The Potential in Older Buildings for Self-Storage Conversions

August 22, 2024
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Transformative Real Estate

In the ever-evolving realm of commercial real estate investments, the art of transforming existing buildings into new, vibrant spaces requires a delicate balance of creativity and strategic thinking. With a vision that goes beyond mere profitability, we’ve unveiled a unique investment strategy that breathes new life into forgotten structures. In all of our conversions, we explore the untapped potential of efficiently repurposing buildings and envision a future of thriving communities.

The Value In Underutilized Properties

Underutilized properties often hold untapped potential, making them prime opportunities for savvy investors. By recognizing the hidden value in these assets - whether it’s through redevelopment, repurposing, or strategic management - we transform overlooked spaces into high-performing investments. In a competitive market, turning underutilized properties into profitable ventures is not just a strategy; it’s a way to create long-term value and growth.

Big Box Retail

One particular property type that captures our attention is the former big box retail buildings. With their expansive interior footprints and prime locations boasting excellent visibility and easy access, these structures possess the ideal foundation for self-storage conversion. Moreover, they often present opportunities for the development or sale of excess land, such as the surplus parking lots. However, it's important to note that the journey to successful conversion entails overcoming entitlement challenges, including zoning laws and governmental approvals. Our dedicated team relentlessly seeks to position our projects in a way that garners support from decision makers, both public and private.

Department Stores

A shining example of our self-storage conversion prowess is our triumphant Memphis-Shelby project, which involved the transformation of a once a bustling Sears into a modern hub of commerce. These properties share many positive characteristics with big box retail buildings, such as large interiors, high traffic, and central positioning. However, securing approval from both public and private stakeholders is crucial in obtaining the necessary authority for conversion. Collaboration and buy-in from all parties involved are key to unlocking the potential of these exceptional projects.

Strip Malls

In an era of shifting demographics and changing retail dynamics, we've set our sights on reviving struggling strip retail malls. These properties, strategically located in proximity to competing establishments and densely populated areas, offer a promising canvas for self-storage conversion. By repurposing these spaces, we not only contribute to their rejuvenation but also unlock opportunities for additional development or land sales, ultimately enhancing investment returns and ensuring liquidity during the holding period. It's a win-win scenario that combines adaptability with economic viability.

The entrance to a Public Storage building.
Our Indy III property, which was a former correctional facility. Photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Former Government Buildings

While retail properties often take the spotlight, our journey into self-storage conversions has led us to explore industrial, government, and special-use buildings. A current renovation project in Indianapolis exemplifies our commitment to breathing new life into such structures, previously employed for governmental purposes, like halfway housing. Although these properties may not possess the same visibility as retail buildings, their strategic location within urban areas, coupled with high population densities and limited competition, makes them prime candidates for self-storage conversion. Their lesser-known status paves the way for a unique investment opportunity with reduced entitlement challenges.

Office Conversions

In our quest for conversion possibilities, we've also discovered the hidden potential of office buildings. While the load-bearing capacity of floors poses a challenge, there are numerous office structures, particularly older ones, engineered to handle higher floor loads, making them suitable for self-storage conversion. Additionally, office flex buildings present an intriguing prospect, combining the advantages of office and retail properties, including visibility and favorable demographics. Embracing these unexpected conversions opens up a world of possibilities and widens our investment horizon.

A Vision for Success

As a dedicated team, we invest substantial time and effort in sourcing and analyzing potential conversion opportunities. Our meticulous selection process considers various factors, including price, condition, and location, ensuring that we choose projects that align with our exacting standards. The journey thus far has led us to explore an array of property types, uncovering the potential for real estate investments that offer passive income and long-term growth. Through strategic partnerships with private equity firms, we aim to maximize capital investment and create sustainable value for our investors. Our commitment to innovation, coupled with our deep understanding of the commercial real estate market, drives us to seize every opportunity of investment and deliver exceptional results.

Self-storage conversions offer a compelling avenue for real estate investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on the untapped potential of existing structures. With our expertise in identifying prime storage opportunities and our collaborative approach to private equity investing, we are poised to unlock value and generate long-term success in this thriving sector. Join us on this transformative journey as we shape the future of real estate through strategic capital investments and groundbreaking self-storage conversions.