The new store which is being financed by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance will be constructed by Faircape Construction, with the internal self storage fit-out completed by Steel Self Storage Systems ("4S4"), a local supplier and fit-out specialist operating within the self storage sector.

The new store will be the first ever to be sited in the Central Business District of Cape Town and the first of its kind to be situated in such a high end location.  The new store will occupy the 4,500m² Renault car dealership site at the top of Roeland Street, which is opposite the fire station.  This means that it will be particularly well suited to serve Eastern City and City Bowl residents in such suburbs as Tamboerskloof, Fresnaye, Oranjezicht, Gardens, Vredehoek, Woodstock, Observatory and of course the City Bowl itself - and, being only 100 metres off the De Waal Drive freeway, it will also suit users from further afield.

The new 10,000m² building, designed by MLB Architects, will provide upwards of 7,000m² of lettable area over three floors.  Lucas said, "The new store has been on our planning board since October. It is a major development and it is situated in a superb location. This store will add significant value to the Stor-Age portfolio."

The store will offer 700 self storage units varying in floor size from 3m² to 30m², with a standard floor to ceiling height of 3 metres.  Particular emphasis, said Lucas, has been placed on providing exceptional security and on making the on-site Stor-Age business centre sophisticated, convenient and comfortable.  An in-house business centre will provide scan, fax, copy, email, telephone and computer link-up services to all customers making use of the facility.  Lucas said that the business centre concept has been a "fantastic" success and it fits in nicely with the Stor-Age product offering.

"A large number of our users are from the SME sector or are private individuals needing temporary storage because they are going through a life changing event.  This means that they often have to attend to a bit of admin while accessing their goods, or while moving in or out."

The loading bays, said Lucas, will be more convenient and sophisticated than ever before.  As they will be sited within the building, loading and off-loading will be feasible under any weather conditions.  Tenants will make use of a trolley system and the large airport style lifts for moving goods in or out.  A Stor-Age retail store supplying packaging materials and ancillaries will be on site and will face onto Roeland Street.

Lucas commented further, "Self storage is a by-product of the age in which we live:  a need has been created for the product as a result of societal trends.  This new store will add value to the lives of residents and SME's operating within the city and surrounds by providing them with much needed
space in a safe, convenient location.  Ultimately, everyone will at some stage need a little more space in their lives, and that's where Stor-Age comes in."

Steve Horton, a director of Stor-Age, said that Faircape Construction have undertaken to complete the project in seven months.  It should, therefore, be ready by December this year.

"The design and zoning of the site allows for the addition of a further three floors, which," said Horton, "could be developed into commercial office space or residential apartments.  The Stor-Age product is upmarket and lends itself to mixed-use developments.  We will assess the market conditions in the future and make the appropriate call at that stage."

"We have been fortunate to find really good sites for all our stores and I believe that this one will prove to be among the best," said Horton.  "Self storage is a great product when aesthetically developed in convenient high end locations. The new Stor-Age will be an asset to the city centre."