A Remarkable Self-Storage Conversion: Life Storage Centers of River North, Chicago

While retrofitting empty buildings into fully functional self-storage facilities has always been a part of the industry construction landscape, the lack of available land for new development combined with the recent availability of large existing structures has given the conversion sector new life. Developers, owners and investors are taking advantage of vacant spaces to create high-end facilities that seamlessly blend with retail, office and residential landscapes.

One such project is Life Storage Centers of River North in Chicago, which opened in August. Situated on the corner of Ohio and Orleans streets, the new facility capitalizes on its downtown locale plus its proximity to the famous Ohio Street feeder ramp on the city’s west side.

This image gallery showcases the conversion of a 109-year-old structure from a rundown building into a crown jewel of the Life Storage brand. Witness the transformation of the space and how both owner and builder circumvented development challenges.

This image gallery sponsored by:

Janus International Corp., a manufacturer of self-storage doors and hallway systems, supplied and installed the doors and hallway systems for the Life Storage building conversion. Janus manufactures coiling-sheet doors and building components for the industrial, commercial and self-storage markets. Headquartered in Temple, Ga., the company has five U.S. locations as well as joint ventures in the United Kingdom and Mexico.