Modern and Magnificent: Self-Storage Design Showcase 2024

SecureSpace Self Storage in Seattle is where modern meets industrial chic. The facility features pre-finished metal panels and concrete masonry, ensuring it blends effortlessly into its urban surroundings. Equipped with advanced security features, ample parking and spacious elevators, the focus is on convenience. And don’t forget a leasing office that’s both welcoming and stylish!

Between the lush landscape and deck on the side of the building, Storage Court in Mercer Island, Washington, can almost fool a passerby into thinking this facility is a single-family home. If curb appeal equals customers, this property will have no problem attracting eyeballs and dollars.

The full brick exterior at this Midgard Self Storage facility in Vinings, Georgia, offers a blend of style and structural durability while emanating its own sense of Southern charm. (Photo courtesy of Reliant Real Estate Management LLC)

Go Store It Self Storage, which operates 90 facilities in multiple states, converted the former Big Cypress Marketplace in Naples, Florida, to this sprawling stunner. The aerial view offers the perfect perspective from which to see that the exterior blends perfectly blends with the tropical landscape.

The façade of this Extra Space Storage facility in South Orange, New Jersey, showcases cast stone with brick accents, complementing the city’s “Old Town” charm. The east side, which is perfectly positioned to overlook nearby Founder’s Park, features a 50-by-55-foot EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system) screen on which to stream movies or media. (Photo courtesy of ARCO/Murray Design Build)

Experience the sleek and contemporary design of LoknStore Self Storage in Mission, British Columbia, Canada, which operates under the unified management of a joint venture between Pacific Rim Storage and U-Lock Mini Storage. It’s now called U-Lock Mini Storage Mission.

Storage Works operates four facilities in Vancouver, Washington, including this lovely property in Clark County. In addition to offering traditional self-storage, the site caters to RV owners by providing expansive parking along with dump and wash stations. (Photo courtesy of MakoRabco)

Built in 2019, this Storage King facility in Newhall, California, seamlessly established the building footprint on a narrow site without sacrificing functionality. Its exterior color scheme blends with the nearby mountain vistas, capturing the attention of the numerous commuters on neighboring Interstate 5, which sees more than 200,000 vehicles daily.

Discover Lady Luck’s locker at Golden State Storage in Las Vegas. This design is simple and clean yet still effective, showing that less can be more in a city associated with excess. (Photo courtesy of Ojai Oil Co.)

West Coast Self-Storage Group, which specializes in self-storage acquisition, development and property management, recently opened Ironside Storage in Redmond, Oregon, shown here in a rendering. The facility comprises 79,198 square feet in 549 units. The company operates 134 locations across the western states.

In a market where standing out from the crowd is more difficult than ever, All Storage in Fort Worth, Texas, has pulled ahead of the pack with this one-of-a-kind design. It shows how being “boxed in” can entice renters. (Photo courtesy of Storage Asset Management)

SpaceWorks in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, integrates self-storage with offices and conference-room rentals. Its exterior features a flexible design that appeals to customers for both functions. (Photo courtesy of Trachte Building Systems)

West Coast Self Storage recently opened this facility in Lacey, Washington, which comprises 51,765 rentable square feet in 647 units. Designed by Jackson | Main Architecture, it was built by Parkway Construction and is owned by NWB Lacey LLC.

DXD Capital opened this facility in Lake Park, Florida, that’s branded and managed by real estate investment trust Public Storage Inc. The massive building comprises 77,150 square feet in 738 units. (Photo courtesy of DXD Capital)

StoreEase in Middleburg, Florida, lives up to its name with an unassuming design that resembles a commercial shopping center. The property layout makes it simple for customers to access their drive-up units. (Photo courtesy of Inkana Development and Leonard Design)

The blue and white exterior at Atlantic Self Storage in Jacksonville, Florida, conjures thoughts its nearby ocean namesake. Opened in 2033, the building comprises more than 74,000 rentable square feet in 614 climate-controlled units.

Self-storage development firm MV Investment opened this CubeSmart facility last year in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The building comprises 77,500 square feet in 800 units. Since 2018, MV has developed and sold 20 properties in Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of MV Investment)

Customers know they’re headed in the right direction when they discover Compass Self Storage LLC, a member of the Amsdell family of companies. Compass operates more than 100 facilities nationwide, including this gem in Acworth, Georgia. It comprises 70,000 net rentable square feet.

Spartan Investment Group LLC is developing this new facility in Eustis, Florida, under the FreeUp Storage brand. Once complete, it’ll comprise 76,200 square feet in 606 climate-controlled units. Spartan operates more than 60 properties nationwide.

It would be tough to miss this bright and cleanly designed Indoor Self Storage facility in Totnes, England. From the clever color blend to the charming signage, this property has it all. The company also operates a second facility in nearby Dartmouth.

Canyon West Storage in Twins Falls, Idaho, features contemporary roofing and eave heights to accommodate signage that’s visible from U.S Route 93. The building also uses dark metal paneling to mimic windows. (Photo courtesy of Forge Building Co.)

Amazing Spaces more than lives up to its name, as evidenced by this impressive facility in River Oaks, Texas, a suburb of Houston. The saying goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” which this family-owned business took to heart by developing a sleek-looking, nine-story building that would make many hoteliers jealous.

If the concept of a Swiss-army knife was adapted to a self-storage business, you would get Reybold Lifestyle Self Storage in Bear, Delaware. In addition to storage units and RV and boat storage, Reybold offers customers pack-and-ship services, office space, conference rooms, a podcast-recording studio and even space for band rehearsal. So many possibilities under a single roof!

When a company is named Lighthouse Self Storage, it should be easy to find, as its nautically inspired name would indicate. Mission accomplished at its Evansville, Indiana, location, as this clever design successfully incorporates the lighthouse theme for a fun and highly visible presence.

Public Storage in Portland, Oregon, transcended the company’s typical brand style to capture the spirit of the city. Portland is renowned for its independent vibe, thriving arts scene and creativity, which is represented by this colorful, light-gauge steel paneling. (Photo courtesy of MakoRabco)

This state-of-the-art Security Public Storage facility in Portland, Oregon, has it all! It’s just off a major highway and offers individual security alarms, climate-controlled spaces, Amazon lockers, truck rentals and much more. Opened in 2018, it comprises 120,240 square feet in 1,150 units.

StorHub Group, which operates self-storage facilities in Australia and Asia including this one in Singapore, earlier this year achieved certification in Arc Skoru, a sustainability-reporting tool from Green Business Certification Inc. and the U.S. Green Building Council. StorHub owns and manages facilities spanning over 6.4 million square feet.

The Lock N Leave Storage project portrayed in this rendering will be built on nearly 6 acres in Buckeye, Arizona. Once complete, it’ll comprise 62,330 net rentable square feet in 587 units including climate-controlled, drive-up and vehicle storage. (Photo courtesy of CBRE Self Storage Advisory Group)

This stunning three-story facility offers 82,000 rentable square feet of climate-controlled storage with an emphasis on high-tech security systems, well-lit interior hallways, high-definition cameras and smart entry. Opened this year, it’s one of the first facilities under the Trojan Storage brand to operate on the East Coast. (Photo courtesy of MakoRabco)

When modern meets art, you simply can’t go wrong. Sentry Self Storage in North Boca Raton, Florida, has it all—impressive architecture, bright colors and varied materials. It’s a winning combination that’ll surely attract attention.

One advantage to having available land is the ability to build big … real big like this Monster Self Storage in Valdosta, California. So much space also means you can offer tenants a variety of storage options. (Photo courtesy of Monster Self Storage)

Columbus Self Storage in Columbus, Wisconsin, employes an array of materials and architectural elements. For example, it sports fiber-cement simulated brick, and block and wood on a climate-controlled lean-to building that uses a varied-height parapet wall to highlight the office. Gooseneck lighting and large windows add interest to the façade. The site offers interior and drive-up climate-controlled units with insulated sectional doors. (Photo courtesy of Trachte Building Systems)

Citizen Storage in Toledo, Ohio, opened in September in a former warehouse. The facility comprises 80,000 net rentable square feet of climate-controlled storage accessible via three entrances, including a drive-through.

Opened last year in Craigieburn, Victoria, Australia, this Kennards Self Storage facility includes four two-story buildings offering 537 units. Plans are underway to add three more single-storage structures containing 130 units.

Opened in 2020, Avid Storage in Inlet Beach, Florida, offers an abundance of unit sizes and types in 786 spaces across 95,735 net rentable square feet. Located off U.S. Route 98, the three-story building allows customers the ability to access their units from their smart device.

Brookwood Properties LLC opened this Storage Center in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this year. The three-story building comprises 100,000 net rentable square feet in 900 climate-controlled units. Brookwood operates 64 locations in seven states. with plans to open four more in the state this year.

Weathervane Self Storage in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a testament to creative architecture and thoughtful design. The site blends a modern look with functional efficiency and a deep respect for history. A repurposed grain elevator even serves as a quaint, rustic sign. Opened in 2022, the facility comprises 48,800 square feet in 310 units. (Photo courtesy of Trachte Building Systems)

This rendering of Taylor Secure Storage in Taylor, Michigan, shows how the building will look once it’s converted from its former use as a racquetball club. Repurposing outdated buildings can be a cost-effective and quick way to open a facility, though any upper floors must be strong enough to carry the load of storage units. Many buildings meet this requirement and most can be reinforced. A structural engineer can perform a study. (Photo courtesy of Designhaus LLC)

When you marry exquisite architectural design with an abundance of varied materials, you can create a true masterpiece. Slate Storage in Bozeman, Montana, effortlessly blends with the surrounding mountain terrain to create an appealing design that’s carried throughout the property. (Photo courtesy of Trachte Building Systems)

Grocery stores are popular choices for self-storage conversion projects, as they’re typically large, single-story buildings with solid foundations and big parking lots that offer ample room for growth. They’re also usually positioned in dense neighborhoods filled with prospective renters. This upcoming MySpace Storage in Lansing, Michigan, will be a perfect example of how successful the approach can be. (Photo courtesy of Designhaus LLC)

Many self-storage operators leverage the use of vibrant colors to promote their brand. This allows their facilities, like this Safeguard Self Storage project in Philadelphia, to stand out in a crowded market. It also makes it easy for renters to immediately recognize the company’s buildings.

When building self-storage, landing a parcel near existing retail is a game-changer. StrongPoint Self Storage in Cordova, Tennessee, is near an Ikea, so drive-by traffic is guaranteed! Opened last year, the facility comprises 106,884 square feet in a variety of unit sizes.

Everyone loves a good mascot, and choosing one that’s already beloved by the public is just good marketing. Bee Safe Storage and Wine Cellar incorporates a very sweet symbol into its branding, including the sign on this facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. The operator has locations in the Carolinas, Texas, Tennessee and Montana.

MV Investments completed this CubeSmart in Fayetteville, North Carolina, last year, then sold it to an undisclosed buyer. It includes nine single-story buildings offering 90,000 square feet in 808 units. Now branded and managed by Extra Space Storage, the project addressed an acute need for climate-controlled self-storage in the area.

Garrett Development Corp. opened three self-storage facilities in Arizona this year. Two are managed by Extra Space Storage, including this one in Scottsdale that operates under the Life Storage brand. It comprises 89,500 square feet and offers 35 covered vehicle-storage spaces. Garrett owns six storage facilities in Metro Phoenix. (Photo courtesy of Garrett Development)

Reliant Real Estate Management LLC operates more than 100 facilities n under the Midgard Self Storage brand, including this lovely one in Denver. The colossal building offers climate-controlled and drive-up units as well as vehicle storage.

The William Warren Group opened this StorQuest Self Storage in Ronkonkoma, New York, in 2021. The three-story building is powered by solar panels. It offers 70,000 square feet in 843 climate-controlled and drive-up units. It also provides vehicle storage.

Family owned and operated Storage Ninjas joined forces with development company Upper Space Group last year to purchase the former Triple 7 Storage in Oglesby, Illinois. This rendering shows the planned transformation planned for the site, which will be rebranded as Bon Voyage Storage. Once complete, it’ll offer 81,000 square feet of vehicle storage.

Insite Property Group, which operates the SecureSpace Self Storage brand, has opened dozens of facilities in the past few years, including this one in Portland, Oregon. Located just off U.S. Route 30, the multi-story building offers a varied unit mix including climate-controlled space.

Trojan Storage in Camarillo, California, is a great example of how self-storage can seamlessly meld with the existing landscape. Opened about a year ago, the facility contains two, single-story buildings and one three-story structure comprising a total of 114,052 square feet in 888 units. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Architects)

While a sleek, modern-looking office is all the rage these days, a more traditional offering can also be enticing. Storage Court in Monroe, Washington, takes a fresh approach with its front office, evoking a homey-feel that’ll resonate with many renters. Opened in 1999, the facility offers 92,740 square feet in 668 units, plus vehicle storage.

Whether blending in or standing out, self-storage design is evolving with each new project as illustrated by this Extra Space Storage in Azusa, California. Architects, developers and owners are embracing new materials, bold colors and innovative designs that’ll are simply stunning. This property comprises two stories above ground and one below to offer 140,000 gross square feet and 1,150 units. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Architects)

Whether blending in or standing out, self-storage design is evolving with each new project as illustrated by this Extra Space Storage in Azusa, California. Architects, developers and owners are embracing new materials, bold colors and innovative designs that’ll are simply stunning. This property comprises two stories above ground and one below to offer 140,000 gross square feet and 1,150 units. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Architects)