Heitman Raises $3.2 Billion for Three New Funds to Invest in Self Storage, Other Commercial Real Estate

Real estate investment firm Heitman LLC has raised $3.2 billion to launch three new funds that will seek commercial real estate investments focused on apartments, medical offices, senior and student housing, self storage and warehouses. It will also use funds to repurpose existing retail and office buildings as hospitality, mixed-use and residential properties, according to the source. Heitman Value Partners V will focus on North American opportunities, while Heitman Real Estate Debt Partners II and Heitman Global Real Estate Partners II will specialize in high-yield credit. Capital infusion came from…

UK Self-Storage Operator Lok’nStore Releases Pre-Close Financial Results for Fiscal 2021

U.K. self storage operator Lok’nStore Group PLC has released pre-close financial results for its 2021 fiscal year, which ended July 31. Self storage revenue increased 20.9% year over year, while physical occupancy across the portfolio grew from 69.6 percent to 85.8 percent. Total occupied space at year-end was up 35.3%, while leased price per square foot grew 8.7%, signaling expectations for continued revenue and profit growth, officials said. Lok’nStore has also remained active with development and believes new supply will contribute to future growth. “We have made significant progress on…

The Advantages of a Working with a Security Integrator

Modern self storage security encompasses an increasingly complex range of technology that deter crime while improving operators’ ability to monitor and respond to threats. As the demand for more comprehensive and complex systems grows, so does the importance of proper installation. While most have a low-voltage electrician they can call on, the operational advantages of establishing an ongoing relationship with a certified security integrator that specializes in self storage, is often overlooked. With the ability to coordinate, install and connect solutions, integrators play a crucial role in helping owners and…

Big Yellow Occupancy and Net Rent Improves in First Quarter

Self storage operator Big Yellow reported a 14.6% improvement in closing occupancy for its first quarter on Thursday, to 4.49 million square feet, as the maximum lettable area across its store estate grew by 6.3% to 4.98 million square feet. The FTSE 250 company said that as a result, its like-for-like closing occupancy was 9.3 percentage points higher year-on-year for the three months ended 30 June, at 92.9%. We are pleased to have delivered a strong trading performance in the first quarter and we have now achieved our long-held goal of…

Self Storage Firm Secures Bank Backing for Expansion

A self storage business with sites across the South East is poised for further growth after securing the backing of Lloyds Bank. Cinch Self Storage has purchased an already-operational 12,500 sq ft facility in Brighton, comprising units ranging from 15 to 250 sq ft. We’re an ambitious and rapidly-growing company, which is reflected by the purchase of our sixth facility in just three and a half years, with more to follow.” The acquisition was backed by a seven-figure loan from Lloyds. Cinch has existing facilities in Bicester, Chippenham, Huntingdon, Letchworth…

Self Storage Company Launches Facility at Former Magistrates Court

The newest addition to the fast-growing Storage Giant portfolio has been launched in the former Oldbury magistrates court. The site offers a purpose-built self storage facility featuring more than 26,000 square feet of unit space, from ten square foot lockers to 330 square foot units. This expansion is, of course, good news for Storage Giant – a firm which started life as a single facility concern in Newport, Wales during a recession” Simon Williams, Storage Giant MD, said: “This latest launch for Storage Giant, just five minutes from the motorway…

Newport’s Storage Giant on Course for Major Expansion in 2021/22

Newport-based self storage specialists are on course to double in size over the next 2 years, having grown their occupancy rates during the pandemic. The firm, which is the largest private self storage provider in Wales and the second largest in the UK, has sites across Wales, The Midlands and the M4 corridor, and it is pressing ahead with plans to open new sites in Bridgend, Nottingham, and two in the West Midlands in the coming months. We are well positioned and looking forward to opening new sites across the…

Wrexham Reopening for Self Storage Firm

A self storage company has re-opened one of its Wrexham storage parks after a £150,000 refurbishment. The work by Lock Stock Self Storage included an extension to its Whitegates facility, which has more than doubled its capacity to 130 units. We have seen incredible demand across all our sites across North Wales and in the borders where we have sites in Shrewsbury and Oswestry and much of it has been driven by the housing market as people look for storage ahead of moving home.” The outfits are already being snapped…

Big Yellow Group to Build in Epsom, England

U.K. self storage operator Big Yellow Group PLC is building a facility on a 0.8-acre site in Epsom, England, just south of London. The company purchased the property for £6.5 million. Once complete, the project will be 56,000 square feet. Big Yellow Group operates 101 self storage locations in the United Kingdom under the Big Yellow Self Storage and Armadillo Self Storage brand names, with most concentrated in Greater London and Southeast England. Source

Squab Group to Build Self Storage in Rubery, England

Squab Group, a family-operated storage company with three locations in England, is building a new location in Rubery, England. Hortons’ Estate Ltd. will construct the 15,000-square-foot facility in the Birmingham Great Park on Hollymoor Way. Expected to be complete this year, it’ll also offer offices for rent. Squab operates facilities in Daventry, Evesham and Leamington Spa. In addition to self storage, it provides business centers, conference rooms, document shredding, removals and van hire.