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.

  • 1973

    Nagel builds the first mini-warehouse facility in Illinois called The Vault, which proved to be a huge success with customers moving in before the building was even complete.

     

  • 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.

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