U Store It, which operates nine self-storage facilities in Ireland, has opened its flagship location in Dublin. The eight-story building at the Liffey Valley Office Campus in Palmerstown Upper is the “largest self-storage facility in Europe,” according to a press release.
Spanning 150,000 square feet in more than 2,500 units, the building contains a first-floor café and remote workstations. Designed with sustainability in mind, it also features rooftop solar panels, electric-vehicle charging stations and an eco-conscious roofing system, the release stated.
The Dublin site also incorporates cutting-edge self-storage technology, including multiple products by OpenTech Alliance Inc. These include the Insomniac CIA access-control system, the Insomniac Smart Lock and the OpenNet wireless-mesh network, all of which are connected via OpenTech’s Internet of Things platform. This unified approach allows U Store It to extend automation, reduce tenant friction and make smarter operational decisions in real time, the release stated.
“Technology is at the center of how we want to run our business and serve our customers,” said U Store It CEO Karen Brennan. “OpenTech’s solutions allow us to offer tenants more convenience while giving our staff the visibility and tools they need to manage the site efficiently. It’s a big step forward for us, and a model we believe represents the future of self-storage in Europe.”
U Store It also leverages Uniti AI, an artificial-intelligence-powered platform that connects the company with its customers across phone, email, web, chat, text and WhatsApp. OpenTech announced a partnership with Uniti earlier this month.
“U Store It’s flagship Dublin facility demonstrates how leading operators are using technology to solve everyday operational challenges while future-proofing their facility,” said Robert A. Chiti, CEO for OpenTech. “From extending rental access beyond office hours, meeting tenant expectations for keyless entry and gaining full visibility into property activity, these are solutions designed to address real pain points and unlock new opportunities for growth.”
The new Dublin site will be included in a property tour during the Federation of European Self Storage Associations Conference & Tradeshow, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Company representatives will also be available during the event to discuss the property.
U Store It operates two locations in Belfast, four in Dublin, and one each in Cork, Galway and Waterford.
OpenTech specializes in smart-connected technology solutions. Its products and services include the Insomniac line of kiosks as well as call-center solutions and access-control systems. It also owns self-storage online-auction companies iBid4Storage.com, SelfStorageAuction.com and StorageTreasures.
