Since my last blog on how an increasing number of self-storage developers and owners are embracing innovative building designs, I've noticed more examples of those who are moving beyond traditional big-box structures. The latest eye-grabbers aren’t even about shape and style but rather the increasing integration of artwork into facility aesthetics.
This practice makes a lot of sense. Vibrant paintings and other visuals draw attention to the business, connect it to the community, instills pride with the customer base and can aid in securing zoning approval from municipalities that don’t always view self-storage favorably. Following are just a few examples of how operators are leveraging creative collaborations to beautify these once non-descript public spaces.
In the heart of historic Key West, Florida, AC Secured Storage has been transformed into a canvas for vibrant murals, turning what would’ve been an ordinary-looking building into a piece of public art. Its exterior is adorned with two paintings by Fort Lauderdale-based artist Greg Mankis, who reimagines private, public and commercial spaces through site-specific murals and wall-art installations. One depicts a giant cigar box that pays homage to the facility’s history as a cigar manufacturer. The other is a classic tropical sunset scene. Work is underway on a third mural that’ll be unveiled later this year.
Go Store It Self Storage, an affiliate of Madison Capital Group that operates 100 facilities in 15 states, also embraced an artistic approach when it recently opened its new facility in Paramount, California. The company hired renowned Mexican-American artist Ms. Yellow to paint a mural that wraps the entire 75,000 square-foot building. Its cacophony of color adds a prominent presence to the city skyline. The piece is visible from miles away and reflects the artist’s signature style of creating large-scale, impactful pieces that resonate with the community.
This untraditional pairing of self-storage and art is just another example of how unexpected collaborations between disparate backgrounds and styles can yield unique yet vastly successful results. Just look at Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart, or chicken and waffles! Nationwide, we see other intersections between the storage industry and the artist community, from facilities that offer design studios to those that host galleries within their offices and hallways.
At Bridge Storage and Art Space in Richmond, California, more than 25 units were converted into climate-controlled studios in response to requests from the local and vibrant artist population. BridgeMaker Arts Gallery hosts regular exhibits at the facility, which creates a cultural hub within the neighborhood and attracts residents who might not typically consider visiting a storage property.
Here are just a few other creative partnerships of note:
Central Self-Storage in Carbondale, Colorado, commissioned sculptures and murals that enhance its aesthetic appeal and foster a creative atmosphere.
The artwork at 1st Avenue Mini Storage in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, involved 20 local artists and was inspired by the nearby Chippewa River and Phoenix Park Bridge.
StorQuest partnered with street artist Ruben Rojas, who painted a seven-story mural featuring planet Earth at its facility in Oakland, California, and a three-story mural honoring Kobe Bryant, and his daughter Gianna, at a Los Angeles facility.
These partnerships succeed because they’re mutually beneficial. The artist gains exposure, and the self-storage operator transforms otherwise functional spaces into local landmarks, which contributes to their community identity and attracts positive attention. The art also creates a more visual environment for tenants and instills additional confidence in their choice to rent space there.
An eye-catching mural can make your facility memorable and get people talking about your business. It can also honor local culture, heroes and events. Operators of any size can enjoy the interest that comes from adding pieces that resonate with the community.
As self-storage markets grow increasingly competitive, fresh strategies are essential to stand out from the crowd. There are many more examples that show the innovative ways operators are engaging with art to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind environments. Incorporating these ideas can help a facility move beyond non-descript buildings and become integrated into the fabric of its community while improving the bottom line.
Ron Matejko
Associate Editor, Inside Self-Storage
Ron Matejko is associate editor at Inside Self-Storage. To reach him, email [email protected].
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