We’re thrilled to celebrate Rob Burns and his 25 years of service with Extra Space Storage. From his early days as a Construction Manager to his current role as Director of Design, Rob’s innovative vision has played a key role in shaping our company’s success.
Rob’s journey is indeed remarkable! Starting as a Construction Manager in 1999, he oversaw East Coast projects that, while not the most visually appealing, laid the foundation for his future innovations. Later in his career, his ability to envision and implement more attractive designs transformed the company’s image and led to numerous design awards and accolades. Rob’s story shows how perseverance and a commitment to innovation can lead to outstanding achievements.
Rob’s innovative spirit began to shine when he focused on making storage buildings more visually appealing. His goal to make the buildings “pop” not only improved the aesthetic appeal from drive-by traffic but also caught the attention of Ken Woolly, the former CEO. This recognition was instrumental in Extra Space Storage’s journey to going public.
“Rob has an incredible ability to win over the hearts and minds of city planning commissions and neighborhood groups,” shared Zach Dickens, EVP and Chief Investment Officer. His designs, with their beauty and stylistic facades, often made the difference in securing project approvals and pushing them across the finish line.”
The story followed a familiar pattern—Extra Space would present a new project for approval at neighborhood hearings, only to face opposition from city representatives and various local groups. In the early days, self storage was often stigmatized and regarded as an unwanted asset class. The “not in my backyard” mentality was frequently voiced during these hearings.
Zach went on to share, “At even the slightest sign of resistance, we knew it was time to showcase Rob’s stunning renderings and images of recently completed projects. More often than not, this would win people over, helping them see the potential of a well-designed storage facility. We have Rob to thank for that.”
In 2005, Extra Space had just gone public when an opportunity arose to construct a multi-story self storage building in an older revitalization-zoned area of Oakland Hollis. The Oakland project is a shining example of how perseverance and innovation can lead to remarkable success. Despite the numerous iterations and the lengthy five-year development process, the project met and exceeded expectations. The project won the “Facility of the Year” award in 2010 and is a standing demonstration of the hard work and dedication of Rob and his colleagues. The team remained committed to a vision, even when faced with significant challenges.
Rob was promoted to Director of Design in 2004. In 2009, following strategic changes, he demonstrated his adaptability and unwavering dedication by transitioning from a full-time employee at Extra Space to a contract role for two and a half years. He was later rehired as a Design Manager and now once again serves as Director of Design.
Rob’s talent and commitment are evident in the many framed images of his building designs displayed at Extra Space’s headquarters and division offices. These images stand as a lasting tribute to his creative vision and the substantial impact he has made on Extra Space Storage.
“As I celebrate this milestone, I am excited about the future,” Rob shared. “The past 25 years have been incredible, and I look forward to continuing this journey with Extra Space. There are still many goals to achieve and new horizons to explore!”
Thank you, Rob Burns, for making Extra Space and the communities we serve shine with beautiful designs.
Images depict some of Rob’s work over his tenure at Extra Space Storage. Interested in building a long-term career in self storage? Visit our careers page to learn more about employment opportunities.
