OUR HISTORY
THE HISTORY OF METRO STORAGE
-
1971
Karl F. Nagel, Founder 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 in Illinois.
-
-
1975-1979
Company builds several facilities throughout Chicagoland.
-
1979
Name Changed to Metro Self Storage
-
1985
Matt Nagel joins the company to oversee site selection and facility development.
- Acquires first existing facility in DesPlaines, Illinois
- 8 Locations 600,000 square feet of space
-
1988
Blair Nagel joins the company to oversee Construction and Property Management.
-
1992-1996
Enters Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin with the acquisition of eleven stores.
-
1997
The Nagel brothers buy-out Karl Nagel.
- Form Metro Storage LLC with a 100% focus on self-storage.
- From 1987-97 the company experienced steady growth the number of stores increased to 42 operating in five states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio 2.3M square feet of storage.
- Company introduces iconic logo and green and gold colors
-
1999
Enters Florida purchase and development of five stores
-
2001
Company become the 15th Largest Operator in the country
- 56 locations and 3.2million square feet
- Enters Georgia with purchase of three locations in the Atlanta area.
-
2004
The company sells 42 locations for $184,000,000 to a publicly Traded REIT the transaction became the Industries largest private sale to date.
-
2007
Metro Storage LLC moves into new 14,000 square foot corporate headquarters located in Lake Forest, IL.
-
2008
Is awarded a 3rd Party Management contract to operate a 40 store multi-state portfolio
- Entered new states: NY, NJ, PA, LA, CT, HI, CA, UT
-
2009
Over 90 locations, 5,600,000 sf of storage.
-
2010
Acquires a 9 store multi-state portfolio in a distressed asset auction.
-
2011
Over 100 locations, 6,500,000 sf of storage.
- Metro is the 5th largest privately held company in the self-storage industry
-
2012
Metro Storage LLC forms Metro Storage International “MSI” to focus on emerging markets. MSI launches its first international brand MetroFit operating in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
-
2013
Metro Self Storage and The Nagel Family celebrate 40 years serving the industry and providing best in class products and services to its customers – having served an estimate 3,000,000 customers over the past 40 years.
-
2014
Metro embarks on a 20-store development program to build large Gen-5 Big Box Stores with a private partner.
-
2016
Metro recapitalizes/acquires 42 stores in four states.
-
2017
MSI enters Central America with purchase of an ownership interest in Mr. Bodeguitas the oldest and largest self-storage company in Central America.
-
2019
MSI sells MetroFit and exists Brazil.
-
2020
Mr. B's Self Storage opens its 13th and largest facility to date, located in downtown Guatemala City overlooking international Airport. The company celebrates the opening of its new Corporate Offices located on the 5th floor of the facility.