Public Storage is the largest self-storage operator in the United States and maintains an in-house development program responsible for site selection, acquisition, and construction management. Since 2017, O’Brien Architects has served as a national architectural delivery partner, supporting the rollout of more than 35 completed facilities across 10+ states totaling over four million square feet of climate-controlled and drive-up storage.
What began as a single project has evolved into a long-term delivery partnership supporting a continuously active development pipeline. O’Brien’s role extends beyond individual projects to provide prototype coordination, jurisdictional adaptation, documentation, and construction support across a growing national portfolio.
Project Overview
Client: Public Storage
Location:
Multi-State National Portfolio
35+ completed facilities
4M+ SF delivered
10+ active states
Size:
4M+ SF Delivered
Services:
Architecture
Storage Unit Layout
Feasibility Site Planning
Test-Fits, Construction Administration
Visualization, Branding & Environmental Graphics
Prototype Coordination
Design-Bid-Build
Ongoing Prototype-Based Rollout
Timeline: Ongoing Since 2017
Opportunity
& Challenge
Public Storage operates one of the most active self-storage development programs in the country. The pace of development, combined with a continuously evolving building prototype, requires architectural partners capable of maintaining consistency across multiple projects, jurisdictions, and construction schedules simultaneously.
Each project begins with a common prototype but must be adapted to unique site conditions, local zoning requirements, utility constraints, stormwater regulations, fire codes, and permitting processes. The challenge is maintaining brand standards, operational requirements, and delivery speed while resolving project-specific complexity in markets that vary significantly in both regulatory and physical conditions.
Because Public Storage manages development internally, architectural support must function as an extension of the client’s team. Success depends on responsiveness, technical accuracy, and the ability to coordinate effectively across design, permitting, and construction without slowing the broader development pipeline.
O’Brien's Approach
O’Brien established a dedicated self-storage studio to support the Public Storage program, creating a team with deep familiarity with the client’s prototype, operational requirements, and development standards.
The firm’s approach centers on managing the prototype as a living system. As Public Storage updates unit configurations, building systems, material standards, and operational requirements, O’Brien integrates those changes across active projects to maintain consistency throughout the portfolio.
Each facility is adapted to its site while preserving the customer experience and brand identity associated with the Public Storage platform. This requires close coordination with local jurisdictions, civil engineers, and Public Storage’s in-house construction management team to address permitting, infrastructure, grading, utility, and code compliance requirements unique to each location.
O’Brien also maintains continuity throughout construction, providing documentation, construction administration, and technical coordination designed to minimize field issues and support predictable delivery schedules. Across the portfolio, the firm has developed systems capable of supporting projects ranging from single-story drive-up facilities to large-scale multi-story climate-controlled developments in dense urban environments.
Results & Impact
Since 2017, O’Brien Architects has delivered more than 35 completed facilities totaling over four million square feet across Texas, Minnesota, Florida, Missouri, Indiana, Rhode Island, Kansas, Connecticut, New York, and Tennessee.
The portfolio includes a wide range of facility types and market conditions, including a six-story, 275,476-square-foot climate-controlled facility in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a five-story, 186,685-square-foot facility in Aventura, Florida. These projects demonstrate the ability to adapt a standardized prototype to varying site conditions, regulatory environments, and development constraints while maintaining operational consistency.
The relationship continues to expand, with additional locations currently in design and under construction, reinforcing O’Brien’s role as a long-term delivery partner within Public Storage’s national development program.
Public Storage is the largest self-storage operator in the United States and maintains an in-house development program responsible for site selection, acquisition, and construction management. Since 2017, O’Brien Architects has served as a national architectural delivery partner, supporting the rollout of more than 35 completed facilities across 10+ states totaling over four million square feet of climate-controlled and drive-up storage.
What began as a single project has evolved into a long-term delivery partnership supporting a continuously active development pipeline. O’Brien’s role extends beyond individual projects to provide prototype coordination, jurisdictional adaptation, documentation, and construction support across a growing national portfolio.
Project Overview
Client: Public Storage
Location:
Multi-State National Portfolio
35+ completed facilities
4M+ SF delivered
10+ active states
Size:
4M+ SF Delivered
Services:
Architecture
Storage Unit Layout
Feasibility Site Planning
Test-Fits, Construction Administration
Visualization, Branding & Environmental Graphics
Prototype Coordination
Design-Bid-Build
Ongoing Prototype-Based Rollout
Timeline: Ongoing Since 2017
Opportunity
& Challenge
Public Storage operates one of the most active self-storage development programs in the country. The pace of development, combined with a continuously evolving building prototype, requires architectural partners capable of maintaining consistency across multiple projects, jurisdictions, and construction schedules simultaneously.
Each project begins with a common prototype but must be adapted to unique site conditions, local zoning requirements, utility constraints, stormwater regulations, fire codes, and permitting processes. The challenge is maintaining brand standards, operational requirements, and delivery speed while resolving project-specific complexity in markets that vary significantly in both regulatory and physical conditions.
Because Public Storage manages development internally, architectural support must function as an extension of the client’s team. Success depends on responsiveness, technical accuracy, and the ability to coordinate effectively across design, permitting, and construction without slowing the broader development pipeline.
O’Brien's Approach
O’Brien established a dedicated self-storage studio to support the Public Storage program, creating a team with deep familiarity with the client’s prototype, operational requirements, and development standards.
The firm’s approach centers on managing the prototype as a living system. As Public Storage updates unit configurations, building systems, material standards, and operational requirements, O’Brien integrates those changes across active projects to maintain consistency throughout the portfolio.
Each facility is adapted to its site while preserving the customer experience and brand identity associated with the Public Storage platform. This requires close coordination with local jurisdictions, civil engineers, and Public Storage’s in-house construction management team to address permitting, infrastructure, grading, utility, and code compliance requirements unique to each location.
O’Brien also maintains continuity throughout construction, providing documentation, construction administration, and technical coordination designed to minimize field issues and support predictable delivery schedules. Across the portfolio, the firm has developed systems capable of supporting projects ranging from single-story drive-up facilities to large-scale multi-story climate-controlled developments in dense urban environments.
Results & Impact
Since 2017, O’Brien Architects has delivered more than 35 completed facilities totaling over four million square feet across Texas, Minnesota, Florida, Missouri, Indiana, Rhode Island, Kansas, Connecticut, New York, and Tennessee.
The portfolio includes a wide range of facility types and market conditions, including a six-story, 275,476-square-foot climate-controlled facility in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a five-story, 186,685-square-foot facility in Aventura, Florida. These projects demonstrate the ability to adapt a standardized prototype to varying site conditions, regulatory environments, and development constraints while maintaining operational consistency.
The relationship continues to expand, with additional locations currently in design and under construction, reinforcing O’Brien’s role as a long-term delivery partner within Public Storage’s national development program.
Client Testimonials.
Charlotte Jones Anderson
Dallas Cowboys"O'Brien is about incredible architecture. They are an amazing team who works tirelessly, who burn the midnight oil. You talk about people with passion, they are a passionate team. O'Brien has lead us on an epic path of greatness. We are excited to continue with our partnership with Sean and his team."
Shawn Fulham
Lincoln Property Company"O'Brien has been a truly invaluable partner for Lincoln Property Company over the last 30 years. They have a comprehensive understanding of master planning, mixed use, and all the individual uses and components that make complex projects successful from both a design and financial standpoint. They have a long history of success, and always continue to stay on the cutting edge of design and development."
Lucy Billingsley
Billingsley Company"Sean O’Brien and team have the creativity, alacrity and flexibility to be great design partners. They listen closely and then bring all the historical architectural smarts and a fresh eye to creating places where you’d like to be. They first think through making the public realm inviting and then enrich that with great architecture."
Kyle Nix
Pritchard Associates, Inc."I always enjoy working with the O’Brien team. They are very responsive and efficient, and work well with ownership to help keep projects on time and on budget."
John Griggs
Presidium Group, LLC"O’Brien, some of the most skilled in the country and truly design iconic structures. The team works hard and commits to every detail. You can expect them to drop everything, meet deadlines, work with the budget. They are just the best."
Josh Eames
Presidium Group, LLC"O’Brien is one of our most trusted partners. O’Brien team, Your efforts are always top notch and you nail every project out of the park. You are key partner for us."