Vanke Group, a China-based real estate developer, is planning to build a self-storage facility in its high-end Vanke City Garden housing complex in the Minhang District of Shanghai. Many Chinese consumers are still unfamiliar with the self-storage concept, but local residents will soon have the opportunity to rent space to store personal or business items.

Customers will be charged monthly fees for various sizes of yellow storage cubicles. Each unit will have its own lock and be placed inside a secured warehouse, Vanke Group officials said.

The facility will offer 24-hour surveillance with only authorized customers granted entry using an electronic keycard. News reports said storage cubicles will range from about one cubic meter up to units large enough to store a three-person sofa.

Reaction from local residents has been mixed, according to the source, with some liking the convenience of having storage opportunities nearby. Others remain wary about security concerns, preferring to store items in their homes.

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