Ware Malcomb completes construction on new public storage location in Los Angeles

Ware Malcomb announced that construction is complete on a new eight-story Public Storage high-rise located at 3625 S. Grand Avenue in the Historic South Central District of Los Angeles, less than one mile from the University of Southern California campus. Ware Malcomb provided architectural services for the 262,123 square foot industrial project, which offers 4,448 individual climate- and non-climate-controlled storage units, ranging from small spaces to units that can fit the contents of large moving trucks.

Since opening its first self-storage facility in 1972, Public Storage has grown to become the largest owner and operator of self-storage facilities in the world. The company owns and operates thousands of locations across the U.S. and Europe, with more than 170 million net rentable square feet of real estate in its portfolio.

Francisco Arias, Director, Design, Ware Malcomb, said: “our team was tasked with designing a new building to replace an old nine-story storage facility slated for demolition. The client sought to maximize the potential floor area ratio (FAR), while designing a sleek new modern facility that complements the Downtown LA skyline. We developed a striking design for the building combining composite metal panels and articulated corners with glazing, while incorporating the client’s signature brand color.”

The new storage center features seven stories of structural steel over a one-story podium parking garage, which provides parking for 41 vehicles and 120 bicycles. Building features include a rental office/reception area, restrooms, retail area for purchasing boxes and supplies, convenient elevator access, as well as keypad and remote-app gate access. The ground level also features off-street loading to facilitate loading.

“This high-density storage facility fits the new trend developing in urban areas,” said Alicia Zaro, Principal, Ware Malcomb. “This space not only addresses a scarcity of undeveloped land but also delivers a sustainable approach to urban development.”

Sustainable features include LED lighting throughout with motion sensor control, while the roof is designed for future solar panel installation that will offset the building’s mechanical load and generate surplus electrical power.

Ware Malcomb is a leading designer of industrial projects in the Americas and was recently ranked by Building Design + Construction Magazine as the #1 out the Top 100 Industrial Sector Architecture Firms for 2024.