Guardian Storage, which operates 15 self-storage facilities in Colorado and Pennsylvania, hosted a ground-breaking ceremony on Oct. 19 for its new property in Robinson Township, Pa. Company representatives were joined by city officials and guests. Slated to open in June, the facility will be the operator’s 15th location in the greater Pittsburgh area.
The site at 401 Coraopolis Road was a former A-1 Self Storage facility. Guardian Storage President Steve Cohen was approached about acquiring the property more than a year ago, according to a company press release. The original plan was to continue renting storage space and complete renovations over time, but Guardian found the 40-year-old structures weren’t properly maintained and didn’t meet current building codes and standards.
The company demolished the existing buildings in September after relocating the facility’s nearly 400 tenants. Rather than hauling tons of debris to a landfill, almost all of the materials have been recycled on site to be used in the construction of the new buildings, the release stated.
“As Guardian Storage continues to grow, we remain committed to delivering the same high-quality storage solutions at new locations like Robinson,” Cohen said. “Part of that commitment is creating storage spaces that are not only attractive, but also efficient and environmentally friendly through sustainable building practices.”
All of the concrete slabs were crushed on site, reducing the product to a size that could be re-used as a base material for utility bedding and asphalt pavement. This approach saved the excavation and hauling of hundreds of tons of limestone from a quarry. In addition, bituminous pavement was crushed to be used as base material for the new pavement throughout the property, while dead, overgrown trees were chipped to be used as mulch throughout the project.
“Previous attempts to bring a Guardian Storage property to Robinson Township did not work out, so we’re very glad the third time’s the charm in this case,” Cohen said. “We’re excited about the location because of the rapid and recent growth in the area as well as its high visibility along [Interstate] 79 and [Pennsylvania] Route 51.”
The new facility will include one three-story building comprising 75,700 square feet and a two-story building totaling 43,640 square feet. It’ll be Guardian’s first facility to offer climate-controlled drive-up units, the release stated. Customer amenities will include a meeting room, free Wi-Fi, and a business center with a fax machine and copier services.
“We go above and beyond when it comes to customer service to ensure an easy, convenient and supportive experience for each and every customer,” Cohen said.
Local organizations, financial institutions and government leaders involved in the project included Bridges Construction, Desmone Architects, First Commonwealth Bank and the Robinson Township Council and administration.
Established in Pittsburgh in 1987, Guardian Storage operates 12 facilities in Pennsylvania and three in Colorado. It began construction last month on a large expansion project at its property in Monroeville, Pa., and has another facility under development in Hampton, Pa.
Participants at the ground-breaking ceremony included (left to right): Doug Keeter, membership
director, Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce; Jeffrey Silka, township manager, Robinson
Township; Rachel Susko, assistant township manager, Robinson Township; Nancy Cohen; Steven
Cohen, president, Guardian Storage; John Clingan, vice president and senior commercial real
estate lender, First Commonwealth Bank; Bill Krahe, development partner, Guardian Storage;
and Jeff Michelson, LEED green associate and project designer, Desmone Architects.
