Bancap Self Storage Group Sells Two Trophy Storage Properties

Bancap Self Storage Group, Inc., the “#1 Self Storage Broker in California,” recently announced that the firm had successfully brokered the sale of two trophy self storage properties located in Los Angeles County. The two properties were 405 Self Storage in the Hawthorne area of Los Angeles County and El Dorado Park Self Storage in Long Beach, California. Dean Keller, the firm’s president, was the sole broker in the transaction. The seller was a local private party and the buyer was an affiliate of a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in self storage properties.

“This was a very rare opportunity to purchase two trophy quality properties in high density coastal L.A. County locations,” Keller said, “These are the types of properties that every self storage investor would love to own – great infill locations, strong markets, good occupancy and first class construction.”

The properties sold for a total price of $26,000,000 which represented an attractive capitalization rate on the current net operating income. The all cash transaction equaled nearly $150 per net rentable square foot.

405 Self Storage in Hawthorne contains just over 87,000 net rentable square feet of self storage space demised into approximately 770 units. El Dorado Park Self Storage in east Long Beach contains over 87,000 net rentable square feet demised into approximately 825 units.

“Other than a couple of portfolio transactions, there have been very few non-distressed self storage properties that have sold in Southern California this past year,” Keller explained, “Most owners think they cannot obtain a good price in today’s market, but that just is not the case. We have several motivated buyers that are aggressively looking for stabilized facilities in good markets. The key for the seller is to hire a self storage broker with a proven track record of getting the highest and best price possible. Self storage is such a unique property type and it takes a very specific expertise with decades of experience to maximize value for sellers in this unique property niche.”

Strategic Storage Acquires Two Properties in Southern California

In an all cash transaction, Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. (SSTI) – a publicly registered non-traded REIT targeting the self-storage market – recently acquired two properties in Long Beach and Hawthorne, Calif., totaling approximately 1,600 units for an aggregate purchase price of $26 million.

The sites will be rebranded under the SmartStop℠ Self Storage trade name.

“These are premium Southern California infill locations that add significant value to our portfolio,” said H. Michael Schwartz, SSTI’s chairman and CEO. “Dense population and newer construction are key attributes to both sites.”

The first property is located at 8150 E. Wardlow Road in Long Beach and contains approximately 87,000 rentable square feet with approximately 830 units on approximately 3.7 acres of land. The facility is located in Los Angeles County with easy access to Interstate 405, Freeway 91 and Interstate 605. Built in 1999, it consists of four buildings, one of which is two stories. Amenities include surveillance cameras, individual locks, climate control, keypad entry and an office for on-site management.

The second property is located at 12714 S. La Cienega Boulevard in Hawthorne, which is also part of Los Angeles County. The building contains approximately 87,000 rentable square feet with approximately 770 units on approximately 1.7 acres of land. It is adjacent to Interstate 405 access and is within one mile of access to Interstate 105. Built in 2004, the facility has one four-level building and another two-level building, along with a basement with ramp access. Amenities include surveillance cameras, individual locks, climate control, keypad entry and office and apartment for management.

“The Hawthorne site stands out due to its close proximity to the 405 Freeway, a dense surrounding population, newer construction and a great location between LAX and Manhattan Beach,” said Wayne Johnson, senior vice president of acquisitions for SSTI. “Both Long Beach and Hawthorne are high quality sites that will carry out our brand well.”

Although the properties were never put on the open market, there was competition from several other potential buyers, said Dean Keller of Bancap Self Storage Group, Inc., who brokered the transaction for SSTI.

“This deal could have easily fallen apart if Strategic hadn’t been such a strong and qualified buyer,” Keller said. “The seller had turned down many compelling offers on these first-class properties, but selected Strategic based on their track record, financial strength and ability to perform. Everybody worked hard – both the seller and the buyer - and it was a very fast close.”

The Los Angeles Metropolitan area is the third largest metropolitan economy in the world, with a population of 13 million and a GDP of over $500 billion.* Major economic drivers include international trade and commerce with an extensive transportation network with Los Angeles International Airport and the shipping ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

SSTI also owns a location in Orange County, California at 25650 Baffin Bay Dr. in Lake Forest, which consists of approximately 1,300 units.

Since the launch of SSTI 2.5 years ago, SSTI’s portfolio of wholly-owned properties has expanded to include 43 properties in 15 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and Toronto - Ontario, Canada.