rom the exterior, the elegant 7200 Monogram Self Storage in North Scottsdale, Ariz., looks more like a contemporary municipal building than a storage facility. Significant planning and multiple novel construction techniques were necessary to erect the 102,500-square-foot, climate-controlled building that’s owned by 1784 Holdings LLC and branded Life Storage.

In addition to two above-grade floors, the approximately 800-unit facility, designed by RKAA Architects, has two below-grade floors that required copious amounts of research, planning, and engineering. TLW Construction, general contractor for the project, employed a unique soil nails wall shoring system that required holes to be drilled and injected with steel and concrete to secure the excavation to prepare the “incredibly small site” for building construction. The foundation walls were then “shotcreted” into place against the shoring system. A carefully planned waterproofing system to prevent water intrusion and a structural cement basement ceiling capable of holding the weight of vehicles were also necessary within the basement. Above grade, the top floor extends beyond the ground floor to create covered parking. High-end finishes and high-speed loading bay doors yield a deluxe storage experience.