Life Storage
Former American self-storage company and real estate investment trust acquired by Extra Space Storage in 2023.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Life Storage was an American self-storage company and real estate investment trust headquartered in Williamsville, New York. The company developed, acquired, owned, and operated self-storage facilities in the United States, serving residential and commercial customers who needed space for household goods, business inventory, vehicles, and other possessions. It operated primarily as a property-owning and property-managing platform rather than as a consumer-goods brand. The business began in Buffalo, New York, in 1982 as a financial planning firm. It entered the self-storage sector in 1985 by opening its first facility in Florida. During the following several years, it expanded along the East Coast and accumulated approximately 30 facilities. The company then pursued a more systematic acquisition strategy, buying 62 additional self-storage properties during the next decade and consolidating them under the Uncle Bob's Self Storage name. This branding period established the company as a recognizable operator in the United States self-storage market. Life Storage became a public company through an initial public offering in 1995. Its portfolio reached 111 facilities in 15 states by the end of 1996 and 222 facilities by 1999. Over time, the company expanded beyond its original East Coast footprint into additional states, including Texas, and operated in 21 states by 2004. The scale-up reflected the broader self-storage industry's reliance on acquisitions, portfolio density, standardized operations, and recurring rental revenue. Robert J. Attea was a central figure during the company's expansion under the Uncle Bob's identity. In 2012, former chief financial officer David Rogers became chief executive officer, while Attea continued as executive chairman. By November 2013, the company operated 471 facilities across 25 states. The company continued to supplement organic operations with smaller portfolio transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions reported in 2014 and additional property purchases in Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, and Tennessee during 2016 and 2017. A major strategic turning point came in July 2016, when the company acquired Life Storage LP for approximately $1.3 billion. The transaction added properties in Northern California and Las Vegas and helped broaden the company's geographic reach. In August 2016, the company changed its corporate identity and rebranded its facilities from Uncle Bob's Self Storage to Life Storage. The new name emphasized a broader, more contemporary positioning centered on making storage part of customers' everyday lives rather than retaining the older Uncle Bob's identity. Joseph Saffire replaced David Rogers as chief executive officer in 2019. During the same year, the company acquired a property in Tampa and sold properties in Greensboro, North Carolina, illustrating its ongoing portfolio-management approach. In December 2021, Life Storage formed a joint venture with Heitman LLC to invest in self-storage properties, adding an investment-partnership dimension to its ownership strategy. Life Storage's independent existence ended in July 2023, when Extra Space Storage acquired the company in a transaction valued at approximately $12.7 billion. Extra Space Storage prevailed after Public Storage had made an offer valued at approximately $11 billion. Following the acquisition, Life Storage ceased to operate as an independent publicly traded company. Its facilities and operations became part of Extra Space Storage's broader self-storage platform.
History
Life Storage originated in Buffalo, New York, in 1982 as a financial planning firm. In 1985, it entered self-storage by opening its first facility in Florida. The company expanded along the East Coast, reaching roughly 30 facilities within three years, and then used acquisitions to build a larger national portfolio. During the following decade, it acquired 62 self-storage facilities and standardized their identity under the Uncle Bob's Self Storage name. The company went public in 1995. By the end of 1996, it operated 111 facilities in 15 states along the East Coast and Texas; by 1999, the portfolio had grown to 222 facilities. Its geographic reach continued to increase, and it operated in 21 states by 2004. In 2012, David Rogers, previously the company's chief financial officer, became chief executive officer, while Robert J. Attea remained executive chairman. By November 2013, the company had 471 facilities in 25 states. Portfolio expansion continued through smaller transactions. The company completed two small portfolio acquisitions in 2014 and acquired properties in Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, and Tennessee in 2016 and 2017. In July 2016, it acquired Life Storage LP for approximately $1.3 billion, adding its first properties in Northern California and Las Vegas. The following month, the company adopted the Life Storage name and replaced the Uncle Bob's Self Storage branding at its facilities. Joseph Saffire became chief executive officer in 2019. That year, the company acquired a Tampa property and sold properties in Greensboro, North Carolina. In December 2021, it formed a joint venture with Heitman LLC focused on investing in self-storage properties. These activities reflected the company's combination of facility operations, real estate ownership, acquisition, disposition, and institutional partnership strategies. In July 2023, Extra Space Storage acquired Life Storage for approximately $12.7 billion. The deal followed competition from Public Storage, whose offer was reported at approximately $11 billion. The acquisition ended Life Storage's independent corporate existence and integrated its facilities and business into Extra Space Storage.
- 2023
Acquired by Extra Space Storage
[1]Extra Space Storage acquired Life Storage, ending the company's independent existence.
- 2021
Heitman joint venture
[1]Life Storage established a joint venture with Heitman LLC to invest in self-storage properties.
- 2019
New chief executive officer
[1]Joseph Saffire succeeded David Rogers as chief executive officer.
- 2016
Acquisition and national rebrand
[1]The company acquired Life Storage LP and changed its name and facility branding from Uncle Bob's Self Storage to Life Storage.
- 2012
Leadership transition
[1]David Rogers became chief executive officer, while Robert J. Attea continued as executive chairman.
- 1995
Initial public offering
[1]The company became publicly traded through an initial public offering.
- 1985
Entry into self-storage
[1]The company opened its first self-storage facility in Florida.
- 1982
Company founded as a financial planning firm
[1]The business was established in Buffalo, New York, initially operating as a financial planning firm.
Products and positioning
A national U.S. self-storage operator positioned around convenient, accessible storage for household and business customers, supported by a large property portfolio and standardized facility operations.
Storage rental · 1985
Self-storage units
The company's core offering consisted of rentable self-storage units for residential and commercial users. Facilities provided customers with space for possessions, household transitions, business inventory, and other storage needs. Units were operated through a network of company-owned, acquired, and managed properties across the United States.
Specialty storage
Climate-controlled storage
Climate-controlled units were part of the company's storage-property offering where available. These units are designed for belongings that may require more stable temperature or humidity conditions than conventional storage. The offering supported residential, commercial, and specialty storage use cases.
Business storage
Commercial storage
Life Storage served businesses needing supplemental space for inventory, records, equipment, and operational materials. Commercial storage complemented the company's residential customer base and formed part of its broader self-storage property model.
Specialty storage
Vehicle and specialty storage
Some facilities offered storage suited to vehicles or other specialty items. Availability depended on individual property characteristics, including site layout and unit configuration.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016Life Storage rebrand
United States
Following the acquisition of Life Storage LP, the company replaced the Uncle Bob's Self Storage identity with the Life Storage name across its facilities and corporate brand.
Outcome. The rebrand established the Life Storage identity used until the company's acquisition by Extra Space Storage in 2023.
Brand decisions
2023
Accept Extra Space Storage acquisitionM&ABackground
Life Storage became the subject of competing acquisition interest from Extra Space Storage and Public Storage.
Action taken
Extra Space Storage acquired the company in July 2023 for approximately $12.7 billion, surpassing an approximately $11 billion Public Storage offer.
Aftermath
Life Storage ceased to exist as an independent publicly traded company and its operations were integrated into Extra Space Storage.
Transaction value. Approximately $12.7 billion (July 2023)
- Public Storage — Public Storage made an approximately $11 billion offer during the acquisition contest.
2021
Form joint venture with HeitmanStrategyBackground
Life Storage pursued institutional investment opportunities in self-storage real estate.
Action taken
The company formed a joint venture with Heitman LLC to invest in self-storage properties.
Aftermath
The partnership broadened the company's investment platform beyond direct facility operations.
2016
Acquire Life Storage LPM&ABackground
The company sought to expand its self-storage portfolio and geographic coverage.
Action taken
It acquired Life Storage LP for approximately $1.3 billion, adding properties in Northern California and Las Vegas.
Aftermath
The transaction was followed by the company's corporate name change and facility rebrand to Life Storage.
Acquisition value. Approximately $1.3 billion (July 2016)
Sources1 sources
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