cash flow and value, (ii) sale price, (iii) strategic fit with the rest of the Operating Partnership's portfolio, (iv) potential for, or existence of, environmental or regulatory issues, (v) alternative uses of capital, and (vi) maintaining the Company's qualification as a REIT.

     As part of an asset management program, the Operating Partnership expects to "spin-off" non-core, slow-growth properties, into off balance sheet joint ventures. These ventures may allow the Operating Partnership to i) increase incremental revenues through management fees, ii) provide strong returns on its equity left in the joint venture, and iii) increase liquidity to allow redeployment of equity to repay debt, acquire stock, or buy higher growth properties. In 2000, the Operating Partnership sold seven facilities for approximately $20 million to a joint venture in which the Operating Partnership retained a 45% interest.

     The Board of Directors of the Company currently limits the amount of debt that may be incurred by the Company to less than 50% of the sum of market value of the issued and outstanding Common and Preferred Stock plus the Company's debt (Market Capitalization). The Company, however, may from time to time re-evaluate and modify its borrowing policy in light of then current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of properties, growth and acquisition opportunities and other factors.

     The Operating Partnership refinanced its credit facility in 2000, replacing its $150 million credit facility and $75 million term note with a $150 million 3-year credit facility, $75 million 3 year term note (extendable to 5 years at the Operating Partnership's option) and $30 million 1 year term note. The proceeds were used to fund the 2000 acquisitions and property expansions and improvements.

     To the extent that the Operating Partnership desires to obtain additional capital to pay distributions, to provide working capital, to pay existing indebtedness or to finance acquisitions, expansions or development of new properties, the Operating Partnership may utilize preferred stock offerings, floating or fixed rate debt financing, retention of cash flow (subject to satisfying the Operating Partnership's distribution requirements under the REIT rules) or a combination of these methods. Additional debt financing may also be obtained through mortgages on its Properties, which may be recourse, non-recourse, or cross-collateralized and may contain cross-default provisions. The Operating Partnership has not established any limit on the number or amount of mortgages that may be placed on any single Property or on its portfolio as a whole. For additional information regarding borrowings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" and Note 5 to the Operating Partnership's Financial Statements appearing elsewhere herein.

     The Operating Partnership currently employs a total of 615 employees, including 234 Property Managers, 6 Area Managers, 7 Regional Managers, 3 Executive Vice Presidents and 303 part time employees. At the Operating Partnership's headquarters, in addition to the Company's 3 executive officers, the Operating Partnership employs 59 people engaged in various support activities such as accounting and management information systems. None of the Operating Partnership's employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Operating Partnership considers its employee relations to be excellent.

     At December 31, 2000, the Operating Partnership, owned 100% fee simple interests in, and operated, a total of 222 Properties, consisting of approximately 12.4 million net rentable square feet, situated in twenty-one states in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, Arizona and Texas.

     The Operating Partnership's self-storage facilities offer inexpensive, easily accessible, enclosed storage space to residential and commercial users on a month-to-month basis. Most of the Operating Partnership's Properties are fenced with computerized gates and are well lighted. All but twenty-three of the Properties are single-story, thereby providing customers with the convenience of direct vehicle access to their storage units. All Properties have a Property Manager on-site during business hours. Customers have access to their storage areas during business hours, and some commercial customers are provided 24-hour access. Individual storage units are secured by a lock furnished by the customer to provide the customer with control of access to the unit.

     Currently, 216 of the Properties conduct business under the user-friendly trade name "Uncle BoB's Self-Storage" and the remainder are operated under various names acquired with the Properties. The Operating Partnership intends to convert all of the Properties to the "Uncle BoB's" trade name.

The table below provides certain information regarding the Operating Partnership owned properties: