Category: Featured Home Slider

Westport Properties Completes 1,400-Unit Self-Storage Facility in Covina, California

Westport Properties has completed a 1,400-unit, 183,000-square-foot self-storage facility at 529 Cutter Way in Covina, California, operating under the US Storage Centers brand. The 2.2-acre site was acquired from Faith Community Church of West Covina for $8 million in 2025 and includes AI-powered systems, full climate control, and keypad-gated access. The project extends Westport’s presence into the San Gabriel Valley and brings the company’s total managed portfolio to more than 15.4 million square feet nationally. Read the Full Article Source: Orange County Business Journal

SmartStop REIT Affiliates Plan Merger to Create 3.2 Million Square Foot Portfolio

Strategic Storage Trust VI (SST VI) and Strategic Storage Growth Trust III (SSGT III), both affiliated with SmartStop Self Storage REIT, have entered a definitive all-stock merger agreement under which SST VI will acquire SSGT III. The combined portfolio will encompass approximately 37 wholly owned facilities, 3.2 million net rentable square feet, and a total asset value of roughly $1.2 billion. The transaction, which also includes joint venture interests and DST-sponsored properties, is expected to close in Q4 2026 pending SSGT III stockholder approval. Read the Full Article Source: BusinessWire

West Coast Self-Storage Opens 478-Unit Facility in Grand Mound, Washington

West Coast Self-Storage has opened a 478-unit facility at 5942 196th Ave. SW in Grand Mound, Washington, situated near the interchange of Interstate 5 and U.S. Highway 12. The 67,540-square-foot property includes heated indoor and drive-up ground-level units, with select larger units offering electrical power. The project was developed by Bowlds Development Company and serves the Grand Mound, Rochester, and Centralia area. The opening brings new managed storage supply to a rural Washington corridor where highway visibility and regional access tend to support stable demand. Read the Full Article Source:…

10 Features Storage Renters Are Most Willing to Pay Extra For

One of the biggest opportunities for self-storage owners isn’t simply filling vacant units—it’s increasing the value customers perceive in their rental experience. While location and pricing remain important, many tenants are willing to pay higher rental rates for amenities that provide greater convenience, security, and peace of mind. Understanding which features customers value most can help operators prioritize capital improvements that generate stronger returns. 1. Pest Control Nothing damages customer confidence faster than concerns about rodents or insects. A professionally maintained pest control program protects tenants’ belongings while reinforcing the…

We Asked. We Listened. We Built THE Show.

As publisher of Modern Storage Media, I’ve had the privilege of attending more self-storage conferences and trade shows than I could possibly count. Some have been outstanding. Others…not so much. But over the years, one thing became abundantly clear. No matter where I went, I kept hearing the same comments. “I hate having to choose between educational sessions and spending time on the trade show floor.” “There just isn’t enough time to really network.” “I want education I can actually use when I get home.” When we began planning THE…

Weekly Self Storage Transaction Roundup: 6/30/26 – 7/01/26

Self-storage sales last week highlighted a clear split between scarcity-driven pricing power and execution-driven upside. Washington, DC, and Jefferson Valley, NY, anchored the high-barrier end of the spectrum: the DC asset operated in a market with just 3.90 SF per capita and the week’s highest walk-in rate at $3.46/SF, while Jefferson Valley paired affluent Westchester County demographics with limited nearby competition and $2.45/SF walk-in rates. Meanwhile, the Denver MSA portfolio offered a different version of demand, pairing stabilized in-place cash flow with exposure to two distinct suburban markets: Arvada, a…

Blue Bird Mini Storage Wins Approval to Expand Onto Commercial Corner Parcel in Cornelia, Georgia

The Cornelia, Georgia City Commission voted 3-1 to approve an amendment permitting Blue Bird Mini Storage LLC to extend its planned development at 1509 Level Grove Road onto a corner parcel originally set aside for retail. Engineering constraints related to stormwater retention reduced the usable area for a retail tenant, leading the developer to request the change. The hearing raised issues around cemetery proximity, market demand, and land use trade-offs — a combination of concerns that reflects the broader scrutiny self-storage projects commonly face in smaller municipal markets. Read the…

SecureSpace Opens Fourth San Diego Location in Encanto Neighborhood in San Diego, California

SecureSpace Self Storage has opened a location at 5950 Federal Blvd in San Diego’s Encanto neighborhood, marking the brand’s fourth facility in the metro area. The three-story building offers 51,190 square feet across 555 units and eight rentable parking spaces, with ongoing renovations that include AI-enabled security systems. A fifth San Diego location is currently under construction. The openings illustrate a market clustering strategy in which operators concentrate multiple facilities within a single metro to build brand density and operational efficiency. Read the Full Article Source: PR Newswire (by CISION)

StorageMart Expands in Chicago and Indianapolis With Two New Managed Sites

StorageMart added two facilities to its third-party management portfolio in Q2 2026, with properties in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Indianapolis, Indiana. The Crystal Lake site at 4504 E Terra Cotta Ave encompasses 86,165 net rentable square feet and 690 units, marking StorageMart’s 20th managed location in the Chicago metro. The Indianapolis property at 6550 S Belmont Ave adds 48,815 square feet and 389 units, extending the brand’s presence to eight sites in that market. The additions are consistent with a broader industry trend of facility owners turning to established operators…

Featured Broker: Taylor Cahn

As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Storage Exchange, Taylor plays a central role in shaping the firm’s investment sales platform and overall growth strategy. He has been instrumental in the development of the company’s proprietary brokerage infrastructure, designed to enhance investment visibility, streamline execution, and deliver efficient, high- certainty transaction outcomes. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Taylor serves as Vice President of Investment Sales, where he leads a team of investment professionals focused on the acquisition and disposition of self-storage and alternative real estate assets. He works closely with…