Development

The development of a self-storage facility generally begins with a comprehensive market analysis of the proposed project area. New owners and/or developers will usually hire a third-party specialist to conduct a detailed feasibility study, which will identify market demographics and other key metrics to determine the viability of self-storage in a particular location. Once a site is chosen, an engineer and architect are hired to design a self-storage facility that will maximize the investment in the land, including the site layout and unit mix. The developer, builder and/or owner may need to meet with local residents and the planning and zoning board to discuss the community impact of the project and the aesthetics of the individual buildings, including landscaping, building height, door color, etc. Owners might consider a multi-story building to maximize their footprint, or converting a building from another use to self-storage to widen their options.

  • United Stor-All Sante Fe
    A vacant builder’s supply yard was transformed into a multi-story self-storage facility with a pre-engineered interior-mezzanine system. The result was a space-efficient and profitable business for the owner and an asset to the community.The United Stor-All project in ...More
    November 1, 2005
    Posted in Articles, Construction, Development
  • The Beauty of Mixed-Use Development
    In the mid -’60S, state-of-the-art self-storage facilities were generally in remote, industrial sectors. Land was cheap, construction aesthetics were nonexistent, and the “Field of Dreams” approach was the sole marketing strategy. Since then, all aspects of the industry ...More
    October 1, 2005 Jeff Eckols and Mike Parham
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • The State of Storage in France
    After 15 years of expansion, the French market is still in its infancy. There are 118 storage facilities serving the country’s population of 62 million. Compare these figures with those of the United Kingdom, which has about the same population and more than 400 ...More
    October 1, 2005 Philippe Peyrot
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • The Fine Points of Boat/RV Storage
    As RV and boat storage develops an identity independent of traditional self-storage, it’s important for developers to educate themselves on the design and construction issues specific to this exciting product. Sit down at a design kick-off meeting, and several hot topics ...More
    October 1, 2005 Tarik Williams
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • Starting Small
    As the saying goes, “Good things come in small packages.” Twenty-five years ago, I could barely fit a computer on my desk; today, I can tuck one in my briefcase. My cell phone is about the size of a pack of Tic-Tacs and will take a picture. Video cameras, televisions and ...More
    September 1, 2005 Melissa Hermes
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • The Cost of Storage Development
    The recent explosion of self-storage building has left many developers— seasoned owners as well as neophytes—questioning if it is a prudent time to build. The primary issue is risk vs. reward. The days of yields in the 14 percent to 16 percent range are over. Even the ...More
    September 1, 2005 RK Kliebenstein
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • Extreme Land Utilization
    Self-storage facilities of three or more floors are becoming increasingly common in heavily populated areas where land is scarce and expensive. Economics and the law of supply and demand necessitate multistory building, often with one or two basement levels. But designing ...More
    September 1, 2005 Ariel Valli
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • Insight to a Great Site
    Self-storage has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. The industry has become more refined, high-tech and competitive. In the '70s and '80s, the challenge was to convince potential customers they needed storage. Today’s goal is to convince prospects they should use ...More
    September 1, 2005 Erik Hermes
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • Getting to ‘Go’
    Perhaps one of the greatest analogies for the real estate business is the game of Monopoly. During play, there are opportunities for easy money when you pass “Go”—if you don’t draw the wrong cards. But getting to “Go” isn’t the objective of the game. Neither is it the goal ...More
    September 1, 2005 Victor Lopez
    Posted in Articles, Development
  • The Burning Question
    To build or not to build is the biggest question facing today’s self-storage developer. When considering a plan, he has to examine a number of critical issues to ensure a viable and profitable project. Some considerations are whether the area can support more storage, how ...More
    September 1, 2005 Jamie Lindau
    Posted in Articles, Development
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