Two new self storage facilities are scheduled to open in Bermuda in the next few months, according to an article in the March 26 Royal Gazette. Both facilities will be located in Pembroke. Bermuda already has another self storage facility, Bedrock Secure Self Storage, in operation in Ferry Reach.
One of the new self storage facilities, Island Self Storage, has been conducting an advertising campaign for the last few months. In November and December, Island Self Storage mailed brochures to commercial renters in Hamilton, and hand-delivered brochures to condominium residents in Pembroke and Paget. In January and February, Island set up a roadside billboard. It also had an exhibit at the Coldwell Banker Home Show in February and has been getting 11 to 15 hits daily on its website. In March, the company stepped up its advertising with ads in the Royal Gazette and began running radio and television commercials.
Island Self Storage is being developed by Don Mackenzie, the chairman of New Venture Holdings Ltd, and by Glen Smith, the president of Bermuda’s Island Solutions Ltd. Mackenzie and Smith plan to offer both residential and commercial storage units. The building will contain about 300 storage units in total, ranging in
size from five by five feet cubes to 10 by 30 feet units. Twenty-four wine storage units will be offered as well. Not all units are located at ground level, but a freight elevator will carry goods up to the upper levels of the building. Island will also offer a pick-up and delivery service. So far, the company has rented about 20 percent of its units in advance.
“There seems to be a pent-up demand for secure climate-controlled storage,” Mackenzie told a reporter for the Royal Gazette. “Because it is a new product in Bermuda, for some of our market, people will need to see it to understand it fully….We feel the market will not only appeal to residential clients, but we are getting interest from small businesses who want small spaces on a month-by-month basis as well.”
Mackenzie is planning a “soft opening” of the facility, with tours for prospective clients, in the latter half of April. An official opening to the public is being planned for May.
Sources used:
“Bermuda self-storage facilities leasing up before opening.” Inside Self-Storage. March 24, 2010.
gazette.com/rg/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7da3c2330030027§ionId=65">Wright, Alex. “Self-storage buildings generate good take-up ahead of openings.” The Royal Gazette. March 24, 2010.