Forum Partners, Pocket Storage Complete First Round of Funding for Adaptive Reuse Self-Storage Investments in the UKForum Partners, Pocket Storage Complete First Round of Funding for Adaptive Reuse Self-Storage Investments in the UK
February 4, 2025

Real estate investment firm Forum Partners and Pocket Storage, one of its portfolio companies, have completed their first round of funding to convert existing structures in urban U.K. markets to self-storage. The company’s plan to open three London projects this year totaling 38,000 square feet, with the first scheduled for the second quarter, according to a press release.
Forum aims to repurpose underutilized urban spaces into automated and centrally located self-storage facilities in underserved markets. After reaching scale in the U.K., it intends to expand across targeted urban markets worldwide including New York City, Paris, Tokyo and other cities, the release stated.
“Due to high real estate costs, space limitations, zoning challenges and elevated operating costs, traditional self-storage operators have minimal exposure to densely populated urban areas,” said Russell Platt, CEO of Forum. “Our new platform’s focus on leasing underutilized space coupled with a proprietary and fully automated booking and access system solves the traditional challenges of operating in urban areas.
This is an eloquent solution that provides convenience for the consumer and economic benefit for owners of vacant retail space and underutilized parking garages,” he added. “We don’t need a large footprint or extensive capital investment and can bring a variety of unit sizes to market quickly.”
Founded in 2002, Forum is a global investment manager that invests in real estate assets and companies. It has deployed $7.7 billion of capital across 24 countries and more than 100 investments. Its portfolio of operating companies and affiliates directly or indirectly own or manage more than $14 billion of commercial real estate.
Source: PR Newswire, Forum Partners Closes First Round of Funding for Self-Storage Platform Focused on Adaptive Reuse in Ultra-Urban Markets
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