Exploring the Superwide Building Trend in Self-Storage

Fort Wayne Storage in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers more than 66,000 square feet of climate-controlled space under a single roof. It has a massive footprint of 330 by 250 feet and multiple loading points for effortless customer access.

The roots of the self-storage industry lie in simple drive-up buildings, typically 30 to 40 feet wide with doors on both sides. On the other end of the spectrum are large, multi-story structures. These three- and four-story buildings offer the highest number of units per acre and, in areas that restrict single-story development, may be the only option to gain city approval.

However, multi-story projects aren’t for the faint of heart. They often include elevators and stairs, which must be in fire-rated enclosures. This increases costs, reduces rentable space and complicates construction. They also require sophisticated and expensive fire-suppression systems. To make matters worse, self-storage tenants generally dislike moving their belongings to upper levels.

An increasingly popular alternative is the superwide, climate-controlled, single-story building. These projects strike a balance between efficiency, simplicity and customer convenience.

Compared to standard drive-up storage, superwide buildings offer better land use with fewer driveways and more rentable units. Because all units are on the ground level, customers enjoy easier access. Many of these facilities include central loading areas, offering weather protection and further enhancing customer convenience. Design and engineering are also simpler than with multi-story projects.

If you’re considering a superwide building for your next self-storage development, here are some things to keep in mind.

Design Nuances for Superwide Storage

With exterior walls spanning hundreds of feet, superwide self-storage buildings benefit from added visual interest. Parapet walls (extensions that rise above the roofline) and vertical-design elements help break up the long horizontal mass and draw attention to signage or the main entrance. Also, consider display windows. Since most unit doors won’t face the street, opt for windows that showcase illuminated (often non-operational) interior doors for curb appeal.

Here are some other design considerations:

Customer-service options. Automated facilities are on the rise, but large self-storage projects still benefit from having an onsite manager at least part time. Consider including both an office and a vestibule for a self-service kiosk.

Restrooms. If your facility includes an office, a restroom is needed. Determine whether it should be accessible 24/7 or only through the office during business hours.

Loading bays. Consider an interior loading bay for the ultimate in customer convenience. This could be a simple area that the tenant pulls into, a drive-through on the side of a building or a tunnel right through the middle. Don’t forget to add a floor drain for water runoff from vehicles! Also, be aware that code may require ventilation to prevent exhaust gas from building up.

Roofing. Most self-storage buildings use a standing-seam metal roof. For panels shipped to the site, the maximum practical length is about 80 feet, which typically requires a crane for installation. When designing exceptionally wide buildings, consult with your supplier early about how to create a reliable roof system that can span such a large area. They may recommend alternative systems, such as a rubber membrane roof.

HVAC systems. In a perfect world, we want to see no equipment on the roof. Putting condensers at the side of the building rather than on the top reduces the chances of roof leaks. Aside from systems to heat and cool your building, it’s also exceptionally important to equip the project with dehumidifiers to ensure that moisture stays well below levels that allow mold to grow.

Sprinklers. Depending on local building codes, you may be required to have “fire areas” no larger than 2,500 to 12,000 square feet. This is the space of a building section between firewalls. In large buildings, dividing the structure into many small fire areas quickly becomes impractical, so sprinklers are typically required. In areas without city water, this becomes more complex, requiring underground storage tanks, pumps and possibly backup power.

Exterior-access units. For added customer convenience, consider including exterior-access, climate-controlled units along the building perimeter. These drive-up spaces typically use insulated sectional doors instead of standard roll-up.

WEB_-_Extra_Space_Storage_Egg_Harbor_Township_NJ.jpg_.png

Extra Space Storage in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey,
has an expansive single-story, drive-thru design.

Project Planning and Support

The design process for superwide buildings should start in the same place as any self-storage project: with information gathering. It’s important to understand the parcel’s zoning and the specific regulations that come with it. Beyond the obvious questions such as “What uses are allowed?” and “What are the setbacks?,” you should also identify additional requirements, such as green space or architectural design standards.

While these buildings are easier to construct than large, multi-story self-storage projects, they’re still complex, with sophisticated mechanical systems. Most building suppliers can quote a scope of work from a simple floor plan.

You don’t need to invest in structural plans upfront, since suppliers typically include this service as part of the building package. However, you should expect to hire some specialists. You’ll need an architect to develop life-safety plans and exterior facades as well as to provide details for office and restroom areas. Inside, a mechanical engineer will be required to design your HVAC, electrical and sprinkler systems. Within the self-storage industry, it isn’t uncommon for owners to serve as their own general contractor (GC); but for larger projects of this complexity, plan to hire an experienced GC to lead the construction.

After being involved in many large projects, I can’t overstate how valuable it is to hire the right professionals during the planning stages. The permitting process moves much faster with an experienced team, and good design reduces the number of changes required later. This ultimately helps you open sooner and minimize budget overruns.

Finally, be prepared for everything to take a little longer than expected. The sheer scale and intricacy of superwide buildings mean they’ll take more time than standard drive-up structures, and delays from Mother Nature are inevitable. But once complete, you’ll have a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled self-storage facility that delivers exceptional convenience for your customers.

Steve Hajewski is regional sales manager for Trachte Building Systems, which designs, manufactures and erects a full line of pre-engineered and customized steel self-storage systems, including single- and multi-story, portable storage, interior partition and corridor, and canopy boat/RV. He’s also a partner of three facilities in Wisconsin and a frequent contributor on Self-Storage Talk, the industry's largest online community. For more information, call 800.356.5824 or email [email protected].

About the Author

Steve Hajewski

Regional Sales Manager, Trachte Building Systems

See more from Steve Hajewski

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