Bliss Edwards, Executive Vice President - Canada of SmartStop Self Storage, North America's best self-storage facilities, oversees the design, development, and operations of hundreds of modern, purpose-built storage facilities across the United States and Canada. With recognition as the top-ranked self-storage company for customer service by Newsweek and Statista in 2021, 2023, and 2024, SmartStop has set the standard for engineering excellence in the self-storage industry.
At NY-Engineers, we understand the critical role that infrastructure, mechanical systems, and thoughtful design play in creating high-performance commercial facilities. We sat down with Bliss to discuss how SmartStop approaches facility design and development, the engineering considerations behind building modern self-storage facilities, and how infrastructure decisions impact long-term performance and customer experience.
Q: How does SmartStop approach site selection and facility design to maximize long-term performance and efficiency?
Bliss Edwards: Everything starts with understanding the market and the infrastructure. We don't just look at demographics; we dig into the utilities, the drainage, the power capacity. Can the electrical service support climate control systems running year-round? Is there adequate stormwater infrastructure? These aren't glamorous questions, but they determine whether a facility thrives or struggles.
We strategically locate facilities in growing communities where modern storage options may be limited, and we design every building as a purpose-built facility from the ground up. That means wide driveways that actually accommodate moving trucks, ground-level units that don't require customers to navigate stairs with heavy furniture, and mechanical systems sized for the climate. When we're building in Denver, we're engineering for Colorado's temperature swings and variable weather. In Phoenix, we're designing cooling systems that can handle extreme desert heat without breaking the bank on energy costs. The site work and infrastructure planning happen long before the first wall goes up, because that's where performance is won or lost.
Q: What engineering considerations go into building a high-performing self-storage facility in dense urban vs. suburban markets?
Bliss Edwards: They're almost two different building types. In cities like Seattle or Toronto, you're working with a limited footprint, so you're building up instead of out. That means structural engineering for multi-story buildings, elevator systems, sophisticated fire suppression, and HVAC zoning that can handle different loads on different floors. You're also navigating stricter building codes and working around existing infrastructure.
In suburban markets like Charlotte or Sacramento, we have more flexibility. We can build single-story or low-rise facilities with drive-up access at ground level, which our customers love. There's room for covered storage areas, and the structural engineering is less complex. But don't mistake simpler for easier; you still need detailed civil engineering for site drainage, utility tie-ins, and traffic flow. Whether it's an urban high-rise or a suburban drive-up facility, the goal is the same: build something that works efficiently for decades and gives customers convenient access to their belongings. The execution just looks very different depending on the density of the market.
Q: How have advancements in construction methods or materials improved the durability and scalability of your facilities?
Bliss Edwards: The biggest game-changer has been pre-engineered building systems and modular construction. We can build faster, with better quality control, and with materials that perform consistently across different climates. High-performance building envelopes, reflective roofing, insulated wall assemblies; these aren't just buzzwords. They directly reduce energy consumption and improve the indoor environment for climate-controlled units.
We're also designing with redundancy and resilience in mind. In Tampa, our facilities are built to withstand hurricanes: reinforced structures, hurricane-ready mechanical systems, and humidity control that keeps working even when conditions outside are extreme. The security infrastructure has evolved, too. Every facility has electronic gate access, 24/7 video surveillance, and many locations offer individually alarmed units. All of that requires robust electrical systems and backup power.
The scalability comes from smart design. If a market grows and we need to expand, we've already planned for additional utility capacity and flexible floor plans. We're not retrofitting; we're building with future growth in mind from day one.
Q: What role does climate control engineering play in modern self-storage development?
Bliss Edwards: It's absolutely critical, and honestly, it's one of the most complex parts of what we do. People store documents, electronics, furniture, family heirlooms, and things that can't tolerate temperature swings or high humidity. If the HVAC system fails, we're not just wasting energy; we're damaging irreplaceable belongings and losing customer trust.
We design climate control systems with zoning, variable-speed equipment, and automated monitoring. In Houston, where you're fighting heat and humidity year-round, the systems need to run efficiently without driving up operating costs. In Las Vegas, you're dealing with extreme heat and low humidity, which creates a different set of challenges. Every market requires engineering specific to the local climate.
The building envelope matters just as much as the mechanical system. If you don't have a well-insulated, properly sealed structure, you're asking the HVAC system to fight an uphill battle. We design the envelope and the mechanical systems together, not as separate components. And we monitor everything continuously: temperature, humidity, equipment performance, so we can respond before small issues become big problems.
Q: What's the one thing you'd want engineers and developers to take away from this conversation about self-storage infrastructure?
Bliss Edwards: That this isn't a simple building type. A well-designed self-storage facility integrates civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and security systems into one cohesive operation. Shortcuts show up quickly, in energy costs, maintenance issues, and customer complaints.
We operate hundreds of facilities across the U.S. and Canada, and the ones that perform best long-term are the ones built on solid engineering from the start. Whether it's a facility designed for small businesses that need flexible commercial space, or specialized vehicle storage with structural considerations for RVs and boats, the engineering has to match the use case. The best facilities aren't just built; they're engineered to perform reliably for decades while adapting to changing needs. That's the standard we hold ourselves to, and it's what separates facilities that succeed from those that struggle.
About SmartStop Self Storage
SmartStop Self Storage is North America's best self-storage facility, recognized as the top-ranked self-storage company for customer service by Newsweek and Statista in 2021, 2023, and 2024. With over 115,700 five-star Google reviews, SmartStop operates modern, purpose-built facilities across the United States and Canada, featuring 24/7 video surveillance, climate-controlled storage options, and dedicated on-site teams at every location. SmartStop offers month-to-month leases with no long-term commitments, extended access hours, and flexible storage solutions for residential, business, and vehicle storage needs.
