Metro Self Storage

Metro Self Storage® has been in business since the inception of the self storage industry. Here are just a few of the highlights from our company's history. For a complete listing, visit our corporate website.

1971 - Founder Karl F. Nagel learns of the mini-warehouse concept while on a business trip in Texas. Finding it an interesting niche in the real estate sector he pioneers the concept, bringing self storage to the Midwest.

1973 - Wheeling, Illinois - Nagel builds the first mini-warehouse facility in Illinois called The Vault. Each building is painted a different ultra-bright color to attract attention.

1974 - The Wheeling Vault was a huge success with customers carrying their belongings through the mud to their storage units before the building was even completed! Karl Nagel knew he had discovered a winning idea.

1979 - Company changes name to Metro Self Storage® and open four new stores.

1980 - Mini-Warehouses are now referred to as Self Storage facilities; the industry begins to boom nationwide.

1992 - Metro enters the Indiana self-storage market with acquisition of five stores in the Indianapolis region.

1995 - Metro enters state of Ohio with purchase of four stores in Dayton.

1996 - Metro enters state of Michigan and Wisconsin with purchases of facilities in Kalamazoo and Milwaukee, respectively.

1997 - Metro re-brands stores and signage, introducing the current green and gold colors; Builds its first 100% Climate Controlled multi-story self storage facility in Glenview, Illinois.

1999 - Metro enters the Florida market with purchase and development of five stores in the Tampa area.

2001 - Metro enters the Georgia market with the purchase of 3 locations in the Atlanta area.

2001 - Ranked #15 Largest Operator in Country.

2006 - Company completes a $550,000,000 Joint Venture with ING/Clarion to build and acquire facilities throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern United States.

2007 - Metro launches an expanded third-party management business.

2007 - Company adds 15 stores to the company in Georgia, Florida and Illinois.

2008 - Metro expands into 9 new states when hired to manage an institutionally owned 40 store portfolio. Now operating 90 locations in 12 states.

2009 - Ranked 12th-largest operator in United States by Inside Self Storage magazine.

2009 - Based on tenant survey data, Metro achieves a 98% satisfaction rate.