Sometimes looks are deceiving for the right reasons.

When Dymon Storage Corp. first opened upscale self-storage sites in Ottawa in 2006, the multistorey, mixed-use buildings were often mistaken for low-rise offices or condominiums.

“No one thought they were for storage,” recalls Steve Creighton, senior vice-president of parent Dymon Group of Cos. “We wanted people to understand that this is something that is not like anything you have seen before.”

The Ottawa-based company is one example of an evolution under way in self-service storage, with upscale options a new niche market. Increasingly, some businesses and homeowners are prepared to pay a premium for climate-controlled, concierge-style services in suburban and downtown locations.

THE GLOBE AND MAIL | Jennifer Lewington | Read complete article here