n 2024, it’s become commonplace to accept that money is what drives the world. You need it to live, and the more financially secure you are, the higher your quality of life. However, there’s one thing that too many corporations seem to put on the back burner as they see that bottom line increase: making sure that they’re not doing it to the detriment of the planet.

Enter Green Storage Hamilton, the 2024 International Facility of the Year. Not only do they offer practical storage solutions to their tenants, but they’ve mastered the art of intertwining history, modern technologies, and sustainability. They’ve also managed to develop a strong company culture, despite the fact that many of their team members are scattered across multiple locations throughout southern Ontario.

No matter how you look at it, Green Storage Hamilton has managed to hit it out of the ballpark in all areas of their business; and they have done so in a way that benefits everyone who comes into contact with them: employees, clients, the community at large, and even planet Earth, which is why they’re the 2024 Facility of the Year international winner.

The building where Green Storage Hamilton is located has been a staple of their community in Hamilton, Ont., since the early 20th century. In 1918, it opened as Glendale Spinning Mills. Back then, it was the largest one in the country; as such, it was a substantial job provider at the local level. As the decades went on, it also served as a warehouse.

Almost a century later, in 2017 to be exact, Green Storage Hamilton bought it to turn it into a self-storage facility. On its face, it could’ve become the Disney World of storage facilities: It boasted 270,000 square feet over three stories. But providing air conditioning and heating to such a gargantuan structure would mean leaving a significant carbon footprint, and this was the opposite of what the ownership team wanted to achieve.

“We’ve always been mindful of how business decisions can impact the environment,” says COO Jeremy Freedman. “We realized that self-storage has a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainability efforts, whether through solar power, geothermal heating, or partnerships like our tree planting initiative.”

So, the construction company, NetZero Construction, modified the layout to a more functional 130,000 net rentable square footage.

The initial phase of this project started with an assessment of the then-existing structure to determine its viability for conversion. During this process, they discovered soil contamination and hazardous lead and asbestos. This stalled the project since remediation required a quarantine.

Once the renovations were green lit, energy efficiency remained a central focus, so the structure was insulated with high-value spray foam to minimize energy loss. They also installed solar panels and geothermal heat pumps and added automated lighting and climate control to ensure a comfortable, well-lit environment while maintaining energy efficiency.

They also did something else that showcases their unwavering commitment to promote sustainability, even among their customers: They have a community garden that provides them with fresh vegetables.

“You should see the smiles on our tenants’ faces when we share the herbs and vegetables we grow,” says Freedman. “We have them across most of our locations, and our team has done an outstanding job maintaining and nurturing these gardens. We encourage anyone who’s in Ontario to visit any of our sites during the summer to experience it for themselves and maybe even take home some fresh produce.”

It’s noteworthy, however, that despite modernizing the facilities to reduce their carbon footprint, they have remained mindful of being proud of the building’s history. This is why they decided to keep the original wooden beams, the original heavy-duty door in the main office, and the original humidifier. “These historic features are special because they tell a part of the building’s story,” Freedman says. “We also have a chronological timeline displayed around the building, sharing the full history of what the facility was like over the past 100 years before it became a storage and office building. These elements contribute to the unique character of the facility.”

The goal was to preserve the character of the building while upgrading it to meet today’s environmental standards. “This historic building offered a unique chance to create something special for our clients and the community we serve,” he says, “blending heritage with modern functionality.”

Although it makes sense for many storage facilities to have a niche target market, Green Storage has cast a wider net. When explaining why, Freedman recalls his own needs for self-storage in the past. “This is a type of service that can benefit a wide range of people, and I learned that firsthand when I got my first storage unit,” he says. “It helped me declutter my home and showed me just how valuable and affordable a storage unit can be. But our offerings also include office suites, which have been a great success for businesses that want the flexibility of storing inventory on site while running their operations from an office.”

And since they don’t require long-term leases to rent their products, they are also accessible for entrepreneurs and small businesses, too.

At the end of the day, niches make sense in certain circumstances, but when you’re providing solutions that can benefit a wide range of people, it makes sense to go ahead and make life easier for all of them.

While the facilities and product offerings of any business are certainly important, the human resources are an essential component for their success. This is why Green Storage places a strong emphasis on fostering a positive environment for their team. “We maintain daily communication through chat channels, where we share updates, encouragement, and good vibes,” states Freedman. “We want to ensure that no one feels isolated, regardless of where they’re working.”

Because sustainability is the name of the game, the company also ensures all employees have a good work/life balance. This is why they have an annual Mental Health Day, an internal company holiday when they close all locations to give everyone a breather so that they can focus on supporting their overall wellbeing.

When they are working, everyone is valued and provided with all the resources they need to do their job successfully. “At the core of our culture is the belief that no one is bigger than anyone else,” says Freedman. “We win as a team and lose as a team. Our commitment to supporting one another means that everyone pitches in and lifts each other up. This spirit of collaboration and mutual respect is what makes Green Storage such a great place to work.”

And this is one of the things the leadership team at the company strives to consistently achieve. “Like many industries, finding and retaining top talent is always a challenge, but it’s one that we take seriously.” It’s also why many of their team members have stayed with the company long term, an achievement that attests to Green Storage’s commitment to investing in a strong and motivated workforce.

“We take great pride in managing an exceptional team, watching them grow and succeed, and working together to create a positive experience for our clients.”

Caring about the planet and their employees is certainly laudable, but Green Storage recognizes that in order to keep tenants long term, and to gain a significant competitive edge, it’s crucial to also provide a seamless customer experience. “We are committed to providing our clients with a stress-free experience that leaves a lasting impression,” Freedman says. Empathy plays a fundamental role in doing so. “We understand that moving and storage often come at stressful times in a person’s life,” he adds. “Our goal is to alleviate that stress by offering personalized support every step of the way.”

This tailored approach includes finding the perfect solution for their specific needs, taking into account unit size, and providing advice on ancillary products. “By focusing on service and expertise, we strive to make every interaction as smooth and positive as possible to help our clients to feel cared for throughout their journey with us.”

In addition, Green Storage offers tenants a comprehensive online account system that is mobile friendly and accessible via smartphones. Through the platform, tenants can reserve units, enter into rental agreements, make payments, and manage their accounts.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. “What truly sets us apart is our state-of-the-art access control system,” adds Freedman. “Using your smartphone, you can open loading bay doors, interior doors, operate elevators [and] share access with coworkers, friends, and family; and you can use it to lock or unlock your storage unit.”

Not only do clients get end-to-end control when accessing their units, but they get top-of-the-line security as well. “Tenants also get complete visibility over the activity in and around their storage unit,” says Freedman. “It’s all about convenience and peace of mind, knowing that you have access to your unit with just a tap on your phone.”

But it’s not just tenants who are keeping tabs on the facilities. Green Storage is equipped with 24/7 HD security cameras and motion detection systems, offering real-time protection. “We’re committed to keeping all of our clients’ belongings safe with the best technology available,” he says.

Conducting a thorough market analysis is a given when it comes to making accurate lease-up projections. Green Storage ensures that theirs are grounded in reality by taking a conservative approach. “We conduct this comprehensive research even before acquiring a facility,” says Freedman. “We take into account the local demand, the competition, and overall market trends so that we can set achievable targets.” 

They’re also well aware that they are able to consistently surpass their lease-up targets thanks to their team’s dedication, as well as the quality of their product offerings and the cutting-edge technology for tenants to access them. “While lease-up periods are always challenging, our disciplined approach and consistent focus on client experience have enabled us to thrive, especially with our new builds and expansions,” he says. “But no matter what we go through, I’m inspired by seeing our locations thrive and fill up, as well as witnessing the overall growth of the industry. Innovation has been remarkable, particularly over the last five years; and it’s exciting to be part of an industry that is constantly moving forward while also embracing sustainability.”

Something else that often predicts a company’s longevity is their ability to manage challenges, and Green Storage is no stranger to their share. “Navigating market fluctuations and competitions can sometimes be difficult, especially when entering new regions,” states Freedman. “This is why it’s so crucial to stay ahead in terms of innovation, technology, and eco-friendly practices.”

Something else that makes these hurdles manageable is ensuring that they stay connected as a team, as well as safeguarding their practices of providing a high standard of service for their clients. This often requires extra focus and strategizing, but it always remains at the top of their priority list.

Then there’s the fact that green energy regulations and sustainability requirements evolve periodically. Juggling all these priorities means constantly being on their toes and adapting when necessary. It’s a shining example of Charles Darwin’s survival of the fittest theory, except that they’re not exclusively surviving. With each passing year, they’re thriving and staying at the forefront of the industry.

Regardless of the challenges they face, the common denominator remains that they love the self-storage industry as a whole. “What I love most about this industry is the incredible variety of ways we get to help people,” Freedman says. “Whether it’s offering someone peace of mind during a move or a difficult time in their life, it’s rewarding to provide such a valuable service.”

Businesses don’t exist in a vacuum. To survive long term, the surrounding community has to be well aware of its existence, and Green Storage’s involvement within Hamilton has ensured that people not only know about them but that they enjoy interacting with them, too.

One of their favorite community initiatives is their partnership with the local professional lacrosse team in Hamilton. “One of the perks we love is offering front-row seats to our loyal clients,” Freedman says, highlighting how genuinely proud he is of the work they do. “It’s a great way to show our appreciation while fostering community connections through the shared love of sports.” They’ve also sponsored local hockey teams, as well as being involved with the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, an organization that celebrates local athletic achievements.

In addition, they regularly participate in clean-ups with Green Venture, a local organization that promotes and lobbies for sustainable living; support the local Pride parade; and promote a tree planting program, which has resulted in more than 23,000 trees being planted globally Freedman is extremely proud of the initiative.

“For every rental, we plant a tree in regions that need it the most, helping to restore land and support communities,” he says. “The more we saw the positive impact on both the community and the business, the more it reinforced the importance of putting sustainability at the center of our projects,” Freedman states. In fact, it’s what he also recommends to other businesses getting started in the industry. “My advice is to focus on understanding your market, prioritizing an exceptional customer experience, and embracing sustainability practices, as they not only benefit the environment, but are also valued by many clients. Sustainability is not just a trend but a responsibility we embrace to create lasting positive change.”

A business model that watches out for a lot more than just their profits—we’re green with inspiration.