This year’s Facility of the Year winner for the construction category is Trojan Storage in Englewood, N.J. Like the overall winner, Trojan Englewood rises through the ranks thanks to various elements: practical architectural components, implementation of innovative technologies, and incorporation of sustainability at an exceptionally large scale. The five-story building boasts 162,446 square feet of space, with 1,030 square feet dedicated to offices, and houses 1,368 climate-controlled units with the finest components provided by Janus International.
It’s easy to admire a project once it’s completed, but the construction of Trojan Englewood faced challenges from the beginning that made reaching completion even more admirable. Thanks to GMA Architects and ARCO/Murray Design Studio’s extensive expertise, each issue was resolved within budget and the project’s timeline, and the facilities were able to open their doors to the public on Aug. 28, 2024.
Without further ado, let’s take a walk down that memory lane and see why this facility is being celebrated within the industry and what can developers learn so they can implement smart design into their future projects.
“When we joined the project, we immediately noticed that the site had zero lot line with tight access,” says Sylver Cook, marketing coordinator at ARCO/Murray. “There were also underground water systems and proximity to power lines that complicated the construction of the facilities.”
These hurdles weren’t completely unexpected, considering that the building is located along Dean Street, which is a main corridor that runs through the city, and is thus in a densely populated area. Yet, ARCO was able to work around these challenges by thinking outside the box, and successfully delivered the state-of-the-art facility exactly as it was planned.
First was the discovery of contaminated groundwater beneath the site. This posed a significant obstacle to establishing the building’s foundations, but rather than viewing it as a setback, the team approached it as an opportunity to demonstrate the value of ARCO/Murray’s design-build methodology.
“By collaborating closely with our subcontractors’ engineers, we implemented a comprehensive dewatering strategy that removed contaminated groundwater while safely redirecting clean water flow around the structure,” says Cook.
Next up was the zero lot line. “The site was tightly constrained, bordered by two operational businesses to the east and west, an active railroad to the south, and a heavily trafficked major roadway [Dean Street] at the front,” Cook says. It sounds like a nightmare scenario, yet ARCO overcame these conditions by implementing a highly coordinated logistics plan that centered on three key strategies:
Then there was the presence of power lines along Dean Street, which could pose a security risk, as well as conflict with municipal requirements. To solve this challenge, ARCO/Murray incorporated a setback roof design, meaning that the top of the structure doesn’t go all the way to the front edge like the floors below. (Think of a stack of books and pushing the top one a bit farther back.) Designing the roof this way ensures that the top of the structure is keeping a safe distance from the power lines.
“This adjustment not only resolves functional constraints but also creates a distinctive architectural profile,” Cook says, noting that the contemporary design contributes to the visual interest and identity of the building. “The street-facing elevation presents as four stories, while the primary volume of the structure rises to a full five stories, reinforcing both scale and presence within the major street.”
The way this phase of the project was managed also highlights that employee safety was prioritized at all times. “Our team incorporated swing stage scaffolding to maintain proper clearances while still allowing safe and efficient installation of the building’s intricate façade. This two-point adjustable system was anchored directly into the roof structure, providing a stable platform for subcontractors working closely to the active powerlines.”
Finally, ARCO also wanted the building to match aesthetically with its surroundings, so they blended architectural wall panels with metal panels, storefront windows, and stone veneer accents. It features over 5,000 square feet of glazing as well.
“From an aesthetics perspective, it’s a good-looking building,” says John Bilton, director of western Nokē sales at Janus International. “There’s no gate or fence. You have this gorgeous looking multistory building with lots of glass, brick, and metal. You drive by it, and you think, ‘My stuff is going to be safe there.’ It looks like a fortress.”
The facility also enables tenants to drive into the property. “You can get out of a storm or winter weather and unload your car inside, where there’s a large holding area for vehicles. And another cool thing is the double slider doors for one of the main entrances,” Bilton says. “When you are going to move materials in, you have these doors that go from the center to either left or right, so you can create a very large opening and easy access to the elevators, so you’re not fighting a regular man door size. I can get out of traffic, go directly inside the building, unload my stuff in a nice environment, and feel secure about my gear being secure. That’s really an important element.”
Cook agrees, pointing out that the drive-in access ensures a smooth move-in experience and a secured space.
On the inside, the design was also carefully curated to ensure cohesion and functional flow. The loading areas, loading docks, main self-storage units, and office space are seamlessly connected in a way that’s easy to navigate for tenants and staff. The office space also accommodates retail sales for moving supplies, customer service interactions, and day-to-day operations—all while maintaining high visibility and security through integrated TV monitors connected to the facility’s camera system.
“The circulation experience of this well-designed self-storage facility is intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly,” says Cook. “This includes having wide drive aisles and clearly marked pathways that guide tenants seamlessly from entry gates to loading zones. The facility also has large overhead doors and direct access corridors that make loading and unloading simple.”
The first level also has larger storage units, which are ideal for certain types of commercial storage. For example, pharmaceutical or medical device companies that require bigger, climate-controlled units for their products.
Then there is logical wayfinding and elevator placement, as well as clear sightlines that help customers navigate easily between floors and units, creating a smooth flow that minimizes confusion and enhances overall convenience and safety.
That said, the most popular feature by leaps and bounds is the cloud-based Nokē Smart Entry technology. First, it fully automates access into the building through keyless keypad technology that tenants control through their mobile devices. This application enables them to share access with friends and family, withdrawing that access with the tap of a button, and ensures heightened security within the building, since Nokē only allows access to the floor where a specific tenant’s storage unit is located. It also provides Bluetooth latches on all units, which are accessible via the app too.
“The facility is also leveraging Nokē locks and smart entry technology that enable a seamless customer experience while also elevating the security of the individual unit. The Nokē smart technology at this site means tenants never have to remember a gate code or key; their phone is all they need to enter the facility and their unit,” says Bilton. “In addition to convenience for tenants, Nokē also provides peace of mind. The only way to get in that property is to have the correct credentials on your smartphone. And since most of them now have facial recognition, you have that extra level of security. This is extremely valuable because, historically, there has been crime committed within self-storage facilities. Here, tenants can see that safety is of utmost priority.”
Nokē Smart Entry feels like the gift that keeps on giving for Trojan Storage’s operators since, in addition to making life easier for tenants, it gathers valuable data for staff, such as occupancy rates, which storage sizes are renting better, when is the facility the busiest, and pricing. This information has enabled Trojan Englewood to maximize efficiency by allocating staff when and where they’re most needed. Operators don’t even have to log into their computers to verify this data. They can check Trojan’s Englewood web portal to see what’s going on from their phones or pad.
And rest assured, while all information is stored in the cloud, the platform is certified with the highest cybersecurity standards, so all personal information is always protected.
Then there are multiple surveillance videos feeding live footage to a wall of screens. “These are massive, 50-inch screens,” says Bilton. “There’s probably 100 cameras on those screens. Every screen has 10 camera feeds on them, so you know everything on this site is being monitored. Everything is also so clean and well lit.”
Trojan Storage is keenly aware of the importance of providing an excellent tenant experience and the fact that sometimes small details can have a significant impact. “Metal tends to expand and contract with changes in temperature, and sometimes this can cause odd noises,” says Bilton. “If you walk into the facilities at 10:30 at night, when it’s all clean and quiet, those sounds could potentially feel eerie, but not at Trojan Englewood. The operators have nice, pleasant music playing in the background, so you can run your errands at any time, knowing that, from a safety perspective, you’re fully covered, but you’ll also have an enjoyable experience while visiting the facilities.”
Trojan incorporates advanced storm water management as well. “Beneath the facility’s parking area, the existing underground infrastructure was failing to manage storm water effectively,” Cook says about the early construction days. “Recognizing the impact this could have on both construction and long-term site performance, our team removed the outdated system entirely and installed a new drainage pipeline to reroute all clean water to the existing river at the rear of the property and away from the job site.”
She explains that taking this approach delivered multiple benefits to the client. “By redesigning the system, we freed up additional space for rentable units, directly increasing the Trojan’s revenue potential. At the same time, the upgraded system improved storm water management for the city, ensuring a sustainable and resilient solution for future operations.”
The new system is also capable of handling the Northeast’s variable climate, and as Cook explains, it turned a complex challenge into a strategic advantage that maximizes both operational efficiency and project value.
All in all, everyone involved in the design and construction of the facilities is proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish in such a short span of time. The fact that all of ARCO’s project managers are also engineers was certainly key to making sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. And the modus operandi of the construction company of being fully collaborative with all entities involved (architects, designers, structural engineers, and subcontractors) ensured that the entire process was orchestrated like a top-notch symphony.
“The collaborative effort between ARCO/Murray and GMA resulted in a state-of-the-art, Class-A self-storage facility that balances efficiency with architectural character,” Cook says, singing praises of her team as well as the finished masterpiece that is Trojan Englewood.
In fact, there are several key lessons learned from this project that could very well serve future self-storage builds. One of them is the value of integrating advanced technology and thoughtful design early in the process. “The fully integrated Nokē system greatly enhanced security and customer convenience, while architectural features like wide overhead doors, red Trojan-branded unit doors, and expansive display areas elevated the facility’s presence and user experience,” says Cook. “From a construction standpoint, other lessons include careful coordination around nearby power lines, early planning for swing stage access, and ensuring proper roof slope design were critical takeaways to improve efficiency and avoid rework.”
As for Bilton, he could wax poetic all day about how much he likes the property. “Everyone thinks their baby is beautiful, but for storage, this is truly a Class-A facility—a high quality building with state-of-the-art amenities. It’s modern, clean, and leverages the highest quality products and technology. I can definitely see why it came up on top when considering the most outstanding facilities of the year.”
General Contractor: ARCO/Murray Design Build
Doors & Hallways: Janus International
Access System & Locks: Nokē Smart Entry By Janus International
Architect: GMA Architects
Structural Engineer: O’Donnel & Naccarato
Civil Engineers: Stonefield Engineering and Design
MEP Engineers: Henderson Engineers
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Alejandra Zilak studied journalism, went to law school, and now writes for a living. She also loves dogs.