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1971 - Karl F. Nagel, founder of Metro Storage, 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.
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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.
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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!
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1975-79 - Company builds more mini-warehouses throughout Chicagoland.
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1979 - Company changes name to Metro Self Storage® and open four new stores. |
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1980 - Mini-Warehouses are now referred to as Self Storage Facilities; the industry begins to boom nationwide.
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1985 - Matt Nagel joins the company to oversee site selection and development of self storage facilities. Metro Self Storage acquires first existing facility in Des Plaines, Illinois. |
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1988 - K. Blair Nagel joins the company to oversee Construction and Property Management. At this time, Metro also updates facility signage.
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1990 - Karl, Matt, and Blair Nagel At Mundelein, Illinois ground breaking ceremony. |
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1992 - Metro enters the Indiana self-storage market with acquisition of a five store portfolio purchased through the Resolution Trust Corporation.
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1995 - Metro enters state of Ohio with purchase of four stores in Dayton.
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1996 - Metro enters state of Michigan and Wisconsin with purchases of facilities in Kalamazoo and Milwaukee, respectively.
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1997 - Matt and Blair Nagel form Metro Storage LLC, and go out on their own. Company changes image, re-brands stores, signage, introducing the green and gold colors; Builds it’s first 100% Climate Controlled multi-story self storage facility in Glenview, Illinois. |
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1999 - Metro enters Florida market with purchase and development of five stores in Tampa/St. Petersburg. |
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2001 - Ranked #15 Largest Operator in Country.
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2004 - Sells 42 stores for $184,000,000 to a publicly traded REIT.
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2006 - Company completes a $550,000,000 Joint Venture with ING/Clarion to build and acquire facilities throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern United States.
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2007 - New 14,000 square foot corporate headquarters completed, corporate employees move into the new corporate headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois. |
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2008 – Company expands nationally when hired to manage an institutionally owned 40 store portfolio. Now operating 90 locations in 12 states.
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