SELF STORAGE INVESTING
INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT
In the early 1960s, visionary real estate developers identified the growing demand for residential and commercial storage and the enormous investment potential self-storage offered. This realization set the stage for the dynamic industry we know today.
Early Storage Solutions
In its infancy, self-storage was available only at conventional warehouses operated by moving and storage companies. These bonded companies ensured protection against theft, but renters had to inventory and handle their items themselves. Accessing stored items often incurred additional fees.
By the mid-60s, the concept evolved into self-service storage, providing the convenience of individual units and drive-up access. The first self-storage facility opened in the Southwest, quickly followed by more on the West Coast and eventually throughout the United States. Early facilities featured rows of garage doors with unpaved driveways, secured by chain link fences. Over time, designs improved to include offices, gates, and the ability to convert older buildings into viable self-storage businesses.
Storage Solutions Evolve
Today’s self-storage facilities boast advancements in aesthetics, design, and technology. From single-story buildings to multi-story facilities with interior hallways and climate control, self-storage has adapted to meet the diverse needs of modern renters. Now, these facilities store not just valuable items but also boats, cars, household goods, medical records, business inventory, and industrial equipment.
The United States alone has over 52,500 self-storage facilities, demonstrating the industry’s permanence and integral role in commerce, from rural areas to bustling metropolitan hubs. The self-storage industry generated $27.2 billion in annual
