(Photo courtesy of Kellcon)
A new dimension in multi-use storage units — able to be purchased rather than the traditional model of renting — has arrived in Bend in the form of the Falcon Storage Condos project, now nearing completion.
Located at NE Funner Place, off Boyd Acres Road, with easy access from the Bend Parkway, the 73,400-square-foot building complex offers 37 RV-type storage units and eight 2,200-square-foot light industrial spaces, available for purchase.
The fully-insulated, versatile storage condos range in size from 1,440 to 1,560 square feet — ideal for RV’s, motorcoaches, boats, car collections, hobby shops, small business uses or a variety of other purposes, all within a secure, easily accessible, well-appointed facility.
Each unit features 18’ ceilings, oversized 14’ roll-up doors, reinforced concrete floors, climate control and 125-amp electrical service with a 50-amp RV plug. Owners also enjoy access to shared clubhouse amenities including restrooms, showers, a kitchenette and media/meeting area, as well as an onsite RV dump station, air station and vehicle washing capability.
The gated property is monitored by security cameras and offers 24-hour access, which the developers say provides “peace of mind and convenience,” while custom upgrades such as mezzanines, epoxy flooring, tool cabinets, lighting enhancements and AV packages are available to tailor each space to individual needs.
“All the units are built to high standards with a range of shared and optional amenities,” said Rob Kelleher, owner of Bend-based construction company Kellcon, which worked on the project. “Among the big plus points is how flexible and highly customizable the units are, together with the fact that, unlike traditional self-storage, the units are sold as real estate condos, allowing buyers to build equity.
Sandy, Oregon-based Web Steel Buildings Northwest provided the framing systems. “Unlike any other manufacturer, we offer three distinctly different steel framing systems — Delta, Vaulted Clearspan Truss and Rigid Frame — as well as hybrid options,” Owner Rob Boaz noted. “Whether their span is 16’ or 180’, we help customers find a solution that precisely meets their needs. Web Steel Buildings are precision designed and manufactured for quick and easy bolt-together assembly. They include comprehensive structural plans stamped by the company’s licensed engineers, along with concrete foundation design and building calculations — which makes permit approval and communication with contractors easier.
“The units are fully insulated and climate-controlled (heating and cooling) for year-round protection of stored items. Units feature high-clearance 18-foot ceilings and oversized 14-foot roll-up doors to accommodate large vehicles and equipment, and there is an outside vehicle wash area for owner convenience. On the flexibility front, owners can upgrade their units with features like mezzanines (due to the high ceilings and fiber reinforced concrete slab), epoxy flooring, custom cabinetry, private bathrooms (plumbing rough-ins are standard) and audio-visual (AV) packages.”
Kelleher said that all units are plumbed for restrooms, have power, finished drywall, painted and high-end LED lighting capacity. Concrete flooring can be epoxy finished, stained or otherwise covered.
The new project’s model unit will feature a mezzanine and bathroom and an HOA is being formed for common areas, maintenance, and any shared utilities. “The project is a good fit for this area and easily accessible from the Parkway, with sewer dump stations, trash enclosures and washing capabilities,” Kelleher added. “There is a big demand for this type of opportunity, and four out of the eight light industrial units have already been pre-sold, as it makes sense to buy and own an asset rather than rent.”
While many self-storage facilities across the country can accommodate the storage of RVs and boats, there are few that offer an actual real estate investment opportunity. As an increasingly popular trend, self-storage condominiums allow a customer to buy a specific unit at a facility, pay a fee similar to that of a homeowners association, and sell the unit at any time. Storage condos remain a niche market, but awareness of and attraction to the product is growing.
Falcon developers say buying a storage condo offers a unique blend of personal use and real estate investment benefits, providing advantages over traditional storage rentals like ownership, customization, potential appreciation in value and enhanced amenities. They added that ownership and financial advantages include:
- Real Estate Investment: Unlike rent, which is an expense, purchasing a storage condo is an investment in real estate. The unit can appreciate in value over time due to high demand and limited supply in many areas.
- Potential for Resale Profit: You own the deed to the unit and can sell it later, potentially at a profit, allowing you to recoup your initial investment.
- Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness: For long-term storage needs, owning can be more cost-effective than paying ever-increasing monthly rental fees indefinitely.
- Tax Benefits: Owners may be eligible for tax benefits, such as deductions for depreciation, mortgage interest and property taxes, as these are often considered commercial real estate.
- Potential Rental Income: You can rent out your unit to generate passive income, similar to a residential investment property.
Customization and flexibility is offered through personalization — as an owner has the flexibility to customize the interior space to suit specific needs, such as installing shelving, lighting or creating a workshop area.
As far as versatility goes, the space can be used for a wide range of purposes beyond simple storage, such as a place for a hobby, a “man cave,” or a base for a home-based business, subject to the homeowner’s association (HOA) guidelines.
Reassurance comes through top-tier security, as well as the condo facilities offering 24-hour, private access, which is more convenient than the potentially limited hours of traditional rental facilities. The facility has robust security measures, including fencing, gated entryways, 24/7 surveillance cameras, individual unit alarms and on-site management, offering greater peace of mind for valuable possessions.
The HOA or property management company handles the maintenance of common areas and general upkeep (e.g., landscaping, snow removal), reducing the owner’s day-to-day maintenance burden. There is also a sociable aspect as the facilities include a common area clubhouse, fostering a sense of community among owners who share similar interests (such as car enthusiasts and RV owners). Extra wide drive isles can also accommodate larger equipment turning and easy entry and exit into each unit, which can be facilitated through smart garage openers.
As a private ownership storage condo development catering to motorcoach, RV, classic car and hobbyists, the project developers say Falcon Storage Condos provide an “affordable and luxurious storage solution” for discrete buyers that have acquired recreational assets and desire a clean, professional, climate controlled and secure storage area.
“From frames to fasteners, we give our customers everything they require to construct their buildings. Supplying buildings that are strong and low maintenance, with a weather-tight fit — while also offering design flexibility, exacting standards of manufacturing, and superior customer service throughout the construction phase — that’s what sets Web Steel Buildings apart from other companies on the market” states Boaz.
“I give my people a lot of credit for the reputation we’ve established. And as we like to emphasize, whether talking to a do-it-yourselfer, an RV dealership, storage facility, a city’s public works department or a school district, what we deliver is ‘more than a building — it’s a solution.’”
